章 32: Leon Bright (3)
A day before Leon's return to the Solaris House.
The Outer Sanctum of Hyarum's main cathedral, which had been quiet for weeks, was now bustling with life. Numerous Clergies, Priests, Paladins and even attendants swarmed the massive quadrangle, each with myriad expressions. Some were jovial and bubbly, while others were saddened and quiet.
None wore cassocks, armour or formal attire, and many wore comfortable clothing that could only be described as loungewear. Yet, none of them cared. They weren't here for a procession or a religious ceremony but to send off their friend and precious acquaintance.
Leon Bright.
"Leon! Have you packed everything?"
A burly man in his thirties approached and slapped the youth on his back. Leon coughed from the impact and held back his annoyance as he replied: "Sir Lambo… Your love taps are as intense as ever…"
"HAHA!!! A real man would accept my slaps with pride!"
"Hah… You haven't changed a bit."
Leon has spent five years in Hyarum and has made numerous acquaintances. Sir Lambo was one such friend. As a Paladin who guarded the main cathedral, Leon had interacted with the freak of a man numerous times, and they had even trained together a few dozen times. In fact, the first Paladin that Leon met that wasn't Sir Arthur was none other than Sir Lambo.
And back then, his love taps were just as forceful.
"But to answer your question, I packed long ago. My suitcases have been loaded onto the flying ship."
"Flying ship? Wouldn't it be better to use the intercontinental hypertrain?"
"Sir Arthur advised against it. After all, he will be accompanying me. If word gets out that the Head Paladin is leaving Hyarum, it could lead to unwanted gossip."
"Ah, that makes sense."
In the fantasy setting of [Bright], society wasn't as underdeveloped as one may think. There were many modern modes of transport, such as self-powered magical carriages, ocean liners that could move across large bodies of water, and even flying ships that cruised through the skies with magic.
However, the fastest mode of transport was unquestionably the intercontinental hypertrain, a railway system connecting all of Hyades's major cities. And that includes Hyarum and Solfea.
Alas, using the intercontinental hypertrain provided as much privacy as a public restroom. It wouldn't take long for people to catch wind of Sir Arthur leaving Hyarum, which could lead to mass speculation and worry. Fortunately, during times like these, the Holy Church would provide discrete flying ships for high-ranking individuals to sneak out undetected.
"Bahahaha, are you nervous?"
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't…"
"Bahahaha, knowing you, you will be fine!" The burly man again gave Leon a love tap before bellowing out in laughter. "The Solaris House is a good place. I even know a few Knights who owe me some pints there! They're good men! If anyone bullies you, just find them and use my name! Otherwise, just give me a holler! I'll head over and teach them a lesson!"
"Sir Lambo…"
Leon received the list of Knights who received favour from the Paladin with touched eyes. Leon didn't have to receive any favour from any of the Paladins as an outsider. And yet, they were treating him as their own. Of course, the burly man wasn't the only one.
"Take care, Leon! Remember to send us some messages!"
"Make sure you eat enough! You're still growing! Here, take some bread we baked!"
"Come back soon, okay? We will be waiting for you!"
Clergies that helped Leon whenever he was sick or injured. Chefs who cooked his favourite meals throughout his stay in the Hyarum. Handmaidens who cleaned his room and assisted him when he was lost.
They were all present to wave goodbye to their good friend.
By the time he said farewell to all his acquaintances, his arms were full of gifts, from freshly baked goods to daily necessities needed for his migration. The atmosphere was warm and fuzzy, with many present beaming from ear to ear. And Leon had a bright smile on his face as well.
However, there was one person who didn't possess such jubilation.
A young teenage girl stood silently at the back of the crowd as she drew circles on the floor with her toes. Unable to raise her face, the adolescent girl continued to glue her eyes on the ground, drawing the ire of her handmaidens-in-waiting.
"Mistress Ellahan! If you continue to dilly-dally, you'll miss your chance to say goodbye to Leon!"
"Leon is going to be gone for a long time! Are you sure you want to let him leave on a sour note?"
The two similarly-aged girls chided their mistress, who was still awkward, to express her feelings. Ellahan's face instantly burned red as her body language expressed innumerable emotions.
Shame of letting her friends read her thoughts. Panic that she was about to lose her final chance to say goodbye to Leon. And most prominently, the unwillingness to let her bosom friend and childhood love go.
Over the past five years, Leon hadn't just become a friend to Ellahan but a faithful companion. A confidant she could confide in when work and studies became overwhelming. A friend who constantly played with her whenever she felt lonely. A protector who always looked out for her physical and mental well-being.
And as much as she was too embarrassed to admit it…
Leon was her first and only love.
When Ellahan first heard Leon would leave Hyarum and return to the Solaris House, she was depressed for many days. Throwing tantrums and refusing to eat, as if a hunger strike would change Sir Arthur's decision. Ellahan wrongly presumed that her status as a Saintess candidate was enough to force Leon to stay in Hyarum and never to leave her side.
Ultimately, Ellahan was just a brat throwing a tantrum. Sir Arthur's mind was set, and not to mention, Ellahan knew she was just being selfish. Returning to the Solaris House had endless benefits for Leon, and her wilfulness would only hold him back.
And after that, Ellahan didn't meet with Leon anymore. She didn't know how to face the young man and felt that just by seeing his face… her heart would tear in two.
Before she knew it, it was already time for Leon to depart, and she had yet to say a single word to him. No tearful goodbyes, no angry cries to beg him to stay… Nothing.
And now… Leon was about to leave.
'Hic… Why am I like this? Leon is sure to hate a girl like me…'
Since Leon entered Hyades, she had been nothing but trouble for him. And even at the very last moment, she was being a bother. It would be odd for a guy like Leon, who was perfect in every way, to fall for a girl like her. And that thought brought Ellahan into despair.
'Maybe… We should part this way…'
Embarrassed and fearful, Ellahan resigned herself as being inadequate for Leon. She couldn't raise her head, so she didn't notice the crowd slowly growing quiet and her two handmaidens retreating from her side. And before the young teen could register anything, a warm voice beckoned to her.
"Ella."
"L-Leon!!!"
There was no way she wouldn't recognise the tender sound that kept her sane. Ellahan abruptly raised her face only to cover them back again quickly. She may not have been crying, but her eyes were undoubtedly red. At the same time, Ellahan was not in control of her facial expressions, so she wasn't sure what kind of face she would show her crush.
"S-Sorry, please give me a moment!"
"It's okay, take all the time you need."
Once again, Leon's soothing voice calmed her beating heart. She took a few moments to fully regain herself before finally mustering the courage to meet Leon in the eye. And the first thing she saw…
… was forlorn sadness.
Just as Ellahan didn't wish to part with Leon, the handsome young man didn't wish to part with her either. Ellahan thought she was the only one receiving favours from Leon, but their relationship was a two-way street.
For Leon, Ellahan was his first playmate. His first bosom friend. And most importantly, the girl he loved the most.
Leon didn't agree to be Ellahan's protector for monetary gain or to get in the good books of Sir Arthur or Ellahan's Archbishop grandfather. Leon became Ellahan's guardian for one reason and one reason only.
Because he wanted to.
Leon was enamoured with the young girl's tenacity, willingness to sacrifice herself to save others, and innate beauty. Among the countless girls who seemed as innumerable as the stars in the sky, Ellahan alone shone the brightest. And he was about to leave his shining star all alone.
How could he feel happy?
"Ella, I'm sorry…"
"D-Don't be! I-I'm sorry too!"
"What for?"
"H-Huh?"
"Huh?"
The two paused while tripping over their words. They looked silently at each other for five seconds before finally laughing.
"Haha… We aren't good at goodbyes, huh?"
"You can say that again."
Leon and Ellahan chuckled to themselves. Knowing that they had calmed down, Leon reached out and grabbed Ellahan's hand. The girl didn't resist, as they had done numerous times before. With their bodies connected, Leon could clearly feel Ellahan's pulse accelerating. Meanwhile, the young girl felt her partner's body temperature rising.
This was unlike their usual hand-holding. They were firmly aware that they were both now young adults and no longer children.
"Time flew… I wished that I could have spent more time with you."
"Yeah…"
"You know… When I heard you were leaving, I felt like my world was crashing down. I couldn't eat, sleep or function as normal."
"Yeah…"
"And yet… I squandered our last days together. Instead of spending time to create memories, I avoided you like the stupid girl I am."
"..."
"I'm sorry, Leon. You must be disappointed in me."
Leon watched as Ellahan rambled on and on. The sorrow in his eyes was gradually replaced with a tender warmth as his mood was uplifted. Watching the adorable creature sulk tingled his heartstrings, and he couldn't help but chuckle.
"I'll never be disappointed in you, Ella." Leon reached out and gently brushed on the young girl's cheek. "You are the one who gave me companionship when I was the most alone. The one who helped me through my darkest days. Ella… to me… you're special."
"A-Am I?"
"Of course," the blonde youth beamed with a smile so bright, it outshone the Sun. "Have I ever lied to you?"
"Never…"
The two youngsters continued their intimate act, seemingly lost in their own worlds. They could not see or feel the piercing gazes surrounding them, but it wasn't like they cared. In Leon's eyes, all he could see was Ellahan, and it was the same vice versa. They held each other with tender care, both showing unwillingness to part.
"Then you should know that… I will miss you, Ella."
"I will miss you too, Leon."
"I will contact you frequently."
"I will send you letters. No, I will make up a reason to visit Solfea."
"Haha, as the future Saintess, are you really in a position to leave Hyarum?"
"I-I'm sure I can find a way!" Ellahan flushed red as the awkwardness between the two evaporated as they became honest about their feelings. "T-Then, you come visit me! It might be hard because you've just rejoined the Solaris House, but…"
"Done."
Leon didn't bother to mince his words. Affirmatively replying to Ellahan's plea without a single moment of thought.
"I will visit you as soon as I can. I don't know how, but I'll do it."
The youth's decisiveness and unwavering determination to return to her forcibly skipped Ellahan's heartbeat. Unable to hold back the ringing in her ears, the young girl fell into Leon's embrace, gently tapping on his broad chest in a feminine manner.
"Y-you!"
Her face was scorching hot, and her heartbeat was accelerating by the second, and yet… She felt comfortable in Leon's warm embrace. Ellahan's tension was eased, and her body relaxed. She was seemingly willing to give all control over it to the young man before her. And that didn't make her feel bad.
Rather, it was intoxicating.
"Leon… I'll remember your promise."
Ellahan's soft voice murmured out from her lips as she stained Leon's shirt with lipstick. She raised her face and stared straight at the blonde youth. Her longing expression was enough to convey a thousand words, which took Leon's breath away.
"In return, I promise that when you meet again, I won't be a self-centred brat anymore. I will work to become an honourable woman worthy of standing by your side… my one and only… Knight."
"Haha, I think you're honourable enough."
Leon lovingly stroked Ellahan's hair and gently peeled her arms off his waist. Holding her petite yet firm palm, the young man fell on one knee and pulled the back of her hand onto his lips. The sudden action sent Ellahan and the young handmaidens, whose heads were filled with romance, into a fluster.
But Leon didn't care. He gazed up at his childhood friend's crimson face before declaring from the bottom of his heart.
"Ella… I don't know how long I'll be, and I cannot promise I will always be at your side. But, I swear to return to you soon. This is my vow to you. Please… be patient and wait for me."
Ellahan was overwhelmed by Leon recreating a scene crafted out of a fairy tale. However, it didn't take long for her to realise the seriousness behind the young man's eyes. Holding back her beating heart, she bent her waist and gingerly lifted Leon's chin. And with a firm yet gentle approach, Ellahan sweetly pecked Leon's forehead, completing the vow.
They gradually got to their feet and stared sweetly at each other for a long time. No one counted the time, but for the pair… it was an eternity they didn't wish to escape from.
Ellahan, unable to hold back her tender love for her man, eventually caved and smiled radiantly as she replied:
"Yes… See you soon!"
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット