Capítulo 33: All Part Of The Act

Daisy's jaw dropped. That was such a simple solution but she never would have thought of it because she wasn't the type to ask other people for handouts.

"Why would you do that?!"

Leo shrugged. "Because I want you nearby. It isn't like it will be a problem for me. I can save for a move like that in a matter of months and you aren't planning on leaving for another few years. I promised I would take care of you, didn't I?"

He did. Before he left, he said he would take care of her by sending money back, which was exactly what he had been doing. She hadn't realized that was such a long-term offer.

"…are you planning on doing that on a permanent basis?" Daisy asked faintly.

"Of course. You're all I have, Daisy."

Truthfully, he was all she had too. Even with the Krinzels and Ira because her relationships with them were so superficial. He was the only one who genuinely cared about Daisy Miller in this or any world.

"Alright then. Thank you," she said with a small smile on her face.

The topic changed back to something much lighter as they waited for the hair dyeing process to be complete. Once it was, they put their winter gear back on and returned to town.

Leo took her hand again when they got close enough that there were people milling about. Always so meticulous! Daisy didn't mind too much though since it made her frozen fingers feel warmer.

They were walking toward a restaurant to grab dinner in when someone she vaguely recognized came sprinting up to them out of breath. She was fairly certain he was a member of the Silver Wolf Squadron.

"Mellon! What are you doing here?" Leo asked with a frown.

"I'm glad I found you. An emergency meeting has been called," Mellon said grimly once he stopped wheezing. "We have to report back to headquarters immediately."

"An emergency meeting? We've never had one of those before."

"Veese said the last time they had one was before people shipped out for the war with Katalya. If I had to guess, that's what going on this time too. If it wasn't urgent, they would wait to do it tomorrow so we don't have to track everyone down."

Daisy was too worried about what Mellon was saying to notice the flash of fury on Leo's face that hardened into determination. "Lead the way."

He half dragged her behind him as they ran back to the military compound and she was ready to faint by the time they arrived. She was not able to keep up with the pace of someone nearly a foot taller than her!

"Stay here," Leo ordered without checking to see if she was okay after all that.

The situation was dire based on that alone. He had always been very solicitous of her no matter the circumstances. For something to distract him that much, the situation had to be bad.

She was left waiting in the lobby mutely terrified of what he might be thrown into. She knew he was strong but that didn't mean she wanted him to go to war! He might not come out the same person even if he didn't get hurt physically.

People continued rushing around Daisy for an indeterminate amount of time as her mind went wild with panic but no one told her anything. They didn't even seem to notice she was there, unlike the first time she was here.

When Leo finally came back, he had a rather terrifying expression on his face as two members of his squad stood nervously in the distance. She had never seen it before and wasn't sure what it meant.

"Leo?" she asked hesitantly. "What's going on?"

He put his hands on her shoulders and spoke in a hard voice. "We're heading to the northern provinces at first light because the border post has requested help from some of our strongest. They called us back to help with preparations. I'll send you a letter as soon as I arrive but, in the meantime, take all the money I have and use it to get home.

"Listen to me, Daisy. I'm going to make it back to you. No matter what happens, I will make it out of this and I'll stay in contact as much as I'm able. I don't want you to worry about me because I'll be fine. This is exactly what I've trained for. Do you understand?"

Daisy would have been concerned that he used her real name if not for the fact that literally no one was paying attention to them. They were either too busy rushing around or standing too far away since he was talking quietly.

Leo had been a serious boy when she first met him but she had never seen him like this. He said that with perfect confidence and not a hint of fear in his eye. He meant it. He believed in his skills so she had to as well.

"Yes," she whispered.

He released her shoulders and pulled out his money pouch, emptying it into hers. Once it was safely back inside her coat, he wrapped her in a tight embrace with one hand on her waist and the other on the back of her head.

"It's going to be alright," Leo murmured into her hair.

It was hard to tell if he was saying that to her or himself. Despite his confidence in his ability to stay alive, he seemed upset. Who wouldn't be? Going off to war before he turned sixteen was definitely something to be upset about!

Daisy's hands on his back trembled. She was afraid for him. Afraid that the sweet boy who was willing to wear flower necklaces and bracelets despite how girly they were simply because she was the one who made them would disappear forever and become completely unrecognizable.

She didn't want him to get hurt and she didn't want him to lose himself either. He was the most wonderful person she knew and she wanted him to be okay more than anything in the world.

"May, I'm sorry, but we need to go," one of the Silver Wolves said regretfully.

After a hug that felt simultaneously like one second and a lifetime, they had come over to take him away from her. Leo pulled away and gave them a curt nod before suddenly leaning down and planting a quick, hard kiss on Daisy's lips.

"I love you, Veronica. I'll see you as soon as I can!" he called over his shoulder as he walked off with them, leaving her momentarily stunned.

He never called her Veronica, preferring to avoid using a name for her at all when other people were around because he knew she didn't like it. This had been done solely for the benefit of their audience.

Her heart rate began to slow. All part of the act. It would be weird if he didn't kiss his fiancée goodbye and tell her he loved her before going off to war.

Collecting herself, she realized it would be weird if she didn't say it back. She had never explicitly told him she loved him but she did. More than anyone. She had never loved a person as much as she loved the boy walking away from her and he needed to know that beforehand in case the worst happened.

"Hey!" Daisy called after them, cupping her hands around her mouth. "Leo!"

He briefly turned to look at her, confusion flitting across his otherwise grim countenance. She had to get this out quickly.

"I love you too! Kick their butts and come home so we can follow through on our plans, okay?"

The people listening would think she meant wedding plans but she meant what they had talked about earlier in the little stone building as she dyed his hair. That felt like years ago now. A lifetime ago.

The ghost of a smile appeared. "I will!"

Leo hurried off for real then and Daisy tried not to wonder if this was the last time she would ever see him. She headed back to the boardinghouse rather dejectedly and flopped onto the bed. He had told her not to worry…but how was she supposed to do that?

She tried thinking about something else and ended up thinking about the kiss instead, which was stupid. She had been kissed before. It had been a very long time since it last happened but still!

That was the only reason she was embarrassed. Well, that and the fact that she had been kissed by a child. That was totally weird.

Daisy needed to stop thinking period. That would be easier to do once she was home and had things to keep busy with. In the meantime, she should go out and try to find the fastest way home so she didn't waste money staying here unnecessarily. There was no point with Leo gone.

Stay positive. She had to stay positive! It had gotten her this far in life and it wouldn't fail her now as long as she kept moving. The moment she stopped was when the overthinking would set in.

As Leo said, he was going to be fine. She needed to believe that and carry on as usual…though that would be much easier said than done.

comentário 3 comentário

Votar

ENVIAR PRESENTE

next chapter

Load failed, please RETRY