Chapter 27
“Huh? As long as I get to go to the furniture store with you today, I’m all for it!”
“Does it have to be today?”
“…Of course?”
“I think it would be safer if we waited until you gained a little more control over your power.”
Lucas had been worried Leon might insist on going immediately, but to his surprise, the boy accepted it without resistance.
“Mm… okay.”
Still, Leon’s expression turned visibly sullen, and the sight of it tugged at Lucas’s conscience. He quickly added,
“It should only take about a week, so don’t worry too much.”
At that, Leon’s lips curled into a bright, beaming smile.
The way he reacted so earnestly to every little thing Lucas said was both endearing and overwhelming.
Raising a child must be difficult.
With that thought in mind, Lucas took Leon’s hand and left the room.
Physical contact with him was becoming more natural.
A Few Days Later
After briefly meeting with Sion, Lucas returned to the greenhouse, only to find Leon training a great-billed bird.
With golden hair fluttering in the breeze, he gestured enthusiastically at the bird, looking like something straight out of a fairy tale.
“Come on, why won’t you do it?”
“Beep!”
“You can talk! Why are you pretending you can’t? Try copying me—’Lucas, Grand Duke’!”
Even though Jerry had parrot blood, that didn’t mean he could mimic human speech perfectly.
The bird chirped in what could be an attempt at words, but to Lucas, it was nothing more than birdsong.
Watching Leon tirelessly attempt to teach Jerry how to speak, Lucas debated whether he should step in and tell him it was a lost cause.
And… Lucas? Why not Grand Duke Lucas?
Well, it didn’t matter. Jerry wouldn’t be able to say it properly anyway.
Just as Lucas decided it was time to resume training—
“LuucaaAAk! Granduke!”
…What?
Did he just hear what he thought he did?
Had Jerry actually spoken?
Lucas’s eyes widened as he stared at the bird.
“LuucaaAAk! Grand Duke, Grand Duke!”
Jerry repeated it, as if to prove it wasn’t a fluke.
Grinning, Leon raised his hand, and Jerry immediately flew over to perch on his finger.
“Good job! Even if you can’t say other words, you should at least be able to say Lucas’s name!”
Leon stroked Jerry’s head, and the bird rubbed against his hand affectionately.
Lucas had known the two had grown close, but this close?
Was it because of Leon’s abilities? Or simply his naturally cheerful personality?
Whatever the reason, a child bonding with an animal was always a good thing.
“Lucas!”
Spotting him at last, Leon released Jerry and ran toward him.
With a thump, he clung to Lucas’s waist, rubbing his cheek against him before looking up with wide, blinking eyes.
“Lucas, I’ve been thinking… Holding hands is nice, but I think it’s even easier to control my power when I’m being hugged! So, hold me!”
Leon lifted his arms expectantly.
Lucas hesitated for a moment before sighing and obliging, scooping Leon up in his arms.
The moment he did—
A soft, warm kiss landed on his cheek.
Startled, Lucas’s eyes went wide as he stared at Leon, who grinned mischievously.
“Hehe, maybe kissing will make it last longer?”
Lucas was momentarily at a loss for words.
But seeing Leon’s bright, innocent smile, all he could do was sigh and reply,
“…That might be possible.”
“See? Watch this!”
Leon closed his eyes.
In an instant, his body shifted into that of a tiger.
Then, pressing another kiss to Lucas’s cheek, he immediately transformed back into his human form.
Effortlessly.
Lucas was stunned.
Leon had struggled with his transformation before—so how was it suddenly this natural?
Just as he was about to voice his thoughts—
“Ah… Oh no…”
Leon’s tail had popped out again, flicking back and forth.
Embarrassed, his face flushed red, but he still boldly declared,
“See? I was right! If I want to control my power, I just need to kiss you a lot!”
…Technically, he wasn’t wrong.
But surely, there had to be another way.
Just as Lucas was about to suggest looking for an alternative, Leon—face still red—leaned in for another kiss.
Lucas quickly turned his head in the opposite direction.
“T-This should be enough for now.”
“Huh? No way! Safety is the most important thing! We should practice at least a hundred times!”
Lucas’s own words had come back to haunt him.
After all, he was the one who had said that safety was a priority, that it would be dangerous if Leon transformed in public.
And now?
Now, he was stuck sitting there, face burning, as Leon repeatedly pressed kisses to his cheek under the guise of “training.”
A Week Later
Finally, the promised week had passed.
As soon as Leon woke up, he sat up straight in bed, wiggling his fingers as he counted the days.
“One day, two days… Wow! It’s been a whole week!”
The realization made his heart pound with excitement.
At last!
He would get to go outside with Lucas, just like he had dreamed.
Normally, he would wake Lucas gently—kissing his cheek, playing with his fingers, savoring the peaceful moment.
But today, there was no time for that.
Grabbing Lucas’s shoulders, he began shaking him vigorously.
“Lucas! Lucas! Wake up! Hurry!”
Lucas’s eyes opened slowly.
“Today’s the day! We’re going to the furniture store!”
“Ah… Is it already time?”
Lucas murmured drowsily.
Leon beamed.
“Yep! So hurry up and get ready!”
Lucas rubbed the back of his neck as he slowly sat up.
Something felt different.
He glanced out the window—it was already well into the morning.
At some point, the nightmares and insomnia that had plagued him like a chronic illness had disappeared. Now, whenever he lay down to sleep, he remained undisturbed until morning.
Am I just exhausted from dealing with Leon lately?
The thought crossed his mind, but he quickly shook his head.
Even after hunting countless monsters, even after traveling long distances in search of gargoyle remnants, he had never been able to sleep easily.
There was no way a child could wear him out to that extent.
“Huh? Lucas? Why are you shaking your head? Are we not going today? No way! You promised! You said we’d go after a week!”
Misunderstanding his actions, Leon looked up at him with a face that seemed ready to burst into tears.
“I was just stretching my neck. Don’t worry—we’re going to the furniture store today.”
“Yay! Then that’s fine!”
Leon grinned and immediately pressed a kiss to Lucas’s cheek.
Lucas blinked, raising a hand to touch the spot where Leon’s lips had just been.
It was becoming… habitual.
Before he could react further, Sion’s voice came from outside.
“Your Highness, are you awake?”
“Yeah, come in.”
Lucas straightened his posture as Sion entered, stepping just one foot into the room.
Normally, Sion was quick and efficient with his reports, keeping interactions brief to minimize unnecessary contact.
But this time, he simply stood there.
Lucas frowned.
“If you’re here, speak. Why are you just standing there?”
Sion flinched slightly before composing himself, then asked with an unusually serious expression,
“Your Highness… Did something good happen?”
“…?”
“Not particularly.”
“…I see.”
Sion trailed off, but his sharp gaze remained fixed on Lucas’s face.
The dark, weary shadow that had always lingered over his expression—gone.
The furrowed line between his brows, once permanent, had smoothed out.
His black eyes, deeper than ever, were clear and bright.
And there was something even more astonishing—a faint, but definite smile.
It had been so long since Lucas had looked… relaxed.
“Why are you acting strange today? Didn’t you come to give a report?”
At Lucas’s pointed question, Sion glanced at Leon, still clinging to Lucas’s arm, then gave a slight nod.
The only major change around Lucas recently… was the presence of the Theian prince.
That had to be the reason behind this transformation.
Sion, the friend, had his suspicions.
Sion, the loyal retainer, had his duty.
And so, the latter took over.
“The carriage you requested is waiting at the castle entrance. Shall I inform the attendants to prepare for your departure?”
“No need. His Highness is capable of handling most things on his own now. We’ll leave after breakfast.”
“Understood.”
“Leon, you can get ready by yourself, right?”
“Yep!”
Leon puffed out his chest confidently.
Sion watched him in silence for a moment, then shook his head as if finding the entire situation absurd before exiting the room.
The Market District
The closest marketplace to Rion Grand Castle was located between the frozen lake and the agricultural fields in the northwest.
Since it wasn’t too far, they arrived quickly.
Stepping out of the carriage, the two began walking through the bustling streets.
Despite the knights accompanying them for security, Leon was far too excited to pay them any mind.
His wide, curious eyes darted from stall to stall, and he frequently tugged on Lucas’s hand, urging him to look at something new.
He’s enjoying himself so much.
At his age, he should be out playing freely, not locked away in palaces and castles.
It was only natural that he’d be excited.
However, this was a trade market where people exchanged monster pelts and agricultural goods for essential supplies.
Which meant there were a lot of eyes watching them.
Despite Leon’s initial protests, Lucas had ultimately insisted he wear a hooded robe—one that covered most of his face.
