Chapter 28
“Wow! What’s that? It looks so cool!”
Leon pointed excitedly toward a shop selling scarves and clothing made from monster pelts.
Lucas had planned to visit only the furniture store and return quickly, hoping to avoid making the market feel uncomfortable with his presence.
Clearly, that plan wasn’t going to work.
And just how long does he plan on holding my hand?
“Your Highness, wouldn’t it be better to let go? One kiss this morning should have been enough for the day.”
At that, Leon blinked up at him with innocent, sparkling eyes.
“Mm, but just in case! We’re outside, after all! If I suddenly transform, it’d be bad, so we should keep holding hands.”
“…Very well.”
“Oh! And earlier, I asked Sion, and he said we’re going to Capucci’s Furniture Shop! I heard the furniture there has special powers!”
Sion… what nonsense are you filling his head with?
Capucci had once trained alongside Lucas and Sion as a knight.
However, shortly after earning his title, he suffered a serious injury, forcing him to find another profession.
Struggling with his circumstances, Capucci had nearly given up—until Lucas suggested he try crafting furniture using wood imbued with gargoyle energy.
Gargoyle-infused wood had naturally developed a dense, resilient structure to withstand its power.
Furniture made from it wasn’t just sturdy—it could detect monster invasions and warn its owner.
“That’s correct. Capucci’s furniture is the strongest there is.”
Without wasting time, Lucas led the way to Capucci’s shop.
As they entered, Capucci, who had been tending to a piece of furniture, turned and hurried over, visibly startled.
“Cough!”
In his rush, he nearly choked on dust, prompting Lucas to take a few steps back.
“My apologies, Your Grace! But what brings you all the way here? Could it be about the—? Ah!”
Capucci’s words trailed off as his gaze landed on Leon.
His eyes widened.
“How…?”
“He is my honored guest. There is no cause for concern.”
Capucci silently observed Leon.
Beneath the hood, golden hair shimmered, matching his equally striking golden eyes.
Despite his youth, the boy carried himself with a natural poise—shoulders straight, posture refined.
A noble through and through.
Lucas had never publicly announced it, but rumors had spread among their former comrades—the prince of Theian had become Lucas’s ward.
Still…
Capucci’s expression was difficult to read.
Lucas understood his hesitation but, mindful of Leon, swiftly changed the subject.
“We’re here to purchase a chair that suits our guest. By the way… Capucci, you look thinner than the last time I saw you.”
Snapping out of his thoughts, Capucci let out a tired sigh.
“You have no idea, Your Grace. The quality of the wood we’re receiving has changed significantly. I suspect they have begun moving in earnest…”
He paused, casting a wary glance at Leon before cutting himself off.
Then, turning to one of his assistants, he instructed,
“Rush, take over the customer’s guidance.”
“Yes, sir.”
The assistant approached Leon, but the boy made no move to step away from Lucas’s side.
Realizing the reason, Lucas spoke gently.
“You’ll be fine. We’ll be in the same space.”
After a brief hesitation, Leon reluctantly agreed.
“Mm… I guess I have no choice.”
But as soon as he caught sight of the beautifully crafted furniture, his expression brightened.
“I’ll pick the best chair!”
“That would be ideal.”
Even as he followed the assistant deeper into the store, Leon’s attention remained fixed on Lucas.
From the way Capucci had first looked at him—like he was seeing something he shouldn’t—to the hushed, interrupted conversations…
They were clearly hiding something.
But what Lucas didn’t know was—
Leon could hear everything from this distance.
He just didn’t know it yet.
Suppressing a smirk, Leon pretended to browse furniture while discreetly listening in.
Capucci’s voice dropped to a whisper.
“Gargoyle traces have been appearing in more locations. But we can’t confirm whether it’s because their power is growing or their numbers are increasing.”
Gargoyles?
Leon’s ears twitched.
He had heard that name before—when Sion and Lucas were discussing something in private.
Are they some kind of monster?
Lucas’s voice, tinged with concern, followed.
“If their numbers were increasing, this region wouldn’t be so peaceful. That means their power is strengthening instead… But this is troubling. I need to find the gargoyles soon if I’m to heal my sister’s injuries.”
Hearing the heavy concern in Lucas’s voice, Leon’s excitement dimmed.
Lucas always looked so troubled whenever he gazed at the Grand Duchess’s injured leg.
And Michelle, while still intimidating, had… helped him a few times.
Leon found himself gripping the edge of a nearby chair, lost in thought.
Then—
“And how is the Grand Duchess’s condition?”
“Some days she seems to improve, but then she worsens again—it’s completely unpredictable. That’s the real problem. So, no matter how difficult it gets, don’t stop searching for the gargoyles.”
“That goes without saying.”
Listening to their conversation, Leon’s golden eyes flickered with realization.
If they can find the gargoyles, the Grand Duchess can be healed?
If that was the case, then maybe—just maybe—his ability to communicate with animals could be useful to Lucas.
If I find the gargoyle and bring it to Lucas, he’ll be absolutely thrilled, right?
Just imagining Lucas’s delighted reaction made Leon’s heart race with excitement.
After bringing back a perfectly sized chair, Leon was in high spirits.
Seated at his desk, he stealthily observed Lucas, who was deeply engrossed in his paperwork.
His nose wrinkled slightly when concentrating, and every so often, he licked his lips—both small habits Leon found incredibly endearing.
“You’re pretending to read, but you’re actually doing something else. I can tell.”
“Ah, I was just wondering when Lucas would be finished with work.”
Lucas lifted his head.
“Why? Do you have something to say?”
“Not really… I just wanted to go to the greenhouse with you.”
“There’s no training scheduled for today. Why the greenhouse?”
Lucas paused mid-sentence.
Leon had been quietly reading for a while—it made sense that he’d want to move around now.
“…Alright. You can go ahead. I’ll join you later.”
“Okay!”
Leon cheerfully hopped to his feet, ready to dash out the door.
But before he could, Lucas caught his arm.
“You know what I’m about to say, don’t you?”
“Yes! If I transform, I must not leave the greenhouse.”
“That’s right.”
After reassuring Lucas, Leon hurried outside and made his way to the greenhouse.
Yesterday had been filled with adventure—exploring the market with Lucas, trying delicious food, and sharing stories with Lulu and the castle attendants about everything he’d seen.
As a result, he hadn’t had time to investigate what he overheard from Capucci about the gargoyles.
Maybe Jerry knows something.
As soon as Leon stepped inside, Jerry flapped his wings and flew over.
Leon extended his finger as a perch, and Jerry landed smoothly, tilting his head curiously.
<Why didn’t you come yesterday?>
“I was out with Lucas at the market!”
<Maaarket? What’s that?>
“It’s a place where people gather to buy and sell things!”
Jerry’s eyes widened in disbelief.
<Lucas went somewhere crowded? No way! That doesn’t make sense!>
“What’s so strange about that?”
<Come on, Leon. You know Lucas hates being around too many people because of his curse. Even here in the castle, he avoids unnecessary interactions and always keeps to himself.>
Leon fell silent.
He knew that.
And yet…
From what he had seen, Lucas’s “curse” hadn’t made people dislike him.
Sion, Michelle, Capucci, the attendants of Lion Castle, and even the citizens of the Grand Duchy—they all seemed to care about him.
“…Our Lucas… must have been lonely.”
Jerry lowered his head, his wings drooping slightly.
<Yeah, he was. And becoming Grand Duke at such a young age made things even harder.>
Leon’s gaze sharpened as he stared at Jerry.
“How do you know all this?”
Jerry fluffed up his chest feathers proudly.
<Because! Animals aren’t affected by Lucas’s curse! He always came here when he was struggling, talking to himself about how lonely he was—never realizing we could understand him.>
Leon’s heart clenched.
Of course.
Lucas was such a kind-hearted person, yet he had spent most of his life trapped in this cold, vast castle.
No wonder he felt lonely.
“But at least you guys were here for him.”
<Of course! We’re the best!>
Just moments ago, Jerry had been speaking gloomily, but he quickly forgot, fluttering his wings excitedly.
Leon stroked Jerry’s feathers to calm him down, but then he suddenly remembered the real reason he had come here.
“By the way, Jerry… do you know anything about gargoyles?”
