'Why?'
Hugo, having only lightly dried his wet hair with a towel, sat leaning back against the sofa in his personal room, quietly staring out the window. The crystal glass, intricately crafted to emit light, lay icy-cold in his hand. A thin layer of ice formed on the colorless distilled liquor swirling within.
Whether aware of it or not, he took a long drink, keeping his gaze fixed on the falling raindrops. With each shift of his Adam's apple, the heat burning down his esophagus spread through his whole body, past his heart. Still, it was only regrettable that he had become someone who couldn't get drunk even on a day like this.
'Should I ask why?'
"..."
Hugo set down the empty glass and filled it again. Though he hoped his head would turn hazy, his mind remained exceptionally clear.
'If it was too sudden, I apologize. You don't have to feel burdened.'
'No. That's not it.'
He was lucid enough to vividly remember their last conversation.
'I have somewhere to go.'
Though his heart was hot, his head was unbearably cold.
'And people I need to meet.'
The memory that had stopped at Leonardo's contradictory gaze replayed again whenever he stared into space. His eyes had clearly been moved, yet his mouth said otherwise.
Whether those words were sincere or just excuses to brush him off, Hugo stopped pushing at that point.
'I'm sorry. And thank you.'
He didn't want to make someone who was apologizing feel even worse by holding them back. Asking more wouldn't change the situation anyway.
'Alright.'
Clunk–
Hugo set down the empty glass with a sound and hesitated as he tilted the bottle. Looking down, he realized he had already finished one. Though not as much as Leonardo, he too needed to take care of his body, but in this state, he was in no position to lecture anyone.
He set the empty bottle down with an expressionless face, closed his eyes, and leaned his head against the sofa's headrest.
Yes, perhaps it was better this way. Hadn't he gone to see His Excellency to send Leonardo away quickly?
Maybe letting him leave his side as soon as possible would be the safest option for him. After all, it was true that attention on him had increased since Hugo had pulled him back into the world.
Those who had proposed a deal to Kenis Weber had specifically said they would eliminate evidence if this matter was leaked to him. That meant the forces behind them knew, at least, what kind of person he was. They were likely in a position to roughly deduce his methods of handling things, beyond the public image circulating among people.
It could be the 3rd Battalion Commander or a third party, but what was certain was that Leonardo would be more easily exposed to their eyes if he stayed by Hugo’s side.
So if he couldn't hide him in his mansion, it would be better to let him go. As Leonardo had said, not a single person had been able to catch him besides Hugo.
Though he worried about his well-being, he trusted his abilities. Rather than keeping him within his sight with danger lurking nearby, it might be better for him to remain a legendary figure who disappeared like the wind.
And... though he didn't particularly want to admit it, Leonardo did have strong comrades. Whether the person he needed to meet was that guy or not, Hugo believed that if it was someone who shared a bond like his old comrade’s, they could take care of Leonardo.
'They probably know him much better than I do.'
In the end, Leonardo had done his part, and what kind of life he would lead afterward was his domain. It was no longer something Hugo could persuade or control. He just needed to respect his choice and serve as a stepping stone for him to enjoy his freedom, offering what help he could.
As he sorted through things one by one, Hugo enjoyed the silence, listening to the rain for about five minutes. His mind, which had been like splashing raindrops, gradually settled.
Soon, as he felt his resolve firming, he heard the bathroom door on the left open.
Click–
Hot steam puffed out. Just as the scent of soap brushed his nose, a pleasant voice drifted down from above his head.
"What are you doing?"
Hugo deliberately didn't respond right away. After feeling the gaze land on his forehead and the bridge of his nose, he slowly opened his eyes a few beats late.
The first thing that came into view was flowing golden hair, too dry for someone who had just showered. His hand naturally reached out to toy with Leonardo's completely dry hair.
"I thought you showered, but it's not wet."
"I dried it."
Since they had both showered once more after getting caught in the rain on the way back, Hugo felt oddly regretful looking at his companion—fluffy and dry, unlike himself.
As the hand that had been twisting the hair started to withdraw, Leonardo, looking down at him, lowered himself by leaning his upper body against the sofa's headrest, as if asking for more. As he did, his golden eyes flicked to the empty liquor bottle and the glass sitting alone on the table.
He wanted to say something about why Hugo was drinking so much. But since it must have been a day of mental and physical exhaustion for the Commander in so many ways, he let it slide.
Then, after scanning Hugo's relaxed attire—which he had barely seen since coming to the imperial capital—he looked back at Hugo's eyes turning toward him. To think blue could be this hot. He was about to avoid eye contact out of embarrassment, but realizing this, too, wouldn't last much longer, he met his gaze steadily.
He hadn't even properly known where this person, who always came in after he fell asleep and left before he woke up, slept, but somehow today he felt like he would see him fall asleep. Leonardo was about to rest his chin on his hand and touch Hugo's wet hair when he asked:
"Can I touch your hair?"
Hugo nodded without answering. Then Leonardo's hands, tinged with warmth, gently tousled Hugo's hair. As his fingers worked through it, white steam rose and the dampness slowly dried.
Leonardo secretly marveled at His Grace's hair texture between his fingers.
'Isn't this silk?'
Water mages were famous for having uniformly soft skin and hair like water, but this person—perhaps because of his high status on top of that—was by far the best among all the people he had seen.
Even though his hair was already dry, Leonardo didn't withdraw his hand for a while, enjoying the texture. Hugo was the same. They explored each other's hair for a time.
Then Leonardo spoke first:
"Will you sleep with me tonight?"
His lowered eyelashes fluttered.
"I think I'll have nightmares if I sleep alone."
Hugo's eyelids shifted slightly.
The person who said he would leave when the time came kept dropping words that left room for possibility. But whether that was sincere or an excuse, Hugo looked at himself, unable to do anything but give Leonardo what he wanted.
He would just be led by him and remain like the shade of a tree where one briefly shelters from a sudden shower.
That would be enough. With an inward sigh, Hugo soon smiled loosely and answered:
"Alright."
*****
As soon as day broke, time flew by in a dizzying rush. Perhaps it felt even more so because there was a set deadline.
Hugo secretly called tailors and designers to an unused conference room he had borrowed.
He had them set up clothes as if it were a clothing store without even going out, and let Leonardo choose everything he liked himself.
He provided the tailor with the highest-quality fabric and gold thread, had Leonardo's measurements taken, and ordered custom mage robes for him.
When told there were only two days left, the tailor tried to politely refuse at first, saying it would be impossible. However, after hearing the amount Hugo offered, he quickly called in his master apprentices and reversed his answer, saying they would try to meet the deadline.
Afterward, Hugo brought in a psychiatric counselor and had them explain the types of medications prescribed to Leonardo and the dietary habits to watch. Since this was the person Leonardo had directly confided his symptoms to, Hugo thought they would understand his psychology better than anyone else.
Leonardo, who had been led around by Hugo's hand since morning, sensed the other was preparing for farewell.
Of course, it was he who had rejected Hugo's proposal, but he couldn't deny he felt somewhat bitter. The fortunate thing was that, unlike when he had distanced himself before, the other wasn't drawing lines to the point ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ of hurting him.
Since announcing that the trial date had been set, Agrizendro had stayed with him all day. Recalling Hugo's hand wrapped around his waist when he woke up that morning, Leonardo took a big bite of his rice-flavored gelato while sitting on a bench in the Council's garden.
It was his first time trying this flavor, but the subtle sweetness and chewy texture made his eyes pop open. Along with the sky that had brightened as if it had never rained, it made his mood buoyant.
With his eyes, he watched blankly as the Commander who had given him the gelato stepped away for a moment. Council members had come looking for him, saying they had something to tell him, and whether it was something Leonardo shouldn't hear, they had been in an intense conversation for several minutes some distance away.
Although the conversation seemed to be running long even though Hugo had said he would be right back, Leonardo waited without complaint, knowing Hugo was making time for him. As he waited, he wondered if he should do something helpful before leaving. What he had received from him today alone would amount to a considerable sum if converted to money.
Since he couldn't be of much help financially in this situation anyway, he thought perhaps he should give him high-grade information that couldn't be obtained even with money. For instance, pointing out the main issues the Council should investigate—
'It should be okay to tell him at least that there's a traitor inside.'
While scraping the bottom of the gelato cup clean, Leonardo briefly recalled the scene he had witnessed on the peninsula.
Just then, as if the business was finished, a shadow fell over his head.
"You're back?"
Leonardo immediately raised his head with a welcoming expression. However, as soon as he confirmed the other person's face, his expression hardened at once.
"What a transparent reaction."
The person looking down at him in a white uniform was an unwelcome figure—enough to make his heart sink for a moment.
Unlike on the peninsula, the man had his dark green hair swept back and fixed with wax, looking down with lowered eyes as if regarding an inferior with a noble expression. After turning his head to scan the situation behind him, he sat down silently on the bench where Hugo had been sitting.
"Let's have a little talk."
Leonardo looked at him with eyes that subtly revealed his wariness.
The man sitting comfortably next to him with his legs crossed was 'that person' from the secret scene he had witnessed on the peninsula.
"Act natural."
