'Why?'
Hugo, who had only lightly dried his wet hair with a towel, sat leaning against the sofa in his personal room, quietly staring out the window. The crystal glass, intricately crafted to emit light, froze cold in his hand. A thin layer of ice formed on the colorless distilled liquor swirling within.
Whether aware of this or not, he took a long drink while maintaining his gaze, watching only the falling raindrops. With each undulation of his Adam's apple, the heat penetrating his esophagus spread throughout his entire body beyond his heart. However, 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 put down the empty glass and filled it with alcohol again. Though he hoped his head would become somewhat 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 previous conversation.
'I have somewhere to go.'
Though his heart was hot, his head was unbearably cold.
'And people I need to meet.'
The memories that had stopped at Leonardo's contradictory gaze repeated again whenever he stared into space. Though his eyes had clearly been moved, his mouth said otherwise.
Whether those words were sincere or just excuses to brush him off, Hugo stopped asking at that point.
'I'm sorry. And thank you.'
He didn't want to make someone who was apologizing feel even more sorry by holding them back. Asking more wouldn't change the situation anyway.
'Alright.'
Clunk–
Hugo, who had set down the empty glass with a sound, hesitated as he tilted the bottle of distilled liquor. Looking down, he realized he had already emptied one bottle. 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 others.
Setting down the empty bottle with an expressionless face, he closed his eyes and leaned his head against the sofa's headrest.
Yes, perhaps it was better this way. Hadn't he visited His Excellency to send Leonardo away quickly?
Perhaps letting him leave his side as soon as possible would be the safest way for him. After all, it was true that attention on him had increased since Hugo had pulled him out 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. This meant that 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 matters, beyond the public image circulating among people.
That 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 his side.
Therefore, 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 where danger lurked nearby, it might be better for him to remain as 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, he believed that if it was someone who had a similar bond as his old comrade, 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 he could persuade or control. He just needed to respect his choice and be a stepping stone for him to enjoy his freedom, providing some help.
As he sorted through things one by one, Hugo enjoyed the silence while listening to the rain for about five minutes. His mind, which had been like splashing raindrops, gradually settled.
Soon, as his mind was becoming made up, he heard the bathroom door on the left opening.
Click–
Hot steam puffed out. Just as the scent of soap brushed his nose, a pleasant voice drifted from above his head.
'What are you doing?'
Hugo deliberately didn't respond immediately. After feeling the gaze coming down to his forehead and bridge of his nose, he slowly opened his eyes a few beats late.
The first thing that came into view was the flowing golden hair, too dry for someone who had just showered. His hand naturally reached out to play with Leonardo's completely dry hair.
"I thought you showered, but it's not wet."
"I dried it."
Since they had both showered one more time after getting caught in the rain on the way back, Hugo felt somehow regretful looking at his companion who was fluffy and dry, unlike himself.
As his hand that had been twisting the hair silently started to withdraw, Leonardo, looking down at him, lowered his height by leaning his upper body against the sofa's headrest as if asking for more touching. While doing so, his golden eyes stared at the empty liquor bottle and 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 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 steadfastly.
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 falling 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 hands played 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 added to 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 while.
Then Leonardo was the first to speak:
"Will you sleep with me tonight?"
His lowered eyelashes fluttered.
"I think I'll have nightmares if I sleep alone."
Hugo's eyelids moved slightly.
The person who said he would leave when the time came kept dropping words that could leave room for possibility. But whether that was sincere or an excuse, Hugo looked at himself, who could only do as Leonardo wanted.
He would just be led by him and remain like the shade of a tree where one briefly takes shelter from a sudden shower.
That would be enough. While inwardly sighing, Hugo soon smiled loosely and answered:
"Alright."
***
As soon as day broke, time flew by dizzyingly. Perhaps it felt 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 they were in a clothing store even without going out, and let Leonardo choose everything he liked directly.
He provided the tailor with the highest quality fabric and gold thread, had Leonardo's measurements taken, and ordered custom-made mage robes for him.
When told there were only two days left, the tailor had tried to politely refuse at first, saying it would be impossible. However, after hearing the amount Hugo offered, he quickly called his master apprentices and reversed his answer, saying they would try to meet the deadline.
Afterward, Hugo brought in someone called a psychiatric counselor and had them explain the types of medications prescribed to Leonardo and the dietary habits to be mindful of. 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 that the other was preparing for farewell.
Of course, it was he who had rejected Hugo's proposal, but he couldn't deny feeling somewhat bitter. The fortunate thing was that, unlike when he had distanced himself before, the other wasn't drawing lines to the point of feeling hurt.
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 in the 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 become bright as if it had never rained, it made his mood buoyant.
With his eyes, he blankly watched the Commander who had given him the gelato and briefly moved away. Council members had come looking for him saying they had something to tell him, and whether it was content Leonardo shouldn't hear, they had been in an intense conversation for several minutes some distance away.
Although the conversation seemed to be getting quite long even though Hugo had said he would be right back, Leonardo waited for Hugo without complaint, knowing he was making time for him. While doing so, 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 tell 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 about the fact that there's a traitor inside'
While scraping the bottom of the gelato cup in his hand 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 instantly hardened.
"What a transparent reaction."
The person looking down at him in a white uniform was an unwelcome figure to the point where his heart sank for a moment.
Unlike on the peninsula, the person had his dark green hair swept back and fixed with wax, looking down with his eyes lowered as if looking at 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 the other 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."