Hugo, who had been staring at the same spot, answered as if it were nothing:
"Being registered in my territory will make life more convenient in many ways. When issuing registration cards, identity verification is more thorough than in other territories, so the credibility is high. You'll have access to many more places, and the verification process for medical benefits or veteran support will be simpler too. Though the process to change it later is complicated... it won't be bad for now."
His tone was the same as usual, but Leonardo somehow felt that he was adding many unnecessary details. In conclusion, it meant he was trying to let him enjoy more things. Leonardo nodded and asked again, lowering his eyes:
"You say the identity verification is thorough, but is it okay for me to be registered just like this?"
"I've verified your identity more thoroughly than anyone else."
The golden eyelashes rose slowly. It was a gaze as if asking when he had done that.
Finding his stiff expression quite cute, Hugo deliberately observed for a few seconds before adding:
"...Because I've verified it while we've been together all this time."
Leonardo, who momentarily looked blank, retorted with a dry laugh:
"What, I thought you meant you had done a background check or something."
"I've already done a lot of background checks for three years. I found out very little."
"Well, you did persistently chase after me."
"You don't have to worry about that anymore."
Though he had only said something extremely obvious, the conversation once again ended with a nuance of farewell. As he thought his expression management had been severely lacking, Leonardo caressed his lips and chin as if to hide them.
Afraid that the expression he had seen in the mirror might appear, he bit his lip firmly. Hugo, who had been watching closely, added softly:
"Of course, if you want... I could also provide you with a place to stay within the territory."
"...A place to stay?"
As soon as he asked back, Hugo took out a small artifact from his pocket. Then he pulled Leonardo's hand and placed the flat artifact in it.
"You'd probably do well anywhere, but having a base would be much more stable. I've packed some spare clothes, simple food, and magic tools necessary for travel. And... the key to my villa is in there too."
The elegant golden eyebrows raised.
"What key?"
"The villa. It's a place I recently acquired secretly, so very few people know about it. Even Flynn doesn't know. I'm having someone manage it once a week. But I don't plan to send anyone for a while."
"..."
"It's in the mildest and safest place in the territory. ...There are many flowers too. I'm sure you'll like it. If you need a place to rest, feel free to use it."
It was undoubtedly an unnecessary addition. The man, unlike his usual self today, trailed off and cast his gaze elsewhere.
Leonardo stared blankly at Hugo. Then, curving his eyes, he gently asked back:
"Is that why you brought me here? To your territory?"
Hugo didn't immediately continue. He cleared his throat and made a roundabout excuse:
"Rather than that, it'll be safer for you here."
It was an answer with multiple meanings. Knowing what he meant, Leonardo quickly agreed.
If he had been released in the imperial capital, it would have been much harder to move around. There might have been forces following him, and crowds might have gathered, making him struggle in a mire of criticism and curses.
Of course, he would have managed to escape such situations somehow, but His Excellency's consideration in bringing him all the way to his own territory was a thoughtful yet somewhat dangerous action.
He had seen a few newspaper articles criticizing the Council in the cabin in Fidele. It was closer to the opinion that the Council's move to use discarded waste abandoned by the empire as a fighting force was insulting to the imperial household, rather than sympathizing with him for being forcibly sent to the Elder Millie Peninsula.
In other words, in a situation where the perception of 'Leonardo Blaine' was not good, if his relationship with this person became known to the public, it could become a fatal weakness. It would only serve as appropriate prey for the public who loved to cripple individuals. He was now used to such things, but it was absolutely not something the noble Excellency before him should experience.
Regardless of what meaning Agrizendro had given this key, Leonardo instinctively knew that it was a constraint and lingering attachment that could someday endanger them both.
So he had to return it, for this person's sake too. Just as he was about to bite his lip and hand it back, Hugo opened his mouth:
"Ah, I almost forgot to mention this."
He naturally gazed at the end of the corridor and put his hands behind his back.
"I've issued an order that for the next three days, 'Leonardo Blaine' is to be allowed passage through all gates in the territory, even if the personal information is different."
Leonardo blinked. This person was really quick-witted.
"Even though you've regained your freedom, it'll still take more time before you can confidently show yourself to the world. If you plan to leave the territory, hurry within these three days. Also, I've kept it to myself that you can change your appearance with magic, so feel free to use it in the future if necessary."
"Uh..."
Come to think of it, even when he was investigated for the monster smuggling incident in Frost territory, there had been no questioning about how he had changed his face. He remembered that since the investigators had no way to explain how he had concealed his appearance, they had only pushed with their suspicions and eventually concluded the charge of helping the merchant group leader escape inconclusively.
He had thought it was sudden, but to think even that had been influenced by this person. Changing one's appearance was forbidden magic, and it was clear that users were subject to punishment. Yet he was willing to overlook even that; Leonardo couldn't even calculate how many things he had already turned a blind eye to.
"Is that okay? You don't like this kind of thing."
"It's fine to that extent, as it's a means to protect you. But, make one promise with me."
The golden eyes tinged with puzzlement reacted. The hand that had been behind his back came forward and brushed away the golden hair shimmering around his eyes.
"If we meet again..."
The touch was more intense than before. The man's lips, assuming a sweet future, drew attention.
"Promise me that you won't use that magic in front of me. So that I can recognize you."
The touch brushing his forehead. The affectionate tone. The intense gaze contrasting with it settled on his eyes.
Enveloped by the man's lingering attachment that seemed like it could cover his entire profile and more, Leonardo barely held onto his heart that felt like it might tilt at any moment.
"Even when I hid my appearance... you still found me in the end."
"If you knew how obsessed I was until I found you, you wouldn't speak so lightly."
"..."
"Besides, I've already promised not to look for you anymore. So I have no choice but to wait until you come to me."
It was a devoted vow to the point of seeming perverse. Meanwhile, the fact that he himself thought it would be nice if he continued to be obsessed was quite perverse too.
Leonardo's lips, reluctant to part, moved slightly. If he promised not to use forbidden magic in front of this person, it would be impossible to secretly just look at his face and leave alone. But the thought of facing this person again in his true appearance made him uncertain if he could avoid having his heart shaken every time he experienced a farewell like this.
"..."
When talking about saying goodbye and meeting again with Flynn, it hadn't been this difficult. He didn't know why saying one word in front of this person was so arduous, as if making an eternal vow.
Hugo's finger, which had been crushing the thread-like fine eyelashes, slid down his cheek as if urging an answer. Then it settled on the corner of his fine lips. As it was an area he hadn't often allowed to be touched, Leonardo felt his lips tense up noticeably.
"Promise me."
As if telling him to speak quickly, a forceful voice resonated in his ear. The man's intrusion subtly wedged into the gap between his slightly parted lips. The red tongue, caught in anguish, visible between the briefly exposed teeth, made the blue eyes narrow finely.
Hugo glimpsed the same lingering attachment as his own wrapped up in their ends.
Though they quickly closed as if hiding his inner thoughts, he couldn't conceal his bobbing Adam's apple.
The trembling golden eyelashes interlocked up and down before separating.
"...Okay. I promise."
Seemingly satisfied with the answer, a faint relief spread across his solemn eyes. At the same time, the dangerously playful touch was withdrawn as if nothing had happened.
Leonardo licked the corner of his lips, which felt empty after the fingers that had been as heavy as a thousand pounds retreated.
And he was acutely aware of the man's gaze watching this action.
Under the bright spatial sense given by the stained glass, the other sent a gaze as muffled as nostalgia in a black and white photograph.
The color of the eyes looking at him was infinitely blue and clear, but the things inside them were tinged with deep longing, like a waiting room that had long lost its passengers.
Like a photograph left in a moment, Leonardo captured that sense of dissonance in his eyes.
As the silence lengthened, Hugo spoke first.
"...We should go now. It'll be dangerous when the sun sets."
He neatly packed the items he had given into the backpack hanging on one of Leonardo's shoulders.
"The compensation money is in here too, so keep it safe."
He was a man who acted kindly, insisting on being a protector until the end. Suddenly, Leonardo recalled the messenger of God who had appeared in the courtroom.
He also remembered Flynn's words about the Commander spending some money to get him released.
This person had defied providence to give him freedom.
That process must have involved constant conflicts with his ideals, beliefs, noble spirit, and surroundings. But had this person ever once shown that to him? Rather, he had hidden it to the point of frustration and never shared his thoughts.
Today was no different. He only offered greetings, never mentioning any responsibility he was bearing in front of him.
Leonardo quietly stared at Hugo's cheek, which had been drawing his attention for a while.
Could that also be the price for his freedom? As all sorts of imaginations unfolded, Leonardo's lips moved on their own.
"Did you spend a lot of money?"
At his words, which seemed to know something, Hugo's brow furrowed for a moment.
"What?"
As he asked back as if he had misheard, Leonardo posed one sweet question.
"As a repayment... should I give you a gift too?"
He looked down once more at the mage robe he was wearing. Fiddling unnecessarily with the sleeve cuff, he added:
"I received this too, so I want to give you something as well."
"..."
Hugo didn't answer. He had no intention whatsoever of receiving anything from Leonardo, thinking that if he had given him something, he would have given him even more. However, due to the clear face approaching closely, he ended up asking without taking his eyes off the beauty:
"What is it?"
Leaving just about a hand's width of distance, Leonardo fell into contemplation. In his mind, the white butterfly he had seen by the window fluttered. Along with it, everything surrounding the man before him and himself became entangled and swirled.
He imagined the scene of cracks appearing in the calm and perfect face of the man due to his impulse.
'If I'm not careful, I could be in danger.'
Even while thinking this, the golden eyes once again glanced at the watch on the man's wrist. Leonardo slowly opened his hand under the large hand hanging below it.
As if continuing the whim that had ended regretfully, he gradually burrowed between the long fingers.
"..."
The dull warmth rubbing his palm was sensual. Hugo quietly watched Leonardo's actions. Whether it was an expression of affection or seduction. Following the slow contact, the golden eyes between the pretty eyes shone alluringly.
Hugo knew these eyes. Eyes that were extremely dangerous without a hint of playfulness. A mysterious drug that thoroughly reduced the viewer's vision to instinct alone, scattering reason like a cunning snake.
Was there also forbidden magic that shook people's hearts? Hugo deliberately thought of something trivial and slowly closed and opened his eyes. It was to regain his senses, but in that moment, the scent of sunlight approached like spreading paint, tickling the tip of his nose. Two senses were already dominated by the other, so his mind was no different from a living corpse.
Taking advantage of his hazy consciousness, the distance became excessively close. It was close enough to feel each other's breath, and the thought that it was very dangerous flashed through his mind.
Leonardo pulled Hugo's arm towards himself. A hot touch extended to the back of his neck, and a vivid sensation touched his sensitive skin.
"...!"
The blue eyes instantly hardened. The contact that had come recklessly hastily enveloped Hugo's lower lip.
Disguising his reckless provocation and impetuousness as innocence, Leonardo overlaid his breath on the man's lips. Before he could recognize the dizzying kiss, Hugo, who had hurriedly grabbed both arms, forcibly pushed away the one trying to press in.
"Ah, Leo–."
Though it had been just that brief moment, both of their chests heaved urgently as if about to burst. As the line they had painfully maintained until now was about to crumble, Hugo called that name with a confused face, as if letting it slip.
"Leo, this is..."
His blue eyes with contracted pupils revealed considerable bewilderment. It was a moment when his noble sanctuary, which he had built up solidly, was precariously shaking.
However, Hugo's voice didn't reach Leonardo clearly, as if underwater. Only the sound of his own heartbeat and their breaths filled his ears.
Even with both arms tightly gripped by the large hands, Leonardo persistently stared at the cracks appearing in the man's gaze. Eventually, after exhaling irregular, rapid breaths, he threatened in a relatively calm tone:
"Since it's the last time, don't lie this time. Tell me honestly."
"..."
"You sometimes wanted to kiss me, didn't you?"
That day too, and just now.
Hugo, whose mind went blank for a moment, looked down at the other without words. The golden eyes full of certainty urged him on as if about to break his reason. Their sticky gazes interlocked with only a small distance remaining. In Hugo's view, the red lips that had somehow become erotic were dangerously moving.
The vivid blood flow running down his neck beat more violently than ever, as if falling for the young one's instigation.
He didn't know exactly when the "sometimes" Leonardo mentioned was. It was probably because it wouldn't be strange no matter which moment was substituted.
The man's thick Adam's apple dangerously undulated. Leonardo focused all his attention on that sign of instinct.
At that moment, the cold hand that had gently stroked the golden hair ruthlessly tousled it. He pressed down his own desire onto those fearless and impudent lips.