Leo reached into his pocket, his movements slow, as if unveiling a treasure he had been guarding for this very moment. His fingers curled around the cool metal, and when he opened his hand, two silver bracelets—delicate, elegant, appeared. They were a matched pair, their surfaces etched with fine patterns that shimmered faintly like starlight, as though they carried a blessing of eternity within their shine.
Rina gasped softly, her pink eyes widening in wonder.
"Wow… They're so beautiful. I want one," she said with the innocent excitement of a girl whose heart was already overflowing, her voice trembling like the rustle of flower petals in the breeze.
Leo's lips curled into a gentle, amused smile. He couldn't help but chuckle, the sound rich with affection.
"Relax, my little princess. One of them is yours anyway. These are meant to seal our relationship… forever, I hope."
His words, though teasing on the surface, carried a depth that made Rina's chest tighten. Her heart beat so fast she swore he could hear it. Her fingers fidgeted on her lap, and she lowered her gaze bashfully, her cheeks blooming with a deep pink that rivaled the roses surrounding them.
When she finally extended her slender left arm, Leo's hand, steady despite the rush of emotion inside him, slipped the bracelet gently onto her wrist. The silver hugged her skin perfectly, as though it had been crafted just for her, the subtle gleam accentuating her delicate beauty. For a moment, Leo forgot to breathe. The sight of her—pink hair framing her flushed face, the silver catching the light on her wrist—was nothing short of enchanting. So beautiful!
Rina bit her lip to stop her smile from spreading too wide, but the warmth in her chest spilled over into her expression anyway. Gathering courage, she picked up the second bracelet with trembling hands. Her fingers brushed against his skin as she slid it onto Leo's left wrist. His hand was larger, stronger, but in her grip, it felt almost fragile—because she was afraid of what this gesture meant, of the weight it carried. Yet she didn't falter.
The bracelet clicked into place, fitting as though it belonged there all along. She looked up shyly, her pink eyes shimmering with both nervousness and joy.
Now, both wore the matching silver bands, glistening under the fading light.
Staying true to himself, Leo couldn't resist breaking the romantic atmosphere with his usual mischief.
"Well, now that our relationship has leveled up, shouldn't we do something a little… lecherous to seal it properly?" he said hile rubbing his hands together like a shady merchant about to swindle an innocent customer, then added with a smug face,
"Let's go to a love motel."
Rina's face instantly darkened, her blush shifting into outrage.
"D-Die, you shameless pervert!" she roared, swinging at him with all her might.
Leo laughed, nimbly dodging her flurry of attacks, his grin wide and teasing. "Well, Riri, no need to be so violent!"
Their chase spilled out into the park, their laughter echoing between the trees.
Not far from the park, the bright glow of an ice cream shop caught their eyes. Breathless and still chuckling, they decided to make a detour, stepping inside to buy ice cream.
Hand in hand, with sweet treats in their grasp and warmth lingering between them, the night carried on with the sound of their laughter.
A few moments later, Leo and Rina were finally ready to head back. Their escort arrived in a sleek silver sedan car, the polished surface reflecting the glow of the streetlights. Normally, the driver would have teased them the instant he saw how close they were sitting together—his jokes had always been an unshakable routine. But tonight… something was different. His eyes lingered on them briefly, his lips pressed into a thin line, and not a single playful word escaped him.
Leo noticed immediately.
"What's wrong? You're unusually quiet tonight," he asked casually, though his gaze sharpened.
"It's nothing, young master," the driver replied quickly, too quickly. His voice carried a stiffness that only made the silence heavier.
Leo frowned, unconvinced, but he didn't press further. Instead, he leaned back into the leather seat and asked the man to drive slowly back toward the Roschild estate.
Beside him, Rina had already surrendered to exhaustion. After the whirlwind of emotions—her body couldn't keep up anymore. She drifted into slumber, her head resting gently on Leo's lap.
He looked down at her, her soft breathing, her peaceful expression, and felt his chest tighten. A faint smile touched his lips as he carefully brushed a strand of hair from her face, his hand moving in a tender rhythm as he caressed her silken locks.
Yet, beneath that tenderness, unease stirred. Restlessness gnawed at him, sharp and persistent. The farther the car traveled, the stronger it grew. And the closer they drew to the main estate… the heavier it pressed upon his chest, like invisible hands clawing at his heart.
What is this feeling? he thought, his gaze shifting to the darkened streets outside. Anxiety whispered to him from the shadows, an unshakable premonition that something was waiting at the end of this road.
That gnawing premonition turned into a cruel reality the moment they stepped into the estate. The air inside was unnervingly still, almost suffocating. The usual bustle of servants was gone—those present stood in silence, their heads lowered, their expressions dark with something they dared not voice.
Even Rina, just waking from her peaceful slumber, sensed it instantly. Her hand tightened on Leo's sleeve, her pink eyes narrowing with unease. But Leo was already moving.
He broke into a run. His footsteps echoed sharply through the halls as he burst into the main villa, his heart pounding like a war drum, he prayed he must be overthinking.
There, on the grand sofa, lay his mother—unconscious, her pale face twisted in pain even in sleep. And beside her… his elder sister. The woman whose beauty could topple cities, whose grace once embodied untouchable nobility, was now a shattered figure. Her long white hair, normally immaculate, spilled around her in tangled disarray. Her once-proud blue eyes were swollen red, hollow, brimming with despair.
When she noticed Leo rushing in, her lips trembled. She tried to speak, but only a broken sound escaped before she finally forced the words out.
"L-Leo… they both… died!"
Snap.
The world cracked.
The room spun violently around him, colors draining from his face. His knees hit the floor with a dull thud. His eyes were wide, but vacant—like his very soul had been ripped out in that instant.
The unthinkable had happened.
Something so cruel, it left nothing but silence inside him.