Leo pulled something out of his pocket, moving like he was about to show off a hidden treasure. His fingers found the cool metal, and when he opened his hand, two silver bracelets appeared—delicate and elegant. They had these fine, shimmering patterns that sparkled like starlight, almost like they held a bit of forever in their shine.
Rina gasped a little, her pink eyes lighting up with excitement.
"Wow… They're so pretty. I want one," she said, her voice full of the pure joy of a girl whose heart was already overflowing.
Leo grinned, a playful smile spreading across his face. He couldn't help but chuckle, his laugh warm and affectionate.
"Relax, my little princess. One of them is yours anyway. These are to seal our relationship… forever, I hope."
Even though he was joking, his words hit Rina hard. Her heart raced so fast she felt like he could hear it. She fidgeted with her hands and looked down shyly, her cheeks flushing a bright pink, like the roses around them.
When she finally stretched out her slender left arm, Leo's hand, steady despite his excitement, slid the bracelet onto her wrist. It fit perfectly, almost like it was made just for her, the subtle shine highlighting her delicate beauty. For a moment, Leo forgot to breathe. She looked absolutely enchanting—pink hair framing her flushed face, the silver bracelet catching the light.
Rina bit her lip, trying to keep her smile in check, but her happiness spilled out anyway. Gathering her courage, she took the second bracelet with shaky hands. Her fingers brushed against his as she put it on Leo's left wrist. His hand felt strong, but there was something fragile about it in the moment, like the weight of what this gesture meant was a bit too much to handle. Still, she didn't hesitate.
The bracelet clicked into place, fitting like it was meant to be there. She looked up shyly, her pink eyes sparkling with a mix of nerves and joy.
Now, they both wore matching silver bracelets, glimmering in the fading light.
Staying true to his playful nature, Leo couldn't help but break the romantic vibe with his usual antics.
"Well, now that our relationship has leveled up, shouldn't we do something a little… naughty to seal it properly?" he said, rubbing his hands together like a sneaky dealer about to con an innocent customer, then added with a smug grin, "Let's hit up a love motel."
Rina's face instantly turned red, outrage washing over her.
"D-Die, you shameless pervert!" she yelled, swinging at him with all her might.
Leo laughed, dodging her playful attacks with ease, his grin only getting bigger. "Come on, Riri, no need to be so violent!"
Their playful chase spilled out into the park, their laughter ringing through the trees.
Not far from the park, the warm glow of an ice cream shop caught their attention. Giggling and out of breath, they decided to take a little detour and step inside for some sweet treats.
Hand in hand, enjoying their ice cream and the warmth between them, they continued their night filled with laughter.
A little later, Leo and Rina were finally ready to head home. Their driver arrived in a shiny silver car, its surface shining under the streetlights. Normally, the driver would have cracked a joke as soon as he saw how close they were sitting together—he always had a playful way about him. But tonight, something felt off. He looked at them for a moment, his lips pressed tight, and didn't say a word of humor.
Leo noticed right away.
"Is something wrong? You seem unusually quiet," he asked, trying to sound casual, but his attention was keen.
"Nothing, young master," the driver replied quickly, too quickly. His voice had a tense note that made the silence even heavier.
Leo frowned, feeling unsettled but decided not to push it. Instead, he settled back in the comfortable seat and asked the driver to take their time driving back to the Roschild estate.
Next to him, Rina had already succumbed to tiredness after a night full of emotions. She quietly fell asleep with her head resting gently on Leo's lap.
As he looked down at her, watching her soft breathing and peaceful face, Leo felt a warmth in his chest. A small smile crept onto his lips as he brushed a strand of hair from her face, his fingers delicately caressing her smooth locks.
But beneath that warm feeling, an uneasiness began to rise within him. He felt restless, as if something was gnawing at him. The farther they drove, the stronger that feeling grew. And as they neared the main estate, it pressed down on him like an invisible weight, filling him with a sense of dread.
What is this feeling? he wondered, glancing out at the darkened streets. An anxious whisper from the shadows suggested that something awaited them at the end of this journey.
That creeping sense of worry became a harsh reality when they stepped into the estate. The air inside felt heavy and still, almost suffocating. The usual sounds of servants bustling around were absent; those who were there had their heads bowed, their faces dark with unspoken tension.
Even Rina, waking from her tranquil sleep, could feel the change. She tightened her grip on Leo's sleeve, her bright eyes narrowing with concern. But Leo was already moving.
Without thinking, he dashed forward. His footsteps echoed through the halls as he rushed into the main villa, his heart racing, praying he was just being overly cautious.
There, on the grand sofa, lay his mother—unconscious and looking pale, her face twisted with pain even in her sleep. Beside her was his older sister. Once a vision of beauty and elegance, she now appeared broken. Her long white hair was messy, and her stunning blue eyes were red and filled with sadness.
When she saw Leo rushing in, her lips trembled. She tried to speak but could only make a broken sound before managing to say the words.
"L-Leo… they both… died!"
Snap.
Everything shattered.
The room spun around him, and he felt like color was draining from his world. His knees hit the floor with a dull thud. His eyes were wide but empty, as if his very spirit had been torn away in that moment.
The unimaginable had happened.
Something so cruel that it left nothing but silence inside him.