Chapter 70 - Aslan's Conflict

The office clock was the only sound that welcomed Aslan. He had been standing in front of the desk full of papers for ten minutes, and all he had been doing was watching Leonardo read some documents and make notes.

He had changed.

When he arrived at the mansion, Leonardo was more closed and scowling. He avoided hearing about Dreamland and was only interested in his internship. Anything that was enough for him to escape his father's dream would be more interesting in his eyes. However, now it was the opposite.

Aslan even had the impression that Leonardo had grown up, his shoulders broader and his posture more erect. The seriousness of an adult was present in his physiognomy. Sporting a corner smile, Aslan felt slightly proud to see his young master.

To his relief, Leonardo did not seem bothered by the presence of the attractions. Viola was reading some fairy tale book beside the young master, occasionally peeking out of the corner of her eyes and arranging her posture to imitate him. Everything seemed to be going according to Master Evilian's plans.

— Aslan, please, I want you to teach Viola a few things so she can manage the Winter Flavour.

Holding out a sheet of paper, Aslan took it and read it, surprising himself with the details of the instructions delivered.

— Are you sure, Leo?

— Yes, since she's just like the others then she should learn fast.

Aslan glanced over at the girl and sighed lowly. It wouldn't be a problem teaching the girl something about management, the problem would be how to explain it to the overprotective detective who was always watching them.

— Fine, but don't you think the detective will try to stop it?

— Better to do it when Vincent is looking after her, it looks like Giovani will be busy with something outside the mansion.

Surprised, the blond man approached Leonardo without hiding his curiosity.

— Why do you think so?

— Yesterday after dinner he said that Alex's family went to the police to report his disappearance. And, according to the security cameras, the last image of him is jumping over the food court fences and heading to the forest.

— To the forest? Isn't that behind the food court?

Leonardo grimaced, resting his head on his palm.

— Yeah, I wonder what the hell Ray and Benjin did that day.

A shiver ran through Aslan's skin. He knew very well what had happened, since he had kept watch the whole time to make sure the cameras didn't catch the attractions, nor that they were caught by the newly hired night watchmen. Could he tell Leonardo?

— I think they took them to that place.

— That place? — Questioned Leonardo curiously — What place? Oh... the train?

Aslan nodded silently.

He was afraid to mention the train, since Leonardo's last reaction had been quite traumatising. At least Vicente was adamant in warning them to avoid touching the subject of the train. But to his surprise, the young master didn't show any alarming reaction. He merely returned his gaze, trapped in his thoughts.

— Why would they take him there? Giovani has been investigating the train for weeks, otherwise he would have found something by now.

— And didn't he?

An obvious question that made Leonardo laugh. Aslan was playing with boundaries that day, but it was impossible to stop it, seeing the brunette react in an unexpected way. He couldn't see any shadow of fear in him.

— An unrecognisable corpse. Could it be Alex's?

— I honestly don't know. I have no idea what happens inside the train, since I'm not allowed to go in there.

Leonardo arched an eyebrow at the small detail.

— And you need permission?

— In a way, since it's their cot.

Aslan didn't want to say everything so openly, he was treading on eggshells with this subject. But at the same time he had to say it. Leonardo was the heir and he was about to face Diablo. It would be completely different if his young master had never left Dreamland, surely he would have learned from his father how to deal with that damned contract.

But Leonardo didn't know.

And he still had traumas connected to that place.

It was suffocating to know something and not be able to tell him directly. He had to trust his young master's development and wait for him to question first. Even though it was agonising.

— The cot? So... Benjin and the others came from the train?

Aslan's chest filled with air from the elation he felt.

That's right.

Ask more.

— That's what Master Evilian told me one day. When I was hired to be manager and he called me to live in the mansion, he said never to enter the train cars.

— Maybe he was as traumatised as I was, since that's where Lucca's tragedy happened.

It made some sense, but it didn't match the memories Aslan had of Rohan Evilian. He never showed weakness or sadness.

Aslan had arrived at Dreamland years after that tragedy, and had only heard about it through the staff who always muttered things to himself.

— "He treats you like a son, since he lost one."

There were several times when Dreamland staff believed that Rohan Evilian had adopted Aslan as a son, even if it was only a rumour. The blond was never adopted, he had been taken in and hired. The same affection Rohan had for Benjin and Ray was given to Aslan. As if they were loved ones of his family.

But never his sons.

Rohan Evilian never showed sorrow for the loss of his sons. He knew how to hide it very well.

— He used to go to the train, I think at least once a month. I'm not sure what he did there, Vincent must know.

— It seems my father used to tell you quite a lot.

Aslan sighed and bowed his head. Sometimes he missed Rohan, he always found time to play in the park with him. For some reason, the last few days Aslan had found himself wishing Leonardo was with his father. Maybe Rohan would be able to help him in the best possible way.

Clenching his fingers into a fist, the blond man contained his own worry. He had nothing to do. Leonardo could only rely on the attractions to sit on the throne of Dreamland. What was within his power was to tell what he knew and hope the brunette was strong on his own.

— Since I became the main attraction of Bluemoon, there was no way I couldn't know — Aslan laughed, hiding the sudden sadness he felt with his thoughts — I am also responsible for assisting Vicente with the financials.

— So my father thought that one day you would find out? And that's why he preferred to tell you everything right away?

— I guess so. Just look at your case, Leo. You were in the dark all this time, and you had the police on your tail. How could you run a park this size without knowing what's going on under your nose?

Leonardo drummed his fingers on the table in agreement.

— Right, you can't help but notice that something is wrong. If I didn't know better, I would treat the haunted house situation as a simple leak. I'd probably hire new artists to find a manager for the square... In the end, I'd end up in the palm of that demon's hand.

— Exactly. The difference is that I could be protected by Master Evilian, but you... Who would protect you? Vicente? Benjin? Ray? They're just puppets.

— Puppets... A real puppet, haha. I still can't believe it.

With some concern, Aslan asked.

— Are you all right? Must be a lot of information to digest...

— Hm... How can I put this — Leonardo smiled, scratching the back of his head, looking slightly embarrassed — Sometimes I feel afraid to face all this, but then it's as if a fog covers all the problems, calming me down.

— A fog?

— Well, I'd say that's the feeling I get when I'm with Ben.

Aslan let out a low chuckle as he saw the young master's cheeks redden. Unlike himself, those two were doing very well in their relationship, which made him somewhat envious. But he doubted very much that Ray was the equal of Benjin in showing affection.

Even he himself didn't have the confidence to be so open about his feelings.

That's why it was so interesting to watch Leonardo and Benjin.

— I'm sure Ben makes an effort to distract you to gain attention.

— I've got a pretty slick puppet, don't I? Although Ray's not far behind, as he's always stuck on you when he gets the chance.

Aslan's cheeks reddened.

— You can't compare those two, they are very different.

— I thought you two had made a move in your relationship.

Aslan denied it with his head, though a sad smile appeared on his face. The subject quickly changed, it being the blond's turn to be uncomfortable.

— Maybe he doesn't care about sentimentality. Anyway, I'll let you get to work. I'll talk to Vicente about it and start Viola's classes as soon as possible.

He knew that his answer had been too bitter to make Leonardo uncomfortable, so he smiled genuinely before leaving the office.

Ah if envy could kill!

Throwing his hair back, Aslan took a deep breath before heading back to his room.

That magician was a real maze that was starting to make him tired. And confused too. Touching his fingertips to his lips, Aslan could still remember the slight kiss Ray had given him the other day.

A long time had passed since then.

Dreamland was filled with problems that kept Aslan from thinking about romance. Only that made the desire grow a little bit every day. Along with the envy he had at seeing Benjin so happy, Aslan grew more and more hopeless.

Standing in the doorway of his room, the blond boy sighed heavily. Since when was he becoming impatient? Hadn't he come to terms with staying by his side? Why would he be so anxious like this?

— I finally found you, my piece of cloud! What took you so long with the young master, eh?

Oh, that voice.

He was just toying with him. There was no other meaning behind them.

— I was taking orders, nothing more. And you, shouldn't you be looking after the haunted house?

Aslan walked into the messy room and sat down at the desk turning on his computer. From the reflection of the monitor he watched as Ray also entered and stood behind him.

— I've done my duty and the customers are enjoying the scares of the costumed employees. I have free time.

— Oh yeah? I envy you.

Reading the document delivered by Leonardo, Aslan completely ignored Ray's presence. He needed to get away from those growing feelings, he had to focus on what Leonardo needed. There were more important things to do than to keep crying about not having his love reciprocated as he expected.

As soon as the computer turned on, Aslan quickly opened the programs and began preparing the materials to teach Viola. His concentration didn't take long to solidify, managing to completely ignore the magician's presence. Even though Ray was reading the document over his shoulder, Aslan was not bothered.

Only when arms wrapped around his shoulders in a hug, and the woody smell grew strong did Aslan stop typing.

— What should I do to make you pay attention to me, Aslan?