Chapter 11

I get woken by a knock at the door. Elara is still curled up next to me and the sun is shining a blinding orange light. My head starts hurting as I realize what is about to happen.

Our clothes are all on the floor, undergarments included. It's not hard to misunderstand this situation. I wonder if Elara would have a problem with that, cause if not then it's not a huge deal I guess. Elara hasn't awoken from the knock, it seems.

„Princess Elara, may I come in?"

I have to think fast. It'd be way better to avoid this situation so… I guess.

{Leo}: „If you could give us a minute. Elara has yet to wake up."

„ Ah! Ehhmm… Yes, sir Leo…"

Fuck I guess this is better though. Kinda softens the blow at least. I feel a brief twitch, as the curled up ball expands to stretch herself. As her stretched out arm touches my shoulders, she flinches and gasps.

{Elara}: „Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait."

{Leo}: „Sending prayers for your recovery…"

{Elara}: „haha, though this is a kind of weird situation I've found myself in."

{Leo}: „Did you hear the maids outside just now?"

{Elara}: „It's already morning, huh? I guess they are here to escort me to the dining hall. WAIT DONT LET THEM IN!"

{Leo}: „I know, I've managed to soften the blow at least."

We get up and I clean up as best I can. For now I also put on my sweat-drenched clothes.

{Elara}: „So… you'll go now?"

{Leo}: „Yes, but only for a little while. We'll see each other at the dining hall."

{Elara}: „Take care~"

I open the door to see a few maids standing in silence before Elaras room. They shutter and look at me intensely. I continue to take my stride back to my room to change, though. There I wander the halls, with so much to think about, my brain is going on overdrive, but I'm calm, somehow.

On the way, I meet Adelinde.

{Adelinde}: „Ah, Leo. What happened, why are you still in those clothes? They reek."

{Leo}: „A lot. I've been through a lot honestly. I need some time alone."

{Adelinde}: „Sure!"

I wonder what Elara'll say at breakfast while I'm gone. Truly headache worthy…

*Later*

{Leo}: „I am sorry for the delay in my coming. I shall now dine with you."

No answer, just what did Elara say for them to be like this.

{Elara}: „Hi, Leo. Wanna sit next to me?"

{Leo}: „S-Sure."

{Leopold}: „So, can you explain once more, Elara? Just what happened?"

{Elara}: „I have decided to take Leo as my significant other. Right, Leo?"

HOW WEIRD CAN YOU BE HOLY IM SO EMBARRASSED.

{Leo}: „Ah… Yes."

{King}: „And this is official? Are you sure of this, Elara?"

{Leopold}: „Please rethink this, Elara."

{Elara}: „I will not tolerate any doubt you might harbor toward me. I was never more sure of a decision in my life."

{Adelinde}: „And you want this, Leo?"

{Leo}: „That, beyond all, is clear. I hope for your understanding and blessings."

KILL ME I WANNA DIE PLEASE LET ME LEAVE.

After a gruelingly quiet breakfast, I rush out of the hall as quickly as possible and head to the training grounds to vent my embarrassment. After a while, Leopold comes to join my training in quiet. At first it was uncomfortable, but it turned out quite calming and relaxing. Leopold is a true brother…

I take a short break by giving a visit to Elara. I bet she's lonely after breakfast. I hope I didn't leave her alone for too long.

*knock knock*

{Elara}: „Come in."

I open the door to see Elara and Adelinde enjoying some tea on a small table. The mood is weird, but I decide to sit down next to them.

{Leo}: „It's nice to relax like this once in a while. What's on your mind, Elara?"

{Elara}: „You took your time, Leo-dear. I was just having a quick little chat with Adelinde."

{Adelinde}: „What happened yesterday? This is all a little much."

{Elara}: „You see, we confessed and then went to bed together. That's pretty much all."

{Leo}: „What she's trying to say is-"

{Adelinde}: „Ah, I see. That's all I need to know, I'll go now."

{Elara}: „You think she's frustrated? Haha."

{Leo}: „You are one evil woman jeez~"

{Elara}: „Only speaking what we both thought. By the way, what are you doing here?"

{Leo}: „I thought you might be lonely, so I came to check up on you. I also had something to ask you."

{Elara}: „How can you be soo sweet teehee. What was it you wanted to ask?"

{Leo}: „Stop teasing me… I wanted to ask you if you wanted to try out going to the palaces bathhouse together? I bet it would be fun."

{Elara}: „Wow are you the pervert type?"

{Leo}: „If you don't want to do that, we could-"

{Elara}: „No, I want to do that."

{Leo}: „Stop it with your dirty thinking, though, haha."

It's the first time I've spent a day leisurely bathing and having fun like this. It was really funny to spend some quality time with Elara, but it all ends somewhere.

At noon, all the children of the house, including me, got ordered to gather. The king had an important message.

{King}: „To all of you children, gathered here. We as a collective have gotten an answer from the Sanctaria Church. There was no say of their rescue squad having gone missing, as they invited us to yet another event, with which they intend to apologize for the incident, partly at their fault.

Now is the question, who of you is willing to take this journey all the way there? Please raise your hands."

Leopold is the first to raise his hands. Adelinde follows shortly after and as I try to lift my hands, Elara pinches my shirt, symbolizing, not to go. I get kind of irritated but I try to understand her point of view. This is probably the first time she has felt this joy as well. To be ripped of that would be detrimental to her mental health. At least I appreciate her honesty to herself.

{King}: „I have decided, that Adelinde and Leopold are to go take on the journey to Sanctaria Church. But that is NOT all. There is a banquet planned in the near future by a secondary branch of the family. If Elara and Leo do not wish to repeat their journey to Sanctaria, I would expect you two to attend it."

I think I get where this is going… Secondary branch should mean Aldrics attendance as well. I guess it'll get pretty chaotic soon. I should talk to Elara about it and how we plan on introducing our relationship to the secondary branch.

After the talk, Elara wished to go on a short walk with me.

{Elara}: „I love the smell of the garden at night. The sounds are so calming and the air is perfectly humid. Theres nothing to beat a good calm night out."

{Leo}: „I agree. The faint bird chirps and the creaking from various critters makes it all the better, I think. Back in my home I wished there would come a time where I could peacefully enjoy nights like this."

{Elara}: „You couldn't? Why?"

{Leo}: „In the west, it rains a lot and there was always a rainy smell in the air, that I eventually grew tired of. What about you, Elara? Do you love the rain?"

{Elara}: „I hate it. Everyone always calls the rain beautiful and it frustrates me as a blind individual. I never found it beautiful, only destructive and disruptive."

{Leo}: „What do you think of the banquet, I'm guessing you're the type to show off your relationship?"

{Elara}: „You're goddamn right haha. I don't care about Aldric if that is what you're thinking."

{Leo}: „I know you well enough to know that, Elara."

{Elara}: „You think we could use some nicknames? I find it boring to just use formal names…"

{Leo}: „What about traditional couple names like dear or honey?"

{Elara}: „Sure, that'd work, dear~"

{Leo}: „Dear, you are so beautiful when you smile."

{Elara}: „I don't know if this is doing it for me honestly. We can figure it out later."

{Leo}: „Are you scared for Adelinde and Leopold?"

{Elara}: „Yes, but this time it'll be different for sure. It must be just be an actual attempt at improving our now sour relationship. Even if they do cooperate with the eastern kingdom, they still have a public image to keep."

{Leo}: „I tend to agree with you. Though I'm scared for Adelinde, as she's shown a disconnect with me since the incident. I fear more distance will make her hate me even more."

{Elara}: „Who says I'm not in favor of that?"

{Leo}: „Well what did I expect from you, honey"

{Elara}: „Nope, that's definitely not it either haha."

I feel it coming. It seems like war is imminent. The look on the king's face today said it all. Atleast Elara can save me from being recruited for war. My goal is pretty much achieved, now I just have to keep it up.

I wonder when the eastern kingdom will make their move…