Leor's Blackmailing 101

Johan adjusted his top hat, absorbing everything like a sponge. He also caught a flicker of despair flash across Leor's otherwise calm face—just for a second.

"What do you want? Will you… really marry the prince?" Leor finally broke the silence, his voice measured.

"...Yes, I can't go… against my father…" Alya replied, forcing a calm tone, though the uncertainty in her voice betrayed her, making it obvious to Leor.

Leor's fists clenched. "I asked WHAT DO YOU WANT?!?" His voice rose sharply, echoing in the space between them.

Tears slipped silently down Alya's cheeks. "I don't want to…" she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Just as Leor was about to reply, a sharp, invisible pain pierced his skull. Outwardly, he remained composed—his posture straight, his expression unreadable. But inside, his mind was unraveling.

'Why is she crying? Stop crying! Please stop crying. It hurts. My head hurts. What is this. I wish I never met you. Huh? What the hell am I thinking? No, I'm grateful I met her! But you would never the pain then? Can I go home? Can you shut the hell up? What even are you? Comfort her first. Nothing Else matters. You're nothing. You should punch—'

Suddenly—

The pain vanished as randomly as it had come, replaced by an unfamiliar almost unnatural warmth in his chest. Like someone just stopped it. And he's pretty sure that someone was not him.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves.

 'Was I just… talking to myself? No… that wasn't me. What was that pain? They didn't notice? I thought I was wailing and whimpering aloud.'

Suppressing his inner turmoil, Leor forced a faint smile. He spoke as gently as he could. "Then there's nothing to worry about." He paused, carefully choosing his next words. "First, try talking to your father. Be honest. Tell him how you feel. Or—" his smile twisted, darkening, "maybe say something like, 'I'll kill myself if you force me to marry him.'"

Johan flinched visibly. 'What the fuck is wrong with you, man?' Similar thoughts brewed in Vane's head, even though he was familiar with Leor's slightly unorthodox ways, it was not an answer he imagined from Leor.

Alya froze.

Leor ignored their disturbed stares. "And if that doesn't work, Vane has some connections with the Goddess's church." He glanced at Vane, who nodded in response, not sure if Leor pieced together somethings or knew from the beginning.

"Yes. If talking to your father fails, I can arrange your escape. A new identity, enough gold pounds to live comfortably for the rest of your life." Vane's voice wavered slightly, but the meaning behind his words was clear.

'Whatever. As long as Alya survives and has her freedom…' VAne thought, his gaze becoming contemplative.

Alya's sobs quieted, though tears still streamed down her face. Wiping them away, she straightened, regaining her usual unreadable composure. "Thank you… both of you." Taking a deep breath, she turned to Leor, her voice steady. "Can you teach me more ways to manipulate my father? I think, threatening my life will definitely waver his heart a bit." she added awkwardly.

Then her voice grew firm as if reassuring herself, "Running away should be my last option."

Leor smirked, trying to lighten her mood. "Sure thing. I've got a hundred more ideas. But you'll need to work on delivery—it's all in the execution."

"Ah, let's go to Barbara's and get some Gateau first. I'm starving. Treats on me," Vane said cheerily. 

Then, turning toward Johan, his tone sharpened. "And maybe you could properly introduce your self to us."

'Something's off about that guy… his aura… it's not human,' Vane thought, studying the quiet Johan.

"Yes, that sounds great!" Leor replied.

'He doesn't trust Johan. Well, that's normal. He does looks suspicious.' He then turned to Alya with a smug grin. "I'll teach you while we eat, disciple!"

Playing along, Alya bowed gracefully. "Your word my command, Master!", her mood way lighter now.

Johan, standing beside Leor, thought bewildered, 'Did they all escape from a mental asylum? Didn't Leor just suggested emotional manuiplation using sucide? They look like the kind of people who'd buy a haunted house and try to talk to the ghost. I don't feel safe with them… Save me, my beautiful blonde-haired female knight!'

The group walked side by side down the bricked pathway of Lauriston Garden toward the academy's exit. 

The red bricks and greenery along the sides made the path feel almost peaceful. The chill in the air was typical of the Lavenham Empire's winters. 

Leor and Alya were deep in conversation, grinning as they discussed the best ways to manipulate Andrei Dmitrievich Ruriks. Leor's hands moved wildly, punctuating his points with exaggerated gestures, while Alya nodded seriously, as if mentally noting everything.

Meanwhile, Vane's stare toward Johan grew more intense, his brows knitting together as if deciphering every detail about him. 

Johan, sweating nervously, cast pleading glances at Leor, but his freind was lost in another world, oblivious to his silent cries for help.

"I—I'm into girls, sir!" Johan blurted, breaking the uneasy silence with a forced smile.

"Do I look like I care?" Vane replied with an evil grin, clearly trying to intimidate him.

'Why's he talking about sexual preferances suddenly?' Vane thought baffled.

His intimidation seemed to be working—Johan was visibly shivering, looking as though he might shit himself at any moment. 

'No… he's faking it. He wants me to think he's scared so I'll back off. Could he be a slave trader targeting Leor's sister? Or maybe a high-ranking cultist?'

Suddenly his brows furrowed, eyes widening slightly with the possibility.

'Or he is an experiment from 'Curiousity'…' he thought with some horror.

'I can't be too forward with my suspicions. I need to act friendly and understand his abilities first.' Vane took a deep breath, calming his nerves.

Vane smiled, softening his gaze in a seriously futile attempt to comfort Johan. 

Johan's eyes widened in alarm.

'Help, Mom!' Johan screamed internally before suddenly darting forward, placing himself between Leor and Alya, startling them both.

Vane froze. 'Was that a warning? Is he saying he can kill them? I can't risk taking action now… they'd get caught in the crossfire. They're just normal humans.'

Vane stared deeply at Johan, his gaze contemplative.

"What the hell are you doing?" Leor whispered quietly, narrowing his eyes.

"Can I… walk in the middle?" Johan stammered, glancing between Alya and Leor.

"Whatever." Leor shrugged, giving it no further thought. Where Alya looked mildly annoyed.

The rest of the walk passed uneventfully, the fresh scent of flowers and trees calming their nerves. 

Vane still cast suspicious glances at Johan, making him flinch every time. Finally, they reached the large exit doors, pacing toward the smaller doorway on the left. 

The guard from earlier gave Johan a brief look but said nothing, letting them pass.

They left to the bustling 64th square of the Wellington. Even though it was afternoon, due to cool cloudy weather and sunlight from time to time only adding in the comfort.

Resulting in hundreds of people—students—families—laughing, talking loudly. Some shopping random purses, wallets, spices. Some people eating in open restaurants, gossiping loudly. Students who just finished their classes making fun of each other's mother for entertainment.

Johan felt much more at ease now, then before. The people before were just obnoxious for him. Now they were atleast a bit "real." 

The group walked quietly through the crowded stone footpath. Main road, for carriages constantly being cleaned by more then twenty workers, due to carriage horses spreading "waste" and dirt all over the place. Which slowly makes even the most beautiful places stink.

In this, children of Nobles like to roam around and explore, due to academy being close. So it was obvious to Leor why the cleanliness matters so much here. Just few kilometers down u will see mountains of mud and waste, just laying, or probably being cleaned by a lone worker.

 They finally reached their usual lunch spot after class.

"Barbara's Bakery, finally!" Vane exclaimed, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Is it really a good time to be out like this? We still don't know what happened at your house," Johan whispered in Leor's ear.

"You're right, but… well, we're just grabbing lunch. Besides, Gateau is Alya's favorite—it might help cheer her up. You've probably never tried it either, so it'll be a good experience for you too," Leor replied evasively, as if trying to avoid the topic of returning for some reason.

They climbed the four wooden steps leading to the medium-sized bakery. 

The building resembled a cozy wooden hut, its blackwood door adorned with intricate floral patterns etched into the small glass window.

The rich, inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries wafted out, enticing anyone nearby to step inside.

"Welcome!" A girl, around sixteen years old, greeted them with a bright smile, her tone as warm as the bakery's atmosphere.