Episode 17
Céline’s whole body stiffened with tension.
Was it a nightmare?
Maybe Leonhardt had lied when he said he couldn’t sleep because he was worried about her.
She reached out to shake him awake, but froze.
Unlike the nightmares she had seen him suffer before, Leonhardt wasn’t thrashing or groaning in pain.
Instead, the corners of his lips were faintly curved—his face utterly peaceful.
“…Linne.”
This time, it was clearly a calm, serene murmur.
Her ears flushed red. Now she could understand just how much he had been worrying about her.
Even in an ordinary dream, he dreams of me.
Céline’s tension melted away, and she sank into the armchair.
She wasn’t as exhausted as Leonhardt, but she too had overworked herself in training.
Her overstrained body melted into the warmth of the hearth and blanket, and soon, she drifted into sweet slumber.
Early the next morning.
Leonhardt slowly opened his eyes.
It had been an unbroken, blissful sleep.
“…!”
Céline was fast asleep in the armchair beside the bed.
I told her to go back once I fell asleep…
Leonhardt stared at her, entranced. Her golden hair shimmered over her shoulders, catching the light.
He gently brushed her hair into place; the soft golden strands gleamed under the sunlight.
She must be uncomfortable.
He was both touched and exasperated—she’d spent the night in that chair. Her neck or back must be killing her.
Quietly, he rose from the bed.
There was only one thing to do.
He carefully lifted Céline and laid her on his bed.
“…ma…”
She murmured something unintelligible in her sleep. The peaceful look on her face made him pause, just gazing at her for a long while.
I have to rest today anyway.
Time passed unnoticed as he watched her sleep.
Knock, knock.
At precisely nine, the attendant came to deliver breakfast.
Leonhardt was about to tell them not to disturb him—but Céline stirred first.
“Ah…!”
Realizing she was lying in Leonhardt’s bed, Céline gasped in shock.
“I told you to go back.”
Leonhardt’s teasing voice came from behind her.
“I was too tired… But why am I in bed—wait, I still have my shoes on!”
Leonhardt frowned.
“How could I take off a lady’s shoes?”
“…”
Céline nearly pointed out that removing shoes wasn’t exactly scandalous, but bit her tongue.
The delicious aroma wafting from the silver tray made her stomach growl.
Leonhardt caught it immediately.
“Go on, eat.”
“All right.”
Feeling oddly self-conscious about stepping off the bed with her shoes still on, she walked to the antique table by the window.
The tray held two full servings of food and cutlery. Leonhardt started with the sausages; Céline spread jam thickly on a soft roll.
They cleared the tray quickly, and Céline even finished the entire jug of fresh milk that Leonhardt hadn’t touched.
“Should I have them bring more?”
“No, this is plenty.”
She sipped a strong, fragrant tea to cleanse her palate. Leonhardt smiled.
“Seeing you eat well—now I can finally relax.”
Sunlight streamed warmly through the window, and thanks to Céline’s presence, the cold room seemed to sparkle.
Leonhardt let himself bask in the peace for a moment.
“Leonhardt.”
Céline’s tone turned serious. Their gray-blue and deep blue eyes met.
“Why do you go on missions alone?”
Leonhardt looked momentarily stunned.
“Is that what you’re curious about?”
“Yes.”
She nodded firmly.
“A mage could fight monsters or dark sorcerers with you, couldn’t they?”
“…”
His face darkened. He hesitated.
“…I don’t like working with mages.”
“Because they might get corrupted—fall to a demon’s or dark sorcerer’s power?”
She voiced the theory she’d long considered.
Karl was an exceptionally powerful mage, and even Céline, far weaker than him, knew a few spells that were highly effective against monsters.
Leonhardt shook his head.
“No. Karl Luteman himself has slain monsters before.”
“Then why…?”
Leonhardt looked into her eyes—eyes that always gave him both comfort and unease.
He couldn’t decide whether to tell her about the specter that haunted him for years.
Not yet.
He exhaled softly and handed her a small white lie.
“I just find it awkward. That’s all.”
The next instant, Céline’s eyes brightened, her lips parting. He realized his mistake before she even spoke—but it was too late.
“What about me?”
“No!”
Leonhardt shouted reflexively, but Céline didn’t flinch. She met his gaze squarely.
“Why not? You don’t find me awkward, do you?”
“Well, no, but—”
“I’m more useful than you think. If a monster charges, I’ll burn it to ash. If you don’t believe me, I can show you right now.”
“That’s not the point…”
A small smile played on her lips.
“I know. You’re worried I’ll die, aren’t you?”
“…You’re perceptive.”
He sighed, feeling oddly played.
“There’s no winning against you. I’ll take that as a joke.”
Céline inhaled deeply, gathering her courage for the move that would seal her argument.
“Leonhardt, when I’m not around… you feel uneasy, don’t you?”
“…!”
His eyes wavered.
“Don’t get me wrong. It’s because of the nightmares—you can’t help it.”
She continued gently,
“I thought about it. You can’t rest easy unless you know I’m safe. Especially when you’re away on missions.”
He opened his mouth to protest, but nothing came out. Her faint, knowing smile silenced him.
“So I’ll come with you. For your peace of mind.”
“…Just for that?”
“What do you mean just for that?”
She tilted her head.
“Fighting dark sorcerers and monsters alone is already hard enough. Do you really have to carry the weight of sleepless nights, too?”
“…It doesn’t matter. I always come back here eventually.”
Céline sighed.
“Leonhardt, the Empire is vast. And you’re the only one who can defeat dark sorcerers. If you’re gone for a month, will you really stay awake for an entire month?”
He swallowed hard.
Even imagining it made his chest tighten.
“I’ll… deal with it when the time comes.”
Céline heard the hesitation and knew she’d already won.
“You’re leaving soon, right? You just slept properly for the first time in days—do you really want to stay up again all night worrying about me?”
She stood.
“Natasha said a group of monsters was found nearby. You’re going alone, aren’t you?”
“…I’m leaving tomorrow. Even if I agreed with you, it’s too soon.”
“If it were a dark sorcerer, I wouldn’t insist. But monsters? You protected me from them even while having nightmares.”
Leonhardt didn’t remind her that he’d once failed to protect her from a horde of monsters in the capital. It was a painful memory for both of them.
“Just… give me some time to think.”
“All right.”
Half an hour later, the teapot was empty and every cookie gone.
Leonhardt still sat there, frowning deeply in thought.
“Need more time?”
He let out a groan-like sigh.
“…Fine. We’ll do as you say.”
Céline’s face lit up. Finally, he wouldn’t lose sleep worrying about her.
“But there’s one condition.”
“What is it?”
“You said you’re ‘more useful than I think,’ right? I want to see that for myself.”
Céline immediately stood.
“What do you want me to show you? Just tell me the element—I’ll use the strongest spell I can.”
“No.”
Leonhardt stood too, picking up Rashir.
Céline’s eyes widened.
No way…
Then, in the firmest tone she’d ever heard from him, he said:
“I’ll only defend. You attack me—with everything you’ve got. Don’t hold back.”
A chill ran down her spine.
“…Are you sure? The room might get destroyed.”
“I’ll handle that.”
She inhaled sharply.
He wants to know if I’m truly strong enough not to die.
Céline closed her eyes briefly, focusing her energy. Soon, power surged through her body.
“Ready?”
“You’re the one who should be asking that.”
Seconds later—
A servant in the corridor jumped at the sudden heat and roaring noise from the Grand Duke’s room, spilling his bucket.
Céline clenched her eyes shut, unleashing every ounce of her magic.
She didn’t even bother with selecting an element—she used them all.
Light. Water. Fire. Wind.
Every bit of her power poured toward Leonhardt.
Karl had always trained her to use minimal mana, so she had never cast anything of this magnitude before.
Of course, she knew Leonhardt wouldn’t actually get hurt—but still, worry pricked at her chest.
“…Not bad.”
Céline gasped.
Leonhardt looked exactly the same as before—calm, unruffled.
But what shocked her wasn’t him—it was the room.
There wasn’t a single trace of her magic anywhere. The only thing shining was Rashir, gleaming more brilliantly than ever.
Leonhardt slowly approached her.
Her heart pounded wildly. She already knew he was strong—strong beyond reason—but seeing it again still took her breath away.
“At least you won’t get torn apart by monsters.”
He extended a hand to her.
“Then… shall we get ready, Céline Lute?”
