When Yellian opened their eyes, the first thing they saw was Leonard. He was looking at Yellian with a noticeably gaunt face.
Seeing him in such an uncharacteristic state, Yellian felt a sharp pain in their chest. Yellian reached out with trembling hands to gently stroke Leonard’s cheek. His warmth was fully conveyed.
“Are you okay……?”
“That’s what I should be asking. Are you okay?”
“I asked first.”
Though Yellian wasn’t in the mood to joke at all, they deliberately teased him for that very reason. They felt that even a small jest like this might ease Leonard’s worries just a little.
“Yeah. I’m okay.”
“Then I’m okay too.”
As Yellian quickly echoed his words and smiled, Leonard also briefly lifted the corner of his mouth.
However, where the smile faded, a deeper worry took its place. Noticing this, Yellian’s expression also darkened.
“……It’s because of me, isn’t it?”
Leonard looked at Yellian in surprise. Feeling his gaze, Yellian gave a bitter smile.
“It’s because I keep making you worry, isn’t it?”
“Why would you think that?”
“If I put myself in your shoes, I think I’d feel the same. Worried, upset…… and then…… and then exhausted. ……And eventually, fed up.”
The last words left scars everywhere as they rose from Yellian’s chest to their throat.
Though they were Yellian’s own words, the truth was they didn’t even want to imagine it. They hoped Leonard would never grow tired because of them.
The reason for saying something contrary to their true feelings was to avoid getting hurt. It was as if Yellian was preemptively putting up a shield out of fear.
“Why would you say something like that?”
“…….”
“It hurts you.”
“…….”
“I’m not tired, and I’m not fed up. So don’t say things like that.”
Leonard seemed to understand Yellian’s heart completely. At his warm words, Yellian nodded with a face that looked like they might cry. For the first time in a while, they felt a sense of relief, as if the tightness in their chest was loosening.
* * *
The peaceful feeling didn’t last long. From the moment Larissa suddenly visited and delivered the news she brought, Yellian felt like crying.
“Is that…… really true?”
“Yes. It’s true. It’s a complete mess.”
Larissa shuddered as if to say it was unthinkable. Even so, Yellian couldn’t help but confirm once more.
“The stray cats in the capital are dying in droves……? Why? What’s the reason……?”
“I don’t know that either. Probably the work of some lunatic. I’m not sure, but according to the investigation, it seems they’re capturing stray cats, abusing them, and killing them.”
It felt as if Yellian’s heart was sinking. The image of Gamja came to mind. Surely, Gamja must be okay. They must be safe without any trouble.
“Yellian, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m okay……. I’m just dizzy…….”
In truth, Yellian wasn’t okay at all. It shouldn’t be possible, it mustn’t happen, but if by some chance something had happened to Gamja, Yellian didn’t think they could bear it.
“It’s because of Gamja, isn’t it……? I must have brought up something unnecessary. I’ve made you worry…….”
“No……. Thank you for telling me. I need to know these things…….”
At her apology, Yellian shook their head. Though they felt tormented enough to cry right then and there, they couldn’t remain ignorant of such an important matter forever.
“I know it’s not much of a comfort……, but I brought a pie in case you might want to eat something.”
Larissa carefully held out a box of pie. Though Yellian had no appetite whatsoever, they accepted the pie out of consideration for her kindness.
“Don’t worry too much about Gamja. I’m handing out flyers to the customers who come for fortune-telling, so we’ll find Gamja soon. All the news in the capital passes through me, you know.”
“……Thank you.”
At Larissa’s clearly exaggerated words, Yellian forced a faint smile.
However, even after Larissa left the room, Yellian couldn’t do anything and sat there as if frozen.
* * *
Meanwhile, Leonard had visited the imperial palace early in the morning. He, too, had learned about the disgraceful incident occurring in the capital.
Since the last incident with the circus troupe, Leonard had created a bill to strengthen penalties for animal abusers. The newly drafted law required the signatures of the nobles and the approval of the imperial palace.
“Sign it.”
“Well, the thing is……. Some nobles are strongly opposed. They say it’s too harsh to execute someone just for mistreating animals, and I don’t have a good counterargument.”
At Abigail’s words, Leonard took a deep breath to cool the boiling anger within him. Soon, Leonard looked at Abigail with an expression full of rage.
“Did you even look at the materials I sent along with the request to strengthen the law? Most animal abusers start with animals and later move on to attacking and killing people.”
“I did look at them. But some nobles are adamant. They say they absolutely cannot agree.”
“If you agree, this whole issue can be resolved.”
At Leonard’s words, Abigail scratched his head awkwardly.
It wasn’t a wrong statement. In the case of bills, they are usually passed with the nobles’ agreement and final approval from the imperial family. However, even if some nobles oppose, a bill can still be enacted using the imperial family’s right of consent without the nobles’ approval.
Of course, this was theoretical. In reality, using the imperial family’s right of consent was far too risky because the power of the nobles was overwhelmingly strong.
“That’s too dangerous. It could put Abigail in a difficult position.”
Anderson, who had been silent, spoke up. At his words, Abigail also hesitantly continued.
“You know why I’m like this…….”
“I’ll handle the nobles, so just give your consent.”
“Hah…….”
The knights of Duke Abrams’ estate were on a scale comparable to the imperial family, and their wealth was so immense that it would take combining three or four noble houses to even come close.
Therefore, if Leonard himself dealt with the other nobles, it seemed feasible to use the imperial family’s right of consent. Of course, there was still concern about nobles who might harbor resentment over this matter.
“I’m asking you as a favor.”
“Fine, whatever. Alright. I’ll approve it right away.”
“Abigail!”
Anderson urgently called out Abigail’s name.
Anderson seemed worried about Abigail. In truth, Leonard didn’t want to make such a forceful request, but at the moment, there was no other way.
“See that? Stamping the documents? The new bill will be announced by the end of today.”
Abigail stamped the documents with a loud thud. He even waved the stamped papers to show Leonard for confirmation.
“Abigail, really, I…….”
Soon, Anderson shook his head. Watching him, Leonard realized anew just how difficult a request he had made.
“Thank you.”
“This is for Yellian, isn’t it?”
“…….”
Leonard gave no reply. Abigail read affirmation in the silence and nodded.
Though it put him in a difficult position because of Yellian, Abigail still liked Yellian.
“One more favor.”
“……Forget it, you jerk.”
“Stray cats in the capital are disappearing and dying in droves.”
“…….”
At Leonard’s unwavering words, Abigail couldn’t say anything. He had a sense of what Leonard was about to say.
“You’re asking for support to catch the culprit as quickly as possible, right?”
“Exactly. With pressure from the imperial palace, the investigation team can move more freely. That way, we can catch the culprit faster.”
“Alright. Since I’ve already decided to help, I’ll do it.”
“Thanks.”
At Abigail’s words, Leonard let out a sigh of relief. Now, catching the culprit was only a matter of time. The revised bill would be announced by the end of the day, and he intended to catch and punish the culprit.
Even if it wouldn’t bring the dead cats back to life, at least it would prevent further harm.
With urgent matters resolved, it was time to go to Yellian. If Yellian hadn’t heard this news, that would be fortunate, but if by some chance they already had, they must be struggling right now.
Leonard hurriedly left the building and got into the carriage. The carriage carrying him began to speed off at a terrifying pace.
Comment