“It’s nothing.”
“That doesn’t look like the face of someone who thinks it’s nothing.”
“…….”
At Yellian’s words, Leonard gave a bitter smile instead of a reply. Seeing that smile, Yellian let their tail droop again. Leonard watched this but said nothing.
“Are you going to make me worry? Why won’t you talk? If something’s wrong, at least show it or something. Anyone can see something’s definitely up, so why won’t you tell me?”
Seeming genuinely irritated, Yellian spoke sharply and then bit Leonard’s hand with a snap. Two fang marks appeared on his hand with little pops. Leonard let out a hollow laugh as he looked at the utterly trivial fang marks.
“Don’t laugh! That was my best attack, you know.”
“Alright, I get it.”
“Get what? Hmph.”
As Yellian responded with dissatisfaction, Leonard only smiled quietly without saying much else. Worried by Leonard’s demeanor, Yellian sat close beside him, pressing their buttocks against him.
Leonard felt Yellian’s body heat on his leg. It felt oddly amusing that such a small being, a living creature, could transmit warmth through the skin where they touched.
“Seriously, what’s wrong? Tell me. I’ll listen to everything.”
“What difference would it make if you listened?”
“Come on, even if nothing changes, wouldn’t it lighten your heart a little, Leonard? Isn’t that right?”
“I’m not sure…….”
“Anyway, just tell me. Even if I look like this right now, I’m still your lover, aren’t I? Shouldn’t I at least know what’s troubling Leonard?”
Yellian didn’t give up. Their determination to find out what had happened overflowed. Honestly, Leonard was grateful for Yellian’s demeanor. It felt like they weren’t giving up on someone as flawed as him.
“……I said something harsh to Abigail.”
“To Abigail?”
Surprised by the completely unexpected statement, Yellian was taken aback. Of course, somehow they had ended up inserted into this novel, drastically changing the story’s progression. As a result, Leonard, who was supposed to be the master duke of the novel, now liked them, and Abigail, who was supposed to be the master, was no longer in that role.
That didn’t mean the close relationship between Leonard and Abigail had grown distant. At least, that’s how it seemed to Yellian. Abigail often came to Leonard to chatter about trivial things or acted like someone desperate to get Leonard to do something, and though Leonard showed dissatisfaction, he ultimately did what Abigail wanted.
Had something gone wrong between the two of them? If so…….
“Is it because of me?”
“No.”
Leonard answered firmly with a single word, but Yellian lowered their head gloomily. The last time they saw Abigail, he was angry with Leonard. The reason was simple. Abigail had noticed that Leonard was trying to sacrifice himself to save them.
“It doesn’t matter whose fault it is. And let me be clear, it’s not because of you.”
At his words drawing a firm line, Yellian looked up at Leonard. Leonard gently brushed Yellian’s small head. Each time Leonard’s hand touched them, Yellian’s ears flicked back first. Leonard found their reaction, as if waiting for his touch, amusing and continued to stroke their head. Gradually, he put more strength into his hand, causing Yellian’s scalp to pull back, making their eyes widen comically.
“Do you have to do this in the middle of such a serious moment? Huh?”
“Sorry. It’s kind of addictive.”
“Kaak!”
At the utterly unapologetic apology, Yellian irritably hissed. Leonard laughed out loud. Though his laughter slightly eased Yellian’s heart, unresolved emotions still coiled uncomfortably within them.
“……What did you say to him?”
“……I said he had a victim complex. About the imperial authority being weak. I told him the reason he keeps saying he’s just an emperor in name, a hollow emperor at the end of every sentence, is because he has a victim complex.”
“And what did His Majesty the Emperor say to that?”
“He got angry. Naturally…….”
Yellian genuinely felt heartbroken. It was clear Leonard also regretted it, and seeing his heart so uncomfortably burdened was unbearably frustrating for Yellian. The fact that they were the starting point of this made it even harder for Yellian to bear.
“So, what are you going to do now?”
“I don’t know. This is the first time something like this has happened…….”
“Apologize.”
Yellian replied firmly. Leonard’s face showed surprise. Even so, he couldn’t open his mouth, as if he wasn’t entirely convinced. Of course, Yellian understood Leonard’s feelings. For someone as self-assured as Leonard, apologizing to someone wouldn’t be easy. Though Yellian wasn’t unaware of his feelings, in this situation, an apology was the right thing to do. At least, that’s how Yellian saw it.
“Don’t drag it out, don’t avoid it, just apologize. Say you’re sorry for saying those things, that it wasn’t your true intention, like that.”
“But…….”
“If you don’t apologize, you’ll regret it. You’re already regretting it now, but you’ll regret it even more. I know it won’t be easy. Facing your own mistake is never easy. But you have to do it. If you don’t, the deep regret will gnaw at your heart, Leonard.”
“…….”
“I don’t want Leonard’s heart to be hurt. If you don’t apologize, little by little, the regret will eat away at your heart and hurt you. It’ll always feel awkward, and the regret will linger. I don’t want that.”
Leonard quietly looked at Yellian. His gaze still seemed confused, but it was much calmer than before. Yellian inwardly sighed with relief and spoke.
“Honestly, I’ll love Leonard no matter what choice you make. But I’m saying this because I want you to make a choice that will bring you even a little peace of mind.”
“I’m grateful you say that.”
“Don’t mention it. Heh, as expected, I’m quite mature.”
“Ha, hahaha.”
Seeing Yellian, in their cat form, claim to be mature was so comical that Leonard burst into laughter. Nothing had changed yet, but just laughing seemed to lighten his heart considerably.
* * *
The next day, Leonard headed to the imperial family. He wanted to take Yellian with him, but fearing Abigail wouldn’t take kindly to it, he had to suppress that desire.
Even as he said he wanted to meet Abigail, he worried about being refused. Fortunately, Abigail didn’t reject Leonard’s request. A considerable tension hung between the two as they met in the audience chamber.
“What’s this about?”
Abigail was the first to speak, asking in a cold voice. Since it was completely different from Abigail’s usual tone, Leonard could gauge how angry he was.
“I came to apologize.”
“…….”
At the brief statement, Abigail’s expression showed surprise. Leonard continued calmly.
“I was too harsh. I’m sorry.”
“……What brought on this sudden change of heart?”
“I’ve been feeling sorry all this time. I just didn’t have the courage to apologize.”
“That courage wouldn’t have come without a reason. Was it Yellian?”
“Yes.”
“Well, thanks to that cat, I’m even getting an apology from you. That’s surprising.”
Fortunately, it wasn’t a sarcastic tone. Leonard felt inwardly relieved at the genuinely surprised reaction.
“I’m sorry too. I pushed you too hard.”
Abigail also offered a brief apology. Hearing his apology, Leonard felt a warmth in one corner of his heart.
Comment