Chapter 51: Royal Family?(3)
When the girls heard that Leon had to leave, their faces clearly showed sadness. Some of them clung to him, hugging him tightly and refusing to let go. Their emotions seemed genuine, and their attempts to keep him there were touching and even slightly desperate.
The reason for their behavior was obvious: Leon. This young man had managed to capture their hearts not just with his attractive appearance but with who he was. Leon had become a hero to them—a person who, through his efforts, had earned recognition and was on the verge of becoming a national pride. Moreover, he was incredibly sociable, funny, and quick-witted, which made him a true ray of light in the dull and formal royal palace.
Unlike most inhabitants of the palace, who seemed arrogant, self-satisfied, or even outright pompous, Leon stood out with his sincerity and simplicity. For the girls, he had become a kind of solace—a genuine friend in this cold and strict world, where most adults were too serious and relationships overly formal.
"We're not letting him go!" declared one of the girls, clenching her fists.
"Yes! We'll stand our ground!" supported another, lifting her chin proudly.
Three of them stood before Leon, linking their arms together as if forming a living barrier. The others nodded with serious expressions, fully supporting this "rebellion."
However, Leon knew he still had to leave. He looked at them with a light smile and, awkwardly scratching the back of his head, quietly said:
"Ah, ladies, please, let me go. After all, I'm here on business."
Hearing the note of unease in his voice, the girls finally realized their actions were making him uncomfortable. Stepping back with apologetic smiles, they asked:
"You will visit us again, won't you, Lord Leon?"
"Of course," he replied with a smile, raising a thumb in a promise. Leon found them adorable, and despite his responsibilities, he was already looking forward to their next meeting.
As he finally followed the attendant through the wide palace corridors, illuminated by the soft glow of countless lamps reflecting off the marble walls, the sound of footsteps echoed faintly, fading into the distance. Soon, they stopped in front of a massive door adorned with golden patterns and the royal family crest.
The attendant respectfully bowed and opened the door, inviting Leon to enter.
Inside, Leon was met with a sight that stunned him to his core. Standing by a tall window through which the soft sunlight streamed, illuminating her figure, was the queen. The light highlighted her delicate features, making her look as though she were crafted by nature's finest hand. Her light-blue eyes sparkled like icy crystals reflecting the first rays of dawn. Her long platinum hair cascaded down her back, shimmering with a silvery sheen.
She was dressed in a long white gown with short sleeves, adorned with blue embroidery that emphasized her elegance. A blue pendant in a golden setting rested against her neck, and her brown shoes with blue bows added the final touch to her regal appearance.
Leon felt a slight tremor, as if time had momentarily stopped. To show respect, he knelt down on one knee, bowing his head.
"Your Majesty," he said firmly and respectfully, "at your service. How may I assist you?"
The queen turned to him, and a light, warm smile appeared on her face. Her voice was soft as she spoke:
"Please, rise, young Viscount. I wished to discuss a few matters with you, but let us forgo formalities."
Leon stood but, nonetheless, decided to address her formally:
"What would you like to discuss, Lady Mylane?"
Before she could answer, a servant entered the room, carrying a silver tray with an exquisite tea set and small plates of refreshments. He gracefully placed them on the table before bowing lightly and stepping aside.
Leon's gaze instinctively fell on the tea. His eyes lingered on the elegant porcelain cup being filled with the aromatic brew. A thought flickered through his mind:
"In the novel, I was known as a tea fanatic, obsessed with the drink. While others followed the way of the sword, I followed the way of tea. But I doubt I'll become like that again."
Meanwhile, the queen lifted her cup and softly said:
"Please, Lord Leon, let's not rush things. Let's enjoy some tea first."
Her voice carried a calming effect, as if she were intentionally creating an atmosphere of trust. Leon smiled faintly and picked up his cup. The aroma of the tea was rich and inviting, involuntarily drawing admiration from him.
"Wow…" he muttered, taking a small sip. "You can tell right away—this is a drink worthy of the royal family."
Taking another sip and savoring the taste, he glanced at Mylane. She too was sipping her tea gracefully.
"First of all, I want to thank you," she began, setting her cup down. "You've done incredible things for this country. Thanks to you, air pirates no longer threaten 30% of our territories. You prevented the elf rebellion, which could have turned into a full-blown war. And most recently, you uncovered and dismantled the traitorous group known as the 'Forest of Ladies.'
She paused briefly, looking at him with genuine respect.
"Your accomplishments are impressive. Because of them, you were first granted the title of Baron, and later promoted to Viscount. But what's most remarkable is your age. You're still so young."
Leon listened to her praise, feeling both pride and slight embarrassment. He smiled, trying to hide how deeply her words resonated with him.
However, the queen's tone shifted slightly, becoming more serious:
"But I'm not here to talk about that. I have a request to make of you."
Leon straightened, his interest piqued.
"What is your request, Lady?"
Mylane tilted her head slightly, her blue eyes meeting his directly.
"I want you to become friends with my son, Prince Julius."
A heavy silence filled the room, as if the entire world paused in anticipation of his response. For several seconds, Leon said nothing. Then, unexpectedly, his face shifted into a strange expression, and he declared in a deep voice:
"Daga kotowaru!"
"What?" Mylane asked, clearly not understanding his words.
Leon chuckled, waving a hand dismissively.
"My apologies, Lady. I've always wanted to say that. It means, 'I refuse.'"
Her eyes widened in surprise. While she was aware that even as queen, she couldn't always get what she wanted, such a direct refusal was entirely unexpected.
"May I know the reason?" she asked, maintaining a calm exterior, though a hint of confusion flickered in her gaze.
Leon thought for a moment, his mind racing:
"Alright, in the future, befriending Julius wouldn't be too bad—by then, he'd be more tolerable. But right now? This spoiled prince, constantly whining about being born into the royal family? I'd rather not waste my time."
However, aloud, he gave a more diplomatic answer:
"Unfortunately, Lady, I simply don't have the time at present. I'm occupied with managing my lands and fulfilling my duties as a Viscount."
A faint sadness crossed Mylane's face. Her eyes dimmed slightly, and Leon couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Unable to bear her expression, he suddenly stood up, approached her, and knelt down again, gently taking her hand.
"I'm truly sorry to have disappointed you today," he said, his voice filled with sincerity, before placing a soft kiss on her hand.
"W-what?" Mylane stammered, her face turning a deep shade of red.
"You don't need to say such things," she murmured, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm not disappointed in you."
Leon held her gaze for a moment longer, his expression calm and steady.
The servant and guard in the room exchanged uneasy glances. Normally, any man daring to act so boldly with the queen would have lost his hand or been thrown into the dungeons. But Mylane raised her hand, signaling them to stay put. Even she didn't fully understand why, but her heart couldn't bring itself to interrupt this moment.
The room hung heavy with an unusual tension, filled with the aroma of tea and a faint sense of unease.