There was plenty he wanted to talk about, and both topic and time passed quickly. While steadily emptying his plates, Leonardo asked by what principle the rippling water beneath the table failed to wet objects.

Hugo almost answered that he increased the density of the water particles and covered the surface with an air film, then stopped. Instead, he said that if Leonardo wished, the water could take on any property or form.

At that, Leonardo asked if it would be alright to soak his bare feet while eating, and Hugo readily permitted it. After placing his shoes and socks onto a tray brought by a servant, he slipped his legs beneath the hanging tablecloth. The elegant waves on the floor lapped from the soles of his feet up over the tops.

Unlike ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) before, he felt the water particles seep into his skin. Moist droplets clung together and occasionally caught on drifting hydrangea petals, tickling his flesh.

“Cold?”

“No, perfect. Refreshing.”

Seeing him delighted like a child splashing water, Hugo smiled without realizing it.

He had heard many fire mages disliked water, but perhaps because Leonardo was an all-rounder, he appeared quite comfortable with it. Back on the peninsula he had even wandered off alone and turned a puddle into a hot spring, and when he sweated he always insisted on washing. Seeing him enjoy the world Hugo created so much now was deeply satisfying.

Hugo added a faint current so the water around his feet would please him further, and while doing so gradually asked about Leonardo’s whereabouts and recent life without making it feel like interrogation.

Hungry, Leonardo finished his sixth main dish and slowly answered. He had periodically changed lodgings, traveled across the Empire... and the reason he appeared before him again—

“I wondered how you were doing.”

One of the few truths among many lies. Apart from the League’s prize, he really had searched for His Grace in the crowd.

But Hugo didn’t seem satisfied.

“That’s all?”

“What do you mean all? I’m saying I was interested in you.”

“That’s obvious. If you were curious how I was, you could have contacted me or come directly.”

Hugo subtly pressed him about the communication magic device he had given him. Leonardo, about to cleanse his palate with grilled pineapple, faltered.

The man treated his concern as a given—absurd enough—and that same cool His Grace showing disappointment made it harder to respond. If anyone else said it he would have mocked them as a narcissist, yet hearing it from him made him wonder if he had gone too far.

“Uh... well....”

He swallowed the fruit and wiped his lips with his tongue. He had meant to retort You seem mistaken — do you know how rare it is for me to care about someone? but what came out instead was entirely different.

“I thought staying away for a while would help you.”

Hugo’s eyelids twitched faintly.

“What?”

“Your honor would’ve taken a hit for letting me go. As a duke and as a Legion Commander. You swore you’d release me first, sure, but we both know it wasn’t easy.”

Leonardo’s gaze dropped beneath the table. His hand, having set down his utensils, also lowered and absently touched his thigh.

“The reason I didn’t visit the villa is similar. I didn’t want bad rumors to follow. Especially since, for a while, you were tied to that explosion incident—”

He stopped himself from saying caught in exhausting scandal. Not something to bring up here. Not from his own guilty mouth.

The current around his bare feet quickened slightly, but Leonardo didn’t notice, focusing elsewhere. He simply steadied himself by gripping the chair as his toes splashed the surface.

Then Hugo asked again, voice lowered a tone.

“...Then why didn’t you contact me?”

Lowered golden eyes slowly rose.

“If I heard your voice—”

When speaking honestly, he met his eyes.

“I don’t think I could’ve held back.”

The hesitant voice ended there. Nothing more was needed.

Nothing obstructed their gaze across the table. Their sharpened senses read each other’s expressions and breathing in the still air. Except for the occasional chirp of insects, there was no wind tonight; it felt as if only the two of them remained in the world.

The white table drifted like a lone boat on a vast emotional sea. Hugo kept a neutral expression, yet inside he felt seasick.

Putting aside the interrupted story, it sounded as though Leonardo had hesitated to approach him because of negative perceptions surrounding him—and in doing so had constantly restrained his own feelings.

The thought troubled him, and also surprised him at how far Leonardo had considered.

Meanwhile, the words couldn’t hold back lodged in his mind, and the emotion he tried to keep calm surged frighteningly.

Ripples formed in the water at his feet.

“You...”

A deep sigh slipped through Hugo’s teeth. Rubbing his sunken eyelids and brow, he murmured with his head half lowered,

“You don’t have to hold back... that much.”

The quiet words, almost to himself, made Leonardo tilt his head slightly.

“The things you worry about, Leonardo.”

Hugo paused longer than usual, considering what answer suited someone so mature for his age. At the same time he pushed the plates aside.

Through the space between them, he extended his hand. Leonardo looked between his hand and face, then slowly drew his own hand from beneath the table.

“Rumors always follow where I am. It’s nothing new. Whether positive or negative, they can’t shake me.”

Leonardo’s hand rested atop his broad palm. Holding its warmth, Hugo continued.

“I’ve always lived under public scrutiny. I’ve long mastered how to protect myself within it.”

He slowly rubbed the inside of Leonardo’s bent finger joints with his thumb. The motion seemed casual, yet the sensation stirred his skin and Leonardo’s fingertips shrank.

“You watched me, so I won’t claim nothing happened. But I want this clear: whatever judgments follow me aren’t yours to bear. I swore to set you free, and everything that happened in fulfilling that was my choice.”

“But—”

“My honor was completed the moment you regained freedom.”

Leonardo swallowed his words. After a moment, Hugo continued.

“The promise to you was sworn in my own name, not as Legion Commander nor duke.”

Leonardo followed his voice and eyes into memory. Circumstances differed, yet even then they had held hands just like this.

“Remember?”

“Yeah. I remember.”

I swear upon the name Agrizendro.

An unforgettable moment — voice, gaze, air vivid.

“So if your concern makes you hesitate to reach me, erase it. But that doesn’t mean your worry was foolish. Being with me inevitably draws attention, and to you those are just tiresome noise.”

Hugo added that in the end letting him go from the center of turmoil had not been a bad decision. It sounded almost more like words to himself.

“I don’t want you hurt by others again. I’ll always try to protect you. But if the same dilemma comes again, just act as you wish. Leave the burden to me. Your Grace isn’t that unreliable.”

Blue eyes curved gracefully in the dawn-tinted sky, fresh as morning air. Leonardo nearly nodded, entranced, before snapping back.

His lips twisted slightly as if dissatisfied, and he interlaced his fingers with Hugo’s and squeezed.

“No.”

Resting his chin on one hand, he studied him closely.

“We bear it together. I will.”

Hugo lifted his brows, then laughed helplessly. Bold beyond anyone — that was his charm.

Leonardo’s lips curved in return.

Looking toward the lake, he asked,

“Can I come here again?”

“Of course. You could live here.”

“I’ll think about that.”

A playful laugh spread. Hugo didn’t take it as refusal — not while their hands were held so tightly and that sly smile lingered.

I should reinforce the walls soon... and add some clothes.

He said he kept changing residences, so he had nowhere settled yet. If he stayed, he might gain a little weight — better prepare looser sizes.

Watching the sparkling lashes, Hugo drifted into concrete thoughts. With tighter security and a cozier atmosphere, perhaps one day he would stay on his own. Even the image of him playing by the lakeshore in daylight would be perfect.

Then his elegant eyes suddenly trembled.

His blue gaze lowered to the table — more precisely, to the unseen space beneath.

Slowly he lifted his eyes to meet Leonardo’s.

Golden eyes met him directly, laughter gone.

The same provocative gaze as when digging into his palm — like lifting his trouser hem, brushing his ankle with wet skin.

“......”

The wet ankle invaded Hugo’s shoe, gradually soaking leather and cloth. It curled like a tail around his ankle; no one could remain unaffected. His trousers and socks were damp, but he didn’t care.

Tilting his head, Leonardo kept their fingers interlocked and idly rubbed Hugo’s index finger with his thumb.

“I want to rest now.”

It sounded like simple whining, but Hugo understood the hidden meaning.

“I’m full... and tired.”

The hand holding the crystal glass tightened slightly. Leonardo glanced, then looked away with a faint smile.

Golden eyes watched pink clouds spreading into the deep blue sky. His lashes blinked slowly.

It was only around four in the morning, yet dawn was already brightening the world. Sunrise came early here; the fading darkness felt regrettable, but His Grace’s birthday had only just begun.

Light wasn’t bad. It would let him see better.

“Mm... Leo.”

Contrary to expectation, Hugo looked troubled.

Unable to release his hand, he gently withdrew his tangled leg. The intention transmitted beneath the table made Leonardo turn his head in puzzlement.

Hesitating unlike himself, Hugo carefully spoke.

“Today... I truly only intended to treat you to a meal.”

An utterly unexpected answer left Leonardo staring blankly.

“...What?”