There were many stories they wanted to share, and topics and time flowed quickly. Leonardo, who was busily emptying his plate, asked about the principle by which the rippling water under the table didn't wet objects.
Hugo was about to answer that he had increased the density of water particles and covered the surface with an air barrier, but stopped. Instead, he answered that if Leonardo wished, water could take on any property or form.
To this, Leonardo asked if it would be okay to dip his bare feet during the meal, and Hugo readily permitted it with "by all means." After placing his shoes and socks on the tray a servant brought, he slyly lowered his legs under the draped tablecloth. The graceful waves rippling on the floor lapped from Leonardo's soles to the tops of his feet.
Unlike before, he could feel the water particles seeping into his skin. Moist droplets clustered and occasionally attached to floating hydrangea petals, tickling his skin.
"Is it cold?"
"No, it's just right. Refreshing."
Watching him excited like a child playing in water, Hugo smiled unconsciously.
He had heard that quite a few fire mages disliked water, but perhaps because he was an All-Rounder, Leonardo showed a very friendly attitude. Indeed, on the peninsula hadn't he broken from formation alone to turn puddles into hot springs, and always said he wanted to wash when he sweated a lot? Today he was enjoying the world he had created so much that as the one who prepared it, Hugo was extremely satisfied.
Hugo added a slight current to the waves flowing at his feet to make him happy. While doing so, he carefully asked Leonardo about his whereabouts and recent circumstances in a way that wouldn't feel like an interrogation.
The hungry Leonardo answered the questions slowly while finishing his sixth main dish. He had periodically moved accommodations, traveled around the entire empire like a journey, and the reason he appeared before him again was...
"I was curious how you were doing."
It was one of the few truths among many lies. Apart from the league's championship prize, it was true that he had continuously searched for His Grace in crowds.
However, Hugo's reaction was not very satisfactory.
"That's all?"
"That's all? I'm saying I'm interested in you."
"That's obvious. If you were curious how I was doing in the first place, you could have contacted me or come find me directly."
Hugo subtly reproached him, asking what had happened to the communication magic tool he had given. Leonardo, who was about to cleanse his palate with grilled pineapple, momentarily was at a loss for words and hesitated.
He was dumbfounded by his partner's words treating his interest as natural. Moreover, since that cool His Grace was showing disappointment, he was also troubled about how to answer. If someone else said such things, he would have sarcastically called them a narcissist, but since this person was saying it, he wondered if he had been too harsh.
"That, uh..."
Leonardo, who had swallowed the fruit, licked his lips. He had tried to retort, 'You seem to be mistaken about something, do you think me being interested is a common occurrence?' but what came out of his mouth was entirely different words.
"I thought staying away for a while was helping you."
Hugo's eyelids reacted minutely to that statement.
"What?"
"Your honor would have been tarnished from releasing me. Both as a duke and as Commander. Of course, you had sworn to release me first, but we both know it wasn't an easy thing."
Leonardo's gaze dropped below the table as he said this. His hand, which had put down his utensils, also went down and unnecessarily caressed his thigh.
"The reason I didn't visit the villa is similar. I was worried bad rumors might follow. You were already troubled by that explosion incident for a while—"
Weren't you involved in tiresome scandals? Leonardo was about to say but stopped. It wasn't a story to bring up in this situation. Especially not from his own mouth, which couldn't be upright before him.
The current of water where his bare feet were submerged became a bit faster, but Leonardo didn't notice as his attention was focused elsewhere. He only maintained his body's center while gripping the chair seat and letting his toes splash the surface.
Then Hugo, whose voice had dropped a tone, asked again.
"...Then why didn't you contact me?"
His golden eyes, which had been lowered, slyly rose upward.
"If I heard your voice."
Only when speaking his true feelings did he make eye contact.
"I thought I couldn't endure it."
The voice that had been hesitating ended there. But nothing more was needed.
There was nothing to block the gazes of the two sitting across from each other at the table. Their keen senses that crossed in the air carefully assessed each other's expressions and breathing. Except for the occasional chirping of insects, there was no wind today, making it as quiet as if only the two remained in the world.
Like a small boat alone on the vast ocean, the pure white table drifted leisurely on a sea of emotions. Hugo maintained an indifferent expression but was actually getting seasick in a way unlike himself.
Setting aside the interrupted story, it sounded like Leonardo had hesitated to approach him because of negative perceptions surrounding himself. And in that process, he seemed to have constantly restrained and controlled his own emotions.
Just thinking such thoughts made him feel bad, and he was also amazed at how far ahead Leonardo had been looking.
On the other hand, Leonardo's words that he thought he couldn't endure stuck in his mind, making the emotions he had tried to keep calm surge up frighteningly.
Ripples formed in the waves that had been gently flowing at their feet.
"You..."
A deep sigh leaked from Hugo's teeth. After rubbing his sunken eyelids and brow, he lowered his head halfway and murmured quietly.
"That kind of thing, you don't have to endure."
At the voice scattered small like a soliloquy, Leonardo's head tilted slightly.
"Those things you worry about, Leonardo."
Hugo, who had been pondering much longer than usual, seriously considered what answer he should give to his partner who possessed maturity beyond his years. While doing so, he appropriately pushed the plates on the table to both sides.
He extended his hand over the path created in the middle. Leonardo alternately stared at his hand and face, then slyly drew up his own hand from under the table.
"Where I am, rumors always follow. It's always like that. But whether they're positive or negative, they can't shake me."
Along with his quiet voice, Leonardo's hand was placed over his broad palm. Hugo, grasping the warm heat, continued.
"I've always lived under the world's attention. I've now become skilled at protecting myself in those gaps."
He slowly rubbed the inside of Leonardo's bent finger joints with his thumb. Though it didn't seem to be an action with great meaning, at the sensation that seemed to rake through his tender flesh, Leonardo curled his fingertips.
"Since you always watched me, I won't make excuses that nothing happened. Instead, I want to make this clear. Whatever evaluation follows me, that's not something for you to bear. The series of events that occurred from when I swore to free you until I fulfilled that promise were all my choices."
"But—"
"Moreover, my honor was actually completed the moment you regained your freedom."
Leonardo swallowed the words he was about to say. Hugo, who had waited a moment, continued.
"The promise with you was sworn on my name, not as Commander or as duke."
Leonardo followed Hugo's voice and gaze into memory. Though the situation was very different, in that moment too, he and this person had been holding hands tightly like this.
"Do you remember?"
"Yes, I remember."
'On the name of Agrizendro, I swear.'
It was an unforgettable moment. The voice, gaze, and atmosphere of that time were extremely vivid.
"Yes. So if your worries make you hesitate to reach me, you can erase them completely. But that doesn't mean those concerns were foolish. Since attention follows around me, being together will inevitably create situations where you'll receive focus. Those things would just be tiresome noise to you."
Hugo added that ultimately, being able to send him away from the center of commotion to protect him was not a bad decision. It seemed more like words to himself than encouragement for his partner.
"I don't want you to be hurt by others anymore. I'll always try to protect you. But if you have the same worries again, then just act as your heart leads. Leave the burden of handling it to me. Your Grace isn't such a fragile person."
His blue eyes curved gracefully. The gaze harmonizing with the mysterious light of dawn sky was extremely fresh. Clear enough to open one's breathing. Leonardo was about to nod as if entranced for a moment but quickly came to his senses.
As if something didn't please him, he moved his lips then interlaced his fingers between Hugo's and applied pressure.
"No."
He propped his chin with one hand and stared intently at his partner as he added.
"We'll handle it together. I will."
At the unexpected answer, Hugo raised his eyebrows and chuckled, then laughed helplessly. He was the most audacious in the world. That was exactly this guy's charm, though.
Leonardo's lips also curved in a parabola as his partner's smile was transmitted.
Turning his eyes to the lake, he asked.
"Can I come here again?"
"Of course. You could even live here."
"I'll think about that."
Giggle, playful laughter spread. Perhaps because of this, Hugo didn't particularly feel Leonardo's answer was a rejection. He was thinking as he pleased, but where was there someone who rejected while holding hands so tightly? Even while letting out such coquettish eye-smiles.
'I should strengthen the walls soon, and fill in some clothes too.'
Since he said he had continuously moved residences, there probably wasn't anywhere he had settled yet. He would put on some weight from now on, so should he prepare sizes generously?
Hugo, who had been staring intently at the sparkling eyelashes, fell into quite specific thoughts. If he paid a bit more attention to security and created a cozy atmosphere, wouldn't there be a day when he would settle in by himself? The sight of him playing by the water against the lake backdrop in bright daylight would also be quite a picture.
Just as he was continuing his imagination, Hugo's handsome eyes suddenly flinched.
His blue pupils naturally went down to the table. More precisely, he quietly stared at the invisible place below it.
Soon he slowly raised his eyelids and met Leonardo's gaze.
The golden eyes that looked straight at him without avoiding had already erased their laughter and were shining.
It was a gaze as provocative as when he had been thrusting into his palm. Like the wanton behavior of lifting his trouser hem and brushing his ankle with wet skin.
"...."
His wet ankle bone invaded Hugo's shoe, gradually wetting the leather and fabric. It swayed like a tail wrapping around his ankle, and if this didn't make him feel strange, he wouldn't be human. His trouser hem and socks had become soaked as if they had done something lewd, but such things didn't matter.
Leonardo, who had been tilting his head halfway and staring, still kept his fingers interlaced and rubbed Hugo's index finger with his thumb.
"I want to rest now."
Though it sounded like simple wheedling, there was no way Hugo wouldn't understand the hidden meaning.
"I'm full, and tired."
Subtle strength entered his hand holding the crystal glass. Leonardo, who glanced at him, naturally turned his eyes away and hid his smile.
His sparkling golden eyes stared at the pink clouds slowly spreading across the indigo sky. His gaze blinked slowly.
Though it was only around 4 AM, the world was growing dim and bright as if dawn was coming. Perhaps because sunrise was earlier than other regions, it was regrettable that darkness was hurrying away, but His Grace's birthday was just beginning now.
Brightness wasn't bad either. That way, things would be much more visible.
"Mm... Leo."
However, contrary to expectations, Hugo made a somewhat troubled expression.
Unable to let go of his hand, he slyly pulled back his entangled legs. At the intention first conveyed under the table, Leonardo turned his head as if puzzled.
Hugo, hesitating unlike himself, carefully opened his mouth.
"Today I really only planned to offer you a meal."
When a completely unexpected answer came back, Leonardo asked back blankly.
"...What?"