He examined the back of the letter, but there was no continuing content. Rummaging through the envelope yielded the same result.
The belongings he had left behind ended with these.
"...."
Though they hadn't known each other long, bitterness washed over him as if he'd known him for ages. Leonardo pulled the hand that had been feeling around his neck toward his heart. His chest ached considerably.
Whether it was regret over information that could have been obtained being scattered, or if he had truly glimpsed his father for a moment, was unclear.
What was certain was that his heart felt more hollow than expected, and that it was fortunate the old man had departed peacefully.
Leonardo quietly looked down at the final address, then gathered his complex feelings and organized everything that had been laid out. After putting them in the envelope, melting wax to seal it again, and placing it in his artifact, he let out a small sigh. Looking out the window meaninglessly, he asked the air.
"How long until the full moon?"
"Full moon? I think it was the last quarter just the other day."
"...Still far off then."
As he was counting the days, Tergio gestured again with his chin.
"What is that thing?"
"...There's someone the old man was supposed to introduce me to, that's the address."
"What's he introducing you for?"
"He said someone versed in curses. I thought maybe I could find out something about the collar."
Though for an address, it's more like a riddle. Tergio's gaze wound toward Leonardo's neck area as he muttered in a low voice. After staring persistently for a while, he changed the subject.
"The ring?"
"I don't really know either. Since he said to take it along, I'll find out when I go."
"You're going? What makes you trust that old man?"
One of Leonardo's eyebrows rose. At the uncomfortable reaction, Tergio added more.
"That's right. Just a few days ago you were asking me to watch him worried he might be related to your tail. Earlier you were wondering if that woman Dott could be trusted. Now you're eagerly going to follow an address left by someone you barely knew?"
"Hey."
His golden eyes turned deliberately cold.
"He's someone who left even a will trying to help me until his death. It's true I asked you to monitor him, but now that it's come to this, there's no point in being more suspicious."
He continued while carefully tucking the artifact into his inner pocket.
"Since he's already gone, even if we can't repay him or apologize, let's at least show proper respect at the end. Both of us."
Watching Leonardo answer firmly, Tergio let out a short bitter laugh. With his arm draped over the chair back, legs crossed, and head supported by his palm.
"Yes, yes—, I misspoke. But doesn't the prince know gratitude either?"
His tilted gaze held dissatisfaction.
"Who was it that went undercover on request and brought you news?"
Leonardo was about to retort but softened and answered.
"Ah, right. I'm grateful for that—"
"You need to fix that father complex of yours."
"...What?"
When Leonardo furrowed his brows and asked back, Tergio rubbed the scar on his lips while staring out the window.
"Whenever an older man is a little nice to you, you lose your mind and fall head over heels. Usually I think you're smart, but when I see you like this, you're hopelessly naive."
His narrowed golden eyes twisted subtly. His lips, unable to continue speaking, moved soundlessly. What kind of bullshit was this? Despite the fierce warning his gaze sent, Tergio was relentless.
"Fix that habit of getting attached so easily. Especially to old men. It's dangerous."
"...Why are you picking a fight? And when did I ever with old men—"
"After what the Emperor did to you, you're still being stupidly foolish, that's why."
Leonardo was momentarily speechless. Tergio's gaze once again directed toward Leonardo's neck area. Though it was covered by layers of clothing and a draped hood, his eyes were looking at something else within. Leonardo unconsciously swayed his Adam's apple and slyly averted his eyes.
"Let's be a bit wiser, shall we? If you need someone to lean on, how about this big brother? Much fresher."
Tergio said this while slapping the damp pants clinging to his thighs. Smack, a wet sound rang out. Though he spoke playfully, his self-objectifying behavior was disgusting beyond just being unpleasant. Why is this bastard acting like this today, Leonardo thought with an incredulous look at his business partner before jumping up from his seat.
Tergio, following his movement and raising his head, asked.
"Where are you going?"
"If you have nothing to do, keep watch on the situation here. I have something league-related to look into."
"League? The test match ended. Are you going to that address now?"
Leonardo put on his hood without a word. Watching him prepare as if to leave immediately, Tergio suddenly wore a cold expression.
"Are you going to the Commander?"
The hand buttoning his clothes paused briefly. But he didn't answer.
Tergio shot up from his seat.
"Are you going to Kazad?"
Again, Leonardo didn't answer.
Though he had asked for understanding saying urgent business had come up for Agrizendro, the timing was such. He was concerned about leaving that person alone on his birthday. There was also some worry since His Grace's expression hadn't been very bright when he heard the message the servant conveyed.
At the time, the dinner had ended awkwardly due to his health issues, cooling the atmosphere that had been going well. In such a situation, suddenly saying he had to leave must have been quite bewildering for the villa host who had invited him.
But before leaving, he had heard that person also had sudden circumstances arise. He wasn't sure if it was just said to match the situation so he wouldn't feel sorry... but anyway, it wasn't a situation where he could return to the villa.
Rather, staying with Tergio had become awkward, and he was planning to go near the main arena to get information about Appendix. But this guy seemed to have seriously misunderstood.
Since Leonardo remained silent to the end, Tergio, emanating the cold killing intent characteristic of assassins, suddenly grabbed his forearm. Due to his considerable grip strength, Leonardo's eyebrows furrowed. Just as he reflexively tried to shake it off, Tergio's right hand swooped behind his neck, targeting the opening.
His grip clutched the collar as if snatching the back of his neck. The hood he had just arranged fell messily open at the unhesitating pulling hand.
Pop pop pop—
The buttons that had been fastened with the collar raised also fell off, and through the gap, a navy handkerchief briefly showed. Tergio's eyes flashed menacingly as if he had gone mad for a moment.
"Hah—"
He pushed Leonardo's shoulders hard just like that. Leonardo, falling onto the creaking bed, sat perched on the edge without resistance and looked up. Though he didn't show any particular reaction, it was unexpected that his opponent, who had climbed on top of him, would grab and tear off the handkerchief.
"Hey, you—"
The soft piece of fabric tightened as if choking his neck, then loosened all at once. Leonardo's urgent touch and voice fluttered after the navy handkerchief that had passed to the ruffian.
However, he couldn't snatch it back. When he tried to sit up, Tergio pressed down on his left shoulder while blocking him from retrieving the handkerchief.
"Fuck, what are you doing?"
Leonardo said with sharp, raised eyes.
"Give it back."
"Look at this."
Tergio's gaze was fixed on the pure white nape that had turned red and purple with marks and bite wounds.
Grinding his teeth hard enough to make a sound, he asked.
"Did you sleep with that bastard?"
"What?"
It would be a lie to say he wasn't flustered. Though it was ridiculous that all he could do for a moment was ask back, Leonardo soon met his gaze full of killing intent head-on. Right now, more than anything else, he was very displeased with his opponent's action of arbitrarily snatching away the handkerchief.
"I asked if you slept with him. Don't make me ask twice."
Moreover, what was this interrogation-like situation? His red lips, twisted with irritation, twitched. If they really had slept together, at least he wouldn't feel wronged. Leonardo, continuing the fierce staring contest, gripped the wrist that had climbed onto his shoulder with the force to break it.
"Whether I slept with him or not, what does that have to do with anything right now?"
Though pain arose as if his bones would crack, Tergio didn't care. He just twisted his lips in a bitter smile and tilted his head back. Thick veins bulged along his neck and jawline stretched toward the ceiling.
Soon, lowering his eyes, he deliberately spat out as if stabbing with a needle.
"Do you have any conscience? Does Kazad know you contributed to the explosion incident?"
At those words, Leonardo's mouth shut tight. Tergio's touch, which had been slowly moving along his shoulder, caressed his nape that seemed violated and heated.
His grip, cold in a different way from the handkerchief's owner, clutched Leonardo's neck as if to twist it off.
Though Leonardo's face gradually reddened as his airway was pressed, he only endured the wheezing sounds without letting out a cough. Rather, he pressured his opponent even through his upward gaze that blazed with fighting spirit.
Tergio provoked him once more.
"Don't you have any pride?"
Watching Leonardo search for the token of being a noble's plaything, Tergio bit the inside of his mouth hard. A fishy smell brushed past.
"Why are you trying to put a collar on yourself again with your own hands? And with the Emperor's hunting dog at that."