After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 79

Leo slowly stroked the back of Ayla, who was asleep in his arms.

After he told her about the familiars, she had held his waist tightly.

As they sat side-by-side, leaning on each other’s warmth, Ayla fell asleep, and Ayla’s soft breathing was like…….

‘It’s a sedative in itself.’

Today had been a rare, flustered day for him too.

It had been terrible just knowing she hadn’t returned from the hunt and might be wandering the forest.

Her small, soft body, trapped in his embrace, was welcome and warm.

“Good…….”

Leo closed his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips.

To feel this good just by being together.

Leo felt his consciousness drift as he gradually fell asleep.

The last day of the Founding Festival dawned.

It was also the day the delegation from the Kingdom of Drain would depart.

As the red sun painted the horizon, the delegation from the Kingdom of Drain, accompanied by several retainers, was preparing to set sail at the Flambeau docks.

Ayla, Leo, and Edward stood at the dock to see off Princess Grace.

Just before boarding the ship, Grace took a step towards Ayla.

“Thank you for being my friend during my stay, Lady Ayla.”

“Not at all. I enjoyed it as well.”

“You said you’d be getting married when you go to Eisenfelt? Please be sure to invite me.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Grace, who had formed quite a bond in a short time, smiled warmly.

Ayla also smiled lightly, regretting their parting.

“I look forward to the day we meet again.”

After bidding farewell to Ayla, Grace offered a brief greeting to Leo.

Leo received the greeting curtly, and Grace, seemingly unfazed, extended her hand towards Edward.

“Farewell, Your Highness. It’s a bit regrettable that we couldn’t spend much time together this time.”

Edward clasped her hand, smiling regretfully.

“Indeed. I apologize for not being able to spend more time with you, Princess.”

“Then, Your Highness, you should visit next time. If you get the chance.”

“I will. If I get the chance.”

Edward chuckled and nodded at her playful retort.

Grace smiled, seemingly satisfied, and waved to everyone. The sea breeze ruffled her hair.

“I must be going now. See you next time.”

Grace, offering a final, elegant bow befitting her homeland, lightly lifted the hem of her skirt and boarded the ship.

As the sailors pulled up the ropes and raised the anchor, the docked ship slowly began to move.

The sails caught the wind tautly, and white waves gently broke along the hull.

Leo turned to Ayla and said.

“Let’s go too.”

“Shall we?”

Ayla nodded without much thought, then paused upon noticing Edward’s disappointed expression.

“Are you leaving already, Brother?”

“We must.”

“Since we’ve come this far, why not have a meal togethe.”

“Is it necessary?”

“We don’t know when we’ll be able to be together again. It’s been a while for Ayla too, since the hunting competition.”

Edward hesitated, glancing subtly at Ayla.

Judging his gaze as a plea for help, Ayla linked her arm with Leo’s and pestered him.

“Then, shall we? I’m hungry too, let’s eat, Your Highness.”

“You’re hungry?”

“Yes. Aren’t you, Your Highness?”

“Me?……. Alright then.”

At Leo’s acceptance, Ayla gave Edward a subtle shrug.

Seeing him smile with delight at her, she felt a sense of accomplishment.

It felt like a small gift to Edward, who liked his brother.

A short while later.

The three sat around a round table and began an early dinner.

Scallops grilled in butter, potato puree, and white fish steak with cream sauce, fitting for the sea breeze, filled the table.

“Wow, this is delicious!”

“The seafood here is quite good.”

Edward smiled brightly and pushed the plate of scallops towards Ayla.

“Try this too, Ayla.”

“Yes. Please eat too, Prince Edward.”

As the two offered food to each other.

Leo picked up a deboned fish steak with his fork and placed it on Ayla’s plate.

“Ayla. Eat this.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Ayla smiled bashfully and picked up the fish he had placed there with her fork.

Leo watched Ayla eat with satisfaction, then glanced at Edward, whose expression had stiffened.

‘Tsk. I knew something was odd.’

It wasn’t that he particularly disliked Edward.

Regardless of the reason he was sent to the North, it couldn’t be blamed on Edward.

However, he must have grown up without lacking or experiencing hardship, unlike himself.

The reality of not being able to have what he wanted, only being able to watch it before his eyes, seemed a little difficult for Edward.

‘He’ll learn by experiencing it, I suppose.’

Leo deliberately picked up a scallop dish and placed it on Ayla’s plate.

Edward’s expression darkened further, and Leo’s eyebrows twitched.

‘As expected, he’s displeased.’

Although he claimed not to hate him, Leo couldn’t help but be bothered by Edward seeing Ayla as a woman.

That’s why he had wanted to leave quickly, meal or no meal.

‘If we’re going to be together, it’s better to show it clearly.’

Having made up his mind, Leo didn’t leave Ayla’s side.

Whenever he had the chance, he would tuck her hair behind her ear or brush away unseen dust, acting affectionately.

After finishing the meal, Leo put Ayla in the carriage.

When she asked if they shouldn’t see Edward off, he even made a childish remark about being his older brother.

“I’m leaving first, Edward. Return safely with your escorts.”

“Aren’t we going the same way, Brother?”

Leo replied perfunctorily to Edward’s suggestion.

“We have urgent plans.”

“Urgent plans.”

Edward stepped back, resigned, and saw Ayla tilting her head as if hearing this for the first time.

When their eyes met, she smiled brightly and bowed her head.

As he waved to her from outside the carriage, the carriage carrying her moved and sped away.

Edward stared blankly after it, then sighed and mounted his horse.

A part of his heart felt an unbearable emptiness.

Linking arms, Ayla asked seriously.

“Your Highness.”

“Yes?”

“Is Prince Edward very uncomfortable?”

“Not particularly?”

“Then why are you trying to keep your distance?”

Leo, speechless, hesitated to answer.

He didn’t want to tell her, ‘Because Edward seems to see you as a woman.’

Making a quick decision, he ultimately played dumb.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“I wasn’t. We ate together, didn’t we?”

“You lied about having plans.”

“It wasn’t a lie.”

Leo added with a playful smile.

“We have to go sightseeing.”

“Sightseeing?”

“Yes. Today is the finale of the festival. There will be fireworks.”

“Oh! Really?”

Ayla was momentarily speechless.

This was the first time he had suggested going out together that wasn’t part of an official schedule.

Meeting and seeing off the delegation, watching the martial arts tournament, all had been outings due to official schedules.

“Do you perhaps dislike it? You seemed to enjoy the martial arts tournament before.”

“No? Dislike it? I love it! Let’s go sightseeing. I definitely want to go.”

At Ayla’s excited and thrilled reaction, Leo burst into laughter.

His smile was so gentle that Ayla stared at him blankly, then turned her flushed cheeks towards the window.

Upon arriving at the capital, the two disembarked in the middle of the street where the festival was in full swing.

As darkness settled gently, colorful lanterns illuminated the scene beautifully.

Ayla and Leo watched street performances, clapping their hands, and bought strange snacks from stalls.

As they wandered through the streets, night fell.

“Let’s go. We have to see the fireworks from a good spot.”

“A good spot?”

“Yes. It’s a bit high up. I’ll be right back, so don’t be surprised.”

“What? Eek─.”

Startled by Leo suddenly scooping her up, Ayla hugged his neck.

Leo bent and straightened his knees, and before she could even realize what was happening, she was whisked away to somewhere. Ayla, stepping down from his embrace, looked around.

“Where is this? Eek.”

Terrified by the unexpected height, Ayla gripped his arm tightly.

Seeing a large bell hanging in a space about one pyeong, this was clearly the top of the bell tower in the plaza.

“Fireworks are prettiest when viewed from high up.”

Leo smiled and led her further inside.

A small couch and table, which shouldn’t have been in the bell tower, made Ayla tilt her head.

“What is this……?”

“Dex worked hard on this.”

Chuckling, Leo sat her down on the couch and then plopped down beside her.

Ayla’s heart began to race.

‘This…. It’s like a date!’

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