Bermuda

After sharing a newly bought gelato, the two walked through the Council grounds, exchanging small talk. Though his mind had become quite unsettled after the uninvited guest’s visit, Leonardo showed no sign of unease.

He wanted to fully enjoy what little time remained. There was also a faint compulsion to fill it with only good memories. Making the excuse that he was curious about the Council’s internal structure, he kept Hugo by his side, in case he might have other appointments.

During their walk, they encountered members who had participated in the peninsula subjugation together. The 8th Platoon leader coming out of the training grounds was in comfortable attire, wearing workout clothes unlike usual. After first saluting Hugo at the unexpected encounter, she hesitated before turning to Leonardo.

“I heard the trial is coming up soon.”

“...Yeah.”

“Thank you for everything. In many ways.”

She delivered these short, meaningful words with pauses between them. While subtly avoiding eye contact, she offered her hand.

Though Leonardo felt awkward in response to her uncomfortable demeanor, he didn’t show it for fear of embarrassing her. Instead, he took her hand and answered with a playful note:

“You must be glad you don’t have to chase me anymore.”

The 8th Platoon leader finally met his eyes and snorted as if in disbelief.

“Well. It’s bittersweet.”

Leonardo’s eyebrows rose slightly at the unexpected response. She left quickly after saying she hoped to meet again.

After this brief encounter with the 8th Platoon leader, ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) the two headed toward the southern annex garden where they had once enjoyed a picnic with a tea table. On the way, they met Battalion Commander Delua pushing Marlen’s wheelchair in front of a large, ornate fountain.

“Oh! Commander, Blaine!”

As always, her high-pitched voice sounded especially welcome today. Delua quickly changed direction and presented Marlen, who was completely in casts, before Hugo and Leonardo.

Marlen carefully raised her stiff arm in a saluting gesture to Hugo. The last time they had seen her, she had been unconscious, but it seemed she had successfully completed surgery and entered recovery.

“Has your condition improved?”

“Yes, Commander. I think I’ll be able to return earlier than expected.”

“What are you saying? Stay still—”

Though Marlen answered Hugo’s question with a bold face, Delua slapped her shoulder, demanding to know what she meant by talking about returning already. When she grimaced and groaned, Hugo, who had been watching closely, advised:

“Take as long a sick leave as you need, and return to the front lines only when you’re completely healed.”

“Really? Commander, thank you!”

Delua answered with a bright smile, as if she’d been waiting for this, instead of the person concerned. Then Delua took a step closer to Leonardo, who was beside Hugo, and grabbed his hand.

“Blaine— I’m so glad to see you before the trial... I thought we wouldn’t get to see you until the day of, because the Commander always kept you hidden in your room! Don’t worry, our entire 6th Battalion is on your side, so go in with your shoulders straight. You won’t ignore us even after your release is decided, right? Hm?”

She kneaded his hand, which was larger than her own, and at some point pouted and muttered regretfully:

“But can’t you just join the Council and work with us? If you come to the 6th Battalion, I’ll treat you really well. I’ll make you a platoon leader right away—”

“Battalion Commander, you’re being sentimental.”

Fortunately, Marlen stopped her, or Delua looked ready to grab onto Leonardo’s trouser leg. Though Leonardo gave an awkward laugh, her clinginess shifted from his hand to his arm.

Even Hugo, who would usually have intervened appropriately, somehow remained quiet—just for today. The situation was only mediated when Marlen painfully rolled her wheelchair between them.

“Oh my, stop it! You’re making him uncomfortable. Sorry, Blaine. You know how childish our Battalion Commander is, right?”

“Whaaat? What did you just say—”

Though Delua protested like a siren, demanding to know what she meant, Marlen ignored her neatly and whispered to Leonardo not to mind her. Then, as if she had something to say herself, she paused and continued with an awkward smile:

“There were moments when my consciousness was hazy, but even then I could feel your mana. I heard we won thanks to you. Thank you, Blaine. You’re my life’s savior.”

When someone who had nearly died said this with a pale face, Leonardo felt particularly moved. He had heard similar words on his way back from victory several years ago, but he hadn’t known he would hear them again.

Recalling memories he had unknowingly buried, Leonardo remained silent for a moment before answering with a smile:

“It was thanks to ‘us’.”

As if it were unexpected, Marlen’s face went blank—then she soon answered, “Yes,” with moistened eyes. The four finished exchanging brief encouragement and greetings before passing by each other on their respective ways.

When they had put some distance between them, Leonardo, feeling an unnecessary pang of regret, rubbed the back of his neck.

They were among the few people who had treated him without prejudice. If circumstances had been different, they could have remained better acquaintances.

Thinking this might be the last time, he turned his head slightly to take in their retreating figures. At that moment, Hugo wrapped an arm around Leonardo’s shoulders and pulled him close, partially blocking his view.

At the sudden contact, Leonardo looked up at him with eyes asking, why? However, Hugo merely met his gaze briefly without explaining any particular intention.

He simply caressed Leonardo’s shoulder and forearm while leading him forward, as if to say, let’s go. Leonardo, who had been following along, glanced back again with a puzzled expression.

Beyond the sturdy arm, he could see the shimmering figures of the two women by the fountain. Though he had noticed before leaving Fidele, seeing the two who were closer than just colleagues still felt unfamiliar.

Suddenly flustered, Leonardo looked forward again and scratched his cheek in embarrassment. Then, recalling Hugo’s natural way of blocking his view, he carefully asked on a hunch:

“Did you know?”

“Know what?”

“About those two’s relationship.”

Hugo rolled his eyes and answered nonchalantly:

“They’re my subordinates. How could I not know?”

“...”

“Besides, the workplace is smaller than you’d think. People love to carry gossip.”

It seemed to mean rumors spread quickly. Well, even in the military, rumors about who was dating would spread overnight fast enough to reach other units.

Though Hugo didn’t add anything more, Leonardo nodded silently, sensing he meant it was better to be considerate—and careful.

However, what came to mind next was Meterion Clinder’s earlier comment.

I hear you spend nights together—

Though not incorrect, they were words perfect for strange rumors to latch onto. Worried about damaging His Excellency’s authority, Leonardo forcibly pulled back the hand that had almost reached for Hugo’s waist.

Even as he did, he quietly wondered whether such gossip had reached this person’s ears. At the same time, he was curious how Hugo would have reacted upon hearing it.

*****

After enjoying a hearty dinner and dessert in the garden, the two returned to their private quarters only after sunset. To Leonardo, who felt regretful at how quickly time was passing, Hugo’s words—that he would have to spend the last day before the trial alone due to circumstances—came as a bolt from the blue.

In other words, tonight would be their last time together until the promised day arrived.

Realizing that, his eyes alone remained wide awake in the darkened room.

Tick tock. In the quiet stillness where only the second hand’s sound seemed loud, Leonardo quietly sighed so the person lying beside him wouldn’t hear. Glancing sideways, he saw moonlight seeping through the curtains, caressing the statue-like man’s face.

The eyelashes cast below his closed eyelids were straight and neat like his own.

‘...Is he asleep?’

Unlike himself, who couldn’t sleep because of his tangled feelings, the other’s face looked very peaceful.

Though he felt a little resentful and wanted to poke him, that stayed only a thought; his movements were careful not to wake him. Perhaps because there was so much he wanted to take in with his eyes for the last time today, Leonardo just stared blankly at the handsome man beside him.

But then the uninvited guest’s words echoed in his ears again.

‘Do you know why the Commander gave him the medal?’

Meterion Clinder had said that Agrizendro had made a deal for his sake. If turning a blind eye to the 3rd Battalion Commander’s corruption was the price, it meant this man had tried that hard to protect Leonardo’s relationship with Nero.

He had guessed as much since receiving Nero’s artifact, but it meant the Commander of the Council knew about—and overlooked—a serious crime punishable by death in the empire. This person, who was thoroughly bound by principles and proper conduct, made one exception after another in front of him. That special treatment made him hopeful, and kept making him look back.

“...”

Though his path was already decided, he could hardly take his eyes away. His gaze imprinted each detail in his mind as if taking photographs.

The elegant eyebrows, deep eye hollows. The high nose bridge and neat lips.

Leonardo’s thoughts and gaze stopped at the last part, and he momentarily forgot to breathe.

His hand under the blanket unconsciously began to move toward the other. It glided through the bedding, mixed with thick body scent and warm body heat, advancing while relying solely on sensation.

Soon after, the moment his suddenly sensitive hand touched the other’s hand, Leonardo felt a slight movement under the blanket.