Leon smiled—not taunting, no—but gentle. Drinking in the vision of her shy, flustered beauty. He leaned slightly closer, voice playful but low.
"So, my princess... how do you want to start?"
She swallowed, lips parting and in embarrassment look down on floor—but before she could answer, his smile shifted, and he opened his mouth to say something teasing—
A voice, sharp and sudden, tore into his mind like a gust of wind through a silent room.
[Leon... Leon, are you there? Can you listen? Please, answer me!]
It hit him like a jolt—urgent, trembling, full of panic barely held together.
He knew that voice instantly.
His wife. Far away, in the capital.
His expression softened, tension in his chest loosening as he steadied himself and reached back through the link.
[Hey, my love. I’m here. What’s wrong?]
A pause, then her voice broke again—now shakier, fragile.
[Leon... are you really alive?]
He chuckled under his breath, not mocking, just calm in contrast to her fear.
["If I wasn’t, love... how would I be talking to you right now?"]
Her relief bled through the link, raw and audible. But that didn’t stop her panic from creeping back in.
["But... tell me," ] Leon asked gently, ["why are you panicking?"]
Sona’s answer came fast, her thoughts tight with urgency. Just before the King’s announcement, he’d learned Silver City had fallen—to a sudden midnight ambush from Vellore. General Harry had found no signs of survivors. She feared the worst. She feared Leon was gone too.
But Leon’s smile never faltered.
["My love, do you think I’d die that easily?"]
A shaky breath followed, her voice trembling like a thread barely holding.
["I... I don’t know. Sometimes I feel like I’ve lost you already. It hurts every time you go silent."]
His chest tightened. That quiet kind of pain, the one that sat low and deep, settled behind his ribs. He raised a hand to his heart, as if trying to calm her through the bond.
["Don’t worry, Sona. I’m here. I’m not leaving you again."]
The silence that followed was thick but not empty. A soft nod echoed through the link, wordless but filled with meaning. Then her tone lightened, fragile but curious.
["What about Lira? Is she with you?"]
Leon’s gaze drifted toward the Lira, his voice lowering with gentle affection.
["Yes. She’s fine and safe. Don’t worry."]
Sona exhaled slowly, a long breath of visible relief. But Leon still had questions of his own—ones that couldn’t be ignored.
["Sona, tell me something honestly. Is it true the eastern border’s been lost? Has Vellore really taken over?"]
She hesitated. Confusion colored her thoughts.
["I haven’t heard that yet. What I heard from the King and Natasha... they said the war just started at the border today."]
Leon nodded slightly, the puzzle pieces aligning in his head with Natasha’s earlier report. He narrowed his thoughts, sharpening focus.
["Is Natasha with you now?"
["No," ] Sona replied, her tone shifting, growing more serious. ["There’s something you need to know about her."]
Leon’s attention sharpened instantly, instinct already preparing for bad news.
["Can you tell her I said something?"]
Sona paused. ["What?"]
Leon took a breath, letting the message settle with gravity. ["Tell her I want Natasha to go to Starlight Duchy—to find Mia’s mother and escort her to Blackthorn City."]
Sona gave a quiet, confirming nod, but there was something still circling in her mind—something unspoken.
["By the way... why didn’t you come when General Harry found us?"]
Leon answered calmly, without hesitation.
["I had to start the plan."]
He let that hang a beat, then added, ["I’m thinking of invading Vellore."]
There was a moment of surprise—her breath catching. But she understood. She knew what that meant.
["So you’ve already started, huh?" ] Her voice softened. ["I won’t say more. Just... take care. Keep me informed about you."]
Leon smiled at her warmth.
Then her final words came through, firm but full of love.
["Tell me one more thing, by any chance. Lira and the others to go with you to invade Vellore."]
He shook his head, already knowing his answer.
["No. I won’t let them go. I’ll drop them safely in Blackthorn City under Nova’s watch. Then I go alone."]
Sona sighed, but didn’t argue.
["Oh... okay. I understand."] Then, softer, ["Rest now, Leon. I’ll talk to you later."]
Finally, as the connection began to fade, her voice dropped into something more tender. ["Love you, Leon."]
["Love you too,"] he whispered.
The telepathic bond faded gently, like a tide retreating, leaving behind only stillness.
Leon opened his eyes.
The room returned in quiet focus. Lira stood near the bed. Her silver-white hair caught the faint, soft glow of the low light. Her cheeks flushed pink, eyes fixed on the floor—like she didn’t quite hear him speak a moment ago, or maybe she just thought he was quietly watching her.
He chuckled, quiet and gentle. That awkward innocence of hers? It hit him every time—made him melt, no question.
Without a word, he reached out and pulled her close. His hands slipped behind her waist, feeling the warm softness of her body press into his.
Lavender mixed with a sweeter note, something uniquely hers, wrapping around his senses like a spell.
He leaned in, brushing aside the strands of silver hair that framed her face.
"So, my princess... how do you want to start tonight?"
Lira’s smile came slow, shy—but her eyes gleamed with something deeper.
"Sweetheart... are you excited?"
Leon grinned teasingly, voice warm. "Are you?"
Her gaze lifted, steady and certain despite her blush. "Yes, darling. I’ve waited for this."
He smiled, closing the space between them, lips lowering toward hers, heartbeat syncing with hers——when the link flared again.
This time, it wasn’t Sona.
A new voice cut through, sudden and strong, whispering with urgent calm.
[Leon? Are you alright?]
It was melodic, composed, and laced with quiet steel—warrior’s strength wrapped in concern.
Leon froze, lips inches from Lira’s, heart pausing mid-beat.
The voice was unmistakably not Sona’s.