CH 16

“Un, it’s perfect. We’re finished.”

After spending more than an hour dressing his master, Kai had finally finished his job. Leo then turned his tired body to look at his room’s mirror.

What is reflected on the mirror is the most beautiful girl in the whole world, in Leo’s opinion.

Her hair was braided intricately and had small gems fixed in different places, to make it look like the night sky, full of stars.

Her dress is bright purple, like her eyes, decorated in gold threads and sapphire ornaments.

Decorating her the thin and white neck, is an ornament that looks like a golden lace and it complements her dress.

However, this beautiful girl using these expensive ornaments and dress, was Leo himself.

When Leo noticed this truth his eyes opened wide. His skin was unusually more glossy and delicate than normal, even his cheeks where slightly more red. Leo had an aura that made him look like a real princess.

Kai who was looking at the figure of his beloved master had no doubts that she would be the most beautiful girl in the entire event today.

(It’s at times like these that I’m proud of being the servant of Leonora-sama)

“You are really beautiful right now, Leonora-sama. In this entire academy… no, in the whole empire… there is no one that can match your beauty.”

In fact, the hair ornaments where given by Bianca, the necklace by Natalia, and the dress by Albert.

This sorcery presentation is the stage for many local and foreign nobles to show their appeal and magical prowess.

But, the most important thing about disguising yourself and acting stealthy to sneak out of somewhere, is that you need a low profile disguise. And in Leo’s case, his disguise was,

“…Terrible.”

The kindness Leo received from Bianca and co. today, was nothing more than,

“…Annoying.” (Tl/n: Ungrateful bitch)

In the first place, Leo was trying to escape from the academy using the sorcery presentation as a distraction.

Although Leo didn’t plan on going to the presentation, when Bianca asked: “Leonora, can we go together to the presentation together?,” Leo answered: “I don’t want, to go,” and this happened… .

Naturally, Leo already had an answer about why this happened in the first place. Albert must’ve had discovered his plans in advance and decided to prevent his escape.

And turning back time a little bit; When Kai saw the dress and jewelry that his master received, he became ecstatic… and a bit euphoric. And since Leo didn’t use any of his makeup till today, the stocks were full… which led to Kai’s outburst of passion and Leo’s tired state.

Moreover,

Seeing his figure buried in gold and jewelry, Leo had distant eyes.

Even if he was to resell all of this, it wouldn’t make him any money because it’s embroidered with their family crests. To Leo, there is nothing more frustrating than luxury items that can’t be sold/re-sold. (Tl/n: Bianca and co. family crest)

And seeing his master, that wasn’t soaring with happiness, but felt kinda sad because of all the jewels and expensive stuff, Kai felt reluctant to let his master go to the presentation like this.

(It’s a well-known fact that Leonora-sama likes black clothes because she is still mourning her mother’s death, and, even if a dress was to be given to her she would give it to that orphanage. Nevertheless, all three presents managed to look good on her, but I wonder if her normal attire would make her look more mature than this one…)

On the other hand, Kai was a bit disappointed because his master wasn’t like the girls her age.

And if his master was really sad because of the clothes Kai forced her to wear… then he had hurt her feelings.

Under the name of watching various students show off their abilities with magic, this sorcery presentation was actually a place various nobles, kings and emperors came to meet each other.

In fact, many of the students learning magic had to learn how to dance just for days like these.

And under such circumstances, it was Kai’s own master that declared her absence on this event… because of her personal reasons.

Leonora von Harkenberg was raised in the downtown area of Richard. The daughter of an unfortunate tragedy.

No one in the school hated her, but the person herself was always reserved around others.

And because of her attitude towards other people, the other students normally realized that, when her mother died, Leonora’s enthusiasm died with her as well. Not that this was the truth anyway.

(But because Leonora-sama is like that, I’m grateful that there are some people who worry about her, and force her to change her own pace sometimes)

Kai secretly leaked a smile.

When Leonora declared that she didn’t want to go, it created a big uproar, unknowingly to the person herself.

Bianca was so shocked about this, that she decided to consult with Natalia, which was rare. The conclusion they reached was, that they would give her a dress and some jewels, because they thought that she didn’t have a proper dress for the occasion, and this was the reason she didn’t want to go.

And at the same time, the boys who learned that Leonora – the most beautiful girl in the entire school – didn’t want to go, were unmotivated to participate too. And if this was to be the case, many of the girls who had already prepared their dresses and were going to participate in the presentation felt that they had lost their purpose, so everyone decided to support and improve Bianca’s idea: “We’re Gonna Make THE BEST Dress for Leonora.”

However, compared to Leonora…… Bianca, Natalia and the other girls where losing in everything related to beauty. Leo was definitively the Last Boss in a girls battle.

Even the two men, Albert and Kai, noticed that Leonora was exceptional, when she were trying the dress for the first time and the two became flabbergasted. And soon the entire school would know this truth too.

This was Albert’s idea since the beginning, to prevent Oscar from approaching Leo carelessly. This was THE ONLY reason for the family crests on Leo’s dress. Albert was Jealous.

And when he came to see how well the dress matched her, he started to circle all around Leonora, like a planet is attracted to the sun, Albert too, was attracted towards Leo.

Although the purple dress is really pretty, the golden threads and sapphire decorations where just as stunning too.

“Fuh… I guess the people who like call Leonora-sama the “Ashen Princess” are right after all, you really does look like a princess.”

And after finishing the final touches in his master’s hair, Kai was finally satisfied.

“Ashen princess?”

“Yes, it’s a fairy tale that has been around for quite a long time now…… do you not know this fairy tale, Leonora-sama?”

“…I know, this one.”

Leo remembered this one… .

He had already read this book, it was donated to the orphanage. It was so long ago that he barely remembered the full story.

Suri, a commoner girl, found a golden object in her house’s fireplace, it was covered in ashes and when she cleaned it, a genie appeared. The genie granted the girl’s wish and helped her prepare for the ball that was being held at the palace that day, creating a dress and a feel ornaments with the ashes of the fireplace. But everything came with a condition attached, if the girl managed to make the prince fall truly in love with her, her clothes and ornaments would become ash again. The story had a happy ending… .

Because the book was torn here and there, to Leo, the “Ashen Princess,” became the “Working Princess.” This mistake became a good joke in the orphanage for a wile after that. (Tl/n: Maybe a pun in Japanese about the words: Ash and Work)

This fairy tale was really popular between the noble ladies and princesses, not that, as a man, Leo would know this.

“Oh… I’m making, the prince wait… . ”

Leo became a bit blue, thinking about what would happen to him if he made the prince wait too much.

And noticing the expression of his master, Kai thought it was just anxiety, and leaked a smile.

“Leonora-sama is really kind, that is why the prince admires you. And recently, people started to call you the “Altruistic Saintess,” but don’t let it bother you, Leonora-sama.”

Leo, who was a bit puzzled by the words of his servant, said: “I won’t, thank you, Kai.”

After all, Leo’s motto, in difficult situations, was: “Just wave and nod, don’t be bothered by the small things and everything is gonna be alright.”

Even with good looks, a good brain, Kai’s master wasn’t conceited and would give every gift she received to an orphanage in the downtown of Richard. Even her own hair, that is said to be the most important thing to a woman, was given away. Kai didn’t know anyone, with the same noble ranking, that would do the same things as his master.

Kai glanced at his master’s hair that took a lot of work to arrange.

Her beautiful hair, that was cut just a couple of weeks ago, had already regained a bit of it’s length back, because of her abundant magic power.

But even so, it did not reach it’s original length. So Kai had to style-it-up, for the other nobles to not notice the changes to his master’s hair.

And even if his master was pouting a little because of her clothes, the other boys would still find her attractive.

“It’s about time we go, Leonora-sama. I’ll be by your side as much as possible, but when other people start interacting with you, as your servant, I will be taking my leave then. Please do take care, and return early if possible.”

But Leo was,

“It’s just, a sorcery presentation, why are you, going back…?”

Tilting his head, wondering why Kai should be leaving.

It seemed that Kai’s master was still a bit ignorant about her title as a noble of high standing. This was a social gathering for nobles, so servants shouldn’t be participating.

However, when Kai decided to explain this to his master, he noticed that she had a serious expression.

“Kai–”

“Yes!”

Kai stared back at the girl’s amethyst eyes, that saw the truth, and leaked out a unexpectedly loud voice. Kai became ashamed with his own lost of composure.

“–I think, of you as, a little brother.”

“Huh…!?”

Leo’s statement was so sudden, that Kai lost his composure even more.

To Kai, it was an honor to be considered the younger brother of his master, that he respected so much.

The words: “Little Brother,” where like a lightning, running trough Kai’s whole body.

But Leo wasn’t over,

“If you really, want to keep, your distance from me, I will understand. It would be sad, if you were, to keep your distance, from me. You can, even be angry, with me, but… you can’t, leave me… stay with me.”

“Leonora… sama… . “

Kai didn’t have any words to say beyond that.

He had no idea that she thought of him that way.

“But even if, you were to be, angry with me, because of that, I would like, for you to, forget this, so we can, move on… . ”

Because Leo wanted Kai to enjoy a bit of the party afterwards, he said all those embarrassing things. Kai always helped Leo, so this was his way of repaying him.

However, to Kai, this was really overwhelming.

He was a bit anxious.

“Leonora-sama, why are you–”

But when he tried to ask why his master said all those things, they heard someone knock on the door.

“Are you ready, Leonora?”

It was the crown prince, Albert, the one that gave Leo the dress.

Kai opened the door for him.

Albert was wearing a white tunic, decorated with golden threads, that, combined with his blue eyes and blond hair, made him stood out even more. It made him look like a prince out of a fairy tale.

Kai was so impressed that he even forgot to breathe.

Even his master, she was so impressed that she couldn’t even look away.

However, to Kai and Albert, it looked like she became embarrassed, and lowered her gaze to around Albert’s chest. Or so they thought! But Leo was just being Leo, so he didn’t care about the prince… Just His Clothes! (Tl/n: lol)

“…How beautiful.” – (Your clothes…)

Because of the sudden and straightforward praise, he received of the beautiful girl, Albert’s entire face became red.

Kai watched excitedly, as the two stared at each other’s direction.

“Y-y-you too! The dress looks good on you. The purple of the dress, in contrast with your pale skin, makes you even more beautiful. And I got the honor of escorting you the entire day today, so I’m extremely happy.”

“Un, thank you, I’m happy too.”

(Just smile! And everything is gonna be fine!)

Maybe because Leo was unfamiliar with formal the way of speaking, so he blushed slightly, making him even more adorable.

And seeing Albert, who became even more nervous in front of his adored princess, Kai decided that he didn’t need to interfere with them.

(It is the highest grade of honor to be accompanied by the crown prince, and right now, Leonora-sama is fulfilling that role. I don’t know what Leonora-sama thinks of this, but to be escorted by his highness is a rare occurrence. For sure, the other people will notice this as something else)

Even the fact that Albert gave a dress to Leo, before the sorcery presentation, was a huge gossip material. It meant that, Leo was the only partner Albert would dance with, for the entire day.

Even though Kai’s master is so young, for her to already receive, at this age, a formal invitation to be escorted by the empire’s crown prince, was an unprecedented feat.

And in front of Kai, the handsome man, Albert, extended his hand towards the beautiful girl, Leonora von Harkenberg.

“Now then, it’s time to go. I heard that Lord Harkenberg and his wife will be present today. They will be delighted to see your appearance right now.”

“Yes… . ”

Leo was a bit fearful of taking his hand, but he had to endure.

(Just smile and nod…!)

His heart was about to break after the prince shattered his escape plan at the last moment.

(S***, it’s really hard to escape with the prince watching my back all the time…)

But to Leo, who had planned his escape on this day, Albert was only escorting him to prevent his escape.

Even though he tried to politely refuse Albert’s invitation, it was wonderfully denied by the prince, and before Leo even noticed, he was already in this kind of situation.

(I’m okay, positive thoughts, he won’t kill me in front of all those people, so I’m fine for now)

Leo kept repeating the magical words inside his head: “Just smile and nod! Then everything will be alright!”

Oscar, who has become one of Leo’s friends, taught him the escape route he should use, and if he followed the instructions right, it was goodbye academy and hello Richard.

And because Oscar knew Albert’s schedule, he told Leo the right timing for his escape to succeed. But for what reasons Oscar knew Albert’s schedule… it was still a mystery even for Leo.

(I should at least get a gold coin or two for this dress and jewelry)

Leo glanced at the prince’s chest, and shook his head to the sides.

His old gold coin was hanging there, the prince was wearing it like a medal today.

It wasn’t weird at all, it actually complemented his clothes. The coin was an excellent decoration.

(I can’t take my eyes out of it…)

It was too stimulating for Leo.

In the prince’s neck, the gold coin looked like it was new. It was even shining… faintly, but it was shining! They where a perfect mach for each-other, and it bothered Leo.

(What’s with all this shining, it didn’t shine like this with me! It feel’s like it would fall-off of his neck at any moment! Take better care of my old pal you thief!)

Leo wasn’t okay at all.

He was so bothered by it, that he even thought of stealing it. However, if he tried to steal the coin and failed, he would spend the rest of his life behind bars. Hana would be sad if she knew. So he waited patiently for it to fall-off.

Rather, he even prayed for the coin to fall-off of Albert’s chest, so that he could claim it for himself.

(If this gold coin, even if only for a second, touches the ground, then it’s all mine–)

Leo thought… .

(–And I won’t give it back even if you beg!)

If it’s on the ground, then it’s already mine.

(Please fall-off, won’t you fall-off, fall-off already, I want you so fall-off, fall-off for me……)

It was even becoming a cursed chant inside his head!

(Is it wrong for me to want to embrace it? I wanna hug it so badly, that I’m gonna cry at any moment…)

In the end, Leo was divided between the coin, and escaping.