Stefan scratched his head and spoke awkwardly.

“You seem embarrassed by the compliment. I thought you might have heard it often.”

“…I suppose so.”

I agreed slowly, knowing that his assumption was only half correct.

As Stefan had mentioned, Leopold was someone who received praise and admiration as if they were everyday greetings. Instead of pretending to be humble, he usually expressed gratitude and returned the compliment by highlighting the other person’s strengths. Therefore, his abrupt interruption just now felt awkward.

“But is Leopold really strong? I’ve only heard about it, never seen it.”

I asked in a seemingly casual tone, as if it were just a passing comment. If he had no intention of hiding anything, he wouldn’t block the answer again. However…

“I think it’s time to leave. My wife is quite busy.”

Leopold interjected as if he had been waiting for the opportunity. He then strode to the door and opened it.

“Who’s busy?”

I frowned in disbelief and asked, but Stefan quickly moved to stand by the door.

“I apologize for the early disturbance. I’ll be on my way now.”

Before I could respond to his bow, the door was closed again. Leopold released the doorknob and headed to the kitchen as if nothing had happened.

“I was preparing breakfast.”

With that brief statement, he began setting the food on the table. I stood there, bewildered, trying to comprehend this seamless transition, and watched Leopold as he worked.

Apparently, he had already finished cooking, as he took out appropriately sized bowls from the cupboard. He filled them generously with steaming soup from the pot and expertly sliced the bread into bite-sized pieces. The aroma, which I hadn’t noticed before, filled the air. After neatly placing the forks and spoons, he pulled out a chair.

“Come on over.”

I approached and took my seat. The breakfast of white bread, potato soup, fried eggs, and thinly salted meat was impeccable. After pouring a glass of warm milk and placing it beside my plate, Leopold sat across from me.

“You know how to cook?”

I was genuinely curious, as I was used to seeing him buried in documents. He replied nonchalantly.

“It’s too humble to call it cooking. If I had more ingredients, I could have prepared something tastier.”

His gentle smile held a hint of expectation. Already curious about the taste, I took a spoonful of the potato soup.

“How is it?”

“…It’s delicious!”

I exclaimed in genuine surprise, my eyes widening in admiration. Compared to the ordinary soup I used to make, his dish felt like it was crafted by a skilled chef from a noble household.

“That’s a relief. I’ll put more effort into the next meal.”

“This is more than enough.”

Leopold smiled with satisfaction. It was puzzling that someone who could prepare such a proper meal had once lectured me when I wanted to learn cooking. But then again, it wasn’t the only thing I found perplexing.

“But there were only potatoes and eggs at home. Where did you get the rest?”

“I bought them.”

“From Mr. John’s store?”

“You mean the grocery store? You already know the names of the villagers.”

Leopold raised an eyebrow slightly. In the Lawrence household, there were things I didn’t know, but he seemed habitually attentive to everything.

“That’s what everyone calls him.”

Finding the reversed situation somewhat amusing, I responded in a bright tone and picked up a piece of bread. As I dipped it into the soup and began chewing, Leopold promptly handed me a napkin.

I accepted it cautiously, making sure not to touch his hand by mistake. Even though we sat across the table from each other, it was better to maintain some distance. To protect myself from him…

“You’re still diligent, waking up so early. Then again, you never needed much sleep, did you?”

I murmured quietly to myself as I cracked open the perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg. He usually avoided conversation during meals, so it was a habitual remark of mine.

“I don’t sleep much?”

Leopold naturally responded to what I thought would go unnoticed.

Suddenly, I wanted to capture at least one ordinary scene in my heart. I began chatting as I had rambled in letters during my academy days.

“Do you really not know? Peter often worried because you slept so little. He said that no matter how healthy you are, you’d collapse one day. So I even made potions…”

However, I soon found myself unable to continue speaking. How many efforts and affections had been ignored and abandoned? He seemed to remember his own actions as he looked at me with a bitter expression.

Our past had turned even my simple, small wishes into unattainable dreams. Therefore, even if I forgave him, this relationship would surely end there.

“But what were you discussing with Stefan? I overheard something about hiring.”

I deliberately changed the subject. I felt there was something more important I wanted to ask, but my thoughts were too jumbled to recall exactly what it was. Leopold filled my half-empty cup with milk and spoke as if it were nothing.

“You don’t have any guards here.”

A guard in the village, where I had managed to shake off Jayden, who had followed me as a guard all along? And in such a quiet and peaceful countryside?

“I don’t need one at all.”

I shook my head in disbelief, but he was adamant.

“Of course, you don’t need one with me around. But just in case.”

“I don’t need one even without you.”

I firmly expressed my refusal. However, Leopold didn’t seem to have any intention of backing down. His serious gaze was fixed directly on me.

“Anyway, he won’t be following you around all day. You won’t find it bothersome, so don’t worry.”

I knew it was out of concern for me, but I didn’t want to let him have his way so easily. Now that I had a slight emotional upper hand, if I spoke strongly enough, he might at least pretend to listen.

“You’re ignoring my opinion again.”

Contrary to my expectations, Leopold furrowed his brow as if in thought and let out a small sigh. Then, he calmly explained as if to reassure me.

“It’s not like that at all. He said he needed to find a job too. He was glad because he couldn’t just leave his young nephew to work as a mercenary.”

Upon hearing that, it was hard to oppose him unreasonably. I idly stirred my soup bowl, stalling for time, but eventually, I reluctantly opened my mouth.

“Well… alright.”

Instead of replying, he gave me a warm smile with eyes full of kindness. I felt completely outmaneuvered.

***

As Hazel grumbled and got up from her seat, Leopold was suddenly overwhelmed by a surge of emotion. Should he call it joy, or should he call it gratitude? Neither seemed quite right. If this was how people who genuinely knew how to smile felt, he thought he might dare to call it happiness.

Hazel was still alive and breathing. She hadn’t pushed Leopold away, had praised the cooking he had painstakingly learned, and even treated him more comfortably than before. Even though he knew he didn’t deserve such luxury, he found himself momentarily overwhelmed by the emotional pleasure he was experiencing for the first time.

The original plan had been to apologize to Hazel neatly and then leave. He didn’t want to see her suffer because of him any longer, so he intended to convey his sincerity that he hadn’t deceived her on purpose and then leave.

However, when he spotted Hazel from afar, he immediately realized that plans were meaningless in front of her. Apart from the selfish desire to stay by her side a little longer, he had no other thoughts. Even though he knew how pathetic he was, he deliberately acted shamelessly and lingered around. When Hazel finally lowered the guard around her heart a little, he felt relieved to have gained a bit more time to be with her.

And now, Leopold wanted to extend that time indefinitely. If he asked Isabel, she might somehow find a way to heal his heart. Perhaps he could even resolve the issue by seeking out regular wizards instead of healers.

Amidst the budding hope, there was just one thing that weighed on his mind—something about a child. However, it wasn’t an urgent matter, and if Hazel truly wanted a child, they could adopt. His mother’s opposition would be strong, but it wasn’t impossible.

“Are you done? I think I can head out now.”

Just as he had finished tidying up, Hazel came down, ready to go out. Her voice was as refreshing as ever. He nodded lightly. He didn’t need to try to smile; his lips naturally curled up.

“Give it to me. I’ll carry it.”

He felt a ticklish gaze on his hands. Hazel hesitated for a moment, but soon the basket was in his possession.

“…Thank you.”

He was simply glad to be able to help with anything.

Leopold followed Hazel as she busily moved through the fields. As she requested, he held the leaves, dug up roots, and filled in the holes in the ground. He had never experienced such peaceful times in his life. It even crossed his mind that perhaps this wasn’t reality.

Plop, plop.

Before long, the ground began to get wet. Hazel took off her bonnet and stood up, welcoming the rare rain as she lifted her head to the sky.

“You like getting caught in the rain, don’t you? I liked it for a while because of you…”

Her words, spoken in a monotonous tone as if recalling the past, sounded full of regret. The sorrowful emotions she couldn’t quite hide mingled with the rain, making the damp air feel even heavier.

The feelings Leopold had tried to ignore were still inside Hazel. Could merely staying by her side heal her wounds?

Thin raindrops fell on her delicate face. He tried to shield her head with his hands, but it was impossible to block the rain falling from all directions. She seemed unconcerned and instead gently pulled his arms down.

“I think I’ll enjoy the rain for a change.”

“You’ll catch a cold.”

“You’re silly. I’m a healer, remember?”

Her slight smile seemed to make his very soul tremble. The resolution he had buried deep in his heart was helplessly drawn out by that vibration.

“You’re right. Because I’m a fool, I only hurt you. I won’t do such foolish things again…”

The rain was gradually intensifying. Fortunately, his heart, which was racing uncontrollably, was drowned out by the sound of the rain.

“If you would just allow me…”

Her eyes, which shone transparently like amethysts, began to waver uncontrollably, as if she anticipated what he was about to say.

Raindrops were already running down Hazel’s cheeks like tears.

Finally, she took a slow breath and spoke.

“Love is…”

Following her trembling voice, he slowly moved his arms. His fingers touched her cold cheek.

“You said you wouldn’t… anymore.”

Even though he knew it was pointless since she was already drenched, he wiped the moisture from around her eyes with his thumb. Unable to resist the alluring purple, he was helplessly drawn in. Her mysterious eyes, which always ensnared him, were shaking violently.

“…Yes. You don’t have to. I will.”

He cautiously reached out with both hands. Her wet hair slipped between his fingers. It was unclear whose trembling it was, but it was certain it wasn’t due to the cold.

Through the intensified scent of grass brought by the rain, Hazel’s sweet scent numbed his senses. To fully experience this moment when she allowed him to be close, he needed to get even closer.

He slowly leaned his head in. And finally, the moment he reached her, the whole world seemed to fall silent, as if the rain had stopped. Only the breath exchanged between their touching lips was rapid and hot.

He didn’t want to miss a single breath. He wanted to take it all in. He wanted to hold her like a shackle and explore her endlessly. If Hazel knew this about him, would she try to leave again?

If so, may all the dirty desires and ugly selfishness be washed away by this rain. So that only the pure longing for her would remain visible.