"You've done so well, Leo. Excellent in all your studies—Iago says you may well be the strongest mage in all of Nohr. You've done me proud, son. Is there anything you wish for as a reward for your hard work?"

It was only a few seconds, but whenever he recalls it, the silence feels like an eternity to Leo, a silence wherein he debated back and forth, of whether or not he should say it, finally say it.

He did.

"...Send them away," he said, darkly. "Send them far away from me."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Leo snapped from his daze, finding himself absently staring at the military logbooks and records sprawled on his lap and feet. He shook his head. His recent conversation with Elise had brought back memories he had long buried, memories of when his father had been a saner man, with a hearty laughter and a habit for spoiling his children.

...And his wives, unfortunately, which would be his undoing. It was a neverending cycle between Garon and his women—should he show favor to one, the rest would be unhappy, discontent, wanting a better gift or favor. Should he show favor to one's son or daughter, the mothers would then pile on more pressure at their children-Leo's mother not an exemption.

Asking her and her relatives to be sent away, far away from him, was one request he never regretted.

"Lord Leo?"

The small, feminine voice took him by surprise, he nearly jumped out of his skin. Looking up, Leo found-of all people-Charlotte there, looking at him inquisitively. She was holding a basket in her arm-no doubt food, from the fragrant smell in the air.

...Not just food, Leo thought, as he focused on the scent a little longer. He was pretty sure it was stew. His favorite.

"What are you doing here, all by yourself~?" Charlotte asked brightly, her voice almost sounding melodic. So melodic it seems forced. "But this is perfect-have you had a meal yet, Lord Leo? Mayhap you'd like to share? I made too much stew earlier-I hear it's your favorite!"

"My apologies, but I'm full," he quickly said, a bare-faced lie.

...But as soon as he said that, his stomach growled. Leo immediately turned away, hoping that she didn't hear it.

Charlotte, however, heard it and giggled. "Lord Leo... no need to be shy! You have to take good care of yourself, you know!" Without waiting for his consent, she sat down beside him on the grass. He had been in the fruit fields in Corrin's Astral plane, overlooking a small farm of berries.

Enthusiastically, Charlotte brought out the contents of her food basket. A pot of stew, tableware and bread-all good enough for two.

...She planned this, Leo thought, shaking his head slightly. "If you're trying to win me over with food, I'll have you know right now that it won't work," he said.

"Oh? I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean, milord...?" she gave him a puzzled look, her big blue eyes looking up at him. "I just want to share a meal with you, is that so bad...? Besides... you shouldn't deny that you're hungry..."

She looked so hurt, so uncertain, that Leo almost believed he'd offended her, if only he didn't catch on the way she crossed her arms to herself, pressing her ample breasts together, creating quite a... distraction.

Leo looked away. Unfortunately for him, she took his silence as permission to continue, setting down bowls right before them. "Please let me know what you think of it! I'm not much good for fighting, but I'm quite proud of my cooking~"

He felt something soft brush against his arm as she set down their food, and then winced when he realized what it was. Her breasts, brushing up against his side. Surely she was aware of this... right? She was being obvious. A little too obvious. He inched away slightly, wanting to put some distance between them.

She was too obvious, it was almost painful for him to watch.

The food, however, was no cause of worry or problem. The first sip of stew had him quietly nodding, a small smile breaking on his face as well. The bread she served matched as well. "It's been so long since I had a proper meal."

He ate quietly, though a bit unnerved at how Charlotte kept staring at him, obviously waiting for his reaction or approval. "It's good," he said, "Actually, quite very good. Dare I say better than the stew I used to have at home." Her motives, upon other things, may well be dubious, but her cooking skill was solid, and it would be too much of a lie to not praise it.

"Ohh! I'm so glad you like it, Lord Leo~!" she gushed, elated at the praise. "I put my heart and soul into it! I even put in the best tomatoes in the realm because I've heard much about how you like them~!"

She knew that he liked stew and tomatoes. Leo made a mental note to himself to try and figure out where she got this information from.

"Well, I wouldn't dare lie that this is incredibly good cooking..." the prince said, in between bites. The food truly was good, even causing him to feel a bit better from his previous mood. It made him feel a bit playful, even, a mischievous idea in his mind. "Say, now that you're here, Charlotte, do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Oh, anything, milord! I'll do my best!"

He chuckled a bit at how willingly she responded. "Alright. Why do you dress that way?"

She immediately fell silent, looking incredibly uncomfortable, not expecting that question at all. "Uhm... milord? In what way, exactly...?"

"Oh, you know what I mean," he answered. "You're dressed far too inconveniently for combat." He glanced over quickly at her, chest and midriff and thighs exposed. "Your... vital points... are open to the enemies. And don't you ever get cold?"

Leo already had a fair guess of why she dressed that way-he knew plenty women like her, after all. But he had to admit, seeing her struggle and fidget and grasp for an answer at that moment was amusing.

"Uhm... milord... that question seems a bit too... uhh... personal?"

"Please, I ask this as your superior in the army. I insist you tell me," he said, trying to keep a grin from showing on his face. "Although you must be quite the soldier to still be unscarred despite being dressed like so... "

"N-Not at all! I just got lucky, h-ha ha..." she said, still fidgeting, her eyes darting away from him. "It's only because the men keep protecting me, that's why!"

"So you dress like that so that men would protect you, is that it?" The grin was on his face now. He couldn't hide it anymore.

"OH MY GOD!" Charlotte abrubtly got up, surprising Leo quite a bit. "I think I left something cooking in the oven! I have to run now before it catches on fire! I have to go!" she picked up her basket, barely giving Leo a glance as she made her quick escape.

She left Leo there, speechless, a bowl of stew still in his hands. He watched her run away, and when he was sure she was out of earshot, he finally burst out laughing.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o