Part XIX

Frey touched the rings around her ears, a constant reminder of what happened a week ago. She kept stewing and avoiding the problem, however she was afraid of asking Leon what he meant that night. She would wake up earlier than most and finish her chores, she would lock herself in her room and read books. However, anything she did reminded her of Leon, especially reading and studying. The villagers knew she was acting suspicious, but decided not to press her. Frey felt as if she would be better off if she remembered her past. She thought about her farewell to Venti, how she can't see her anymore. A missing spot was in her heart, but now she felt as if her whole heart was in turmoil.

Meanwhile, Leon wasn't faring much better. He had not seen Frey in a whole week, and he could feel his impatience growing, his tail was agitated. He had been waiting for her to come by all this time, and felt foolish for doing so. He was the one who had blurted out something insensitive. The weather matched his mood, it was raining and the wind started to pick up. Leon was looking out the window but there was no signs of life. He took off his turban, since he was getting a headache. Not being able to see Frey was probably the most difficult thing he ever had to endure. It was even more agonizing than not being able to hug and reciprocate her affection. He didn't know there was anything worse than that, he was tired and wanted to see her. Without planning what to say, Leon went out in the rain forgetting an umbrella as well. He was wandering around the observatory when he saw a figure in the distance, it had become a bit difficult to see since the rain was falling so hard. He looked closer and saw a familiar figure, it was Frey, and she was drenched wearing her usual outfit. Her hair was down, she had taken off her pigtails. The long vibrant hair absorbed each rain drop, elegantly running down to the tips. She was staring blankly at the clouds beyond the horizon searching for a silver lining. When she heard Leon's steps, she was startled and a pained look remained in her face when she saw who it was. She remained frozen, a hand placed near her chest, a defensive position.

Leon was a few feet away from her now, she refused to directly look at him in the face. When he was finally at arm's length, she stretch out her arm. She pressed her hand on the left side of his chest, then she placed the other arm. It was to stop him from coming closer, her shoulders drooped down and her head hanged low as she stared at the ground. Leon's arms were outstretched, catching rain in his palms. He didn't step forward anymore, as he watched her.

"Leon." The rain that was muffling her became softer in its fall.

"…"

"Are you always going to be this way?" Her voice said calmly.

"I've..always been this way, now that I think about it." Frey raised her head and looked at him. It seemed as if the rain itself had become her tears as it ran down her face. He could feel her tremble.

"Then…you'll always snub me this way? It won't be the last time." Her voice shook.

"..I…can't guarantee anything." He said with a serious expression. Frey's arms drooped down from his chest, as she began to stand up straight.

"Hmm…I know that I agreed to it all from the start, didn't I?" Her smile was bitter.

"Frey…I—"

"I'm really falling for you Leon..when I said that I…I meant it all."

"…"

"I should let it go before I…get any deeper into this. Before I can't be without you." She said while looking at him, her eyes were not full of light as they usually had been. Leon's arms were by his sides, and his mouth was slightly open.

"…Did you just break up with me?" He chuckled a bit.

"E-Eh? Th-this is serious." The tension had been lifted, as Leon hid his laughter for a bit.

"Ha-ha. You looked so serious, as if we would never speak again." He placed his hand on her head.

"But…isn't it what that means?" Frey said worried. Leon ruffled her hair.

"I'm not so petty that I would do that, besides this is my fault isn't it?" He said with a light smile.

"N-No, I know I had a part in it too." For a bit Frey loosened up and began to feel relaxed. The rain was slowly letting up, and it had become a light drizzle.

"You put your health in jeopardy because of me, being the way I am. It's alright to go back."

"R-Really? I can still come over and study?" Frey said more cheerfully.

"You're always welcome, I better get back…before it rains again. You should too."

"Ah…yes." Frey waved as she watched Leon's back disappear, she felt strange. Her feet started moving on their own as she walked in the restaurant.

Part XX

It was Dyla's turn to watch the restaurant today for Porcoline. While he went into the main city to buy some special ingredients for the restaurant. He was bored and listening to the rain drop as he doodled down some recipes he was thinking of. He heard the bell, and in came a sound of wet boots.

"Hey. Frey? You're all wet, you didn't take an umbrella." He watched her slowly walk to the counter.

"…"

"Frey?" He watched her puzzled, as she stood in front of him.

"Nnggh…" Frey began to sob.

"H-Hey…!" Frey's soaked body began to cry into Dyla's clothing, she sobbed loudly and held on.

"…" Dylas placed his hand on her back, and his chin on her head. He said no more, and let her cry. He hugged her with as much care as he could muster, hiding in flushed face.

Dylas lent Frey some modest pajamas, and had made her some hot chocolate since she was freezing. He watched Frey sip her chocolate as she told him what had happened.

"So…you broke up with him? Only to find out he hadn't actually broken up with you?" Dylas said in a confused way.

"I thought…he already done that, so I returned the favor? I don't know…it seemed like the natural course of action." Frey said, with a blanket wrapped around her, she sighed.

"You said it turned out well, that you guys are friends." Dylas repeated.

"Yes…but I…argh. It doesn't feel the way I thought it would." Frey said while her face contorted.

"What did you expect then?" Dylas said looking away.

"..Relief?" She stirred in her chair by the fireplace, Dylas was standing right next to it.

"…" Dylas tall frame crouched down, as he placed both of his hands on Frey's shoulders.

"E-Eh?" Frey watched him, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"It might be too early to tell, you should wait and see how you feel later. Right now you feel this way, but maybe..later.. I don't know. It'll change." He said and looked away, as he stood up again. His back towards her as he poked the fireplace.

"…" Frey tugged Dyla's clothing, as he turned.

"Dylas…you're more mature than Doug gives you credit for, hehe." She laughed as she let go of his clothing.

"No matter what the shrimp says to slander me, I can still understand things. Also you look like you haven't gotten any rest." He said half pouting.

"He-he. I never doubted you for a second, see, observant as ever." Frey finally gave an honest smile, Dylas turned again and watched the fireplace.

"Dylas, your cheeks are red! You shouldn't stand so close to the fire!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him away. It startled Dylas, who shook Frey. Chocolate spilling all over his pants.

"Uwahh! I'm sorry Dylas, it must be really hot." The bottom part of his pants were covered in hot chocolate, she grabbed her napkins and began to wipe his shoes and the remaining mess.

"W-Wait! I'll help you." They were both on the floor now, laughing, as Dylas was clearly flustered.

From the window a twinkle reflected, it was Arthur's glasses, they had witness the current events.

"Interesting, a princess needs a prince, and more candidates keep appearing?" Arthur spoke to himself as he watched. Dolce was nearby.

"You shouldn't meddle Arthur."

"Oh? If you say that, then it means you know what's going on." Arthur adjusted his glasses.

"I…saw Leon at the clinic, as Frey was resting. He looked at her in a way I never seen."

"Then what about Dylas? Hmm? His look isn't good enough?" Arthur smiled.

"Tch. All I'm saying, is that you shouldn't intervene in their affairs."

"Interesting. You're rooting for Leon it seems, poor Dylas." He said unwavering, Dolce sighed.

"It's up to Frey, not any one of us." Dolce began to walk away. As Arthur slowly retreated as well. It seemed he had chosen a new champion of love in this situation.

A few hours had elapsed, and Leon was re-reading the book he had given Frey a week ago. He knew she had read it, and would probably discuss it next time she was there. As he read it, his eyes became more irritated. He placed the book on his face, a wet stream running down his cheeks. He hoped that nobody would see him this way, he did not expect the events that took place. He went back to tell her how foolish he had been, to ask her to start over with him. In a sense, they truly did start over. The despair didn't go away, but only increased as he realized he had lost a battle. Leon wiped his face, and went back to his usual demander. Something in him was more determined about the future, about what he wanted to do. It seemed that what he wanted to do, was be with Frey. Even if it meant, only as friends.