Part XXI


It was the end of spring, Frey was working hard in her fields, and she had managed to keep herself busy. She was yet to visit Leon, even though she knew she was welcomed she sighed. There were times where they would bump into each other and she avoided looking into his eyes. With an absent mind, she stole a gaze at his fox ears, or the markings on his face. Only to look away when he felt her eyes on his face. Frey felt she was the only one feeling self-conscious, as Leon had not changed his behavior at all. He continued to be the way he had always been, messing with others and smiling with everyone. Frey was always watching him, even as she stared off into the distance outside the town's cliffs. She couldn't help but think, as Leon's broad shoulders walked away, that he was lonely too. Perhaps she was deflecting her feelings. The day was almost done with as she harbored these thoughts. She wiped her brow off, and decided to take a quick bath before grabbing a bite at the restaurant.

She had a bath installed near her room recently. Her long hair was still moist, as steam still clung to her skin. She was in a towel and was holding an empty bottle of milk, she had read about a similar scene in a book and wanted to try it out. Her lip was still wet with milk, when her eyes widened and she dropped the bottle. The room she had just walked in, her room, Leon was standing in it holding several books. The bottle broke as it hit the floor, and her face and shoulders turned the color of tomatoes.

"Ha-ha, this seems to be a bad time?" He watched the shattered pieces on the floor.

"L-L-Leon! Why didn't you knock?" She said clutching her towel.

"But I did! I waited quite a while you know." He started to step closer.

"W-Wait!" She started to fuzz, and covered her face. She heard his steps stop. She looked through a small opening in her hands. She could not see him now.

"Ahh. You made a mess. Tsk, tsk." Leon had crouched down and was picking up the fragments. Frey gasped.

"L-Let me help you with that!"

"W—" Before Leon could say anything, Frey moved too fast. She slightly slipped and stepped on one of the glass pieces.

"Ow!" She said, now on the floor, her left foot was bleeding.

"…I was going to tell you to wait! You're didn't even dry properly." Leon said with a serious expression.

"Ah…I'm sorry…" Frey closed her eyes in embarrassment. Before she could stand up. She felt arms wrap around her legs and back, she was being lifted.

"L-Leon!" She wiggled her feet. "I'm capable of walking!"

"Shush you, you shouldn't even be walking, you might slip again." Leon walked towards the bed and hovered there as he whispered to her ear.

"Don't let anyone else see this side of you." He sat her down on the bed, her face completely flushed. She had no rebuttal.

"Wait here, I'm going to go get Jones, sit still." He grabbed a robe that was sitting on a nearby chair and threw it on her head. "Put that on."

A few minutes later Jones was there with a first aid kit, he shook his head and began to lecture her. She hugged the robe she received, as she nodded.

"Wh-where did Leon go?" She said in a weak voice.

"Hmm. He had to go home, he actually looked quite feverish when I saw him. He said he was fine though." Jones smiled slightly.

"Ah…" She said dejected.

"The wound wasn't deep, but if you do too much strenuous work it won't heal quickly. Please try to wear sandals for now, the boots would suffocate the wound. Ok?" Jones said as he picked up his bandages and equipment.

Frey nodded and said. "I can still walk...I don't need to be carried?"

"Carried? Well you got two legs don't you? Just support your weight on the other leg and you'll be able to." Jones began to walk out.

"Hmm. Thank you Jones!" She said almost forgetting.

"Don't mention it." He said while closing door.

Frey watched the bandage on her foot. It was white and no signs of blood on it. She decided to walk to her closet and find a pair of sandals for the next day. She decided to stay in for the night, she suddenly lost her appetite. She walked back to her bed with a limp, and laid there remembering the words Leon had said.

Leon was also on his bed, staring at the ceiling of his room. Arms crossed behind his neck, his turban now off. He realized he forgot to tell her about the books Arthur had asked him to give to Frey, he left them in her room. He questioned if Frey would be alright, and remembered the moment he picked her up. He wondered when he became so brazen. He wasn't sure if he was more worried about Frey's injury or his lack of self-control.


Part XXII


It was a new day, Frey thought sleeping in a bit would help her foot get better. She laid in bed for a while, realizing she had a lot of farm work left unfinished. Dungeons were out of the question for now, she thought of the best person to ask for help in these situations. Leon had already helped her last night, so she didn't want to bother him. She dressed for the morning, with gladiator style shoes, as she went on a hunt to find a helpers for the day. As she walked about the town square, she spotted Dylas and Doug from as distance as they seemed to argue near a small pond.

"Stupid, there's no way there's big fish in such a small pond." Dylas chided.

"How would you know? Maybe you're just a shitty fisherman and never got a big fish." Doug shrugged with smile on his face.

"Why you! What's a shrimp like you know about big fish anyway?" Dylas brow furrowed.

"You shit hor—." Doug's fit was raised.

"Guys! Guys! Too early to fight don't cha think?" Frey said with a smile as she ran up to them.

"Tch. Like shrimp would know any better."

"You started it Gelding!" Sparks were still flying between them.

"Guys, come on. Let's settle this another way then." Frey got in front of them.

"Huh?" They said in unison.

"Yup. How about, whoever finishes watering a field first, is right?" Frey said slyly. She had two fields side by side so it was the best way to compete.

"Hah. This damned horse can't even water flowers, everything he touches dies." Doug said laughing.

"Sh-shut it, I wasn't watering flowers!" Dylas began to feel embarrassed.

"So does this mean you guys will do it?" She grabbed both their arms and began leading them.

"W-Well it couldn't hurt." Doug began smiling sheepishly.

"Tch. There's no way this shrimp is faster than me anyway." Dylas looked down and noticed Frey's feet.

"It's settled then!" She said as they arrived at the back of the castle.

"…Frey." Doug said.

"Yes?" Frey smiled.

"This is a shiton of work, what the heck!?" Doug jumped and looked at her.

"Hmm. Too much for you Doug? That didn't even cross my mind but I guess—." Frey said shrugging.

"He's a coward Frey, already intimidated just by this. Tch." Dylas shook his head.

"Why you two…I'll show you!" Doug builds himself up as he grabs two watering cans.

"Frey, you sit here." He grabs a lawn chair and sits Frey down by the shoulders.

"You'll be our judge." Dylas also grabs two watering cans. Frey watched him surprised, she had never seen Dylas grab anyone. She felt happy that he was finally trusting her more and excitedly looked on from her seat.

"Okie guys! On your marks, get set, go!" She shouted out.

Frey watched them work with amazing speed, however it was a pretty long job. Frey was going to have her animal's water, but she didn't want to exhaust them just yet. She wanted her foot to be healed soon, so she could get back to work. As she thought this, she continued to watch as they began to weed, and even harvest. Doing anything to outdo each other, Frey was starting to wonder how she would even judge this contest. They were all laughing together, as she began to cheer for both of them.

From the back entrance of the castle, Leon was watching from a distance. He had come to offer assistance, but lost his nerve when he saw Dylas making Frey sit down. He felt somewhat responsible, he had gone and teased her far too much. He was also sure she was yet to notice the books, since he placed them out of her line of sight. Leon decided he would come back later at night to tell her about the books.