Part Two

"This way!"

"Wha?—" Before I could even figure out what was going on, Leo pulled me into a nearby empty room. As he closed the door quietly, the footsteps in the corridor came closer. I bit my lip and remained as quiet as possible. (I'm so glad they didn't find me.) I gazed up at Leo's serious expression. (But what's wrong with Leo?) He hadn't let go of my hand, and my heart beat fast at his warm touch. Leo frowned a little and pulled the door open just a crack, peering through. I leaned forward to try and peer out into the corridor as well, but Leo raised his hand and stopped me. (He's telling me not to move, right?) Leo continued to peer out into the footsteps moved away at last, and his shoulders relaxed. He let go of my hand and gazed down at me.

"If someone found out that you sneaked away from the ceremony and came all the way here you could get into a lot of trouble." I nodded quietly at his words.

"I'm sorry, but thank you." (Even so, I feel like he's acting strange. I don't know why, but right now he's making me even more nervous than usual.) After a long moment of silence, Leo narrowed his eyes.

"So anyway, what's wrong? Why are you here?" I bit my lip at his words, but I raised my head to meet his gaze.

"That's what I wanted to ask you. What were you doing here?" (It really seemed like Leo was trying to hide something.) Leo met my gaze silently. Then suddenly he smiled and leaned closer to me. He reached for the door, and I heard a soft click. I swallowed hard. Leo tilted his head to one side, and murmured softly as he peered at me with narrowed eyes.

"Were you thinking about me, Maya?" His face seemed far too close, and I could feel myself blushing.

"It's just— yesterday, you said—" I dropped my gaze as I spoke. (You told me you'd be watching over me.)

"Ah!" Leo's expression cleared at my words. He gazed down at me and gave a sudden smile. "That's right, I'm sorry. I promised you I'd be with you, didn't I?" I didn't know what to say. Leo dropped his hand from the door. "Don't tell me you're mad at me?" I raised my head in surprise at his words.

"I'm not mad. I just— I was wondering if something bad happened."

"Ahh, you were worried about me? Thank you." He gave me a faint smile then continued. "But I think you should probably get back. It's almost time for the ball isn't it?" He was right— I hadn't realized how much time had passed. At his urging, I hastily bid him farewell. Then I turned and rushed off down the corridor again. (It's later than I thought! I've got to hurry!) As I raised my head, I saw several well dressed nobles ahead of me.

"Ahh!" I stopped without thinking, an the noblemen noticed me and turned towards me.

"Where are you off to, Princess?"

"Don't tell me— you're already out looking for a good time?"

"You—!" The noblemen smirked at their crude joke, and for a moment I was completely lost for words. (Who do they think they are?)Their laughter froze me to the spot, when a voice rang out behind me.

"Hey, what're you doing?"

"Huh?" The deep voice spoke from behind me, and when I looked over my shoulder, I saw Alyn. He frowned as he stared down at me.

"Hurry up and get going, it's already started." He raised his gaze and glared at the noblemen. Both of them looked alarmed, their sneers vanishing completely. Alyn continued to stare at them.

"Okay, thanks Alyn." I nodded and moved past the noblemen, hurrying towards the ballroom. I hadn't realized how far away I'd gotten in my search for Leo. But at last I saw the large ballroom doors ahead of me. I entered the ballroom to find Giles waiting for me, his expression stern.

"Where have you been?"

"I'm sorry! I just—" Giles sighed softly. Then his gazed moved to focus on something behind me. (Huh?) When I turned to look, I saw the two noblemen who'd teased me hurrying into the ballroom.

"And it looks like you've brought the riffraff in with you." I bit my lip. (Did they follow me here?) The noblemen came to stand before me, and stared at me with even colder expressions than before.

"You may have had your knight to protect you earlier, but he's not here now."

"To think that a mere commoner would suddenly become the princess—!" I caught my breath at the unexpected insult. The men had purposefully spoken in loud voices that could be heard throughout the room. I could hear the sudden buzz of whispering voices from the gathered crowd. (What should I do?) Standing some distance behind me, Giles gave a small sigh.

"And here I was hoping the guests wouldn't start making a fuss at the ceremony." As he spoke, someone came to stand beside him. Leo followed Gile's gaze to the noblemen. After a moment, he smirked and moved forward. I stood in front of the noblemen, all the things I wanted to say caught in my throat. (This is no time to falter, I have to be strong.)

"It's true— I'm a mere commoner. And I'll use my 'commoner' perspective to choose a prince consort."

"What—?!" The nobleman scowled at my words. I stared at him as firmly as I could, but I couldn't stop myself from trembling slightly. (I know this is no time to be trembling, but—) I took a deep breath, trying to not let them notice that I was shaken. Suddenly, an arm caught me around the shoulders from behind. I jumped a little in surprise.

"Princess." I looked up to find Leo gazing down at me.

"Yes?"

"Can you tell me the first article of our current laws?" Leo smiled as he squeezed my shoulder gently.

"I— Okay." (He just taught me that the other day, didn't he?) I was confused at his request, but I answered his question. When I was done—

"Okay, stop." Leo raised his hand and caught hold of my chin gently.

"Huh?"

"I might get them to explain the next bit. After all, people who go on and on about national pride ought to know this stuff, right?" Leo narrowed his eyes as he stared at the noblemen. They both went pale at his words.

"Hmmph. As if book learning is useful for anything!" The noblemen turned and left, and Leo laughed as he watched them retreat.

"Geez, I sure would like to make you eat those words."

"Leo—" I gazed up at him, and he smiled, his expression gentle.

"Hold your head high, Princess, and look straight ahead."

"What?" I raised my head as instructed, and I realized that lots of people were staring at me.

"You're the center of attention."

"You're right." I stepped slowly forward, and then curtsied deeply. "Thank you for coming, everyone. I look forward to earning your respect." I heard Gile's voice echoing quietly in the stillness that followed my words.

"Imagine that, the princess asking to earn their respect." His tone was kind somehow. Leo smiled as he responded.

"It's just the sort of thing Maya would do, isn't it?"

The day after the coronation ceremony, I stepped outside to get some fresh air. I thought I saw Alyn in the gardens, and I hurried towards him. (I want to thank him for yesterday.) But as I reached the gardens, I spied Leo as well. They seemed to be talking, and I stopped suddenly, afraid I was interrupting.

"Oh?"

"What the heck were you thinking?" Leo gave Alyn a faint smile.

"Who knows?" Then he turned on his heel and walked away. I stood in the shadow of the building watching him leave. Something about his expression bothered me. (What were they just talking about?) I turned my gaze to look at Alyn. (I wonder if something happened?) Alyn stared after Leo with a grim look on his face. Then he turned to leave as well. (Ahh!) I hurriedly stepped out from the shadows and called after him.

"Um—Alyn!" Alyn stopped at the sound of my voice. He turned to look back over his shoulder at me.

"What?" Alyn's expression was still stern, but I met his gaze evenly.

"Thank you for yesterday. I just wanted to say that." Alyn looked puzzled as he replied.

"Sure." Then his mouther quirked as if he was thinking about something disagreeable. "You shouldn't be trying to stand out so much. Even I'm hearing rumors."

"What?" (What rumors?) But he turned and walked away, and I was left staring after him in confusion. His expression bothered me just as much as his words. But it didn't feel right to go chasing after him and pressure him for more information.

When I returned to my room, I decided to ask Nico about it.

"Hey Nico— have you heard any rumors about me?" Nico blinked at me in surprise for a moment. Then he gave me a wry smile.

"Well— I did hear a rumor that you and Leo are officially a couple, but—"

"What?!" I stared up at Nico in complete shock.

"Apparently you and Leo are officially a couple."

"Why would anyone be saying that?" Nico sighed at my shocked expression.

"Leo doesn't seem to be denying it either."

"Oh!" (Why wouldn't Leo deny it?) Nico gazed at me silently for a moment. Then he leaned closer, his expression concerned.

"But you haven't picked Leo as your prince consort yet, have you?"

"Of course not!" (We're not even officially a couple— heck, I barely know anything about Leo at all.) Nico stared at my expression a moment longer, and then gave me a quick smile.

"Well that's okay then."

After I left my chamber, I headed to the office. I sat at the desk with a book open in front of me, but instead of reading it I was thinking. (It may be a bit late to be wondering this now, but I wonder what sort of person Leo is.) When I actually thought about it, I realized that although we'd spent a lot of time together, I knew almost nothing about Leo himself. As I sat there thinking, I felt someone's fingers poke me gently in the forehead.

"Ahh!"

"That's quite a frown— you thinking about something?" When I looked up, Leo flashed me a smile. "Hey don't tell me— are you thinking about me?"

"Yes." I nodded without thinking, and Leo narrowed his eyes a little.

"Oh, really?" Leo pulled out his glasses. (Ahh—) He put his glasses on, and then turned the page of the book in front of me. "Anyway, how about we continue where we left off?" And so we began our lessons, as we did every day. Leo guided me through some more difficult details about Wysterian law,, and then set me to summarizing it for him. He sat down out of the way and for a while I forgot about him completely as I wrote. (Huh?) My summary finished, I raised my head, and realized that Leo was sitting by the window with his eyes shut.

"Leo?" (Don't tell me he fell asleep?) I stood up and approached where he sat. As I reached his side, Leo suddenly opened his eyes.

"Gah! Oh— what's wrong, Maya?" Leo stared up at me, and I felt my heart beating faster.

"I-It's nothing. Leo, are you sure you're getting enough sleep?" Leo's eyes widened at my question.

"Huh? Yeah, sure."

"How much?"

"Two or three hours is usually enough." (How can he be surviving on so little sleep?) I leaned closer and peered at him.

"That's awful, you need to get more sleep. I know you're busy, but—" Leo's gaze met mine, and for a moment we stared at each other. Then he tipped his head to the side and smirked up at me.

"Really? Okay then, will you sleep with me?"

"I was being serious, Leo!" My confusion must've been obvious and Leo laughed in amusement.

"I think I'm being serious too." I couldn't help but pull a face. (Sometimes he's so frustrating!) Leo met Maya's gaze for a moment longer. Then he turned his face away. He opened his book again and gave a quiet sigh, hoping she couldn't hear him. Leo came back to the desk to check my summary, as if nothing had happened. Then we moved on to another topic.

When we'd finished our lessons I looked up at Leo again. (I really need to thank him for what he did at the ceremony.)

"Leo, thank you for the other day. I—" But as I was speaking, a loud voice rang out from somewhere outside the room.

"What? Sorry, I couldn't hear you."

"Never mind, it was nothing." After Leo had left, I opened the window and sighed as I gazed up at the sky. "I've gotta keep doing my best so I really can be a fantastic princess!" Right then, I heard the flapping of wings, and saw a large parrot flying away.

Later that evening— I visited the office again in search of a particular book. I stared up at the many books on the shelf. (Is this it?) I pulled out a volume from the bookshelf. As I looked down at it, I gave a small sigh. (This book is really dusty.) I brushed the worst of the dust off and then opened the book. "Oh!" Something fell out from its pages and landed on the floor. "A postcard?" I picked it up, and discovered it was a postcard with a drawing of some beautiful flowers. (Leo told me he'd read every single book in here. I wonder if this is his?) I stood up and placed the postcard on the desk. (I'll ask him about it tomorrow.)

Meanwhile at the same time— Leo frowned as he stared down at the book he was reading. He was also alone, doing some research in his own office. He heard the sound of wings flapping, and a parrot landed on the windowsill.

"You're late. Couldn't you come home a little earlier?" Leo spoke without raising his head, and the parrot spread its wings.

"Not late. Sebastian not late." Leo gazed at the parrot, then gave a faint smile. Sebastian climbed into his own cage, then spread his wings and opened his beak again. "Doing my best, doing my best." Leo raised his head at those words.

"Huh?"

"Be a fantastic princess. Doing my best." Leo raised his head in surprise at Sebastian's words. Then he sighed, and removed his glasses.

"I see, so that's what she wanted to say." He smiled suddenly, and then just as suddenly, he frowned again. "Huh, it's like whenever I think about Maya, I get all weird." Sebastian flapped his wings and opened his beak again.

"Flirt, flirt?"

"You may be right." Leo gave a long sigh, and then leaned back against his chair. "Whenever I'm near her, it never goes well."

"Flirt, flirt." Sebastian continued to speak in a cheerful tone. "I will never—"

"Gah!" Leo raised his voice, his tone thick. "I already told you not to say that again!" Sebastian clicked his beak shut, and shook out his wings a little.

"Shut up, shut up."

The next morning— Giles said something that I'd never expected to hear.

"Really? A day off?"

"Yes. You've been quite busy lately, so I adjusted your schedule a bit."

"Thank you!" I remembered the postcard that I'd found the night before. (I'd like to ask Leo about it.)