Bonus Side Story: "A Forceful Kiss"

I knocked on the door of Leo's office, and waited quietly. (Huh? Maybe he's not there.) But then I thought I heard someone's voice inside the room. "Hmm?" (Is someone in there?) I quietly opened the door and peered into the room. "Huh?" (I was right in the first place, there's no one here, but—) Suddenly I heard a loud flapping of wings, and a high-pitched voiced echoed through the room.

"Forgot it, forgot it."

"Ahh! A parrot?" (When he says "forgot it" does he mean—) I looked over at the desk, and saw a diary sitting on top of it. I entered the room and picked it up.

"Is this what you forgot? Should I take it to him?"

"Yes." The parrot nodded its head repeatedly. I took the diary and left the room again. Then I went looking for Leo. I made my way around the palace, asking anyone I saw if they knew where Leo was.

"Ah, Alyn!" Do you know where Leo is?"

"Huh?" Alyn glanced back at me, his expression moody.

"Ah, sorry— if you don't know, that's fine." Flustered, I turned around, intending to find someone else to ask. Then I heard his voice muttering behind me. I stopped and turned back to look at him.

"Didn't he head into town?" (Huh?) Before I could thank him, Alyn turned and walked away. (Into town?) I knew I shouldn't follow after him. But I was worried that perhaps he needed the diary. So I changed into a simple dress and went for a secret visit into town. I gazed at the streets around me as I walked. (It's been awhile, but nothing's changed at all.) I reached the town market and scanned the crowds as I moved past the stalls. Suddenly I spotted Leo up ahead of me.

"Leo!" (There he is!) Without stopping to think, I hurried over to where he stood in front of the florist.

"Huh? Maya?" Leo turned as I called out his name, and his eyes widened in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

I safely delivered the forgotten diary to Leo, and we walked through the market together. He was carrying a bouquet of flowers that he'd bought, and I glanced up at him. Then I looked away again. (I wonder who the flowers are for. Hang on, are those—) I realized something, and spoke aloud without thinking.

"Are those the same flowers?"

"What?" I pulled out the postcard I'd found, and Leo raised his eyebrows. "Where did you find that?"

"It was stuck in a book. It fell out when I opened it. Is it yours?" Leo smiled briefly, and took the postcard from me.

"Yep, it's mine." His voice was quiet, and he turned his gaze on me again. "Maya, why are you here?"

"Um— I wanted to bring you the diary you left behind."

"Is that all?" Leo tilted his head slightly. "There's no other reason?" I was silent for a long moment. (He's right— I don't think that's the only reason.) I raised my head to meet his gaze.

"I want to know more about you." Leo widened his eyes at my words. Then he laughed loudly and spoke again, his tone rich with implication.

"You really are honest, Maya." He continued to laugh, as if he couldn't stop himself, and leaned over. His hands pressed again his thighs. I found myself blushing at his reaction.

"L-Leo, it wasn't that funny." Leo barely seemed to notice my words as he kept laughing. Then all of a sudden— He raised his head and reached out towards me. "Wha—?" Leo pushed me back against the wall and pressed his lips against mine. (Ahh!) I froze in shock at the unexpected kiss, my eyes wide. I gasped, my lips parting, and Leo's tongue slipped into my mouth. "Nnngh!" I raised my hands and pushed against Leo's shoulders. Leo let go of me at last, and stepped back, and I slapped him hard across the cheek. "Gah! Leo—" I stared up at him, my eyes suddenly full of tears. (Why would he do something like that?) My slap had been forceful enough to turn his head away from me, and he remained that way, not meeting my gaze as he smirked suddenly. Then at last he slowly turned his gaze back to meet mine.

"I thought you wanted me to. I mean, there's already rumors about you and me."

"That doesn't mean you can just—" Before I could finish speaking, Leo reached out and cupped my left cheek with his hand. I started at the unexpected touch, and the tears that had gathered in my eyes spilled over and trickled down my cheeks. On my left cheek, their warmth met and mingled with the warmth of Leo's hand. I turned my face away from his touch, and at last he pulled his hand away from me. As I glanced at him sidelong, he raised his hand to his mouth. Then he slowly and deliberately licked a teardrop from his thumb. He gazed down at me where I stood, still pressed back against the wall.

"I'll stop there for now. But you know I like girls a lot, so I may do it again." I stared up at Leo in disbelief, and he narrowed his eyes. "So really— you shouldn't trust me too much, Princess."

Note: All side stories are the premium versions.