Part Four

"But that's not—" But the maid left the room, leaving me alone with Leo. Leo stared across the room at me. I stood just inside the doorway, not sure of what to do. (When we're alone like this, I just keep remembering what happened.) I didn't know what to say to him. I just stood there in silence, my thoughts whirling.

"Maya."

"Ahh!" I started in surprise at the sound of my name, and turned to look at him. He smiled suddenly as our eyes met.

"You're blushing, you know?"

"Wha—" I hurriedly pressed my hands to my cheeks.

"Don't worry so much, okay? I'm not gonna do anything." He moved towards the sofa and sat down. "I'll sleep here, so don't worry, you can use the bed."

"O-Okay." I got changed in the bathroom, my heart beating fast.

When I stepped back into the room, Leo was still sitting on the sofa, reading quietly. I ignored my pounding heart and climbed into the big bed alone. I laid down and pulled the covers up over me. In the quiet of the room I could clearly hear Leo breathing. (I feel a bit nervous somehow. But—) I rolled over in bed and closed my eyes. (But at the same time I feel safe too. Why is that?) Even as I wondered, I fell into sleep. But I tossed and turned, my dreams uneasy.

I woke up suddenly in the middle of the night. (Huh?) The room was dark, but something didn't feel right. I looked around and saw Leo sitting on the windowsill. He was holding a book, and seemed to be using the bright moonlight to read by. As I watched, he turned a page.

"Leo?" My voice was hoarse with sleep, and Leo raised his head in surprise.

"Hmm? What's wrong, Maya?"

"Don't you ever sleep?" Leo gave me a gentle smile.

"I told you before, didn't I? I don't really need to sleep."

"But—" (Is he really okay?) I frowned a little, and Leo's smile widened.

"What about you? Can't you sleep? Would you like me to sleep with you?"

"Leo!" (How can he just say things like that so easily?)

"Hmm? Are you blushing?" I hurriedly pulled the covers back over me and curled up in bed again. As I closed my eyes, I heard Leo laughing quietly.

The next day, I visited the festival and went sight-seeing around town again, this time without Leo. When I was done, I returned to the palace. But I hesitated when I reached the door to my room. (I'm still sharing with Leo, aren't I?) I quietly opening the door, and sure enough Leo was inside.

"Welcome back, Maya."

"T-Thanks" I could feel myself blushing, but I nodded quietly as I shut the door behind me.

That night—

"Nnn—" I woke from my sleep to a strange sound. (What's that?) I opened my eyes and sat up slowly. (Was that a voice?) I looked around the room and saw Leo lying on the sofa. He was moaning softly, and looked as if he were in pain.

"Leo?!" I jumped out of bed and rushed across to kneel by his side. (He looks like he's in a lot of pain. What should I do? Is it better to try and wake him up?) "L-Leo? Leo!" His forehead was beaded with sweat, and I reached out my hand to touch it.

"Gah!" Leo suddenly reached up and grabbed my wrist.

"Ahh!" His grip was strong enough to hurt, and I winced, but I called his name again. "Leo? Are you okay?"

"Nnn—" Leo stared up at me, his face drenched in sweat. At last his eyes seemed to focus and recognize me. "Huh?" His fingers loosed their grip on my wrist. Then he moved his hands up to cover his face, mumbling as he did so. "Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep. That was—careless of me." I caught my breath at his quiet words. I wasn't sure he'd even meant for me to hear them. (Leo, don't tell me— it's not that you don't sleep, it's that you can't sleep.) As I knelt there thinking, Leo sat up suddenly. "Maya—" He reached out towards me. Leo's hand was gentle as it touched mine. "I'm sorry, did that hurt?"

"No. I'm fine." Leo gazed at me as I shook my head. Then he leaned over and pressed a soft kiss against my wrist. I caught my breath. (Leo?) My fingers trembled at the unexpected gesture. I looked up at Leo and he spoke again, his voice so soft I almost couldn't hear it.

"I'm sorry." It was hard to get to sleep after that. But it had been a long day, and eventually exhaustion got the better of me.

The next day kept me busy with formal duties as the princess. But finally they were all done, and I walked slowly down the corridor towards my room. I gazed thoughtfully down at my hands. (Today is the last day I'll be sharing a room with Leo, isn't it?) I remembered again, how Leo had looked caught up in his nightmare. If it's true that Leo can't sleep, is there anything that I can do for him?) I was still thinking about it as I reached my room.

That night, I stepped over to where Leo sat on the sofa. (If Leo can't sleep—)

"Leo, do you want to play a game of poker?"

"Hmm?" Leo raised his gaze from his book and blinked up to me in surprise. (Then at least I can stay awake with him.) His gaze dropped to the deck of cards in my hand, and then he grinned. "Sure, but I'm pretty good. If you lose, what will you give me?"

"If I lose?" For a moment, I was lost for words. (Oops, I didn't even think about that. ) Leo narrowed his eyes a little and then spoke again, his tone amused.

"I know. Will you let me sleep with you?"

"Sleep with—" My cheeks flushed bright red at his words. Leo tilted his head and gave me a bright smile.

"I'm just wondering if you'll let me have half the bed for the night. Don't tell me you were imagining something else?" I swallowed hard. But I scowled a little at his teasing tone.

"Do you really think you can win? I mean, I played a lot of poker when I lived in town."

"Oh really?" Leo smirked at me.

"So, if I win—" I met his gaze head on. "You'll tell me why it is you can't sleep." (There's got to be a reason he was having such a bad nightmare. And there might be something I can do to help him.) Leo was silent as he stared at me. Then he narrowed his eyes a little, his lips turning up at the edges.

"Okay then. But only if you win." And so the bet was on.

Our game of cards began. I'd thought I was pretty good at poker. But Leo had the ultimate poker face. (He really is good at this.) I glanced up from my cards, and Leo gave me a broad grin.

"I'm not gonna go easy on you, okay?"

"I know!" At long last, Leo placed his cards down on the table.

"And I win."

"Ahh!" (I lost!) I glanced up hesitantly, and Leo tilted his head, his expression innocent.

"Maya— You are going to hold up your end of the bargain, right?"

So as I promised, I let Leo share the bed with me that night. But I was overwhelmed with nervousness as soon as he climbed into his half of the bed.

"Don't touch me, okay? I moved towards the edge of the bed, and Leo laughed as he lay down.

"Aww, spoilsport." I pulled the covers over me and laid down with my back to Leo. Then I gave a soft sigh. (Tonight I just wanted to stay up and keep Leo company.) I lay still, thinking quietly. Then I felt Leo turning over in the bed behind me. "If you can't sleep, I can come over there and give you a cuddle."

"Gah!" I pulled the covers tighter around myself. "I can sleep fine by myself, thank you!" I hastily closed my eyes, but I could hear Leo laughing silently.

After some time, Leo could hear the soft sound of Maya's even breath as she slept. His eyes were still wide open. He sat up slowly, taking care not to disturb the covers. He gazed down at Maya beside him, and slowly reached out towards her. He gently brushed the hair away from her face, and leaned closer.

"Mmnn—" He placed a soft kiss against her forehead, and then spoke in a whisper.

"Maya, there are some things you're better off not knowing." He quietly climbed out of bed, and moved across the room to stare out the window. He could see the moon shining in the sky, huge and round. "A full moon, huh?" He knew that the festival in Laurelia always ended on the day of the full moon. Leo sighed softly. He continued to stand at the window, staring up at the full moon.

Okay, that was only half of part four! Up next is a Garden Gacha Side Story that is basically everything that just happened from Leo's point of view~