Part Nine

I felt the morning sun shining on my face, and I slowly opened my eyes.

"Nnnn—" The room was bright, but Leo was nowhere to be seen. For a moment, I lay still, blinking and remembering. My body felt heavy, but I sat up slowly, and Leo's jacket slid from my bare shoulders. I grabbed hold of it, and then sighed softly as I wrapped it around myself. I sighed again and smiled wistfully to myself. "I'd better get back to my room." I stretched slowly and climbed to my feet and then hastily dressed and sneaked back to my room in the early morning light. Luckily no one else seemed to have noticed my absence.

That afternoon, I made my way to the office as usual for my lessons with Leo. Leo was acting the same as he always did, and so I did my best to act normal as well. After a while, he shut the book and removed his glasses.

"Let's leave it here for today."

"Okay." Leo narrowed his eyes as I nodded and then stood up.

"See you later, Maya." Leo opened the door and left the room. I waited for the door to finally shut before I sighed, and then I slumped down against the desk in front of me. I thought about Leo's nonchalant attitude. (He's acting just like he always does. I'm okay with that, right?) But I couldn't forget his words from the night before. (Leo—I won't know what's going on unless you tell me.) I didn't even notice the sun gradually setting as I sat there thinking. Without warning, the door suddenly opened again.

"Huh?" The door opened and Nico poked his head into the room. "Oh Nico!" I felt both relieved and disappointed, and I sighed to myself.

"What's wrong Maya? You don't look well. Are you feeling okay?" Nico came closer and leaned down to peer at me.

"I-I'm fine. It's nothing." (I can't let this get me down.) I raised my head and met his gaze.

"In that case, there's something I wanted to talk about. Is now okay?" Nico gazed at me dubiously, but I nodded firmly. "I've finally figured it out. I've found him—the mastermind pulling the strings in Wysteria and Stein." Then he spoke that person's name. "Lord Aubin Crawford."

"Wait, what?" I stared up at Nico in surprise. "Crawford?" (But that's the same surname as Leo and Alyn.) Nico narrowed his eyes, and spoke in a low voice.

"He's the current head of the Crawford family. He's working on a very wide scale—possibly to avoid getting caught." I bit my lip lightly, feeling suddenly nervous. Nico went on to explain he was Leo and Alyn's uncle.

"But that means—" I looked down at the documents Nico had brought with him. (Leo and Alyn are probably going to end up being dragged into this.) Nico suddenly spoke, almost as if he were reading my mind.

"Leo and Alyn probably don't even know anything about it."

"Huh?" I raised my gaze from the documents, and Nico gave me a faint smile.

"Just a hunch of mine." Nico then pointed to the documents I was holding. "What do you want to do? Do you want to try talking to Leo about it?" I swallowed hard, unsure how to answer the question. But after a moment of thought, I spoke again.

"I think—I'd like to talk to Leo about it."

Early the next morning, I wandered around the palace in search of Leo. I looked in all the places he'd normally be, but I couldn't find him anywhere. (Where on earth is he?) As I walked down another corridor, I thought about my conversation the day before. (Well, I'd like to talk to him, if I could just find him!) Right then I ran into Giles at the end of the corridor.

"Is something the matter?" I looked up at him, reassured by the kindness in his voice.

"Um, Giles—have you seen Leo around anywhere?" I explained that I hadn't been able to find him anywhere in the palace, and Giles frowned.

"That's unusual for him." He turned his gaze to the window. The sun was shining bright, almost dazzling. "Oh that's right. Today is—" Giles narrowed his eyes a little, his gaze slowly returning to meet mine.

"Yes?"

"It's the day his parents—"

At that same moment—Alyn had returned from his expedition, and he walked slowly through the forest. As he reached his destination, he saw someone standing in front of the grave. He stopped for a moment, and then moved silently to stand behind them. The person glanced back at Alyn and then grinned.

"So you came home, huh?"

"Of course." Alyn frowned, his tone a little sullen. Leo narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I see." He turned to look back at the gravestone, and then murmured softly. "After all, today's a special day for us." Leo turned around, putting the gravestone behind him, and gazed at Alyn. "Do you remember that day?" His voice was barely more than a whisper. Alyn narrowed his eyes, but said nothing. "That was the only day we didn't say 'see you when we get home.' Even though we said it every other day." Leo gave a sudden self-mocking smile, and tilted his head thoughtfully. "Did we sleep in or something? I don't even remember." Alyn was still silent, but his eyes never left Leo's face. A brief gust of wind shook the floors Leo had placed on the grave. "Alyn—I'm glad that you've managed to become such a great knight at least."

"But that's because you—" Leo shook his head, cutting Alyn off.

"I didn't choose this path just for your sake, Alyn. That's not something I'm capable of." Leo turned back to stare at the gravestone, and after a long moment of silence, Alyn frowned suddenly.

"Hey. What are you thinking?" Leo continued to stare at the grave, as if he hadn't heard Alyn's question. Then he glanced back at Alyn and grinned.

"I've been thinking the same thing ever since that day." Alyn looked away from Leo's smiling face. His voice was heavy as he spoke.

"Even if it gets you killed?" Leo gave a long sigh at Alyn's words. Then he spoke slowly, as if choosing his words carefully.

"Alyn—"

Giles told me that today was the anniversary of the day Leo and Alyn's parents had died. When I heard that, I headed straight for the graveyard. As I got closer, I saw both Leo and Alyn were standing in front of their grave. (Oh they're both here!) Without thinking, I hid myself from sight, but I could clearly hear their conversation.

"In my heart it never ends. I've been caught inside the same nightmare, ever since that day." Leo's husky voice echoed through the quiet graveyard. Alyn's face drained of color at Leo's words, and then he scowled, almost as if to cover it up. Leo seemed to notice his expression, and patted him gently on the shoulder. "Hey don't make that face." Then he smiled, his eyes still narrow. "It's coming soon."

"Hey—" Alyn started to speak, his tone flustered, but Leo stared directly at him as he cut him off.

"Alyn—" Alyn's shoulders seemed to shake a little at Leo's steely tone of voice. "I will find the culprit, you can be sure of that." Alyn caught his breath. Silence fell between them as he stared at Leo. Then Leo spoke again, his voice quiet. "And I will never forgive them."

I stayed hidden in the shadow of the nearby trees, but I couldn't help overhearing Leo and Alyn's conversation. (I really shouldn't stay here any longer.) I slipped quietly away before they spotted me. As I made my way back through the forest, I sighed softly. The words I'd overheard just kept going round and round in my head. (The things they were talking about—) I stopped suddenly and frowned as something occurred to me. (Don't tell me—) I could hear the leaves of the trees rustling in the breeze. (Is Leo planning to take revenge on the person who killed his parents?)

I returned to the palace and headed back towards my chamber.

"Maya?"

"Ahh!" I raised my head to find Nico in front of me.

"What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost." I chewed on my lower lip. (Nico—can I trust you with this?) I stared at Nico uncertainly for a moment, but at last I decided to speak.

"Nico—I have a favor to ask." I begged Nico to help me out, and at first he was hesitant, but at last he agreed to go along with my idea.

Soon we were leaving the palace, and as our horses galloped towards our destination, Nico glanced back at me with a rueful grin.

"Giles is definitely going to be mad at us."

"I'm sorry, Nico. But—" I stared ahead of us as I spoke. "I'd like to be sure as soon as possible." Although the place we were headed wasn't far from the palace, the forest path seemed to go on forever. But eventually ahead of us I could see what looked like our destination. "Is that it?"

"Yes, it is." Nico stared ahead of us for a moment, then glanced back at me. "That's Lord Aubin's mansion." (So that's the mansion belonging to Leo's uncle. And that's where Leo lives.) At last the horse slowed to a canter, and then a walk.

We requested entry to the mansion at the gate. I was shown into one of the front rooms inside, and I sat down to wait. Nico had been asked to wait outside, and he remained at the gate with our horses. (I'm feeling a little nervous.)

A short while later, Lord Aubin entered the room, a friendly smile on his face.

"Welcome to my home, Your Highness."

"I apologize for the sudden intrusion." (So tis man is Leo and Alyn's uncle. And he's also—) Lord Aubin smiled widely, the corners of his eyes creasing as he did so.

"I've heard plenty of rumors, including that Leo may possibly become your prince consort—"

"Oh, that's—" I couldn't help but interrupt Lord Aubin. "I didn't come here today to discuss that. Actually—there's something I'd like to confirm." I laid out several documents on the table in front of Lord Aubin. "These documents are concerning the illegal sales of various mineral resources. " Lord Aubin gazed down at the documents in silence for a moment. Then he gave a quick smile, and placed his teacup on the table next to them.

"And? Is there something that you want me to do about these?"

"Is there nothing here that's familiar to you?"

"I have no idea what these are at all. And none of them appears to be definite proof of anything. I frowned a little at Lord Aubin's words. He was quite decisive, and yet I doubted him instinctively. (Well, Nico did tell me as much. I should've known he wouldn't tell me anything when this is all I have.) I stood up and met Lord Aubin's gaze directly.

"Very well then. Thank you for your time." I curtsied formally and headed for the door, but as I reached it, Lord Aubin spoke again.

"Your Highness—you may consider this nothing more than an old man talking to himself, but—" Lord Aubin picked up his teacup, his fingers moving slowly and carefully. "You shouldn't get too involved in this matter. I'm sure you've heard all sorts of rumors. The royal court is a more dangerous place than you think." He raised his teacup to his mouth, and then spoke again. "If you want to avoid a repeat incident, I suggest you withdraw."

"What are you implying?" I felt uneasy at Lord Aubin's words, and I clenched my hands into fists.

"That's a good question." Lord Aubin smiled suddenly as he put his teacup back down and then stood up. I stared at him as he left the room and scowled at his retreating figure. (What the heck was all that about?) I caught my breath as I remembered Nico's words. (Surely not?)

As I walked away from the Crawford mansion, I glanced back at the building itself. (So this is Leo's home, huh? But you know, I've never seen him go home from the palace.) I stopped for a moment, and a gust of wind lifted my hair. At that moment, I suddenly saw Sebastian flying towards me.

"Sebastian is here!"

"Sebastian!" Sebastian alighted on the branch of a nearby tree, and began to speak again.

"I'm home, I'm home." I narrowed my eyes as I stared up at the tree. (Sebastian, this isn't the place you should be calling home.) I stared up at him again, and then called out to him.

"You're right—let's go home Sebastian." I turned my back on the mansion and walked away. I found Nico waiting for me just outside the gates, and soon we were riding back to the palace.

"I'm glad you're okay. I was a little worried."

"Thanks." As the horses made their way back through the woods, I thought back over my conversation with Lord Aubin. My hands unconsciously clenched into fists again.

"Maya?" I raised my head with a start as Nico called my name, and then I spoke hesitantly.

"Nico—Lord Aubin said—"

That evening— I knocked on the door of Leo's office.

"What's up Maya?" Leo removed his glasses and raised his gaze to meet mine. "I heard you were looking for me today?" I nodded silently, but for a moment I couldn't find the words I wanted to say. The room fell silent as Leo waited for me to speak. Finally I began to speak, my voice hesitant.

"Leo—I heard about your parents. I'm sorry." Leo looked confused for a moment, and then he gave a small laugh.

"No worries, it's not like I was trying to hide it or anything." He gazed at me for a moment, and then tilted his head to one side. "So I guess you heard that today was the anniversary of their death?"

"Yes." Leo turned his head away and looked out the window. Something about the gesture made me uneasy, and my heart clenched a little.

"It was a full moon, just like today." Leo narrowed his eyes, as if gazing at a distant dream. "Our mansion was on fire, the flames rising high—" He stopped suddenly, his gaze still distant, and I couldn't stand the look on his face.

"Leo!" Leo's shoulders twitched suddenly in response to my voice. He made a small strangled noise in his throat, and then turned back to face me.

"I'm—sorry." Our eyes met, and after a moment, I spoke softly.

"Leo—to tell you the truth—"

I told him about the 'mastermind' Nico had been investigating.

"I see." Leo nodded as if completely unsurprised, but when I looked up at him, his face was pale. "What else?"

"Huh?"

"There's still more, isn't there?" I hesitated, then spoke again, my voice hoarse.

"This is a separate matter to that, but—" I explained the possibility that Lord Aubin had been involved with Leo's parents. "We don't have any definitive proof—this is still just our speculation." Leo stared at me in silence for a long moment. Then the corners of his mouth turned up in the approximation of a smile.

"I see. I'd kind of guessed that myself anyway." His laughter was strained, and I spoke my next words gently.

"Leo—are you planning to take revenge?" Leo fell silent at my question, but he continued to stare at me. There was something almost challenging in his gaze. I moved closer to him, and took hold of his hand. "Please—" I gently squeezed his hand as I spoke. "Let him be judged in the public arena, Leo." I raised my head as I spoke. "Somehow we will find the evidence to prove it." Leo was still completely silent, but I could feel his hand shaking in my grasp. "You don't need to suffer alone." I wrapped his hand in my own. "I want you to share it with me. Take your time if you like. But I'll take it all—your pain, your suffering, and your hate." Still Leo said nothing, but I could see emotions flitting across his face. Slowly his body leaned towards me. I let go of his hand and wrapped my arms around him. (Oh, Leo.) Leo buried his face in my shoulder, and then spoke haltingly, his voice muffled.

"When you say things like that, I can't—"

"Huh?" (What did he just say?) Instead of replying, Leo slid his arms around me, embracing me in return. All I could hear was our hearts beating together. I sighed softly at the warmth of his body pressed against mine. At last we let go, and I reached up and touched his cheek. His skin felt cool to the touch. "Leo, I'm here for you. We're in this together." Leo sighed and shook his head just a little, a wry smile touching his lips.

"You're an idiot, Maya." In spite of his smile, he looked like he was about to cry, and my heart ached to see it. He laid his fingers over mine against his cheek. "You really are."

"I know." We moved together, and our lips touched in a soft, somehow lonely kiss.