"Lance stop fretting..." That was the nth time he had to say to his friend as he watched him fumble around the kitchen, trying hard to tend to his needs.
But what needs exactly?
Leon had to sigh internally as he gulped down the water in his hand before placing a hand under his chin. The only priority he had to do was down his medication, which he already did. Even after changing Lance wouldn't stop worrying about his health. There shouldn't be any reason for him to be this nervous cause his medication had fast effects.
"Lance..." Leon tried to call for him again but the said latter was too busy looking for tea herbs by the drawers to even look at him, "It's not even life-threatening.."
"It shouldn't be this frequent..." Lance answers in a short breath which makes Leon sigh even more.
There was no point in trying to stop him as he watched the latter grab a kettle to heat more water for him. And when he was near enough, Leon stretched a hand and grabbed hold of his arm to stop him. With his free hand, he lifts the side of his hair to reveal his disabled eye for Lance to see.
"Look at me, you see this? It's okay. There's no swelling or reddening, it's just the same old pain and headaches."
However, Lance had a broken look on his face as he stared at him. And Leon couldn't help but chuckle. He might be thinking it was his fault when in fact it was Leon who forgot to bring his medications in the first place.
"Is it hurting...?"
"No, just blind," Leon smiles at him, "Luckily we arrived fast, so the pain didn't linger too much."
"I should've double chec-"
"Ah, ah. I don't want to hear those next words, Lancie," Leon shakes his head while using his old nickname in endearment. As his fingers carefully thread through his locks to hide his impairment, he adds, "I would appreciate it if you would stop looking at me like I'm about to break."
"I'm sorry..."
"Mn.."
With his shoulder finally relaxing, Lance lets out a sigh of relief. To Leon's delight, he reaches over to place a hand on his shoulder, "But thank you for taking care of me."
"Are you sure you're alright now?"
"Absolutely," Leon emphasizes each syllable for Lance to calm down. "Since you're already boiling water, please, I'd like a cup of tea."
Lance carefully took his hand from his shoulder and gave him a light squeeze. "Of course. Anything specific that you want?"
"Surprise me."
When Lance nodded and turned his attention back to the kitchen drawers, Leon felt his shoulders unraveling. He knew that he was reckless but not this reckless. Of all the things he would have forgotten it would be his medication. Thankfully they were able to rush home, however, because of it, he couldn't bear to ruin the other girls' night and left them there to enjoy. Lily wanted to come with them but Leon insisted that Lance was enough to help him.
At first, he was unwilling to let them stay but they were too happy. And one night wouldn't hurt them. And after surveying the palace himself, he found it was safe enough.
He just hopes they don't bring anything weird home...
And hopefully, his sister doesn't seek that one gentleman they met by the garden.
"Who do you think it might be?"
A cup was placed right in front of Leon, cutting off his thoughts. He didn't process the words until Lance spoke again. "I don't think it's a newborn like everyone had said..."
"It wouldn't make sense if it wasn't," Leon softly spoke, seeing familiar blossoms floating in his tea.
Apple blossoms.
"Didnt that happen to the Celestial King? Which is why Abraxas sought him out himself?"
"Wasn't that a rumor? The Celestial King was discovered when he was 12. If he did seek him out, why did it take him 12 years if he was born for the role?" Lance sat across from him, "Maybe Abraxas was looking for someone who fitted the role, not someone who was born for it."
It had always been a mystery. Though Leon had never been that interested in the other realm, he only knew the bare minimum. But now it was different. Things could change, and now with the Infernal King, change could happen more rapidly than before.
What happens if it's you?
Leon suddenly recalls his sister's words from earlier. Her words, and...
Whether my judgment is right or perfect.
Suddenly Leon felt uncomfortable. The way that Abraxas was the one who danced with him and made eye contact when announcing the news of a chosen Infernal King. It felt uncomfortable to think about. And he felt a familiar emotion stirring in the back of his head. If that was the case, all he has to do is.
Reject it.
At that moment, Leon felt a strange noise from outside. It sounded like horses. Lance heard it too and quickly turned to him with a surprised look. "They're back so soon?"
The first one to jump off from his seat was Leon. Lance follows behind him while placing a coat over his shoulders to shield him from the cold night.
But instead of Lily who greets him by the door, it is the other girls. The cold air rushes over his face as Leon opens the door. And immediately the girls saw him and offered him their bright big smiles.
"Leon!"
Fortunately, Leon had strength in his arms as they collided with him. All of them asked various questions. Are you alright? Are you hurting? We were so worried!
He felt warm despite the creeping night. One by one he shakes them off, laughing gas he does, "Wait, hold on. Why are you all back so soon?"
"We were worried!" All of them said in unison, "It was cruel of you not to tell us!"
"But didnt you all want to stay? You should've enjoyed the night, Lance is with me so you girls shouldn't have worried at all."
All of them were wrapped in their warm coats and fur, and didnt hesitate to frown at his words. "We wanted to enjoy it with you."
All the girls had smiles on their faces as they glanced at one another, "It's not the same when you left. And even the other Infernal beings noticed that you left and one by one they also followed."
Leon frowns at their words and flicks their forehead one by one for saying such a thing, "Excuses. Just admit that you all got tired and went home. No need to pull me into the picture."
"But it's true." they tried to reason with him in unison.
But Leon brushes them off with a wave, "Whatever you say… But where is my sister? I don't see Lily anywhere, where is she?"
"Oh, you wouldn't believe this Tata! But Lady Lily!"
"Huh? What? what happened?"
They all giggled and shrieked, causing Leon to cringe at the volume. And before they could properly give him an explanation, an unfamiliar white carriage soon appeared in front of the teahouse. Leon was taken aback by such luxury. He immediately retreats his thoughts about the carriages they used earlier, this was the definition of wealth unlike no other. However, why was such a thing in front of their house?
Did Lily trick a gentleman? Surely she didnt steal this... Right?
His thoughts were cut short as the carriage door opened. All sorts of scolding was about to slip through his lips when his eyes caught something strange.
Within her arms was a bouquet of delicate white flowers. Contrasting with her red attire, the flowers looked pure and eye-catching. Each petal looked fragile as if it could crumble with a rough touch. But looking at it, Leon could feel a strong energy radiating from it. It was the same flowers from before. Seeing how she was holding them, there was a possibility that it was given to her by that person. But he wanted to make sure of his thoughts first.
"Lily," Leon couldn't help but sigh and stretched out a hand for her to take. "Where did you get those..."
"Someone gave it to me.." Lily had color dusting over her face that Leon had to lift a brow at. "I think it's from that person..."
"I see..." Leon felt her slender fingers slide across his and carefully he guided her down the carriage, "And what about this carriage?"
The flush on her face deepened and as she placed a hand over her cheek she sighed, "It's perhaps from that gentleman we met earlier. This was already prepared when we stepped out, and this bouquet was inside."
Leon wanted to roll his eyes. Seems like some scumbag is already trying their luck...