After some time, as Leon finished his work and returned to his room, he pushed open the door, his steps echoing faintly in the quiet corridor. As the door swung open, his eyes immediately landed on Elys.
She was sitting on a chair by the window, the soft moonlight filtering through the curtains and illuminating her figure.
Her gaze was distant, fixed on the city below, and her hands rested lightly in her lap.
Leon lingered in the doorway for a moment before stepping inside, the door clicking shut softly behind him.
"You're still awake?" he asked, his voice low, careful not to disturb the tranquil atmosphere.
Elys didn't respond right away, her gaze still fixed on the city beyond the window. Finally, she spoke, her tone calm but carrying a hint of annoyance.
"I was waiting for you to get back," she said, glancing at him briefly before looking away.
"Waiting for me?" Leon asked, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion.
"So I could finally cook something," she continued, her tone sharpening as she turned to face him fully, her expression filled with irritation.
Leon blinked, caught off guard. "…You waited to eat? Why didn't you just start without me?"
Elys crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "Because if I left you alone, you'd probably forget to eat entirely. Someone has to make sure the great city lord doesn't collapse from overwork."
Her words carried a bite, but beneath them was a genuine concern that made Leon pause. His lips curved into a faint smile as he stepped closer. "Alright, alright. Let's cook something together then. I'll help."
Elys raised an eyebrow, her irritation momentarily replaced by surprise. "You? Help? Are you sure you won't just make things worse?"
Leon chuckled, rolling up his sleeves. "You won't know unless you let me try."
She sighed, shaking her head but unable to hide the faint smile tugging at her lips. "Fine. Just don't complain if I make you redo everything."
Together, they worked in comfortable silence, the occasional clinking of utensils filling the room. Leon found himself oddly at ease as he followed her instructions.
By the time they sat down to eat, the tension from earlier had all but melted away. Elys placed a bowl in front of him with a faintly smug expression. "See? I told you I could cook."
Leon took a bite, raising an eyebrow in pleasant surprise. "Not bad," he said, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Maybe you should take over the kitchen more often."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile on her lips. "I'll think about it. If you promise to stop skipping meals."
They ate quietly after that, the warmth of the food and the shared moment filling the room with a rare sense of normalcy. Once they were done, Leon leaned back in his chair, letting out a satisfied sigh.
"You know," he said, his voice lighter now, "this is probably the most relaxed I've felt in weeks."
Elys gave him a sideways glance, her expression softening. "That's because you don't know how to take breaks."
Leon chuckled, standing up and stretching. "Maybe. But I think I'm getting better at it."
She smirked faintly, rising to her feet and starting to clear the dishes. "We'll see about that."
When everything was cleaned and put away, they finally settled on the bed. Elys lay on her side, facing the wall, while Leon slid in behind her.
For a moment, he hesitated, unsure if he should close the small distance between them. But then Elys shifted slightly, leaning back just enough to brush against him, as if giving silent permission.
He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. His hand rested lightly on her stomach, and he felt the faint rise and fall of her breathing.
"You're warm," she murmured, her voice soft and drowsy.
Leon chuckled quietly, his lips brushing against her hair. "And you're not as tough as you pretend to be."
Elys scoffed faintly, but there was no bite in it. "Don't push your luck," she muttered, though she didn't pull away.
"Elys," Leon said after a moment, his voice barely above a whisper. "You still haven't told me about your past… though if you'd rather keep it to yourself, I'll understand. But I do want to know—how did someone from a noble family end up being sold as a slave to me?"
Elys stiffened slightly in his arms, her breathing faltering for a moment. She didn't respond immediately, and Leon could feel the tension creeping into her body.
"You don't have to tell me if you're not ready," Leon said softly, his voice free of judgment or pressure. "I just… want to understand you better."
For a long moment, Elys didn't move. Then she let out a slow, shaky breath. "Just… don't hate me, Leon," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "I'm used to people looking at me like I don't belong… like I'm something to be ashamed of."
Leon frowned at the vulnerability in her voice, his arm around her waist tightening slightly in reassurance. "I won't," he said firmly. "Whatever it is, I won't hate you."
Elys swallowed hard, her fingers curling slightly against the blanket.