Soon, Leon returned to his room. As he stepped inside, his eyes fell on Elys lying on the bed, her breathing soft and even as she slept peacefully. She must be tired, he thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
His gaze shifted to the tray on the small table beside the bed, where a cup sat waiting. Curious, he walked over and picked it up.
"Tea?" he murmured to himself, inspecting the cup.
"Did she make this for me?" The thought lingered as he brought the cup to his lips and took a sip. The warmth and subtle flavor spread through him, soothing after a long day.
"Good," he muttered under his breath, finishing the tea with a contented sigh. Setting the empty cup back on the tray, he glanced at Elys once more, her peaceful expression bringing a rare sense of calm to his otherwise restless mind.
...
Over the next fifteen days, Leon dedicated himself to securing his hold on the city and addressing its many problems. His days began early and ended late, filled with endless meetings, inspections, and planning sessions.
Leon spent hours in the training yard with the knights, observing their routines and occasionally stepping in to spar. His modern combat training and practical advice on formations and tactics earned him their respect. He wasn't the strongest fighter, but his ability to outthink his opponents in mock battles made an impression. By the end of the second week, the knights greeted him not just with formal salutes, but with genuine loyalty in their eyes.
The local enforcers, however, were a tougher challenge. Many were used to bribes and laziness under the previous lord's rule. Leon dealt with this head-on. He personally oversaw patrols, dismissed the worst offenders, and promoted those who showed promise. He made sure they knew the consequences of stepping out of line, but also rewarded those who performed their duties well. Slowly, the streets became safer, and the people began to notice.
Beyond security, Leon turned his attention to the city's infrastructure. The eastern roads were a priority—without trade, the city couldn't thrive. He dispatched small squads of knights to clear out bandit camps and began organizing a workforce to repair the damaged pathways.
His efforts didn't go unnoticed. The merchants, initially skeptical, started to warm up to him as they saw his commitment to rebuilding the city. One by one, they began to back him, their support cementing his position as city lord.
"One month passed," Leon muttered to himself. Since he arrived in this world, a month had gone by—just a single day in the original world.
"I think I should go back for a while," he thought, leaning against the desk in his office. "I need to bring more useful resources." His mind raced through the possibilities—medicine, tools, books—things that could help the city's recovery.
Just as he was forming a mental list, a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Are you not going out today, Mr. City Lord?"
Leon turned, startled, to see Elys standing in the doorway. She leaned against the frame, arms crossed.
"You've been busy," she said, her tone casual, but there was a definite edge to it. "So busy, in fact, that I'm starting to think you've forgotten I exist."
Leon smirked faintly, stepping away from the desk. "I didn't realize I needed to keep you entertained."
Elys rolled her eyes, walking into the room. "Entertained? Don't flatter yourself. I'm just saying that maybe, just maybe, the great city lord could spare a moment for someone who's been helping him every step of the way."
Leon raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly. "I thought you were helping because you wanted to, not because you wanted attention."
Her cheeks flushed faintly, though she masked it with a huff. "Don't twist my words!" She stepped closer, close enough for him to catch the faint scent of lavender on her. "I've been dropping hints for days, Leon. Days. Do you even notice the tea I leave for you? The times I stay up late just to make sure you eat something? Or are you too busy to even—"
"Wait, the tea?" Leon interrupted, tilting his head. "I thought that was just... hospitality."
Elys blinked at him, her mouth opening slightly before she groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "You're impossible," she muttered.
Leon chuckled, crossing his arms. "You could always just say what you want instead of leaving 'hints.'"
Her glare sharpened, and she stepped even closer, her finger poking his chest. "Saying it ruins the fun, you dense idiot."
Leon raised both hands in mock surrender, a smirk playing on his lips. "Alright, fine. What is it you want, oh mysterious one?"
Elys hesitated for a moment, her lips pressing together as if debating her next move. Then, with a sigh, she grabbed his tunic and pulled him down, their faces just inches apart.
"Forget it," she muttered, her voice quieter now. "If you don't get it by now, you never will."
Leon's smirk faded, replaced by something softer as he looked at her. The frustration in her eyes was mixed with something else—something vulnerable. Slowly, he reached up, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"Elys," he said, his voice quieter, "I'm not that dense. I just... didn't want to assume."
Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn't pull away. "Took you long enough," she murmured.
"Better late than never," Leon replied before leaning in, his lips capturing hers in a firm yet gentle kiss.
Elys froze for a moment, caught off guard, before her hands gripped his tunic tighter, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, carrying with it the tension and unspoken emotions that had been building between them.
When they finally pulled apart, Elys' cheeks were flushed a deep shade of red. She stood there for a moment, utterly still, as if the kiss had left her momentarily speechless. Her eyes avoided his, and she instinctively raised her hand to her lips, as if trying to hide the effect the kiss had on her.
"If... if I have to leave another hint, I swear I'll start throwing things at you," she stammered, her voice much quieter now, more embarrassed than playful.
Leon's lips curled into a soft, amused smile as he brushed his thumb against her cheek, the tender touch bringing her eyes back to his. "I'll try to be quicker on the uptake next time," he teased, his voice low.
Elys swallowed, her face growing even redder. She quickly looked away, as if the heat in her cheeks might be too much for him to see. "Y-you'd better," she muttered, shifting uneasily.
She stepped back, but not before stealing a glance at him. Her hands nervously fiddled with the hem of her sleeve as she added, "But don't think this gets you off the hook."
Leon grinned, the sight of her so flustered warming his chest. He couldn't help but tease, "Of course, I'll have to work hard to make it up to you."
Elys huffed softly, her head bowed to hide her embarrassment. She quickly turned, making her way toward the door.
Leon watched her go, feeling an odd sense of peace settle in. For the first time in weeks, the tension in the room seemed to have vanished, leaving only the quiet warmth of something more than just duty.
He turned back to the desk, a small, genuine smile tugging at his lips. "Hints, huh?" he muttered to himself, shaking his head with a soft chuckle. "Maybe I should start paying more attention."