Chapter 85
“Princess Melanie, I’m glad to see you feeling better.”
“Yes. Thank you so much.”
The magical mirrors had safely reached Princess Melanie and Markus, and now the two of them could contact each other and see each other’s faces whenever they wished.
Princess Melanie had regained her former energy, and according to Rick, Markus was doing reasonably well too.
Annika and her stepmother were still struggling a bit, but it seemed they were managing somehow with the help of the reliable dorm mothers.
“Cibel-chan worked so hard for this.”
“And thanks to Rick, who introduced me to Lord Wagner; His Majesty, who allowed me to go on a pre-wedding trip; Milko-san and Yoti-san, who accompanied me; and Elga and others who took care of so many things—it’s all thanks to everyone.”
“That’s true.”
Before bedtime, Leo had come to my room, and we were sitting together on the sofa like this.
“And, more than anything, it was thanks to you, Leo, for always being there and supporting me.”
This whole thing truly couldn’t have been accomplished without everyone’s cooperation.
The fact that I could bless all the prepared magic stones with the Saint’s protection was thanks to Leo. With him by my side, I could fully utilize my power as a Saint.
“Thanks to you, Leo, I even grasped the knack of bestowing the Saint’s protection.”
“My help?”
“Yes.”
I said this with a slightly embarrassed feeling, and Leo looked at me intently before speaking.
“Did I give you any advice or something?”
“……”
Leo made a thoughtful hum, looking genuinely puzzled.
“Well… it’s not that you gave me advice directly…”
“Huh?”
When he asked me so formally, for some reason, I felt extremely shy.
But if I said “It’s nothing” now, Leo might worry and not be able to sleep, right?
“…When I think of you, Leo, power wells up from inside me.”
“Huh?”
“For a Saint, the happier she is, the stronger her power becomes.”
“Ah—”
At that, Leo finally seemed to understand what I meant.
“I feel happy when I’m with you, Leo.”
“Cibel-chan…”
Even after saying that, Leo turned to face me and gently placed his hand on my shoulder, showing a serious expression.
“……”
“……Cibel-chan…”
This…! Could it be that this atmosphere…?
I’ve already shared kisses with Leo many times, so I could tell!
And yet, the expression he had before a kiss… it was like this, huh…
There was a slight tension in his face, but he looked so serious, manly, dignified, and absolutely wonderful…
“……”
“……”
Slowly, his handsome face came closer, and I went a little dazed.
The previous few kisses had all been sudden, so my mind hadn’t fully caught up.
But now, it’s okay. I can savor this happiness properly.
As I gazed at him with my eyelids slightly lowered, Leo’s movement stopped just before our lips touched.
“…Cibel-chan.”
“Yes, Leo.”
So close… yet Leo opened his eyes firmly and pulled back.
“If possible, could you close your eyes…”
“Ah!”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t closed my eyes before because it was always sudden.
I knew from all the romance novels I had read that one should close their eyes when kissing.
But I kept forgetting because Leo looked too handsome.
“It’s a bit embarrassing to be watched all the time, you know?”
“Sorry… It’s just that you’re so handsome, Leo…!”
“…That makes me happy, though.”
“…!”
As he said that, Leo leaned in again, his breath brushing my nose, making my heart leap.
“……”
While saying he was embarrassed, Leo sent me a sweet gaze from that close distance, and this time it was I who looked away.
“Cibel-chan, I love you.”
“I love you too, Leo…”
But to respond properly, I glanced at his beautiful blue eyes, and three seconds later, our lips met.
Following the lowering of Leo’s eyelids, I finally closed my eyes properly this time.
“By the way, what should we do with the other pair of mirrors?”
“Let’s see…”
After our lips separated, Leo smiled happily and held me like I was something precious.
Then our conversation returned to the magical mirrors.
Princess Melanie and Markus received the green-framed mirrors. Lord Wagner had given us another pair, so the blue-framed mirrors remained.
“Someone else might need them someday, so let’s just keep them safe for now.”
“That’s true.”
If Leo and I kept them, even after saying goodnight, we could look at each other’s faces until the very moment we fell asleep…?
“……”
“Hm?”
I briefly entertained that thought while staring at Leo’s face, but of course, that was a selfish wish.
“It’s nothing.”
“Is that so?”
We’re already spending so much time together, so there’s no need. Besides, soon, Leo and I will get married.
Then we’ll share a bedroom too, so we can be together even after saying goodnight… and besides…
“Cibel-chan!? Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
“Sorry… I was just… daydreaming again…”
Thinking about it suddenly made my face hot.
Because the memory of Leo’s lips just now was still lingering.
“What exactly were you imagining?”
“That… is… a secret.”
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