2nd Rank Has Returned chapter 23

Exclusive Knight-5

“But no one else came?”

For some reason, no one came to meet Leo except Rios. I can’t say that I didn’t have an accident, but I didn’t expect to be treated this harshly.

“why? Are you upset that Arya didn’t come?”

Leo’s face was reflected through the wall between the squinting eyes.

“…There is nothing to be sad about. It is because you have been harmed by my negligence.”

Even if you say that, it is true that it is really sad. After returning, I thought we had become quite close, but I didn’t expect to show such a cold reaction again.

“I couldn’t help it~ The child was crying and screaming and screaming~”

“…Yes? Are you a lady?”

In her previous life, let alone tears, she was a woman who would not shed a single drop of blood even if she stabbed her. In fact, even when I tried to attack, it didn’t come out because even a single hit didn’t come out…

Anyway, I couldn’t have imagined that such a person would cry, scream and make a fuss.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen her cry like that. Even when she babbled, Ande looked at my face and was pretty.”

[It’s because it’s you.]

He said to Rios, leaving behind the words of the sage who spoke his heart.

“Did you have a hard time…?”

“…well, pretty much. There’s no way I can feel at ease with my beloved knight who went to jail. I’m stuck in my room right now.”

The description sounded like a beggar, but it wouldn’t be a lie. From Arya’s point of view, it may have been natural since she was almost the first friend she made.

“Hey… Rios, if you’re not busy, can I stop by for a while?”

Leo also had to do his best as a friend.

***

It was all the first time.

defeated for the first time.

first learned,

I felt happy for the first time.

And, he was the first friend I made.

The boy gave himself many firsts.

without asking for anything in return,

As if that was his own happiness, he helped naturally.

However

What would he have done to him?

“…miss.”

Alfred knocks on Arya’s door.

“…”

The knocking sound must have been audible. It was just that the sound wasn’t enough to open her closed something.

“…don’t you want to come out today?”

“…”

Because she did not deny it, she had no choice but to remain silent.

“…Leonardo’s military is said to have been acquitted and released from prison. Is it okay if I don’t come to meet you?”

“…are you okay? Alfred…”

These were the words at the end of Django’s silence.

As much as the first answer came, Alfred led the conversation as much as possible.

“It will be fine. miss. Leonardo-kun would definitely like it…”

“…know. Because Leo is kind… But…”

Arya’s voice sounded low that day. The tone itself was the same, but the depth of the tone of speech was seeping into the floor like never before.

“…I don’t know if I deserve it…”

There was a slight weeping sound. Alfred repeatedly touched and released the door handle.

“…Since Leo came to the family… No, he’s always had accidents after meeting me.”

After not meeting him, he met Balrog and had to fight and get hurt.

“Isn’t that an accident…! miss…!”

“I know… but… after that…?”

Incidents and accidents happened endlessly.

A person faints for making a joke and is arrested,

being harassed by seeds for being offensive,

And now he was even attacked by assassins.

“…Did you see Leo then?”

He was arrested and arrested in a hurry, so he couldn’t see it properly, but Leo’s body was covered in blood.

No matter how strong Leo was, it would have been unreasonable to inflict no wounds on such assassins.

“…what if…if I had called the family members earlier…? No, if you hadn’t come to the family in the first place…”

It was a meaningless regret.

Unfortunately, Arya was not a genius in human relationships. In addition, the young age of 13 made the girl’s immaturity stand out even more.

“…”

Alfred didn’t answer. No matter how wealthy and experienced the butler was, there was a limit to what he could do as a third person.

‘…well…i’m wrong…’

so

“Miss Arya.”

It was most appropriate to settle the dispute between the parties. When Leo appeared, Alfred had long since departed as a gentleman.

“…Leonardo…?”

Arya hurried to the door and tried to open it. But she, too, was only fiddling with the doorknob and could not open the door.

“…What’s up.”

Words come out hard I want to apologize, but my mouth is cold as if I had a different personality.

“I am worried about Mrs. Because we didn’t check the map properly.”

That kindness hurts. If you accept that warmth and apologize,

“…okay? How are you?”

It seems that the boy will have more regrets, so the words come out more bluntly.

“I’m fine. There were no injuries.”

“…I see.”

would be a lie To say that a person is covered in blood and not hurt is simply a bluff not to worry.

“…Leo.”

“Yes, lady.”

“…how about quitting the exclusive article?”

Silence passed for a while. Even Arya, who brought up the proposal, could not open her mouth.

To that end, he was so afraid that he wanted to cover his ears with the answers his exclusive driver would give.

“…I’d like to hear the reason, would you mind?”

That politeness is harsh. After all, if I tell you the reason, I will hate to send you even more.

“…I don’t think it would be good for each other.”

Throw that care away. It was stupid, but it was the greatest consideration he could give Leo.

“…is that so?”

No matter how low the voice, Leo, this kind of treatment will inevitably be uncomfortable.

“It’s a little too much.”

So, such a reaction was natural.

So… I looked up at the ceiling and covered my mouth.

So that the water around the stagnant eyes does not flow, and the sorrow of the stagnant throat does not leak.

…be patient.

“I like being with you. It seems a bit selfish to say that we are each other.”

“…good…and…?”

Unable to suppress the sadness, words leaked out.

“Yes, it was good. It’s still good.”

“…why…?”

Even if it were him, Leo had nothing to gain from him. Even if it’s a family, it’s completely nothing to me.

“There are so many reasons, can I start with the biggest ones first?”

Arya didn’t answer. It didn’t mean rejection, it was just embarrassment and more than that, I was happy.

“…Actually, when Miss Arya called me a friend, I didn’t express it, but I was so happy.”

It was an honest story without a single lie, a simple sincerity that could be understood without explanation.

“Mercenaries, even wandering mercenaries, have a hard time making friends. It’s even more difficult with friends.”

It was no different when I was at home. Because Doron was a backward village, with few people living except for the elderly and middle-aged.

Finding colleagues and friends of the same age was more difficult than finding monsters at the gate.

“So I was happy. It was the first time I had a friend.”

What did Arya feel in that Toro?

That’s something Arya herself wouldn’t be able to pinpoint exactly.

But one can be sure,

“…uh… …”

The feelings that were closed to her now are clearly open.

Leo leaned against the door and started to come up with good reasons over and over again.

Having a place to live for the first time when my parents are gone,

That you have an opponent strong enough to target,

The fact that I have friends who can enjoy training together,

Even going out into the city and exchanging useless words to buy gifts,

Leo was happy enough.

Every time she heard that thanks, Arya’s expression turned red. One thing is for sure, it was never that she was suppressing the sadness she felt as if she had just been.

“…Leonardo.”

However

“If you stay with me, you’ll keep getting hurt.”

The guilt that still lingered in Arya was holding her tight.

This won’t be the end. This is what happens when you are in the family…”

“Ariaspil.”

The firm tone, the level of guilt, was a sharp decisiveness that could easily be cut off.

“I just can’t get over those words.”

The cheeky tone of the first time I saw him was far from the polite tone he had until now.

“…well, why all of a sudden…?”

“Do your best to ignore people.”

“…I never did! I… just…!”

“Have you seen my body?”

Sudden question, embarrassment left me speechless.

When I think of that body, my face still burns and my heart races.

Despite being of the same age, wild skin, strong muscles, and especially the shape of the abs…

“You must have seen the scars on my body.”

Arya quickly grabbed her cheek and pinched it.

‘What am I thinking…!’

It was the minimum punishment for recalling bad memories and imaginations.

“…saw.”

Calm down again, she answered in a low voice.

“There are scars from the knife, and there are scars from being hit with a club. It wouldn’t be a problem to find the teeth marks of the beast.”

I remember everything. To say that it was a wound that occurred at the age of only 13, it must have been a cruel and harsh life.

“It’s scary to die. But I know it better than you.”

Confidence beyond speculation, it may have been natural.

Because Leo had already suffered death.

“So, don’t decide the safety of my life as you please. I didn’t know enough, so I chose your knight.”

“…why are you doing that…?”

Now I don’t know what

I don’t even know why I asked this question or what kind of answer I want to hear.

“You already told me.”

But Leo did not hesitate.

like you know everything

“You are my target.”

blurred vision. It was like looking at the ceiling. Drop by drop of water comes down the ball.

Only then did I realize

i was crying

“Maybe… can I open the door now?”

“…no… uh… no.”

I didn’t want to look like this.

Because it was Leo, I couldn’t show it to anyone.

“I’m a little embarrassed.”

Leo explained the reason for his sadness in a brighter voice.

“Then will you look out the door? Even a keyhole is fine.”

Was it because of Leo’s request, or was it because of the reassurance that this would be okay, her eyes, which were brimming with tears, were directed towards the keyhole.

“You still have something to promise, don’t you?”

Leo smiled brightly and showed him a bag of white roses and dye. For some reason, his unblemished face only felt refreshed.

“…if you don’t like it, I’ll come back later…”

gully

The moment Leo was about to turn around, the door opened.

“…don’t go.”

The boy embraced the girl who wanted to keep his knight by his side.

“…don’t ever go…”

tears flow I’m shy and don’t want to be seen.

“Stay by my side from now on… Be my exclusive knight for the rest of my life…”

Yet the voice does not stop. Because I don’t want to miss that boy.

Me too… being with you… good…! So…!”

The girl has courage.

“…Yes, it is an honor.”

Her knight knelt down on one knee, holding the girl’s hand wrapped around her waist.

“I will do my best to take you. aria.”

This must have been the will of an unchanging heart.