AN: Bought a drawing tablet yesterday. Can't believe my laptop is so old that I can only use photoshop for a few minutes with the drawing tablet before the whole thing shuts down >_< T_T
Hope you guys have a nice week ahead of you and I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~!!!
"Hah... I can't believe you finished all that in a span of less than a night."
"It is as you said, your majesty. All slave traders and mercenaries are captured safely without any casualties on either side. All of them are even still unconscious until now and there weren't any signs of resistance. They are all captured perfectly. Moreover, all 36 slaves are freed and healed back to perfect health. To do all this in such a short amount of time... I don't even know what to make of this."
Arthur and Darius sighed tiredly. The moment they thought Leon couldn't surprise them more, he exceeded all their expectations yet again. They're very pleased with the result, but just like Mia, they feel like their common sense was being whittled down slowly by Leon.
Silverio could only smile helplessly after seeing their reactions. After all, even him who was with Leon during the operation still couldn't believe how smoothly and perfectly this operation went.
Leon and Silverio had just finished reporting the result of the operation to the King and Prime Minister in the inner quarters of the Royal Palace. They were called right after Leon and Silverio finished debriefing the operation to their friends and team.
"Where are the captured criminals now, Silverio?"
"Yes. They have been confined in the Royal Palace's underground prison. Though there isn't a need for such high-level security for them..."
"You're right. They're all still asleep and didn't show any signs of waking up even when they were transported to the prison."
"I see. Then how about the freed captives?"
"They are all well and fine, your majesty. We have given them temporary shelter as well as provisions."
"About that, your majesty. Considering they were kidnapped by the slave traders and possibly had the places they lived in raided and destroyed, would it be possible to aid them to find a job?"
Leon asked. Arthur and Darius looked towards Silverio. Silverio smiled at them and nodded. They all then turn towards Leon and smiled at him.
"Everything has been prepared, Leon. You may rest easy."
An enigmatic smile appeared on the King's face. Although his words were vague, seeing as Silverio seemed to have confirmed something with the King and Darius, everything seemed to already been prepared.
"I understand."
"Then we shall end the meeting here.. Good work, Silverio. You may return and take a well-deserved rest."
"Yes. Thank you very much, your majesty."
"Leon, thank you for helping us in this operation. Thanks to you, we managed to clean the dirt and trash off our kingdom in such a short amount of time."
"It is my pleasure, your majesty."
"Umu, you two may leave."
Silverio and Leon bowed and excused themselves. But before Leon exited, Arthur called out to him.
"Oh, that's right. Aria and Iris wish to meet you, Leon. I'm sure they are waiting for you in the usual room along with your friends."
"I understand. Thank you very much for informing me."
"It is nothing. Good night, Leon."
"Yes. Please excuse me."
Leon closed the door and excused himself from Silverio before heading towards the said room. It was a room in the inner quarters of the palace near Aria's royal bedroom. She designated that room for her meetings with Leon and her friends when they visit the castle. Leon, Freya, and Charlotte had secured the room by placing various magical barriers all around so they could chat freely without fearing any attempts of eavesdropping and spying. Aria, of course, knew about this and was very grateful to them since it allowed Iris and her to talk and act freely as one of Leon's lovers. Although their parents are already aware of their relationships, it wasn't made public yet so they had to hide it for now.
He soon arrived in front of the room and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Aria's voice resounded from within the room. Leon opened the door and entered. He was welcomed by his lovers' and friends' smiles.
"Welcome back, dearest."
"W-Welcome back, beloved."
"I'm back, Aria, Iris."
He sat beside Charlotte who immediately moved to his lap and took his arms to wrap around her.
"I'm sorry for making all of you wait."
"It's nothing, dearest. Are you done talking with father?"
"Yes. Mr. Silverio and I just finished reporting the result of this operation to his majesty and Mr. Darius."
"I see. Thank you for your hard work, Leon."
"It is nothing. Though, it took a bit longer than expected so it has gotten very late. Is it fine for us to stay until this time?"
"Yes. I have asked Father for permission for all of you to stay overnight. I have also asked the maids to prepare the rooms for all of you to stay tonight."
Aria said with a bright smile on her face. She was very excited to be spending the night with her friends.
"M-My father have also excused me from my duty and let me join everyone."
Iris had a bright, beautiful smile on her face as she looked at Leon and her friends. Although Aria and her have spent the night with Leon, Freya, and the others a few times in their mansion, it was a special occasion that they could only do once in a while. Aria has her duty as a royalty, and Iris has her duty as Aria's aide and guard captain of Aria's personal guard unit. Leon and the others were also busy preparing for the company, and Leon still has his work as a teacher.
Being able to hang out like this was something all of them look forward to, especially Aria and Iris since they're the only one not living in the same place.
"...Is it fine to have us in the same room as you this late at night?"
"It's fine, dearest. Iris, Freya, Lily, Mia, Vyra, and Victoria are all here with me as well and I have received permission from my father, so there will be no problem."
"Though, I'd prefer it if Alex's not here."
Freya said with a beautiful smile.
"Me again?!"
"Uhn. Alex, go away."
"Charlotte too?!"
"My liege, shall I dispose of this fool right now?"
"No no no, I don't want to be left out!"
"What are you, three?"
"Hey, everyone gets lonely no matter their age, Mia."
"...It sounds very sad when you say it though."
"...I thought you were on my side, Raf."
Aria watched her friends argue and laughing with a smile on her face.
Being able to talk freely with her friends was something Aria wished for ever since she was young. And now, she has many wonderful friends and even a man she loves with all her heart. She felt very fortunate and happy, and it was all thanks to Leon.
If she didn't meet him that day, she wouldn't know what her life would be like now. She might still be in her own little world with now one she could trust except for her immediate family and Iris. She might never know about this bright and wonderful world he showed her, and she couldn't thank him enough for that.
"Aria? What's wrong?"
Lily noticed Aria was staying silent while the others are chatting. She showed a worried expression. Lily thought them being here this late at night would be a bother to her since she wanted to rest.
"It's nothing, Lily. I was just thinking that I would've never been able to chat and have fun with my friends like this if I hadn't met Leon."
She looked towards the man she loves with all her heart with a smile and a loving expression.
"Me too. If I hadn't met Leon, I would still be in my village and I would never meet you and everyone here."
"Hehe, it seems Leon has changed our life very drastically."
"Yes. In the best way, I never thought possible."
The two smiled at each other and the night soon turn late.
Aria and Iris have fallen asleep as they weren't used to staying up late at night, unlike Lily and the others who had to stay up late during quests. The girls brought the two asleep girls back to their rooms and they retired shortly after.
Rafael also retired back to his room, while Alex went to check on the captured slave traders and mercenaries, and Leon communicated with Vincent telepathically, asking him for a status report on the company's preparation and also letting him know what happened on his side before retiring.