Next morning, Myra informed Leon that the Duke called him urgently in the Valentine estate.

Curious on his side, Leon left the royal palace early in the morning. The king did not care to see him off, but the queen, Eula, and Rinna were present.

After Eula's declaration last night, Leon had somewhat become an important entity for the Lunovars. Surely the king understood that as well.

Eula's mother apologized to Leon about her husband trying to frame him. Leon however still showed a bit of anger to her, just to let her know that he would not forget what he tried to do.

Rinna did not say much. She just watched him quietly the whole time.

Leon took note of their expressions, and then Eula's. She was right. None of them ever saw the king the same way she did. They would never realize what he did. Rinna would still call him father, the queen would call him husband, unaware that the same man let his own daughter get chewed by demons.

"I will be going now," Leon said, bowing to the three of them.

"Wait," Eula called, stopping him for a moment. She asked her maid nearby, who stepped forward with a palm-sized red box in her hand.

Eula took it from her and opened it in front of Leon. "This will serve as proof of your alliance with me."

Inside the red box was a gold coin sized badge engraved with the Lunovar royal crest in diamond lines.

Leon took it, glancing at Eula's face.

She said, "Even though everyone already knows about us, I still have to give this to you."

Leon's face scrunched slightly as he asked, "Do I have to wear this every time I visit you."

"That is not needed," Eula made it clear.

"Alright then," he said, accepting it with grace and bowing to her once again. "I thank you for what you did for me, Princess Eula."

Even though Leon knew she despised being called princess now that he knew her past, he still had to maintain status.

Eula lifted her chin slightly and replied with a calm smile, "I look forward to a future where our names stand side by side."

"..."

Leon blinked at her confidence. His mind subconsciously recalled last night.

Leon coughed and then turned around, "see you at Eclipse then."

To reach the valentine's dukedome, it will take him three hours by carriage.

The maid's and butlers carriage filled behind him and knights and guards guarded them in circle.

Leon didn't look back at the palace, his eyes remained on Myra, who was sitting in front of him wearing a seriously worried look. When she noticed her young master looking at her, Myra blinked and averted her gaze.

Leon simply stared at her, and sighed before saying.

"So? What did my sister say?"

"Huh?" Myra's shoulders flinched a little, "What? Why would she say anything, young master?"

'Look at her acting…' Leon narrowed his eyes on her. He knew that Veronica must have been pretty upset after hearing about last night.

According to Veronica's plan, Eula's only task was to take my side and oppose the king's accusation. But she went overboard by taking a stance for Leon. Though her plan worked and Leon was set free and his name spread all over, she was upset that someone stole him from her.

That must have happened, and to be fairly honest, Leon himself added his own touch to her strategy. He just can't help it, her strategy was flawless, he has to use it for his own benefit as well.

Leon did nothing wrong… yeah?

"It will be fine, she won't scold me… I guess." He said to Myra.

Myra must have gotten scolded in Leon's place last night.Even so, he was curious about how Veronica actually looked when she scolded someone.Would she puff her cheeks?Would she knock his head hard enough to rattle his thoughts?

Leon sneered lightly. 'Nah, knowing her, she would just pull my cheeks even harder than she always does.'

Myra noticed his sneer asked, "why are you laughing?"

Leon shook, "oh nothing, I just recalled something."

She let out a quiet hum, and asked him another question, "young master, would you answer me honestly if I ask you something?"

Leon tilted his head, "well, it depends on what you're gonna ask."

He smirked at her words.

Myra still continued, "that's fine with me."

Leon sat straight with both arms folded, "go on." He gestured.

She asked.

"Young master… which princess do you like more now, Rinna or Eula?"

Leon nearly fell from his seat hearing this.

He coughed violently and grabbed the seat handle. "Why are you asking me this?"

Myra did not flinch. "Last night, from both your interactions, I noticed that you two were rather close. I thought you were after both princesses now."

Leon snapped, "Don't be ridiculous."

He cleared his throat right after, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Working under Veronica, Myra was aware of the princess, the Twilight Order, and of Leon getting involved with them.

Still she asked something like that.

Myra leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing like she was scanning him. She looked genuinely curious, and not even teasing.

Leon stared back at her without blinking.

For a second, Myra considered saying, I am joking, you do not have to answer, young master.

But before she could open her mouth, Leon spoke.

"Haah… if I have to choose who I like more, I would say…"

He placed his hand on his chin, thinking way too seriously for a question that simple.

"I mean both have different charms."

Myra blinked twice. 'Wait… he is really going to answer?'

Leon continued calmly, as if he was giving a lecture.

"Princess Rinna has gentle traits. She is kind, soft spoken, and very calm. She treats people with warmth and carries the image of an ideal youngest princess. Her political presence is thin, but she has potential if she matures."

Myra nodded slowly. "Th–That's true, but that's not what…."

Leon then shifted his posture and continued.

"But Princess Eula is sharp. Her judgment is good, her political instincts are excellent, she has the ability to lead, and even her strength is nothing to overlook. She can take a stance in a situation like last night without hesitation. She is capable of rallying nobles, holding influence, and moving people if she wants."

Myra's mouth opened slightly. 'Wait… how does he know that much about her…?'

It sounded like he had been studying Eula for years.

Leon finished his comparison calmly.

"So overall, in terms of leadership, political ability, battlefield presence, emotional control, and strategic value… I think Eula is better."

Myra stared at him for three full seconds.

"Young master… that was not the meaning of the question."

Leon blinked. "Huh? Then what?"

"I meant romantically. Who do you like more… romantically."

Leon went silent.

'Dammit Myra, at least get the hint that I am avoiding the topic.'

The carriage kept rolling forward as Leon stared at her with an expression that screamed disbelief.

Myra exhaled lightly. "But thank you for the political breakdown."

Leon covered his face with one hand and sighed.

"…You should have said that earlier."

Myra tilted her head. "I thought it was obvious."

Leon groaned.

She giggled quietly under her breath. "Still, it was cute hearing you praise Princess Eula like that. Lady Ezra was genuinely happy after learning about you and princess Eula's stance."

Leon's face twisted at her mention. He recalled that she would be a pain in the ass again. When the old Leon had a crush on Rinna she tried her best to path them up. It's a good thing Rinna outright rejected the offer. But now…

"Great." He muttered.

His mother would get another reason to lose her mind.

Sure, his elder brother Rowan liked Eula too, but unlike Leon, Rowan never showed it openly. He never acted on it, never declared anything, never stood in front of an entire hall like some dramatic idiot. He kept it subtle and pretended it was nothing. Only him and Eula know of this.

Leon on the other hand… Well, he had practically let the entire kingdom misunderstand something.

Now the whole capital would start whispering about them. A light user whose name had spread overnight standing beside a princess who suddenly defended him.

Anyone with working eyes would doubt the shift in Eula's behavior. They would wonder why she, who always kept her distance from everyone, suddenly chose to stand with him.

But they would not look down on Leon.

Leon was a light user, it was widely spread among nobles now.

That alone was enough.

Still, Leon had a feeling in his stomach… something uncomfortable. He knew how nobles thought. Gossip traveled faster than mana. Rumors would twist anything into romance if given even a hint.

Eula took his side. Leon emerged victorious in the council because of her. Their names were said together through the entire palace.

And now his mother, Lady Ezra, had another reason to explode.

Leon covered half his face with his hand. "This is going to be a pain."

Myra tilted her head. "Young master?"

Leon forced a smile. "No nothing. Just thinking."

This was indeed an interesting mess he created for himself. But the more he thought about it… the more uneasy he felt.

He shifted his gaze toward the passing trees outside the window and tried to calm the storm building in his chest. Eventually, he decided to change the subject before Myra dug deeper.

"So… did father return?" Leon asked casually.

"Oh, yes," Myra replied. "He already came back."

Leon hummed. "Where exactly did he go?"

He wondered what could be so urgent that the Duke had to leave the estate last night, especially after that bastard king plotted to blame Leon.

He wanted to know what business was so important that his father went there last night, without saying a word.

Myra shook her head lightly. "I do not know. He never said anything to anyone. Maybe try asking Lady Veronica."

Leon leaned back again.

Of course. He properly told Veronica about this.

He let out a breath and stared at the badge in his hand, the one Eula gave him. It caught a beam of sunlight and glimmered faintly.

The Lunovar crest.

He rolled it between his fingers and clicked his tongue silently.

"What a troublesome thing," he muttered. "Exactly what future did Silvermoon see…?"

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