I woke up with the sun slapping my face relentlessly through the curtains. Staying in bed would be good, inventing an illness, pain, or anything not to go out and have an excuse to stare at the ceiling while wasting time thinking about the silliest things, but no, I specifically decided to come to the courtyard to watch the knights training, pretending that nothing happened and that the scene from yesterday isn't stuck to my brain like gum.

The view, on the other hand, is comforting. Watching this bunch of guys getting hit by pieces of wood, with a boring sergeant yelling orders and each of them writhing in pain is too much fun. Ah, there's the sadistic streak I picked up after spending time near those lunatics... I'm unlucky, just not more so than the guy who is now battling Victorian. Ugh, poor guy, at least the noise in the courtyard isn't coming from inside my head.

I lean against the wall and watch the training. They make those pretty, synchronized movements, dripping sweat in the morning sun. There are two types of people: those who seem proud to be here, or those who tolerate their wife's complaints in order to keep their job and contribute financially to the family income. I don't deny that I feel very out of place in this environment, amidst a bunch of muscular guys giving their all in training while I just want to avoid thoughts.

"Darius!"

Shit, it's Leonhardt. Here he comes, with that smile that should be outlawed and the perfect posture of someone who thinks he was born to be on the cover of a cheap romance novel... Wait, he was born for that! Even the wind seems to work for him, tossing his blonde hair back at the perfect angle.

"Good to see you." He approaches with that sweet tone that gives me more allergies than dust. "You disappeared last night, I was worried. I couldn't give you some presents..."

Presents? Are you serious with me?

"I was... busy" the cut is short, hoping he gets the hint.

Of course, this airhead doesn't get it. He stops beside me, also trying to follow my gaze towards the knights. Could you at least take some socialization classes to learn how to handle normal conventions in society, right?

Leonhardt turns his head towards me.

"I hope it wasn't anything dangerous. You look tired."

"I just didn't sleep well", I say, without taking my eyes off the knights. Maybe if I stare fixedly at this bunch of grown men, he'll get tired and leave.

But no, the bastard imitates my posture, also leaning against the wall, crossing his arms and acting as if we were longtime partners. Go fuck yourself, Leonhardt, leave me alone!

"If you need to talk... I'm here. Always."

Either this guy desperately wants my friendship, or he wants something else that I'm not willing to give. Regardless, I prefer not to encourage him. If he would just keep his mouth shut and go about his life alone, that would be great. For now, I've saved who I could save, messed up the entire original script, and I'm only seeing more and more changes that make my knowledge of the original work more useless than ever.

Also, what goes on in the head of this disturbed guy next to me? I never understood the reason behind so much murder and so much misogyny in one guy, and I also wanted to know why that romance with the character who appears later seems so superficial. I better take the chance to clear up the doubt while I can, right?

"Hey, Leonhardt, do you like killing people?"

"What? Never! I only do it when absolutely necessary!"

"If we hadn't been together when I asked you to take me to the courtroom, where Ravenna was, would you have killed her if you saw her reacting?"

"Yes. I wouldn't be conscious of the situation, it would be the most logical response."

"Don't you think it's a bit extreme to solve everything that way? Remember you almost killed the countess in that game?"

He tilts his head to the side, thinking about what I said. I highly doubt the retarded guy understands, but hey, we tried. Leonhardt scratches a beard he doesn't have, reasoning over my words until he suddenly widens his eyes and snaps his fingers.

"That was indeed a mistake... Ah, I see what you mean! I really am much more inclined to violence than normal, how did I not realize it?"

Okay, now you're even impressing me by using two functional neurons. I let out a sigh, returning my attention to Victorian defeating three guys at once with a swing of his spear. He's another problem I'm not sure how to deal with yet... he must have some concerns about his homeland and a desire to return north to help the people there.

I can free him, the duke and the nobility probably still don't know his true identity, so sending him away as soon as possible seems like the best choice.

"Darius, I think you're overthinking, judging by your expression", Leonhardt comments, as if he could read my mind.

"Yeah, shut up."

He smiles. Of course, he smiles. Nothing about this man is normal. Not even the way he can accept a sharp remark from me like a compliment. I just hope the image of "Lady Daria Moonlight" has disappeared, because the shame of how the dress fell on me and the memory of being carried in his arms like a princess make my eyes bleed every time I remember it.

"You know..." he brings up the subject again, here comes trouble. "I like seeing you like this, analyzing things. It gives you a profound air."

"You're a poet when you're quiet, has anyone told you that?"

"Worse than no, it's the first time!"

In the courtyard, Victorian knocks another poor soul to the ground, the tip of the spear inches from the guy's throat. The sergeant blows his whistle and tells the two to step back. Victorian doesn't even look tired, which only reinforces the idea that I'm playing with a lion.

Leonhardt notices who I'm focused on and immediately takes advantage of it to annoy me again.

"You're thinking about him, aren't you?"

"Maybe."

"Do you want me to talk to him?"

"No. I want you to talk less."

The invisible Golden Retriever ears droop even more. Are you really going to get all sad just because I told you to put out that ass on fire?

"Still, I think you should rest more. It's good for your health and it would also relieve the tension in your shoulders. Oh, your eyes are red!"

"It's the light."

He stays by my side, quiet now, but I know he won't leave. Leonhardt is like a guard dog with an affection problem: always around, always attentive, and impossible to get rid of.

I remembered something I don't like. Victorian has a family in the North, a wife, and a child. The main reason he becomes an initial villain and then a rival is because the two die in the middle of the war, while he was away fighting, or in this case, serving some noble before managing to escape.

I don't want to feel bad, but every time I close my eyes, that whole scene comes back. It gives me an extremely shitty feeling to think that this guy is trapped here and must worry every day about his family, his daughter, and all that. Empathy? Seriously? Just because you were motherless in two lives doesn't mean you should help others.

Hah. Okay, I give up.

I step away from the wall, signaling the sergeant to stop the combat with Victorian for a moment. Ironically, he actually obeys. It's strange how everyone is staring at me with a kind of admiration. Is it because I helped catch Philomeu and saved the royal palace? I don't know, it just gives me a bad feeling to be seen so favorably.

"Hey, brute."

Victorian turns to me. For a moment, I even feel like jumping back to where I was. Relax, Darius, the monster there thanked you for your help, everything will be fine.

"I know your situation and I also know who you are, got it?"

"Yes, Master Darius."

Master? Oooo, I like the sound of that.

"Why haven't you left yet? I remember being clear that you were free to do whatever you wanted."

"I apologize, Master, I cannot leave without first thanking you for what you did."

"What about your wife and son? Don't you care about them?"

"I care, deeply, but... it would be a great dishonor to my name if I didn't repay you for being my benefactor."

I get it. He won't leave until he's sure he's settled the debt with me. This is problematic. Victorian staying here could put a knife in my back if the king finds out. Duke Moonlight might concede if I explain it properly, but my uncle... that's another story.

I still have time until the king returns, but I doubt sending him back alone would work... I must be kidding myself that I want to go through with this absurd idea.

"Come with me, we'll solve this situation easily."

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