Morning came, everyone felt refreshed and energized from yesterday's events.
Except for Leon, who felt anxious overnight about leaving the mum and child. He battled through the night, trying to calm himself down and convince himself that his decision was right.
Still anxious about leaving, Leon silently went out of the bedroom, prepared for the morning, and for his departure. Walking downstairs, he was welcomed with the sweet smell of pancakes from the kitchen and the sound of someone chopping wood.
Eli and Wisey were busy preparing for breakfast, while Olivier and Baobao had already started constructing the separate quarters.
"Good morning, Leon! Have you rested well?" Eli greeted Leon amicably.
Last night was not her first time talking to Leon alone, yet she admitted that their conversation made her know the Prince more. She became much more comfortable with Leon as compared to their initial awkward and evasive relationship.
As of now, to Leon, she had the same comfortability level as her male colleagues in her previous world. Someone you have to treat with respect and trust to some extent. Someone you can rely on when a task is assigned.
As for Leon being her close friend, the journey had just started. She didn't know how they would be in the future. But for now, between them is mutual respect and acknowledgement as co-parents to Little Han.
Leon was also content with how things are right now. Just like Eli, their conversation last night made him understand Eli more, especially on how she viewed love, marriage and responsibility. Although her outlook was a bit unusual to their society, he respected it.
Seeing Eli comfortable with him was enough, for now.
There were many worries up ahead. Taking care of some will help the both of them in preparing themselves as parents to Little Han.
"I'm good, although I won't deny that I still feel anxious." Leon said straightforwardly. He comfortably sat on the dining table and sipped the coffee Eli prepared for him.
Eli gave a light chuckle, "I also feel anxious every morning, I feel uncertain. But I think it's normal for first time parents like us."
Wisey ,on the other hand silently watched the two. They were talking comfortably with each other, reserved yet amiable. 'This too is good, nothing seemed to be forced.'
"Eli-chan, I'll go and callthem now for breakfast!" Wisey then flew from the window to call Olivier and Baobao.
"Eli, take this…" Leon took something from his space bag and handed Eli a platinum necklace with a shining red pendant, it was lowkey yet very elegant. He also handed a stack of paper with written notes.
"This.." Eli's eyes widened in surprise by the Prince's parting gift.
"This necklace have a communication stone. Ask Olivier to teach you how to feed mana into it to ensure that it will always work. I couldn't be rest assured if I do not have the means to contact you and check on your well being. I hope you don't mind." Leon explained and pleaded in a serious manner.
"I see it's like a cellphone! Could I also use this to communicate with others?" Eli was surprised by the function of the elegant looking necklace.
"Cellphone?" Leon asked in confusion, hearing an unfamiliar word.
"Ah nevermind, I tend to make up words, its my habit haha.." Eli awkwardly dismissed Leon's inquiry, she got so excited about the function of the communication stone that she mindlessly blurted out a word from her previous life.
"I see, anyways it can communicate with others but only those who hold the other piece of this communication stone. This stone was originally one piece and could go as big as a fist.
"Users tend to break it down into small pieces and give it to people they need constant communication with. Only those who hold the pieces of the stone could communicate with the other holders. As to others, they would have to get another communication stone and establish their own communication groups."
"Oh I see, I see, then anyone who also holds part of these stones could call me?" Eli said nervously.
"Yes," Leon responded, seeing Eli nervous, he understood the context of her question and gave her assurance,
"Rest assured, the ones who hold the other pieces of these stones are not your enemies, but my trusted people. You do not have to hide your appearances with them. If you aren't comfortable enough, you could decline their attempts to communicate, they would understand."
"Alright, then. Oh, how about these notes." Eli glanced over the thick stack of paper Leon had given.
"Training regimen, fundamentals of magic, and essential teleportation security." Leon said in a serious way. Eli could clearly see an imaginary spectacles and a studious aura fromm Leon.
"Wait.. did you all write this last night.?!" Eli said in shock. These stacks of papers are approximately a hundred pages! How on earth did he manage to do it in one night?!
"Hmm I've written it, but I started to write it the other night, when the Grandmasters asked me to teach you summoning magic. You can ask Olivier about the things you couldn't understand about these." He said straightforwardly.
"Wait, tell me honestly, ever since the other night, have you managed to get even a little bit of sleep?!" Eli said in a bit of an angry yet worried tone.
Leon was shocked, he could see anger in Eli's eyes, yet with her dark piercing stare he couldn't say anything.
"It seems like you really haven't slept." Eli said with a heavy sigh.
"I-i could go on without sleep for days, even a week…" Leon tried to explain.
Eli didn't answer right away, he understood why Leon was like that. Living in the battlefield at a young age, he could most probably go on to battle without taking a break. Letting out another heavy sigh, Eli responded with helplessness,
"Leon, as your friend and Little Han's co-parent, I'd like to advise you to look after your health."
"You have two additional people, relying on you. So you have to stay strong and healthy. Do not neglect yourself. Just like I said last night, start trying to love yourself…" Eli said in a sad yet gentle manner.
"I see, so taking care of myself is also self-love…" Leon responded meekly.
Looking towards the worried Eli, he felt a surge of warmth in his heart. The feeling of seeing Eli worrying for him is not bad. In the future, he looked foward for more interaction like this.
Talking with someone who sees and respects you as an equal. Aside from Einz, he could only experience this with Eli.
Remembering Einz, Leon inquired Eli, "
Oh, by the way. Do you mind that I inform Einz of your well being? He had been so worried since you left Riverfort."
"Uhh, I am not yet comfortable seeing the crew right now...I still feel guilty towards them.." Eli said in embarrassment.
She didn't know how to face the first people who cared about Elise genuinely. She needed to mentally prepare before facing them.
"Uhn, I understand. But just in case you are ready, you can use the communication stone to communicate with Einz. I am sure he would be happy to see you more than he would be angry." Leon said in a dead serious tone. Yet his eyes were filled with sincerity and certainty.
"I will, when the time comes." Eli replied with a smile.
Knock knock!
The rest of the bunch entered the dining room, said their graces, and everyone shared a warm and happy breakfast.
Looking at the atmosphere in the dining area, Leon couldn't help but let out a smile hidden under his cup of coffee.
Mornings like this, made him relax and content. The cottage was only made of logs and bricks, far from the concrete and sturdy palace walls, yet why does it give his heart such a deep sense of security and belongingness?
If he wasn't a prince, living with these bunch here in this serene forest for the rest of his life wouldn't be so bad.
After breakfast, everyone prepared for Leon's departure. With Leon reinforcing the teleportation array, there was no longer a need to risk physical travel to Silvertown and exposure to the unknown forces.
The travel to the capital for Leon, was only a matter of jumping from portal to portal. Since he was part of the royal family, he had his own network of teleportation arrays located in his quarters on each branch of the Seirende Central Bank. It would only take him a few minutes to travel to the Capital.
Standing at the center of the magic array, he thoughtfully looked at Eli and said, "It's time for me to go, please take good care of yourself and Little Han."
"Rest assured we'll be fine." Eli replied with certainty in her eyes.
"Olivier, please take care of the Lady and remember my instructions." Leon looked towards Olivier entrusting Eli and Little Han under his protection.
Putting his fist over his chest, Olivier said with determination in his eyes, "I will Your Highness, I vow with my honor!"
"Uhn!" Leon replied in acknowledgement.
"Baobao and Wisey, I know you have your Master's well being in mind. But I still wanted to plead to you, to look after them." Leon addressed Baobao and Wisey.
"You don't have to worry! We'll protect them at all costs!" Wisey replied with Baobao nodding his head in agreement, "Hnn, Hnn!!"
"Then I shall go..." Leon said with his dead serious face.
As soon as he was done saying his reminders and goodbyes the teleportation activated and started to emit a tranquil white light beneath Leon's body.
Seeing Leon slowly disappearing in the portal, without taking away his glance at her, Eli said with a smile,
"Leon, come back soon!"
Leon's eyes widened in surprise, seeing Eli's smile and hearing Eli's words, a pleasant feeling surged out from his chest.
"Uhn! I'll be back sooner." He replied with an enchanting smile before he completely disappeared.
The group left behind stayed silent for a few minutes, especially Baobao, Eli and Wisey. It only had been less than a day, yet the Prince's departure had somehow made the house feel a bit empty.
"Pheww, now, now, let's go and do our best!" Eli cheered up, looking at the bunch but was surprised upon seeing the frozen Olivier.
"Sir Olivier, what's the matter?" Eli inquired with worry.
Olivier robotically turned his head on Eli's direction, and slowly pointed his finger at the place where the Prince was previously standing, almost on the verge of crying,
"L-lady Eli… the Prince just now… H-he smiled!"
