Eli saw Leon's figure standing under the orange light of the dusk with his red blood hair amplified by the tint of the skies and his blue eyes like two pieces of crystal gems waiting for her to finally come.
Her heart tightened as it pounded heavily, and a wave of heat flashed on her face as she realized what Leon was doing.
'Is he finally going to publicize our relationship?'
There were many questions in Eli's head, as far as their relationship is concerned, the two of them really did not dive into details. Most of their discussions were anchored on Little Han's well-being, and should their relationship status be involved, it is always because of Little Han.
Nevertheless, Eli finally realized how mystifying the feeling of having your lover show such a display of public affection. It makes her embarrassed yet loved at the same time.
"Why don't you go out now, he has been waiting for quite some time." As Eli stood by the window in a daze, she was not able to notice that Zeke was already beside her.
"Ah… yes. I must go!" Eli scratched her head in a fluster, there were so many people watching. She was not sure what she would do the moment she steps out and meet Leon.
"Oh, by the way, make sure to clarify to him about this article. It's been going around the campus now." Zeke then looked at his mentor and colleague worriedly and handed over a newspaper page.
It only took Eli a few seconds to understand the contents of the article. Her face immediately scrunched up and her mood became serious.
"I didn't tell you yet because you were so busy in your office. I plan to give it to you before you go, but it seems that your lover has already taken action to solve the rumors."
Zeke explained as he looked at Leon who was still standing patiently outside with a group of onlookers observing the situation.
"Make sure to explain it we-" Before Zeke was able to finish his advice to Eli, she had already dashed outside the hall to meet Leon.
Zeke let out a chuckle while he shook his head. "I guess they'll be fine after all…"
As Eli was rushing towards Leon her mind was filled with worry and anxiousness, she didn't know that her encounter with Sir Anderson yesterday would cause gossip like this.
The first thing that crossed her mind was how Leon was feeling.
'I should have explained everything that happened last night…'
'No wonder he suddenly acted like this…'
Just thinking about it made Eli's heart feel guilty and painful, 'I must have hurt him when he came to know of that article.'
She didn't mind that she would look inappropriate because of her actions, all she knew was she needed to talk to Leon right away.
"Isn't that the Lady?" Antoine, who was watching from afar with Kazimir, finally saw Eli's rushing figure.
"Hmm... I'd rather say, the lady was quite… straightforward, don't you think." Kazimir also looked at the two at the distance, crossing his hand as he looked at them with a face that said 'I knew it!'
"Eli…" The moment Eli stepped out the door, Leon had already seen her rushing figure coming at him outside the gate.
He very much wanted to go near and meet her halfway but he could not trespass the research branch as it was a disrespect to the institution.
When she saw the anxiousness and worry in Eli's eyes, he knew that Eli had already found out about the article. Her eyes were glistening as tears were about to form on her obsidian iris.
"Leon… I, the article… it's not what you think it is…" As Eli rushed to meet him the soonest, her speech came in between her ragged breathing. "I'm sorry… for hurting you… I never thought that this would happen…"
'Ah… she must have been anxious that I would get upset by the article.' Leon understood the emotions that made Eli act like that.
Truthfully he became upset upon knowing the existence of the gossip, but it was never towards Eli but to the people who made a story out of something done without any meaning.
He smiled gently as he cupped Eli's face, "My lady… will you breathe slowly to calm down first?"
"Oh my heavens! First Bro, did you see that? Did you see that?!!" Antoine almost destroyed their disguise the moment he saw Leon smile gently and treat Eli with great care. He grabbed Kazimir's arms and shook him violently.
"Ah.. stop shaking me, I have a good pair of eyes and I can see everything!!" Kazimir closed his eyes because he immediately became dizzy from Antoine's shaking.
"Sorry… I could not help but get excited. Look at that, is that really our war-loving brother?! Oh my!" Antoine was still bewildered by what he was seeing.
"Well, we both know how our wives have transformed us into the kind of men we didn't know we could become aren't we." Kazimir shrugged, but his eyes were filled with amusement as he saw how Leon interacted.
"Gasp!!!! Look at him! He even kissed the lady's hand!!!! Our brother is possessed!" Antoine exclaimed in shock once again.
"Well, he was quite a good one, look at the lady embarrassing him on the spot…" Kazimir continued to spectate as he was pretty intrigued by what the two were discussing with each other.
"Wait… brother… why don't they look like two lovers who have had a quarrel and just made up?"
"Hmm, that was probably so…"
"Did our brother scam us into thinking that he was yet to court the lady?!"
"Most probably, we never know… maybe they have been together for a long time."
"What?! It means that Leon managed to pursue her with that paralyzed face of his?!!!"
"Well… maybe the lady's taste also fits our brother's appearance and personality perfectly."
"Ermmm… is that your brothers?" While Eli was hugging Leon, she could clearly hear the discussion of Antoine and Kazimir with her enhanced hearing.
"Yeah, they followed me all the way here. They even helped me dress like this too." Leon answered, "Don't mind them, they must be curious about us."
"Are you sure… they're fine?" Eli wanted to look in their direction but she was not sure if it is fine to let the two know that they know their existence.
As far as she knew, Leon's relationship with his brothers was like water and oil. However, since the war, she saw how the three worked together to rebuild the Empire.
"Now that I think about it, I never knew much about your family other than His Majesty and the Second Queen," Eli mumbled.
"Well, I can share that if the lady would want to accept my offer for dinner." Leon then lifted Eli's hand and kissed it gently.
With his manly gesture, Eli's heart skipped a beat and it was almost like her chest was going to burst.
'Is this how it feels to have a man treat you with such care?'
She could not help but remember the countless romantic stories she read and watched in the modern world. Ironically, it was time for her to experience it at this moment, and she felt like she was being lifted up to the sky and laid on the fluffiest cloud.
"It's my honor to accept His Highness's invitation." Eli then smiled as she replied to Leon's proposal. She set aside what the public thought of her at the moment, all she thought was to spend time with Leon.
"Oh.. about Little Han, don't worry. I asked Rosea and the blades to look after him, Olivier will also come over to guard them." Leon whispered, he knew that at one point, Eli would worry about their son.
"Alright… for today, I'll only be with the dad!" Eli teasingly answered, making Leon's cheeks flush with the hint of pink in his ears.
'Calling me as dad… Ah… it's too much.' He was so flustered that he wanted to pull Eli away and kiss her relentlessly, too bad there were so many eyes looking at them now, especially his brothers who were supposed to be home with their families at this time.
"Then, shall we go, My Lady?" Leon still courteously bowed to invite Eli, stretching his hand out for Eli to take.
"Lead the way, Your Highness." Eli smiled sweetly as she took Leon's hand.
Hand in hand they walked towards the main entrance of the campus, where the carriage was waiting.
On that day, everyone on the campus witnessed how Eli was escorted with great care by the Third Prince of the empire, holding the bouquet of flowers that the prince had prepared.
The scene was so magical and romantic that the students couldn't help but dream for themselves a situation like this too!
"Let's go!" Antoine then pulled Kazimir to follow Leon but the other party didn't budge. "What's the matter?"
"I'll have to go home… My wife is waiting." Kazimir answered while looking at the two lovers happily moving on their way. "Let's go to the flower shop on the way."
