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In general, Leo possessed a soothing presence. A gentle smile would tug at his lips, accompanied by a very, very pleasant scent that her nose picked up from him. An amicable face always directed to those who flock to him, especially to Twilight, Fluffy Dog, and that Nudist.
Well, he was always like that, even before her stay– erm, captivity here in Demon Castle. That much she knew. Syalis more often than not had a keen eye on him, after all. But she’d rather not go into further details about it.
And she could say the same for his hands. The same ones that not only healed her injuries and restored her life in unwavering succession, but the other residents as well.
Those hands that were both soft yet calloused to the touch. Even the dark tendrils that emerged upon his summon were… just the same. Always inviting, always gentle and careful.
She couldn’t imagine Leo using them to inflict harm on others. Or perhaps she held too much partiality in her own reasoning, but then again, how could she not? All thanks to him, her slumber from the world beyond and back into the living had always been a quiet and pleasant journey.
In this instance, she couldn’t help comparing herself to those (paper cutout) demons of sleep on leaf boats from the Star Festival. Just like her, they would float about the river to wherever the currents took them. An aimless yet seamless ride.
Then, on top of that, the aftermath of every revival was just as pleasant. Great, in fact. Along with feeling refreshed, there was some extra of that buzzing energy to her. The soreness in her muscles all gone. And even her vision was all clear as a blue sky upon awakening.
That could be yet another reason as to why she heeded no regard to her own life, throwing it away with every chance she got to accomplishing her quest for a good night’s sleep. There was no need to worry as Leo was always there. Always ready to lend a helping hand in healing and reviving not only her, but others as well.
But, of course, every good thing in life came with a cost. She was no stranger to that concept. Seeing and observing Leo day by day had once again reminded her of that, it came surging into her leisurely-likened mind with a vengeance.
As much as it bothered her at first, she now let that idea to stick out like a sore thumb; one that made her grumble a lot and sigh with a festering emotion she knew to be worry.
Leo…
He’d give away everything of what he could offer to others so easily: be it his healing services, attending to the needs of the vampire, zombie, and spirit race, and fulfilling his role as a member of the Ten Guardians and the Demon King’s aide. On a daily basis, mind you.
She recognized it as a naturally good trait that Leo possessed but…
Much to her dismay, just as it was his strength, it was also his weakness. That silly goat, he had a tendency to forget himself. Not to mention, it hardly helped that he had so little left for himself after all the things he had done for others.
Attending to the bare minimum of one’s sleep, hunger, and leisure was surely no way to live. She should know this best (and there was Twilight and Fluffy Dog, but still), considering she had done the same in the past back in her own castle. If not, much more.
So seeing Leo and the way he went through each day, it made her blood boil and her fingers to curl up. Tight and knuckles turning white.
Before she could do anything, Syalis stopped herself and thought it over. Over the fact she knew this since long before but only some months back did she start caring.
Back then, she hardly cared about this. Of Leo working too hard and passing out in his bed every night, all because they were the Captive Princess and the Demon Cleric to each other. They only ever saw the other as such roles on paper, nothing more, nothing less.
But now, things had long changed. They were just Sya and Leo, weren’t they? Since when, she didn’t know. All she knew that the more she had gotten to know him, the more she enjoyed his company. It was as simple as that.
And the word simple was rarely a word she associated herself with, so that should be saying something.
Then, the slight smile, she didn’t know she had on, in her face fell down once that thought came.
But those hands of his…
Her mind went back to that.
No matter how well he hid it from others, she wouldn’t be fooled. The mere thought of having to recalling them had her biting on her lower lip. An even more unpleasant thought than the last.
Those hands of his though soft were also calloused to the brim; there was not only hardened skin in them, but also loose, dried skin still clung on and black claw-like nails that had some cracks and uneven shapes in certain places.
It would take a sharp pair of eyes to even notice small details, at least from what she’d seen from others being oblivious to such things.
Then, the movements of his hands at times were unnatural. The slight trembling when he carried coffins, the baskets of dead Ghost Shrouds, and the miscellaneous sorts and that they were slow to curl up and release. Even if he could do the latter, his fingers would move in such rigidity.
How can he simply wave off all the discomfort with that smile he always gave away? Such a stubborn goat, she’d say. Going as far as to refuse any help when people did notice.
Just like her.
Just when she began to make efforts in getting to know him better and help ease down his discomfort, he, too, also began to distance himself from her. Talk about bad timing.
And did he actually think she wouldn’t notice that time when he’d shoo her away right after he kept on reviving her? Refusing to talk to her any more than necessary, not even lecturing her in cherishing her own life.
Why all of a sudden? She could only wonder.
Looking back at those times he’d avoid her at every turn, it wouldn’t be difficult to assume he’d grown to fear her. A convincing reason especially when he’d jump or flinch at the sight of her, turn around, and flee the area.
But… that wasn’t the case. Rather than that, he seemed to be more unsure and hesitant in what to do with her. His panicking red face, stammering, and his fingers fidgeting had said it all.
Unsure and hesitant, huh…
Those two emotions were some of the things she believed that she’d never come to understand. After all, she was raised to be the kind of person who’d take matters in her own hands. Though she never lacked for anything as a princess, if there was something she so desired she’d pursue it.
To be unsure and hesitant that one would back away, running away more so…
This was something she couldn’t fathom herself to be capable of. No matter how many times she envisioned the idea of it.
So, it was such an annoyance for her not to come up with concrete conclusions regarding the reason behind his sudden change of treatment to her. Indeed, it was–
Syalis stopped herself once again, finding her gaze to be drawn down to something. Slowly, she looked to her lap and there she saw…
Her hands all curled up. Again. She watched in odd fascination as she released them, her fingers stringing out like thick needles.
Speaking of needles, she needed to make a new replacement for her pillows and bed sheets. She will have to do her weekly hunting (of Ghost Shrouds) later, but for now…
Back to this issue and the ones in front of her…
She brought them up high, almost reaching her face. She looked at the palm of her hands, a continuation to her observation.
Much like her own, Leo’s hands were also capable of great things and yet, he always let go of hers.
Whenever she’d approach him and take out one hand…
He would turn the other way…
Unseeing the hand that reached out to his…
And, in turn, leaving hers to cup nothing but the cold air…
As Leo walked away to the other direction…
She would close them in…
A grip so tight that her knuckles turned white…
Just like now…
Then, in an instant, her ears picked up a faraway yet distinctive sound coming from the hallways outside of this room that didn’t belong to her. It grew louder as the seconds passed by. A soft thud in each step. That was Leo’s footsteps.
She sat up in attention, her back no longer from its usual slacking position upon learning this.
At once, she hopped out of his couch and darted towards a little hole she made out to be another passage to his private quarters. With arms lined up in her front, she dove right into the makeshift entrance.
When she got inside of it, Syalis placed a box on top of the other and repeat. Quickly yet steadily to make sure this hole was hidden from his sight. But then again, perhaps he might not notice this from all the daily exhaustion, so this was extra safety measure just to be sure.
As she heard the knobs being turned, she made not a sound and instead leaned her back against a metallic wall. As quietly as her body could muster.
She heard rustling of something soft and silky, indicating that Leo was removing his working attire (of purple robes, stringed chains, and the like) and changing into his pajamas with that really cute tail-cap. It was a slow process that he normally did, but she had to stay hidden in here.
She didn’t feel like subjecting herself to several hours-long of a lecture from him, after all. So while waiting until Leo succumbed to slumber, there emerged a certain thought in her head:
If she didn’t know the reason, then she was left with one option and that was to keep approaching him. Chasing him down if she had to.
Holding onto him tightly could possibly change his mind. Whatever that reason may be, she’ll do something about it.
She then let out a smile, quite liking this idea before moving onto another.
‘Oh, that reminds me…’
.
.
.
On one fine morning, instead of immediately getting himself ready for the day, Leonard blinked his eyes…
And stared at his own hands. Being able to move with so much ease, much to his surprise. “I’m pretty sure my hands were aching so terribly from last night,” was what he said to himself.
How come they were in a good condition, that he’ll never know.