"Is it so late?"
After leaving a certain clothing store, Alexia looked at the sky in shock. The twilight's red-orange light had already filled the capital, and night would fall soon.
"It looks like it's the end of the day."
Leon stretched as well.
Fighting a dragon was much less exhausting than shopping with a girl.
Alexia sighed with regret. "Seriously, why is the palace gathering earlier than the school? By the way, is it all right for you, Leon?"
"This is not my kingdom. Of course, I want to spend as much time as possible here," Leon said with a shrug.
Of course, when he was in another kingdom, he could leave whenever he wanted at night. The only thing that could restrain him in this world were the rules he had established for himself.
"This is great. So I'll go to Palettia for a diplomatic visit next time."
"You are always welcome."
"Goodbye then. I had a lot of fun today. Although... I don't know why, I always feel an inexplicable chill—but it must be just my mind."
Alexia waved her hand to Leon, showing a smile that could be described as both beautiful and cute. Her red cheeks made her look innocent and charming just to look at.
Leon also waved his hand.
"Beta."
He arrived in the alley and called the name of the elf girl. The next second, a beautiful figure appeared around the corner.
"Yes, Midnight-sama."
"You look a little downcast."
"Please don't mind that."
Beta replied with a bitter expression.
She was so miserable today. She had seen her beloved lord being bothered by an unpleasant insect all day, but she could do nothing. She was very tired.
Beta had wanted to shoot Alexia several times, but every time the silver-haired princess made an intimate movement toward her master, she was hit hard.
But in the end, she trusted her loyalty to the organization—and to Leon—to suppress the desire to kill Alexia.
"Anyway, thank you for your hard work today."
Leon lifted his hand and touched Beta's head.
The silver-haired elf suddenly felt that her wounds were a little healed. What a kind gesture. If possible, not only her head but also other parts of her body… ahem!
Usually, she would be pleased, but today she was very hurt, mainly because she saw Alexia doing too many intimate things. By comparison, just touching her head made Beta feel dissatisfied.
I also want to date my master like this!!
She wanted to hold hands with her beloved,
Shop in various stores,
Do things like "Kyaa~~",
She also wanted to walk side by side under the sun, standing tall and proud with her master.
Beta was really jealous.
"Master, you allowed the princess to approach you to protect her, right?"
"Huh? No, I didn't want to protect Alexia; she just came along," Leon shook his head and said.
Although he knew that the Service was aiming at Alexia, he never intended to protect this girl. It would be better to say that this was part of his plan.
"So... why didn't you refuse...? Wuwu, I'm sorry, I overstepped my limits."
"It's okay. I just think she's an interesting woman, and I don't feel unhappy having her by my side."
"How... how could this happen..."
Beta felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She shivered and took a few steps back, almost collapsing on the spot.
(Is the master really interested in this woman? Did he say Princess Alexia is an interesting woman?! Does he really want this sinister princess to become the heroine? Oh no, no, I don't want such a plot!)
Leon looked at the silver-haired elf. He didn't seem to have said anything terrible, right? Why did Beta look like it was the end of the world to her?
Well, in fact, he knew the answer.
Loyalty—or rather, excessive admiration—that was why she reacted so much to every move he made.
"Beta, it seems that you misunderstood something."
"Teacher?"
"Interest and liking are two completely different concepts. Although Alexia is very interesting, you, Beta, are the girl I like."
"!!!"
Leon raised his hand and placed it on the silver-haired elf's cheek.
As if he were admiring a work of art, he gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and tucked her silver hair behind her ear.
He and the silver-haired princess had only met about a week ago. Leon could conquer any woman in a week, but achieving that was very difficult.
In contrast, the silver-haired elf in front of him was beautiful, cute, and intelligent. She had been with Leon since she was a child and was willing to dedicate everything to him.
An important subordinate with unspeakable loyalty.
Of course, he didn't need to tell those whom Leon would truly please.
"Does the master like me?"
"I like you a lot. My Beta is so cute; how could I not like you?"
"Ahh~ I don't regret anything..."
Beta felt like her heart was about to leap out of her chest.
Upon hearing with her own ears the words of love from her master, she was so happy that she almost ascended to heaven right there.
Looking at the silver-haired elf who was fascinated by him, love in her eyes, Leon felt that this girl was very easy to deal with.
He just said he liked her.
"Okay, recover your senses a little. Don't go floating up to heaven just because of that."
"But I'm so happy."
"Seriously, you always make such a fuss. Here, this is for you."
Leon smiled bitterly and shook his head. Then he took a small square box and handed it to Beta.
It was clear from the fact that he hadn't removed it from storage that he bought it today.
Beta took the gift box, not understanding, then opened it after obtaining permission and found an ornate pen inside.
"Master, this is what I think it is?!"
"This is a gift for you. You've worked so hard for me for so long, Beta. This is part of my gratitude—please accept it."
Since Beta liked literature and writing, giving a pen would be a good gift. Although a pen is not enough to express someone's feelings, it could still be considered a symbol.
"My life has been saved by you. It is natural for me to be loyal to you, but you always treat me so tenderly... and now you've given me such a precious gift. Master, I really..."
Beta held the pen as if it were a great treasure.
Her eyes shone with emotion once again.
No words could express her feelings at that moment.
The negative emotions accumulated by the elf girl today had been completely swept away, and her loyalty—already dedicated to Leon—was elevated to an even higher level at this time.
Now, if Leon ordered her to die, Beta would probably carry it out without hesitation.
"Okay~ Come and have dinner with me tonight. You haven't eaten anything since you followed me around all day," Leon said with a smile. He had always been attentive to his subordinates.
"Thank you, master!"
Beta almost jumped for joy.
She thought this was a bad day, but she didn't expect such a turnaround. Her master not only said he liked her, but also gave her a gift, and even invited her to dinner.
Beta: [Ah~ What a beautiful day.]
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
At the same time...
The silver-haired princess, who was walking back to the palace, hummed a small song as she remembered the day's events.
Today was the first time she went shopping with a boy, the first time she had a "date" with a boy, and she also spent the whole night making travel plans.
Alexia was having a lot of fun. For her, who never had friends, today was a very bright and happy day.
But just as the girl was so relaxed…
"Target found, move in."
Before the silver-haired princess could react, she was rendered unconscious and placed in a bag.
"Target captured, retreat!"
"Yes!"
The Service finally sprang into action. With a clean and organized kidnapping operation, they could even easily abduct the princess right in the capital, leaving the kingdom's knights completely unsuspecting.
But these incompetent knights did not realize it.
That doesn't mean that others wouldn't.
"It is confirmed that Princess Alexia has been kidnapped by the Service. Continue tracking. You, go inform the master."
A Night Raid team that had been watching Alexia immediately noticed the cult's movements and ran to warn Leon of the situation.
(End of Chapter)
Give me some power stones there you go~😉