Chapter 31

Three days later, at dawn, Ruri woke to the sound of swordplay. Rubbing sleep from her eyes, she drew back the curtain. Warm sunlight flooded her bedroom, silhouetting a figure in the glare—

She nearly jumped. Leon’s stance was so like Vanessa’s that for a heartbeat, she wondered if meeting him had been a dream.

*Phew. Thank goodness.* She sighed deeply, resting her chin on the windowsill to watch quietly.

Time slipped by until Leon suddenly noticed her at the window—

“Morning.”

“Morning. You and your predecessor share the same habit—training with swords at sunrise.”

“…” Leon slid his blade back into its sheath. “Then I’ll switch to evenings.”

“Oh! I’m sorry!” Flustered by his flat tone, Ruri scrambled out the window—thankfully her room was on the ground floor—barefoot and shoeless. “I shouldn’t have brought her up.”

“I’m not blaming you. I just… want to draw a line between us. And—just call her Vanessa. ‘Predecessor’ makes it sound like I’m your current master.”

“Okay. Whatever you say.” Ruri hurried after him. “You and… Vanessa were master and apprentice, right? Are you still upset with her?”

“No. I mean it.” Leon’s voice stayed calm. “Knowing what she truly is—I want to give back everything she ever taught me.”

“How long did you live together when you first met Vanessa?”

Leon thought back. “About forty days. She was recovering from injuries. Why ask?”

“No reason… You mastered her swordsmanship in just forty-six days. That’s incredible.”

“How do you know the exact number?” Leon frowned. Ruri trailed him into the empty living room, where two plates of sandwiches sat on the table.

*Well. Naya only knows how to make sandwiches.*

“Where are Naya and Aile?”

“Summoned by the Angelic Faith. No idea why.” Leon bit into a sandwich—the egg was slightly charred. Naya tried her best, but stoves and frying pans clearly weren’t her allies.

“So… it’s just you and me at home now.”

“Yeah.” Leon sensed something odd in her tone.

“You rarely have downtime. Since bringing me back, you’ve been nonstop—taking down an S-rank bandit, the Butcher, even that world-ending Druid on the side. This is the first time we’ve been alone like this.” Ruri edged closer.

“Right. Even heroes need breaks. Gives the next boss time to set up traps. Hey—wanna go out? Just walk around?”

“Shopping? With you?” Ruri’s eyes widened.

“Yeah. Let’s go.” Staying home alone with her felt… awkward.

Ruri agreed instantly.

A left turn down the street led to Dawn City’s busiest avenue—the mansion from the Second Prince truly sat on prime real estate.

Ruri marveled at everything. Ten years trapped in the Rothschild estate had stolen this from her. Leon’s chest tightened; Vanessa’s sins felt heavier.

Passing a stall displaying swords, Ruri glanced at the two blades on Leon’s back—one from Naya, one from Aile. “Aile gave you that Mystic Silver Sword… Does she like you?”

“Aile? Like me? Don’t be silly. She called it a reward for crushing the Angelic Faith.”

“I see…” Ruri still looked doubtful.

Next, they stopped before Dawn City’s finest tailor shop. Mannequins wore gowns fit for royal balls. Ruri’s gaze locked onto a black dress in the window.

“Try it on if you like it.”

“Really?”

Leon nodded, ushering her inside.

The tailor meticulously measured Ruri’s dimensions before handing her the perfect size. Clutching the dress, she whispered as the tailor walked away: “You could order me to undress right here, Hero. I wouldn’t resist.”

*What the—?!*

Thinking fast, Leon snapped, “I order you to change *inside* the fitting room first.”

“Yes, sir.” Ruri dashed off, cheeks flushed.

Leon exhaled. Crisis averted.

Ten minutes later—*finally*—Ruri emerged, hesitant.

Leon blinked. The dress transformed her. Like a princess from some hidden kingdom. The off-shoulder cut accentuated her figure perfectly—Naya was flat as a board, and Aile’s curves were hidden beneath armor. The cinched waist highlighted Ruri’s slender silhouette. *Stunning beauty.*

With her soft pink hair and wide, innocent eyes, every gesture radiated pure charm. Anyone would want to protect her.

“Do I look okay?” Ruri asked shyly.

“Beautiful.” Leon turned to the tailor. “We’ll take it.”

“Just for me? Won’t the others mind?”

*Ah—?!* Fairness dilemma. “Naya’s too petite—it’d drag on the floor. Aile? She’d never wear a dress. It suits *you*.” He paid the ten silver coins.

After Ruri changed back, she cradled the dress like treasure. A timid smile bloomed on her face. “Today has been the happiest day of my life.”

“You’re smiling.”

For the first time since they’d met, the girl had truly smiled.