Leon smiled softly and brought his hand to Alpha's delicate cheek, caressing it with an almost reverent tenderness.
"Besides… Sherry is a researcher. She'll spend most of her time locked in a room, absorbed in her research. You, on the other hand… will always be by my side."
Alpha's pointed ears twitched involuntarily, turning red in an instant. Even though she knew Leon was saying that partly to ease the situation and persuade her, she couldn't stop the wave of happiness that surged through her chest.
After all, more than any words, she knew—knew with absolute certainty—that Leon loved her deeply.
As he caressed her, Alpha thought silently: (Maybe I really have no hope for another future…) But she quickly brushed aside that melancholic thought, reaffirming to herself: (Even if there were another path… I would refuse it. I've already decided to dedicate my entire life to Leon.)
Suddenly…
"Ow! That hurt!" Leon exclaimed, surprised.
Alpha had dug her fingers into his waist, pinching him hard. Her half-lidded eyes and the expression, once so sweet, now showed a rare combination of anger and… jealousy.
"I accept any and all of your decisions, Leon…" she began, her tone almost cold, as she looked away. "But… no matter what happens… I'm sure there was absolutely no need for you… to have sex with her, right?"
Her golden eyes avoided Leon's and fixed on the wall beside them.
More precisely… on what was beyond that wall.
On the other side, Sherry Barnett slept peacefully, with a light blush on her cheeks and a serene smile that still betrayed the traces of what had happened. Her lips, slightly swollen and parted, and her calm breathing showed someone wrapped in peace and happiness.
Even Alpha, whose tolerance and patience were well-known virtues, couldn't help but feel jealous upon seeing that. It wasn't just the fact that Leon had other women; she had known from the start that this was his destiny… and theirs. But that situation, so sudden and unexpected, hit her with an intensity she hadn't anticipated.
Sherry had managed, in just a few weeks, to achieve what had taken her years.
Leon let out a quiet sigh, sliding his hand from Alpha's cheek to gently hold her fingers.
"I know exactly what you're thinking, Alpha…" — his voice was calm, but full of understanding. — "I don't deny my guilt… but honestly… the fastest way to pull her out of her sadness and pain was… doing something that would have a real impact."
He paused, looking at the wall, as if he could see through it to Sherry's expression at that moment.
"She was sinking into an abyss of hatred and sorrow… and now, look at her… she finally found a little happiness."
Indeed, Sherry, who in recent days had seemed consumed by despair and hatred, now radiated a different kind of energy: satisfaction, serenity… even a trace of gratitude. It was a palpable transformation.
Alpha tightened her grip on Leon's fingers, bit her lower lip lightly, and huffed.
"I know… I know that what you did was… right…" — she took a deep breath, trying to contain the whirlwind of emotions — "But this is a matter of mood, Leon… you know very well that… Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, and Eta also want… your love. And, look… a girl who just met you managed… to get ahead of all of them."
As she spoke, Alpha puffed out her cheeks like a sulky child, averting her gaze. She didn't want to explicitly admit her jealousy, but Leon knew her far too well to be deceived by that facade.
He smirked and gently pulled her into a hug.
It took many sweet words for Alpha to finally relax her shoulders and let out a resigned sigh.
After all… when a woman as normally calm and generous as Alpha gets jealous… calming her down becomes an arduous task, even for Leon.
After a few minutes, Alpha broke the silence, resting her chin on his chest:
"So… what are your plans now, Leon?"
He caressed her golden strands as he replied with the tranquility of someone who had always known the path he would follow:
"We've already finished our mission in the Kingdom of Midgar. As soon as Faruzan's course ends… we'll go back home. My sister and the Queen miss me… besides, I need to monitor the progress of Jean, Asuna, and Alice."
Alpha smiled, closing her eyes as she heard those names.
"You really are a very busy man…" Alpha murmured, before opening her eyes, a curious gleam in them. "But… what about that thing Lutheran mentioned?"
Leon narrowed his eyes, thoughtful, before answering firmly:
"We'll set that aside… at least for now. I'll only take the stage when everything is… meticulously prepared."
Alpha nodded in understanding.
"I get it… and I'll keep an eye on the plan." Alpha declared confidently.
Leon smiled in relief. There was no one he trusted more than her. Whenever he entrusted a mission or a secret to Alpha, she exceeded all expectations, as if she were his own reflection.
Then, she stretched slightly, looking out the window, noticing that night had already fallen completely.
"It's already late… time for us to rest." She suggested, with a calm smile but a subtle gleam in her eyes.
Leon looked at the bedroom door.
"Hmm… but my room isn't… empty."
Alpha shrugged, with an air of nonchalance and confidence.
"It doesn't matter. There are so many empty rooms in this mansion… And honestly, I wouldn't mind at all… staying right here."
She gave a playful pat on the sofa beside her, crossing her legs gracefully. The elf, always so elegant and composed, now seemed more seductive and provocative than any succubus.
"Leon…" She leaned her body forward, her golden eyes sparkling with desire as she seductively removed her shirt. "… I know very well that… Sherry can't satisfy you, right?"
Leon felt a shiver run down his spine.
The corners of his eyes trembled slightly.
She knew him far too well.
He smiled, pulling her closer and passionately kissed her lips.
And Alpha kissed him back… victorious, as she lay on the sofa with Leon above her.
She had Leon's first times, just as Leon had all of hers.
She was still the number one.
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."