Standing at the door, Leo knocked repeatedly, apologizing between knocks.
The death penalty?
Impossible. How could Lady Furina ever sentence him to death?
Yet here it was—the morning of the third day since, and Lady Furina had ignored him all this time.
Protect?
There was no protection at all. Fontaine's work schedule followed the usual four days on, three days off. Aside from Neuvillette and a few key officials, who would ever work overtime?
But today was a workday.
Checking the time on his pocket watch—already ten o'clock.
"Lady Furina, aren't you going to attend today's trial? There's also the fan meeting. Many of your admirers made reservations six months in advance. Lady Furina?"
Still no response. Leo felt like he was going mad.
Just as he prepared to knock again, he saw Neuvillette approach from the other side, his usual calm expression unshaken. He always carried himself this way—elegant and composed, never losing dignity.
"Lord Neuvillette."
Nodding, Neuvillette offered a faint smile before rapping politely on the door.
"Lady Furina, will you be attending today's diplomatic meeting?"
After a moment of silence, the door creaked open. Furina appeared with a sly smile, her eyes closed as if savoring the moment.
"Heh, Leo, that imitation of Neuvillette's voice was impressive. Where'd you learn it?"
Exchanging a quick glance with Neuvillette, Leo bit back a laugh and waited.
"Lady Furina," Neuvillette said firmly, "I am not jesting."
The shift in his voice made her flinch. Opening her eyes, Furina found Neuvillette's serious gaze fixed on her, then glanced at Leo—his lips twitching as he tried not to laugh.
Her expression froze.
"Of course I'll participate! How could I not? I'll get ready immediately!"
She slammed the door shut again, leaving the two men outside to exchange quiet smiles.
"Thank you for your patience, Leo," Neuvillette said. "Your leave for next month has been approved—you may rest as planned."
Naturally, Neuvillette understood Furina's temperament well. Leo had served as her personal guard for over two years, and Furina flatly refused to replace him. Clearly, he had earned her trust.
"Thank you, Lord Neuvillette."
"You're welcome."
Once Neuvillette departed, Leo turned back and knocked gently on the door again, his tone soft and deferential.
"Lady Furina, do you need my assistance?"
"No… unnecessary. Actually—come in. You haven't eaten breakfast yet!"
Obeying the command, Leo stepped inside. Furina was nowhere to be seen—she must have retreated to her bedroom to change, since she had been in pajamas earlier. Those pajamas, embroidered with tiny sea otters, had looked unexpectedly adorable on her.
Heading into the kitchen, Leo prepared breakfast as usual. Then it struck him—something important.
When Neuvillette had knocked, Furina had opened the door immediately.
Meaning… she had been standing there for over an hour, silently listening to his apologies.
Mortifying. Absolutely mortifying.
He nearly screamed into the frying pan.
Still, he finished making sandwiches, warmed some milk, and set the food neatly on the table. Then, noticing a pile of clothes left on the balcony, he sighed and started washing them. If he left it until evening, the laundry would pile up into a mountain.
As he scrubbed, he heard the bedroom door click open.
Furina emerged dressed properly this time, though her face carried a faint blush. Likely from embarrassment—she must have splashed water on her cheeks to cool off.
She walked cautiously to her chair.
Leo couldn't resist pressing the matter.
"Lady Furina, were you standing at the door earlier, listening to my apology?"
Her eyes darted, blinking quickly.
Truthfully, she had been ready to forgive him that morning. But when she heard him begging through the door, she couldn't help but linger and listen. And when she thought Neuvillette's voice was merely an impression Leo had practiced for her sake… oh, the embarrassment when it turned out to be the real Neuvillette!
"Ah? No!" she stammered. "I only happened to open the door then. I thought you'd mimicked Neuvillette's voice just to amuse me."
"And you didn't expect it to be Lord Neuvillette himself, correct?"
"Lying is unbefitting of a god, Leo! Don't speculate."
Leo chuckled lightly as he washed clothes.
Furina picked up a sandwich, biting into it before asking casually, "Neuvillette mentioned you'll be on leave next month?"
Leo hung the wet clothes, answering cheerfully, "Yes! For my annual vacation, I plan to travel to Sumeru for a bit. Isn't the famous Traveler still in Sumeru now?"
Furina nodded, but her mood soured instantly.
You're leaving? Who will keep me company? I haven't even gone traveling myself, yet you're abandoning me to do so?
"That's… wonderful," she muttered.
The tone was all wrong.
Leo turned, studying her expression.
"Lady Furina, you don't seem happy about me taking vacation."
"No. The further you go, the better."
Her words were sharp, but Leo only smirked, seating himself beside her.
"If Lady Furina doesn't want me to go, then I won't. But in that case, my salary will need a slight increase."
Furina glanced at him sideways, voice soft. "Are you really saying you'll stay if I ask it?"
Leo nodded. "Of course. Just raise my pay."
"Leo… can you truly endure my temper?" she asked after sipping her milk.
"Would you like the honest answer, Lady Furina?"
"…Yes. The truth."
"High salary."
…
Her face darkened. "High salary? That's all?"
Clearly displeased, she set her glass down.
Leo scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Well… at first, I actually wanted to serve under Lord Neuvillette. But then you chose me, Lady Furina."
"Then why don't you resign? With your ability, you could easily do so."
He smiled faintly. "How should I put it? Watching over you isn't bad. It keeps things interesting, at least."
Interesting? Furina bristled. Are you calling me unreasonable?
"Sometimes I do act unreasonably," she admitted. "Yet you never seem to get angry. Why is that?"
"Money makes the world go round," Leo said matter-of-factly.
That was the last straw.
Furina's cheeks puffed with outrage. This man really only thinks about money? Can't he just say, 'Lady Furina, you're adorable, I like you, and I'm happy to be your guard'? Must he always drag it down to practical matters?
She wanted to throw her glass at his head.
"Oh, there's more," Leo added suddenly.
Her eyes widened.
"At first, I did find you rather troublesome," he admitted honestly. "But over time, I've come to think Lady Furina is… very cute. And interesting. And…"
"And what?" she pressed, leaning closer.
"Lord Neuvillette's salary really is generous."