Everything Leon did always seemed exaggerated, grandiose, beyond any normal standards. A young man who, at an age when others were just beginning to understand the world, had already earned the respect, fear, and admiration of entire kingdoms.
In short, he was nothing like what someone his age should be.
But now…
[Hahaha~… I didn't expect the prince who defeated a dragon and conquered an entire kingdom to have that kind of expression… all because of two women. Well… this is good. This is very good.]
Orphans smiled silently, crossing his arms as he watched his son with eyes full of pride… and a tinge of envy. Right there, in front of him, wasn't the "prince who defeated a dragon" or the "dragon tamer", but just… Leon. His son, reduced to the most human of states: powerless in the face of love.
Anis and Sylphine continued their "attack", showering Leon with so much affection that he could barely breathe. The scene Orphans witnessed was as rare as it was beautiful: Leon, always calm, proud, and invincible, now speechless, completely surrendered to the unconditional love of those two women.
Sylphine held him tightly against her chest, gently caressing his hair with infinite tenderness, as if she wanted to make up for all the time he had been away with that single embrace. Her eyes sparkled with an almost maternal sweetness as she murmured words of affection, smiling in a way that could melt even the coldest heart.
Anis, on the other hand, shamelessly rubbed her face against his, pressing her cheek firmly against his, laughing softly, completely overwhelmed by the joy of having him back. Her arms were tightly wrapped around Leon's neck, as if she never wanted to let him go again.
Leon… simply couldn't resist. No matter how hard he tried to maintain his composure as a leader and warrior, he was completely vulnerable before them.
…half an hour later…
"I… already want to go back," Leon muttered in an exhausted tone, leaning over the sofa in a posture that was clearly embarrassed and defeated.
Finally, the two women beside him stopped their relentless affection attacks, but the effects… oh, the effects remained.
Leon straightened up a little, looking at the ornate mirror in the room and, to his complete despair, saw the countless hickeys on his face — marks that not even healing magic could erase. He sighed deeply, bringing his hand to his forehead, as if resigning himself to a cruel fate.
"I… I never imagined that one day I'd be treated… like a body pillow," he whispered, half to himself, half to those present, closing his eyes as he tried to gather his strength.
Orphans, who had been watching everything with a restrained smile, coughed lightly, forcing himself to maintain a serious expression.
"Alright… now that Sylphine and Anis are finally satisfied…" He glanced discreetly at the two women, who were smiling as if they had just won a war. "…it's time to get straight to the point. Leon, why did you call this meeting?"
Leon, still recovering from the emotional trauma, rolled his eyes with a long, theatrical sigh. If that evil old man in front of him weren't his biological father, he would surely be cursing the family's entire lineage up to the sixth generation with all his eloquence.
"The meeting… is already half an hour late, so it won't make much difference to delay it a bit more…" he began, raising an eyebrow and casting a sharp look. "…Father, I think we need to discuss this first."
He then adjusted himself, elegantly crossed his legs, and leaned back on the sofa, his gaze now more serious, but still carrying a faint ironic smile.
"Some time ago… one of my subordinates, whom I assigned to protect your security at the palace, said that occasionally she heard… strange noises… coming from your office."
Leon narrowed his eyes, his smile widening dangerously, as if savoring every second of that moment.
"!!!"
Everyone present understood immediately.
There was no need to go into details, no need to explain. Just the tone… was enough.
As if in a rehearsed choreography, Sylphine and Anis turned their heads at the same time, glaring at Orphans with narrowed eyes, sharp as blades.
"That…" Orphans stammered, starting to break out in a cold sweat.
[Damn it!! How could I forget that this brat is vindictive… and that he would take revenge for anything without hesitation?!]
He swallowed hard, desperately trying to remember when and how Leon had discovered that. He had been careful, not even Prime Minister Grant knew!
[How… how was this exposed?]
And inevitably, he looked at Leon, as if seeking a silent explanation. Leon, of course, had already anticipated that look.
(How could I tell you, Father? It's only safe if no one knows… and with your precautions… if I told you, it would be like telling the entire kingdom.)
"Hmph~! My father is so mean…" Anis muttered with an exaggerated pout, crossing her arms.
"Since His Majesty likes the office so much… why don't you… sleep in the office this week?" Sylphine added, with a sweet smile, though loaded with a silent threat.
"…Yes… yes…" Orphans replied, defeated, raising his hands in surrender.
Not long ago, he had been watching the spectacle with a joyful smile, but now… now he was the victim.
Leon, meanwhile, observed the scene with the utmost satisfaction, his serene smile almost reaching his eyes.
Behind them, Alice, Asuna, and Jean exchanged glances, all blushing, struggling against the urge to laugh and the awkwardness of the moment.
(Is it really… appropriate… for us to be witnessing this… royal family drama?) they thought, but none of them dared to interrupt.
Leon then took a deep breath and, as if turning a page, returned to a serious tone:
"Alright… now it's time to get straight to the point."
His gaze sharpened, his posture grew firmer.
"The reason I didn't tell anyone about my return… is because this matter is extremely important."
He then slowly moved his hand and retrieved from his storage space a carefully folded piece of paper.
At the same time, he turned to Sylphine, who was already making enthusiastic plans to organize a welcome dinner.
"Please… cancel everything," he asked, with a firm look. "My return must not be known to outsiders… otherwise, this plan… cannot be implemented."
Sylphine nodded immediately, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Everyone present fixed their eyes on the paper as Leon placed it on the table.
A simple sheet… but carrying a devastating weight.
When everyone's eyes glimpsed the words written on it, a sepulchral silence fell.
[The Lawrence Family has become traitors to Palettia!]
"!!!" Six shocked gasps echoed through the room.
Everyone exchanged incredulous glances, then looked back at Leon, as if they couldn't believe what they had just heard… and seen.
Although there were many reasons to be horrified… the most frightening thing… wasn't the betrayal itself.
It was… Leon.
"Leon…" Orphans could barely articulate the words.
"…you… you were in the Kingdom of Midgar, thousands of kilometers from here! How… how do you know what's happening in Palettia?!"
His jaw nearly dropped in shock.
Not even he, the king, knew about it! Neither his spies nor his ministers… but Leon did.
Leon, however, simply cast a serene look, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Without answering, he took another document and placed it on the table, right in front of everyone.
"I've been preparing for this… for a long time," Leon said, with a voice as cold as it was determined.
"And it's almost time… to put this plan into action."
Everyone's eyes widened even more as they read the title of the second document.
"Destruction Plan of the Lawrence Family"
Once again, silence reigned in the office.
(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."