After their playful chase around the estate, their energy finally spent, Leo and Rina made their way toward one of the Roschild clan's countless gardens. Even within such a vast and wealthy domain, this garden was a jewel in itself, carefully crafted with the touch of nobles who could bend nature to their will.
The moment they stepped past the arched trellis wrapped in flowering vines, the air shifted. Fragrant scents of roses, lilies, and azaleas mingled together, the smell sweet yet refreshing. A stone path, polished to perfection, led them past neat rows of hedges sculpted into phoenix shapes—the proud crest of the Roschild family symbolized in greenery. The soft summer breeze carried with it both the music of chirping birds and the faint trickle of fountains, creating a harmony that made the garden feel almost enchanted.
At the heart of this paradise was a rest pavilion: a circular structure of white stone, crowned with an elegant dome and surrounded by climbing ivy. Marble benches lined its interior, while in the center stood a polished table that gleamed faintly under the sunlight filtering through the trees.
Leo, ever the embodiment of laziness and shameless charm, sprawled onto a chair with a loud sigh, stretching his arms dramatically as though he had run a marathon.
"Phew! Escaping a raging pink-haired demoness really takes it out of a guy."
Rina, cheeks already tinged red from exertion, stomped her foot lightly and sat down across from him with deliberate poise. She smoothed her skirt, tucked a strand of pink hair behind her ear, and huffed.
"You deserve every second of that chase, pervert. Don't act like you're some poor victim."
Leo grinned, leaning his chin against his palm. "And yet, you had fun. Admit it, Rina. You'd miss me if I stopped teasing you."
Her eyes narrowed, sparkling with both irritation and embarrassment. "I would not! Don't flatter yourself."
Before she could continue fuming, Leo clapped his hands lazily. From the shaded paths, as if summoned by magic, two maids in crisp uniforms appeared, bowing gracefully. Their black-and-white attire was immaculate, their movements trained to perfection—yet their eyes betrayed curiosity at having stumbled upon the young master and his childhood companion in such a lively scene.
"Young Master Leo, your orders?" one asked softly.
With a mischievous glint, Leo gestured casually. "Bring us tea. And cookies. Make sure there are plenty of sweet ones. You know, the kind Rina can't resist."
Rina's eyes widened, her face igniting into pink flames. "L-Leo! Don't just say things like that in front of others!"
The maids, professional as ever, kept their expressions neutral—though one's lips twitched faintly, and the other's eyes sparkled with the struggle of suppressing a smile. They bowed in unison and glided away, their footsteps silent against the stone path.
Rina puffed out her cheeks, arms crossed over her modest chest. "You're impossible."
Leo smirked, reclining comfortably with his hands behind his head. "And yet you're still here. Not running off, not storming away. That says a lot, Rina."
She looked away sharply, her pink ponytail swishing behind her like an irritated cat's tail.
"Don't get ahead of yourself."
The maids returned swiftly, carrying silver trays that gleamed under the sunlight. Upon one rested an ornate porcelain teapot adorned with delicate golden phoenixes, accompanied by cups so finely crafted they looked as though they belonged in a museum. On the second tray lay an assortment of cookies—sugar-dusted flower-shaped ones, buttery crisp biscuits, soft jam-filled rounds, and even chocolate-dipped delights. The rich aroma of freshly brewed black tea filled the air, blending seamlessly with the garden's natural fragrance.
As the maids set everything upon the table and bowed once more, Leo noticed the faintest whisper escape them before they departed.
"They're so adorable together," one murmured.
"Like a married couple already," the other agreed with a knowing giggle.
Rina's ears twitched, and she nearly fell from her seat. Her face erupted into crimson, and she slammed her palms against the table.
"W-we're not like that!"
The maids exchanged another polite bow, concealing their amusement, and vanished down the path.
Leo, meanwhile, burst into laughter, nearly spilling his tea. "Hahaha! Did you hear that, Rina? Even the maids know destiny when they see it."
Her pink eyes flared, and she snatched a cookie as though to silence him. She bit into it with a loud crunch, cheeks puffed in defiance. Yet as the sugar melted on her tongue, her anger faltered, and her eyes softened in bliss. "Mmm… so good."
Leo leaned back with his teacup, watching her with a grin that was softer than his usual mockery.
"Careful, Rina. You keep eating sweets like that, and you'll turn into a round little dumpling. Then no one but me will want you."
Crumbs flew as Rina snapped her head up, cheeks bulging, eyes blazing like a storm.
"Haaah!? Do you want to die, Leo Roschild!?"
He raised his free hand in mock surrender, his crystal-blue eyes gleaming with mischief.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding! Even as a dumpling, you'd still be cute. Actually, you'd just be… a tastier dumpling."
"Leo!!" she shrieked, lunging across the table to pinch his cheeks mercilessly.
"Gyaah—! Rina, mercy! Not the face!" he yelped, though his laughter betrayed how much he enjoyed riling her up.
Her fingers dug in, stretching his cheeks until he resembled a fish, and only after several long seconds did she release him with a huff. She crossed her arms again, cheeks red as she muttered, "Idiot…"
Leo rubbed his cheeks dramatically. "Tch… no appreciation for my honesty. Truly, I'm a tragic hero, misunderstood by the girl I love."
Rina froze, her cookie halfway to her mouth. Her pink eyes widened, and her heart gave an involuntary leap. But the instant she saw the smirk on his lips, she realized it was just another tease. Her face turned scarlet, and she threw the cookie at him.
"P-pervert!"
Leo caught it effortlessly, popped it into his mouth, and chewed with a grin. "Thanks for the snack."
Her jaw dropped. "Unbelievable…"
The scene played out like countless ones before it—Leo teasing, Rina flaring up, the banter circling endlessly. Yet beneath it all, the bond they shared was clear. The garden seemed to embrace them, sunlight scattering like golden confetti across their faces, as though even nature itself approved of their closeness.
Unbeknownst to them, just beyond the hedge, the two maids lingered for a moment, whispering softly.
"Do you think they'll ever admit their feelings?" one asked with a giggle.
"Not anytime soon," the other replied with a sigh. "He's too much of a tease, and she's too proud to admit it. Still… it's charming, isn't it?"
They shared a smile before slipping away, leaving the two youths alone in their own little world.
At the table, Rina reached for another cookie, trying to ignore Leo's smug expression. Her heart still pounded from his earlier words, no matter how much she told herself he hadn't meant them.
Leo sipped his tea leisurely, his gaze flicking to her now and then. He wouldn't admit it, but there was something he cherished about these quiet moments—when it was just the two of them, away from the noise of duty, bloodlines, and expectations.
As Rina bit into another sweet, crumbs clinging adorably to her lips, he thought to himself with a grin: Seriously, she's so easy to tease.
And so, in the heart of the Roschild garden, laughter and warmth blossomed between them, as fleeting yet precious as the summer breeze rustling through the leaves above.