Morning Embrace
"Well," he said with a flourish. "Now that everyone’s done saying hello to each other." Leon leaned in, golden eyes twinkling with mischief. ".why not say hello to ?
The language was teasing, simple, and it broke the final strand of tension. A wave of laughter rippled across the room — gentle snickers, mocking sighs, even a few exasperated headshakes. It wasn’t the boisterous kind of laughter, but the warm, hopeless kind that burst when soone could no longer contain it.
Mia was the one to make the first movent. Her lips ford a smile that unfolded like the breaking of dawn across her face. She moved toward him without any hesitation, her bare feet scooting against the chilly floor.
Her eyes shone black as they locked onto him. She didn’t say a word. Her body did it all for her — arms encircling his waist, cheek touching his chest lightly. She held on with an unspoken happiness, the kind of hug that ant more than a thousand words.
Leon’s lips relaxed into a real smile. His powerful arms enclosed her narrow form with a motion that made the world seem perfect. He leaned in, taking in the weak scent of her hair — a sll that blended the innocence of soap with the residual heat of a woman’s skin.
Mia closed her eyes. Morning. my darling. Her mind sang like a song she alone could hear. Her heart quickened, cald by the gentle rhythm of his against her ear.
Leon leaned down, leaving a soft kiss on her forehead. His golden eyes grew soft with uncommon tenderness. "Morning, love," he whispered.
They fell into her heart like sunshine through an open window. A soft laugh escaped her lips — carefree, unselfconscious, true. She tipped back her head, her cheeks burning, and for an instant she was no longer Mia the shy, introverted child, but Mia the woman who had discovered sothing she could grasp.
Leon’s eyes, though, did not linger on her for more than a mont. Beyond her shoulder, another face caught his attention.
Cassidy.
She was a step back, her black eyes observing the confrontation with a smile faintly playing on her lips. But it was not a easy smile — it was layered. Relief, affection, and sothing more, sothing she could not even quite identify herself.
Leon’s grin grew wider. Gradually, he released his arms from around Mia’s waist. She hesitated for only a mont, then released him, her lips smiling up with a tiny, knowing smile.
He approached Cassidy.
With every step, her heart beat harder.
Last night. The mory hit her out of the blue. His heat against her skin, the feel of her own voice moaning in the dark, the impossible relief she had experienced as his strength fixed her shattered body. Sha blazed in her breast. And yet. a hunger curled there, low and irrefutable.
Her mouth opened, her breathing increased.
Leon ca to a halt in front of her. He didn’t say anything for the mont. He rely smiled.
Cassidy’s chest constricted. His smile wasn’t arrogant or mocking. It was serene, confident, maddeningly warm.
Then, in a gentle voice, he spoke. "Cassidy."
Her eyes flew up, surprised. "Wh–what?" Her voice sounded thinner than she ant it to be, cracking against her own restraint.
Leon rely shook his head lightly, as if her hysteria entertained him. Then, without warning, he moved closer and drew her into his arms.
Her world went white.
The sudden press of his chest, the weight of his arms around her back — it stripped away all the walls she had built. Her eyes went wide, breath trapped in her throat.
The other won stared, surprise dancing in their eyes. Others blinked, others smiled knowingly, and others pressed lips tightly together to conceal their amusent.
Leon leaned down, his mouth inches from Cassidy’s ear. "Hey, love... why are you as stiff as a board? Relax. You’re in your husband’s arms."
His words slipped into her like fla.
Her face flad scarlet. "W–who... who’s your husband? Don’t talk rot!"
Leon smiled quietly, his breath caressing her ear. "Forget already? You were groaning that last night... repeatedly. ’Husband, more, more...’"
Cassidy’s body shook. Her eyes expanded in outrage. He’s—he’s shaless!
Yes, she had groaned that. But to hear it quoted back at her now, in broad daylight, in front of all these won... it made her want to beco one with the floor.
Her lips opened in indignation. "I—"
But Leon’s voice interrupted her, deep and silky, for her eyes only. "Don’t fear, my love. Tonight I will go back to your bed again. You still require healing. By my reckoning, I healed much last night... but you need more. With , you will be whole once more.
Her heart stumbled. For an instant, her pride conflicted with gratitude, relief, with the naked truth of how desperately she had yearned to escape her illness. Her lips quivered. At last, the words escaped, soft but sincere. "Thank you..."
Leon drew back slightly, his eyes eting hers. His smile grew softer. He leaned in to brush a gentle kiss across her forehead. "It’s alright."
The kiss sent a shock through Cassidy. Affection, pure and unashad. Sothing she hadn’t felt in years.
Her blush deepened until her whole face glowed. "I–I’m not so little girl..." she muttered tightly, trying to cover her trembling heart.
But her voice betrayed her. It ca out softer, cuter than she intended, like a pout.
Laughs erupted around them. Rias smiled. Syra covered her mouth, still laughing. Even the maids whispered amused chuckles.
Cassidy’s eyes grew wide. Mortification rushed inside her. She spun back to Leon, her eyes blazing. "This is your fault!"
Leon rely smiled, golden eyes shining with mischief and adoration combined. He didn’t even try to defend himself. His silence spoke volus: he loved her embarrassnt way too much.
Mia, observing the scene, finally intervened. She clapped her hands gently. "By the way... I prepared breakfast. Mother and I made it together. Let’s have breakfast."
The change of subject was a rescue rope hurled into the sea. The won breathed out, relieved.
Mia stepped aside, yanking open the wooden flap over the trolley. Imdiately, the room was filled with a warm scent.
Five large trays, stacked tightly upon each other, steam rising from the plates. Warm bread, butter shining. Plates of roasted ats, herbs sprinkled upon them. Fruit bowls, sliced delicately. Rice porridge with honey and dried berries. Pitchers of fresh milk and tea.
The won’s eyes sparkled, hunger overtaking embarrassnt.
Leon advanced, his lips smirking in content. "Good. Yesterday evening’s exertion made a bit weaker. I must have food." His golden eyes glinted. "Let’s eat."
The females turned to him imdiately.
Fifteen piercing stares, as sharp as knives, but their lips were twisted into teasing smiles.
Leon simply laughed. "What? Don’t stare at like that. You all gained too.
Their silence was self-explanatory. Their smiles, however, betrayed the truth — irritation, affection, and helpless amusent ensnared together.
And so Leon’s morning started.
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