“Hey, Leo.”

Rishe looked down at the whorl of his hair and called to him.

When Leo raised his head and gave her a vigilant look. The future one-eyed him would also look at adults with such a look in his eyes.

Rishe remembered with a smile and asked him.

“――Why don’t you learn martial arts from His Highness Arnold?”

“Huh …?!”

His exclamation was a mixture of surprise and fright.

Leo reflexively looked up at Arnold and blinked in disbelief.

However, when he realized that Arnold didn’t correct her despite looking reluctant, he finally turned blue.

“Na-I’ll learn. Me?!”

“He is really powerful. In the last war, he single-handedly annihilated a rival knight order.”

I know that much about him!! I heard that he is the Crown Prince of Garkhain, which means that he is Arnold Hein, right?… AHH!!!”

Leo covered his mouth with both hands, perhaps realizing that his remarks were disrespectful. Arnold looked unconcerned, but for Leo, it was a huge slight.

Nevertheless, I’m really glad that His Highness Arnold has agreed to help.

It was only last night that Rishe decided on this promise.

Arnold offered an apology, and she asked him for a total of three wishes.

The first was to help with the festival, and the second was this.His Excellency Jonal has also readily agreed to this… The rest is now up to Leo’s sentiments…

Rishe glanced at Arnold and solicited his demand.

Arnold commanded Leo indifferently.

“――Straighten up.”

“!”

His voice was plain, yet clear.

Arnold has a way with his words. His voice even sounded as if it would make people sober up just hearing it when he was commanding them to do something.

Leo couldn’t conceal his confusion, but he eventually made up his mind. He rested his hands pointing to the ground and stood up, concentrating all pressure on his knees.

He then stared straight at Arnold.

“Hmm.”

Arnold squinted at the sight.

“Take a few random steps and walk properly.”

“Y-Yes, sir.”

Leo did as he was told and began to walk slowly through the courtyard.

“Halt.”

He stopped dead in his tracks.

Arnold’s brow wrinkled, and he looked at Rishe.“Rishe…”

“M. Did Your Highness notice it too?”

Rishe cocked her head, Arnold replied without concealing his reluctance.

“What the hell were you planning to do with all this stuff you picked up?”

“That’s quite a difficult question for me to answer, but I’m sure Your Highness will take care of him…”

“You know what…”

Arnold’s eyebrows furrowed. He closed his eyes and sighed softly.

Leo remained vigilant, but he still asked politely.

“I’m not entirely sure what’s going on here.”

“I’m sorry, Leo. I know it’s none of my business, but I couldn’t help but worry.”

Rishe continued, choosing her words cautiously.

“You’ve undergone some kind of training, haven’t you?

“!!”

Leo’s eyes widened instantly.

“W-W-What do you mean?”

“You also did it rather recklessly. You’ve suffered a physical injury and haven’t healed properly, yet you’re still performing the same training, aren’t you?”

“What made you think that?!”

“Because that’s how you carry yourself.”

With her reply, Leo’s strawberry-colored eyes shook in bewilderment.

“You don’t seem to feel the pain anymore, but the joint in your right ankle has loosened up. You’re unconsciously shielding it, so it’s causing a peculiar habit in the way you walk. Can you think of a situation where you bend your right leg easily, but feel no pain twisting it?”

“…”