Silent Heart

Chapter 12

As night rolled around, Abelia switched to her nightgown but used what time remained to study. Then came a knock and she turned to see Leo by the open door, "I see that you're making use of everything you can, am I interrupting?"

Abelia smiled and shook her head in response. Leo smiled back, knowing this, and leaned towards the open book of her desk, "Ah, more of Kason's sign language sheets. This may become your next favorite subject besides history,"

She just shrugged her shoulders and studied more sign language. However, Leo had a particular topic in mind, "I heard that you and my mother talked one morning,"

Abelia's demeanor changed in a split second and turns to him. Though she wasn't dumbfounded, she was curious especially when she was aware that Leo possessed a familiar. Still, she asked him through sign language, "What do you know?"

Leo would take a glance at the sheets, and process the message in his head. He soon understood after a minute and replied, "That she plans to teach you against potential threats. Specifically, those who once sought after my hand in marriage,"

Abelia raised an eyebrow, and Leo just shrugged her looks as he continued, "Though I've never cared for any maiden who wished for my hand in marriage, I think the offer is quite reasonable and beneficial if you are to be a member of the Crawford Family. Though her demands feel rather childish since I know the Lady of the Crawford Family well,"

Abelia knows that too, but she couldn't help but judge her motives in exchange. If she were to compare hers with Leo's stunt in her hand in marriage, Esmae would pale in childishness over her son's. Who used his influence to establish relations between her former family and a noble family up north, and annulled her previous engagement with a Marquis' Son.

After a brief period of silence on Leo's part, he firmly placed his hand on hers and leaned close to her ear, "I will support you with whatever choice you have with my mother. And if trouble finds its way to you, just give a wave and I'll be there when you need me,"

Leo soon gave her a quick peck on her temple region and pulled his hand away. This act stunned Abelia since it was bold and sudden of him. He also kept his smile as he walked out of her room, and when the door was shut, Abelia pressed two fingers on the spot where he pecked her and her cheeks soon turned red.

What followed was a flustered reaction on Abelia's part, then she decided to stop studying for the night, turned off the night, and went straight to bed with her face firmly pressed against her pillow.

Though she would stay awake for a brief moment, she would feel some measure of glee as she tucked herself in and rested for tomorrow.

Meanwhile...

Leo walked through the doors of his father's studies and the latter was present with a raven standing comfortably on his shoulder. Though he was double-checking and reaffirming the documents he had filled, Leo stepped forth and bowed before him.

"You called for me, father?" Leo asked,

"Yes, Leo. I indeed have called for you," Jaivira stated, then a chair made from shadows formed across him, "Sit down,"

Leo would sit just as he's told, even dragging it forward as he spoke to his father face to face, "Is this about Abelia, I presume?"

"Not at all," Jaivira clarified, "Why I've called you here is about Silas taking on your challenge,"

"Are you against it, Father?" Leo questioned, "We both know that Silas neglects his studies and avoids Kason due to his social anxiety,"