Leon Greyrat: The Second Son - Mushoku Tensei OC

Chapter 40 - Love and Family

— Eris Boreas Greyrat —

"Leon? Are you-"

"I'm fine, Eri," he said, turning back to me with a smile. "Just... wondering what our plans should be."

I frowned at his words.

I wasn't amazing at the emotional things, or how people were feeling.

Things like emotions... they were complicated and stupid, and I couldn't overcome those problems by cutting them down with a sword, which made them even stupider.

But I could tell... Leon wasn't fine.

When he put Aisha and Norn to bed, the usual carefree smile filled with love, while still there, was tense and forced.

His eyes seemed to always be staring ahead, looking at nothing, and he released a sigh every few moments as he sat still on the bed.

It was very... unlike him.

I hated it.

I hated seeing him like this, all sad and despondent.

He was meant to be happier, especially after meeting his family for the first time, but instead, he was reduced to being quiet and withdrawn like now.

And it's all because of that damn bastard!

I always thought that Paul was an annoying piece of shit, pushing his responsibility onto Leon and taking him away from me, but to think he'd say such terrible things after being apart for two years!

And after all the things Leon did... what Leon sacrificed... It was bullshit!

As soon as Leon gets better, I was going to cut that bastard down!

But... there was something more important to do first. Leon needed to get better.

Ruijerd had stopped by, and noticing Leon's state, told me that helping him get back to his usual self was a 'woman's job'.

My job.

So... how would I do that?

Suddenly, memories from the past came into my head. More specifically, the words of my mother.

'Eris,' she had said. 'Men are simple creatures. You praise them, and they become happy. You undress, and they become happy. You take them to bed, and they become happy... but most of all, especially with men shouldering so much stress like your father, what's important is that you give them comfort. Tell them you will support them when they need it. And for clever men like your father and Leon... those words mean much more when they are truthful.'

...I wanted to help him.

I wanted to be by Leon's side, with all of my heart.

And Mother said Leon was clever, so... Please notice my sincerity!

"L-Leon," I said, tucking my hair behind my ear as I sat down next to him.

J-Jeez! This was so embarrassing!

It made that annoying feeling bubble up to the surface of my mind.

But... this wasn't about me. This was about making Leon feel better and showing him my true feelings.

"I-I... know that meeting wasn't what you wanted it to be like," I said, placing my hand on his cheek and turning him to face me, but my words trailed off as I stared at him.

Wow... I never really noticed before, but Leon's eyes were really... nice.

They were always comforting, but seeing the shimmering brown, as well as the slight purple tint his magic eye had, it was the first time I noticed that they were... pretty.