IL DIAVOLO

Chapter 17

Melissa's POV

The air was thick with tension as Il Diavolo's voice echoed through the white void. "I see that your condition is getting worse each day," he observed, his tone both neutral and stern.

I lowered my head in acknowledgment. "I guess so..." I replied softly.

"You do know that you'll have to tell them eventually," Il Diavolo continued, his voice unwavering.

"I know," I said, my voice tinged with a mix of resignation and hope. "But... not right now. I don't want to be a burden to them."

Il Diavolo's voice took on a more somber note. "I suggest you do it as early as possible. Besides, we both know your clock is ticking."

His words struck me with a deep sense of urgency. I wanted to ignore them, to pretend that everything was fine, but I knew deep down that the time to confront the truth was drawing near.

As the white walls began to fade, I found myself back in the familiar setting of the mansion's hallway. The shift from the ethereal void to the tangible reality felt like a jarring contrast, but I tried to push aside the heaviness of the conversation. I sighed deeply, trying to steady my emotions.

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice calling out to me. "Ojou-sama!" Leo's voice rang out from afar. I quickened my pace, hoping to avoid a confrontation. The last thing I wanted was to break down in front of him.

Despite my efforts, Leo managed to catch up to me. He grabbed my arm, halting my hurried escape, and turned me around. His face was etched with concern when he saw the tears streaming down my cheeks. "What happened, Ojou-sama?" he asked, his voice filled with frantic worry.

In a moment of vulnerability, I buried my face against his chest, clutching his coat as if it were my lifeline. The sudden weight of my emotions almost caused him to lose his balance, but he steadied himself, wrapping his arms around me in a comforting embrace.

"Please tell me what happened," he urged gently, his voice tinged with sadness.

"I... I don't have any time left," I sobbed, the words escaping in between hiccuping breaths.

"What!?" Leo's shout was a mix of shock and disbelief. His reaction only intensified my tears, and I felt him try to calm himself as he continued to pat my back soothingly.

"Won't you tell Papa and the others?" he asked, his concern evident in his tone. His steady hand on my back was meant to calm me, to anchor me in the storm of my emotions.

"No..." I managed to say through my tears. "I want him to enjoy life without problems and worry... I just... I can't... not right now..."

Leo's response was a soft, understanding nod. "I understand," he said quietly, his voice filled with empathy.

I clung to Leo's coat, drawing strength from his presence. His understanding meant more to me than words could convey. I was scared, overwhelmed by the thought of burdening those I cared about with the truth of my condition. But Leo's support, his silent promise to be there for me, provided a flicker of solace amidst my fears.

As I slowly pulled away, Leo's eyes were still filled with concern, but he didn't press me further. Instead, he offered me a reassuring smile. "We'll get through this, Mel. You're not alone."

I nodded, wiping away the last of my tears. "Thank you, Leo," I said, my voice steadier now.

He gave me a gentle pat on the shoulder before stepping back. "Whenever you're ready, we'll be here to support you," he said.

As Leo walked away, I took a deep breath, trying to gather my strength. The weight of my secret was heavy, but knowing that I had people like Leo who cared made it a little easier to bear.

I made my way down the hallway, each step feeling both heavy and liberating. The path ahead was uncertain, but I was determined to face it with courage. I would hold on to the hope that, when the time came, I would find the right moment to share the truth with Papa and the others. For now, I needed to focus on my mission and manage my condition as best as I could.

As I walked, I glanced back at the direction Leo had gone. His understanding and support had been a balm to my troubled heart. With renewed resolve, I continued my way through the mansion, preparing myself for the challenges ahead while holding on to the hope that things would eventually work out.