IL DIAVOLO

Chapter 20

Luca's POV

As I walked through the hallway, a bouquet of tulips in my hands, I couldn't help but smile, thinking, Mel would definitely love these. The delicate blooms seemed to brighten my day, and I was excited to surprise her with them.

I was about to turn the corner when I heard the sound of quiet sobs coming from a nearby corner. My heart skipped a beat, and I hurried toward the sound, my concern growing with each step. Rounding the corner, I was taken aback to find Mel sitting on the floor, tears streaming down her face.

"Mel! Are you okay!?" I called out, rushing to her side. She looked up at me, her face streaked with tears, and I felt a pang of helplessness. Without hesitation, I pulled her into a comforting embrace, laying her head on my chest. "Why!? Did anyone hurt you? I bet it's that stupid Debito!"

Mel buried her head deeper into my chest, her voice muffled but filled with distress. "F-f-ferris wheel..." she managed to stutter.

"Ferris wheel?" I repeated, my confusion evident. I felt her head nodding against me, which made me sigh deeply.

I didn't fully understand what had caused her distress, but one thing was clear: it pained me to see her like this. I continued to pat her head gently, whispering soothing words until her sobs subsided and she finally fell asleep on my chest. Her breathing became steady, and I took a moment to appreciate the peaceful look on her face before carefully carrying her to her room.

After settling Mel into her chambers, I headed straight to the kitchen, determined to make her feel better. I decided to whip up some of her favorite sweets—truffles. The thought of her smiling at the sight of them brought a sense of warmth to my heart.

As I was working, Leo entered the kitchen, his eyes widening at the sight of me. "Luca? What are you making?"

"I'm making truffles for Mel!" I replied cheerfully. But then I remembered the earlier events and decided to ask Leo about them. "Leo... Did anything happen to Mel while I wasn't around?"

Leo seemed surprised by my question but quickly sighed, his expression turning serious. "Well... a lot did happen. Why do you ask?"

"Mel was crying earlier and mentioned something about a ferris wheel," I explained. Leo's face turned pale, and worry filled his eyes. "I-is she okay?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"Don't worry. I managed to calm her down, so she's resting in her room right now," I reassured him. Leo's sadness was palpable as he began to speak.

"I guess it's best to tell you... During Mel's absence, she was studying and training with the Tarot cards, right? Her very first trainer wasn't all that forgiving," Leo began. He sighed deeply before continuing, "He forced Ojou-sama to walk on a tightrope about fifty feet above the ground."

"WHAT!?!?!! ARE THEY CRAZY!?!?!?!" I exclaimed in shock. Leo nodded solemnly.

"I thought he was insane, too. But Ojou-sama insisted that I not interfere with her training. Still, I regret not stepping in. I wish I had," Leo said, his voice filled with regret. I could feel the weight of his words, and it made my heart ache for Mel.

Just then, the door slammed open, and Mel walked in, her presence commanding immediate attention. "Leo... Please don't tell that unpleasant story to Luca," she said, her voice carrying a mix of authority and distress.

"M-Mel?" I stammered, surprised that she had overheard our conversation. Leo quickly knelt in front of her, apologizing.

"I'm sorry, Ojou-sama. I promise never to speak of it again," Leo said, his voice filled with genuine remorse.

Mel's gaze shifted to me, and she furrowed her brows. "Please forget whatever Leo said to you," she said in a tone that made me shiver. I frantically shook my head up and down, not daring to argue. She then turned to leave the kitchen but stopped in her tracks, glancing back at me with a softer expression. "Thank you for earlier, though..." she said in a sweet voice before exiting the room.

As the door closed behind her, I stood there, my mind racing. What is Mel hiding from me? Her words and the sorrow in her eyes left me with more questions than answers. The glimpse into her past and her emotional reaction had opened a door to a deeper mystery I needed to understand.

With the truffles still in the process of being made, I couldn't focus on anything but Mel's well-being. Her hidden pain and the trauma from her past were now a priority in my mind. I resolved to support her in any way I could, hoping that one day she would feel comfortable enough to share her burdens with me.

For now, I would be patient and understanding, and I would make sure that she knew she was not alone in facing her fears. Mel deserved to feel safe and loved, and I was determined to be there for her, no matter what.