Reincarnated As The Heroine?! I refuse!

104: Journal Ends

When morning came, Lea was up and ready. With her long black hair tide in a pony tail, she fit into her comfortable fighting clothes. With a soft whistle, Seth appeared behind her. His head slightly bowed in respect.

"Thanks for the hard work, Seth. Would you mind doing me another favor?"

Seth was amazed as usual to Lea's acute senses that were almost akin to clairvoyance. With an expression so gentle that she was not able to see with her back turned towards him, he replied amiably, "Anything."

Her eyes glittered with delight at his response. As she looked at the clear blue sky, she said, "Travel East. Beyond Felicity Domain, and tell me of what you find. Request for Phoenix as your companion."

He frowned in confusion. "What of Oliver?"

Without looking back, Lea nodded in assent. "He can do without the legendary bird. But...." She trailed, and Seth involuntarily gazed at her in anticipation. "...You may take him with you."

"........" Seth appeared disgusted at the thought. His crimson eyes narrowed in disagreement, and when Lea witnessed his expression as she turned around, her usually lined lips quivered in amusement.

"Working together with him is not so bad, Little Seth. He is not an Emperor for nothing."

"An Emperor you made him to be." He chorused right away, but Lea was unfazed.

"Nevermind. His people love him, and that matters too. What you care about is not much of what kind of person he is, but that he has romantic affections for me. Something you ought to express in another way, dear Seth."

Caught unawares by Lea's frankness, Seth was slightly flustered, causing his ears to flush. But his gaze on her did not waver.

"I will give you whatever you wish.... for all my life. But I cannot bear the thought of others taking you away." With his determined gaze, Lea could not help but feel a little nervous. Shrugging her shoulders, and shaking her head, she managed a smile.

"If you so wish to be with me, I'm afraid I do not have the confidence."

He frowned in puzzlement to her words.

Still gazing at him, she sighed and said, "Seth, I am not confident that I can make anyone happy, but I am trying to find myself in this world while learning to keep the people I like beside me. And when I try, I aim to see you... everyone, smile." Her smile grew amiable, and Seth could see she was not ready for a partner for a lifetime yet, which he wants from her.

He felt a pang in his chest, but his deep affection did not take any damage. Instead, he felt even more determined to be patient for her awareness of romance to bloom. It was clearly seen in his eyes that he was hurt, but his strong gaze on her spoke of so much affection to the girl reflected in them. He was very much a young man hopelessly in love for the first time in his life, but the love of his life was not ready to take notice of him yet.

"I will wait for you. Forever." His words strong and honest. He pledged to his soul. Even death cannot betray his determination. Lea stared into his soul, and she could empathize with his heart. She flushed for the briefest moment, but it was not a moment Seth took no notice. He smiled so sweetly in an instant and grabbed for her hand, and kissed the side of her lips before she was able to evade in a flash. Something restrained her movements for only a second.

When it was all over, she noticed his strings glistened under the light. She was in his trap. "........." In the silence, they both stared at one another. "You've grown enough to attempt such tricks on me?" She whispered under her breath, rather incredulous.