That's How the Story Goes

Chapter 4

When Frey awoke the next day to Vishnal urging her to rise, it took the acting princess a second to realize where she was. The last memory she had was of her sitting with Leon on a bench in the shopping district. He was telling her the story he had been telling her over the past few days when... ah... She fell asleep. That was the only good explanation for her lapse of memory. Grumbling to herself, Frey sat up once Vishnal had made his way out of her room and rubbed her eyes wearily. Even though she got a full nights sleep, she still felt exhausted. Then again, she had done a lot more than normal. So it shouldn't be that surprising that her body still protested getting out of bed.

Regardless, Frey got herself ready for the day and made her way out to her fields. Her thoughts falling back to the snippets of the story she could remember from her tired state last night. It really sounded like the story was winding down. If only she had managed to stay awake a little longer... wait. The princess abruptly stopped with her watering as a bright blush spread across her cheeks. She hadn't made it home herself meaning... had Leon carried her home last night? Oh no...

At that moment, Frey was glad that she was out in her fields. No one save her monsters would see how red her face was.

"You know what? He was just being nice! Leon wouldn't leave a sleeping lady alone on a bench at night... yeah, that was probably all it was!" Frey said to herself before clapping her hands together. "Enough! Let's get these chores done and then I can get the rest of the day going!" With that, the awkward butterflies that were beginning to form in her stomach fluttered away as Frey doubled down on her work.

It wasn't long before Clorica came into the fields to gather today's shipment and she waved to the twin-tailed princess with a sleepy smile." Morning." the purple-haired girl drawled out with a yawn.

"Morning, Clorica. How's your day so far?" Frey called out as she finished up weeding her field and making her way over to her friend.

The butler shrugged as she went about gathering up the items and preparing the payment. "Good. It's a lovely day... How about you? I heard from Volkannon that Leon had to carry you home last night. Are you okay?"

Frey's cheeks flushed. "Y-yeah, I'm fine. Just wore myself out yesterday. Porcoline really gave Margaret and me a workout. Leon must have found me and didn't want me to stay out there all night."

"Hm...That was nice of him," Clorica said as she stood up and put the haul in a basket for her to carry. "But you've been hanging out a lot with Leon as of late. I've heard rumors of you two talking late at night for the past few days. Are you sure there isn't more to it?" The princess's face grew even redder but Clorica didn't seem to notice in her sleepy state.

There was no way that Leon liked her like that. The only reason that he was talking to her so much was because of that story he had started telling and her reactions were amusing to him. That was all it was. Companionship and a way to kill time. Yet, despite knowing that fact, it didn't quell the hope that had begun to blossom in Frey's heart. "I'm sure," Frey said while putting on a fake smile. "He's just been telling me an old story... while trying to mess with me in the process. It's been three days and he still hasn't told me the ending."

Clorica clicked her tongue while turning around. "That sounds like something he would do but it also sounds like fun." The butler hefted the goods and gave a slight bow to Frey. "Well, I have to take care of your shipment. The proper amount for the products is in the box." She had to pause to yawn again. "I hope that he will finish the story soon. I hate when a story always ends on a cliffhanger."

"Y-yeah... me too." Frey stuttered as she rubbed her arm absently. Clorica was right. Despite the embarrassment, the past few days had been a lot of fun but she wasn't ready to voice that out loud. Clorica was an amazing butler and a good friend... yet this was Selphia. Secrets had a way of getting spread around town. Even when you told the most tight-lipped of people.