At the same time when Ella went back to sleep, in another location in the Lost Forest.
Leon, who was sleeping inside his tent, suddenly woke up. He glanced around him as if to confirm he wasn’t still dreaming. No calling nightmare would be more appropriate.
In his nightmare, Orpheus became his stepfather. He screwed his mother until she became pregnant; she was deeply in love with him. Kyle’s law was her mother’s law. Everything he asked would be done according to his wish; he was reduced to Orpheus’s errand boy, and her mother forced him to hand over the Empire he went through hell to get. To make matters worse, Orpheus even screwed Leon, said to be a fiancee and soon-to-be empress. His fiancee also seemed to enjoy being screwed, especially from behind. Leon was forced to sit and watch Orpheus green him; even the sessions with his mother were shown to him.
It was like hell; he couldn’t do anything, he just accepted that reality, and after everything was done, he would smile, not showing any resistance.
There was even some time he tried to commit suicide; however, it had never worked. He watched helpless, over and over, like some eternal loop. Leon almost became crazy; thanks to the Gods, in the end, he managed to return to reality; if not, he would have forever been stuck in that hellish nightmare.
And what made his spine chilling was when he was coming back to reality, he saw Orpheus locking eyes with him and saying, ”It’s just the start. Soon the real thing will start. See you soon.”
Leon got the scare of his life. He wished he was just a nightmare, not some premonition. If not, Leon thought he would become crazy.
Standing up from his bed, he decided to take some fresh air to clean up his mind from all these things. His clothes were drenched, even his bed.
‘What a scary nightmare.’ Leon thought as he quickly changed his clothes. He prayed for this to be a nightmare, and never before was Leon determined to kill Orpheus. He had become a threat he must eliminate at all cost.
Ironically, after the failed assassination attempt on Lilith, Leon decided to contact his mother to ask. He had never once thought he was pushing his mother into the enemy’s embrace. He couldn’t know because, deep down, he thought it was just a nightmare. He didn’t know if he knew he wouldn’t have done that.
Leon contacted his mother, asking her to take care of Orpheus. The empress decided to contact all of his contacts, and the young man she encountered that day came to her mind. It was time to contact him.
°°°°°
The following, Kaguya called out for Orpheus.
”You sneaked out without telling me? I thought we would have fun together. You are no fun.” This was the first thing she said when they met.
Orpheus’s lips twitched; he rubbed his forehead, fighting against a headache as he said.
”I get it. You said you have something to talk about. What is it?”
Seeing Orpheus not playing along, Kaguya’s lips curled into a smirk before she announced.
”I was called back.”
”What for? And why are you telling me this?” Orpheus asked.
”Well, I have turned eighteen; time to select a man I’ll marry after taking the Crown. It’s a custom. Also, there is a ceremony I must undergo.” Kaguya explained with a smile.
Frowning, Orpheus said.
”Don’t tell me they will choose between numerous grooms. It will happen in a competition. At the end of the competition, the winner will be selected as your husband.”
”Exactly, as expected of you.”
”I get it, but what does this have anything to do with me?” Orpheus asked Kaguya, playing innocent. There was no way he didn’t understand where this was going, but he decided to pretend because his face was expressionless most of the time. It was hard to read him.
Kaguya thought he must be joking, but when she saw how serious his expression was, she couldn’t help but think she might be overthinking.
Clearing her throat, she stared directly into those crimson eyes; she couldn’t get enough of them.
”Well, I’m obviously explaining this to you because I want you to follow me and participate in this competition.” She finally said it, and even if she was the bold type, she couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.
For some unknown reason, Orpheus felt like teasing this bold girl.
”And why would I do that? I don’t understand?” His face was like that of an innocent child facing a difficult question.
Kaguya’s face twitched.
‘I didn’t know he was this dense. Forget it; I’ve started it, better finish it.’
”I’m interested in you. I want you to participate in this competition as my boyfriend.”
Even if he had just learned that this girl was bold, what Kaguya said still shocked him, and his expression couldn’t help crumble.
”Ah, okay, you mean as your shield, right?” Orpheus asked with an expressionless face.
”No, no, I really mean it. I’m interested in you. I will rather marry a man I’m interested in rather than someone forced on me. I know you have some plans; it is why you approached me.”
Orpheus nodded, not denying this claim. Kaguya continued.
”Although I don’t know your plans, I’m sure it’s nothing bad.”
”Oh? Why did you think so?” Orpheus asked, amused.
Shrugging her shoulders, Kaguya answered this question with a smile.
”Call it woman’s intention if you will. You don’t appear like someone interested in power, political power, I mean. When one looks at you; it’s like all these mundane things don’t affect you; they mean nothing to you. It was as if you were standing at the summit; you were not interested in politics. You don’t seem interested after my declaration when knowing I’m the Crown princess, the crown will be mine, and if you become my man, you’ll be equal to an Emperor. Most males would have accepted as soon as I confessed.”
”Wow! I’m impressed by your deduction. Well, you’re mistaken. I like power, but I like doing things following my ways, and you’re a bold woman.” Orpheus ended his sentence with a compliment.
Kaguya smiled. ”I have always been like this. Man and woman are equal. So, it’s okay for women to go after men they like. If I want something, I’ll take it. I will not wait for you to act because you might not do it. I want you; I’ll come after you.”
Once again, Orpheus was reminded that this girl was bold. She was like a man. He was really impressed, and his interest in her grew to another level. If previously he had only thought of making her his subordinate, now he changed his mind. A woman like Kaguya was harder to find. He didn’t want to hand her over to another man. Unknowingly starting from this moment onward, their relationship would change.
”So, when are you leaving?”
”Well, I’m thinking right after this mission, but I don’t know if our teacher has another plan for us.”
”I see. Let’s go on a date once we go back.” Orpheus proposed, and Kaguya teased him.
”Eager are we?”
Orpheus ignored her and walked toward Brünhild’s location.
”Don’t be mad. I think I’m starting to like you.” Kaguya said to Orpheus, who was leaving.
”I know,” Orpheus replied but didn’t stop as the Ice queen hoped.
Pouting, Kaguya said, ”You know most men, in this case, would have said ‘I’m starting to like you too.”
”Even if they don’t mean it?” He asked with his eyes narrowed.
”Yeah, even if they did not mean it. Women like to hear these kinds of things even when they are fully aware it’s not true. You feel desired and loved even if it’s a lie.” Kaguya explained.
”I see. Sorry, I can lie to a girl but not when it comes to feelings. It may be selfish, but I will only say that word when I truly love someone; I would be a hypocrite if I were to say it without meaning it. At the moment, I can’t say it but someday in the future. If you’re impatient, just make me fall for you.” Orpheus replied, and his reply was like a challenge to Kaguya.
”Oh? Okay, I’ll make you fall in love before Ella.” It was unknown why Kaguya said this, but she didn’t regret it.
Orpheus’s steps faltered, and he mumbled.
”It is that so?”
”Yes!” The confident Kaguya declared.
”I see, do you best then.”
Kaguya thought he was supporting her, thinking she had a chance, but on the contrary, Orpheus was smiling. How could she beat her when his heart already belonged to her? Well, Kaguya didn’t know yet.
Soon, Orpheus became lost in thoughts. He had told himself to wait for Emea’s awakening before accepting touching another woman, but he broke this promise. However, he didn’t regret it because he was still a living being with desire. He was sure she would understand; he would make sure that she understood.