“…Master Leorino is very sorry for what happened. S-so, I—I don’t think it’s right for you to treat him like that.”
“Your Highness, you do not owe him a response. Back off, Josef.”
Theodor attempted to dismiss Josef with a stern look. Gravis stopped him by raising a hand.
“Such savage valor. But I’ll honor your courage and listen. What is your issue?”
“I agree that it was…unwise for Lord Leorino to be alone with Lord Julian at the soiree. But if this continues, it will break Master Leorino.”
Gravis silently urged him to continue.
Josef stammered, struggling to string words together. Speaking had never been his strong suit.
“He’s depressed whenever you’re not around. Master Leorino loves you, so he silently accepts everything you do. But this is wrong. Other times, he barely lifts his head and he doesn’t eat much anymore.”
Gravis looked to Theodor in silent question. The valet sighed, but affirmed Josef’s words.
“…Indeed, he has lost his appetite.”
“I see. Josef, thank you for your report.”
Gravis was about to turn on his heel when Josef grit his teeth.
“Wait, please! …General, what do you want from Leorino?”
“Back off, Josef! Know your place!”
Theodor was furious. To a bloodline purist like him, Josef’s behavior was scandalous.
It was unheard of for a commoner to speak to a royal like Gravis in such a manner. His role as Leorino’s guard didn’t make it any more acceptable.
But Josef ignored Theodor’s rebuke.
“Please!” Josef exclaimed, and fell to his knees in front of Gravis.
Gravis watched him with a sober expression. “…What do you think prostrating yourself before me might achieve?”
“I’ll accept any punishment! B-but I’m not backing down…! Please, stop treating Master Leorino like that!”
Gravis’s silent ire brought sweat to Josef’s forehead. If Josef’s natural instincts were correct, the king’s brother was far more fearsome than the seemingly overbearing and fierce Lucas.
“Please…! Please have a proper conversation with Master Leorino. Locking him up like that… Treating him like that without ever speaking… I understand your anger, but at this rate, you’ll kill the best parts of Master Leorino!”
Tired of the farce he was witnessing, Theodor stepped in front of his master and admonished Josef.
“Silence, Josef Lev! Now leave His Highness’s presence before you can disrespect him any further!”
“…I will not be silent! Mr. Theodor, you know it’s wrong, too. Stop pretending otherwise!” Josef shouted back at the valet and looked Gravis in the eye. “Master Leorino, he… Sir, you mean everything to him… He returned to this world for you.”
“…”
Still, Gravis said nothing. Josef finally exploded.
“If that’s your idea of love, then you’re full of shit! …Lord Lucas would never be so cruel to him!”
Gravis’s expression stiffened at that.
“I’m… What?”
“I’m asking you not to give up on Master Leorino! Love him tenderly the way he deserves…!”
Josef’s desperate plea brought the face of the lionlike man to Gravis’s mind.
The man who loved Ionia like a warm embrace, even when he dedicated his life to Gravis…Lucas Brandt.
“…Please. I know that you care for Master Leorino more than words can say. Master Leorino knows it, too. That’s why he regrets betraying your trust. That’s why he won’t object to anything you do, no matter how scared or embarrassed he might be. He endures it all as his punishment.”
“…”
“You understand, don’t you? …Master Leorino loves you so much, he will accept anything you do to him.”
“…I know.” Gravis clenched his fists.
“We should have stopped him… We’re the ones to blame… Master August also truly regrets not doing his part, but Master Leorino wanted to help you in whatever way he could. He came all the way to the royal capital with only that goal in mind. Hasn’t he acknowledged his mistake and apologized already?”
“…Do you even realize how close he was to having his life ruined forever?”
Josef bit his lip and cast his eyes down.
“Yes, his body is safe now… But making love to his body and loving him as a person are not the same thing.”
“…”
“What do you expect Master Leorino to do with his feelings…?” Josef was running out of steam. “General…please speak with Master Leorino. Don’t force him to live in silence. Please.”
Having said his piece, Josef placed his fists on his knees, ready to receive his punishment. He hung his head, waiting for the verdict.
Gravis remained silent for a while, staring at Josef’s head.
“Did Leorino put you up to this?”
“Master Leorino would never do such a thing. He remains silent and wallows in guilt in his room. I chose to do this myself. So if you’re going to punish someone, please let it be just me… But please, give Master Leorino a chance to start over.”
Theodor warned him coldly, “Josef. If you intend to stay by Master Leorino’s side, you will correct your devastating manners and language.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Theodor sighed in exasperation and looked to his master. Silently looking down at Josef’s sand-colored hair, Gravis eventually answered quietly:
“I believe I see your point.”
Josef raised his head timidly. When his eyes met Gravis’s, he froze.
A chill ran down his spine as he gazed into Gravis’s ice-cold eyes. But when Josef conquered his initial fear and observed him closer, he saw that those starry-sky eyes were no longer angry.
“…Leorino is lucky to have such a good guard.”
“Your Highness, how will you punish him?”
“I will not. I forgive you for your rudeness. Josef, I accept your criticism.”
Josef anxiously looked up at Theodor. His gaze seemed to ask if he was really forgiven, and Theodor nodded silently with a forced smile.
“I’m sorry for calling you savage,” said Gravis. “Thank you for having the courage to advise me.”
“O-of course…”
It appeared his gamble had paid off. The general seemed to be taking it well.
Josef had been prepared to be harshly punished, but now, as the tension left his body all at once, he helplessly sank to the floor.
His approach had been reckless, but thinking about how Josef took a bold stance for the sake of his master, Gravis’s eyes softened.
“…I see you’ve been watching Lucas.”
“Huh…?”
“I’m impressed you could see the kindness in a man like him. I can see why Dirk likes you so much.”
Hearing that, Josef felt blood rise to his cheeks.
“…I’m cruel…,” Gravis said. “It hurts because it’s true.”
Josef suddenly deeply regretted his comment comparing Lucas to Gravis. He was in no position to speak about the men’s love or how they showed it.
Only Ionia and Leorino could do that.
“Leorino loves you. That’s why he puts up with it… He’s been putting up with so many things for so long.”
“I understand. I’ll take it to heart.”
Josef still struggled to address Gravis with the appropriate level of formality. Still, the young man’s feelings for his master were clear. Theodor couldn’t chide him for that.
“So then, will you listen to what Master Leorino has to say…?”
“…Yes. I promise that I will listen to Leorino.”
Hearing that, Josef finally relaxed his tense shoulders in relief, an awkward smile on his lips.