We packed up our bags and made our way towards the hut.

There was not a cloud in the sky, and I squinted at the morning sun that had just begun to rise. I enjoyed the clear morning air.

Normally, a young lady would be enjoying a tea party on such a fine day. …I was on my way to the cliffs to find Maddie, who might or might not be there with the second prince and an assassin.

The latter definitely would be more fun! Looks like I made the right choice so far.

“I’m coming in.”

I lightly tap on the hut’s door. From inside, I heard a voice saying, “Ahh”.

I opened the door and entered the hut.

“You’re up early.”

“I only woke up to the sound of Master’s footsteps.”

Leon said this in a way that didn’t make me feel like he’d just awoken from a deep sleep.

No way…. What kind of assassin life did he have to live to be able to wake up at his age to the sound of footsteps?

Rio was still sleeping comfortably on top of Rai. Leon lightly tapped Rio’s shoulder as if to disturb his peaceful sleep.

“Rio, wake up.”

Rio yawned sleepily and slowly opened his eyes. His sleepy yawning made him look appropriate for his age.

Leon’s mental age was too advanced, and so was Gilles’s… I felt relieved when I looked at Rio.

“What’s wrong, big brother? Are we trying to run away again?”

Rio got up, rubbing his eyes, which were still not completely open.

Again, huh? Running away even once would be harmful, both physically and mentally.

“I won’t run away this time. I’m going to be away for a little while, can you handle it?”

Rio nodded deeply at Leon’s words.

“Someone I can rely on will take care of you.”

I return to my usual Ria tone. For the time being, I was a man in front of Rio.

“Thank you.”

Leon bowed deeply to me.

By someone, I could count on, I, of course, meant Vian. He was the only one I felt I could entrust Rio to.

Before I came to the cabin, I placed a letter under the door of Vian’s room. It mentioned Rio’s having spotted disease and my upcoming expedition.

I was sure he would take good care of Rio.

…Captain Marius would have been fine, but he was a bit unreliable. He might force Rio to do some exercise or something.

“Will you be back soon?”

“I don’t know.”

Leon’s reply made Rio’s face even more lonely.

Wasn’t it sad to be separated from your only family, his beloved brother?

“But I’ll come back to you, I promise.”

“That’s a promise, right?”

“Yeah, I promise. So, hang in there.”

“I understand.” Rio replied cheerfully.

What an honest little brother. I could understand Leon’s feelings for his younger brother. If I had such an adorable little brother, I would dote on him too.

Gilles was not so honest from the start…. Well, that was his good point, and he was cute, too.

“Well then, we’re off.”

“Yeah, see you later!”

Rio was acting cheerful, but he appeared to be on the verge of tears. I could tell by the slight tremor in her voice and his slightly moist eyes.

A good listener… Leon must have been the same way.

He had to put up with it at a time when he should have been a child but was forced to think like an adult. I was certain Gilles felt the same way.

I left the place with Leon with such thoughts in my head.

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