Chapter 6

Once Linda greeted Leonardo and sat down, they started their discussion with a review of what Linda had learned at the Research Room.

“So, it seems that you’ve learned just about everything. Now let’s talk about what you’ve come here for.”

Linda nods, then gets up to sit next to Leonardo.

“I like talking when we sit next to each other... if you don’t mind.”

Leonardo smiles and says, “I like sitting next to you as well.” 

Linda blushes and says, “Alright, let’s get down to business.” Then Linda thinks “His smile is dangerous.”

Leonardo laughs and says, “As you wish, Linda.”

“Eeeeeee~ hearing him say my name... Is different” thought Linda.

“Ah! Before I forget.. I want us to be casual with each other when we’re alone...” then he smiled, “Starting with saying my name.”

Linda nods and says “Leo-Leonardo.”

Leonardo blushed and thought, “Wow.” Then he clears his throat and says, “Alright, Linda, I’ll start explaining the bloodline’s curse.

Linda nods and Leonardo starts talking in a serious tone.

“5 generations ago, the king of that time had made a deal with a fairy, and throughout their time together, the fairy fell in love with the king. But, when the king rejected the fairy and broke their deal. The fairy was enraged and cursed the king and the king’s subjects of the time to turn into beasts during the day, but the king and his bloodline can never be in sunlight.” 

Linda thinks “The first king was a foul person for breaking their deal.” Out loud. 

Then Leonardo laughs and says, “I agree, the first king had no integrity.” 

“I said that out loud again...” 

Linda asks, “Do you know what’ll happen if you go into the sunlight, Leonardo?”

“That’s what the philologists are working on translating, but as you know that part is terribly faded. In my strolls I’ve been curious, trying to see what’ll happen, but it’s a risk I can’t take as a king.” 

Linda then sternly asks, “So, if you weren't king... you would just take the risk?” 

Leonardo hesitantly says, “Ah! M...Maybe?” 

“Leonardo!”

Leonardo was surprised by Linda’s reaction and says, “I’m sorry, I just want to know what’ll happen and if it has anything to do with the prophecy. I promise that’s all there is to it.” 

Linda sternly says, “Self sacrificing yourself in general won’t help anyone in the end. Especially if you have people who care. What if you died?” 

Leonardo apologetically says, “I didn’t think... that far ahead... I’m sorry.” 

“And I’m sorry for lecturing you... especially since your royalty... much less the king.” 

“No need to apologize, like I said earlier. I want us to be casual with each other, if you’re alright with that.” 

Linda blushes and says, “I would like that as well.” 

After that, they started to get to know each other while talking about theories of what could happen if sunlight were to hit Leonardo. And they talked all the way til it was an hour before sunrise again. 

“I really like talking and theorizing with you.” 

Linda blushes and says, “Me too...” Linda takes a moment before she asks, “Will I.. be able to talk more with you?”

 Leonardo smiles then says, “ I don’t see why not, you can come here everyday if you want. Just let me know ahead of time.” 

Linda smiles and says, “Will do!” 

Linda heads for bed just before Leonardo has to turn back into a Lion. After that night, Linda would visit Leonardo to discuss with him about what new things they learned about the prophecy and the faded text. But, that’s not the only thing they would talk about and do. They started going on walks during the night and talked about numerous things almost every night. 

During one of Leonardo’s walks during the day with his aide Burnard. 

Burnard mentions, “I notice you smiling more since you started spending more of your time with Lady Linda.” 

Leonardo smiles and says “Really?” 

Burnard snarkly says, “Well, if you ain’t sleeping, working, or researching. You’re with Lady Linda.” 

Leonardo laughs and says, “You’re not wrong about that.” 

Burnard thinks to himself, “I sense love in the air... it’s about time honestly.” 

Leonardo states, “It’s been 6 months since Linda and her family arrived... I hope they’re growing accustomed here.” 

Burnard smiles and says, “Why don’t you ask Lady Linda? 

Leonardo laughs and says, “You are enjoying this too much, but I’ll do as you say and ask her tonight.” 

Burnard thinks to himself, “Mmmhm, his single life is about to be over.” 

Leonardo then says, “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but judging by the look on your face, it must be amusing.” 

Burnard smiles and says, “Yes, yes it is~.” 

Both Leonardo and Burnard both start to laugh, and continue their walk talking about numerous things. 

Later that night, Linda and Leonardo were on a walk together discussing what they’ve uncovered about the faded text. 

“So, we’ve figured out that you’ll turn into something if sunlight were to touch you.” Says Linda.

“And not only that, it seems to be for a number of years, but what I’ll turn into and for how many years. We’ve still yet to decipher.” Says Leonardo.

In a serious tone, Linda says “This may be just a gut feeling, but I think the rest of the faded text is related to the prophecy.”

“I think so too, it may be the missing key we were missing before… I’m sure Geneva has also figured it out.” 

Linda smiles and says “Yes, she’s incredibly sharp.” 

Leonardo smiles and says, “Now to change the subject, how are you and your family fairing here?” 

“Everyone is growing accustomed; Lilli and Evon became fast friends, despite their rocky start, Liese is now dating a baker named Elric.” 

Leonardo interrupts and says “Liese is dating Elric? Already?” 

“They hit it off from the start, apparently Liese gave Elric flowers and asked him out” Linda laughs and continues, “Oh, my dear sister is quite the bold one.” 

Leonardo laughs and says, “Yea, she is. I’m happy for them.” 

Linda smiles and says “Me too.” 

“So, what about your father?” 

“Father has... had quite the trouble, but he found work as a Merchant again, and I think that was what he needed.” 

“Right, I remember now. I saw a report on how great of a help he’s been, your father is a talented Merchant.” 

Linda smiles and says, “He’s been a Merchant for as long as I can remember. I’ll go as far as to say that Father has a Merchant’s soul.”

As they continued to talk and walk, Linda began to become visibly tired. 

“I think you should head to bed now, you look really tired.” 

Linda grabs his hand and says, “But, I want to stay with you longer.” 

“Is this the sleep talking?” He thought. “But, it’s going to be sunrise soon” 

“Speaking of which, I want to see you transform into a lion.” 

“It’s definitely the sleep talking.” He thought.

“I can tell what you’re thinking, but it’s the sleep that’s giving me courage to ask, besides, we’re close enough now...” 

Leonardo blushes and says, “Well... if you truly want to see it... let’s go back to the Seating Room.” 

They head back to the Seating Room, and by the time they enter the room, it is 5 minutes till sunrise. With Linda turned away from Leonardo, he gets undressed to prepare to turn into a lion. 

“I’ll keep this cloth wrapped around me so I won’t be completely nude. So, you can turn around... it’s about to start.” 

Linda turned around to see Leonardo and was blushing to the point of turning red. 

He’s... So Handsome.” She thought. 

Then a soft, pearlescent, glowing light started to surround Leonardo. He started to float, then he turn into a Lion.

“It’s... so magical and beautiful.” She says. 

Once he is done turning into a lion, Linda runs to hug him and asks, “Please, can I sleep on you... you’re so warm and fluffy”  

Leonardo smiles and says, “Of course you can.” 

They both laid on the fluffy rug in the Seating Room and Linda used the cloth Leonardo had wrapped around him as a cover. Then Linda laid on Leonardo and they both went to sleep.

-End of Chapter 6