"A young woman with a rotten heart"
°°
Leo tossing and turning for a few nights did not sleep, since the last event in her mind, every sentence of Capricorn has always existed. Day after day, she began to feel hesitant with all her thoughts. If you don't come to see him - who is holding the truth -, the one who suffers is her. But if she comes and sees him, what will happen next, what will he do to her when she goes there directly. Clicking her tongue, Leo scratched her head and scratched her hair, she quickly wanted herself to choose an accurate and safe answer. Summarizing the problem of everything, she did not have enough faith in him and he did not have enough faith in her. It's difficult to choose because this is the first time the two have met and have also been enemies. Sitting dumbfounded on the front porch, Leo turned his eyes forward as if he was trying to complete the house guard that Taurus had assigned in the morning. But in fact, with uncontrolled vague thoughts, she is falling into the state of a soulless person, lightheaded even though he is on earth, her heart is in heaven.
From afar, the sound of dried leaves being trampled out rustling more and more clearly. Leo was aware that it was footsteps, it seemed that someone was coming, so he began to focus more on work.
-"I'm back"
-"..."
Taurus returned with the white tiger, he also held a few more animal carcasses he had just hunted in his hand. He passed the sitting Leo and then went inside the house, placing a piece of raw meat on the table to prepare for preliminary processing. Leo is still sitting still like a statue, the tuber points his hand is on his thigh, his hand is extended to support his face that is gradually falling. A day went like a loop that made her more and more bored and lost all hope. She wanted herself to act quickly, instead of wandering around a boring tasteless life, perhaps she had done something to be able to expose a little truth that had always been masked. Carefully re-exabing opinions, Leo, although hesitant, still decided on the last choice.
-"Taurus"
Leo suddenly stood up and called his name. Taurus, who is at the stage of cutting meat, also has to stall his work and look at Leo.
-"I'm b-"
Leo cut off his words:
-"I think I should go to the black kingdom for a trip"
The pot of boiling water stammered. The wind from the outside blew slightly, swaying the remnants of dry leaves, dropping on the white tiger. The white tiger was trying to sleep before the meal, but the weather seemed to be gradually turning bad, so this became a disadvantage that prevented him from going deep into a dream. Had to open my beautiful eyes to look at the world. The white tiger grasped the situation in front of him for a moment, so his face changed a little.
-"Alone?"
Taurus quickly replied.
-"Maybe so"
Leo resolutely, his eyes cast a glimpse of the sky and dark clouds appeared.
-"No way. Although I don't know what kingdom it is but... you can't go there alone"
Taurus frowned, holding a knife and placing it slightly on the table.
-"I don't know, but this is probably the only way I can be satisfied with it"
Leo replied leisurely, she turned around inside the house. The farsighted pair is unprecedentedly bright, they are adjacent to Taurus's eyes.
-"What's important?"
Taurus wondered.
-"Yes"
-"Then I'll follow"
A silence enveloped this place. Leo stood gawking in surprise, and then showed a grimacing face because he didn't like it.
-"Do you dare to leave the forest alone without anyone to take care of it. I can go there alone to negotiate some things with Capricorn. But, if I don't come back... you can come find me, okay"
-"..."
Leo concluded his words and faltered. She understood that she should move on, but strangely, it only made her feel more empty and lonely. He is just a stranger, neither of them knows anyone, nor does they know that each other existed in this world before. Why did she feel sorry, why did she feel sad. Are you missing this place, this feeling is strange. Shaking her head vigorously, she didn't want to think about it anymore. With many difficulties left, she had to encapsulate it in her heart. Turn your eyes to the boy who is still staring at him. Taurus seems to be about to open his mouth to say something, but he has to.
-"You see, this time is great. Maybe I should start now. If possible, I'll be back soon"
Leo put her hand on her hips, she leaned over to watch the weather behind her.
-"That's all, goodbye everyone"
Taking a slow walk, Leo definitely waved his shirt and left. This was something she couldn't have foreseen. Make choices based on distorted ideals, not clear. She always knew her curious nature would kill herself. She didn't care, because what she was aiming for was too great. She couldn't give them up easily.
The incident happened so fast, Taurus stood still for a while and still didn't understand what was happening. For a moment, his face darkened. From the beginning, he had always not understood her. Who she is, where she came from, why did she appear with such a pathetic appearance. Taurus doesn't care what she does, it's just that in his chest he always tells him that he has to protect her. Is his mission and responsibility, his ultimate duty. Why is that, she has nothing to do with his oath and life?. He faintly realized, looking at her, there was an indescribable sense of familiarity. It's not that empire has collapsed, everything related to has been eradicated and destroyed. Who is Leo after all?. Everything fell into a dead end again. Taurus glared, quickly remembered something, and hurriedly walked out to the porch. He put his thumb and forefinger in his mouth, took a deep breath and then closed it tightly. In an instant, his whistling echoed everywhere, moving some other creatures that were still asleep. The movement was decisive and fast, Taurus blew until the third time before stopping. Yang's eyes dimmed towards the sky, Taurus still couldn't avoid fear.
-"Quickly go home, gray wolf"
*
A long and distant journey, Leo also travels about five miles. After passing through the forbidden forest, she went to the land of lonely fields. It wasn't until almost dark that it was only through a piece of land. Breathing pink from fatigue, Leo stopped to lie down on the cold sandy ground. There is neither water nor trees here, she alone is helpless in the vast nature. Looking up at the sky, I only see stars and dark clouds. She wanted to close her eyes very much, but her eyes were always open, she was tossing and turning and unable to fall asleep on her own when she still had dozens of thoughts in her mind. Just like that until the end of the night, she started her journey again in the early morning. She was tired but she was forced to move on.
Finally, when the sun has reached the top of the head. In the sound of shortness of breath and joy. Leo saw the glimmer of hope. The black kingdom appeared before her eyes. In front of the large gate to enter the kingdom, Leo hugged his tired right arm, his eyes widened around as if searching. Strangely, there is not a group of guards standing here at the gates of the kingdom connected to the outside. Leo felt strange, so he was a little wary. I still have to press, but I don't dare to enter. Looking at those who are selling goods or people all busy in and out, people feel like melting.
-"Are you okay?"
The voice came out suddenly, causing Leo to startle and turn his head. An old woman with a friendly smile, on her arm was a basket of bread with a full pitcher. Leo's eyes liared at the basket of food, and finally turned to her without saying just shook her head enthusiastically, but her stomach made a "one" sound instead of the answer.
-"Are you hungry, I have some new cake to buy. Please eat liners"
The old woman generously took three loaves and brought them in front of Leo.
-"No, I don't eat"
Leo wondered and replied, pressing her cake back into the basket. But as soon as the words ended, her stomach cried again. Her face was red, her hands hugged her stomach tightly so that it wouldn't make another sound. Also because the past two days have not eaten anything, meet the sultry climate of the sun. Leo is really hungry and thirsty, she desperately needs food for herself to continue to maintain, but if she eats, what will happen to the old woman, will her family have enough food if she gives half of the food to her or not. Leo thought of thousands of reasons.
-"Come on, come on. My stomach is urging me to eat, if I don't eat, my stomach will cry until I'm exhausted. Take the cake and eat it"
She smiled gently, holding the cake into Leo's hand.
-"And her family..."
The Lion faltered.
-"Huh. Ahahaha... so I think so I don't dare to eat. No, I don't have relatives anymore, only me and a little dog named Alice live in the same house. Today I bought a lot of cakes so I can try to make a new cake that I just came up with"
She laughed then talked loudly about her family background. Leo listened silently to her talk intently but felt guilty.
-"I...sorry to mention what not to say"
She raised her frog's eyes to look at Leo. After that, he smiled and waved his hand and said.
-"It's okay, it's okay. You just take it ha, make me happy. Come on"
As she said, she gently put the cake in Leo's hand. At first she was a little shy, but after looking at her radiant, be kind face. She chose to receive.
Smelling and then devouring, Leo grabbed the big part and couldn't swallow it. Looking through her sleazy, dry face aroused her compassion. She patted her on the back then graciously handed her a bottle of water to drink. Leo's eyes widened at her and finally took the socks.
-"Where are you going?"
Leo swallowed the piece of bread in his mouth, hesitated to look at her and replied softly.
-"I came to see the king of the black kingdom"
Her grandmother sounded a little shocked, her dumb face speechless. She seemed to understand that in Leo's words there was a bit of exaggeration.
-"What? Why did you meet the king here? Probably not...”
Her grandmother stopped to look at Leo as if to confirm the answer.
-"I was invited by him. It's just, a little personal matter"
Leo said in limbo, just swallowing the last piece of cake. She wiped her hand on the edge of her mouth and nodded in thanks.
-"Thank you"
Her grandmother seemed to be still shocked, staring at Leo.
-"I have some change, I hope you take it as if I return the cake"
From the wide pocket of the cloak. Leo hooked out in his pocket four silver coins that were almost colored - because he stayed in the forbidden forest for a long time, Leo no longer had coins to exchange - She was a little confused, looked at the coin in Leo's hand and shook her head and smiled.
-"No... you just keep it and use it"
-"No, please take it"
Leo was determined, she quickly grabbed her hand and opened it, then quietly placed them on her palm. Realizing that she couldn't refuse, she could only follow Leo.
-"Then please excuse me..."
As if he had completed his responsibilities, Leo smiled slightly, bowed to her, but turned his back and left.
-"Wait, wait, wait"
She called back.
Leo stopped, turned his head to look at her bewildered. The old woman rushed to Leo, watched her smile, and made an offer.
-"Or are you coming home to my house ha"
*
Suddenly the Leo was standing in front of her door, her eyes rolling around in curiosity.
-"Please stay at my house temporarily. If you want to go to the king's kingdom, you have to spend a day. It's still very cold here at night, it's best to stay at my house until the end of today and it's not too late to leave tomorrow"
She happily opened the door, because they were old, so every time she opened it, she echoed a ghostly "safe".
-"Come in"
She stood aside, still firmly holding the doorknob to push it close to the wall, wanting to leave room for her to go. Leo looked blankly for a while, then quietly walked inside.
-"Mrs. Lotgover!"
The loud voice from outside the door bounced directly into her ear, causing her to panic and stand still. Turning her head mechanically towards the voice that had come out, she smiled distortedly.
-"You left alone again, do you know that it's dangerous outside now, what's wrong with me? Obviously, I told you what you want to buy, just let me go buy it, really"
A strange girl with a beautiful, lovely face quickly walked towards the house. Her face grimaced and looked angry, unable to let her explain that she had said a moment without hesitation, and she silently lowered her head to listen to look like a child. Leo standing in the house looked over bewildered by the sudden appearance of the girl. Looking over, the other girl has shiny blonde hair and blue eyes that look like a foreigner, she only wears a loose white shirt and a commoner's brown dress. But for some reason, when that girl wears it, she looks strangely luxurious and noble.
-"Because I want to go out and buy some things. I'm afraid to bother you so..."
She smiled awkwardly, waved her hand and feet to try to make excuses for herself.
-"Okay, it's useful that you have to tell me for an hour. She made me look for you all morning. Wherever you want to go next time, let me know if I can go with you"
The girl looked at her with her hips and smiled bitterly, after all, she felt a little secure when she saw her return in peace. As far as she knew that when she was young, she was just as fun and playful as she was now. It's just that now her health is no longer good and has had to experience another great loss in her life. She accepted it as arranged fate, after all, she did not want the person she loved to feel tormented and miserable when she was outside on a strange horizon.
-"Wait, who did you take home?"
Only then did the girl realize the presence of Leo. Turning to look at Leo with alert eyes, the suspicion increased as she paid attention to the Leo costume she was wearing.
-"Ah, I saw her at the city gate... but she looked pale. Maybe people from other places come here, so they don't know the terrain, so I'll take her back"
The waitress the answer to the girl know. After a while, I noticed the scowling, the wrinkles on the girl's forehead became clearer.
-"How can you casually bring strangers into the house. What if this person is a robber or a bad person pretending to be sick..."
She got angry, pointed her finger straight at Leo's face and shouted. Leo stood in poverty, looking at the angry girl, but only kept silent.
-"Come on Angel, calm down granddaughter. Come in and let's explain"
She tried to push the annoyed girl into the house and slowly closed the door. Pushed closer to where Leo was standing, the girl named Angel immediately turned her eyes directly at Leo, her eyes increasingly grimacing and resentful. Leo saw it, his expression at this time was still as cold as a sheet.
-"Father, my back is so miserable. Can Angel help me bring the cakes to the kitchen?"
She cuffed her back, her arms behind her in pain. Angel temporarily put aside the story and glanced at Leo, turned to panic and ran to the side and helped her up.
-"Are you okay? My back hurts, let me help you"
Angel was extremely nervous, apparently wanting to quickly carry her to bed to rest and recuperate immediately.
-"T-Okay, I can go. You can put the cakes in the kitchen for me"
She pushed Angel away, and then urged the girl to work quickly that she had asked. Angel was slightly surprised, finally listening to the words of carrying a basket of cakes into the kitchen.
-"Come on, and the baby comes in here quickly"
She gleefully looked into the kitchen and then looked at Leo. Happily approached the edge and grabbed Leo's arm and dragged it away. She led her to the next room, gently helped her down to the seat, then pulled the chair next to her so that she could sit opposite Leo.
-"Now you're safe"
She took Leo's hand to comfort her, and her eyes stared at the kitchen to see what Angel was doing.
-"Angel, I suddenly crave sweet jam cakes. Can you always do it for me?"
She sat waiting for Angel's answer, and after a moment she heard her answer coming from the kitchen.
-"Yes"
Receiving a satisfactory answer from Angel, Mrs. Lotgover smiled like a flower. With the warmth of being ready to talk for the whole time, she returned to her "grandmother" Leo girl and enthusiastically said.
-"What's your name?"
Leo was dreaming of looking at the precious interior of the house, suddenly being asked by her, so he showed an awkward face.
-"I... The Lion"
-"Don't have them?"
She widened her eyes and asked.
-"I... Baby, I don't remember anymore"
Leo hesitated, intending to mention his old name, but remembering that he no longer belonged to the place of death that led her to death. Had to ignore it and answer through the story, accompanied by a sad face that could not be defended through her cat's eyes.
-"It doesn't matter much either. Well. Ah, but before coming here, where did you live?"
She skimmed her chin, pretending to deduce on different topics, mainly related to Leo. The goal was to try to calm the heavy atmosphere and make her forget her previous question. However, she still peeked at Leo, it was still just waiting for her answer.
-"I... Maybe live in a forest"
Leo was a little confused, and finally calmly answered.
-"Why maybe... But it sounds great too much. But what forest is it, granddaughter? So how old are you? Do you have a lover? And if so, what is that person like?"
She opened her eyes wide, excitedly asking continuously. There seems to be no sign of stopping.
Leo began to feel hard, she sighed, the sweat on her forehead also rolled in waves. Since she always asks tough questions and tendencies to her life, she is taciturn and wants to hide them. That opposition would suffocate her if there was no girl named Angel coming to relieve the siege.
-"I..."
-"Grandma, that's enough. She asked her that it wouldn't be good at all. I'm done, please eat slowly"
Angel walked out quietly, in her hand was a tray of freshly made sweet jam cake - still hot - gently placed in front of her eyes.
-"It's done, why are you doing it so fast. I'm still busy chatting"
She was sly, sadly staring at the cake tray in front of her.
-"Okay, grandma, you're not an inspector, so don't ask her such a series of difficult-to-answer questions. The important thing for you right now is to eat all the cakes you like"
Angel's voice was even and attentive, bringing a plate and fork on the table.
-"Let's eat with me. You too Angel"
She pulled Angel's hand to sit down on a chair, then freely cut the cake and divided it evenly among the three of them. Angel at first frowned slightly annoyed, staring at her for a while before sighing to give in.
-"Thank God for the meal"
Mrs. Lotgover and Angel slowly knit their hands together, close their eyes and pray for the meal to be warm and full. Leo sat silently looking at both of them, although it was a bit confusing, but still stood hand in hand and prayed like them.
The meal only took a few minutes after which was over, now from the main door there was a jingling bell along with the rosy breath of a dog.
-"Alice, are you back? Have fun hanging out? Also brought back a bone, so cute"
She jumped up from her chair. Excitedly ran to the door and carried the little dog that had just returned, not forgetting to hug and kiss him smoothly. The poor Leo leaned over to look over. Seeing her excitement and happiness, she suddenly felt excited again in her heart.
-"You're done eating, aren't you?"
The dreamy Lion was suddenly called back, his eyes were immediately attracted to Angel.
-"Yes"
-"Then hurry up and move them, leave them behind the house"
Angel said, his head not turning. Immediately, the prison took away both her and her plates. Leo sat thoughtfully for a while before hurriedly carrying his plate with him.
During the time here, it seems that Leo cannot rest his arms and legs. Angel always urged her to do errands in the house, all under her supervision. Although Mrs. Lotgover dissuaded, told her everything, everything she said was ignored by her - she was also reprimanded by Angel for the crime of daring to bring strangers home, Angel could not forget - From time to time to time she was scolded for accidentally doing what Angel said. Leo didn't mind, one circuit did all the work without any grumbling or exclamations.
Finally a dinner is over. Leo habitually carried all the dishes to the back of the house, and said that his stomach would wash all the dishes, from behind, Angel peeked behind the door. Looking at her in good faith said.
-"Okay, just leave those dishes I wash"
Leo raised his frog's eyes and looked at her without saying anything. It seems that there is still a problem with that number of dishes. Angel walked helplessly to regain the fork in Leo's hand then continued with her unfinished dishwashing job.
-"You're not as ugly as I thought"
Angel suddenly spoke up, her eyes still not leaving the work she was doing.
-"It's so hard for you today, I just wanted to release my anger and acted on you. Sorry"
-"..."
Leo remained silent, not uttering half a word.
-"Hey, don't always pretend to be silent like that. Is the ministry angry with me. Tell me, I was very afraid that Mrs. Lotgover would happen unexpectedly, so I was very careful that she appeared here. Anyway I promised him, I have to take good care of you, hope you understand me"
Angel smiled and turned his head towards Leo. Although the mouth is freshly curved, the eyes are filled with melancholy and intense emotions of unhappiness.
-"Who is he?"
The listless Lion finally opened his mouth. Although she knew this was not a good question, Angel's melancholy was increasingly clear, making her a little curious. She continued to ask.
-"He, where are you now?"
-"What, do you want to know"
Angel smiled, a sad smile.
-"He's Lotgover's child, and I'm his childhood friend. I like it very much-no, I love him very much. But now, I can't explain my feelings to him, because... He is no longer in this world. He, ended his life at the age of seventeen when he was too young"
Tragic features began to appear on Angel's face, she narrowed her eyes to try not to let the drops of water roll down her cheeks. Angel shook her head slightly then turned her back towards Leo. As for Leo, she was silent, she knew she had one more silly time that seemed impossible to give up.
-"Do you know why he died, Leo"
Leo crouched at Angel's question.
-"No-"
-"For war"
Not letting Leo answer in time, Angel continued.
-"He wanted to participate, even though you and I stopped him. A war between Lidranga and this country of Vanderla. He wanted to fight. After all... After all, he had to die in that strange land, the land of the devil"
-"Wait - wait"
Leo glared at him in surprise.
-"You know, right, the terrible battle happened not so long ago"
Angel only revealed part of his face, but from a distance Leo saw through them. A touch of disgust, hatred is nothing more and nothing less.
-"Is... Lid... "
-"I hate them, all those dirty things have to suffer the most terrible karma, they have to go to the bottom of hell. I didn't stop praying, you pray that damn place will disappear forever, forever"
Angel bit her lip tightly, so much so that the lips appeared red and purple marks, they seemed to wait for the opportunity to pop the blood out. Every word, every word like a spear pierces Leo's heart. Angel was bitter, how bitter, Leo felt so confused. She didn't know if she heard wrong or not, Lidranga... Isn't it the place where you used to live and how many times you have vowed to live and die? It is not she who has been involved in the lives of innocent people, who also have families who are remembering to return day and night. She used to be very proud of herself... killing those people. Her heart was tightening, she felt suffocated, short of breath. After they know, the person who used to be in that demonic land is present in this very house, what will they do to that evil person.
Everything is clear.