This Time, To The Believed Path
New Impression's

Leana opened her eyes and found Forde's face sleeping quietly in front of her.

Her hands were itching to touch her husband's handsome face, but she held him back from not wanting to wake him up.

Forde is known to be a person who has light sleep. He can wake up with the slightest sound and it will be difficult to go back to sleep afterwards.

Since the two slept together, Forde did not show symptoms of light sleep, Forde actually slept very well so that someone had to wake him or even Leana could wake up first from him.

But he did not know if the symptoms returned when the two slept separately.

Forde groaned a little as the back of her fingers touched the strands of her hair, but her husband did not wake up and continued to sleep.

Mata Leana found that the dress she wore last night was still perched on the sofa and they returned to the party.

As the two were on their way to the break room, the final dance song was played in the hall.

Forde who noticed Leana who was silent stared at the dance floor with a wist, invited her to join the dance.

Leana does not have a hobby of dancing, but she always remembered how beautiful the world was formed when she danced with Forde.

The world is like a fairy tale with a happy ending. He wants to feel it many times.

Therefore, even though she was a little tired, Leana accepted Forde's invitation to dance and again stole the attention of the guests to them.

He even accidentally heard their comments like 'daughter and prince' and 'fairy' or something else that is enough to make his stomach amused so that he can not help his smile to bloom at that moment.

Forde who saw how happy his wife also helped raise the tip of his lips and bring the two closer.

Forming the two into such a beautiful painting.

When the music stopped, even though his breathing started to be irregular, a smile full of satisfaction was still painted on his face.

Leana who was staring down slowly raised her head to look at her husband.

Without warning, Forde lifted his body and immediately took him away from there.

It took a few minutes for Leana to realize that her intention to avoid Forde's sling had been thwarted.

Deep in his heart, he was pleased with Forde's understanding though outspoken without thinking about his surroundings.

Leana rested herself with tea and a little cake.

Forde who rarely talked tried to open the topic among those who ended up very successful.

Their topics are always about deeper self-introductions and both add more knowledge about each other.

Leana thought about giving Forde something, especially since soon, she would go into the testing maze.

He kept the plan because no ideas came to him and then telepathically communicated with Adde to ask about their status.

Looking at it from the outside, both of them were silent.

Leana glanced at Forde who was patiently waiting for her to finish with her affairs.

He smiled in a knot and immediately finished the report from Adde.

As the two decided to return to the room, Eclipse came into their room. Back to make Forde put his regretful gaze on the Grand Duke.

Fortunately Eclipse's arrival was to share the information he got from his work during the party so Forde could hold back his anger and sit quietly beside Leana.

Their discussion did not go long because Eclipse had to meet the Emperor before the party was over.

Leana and Forde also decided to return to the room.

Forde, who did not want to be bothered, chased away the servants and palace ladies who served them and both took care of their tired bodies.

After cleaning themselves, the two dry each other's hair and Forde tries to give Leana a massage.

The massage given by Forde was so satisfying that Leana fell asleep without her noticing.

Leana looked back at her very fresh face in the mirror. His hands did not loose touching his soft cheeks and occasionally he played his fingers.

It's very fresh. His exhaustion the other day was just like a dream that he could not remember upon waking.

Is this the power of Saintess?

"Leanna..."

Forde's hands wrapped around her body, clinging under her chest, her head limply clutched around her neck.

Leana felt amused from feeling the breath on her neck. His hand that grabbed Forde's head and nosily shuffled it. Forde was silent as if he was going back to sleep.

Leana patted him slowly to wake him up. Forde did not like it either.

He sighed. "Ford..."

Forde brought his face closer to Lean's neck. He replied weakly and heavily. "It's still morning."

"There's something I need to see this morning. I have to see him right now in order to keep the information confidential."

Forde raised his face and gave a sharp look to him from the reflection of the mirror.

"Why not just ask Alphiella's shadow to represent you?"

There's a point too. But Leana has something else she needs to do outside.

"I have to meet him in person."

Forde tightened his embrace.

"I'm coming with you—"

Leana cut it off immediately. "Yep, can't."

"Ck."

Forde again buried his face.

"Forde, I'm not alone. Alphiella's shadow will look after me from a distance."

Leana can't take Iscan because she needs him to make an alibi.

"I... I'll spend more time for you next time, yeah, Forde?"

Forde did not give him an answer for a while. He tightened his embrace again until Leana felt a little tight before letting go completely.

When Leana thought she was free, Forde lifted her body and took her away. To the bathroom.

"Ford?!"

Forde did not answer and dropped Leana off after the two reached the bathroom with the door locked.

Leana who was involuntarily guarding her body with both hands worriedly looked at Forde who was still speechless.

When their two eyes finally meet, Leana realizes that her current husband is still stricken with resentment because Leana did not take the time for him.

"Forde, what's..."

"I'll help you take a shower."

"What?" his heart's voice came out.

"Maybe we'll take a bath together, how?"

"Wait—?! Why did it go there?!"

They had never had a bath together before. They have not even had sex yet.

The furthest thing they did was just a warm kiss until they put their bodies together as if there was glue between the two.

Leana begins to worry about the possibility for her nosebleed if she sees her husband's body directly.

He stretched out his hand to stop the slowly advancing Forde.

"Forde—I can do it alone, so please—"

"Leanna."

Forde took his hand and pulled it into his arms.

She still kept her nightgown with one hand.

His face was hot waiting for the continuation of his words.

"Leana, we are husband and wife. So no problem, is it?"

'It's true, but that's not the case now!' Leana cried in her heart.

He shivered his lower lip to hold back his chaotic emotions.

Forde continued to watch his reddened wife reach his ears with teary eyes.

'Funny.' thought.

He also took off Leana's hand that shook since he held it and turned on the tap of water in the bathtub.

"Then at least let me help you." He said and took some toiletries behind him.

From the end of her eyes, she could see a small nod before Leana lowered her head to cover her face with both hands.

His attitude might be a little childish, but he was satisfied with the small victory he got for the umpteenth time.

***

Leana went to the capital city of Solfy which was holding a big festival after the completion of the big meeting.

The festival is only held for one day but its festivities can make such unforgettable memories as when they celebrate the feast day.

Leana used a hood to hide her figure and slipped carefully into the crowd of the city.

As he walked out through the small, quiet and slightly dark alley, he saw the figure of a person under a large tree wearing a white robe with a hint of gold embroidery on the edge.

The moment the figure realized his arrival, the smile that formed on his face to welcome him slowly came to a halt and faded away.

"Miss Leana, are you okay?"

Saintess Lumine grabbed Leana's flushed cheeks and she felt warmth from there.

His expression changed from confused to worried.

He slowly grabbed Lumine's hand and kept her away from her cheek. "I'm fine, Miss Lumine."

His tongue felt strange when he mentioned Saintess directly. But it is necessary to hide their identity.

"If you're not feeling well, you shouldn't have to force yourself to meet here."

"I'm in good health, Miss Lumine. Believe it."

Lumine stared at Leana for a while before nodding with an innocent expression.

Leana flicked her hand to erase her memory of the events of the previous few hours and focused herself on the mission before her.

Leana immediately changed the topic.

"Miss Lumine, how about we just start walking?"

He did not miss Lumine's expression that returned bright for a moment.

"Uhm, okay. But before we start, let's go around first!"

Lumine pulled Leana by the hand and led her to the crowd of the festival.

Secretly her eyes caught some paladins guarding Saintess from a distance.

He glanced at the shadow of the alphiella and told them to stand guard behind the paladin's field of view.

Lumine takes Leana to various food outlets and accessories that they can find.

The usual smile on her face widened until Leana was sure she could go blind once she returned home.

Seeing the Saintess' attitude, a new impression formed within her.

'It looks like Saintess Lumine really likes festivals.'

Unknowingly Leana smiled gently like seeing a truly happy child.

Towards noon, the two decided to rest in one of the long chairs surrounding the fountain in the middle of the area.

Amidst her conversation, Leana revealed her impression to Lumine and the smile on her face faded slightly with her eyes looking deep in her memory.

"Festivals in the holy city cannot be as lively elsewhere as we try not to offend others who may not be able to enjoy them."

Lumine let out a heavy sigh and went back to sipping her drink. In her mutterings, Leana could hear, "Even I can't enjoy the festival as myself."

Leana recalled Telsia's words regarding Saintess.

'The saintess is also human. Man who has faults with a little mercy.'

Her words make Leana think that Telsia already knows very well who Saintess really is.

It was possible that he already knew it through Crocelia, but what made him think differently was that Telsia used a very confident tone.

It was as if he was telling the story of someone who was far away in the past.

Thanks to the impression given by Telsia, Saintess Lumine decided to trust him even before she used her 'good and bad' power.

Spending her food and drink, Lumine got up from the long chair they were in and extended her hand to Leana.

With his hand floating in the air, he caught the figure of Lumine with a dazzling light behind him.

He looked like a real angel who had just come down from heaven.

Catching Leana's hand, Lumine said.

"Now, let's start the business that we previously delayed."