The door to the healing room closed, leaving Leon and Sylvaine alone.
The sound of Sylvaine's sobbing slowly subsided, replaced by a silence that felt almost heavy. Leon still lay there, staring at the ceiling, while Sylvaine sat beside him, her hand still tightly gripping Leon's as if afraid that if she let go, Leon would disappear.
Several minutes passed in silence.
"Forgive me," Sylvaine finally whispered, her voice hoarse. "I shouldn't be crying like this. I'm a royal princess, I should be stronger than—"
"No."
Sylvaine turned. Leon looked at her, his eyes tired but calm.
"You don't always have to be strong, Princess," Leon said quietly. "Not here. Not... with me."
Sylvaine's eyes widened. For a few seconds, she could only stare at Leon, as if seeing him for the first time.
Then, without a word, she smiled. Not the elegant smile of a royal princess—but a sincere smile, warm, slightly shy.
"You're... different, Leon."
Leon didn't answer. But the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
"She's right," Satan suddenly whispered.
"You really are different. A low-class demon with no self-awareness—daring to speak like that to a royal princess."
Leon almost jolted, but restrained himself. "Lord Satan—"
"But... I like your style." Satan chuckled softly. "Continue."
Leon sighed inwardly.
---
The door opened again. Zephyr entered, followed by Aerion. They paused for a moment at the sight—Sylvaine sitting beside Leon, their hands still clasped, though now Sylvaine quickly pulled her hand away and pretended to smooth her skirt.
Zephyr smiled faintly but made no comment. "Leon, there's something you should know."
Aerion stepped forward. His wise green eyes looked at Leon with curiosity that was hard to hide.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Aerion Silvertree, King of the Silvertree Elf Kingdom." His voice was calm, authoritative.
"I'm the one who healed your wounds."
Leon tried to sit up, though his body protested. "I'm... truly grateful, Your Majesty. I—"
"Don't move too much yet," Aerion interrupted. "Your wounds have healed, but your body still needs time." He approached, sitting in the chair Sylvaine had vacated as she stood. His eyes didn't leave Leon.
"Zephyr has told me a little about you. But I want to hear it directly from you." Aerion paused. "What did you experience on the battlefield?"
Leon was silent. He could feel Aerion's gaze piercing through him—not a threat, but deep curiosity.
"Be careful," Satan whispered. "He's not an enemy, but he's not a friend either. At least not yet."
Leon took a breath. "I... don't know what to say, Your Majesty. What I know is, when I was about to die, something inside me awakened. And I could... summon those who had died."
Aerion nodded slowly. "Necromancy." His eyes narrowed. "That ability... I haven't seen it in a very long time. Even in elven history, only a few have been able to do it."
"AND THEY WERE ALL INSANE," Aerion hissed, his tone suddenly changing. "Are you insane, Leon?"
Leon jolted. Sylvaine beside him also tensed up.
But Aerion suddenly laughed. His laughter was warm, melting the tension. "Sorry, sorry. I was just joking." He waved his hand. "I just wanted to see your reaction."
Zephyr sighed. "Aerion... really."
Aerion smiled broadly. "Sorry, old habit. But seriously, Leon, that ability is very dangerous. Not just for your enemies, but also for yourself." He looked at Leon seriously. "You must be able to control it. If not, you could lose yourself."
Leon looked down. "I understand, Your Majesty."
"Just call me Aerion. I don't like excessive formalities." Aerion stood up.
"Well then, I've bothered you enough. Zephyr, let's continue our discussion later. I need to speak with you privately."
Zephyr nodded. "Of course."
Zephyr walked to the door, then stopped. Without turning around, he said, "Oh yes, Leon. One more thing."
Leon sharpened his ears.
"Someone wants to meet you. Tomorrow night." Zephyr turned, a smile on his face. "He's been waiting for you for a long time."
Leon frowned. "Who, Your Majesty?"
But Zephyr had already left, followed by Aerion who glanced at Leon with a meaningful look.
The door closed.
---
Leon and Sylvaine were alone again.
"Who does Brother mean?" Sylvaine asked, her brow furrowed.
Leon shook his head. "I don't know, Princess."
But in his heart, another voice answered.
"I have a feeling," Satan whispered, his tone different. Softer. More... wary. "Be prepared, boy. Tomorrow... you might learn more about my past."
Leon tensed. "About... that traitor?"
"Perhaps." Satan paused. "Or perhaps not. But whatever it is... don't let your guard down."
Leon sighed. He looked at Sylvaine who was still waiting for an answer.
"I don't know," he repeated honestly. "But tomorrow... we'll see."
Sylvaine nodded, though her eyes still showed anxiety.
---
That night, Leon couldn't sleep.
Not because of his wounds, which were much better now. But because of thoughts about tomorrow. Who wanted to meet him?
"You can't sleep either?" Satan's voice sounded.
Leon smiled faintly. "You too, Lord?"
"I don't need sleep, boy. But you do."
"I know." Leon closed his eyes. "But my mind... is too chaotic."
"About tomorrow?"
"About many things." Leon paused for a moment.
"About who I really am. About why all this is happening to me. About..." he hesitated, "...about why you chose me, Lord."
Silence.
Then Satan laughed. Not a mocking laugh, but a warm laugh—strangely, warm.
"You think I chose you because you're strong?" Satan asked. "A low-class demon, weak, useless—at least according to them."
Leon was silent.
"But you have one thing those arrogant demons don't have." Satan paused. "You endure. You don't give up. Even when everyone trampled on you, you still smiled. You know why?"
Leon didn't answer.
"Because you never had a choice to give up. And that... that's what makes you strong."
Leon opened his eyes. On the ceiling of his room, he saw a shadow—faint, like a light distortion. But he knew it was real.
"Rest, boy. Tomorrow... might be a long day."
Leon sighed. Slowly, his eyes closed.
=== CHAPTER 6 END ===