New World with Four Husbands-Chapter 642: The thin line of a master and familiar

"Is everything alright?" Cleora couldn’t help, but asked as she observed the way Leo let out a strained huff.

The king beast perked up. "Yes, master."

Cleora didn’t believe him, but before she could pry further, Leo himself had spoken up.

"If I may add, master... I’ll have my underlings handle the reporting for the next four weeks starting tomorrow." He informed her, the words carefully spitted out that it sounded like there was more he wanted to say, but prolly left the thought at the back of his mind.

"Is that acceptable?" Leo inquired, making Cleora tilt her head as she eyed Leo from beneath lowered lashes.

"Is it because of your mating season?" The woman raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "I heard a little about it from Lala. Apparently, Richard also had gotten into a rut."

Her tone was casual, almost off-hand, but there was a gleam in her gaze that made him visibly stiffen.

Leo’s gaze darted to the side as a muscle jumped in his jaw before he finally answered, the words coming out a little hoarse. "...Yes."

"I’m curious about something, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to ask." Cleora stated, turning in her heels and approaching the bed instead. "However, to answer your question, very well. Have your underlings do the reporting starting tomorrow."

Leo raised his gaze and moved them across the space to look at his master, his gratitude evident in his red eyes.

"Thank you, master." He muttered, expression softening.

"Don’t thank me." Cleora was quick to dismiss his words of gratification with a wave of her hand. "I just don’t want to become a corrupt boss who can’t take a hint and let her employee take a break when they obviously need one."

"Employee?" Leo echoed, eyebrows furrowing.

"It means underling in your vocabulary, but more respectful." Cleora educated him real quick before going back to the original topic. "Anyway, regarding my daughter.. I haven’t heard anything from her about what she wants to do— whether she’ll go back with me to Archensheen or not."

Leo nodded his head, acknowledging the fact that his master took a small fragment of her time to educate him.

"I do not know how to help you with this matter, master." Leo stated bluntly and lowered his gaze to the floor. "However, if you just say the word, the house meant for your daughter will be opened as soon as possible."

"A house?" Cleora repeated, blinking owlishly. "Didn’t I say that I want her to live with me in the castle?"

"Yes, master." Leo quickly answered and lowered himself on the floor, kneeling before Cleora to ensure that she wouldn’t become more agitated than she already was. "You ordered the head butler to have a manor built near the castle just in case your daughter has a family of her own."

Cleora stared at Leo, skepticism evident in her gaze, but as she thought about it..

"Oh, right." Cleora murmured, raising a hand to massage her temples. "How could I forget that..? I asked Prika to rearrange three rooms in the castle and create three houses just in case that happens."

"That’s correct, master." Leo stated, the corner of his curling into a small smile.

Cleora sighed heavily. "I see, I see.. Forgive me."

"You did not do nor say anything wrong, master." Leo raised his gaze and stared pointedly at Cleora. "You simply forgot. There’s nothing incorrect with that."

The woman huffed and plopped herself down onto the bed, not caring to show modesty in front of him.

The king beast barely let out an audible gasp, his eyes widening ever so slightly, before quickly looking away from her, not wanting to invade her privacy whatsoever.

"Come on, Leo." Cleora grumbled, her voice sounding a little upset. "Have you forgotten that I was simply just a mother of three beautiful and lovely ladies before I took over this body? The original Duchess may have believed those words— that I could possibly do no wrong, but I’m not her."

Then, she sat up and frowned at Leo. "Also, you should be less prim and proper when we’re alone."

"I cannot make promises that I cannot keep, master." Leo immediately shot down the order Cleora had just made, causing her to become more upset with him.

"Didn’t Kiki send you to me so I won’t feel alone?" Cleora shot back, eyebrow raising.

The king beast tensed, his mind blanking.

It was true. Kiki— one of Fairy Dale’s royal children— sent him to look for Cleora so he can assist her in settling down in this new world.

If Cleora wants something from him to be fetched, to be investigated, to be done, then he will do his utmost best that he will get it finished by the time she least expects him to be done with whatever it is.

And so, with conflicted emotions bubbling inside his, he gave in to her wishes.

"Of course, Cleora." Leo muttered, the name he used to address her heavy on his tongue. "Whatever it is that you want, then you will get."

Cleora shook her head. "It’s quite obvious to me that you’re unhappy about this."

Leo flinched, eyes widening. "I—"

"It’s fine." Before he could utter an explanation, Cleora had cut him off. "As I was saying, I want the rumored hybrid from Yogusho Village to be looked into. Tell your underlings that I want their work to be as efficient as yours— if not, as close as efficient they could do similar to yours."

Leo knew that Cleora had already made up her mind that she wouldn’t force him to do something he’s unhappy with, but for some reason, it made his heart ache.

"U-Understood, master." Leo stuttered out, forcing himself to keep his gaze on the floor.

"Good." Cleora sighed and climbed on the bed, crawling under the covers and turned her back on him. "Now, get out. I want to sleep."

"Yes, master.."