The World Is Mine For The Taking-Chapter 744 - 114 - Date With Zeruel...? (4)

"Ahhhh~ That was so good~!" Selene stretched her arms up with a glowing smile as the sunlight hit her face. Her eyes sparkled with uncontainable excitement, cheeks flushed from joy. "I’m really, really excited to attend this academy as a cadet next academic year!"

Her voice carried pure, innocent enthusiasm, as if her heart couldn’t hold still for what was ahead.

She looked like she was already imagining all the fun she’d have in the future.

She was already living in it, smiling like she belonged here.

"I really can’t wait!" she said again, her tone rising, as if her excitement had no limit. Then, with a teasing grin curling at her lips, she turned toward Leon. "I hope you’ll help me out, okay, Leon?" she added, giving him a playful wink.

That small action stunned me for a second.

I didn’t think Selene even had it in her to flirt like that. But apparently, she was learning—and fast. She was upping her game, little by little.

I was caught off guard. I really didn’t expect her to act that way.

Maybe... maybe I didn’t know her as well as I thought I did.

It was clear now—painfully clear—that she also had feelings for him. But her feelings... they had to be surface-level. Something shallow. She had no idea what Leon’s true nature was. She didn’t know him the way I did.

After all, Leon had always presented himself to her with a kind of brotherly warmth. Protective. Kind. A bit distant.

Although... I couldn’t help but feel like Leon wasn’t just humoring her.

His actions—his tone—it didn’t exactly spell out love, but it also wasn’t cold. He was... affectionate in his own quiet way.

Maybe he just had a soft spot for younger girls.

Leon was still a complete mystery to me.

"Well, that was a fun day," Selene said, then turned to face me directly. Her expression changed slightly. "Well, sis. If you’re planning to make a move, I think now’s the time. I’m not around to stop you." She stuck her tongue out at me in a way that was both teasing and... strangely challenging. "Anyway, I’m heading back. Wouldn’t want Mom waking up in an unfamiliar place without me. I should be with her now."

She stared at me with a peculiar look, some strange mixture of knowing and amusement.

I didn’t know if she was mocking me... or genuinely trying to help.

But one thing was clear—she was pushing me. Telling me, in her own way, to do something about my feelings.

I turned to Leon beside me. He was smiling quietly, like he always did—like nothing ever fazed him.

But the moment he noticed I was looking at him, I immediately turned my gaze away, feeling my face heat up.

I was so embarrassed I could hardly breathe.

Selene noticed it instantly. Her smile widened with delight as she leaned in, her face suddenly way too close to mine.

"W-What?" I asked, heart beating rapidly.

"Nothing," she said with a smirk. "You just look like you’re blooming lately."

"W-What’s that supposed to mean?!" I flinched, feeling my ears burn.

"Nothing at all." She shrugged nonchalantly, then spun around. "Well then! I guess it’s time to say goodbye. Bye, Leon! See you next time!"

"Yes. See you," Leon said with a calm nod. "Are you sure you don’t want me to walk you back?"

"It’s fine. I’m not a little girl anymore," she said confidently. "I can manage just fine on my own."

When she said that, something stirred inside me.

I realized then that she really had grown. She used to be timid, unable to step out of the house without someone by her side. But now... she was walking forward, alone. Choosing her own steps.

As her older sister, I felt something warm and heavy rise in my chest—something close to pride.

We watched silently as her figure shrank in the distance, little by little, until she finally disappeared from view.

Then, without saying much, Leon and I turned and began to walk.

I had no idea where we were going.

Eventually, we arrived.

To my surprise... it was a cake shop.

Specifically, Leonamon Cake Shop.

Just the name made something in my chest stir. I glanced around, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and confusion.

Wasn’t this kind of setting... kind of romantic?

Wasn’t it natural for me to assume... that this might be a date?

No—no, I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Assuming things without certainty would only lead to disappointment.

But still... if I were being honest with myself, the situation really did feel like a date.

Suddenly, a woman approached us from behind the counter. She had long bangs that partly obscured her face, and her eyes remained closed as she moved. She looked clumsy at first glance—but the way she walked toward us carried a strange elegance. Slow, but deliberate. Graceful.

"Good evening. What would you two like?" she asked softly, her lips curved into a graceful smile.

"Ah, yes. Zeruel, what would you like?" Leon asked, turning to me with that gentle expression of his.

"Ah... um..." I stammered, lowering my eyes. "I didn’t really bring any money, so..."

It was humiliating, but I had to admit it.

With everything happening... with how tight our financial situation was... something as simple as cake was a luxury I couldn’t even consider.

Leon smiled kindly. "It’s fine. It’s all on me."

"I-Is that really okay?"

"Of course. It’s only fair that the man pays for dinner, right? Especially since I’m the one who dragged you here." His voice was gentle, calm and reassuring. "Though... I don’t really know your preferences, so I’d like you to choose something you like."

My heart was thudding so loudly in my chest, I was afraid he might hear it.

Ever since the duel in the Sword Festival... ever since I finally realized that I was in love with him... my heart hadn’t stopped racing like this.

I quickly hid my face behind the menu, cheeks burning. It was the only way to keep him from seeing just how flustered I was.

After a few moments, I picked something.

It wasn’t expensive. In fact, it was the cheapest one I could find—the only one I might’ve been able to afford under normal circumstances.

"Is that all?" Leon asked gently. "You can choose more if you’d like, you know."

"N-No, this is fine," I said quickly, shaking my head.

Taking more would feel... greedy. I didn’t want to seem like I was taking advantage of his kindness.

Leon then made his own selection, and the woman gave us a soft smile before turning and heading to the counter to prepare our order.

Once she was gone, Leon’s expression shifted.

"Now then," he began, his voice turning low and serious. "I’m going to tell you the possible cure for your mother. But... I hope you won’t be appalled by it." frёewebηovel.cѳm

The sudden weight in his words made me straighten up.

It was clear from his tone, from the way his eyes didn’t waver—that this wasn’t something to take lightly.

This was serious.

And whatever he was about to say... I had to be prepared to hear it.

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