The Escape of Layla

"Welcome home, Mr. Leanhardt"

"I'm home, Leila"

Welcome Mr. Leenhardt back from the Magic Division meeting at your doorstep. Mr. Leanhardt embraced me flutteringly, before taking off his coat. It's already totally customary to exchange hugs when one of them returns from the start. Yet I, my heart is apparently still unfamiliar with this act because every time I get hugged, my pulse quickens.

As merciful, Mr. Leanhardt's hand strokes my head. I also tried to keep my head with him and listened to his heartbeat for a while. It's a slow, warm sound. I felt natural and loving when I wondered if this sound would continue to support Mr. Leanhardt for centuries of distracting time.

Mr. Leanhardt seems to like to comb my hair with his fingers, and for this moment I was trying to get my hair down. Of course, there are times when I tie things up when I cook and when I do chores, but I always try to put Mr. Leanhardt down at this moment when I welcome him.

"It smells sweet."

After hugging each other, Mr. Leanhardt looked indoors. I think you're probably referring to the scent of apple pie, and I smile at Mr. Leanhardt.

"Mr. Charlotte helped me make apple pie today. I'll serve you dessert after dinner."

"That's exciting, I like apple pie"

"Heh heh, that's what Charlotte told me, so I thought I'd make it."

On the table, the general dishes were already ready. Dinner these days, I try to prepare it hand-in-hand with Mr. Charlotte one by one. The main dish is still not skilled enough to be made, so it takes the form of relying on Mr. Charlotte, but if it was about breakfast, I could prepare it alone.

Considering I never even held a knife three months ago, I'd say I've grown quite a bit. I want to be able to cook a lot more.

"Thanks for everything, Leila"

"This is all I can do, not enough to thank you..."

I feel kind of tickled when I'm thanked for facing it, and I make fun of it. While I'm at it, it's not cute.

"I want to be able to cook my main dish quickly. I'd like Mr. Leanhardt to eat it."

"I'm looking forward to that, but don't push it."

Really, Mr. Leanhardt is as worrying as he is overprotective. With a warm meal and Mr. Leenhardt's grin, this sight of happiness itself made me laugh when I accidentally creaked.

Finish a peaceful dinner and cut apple pie for dessert. The tea that Mr. Leanhardt prepared for me was delicious today and I breathed a howl unexpectedly.

"Apple pie, that's delicious"

"Heh heh, I almost helped Mr. Charlotte, but I'm glad you said that, too."

The warmed back apple pie was crisp and the sweet-boiled apple compote was excellent again. It's going to take some time to be able to make this level of apple pie.

Second, I noticed that Mr. Leanhardt was looking at me with that merciful, gentle look. That's the usual thing, but in those eyes, I think I caught a glimpse of the ancient sentiment.

… I wonder if you and the princess have ever had apple pie.

I don't notice, you should pretend. Because I'm the one who hasn't had the courage or the readiness to ask.

"... hehe, it's hard to eat when you can stare at it so much, Mr. Leanhardt"

"Oh, oh... sorry. It's been a long time since I've had apple pie..."

I smiled small as I watched Mr. Leanhardt carry his apple pie into his mouth to delude him. Am I a coward that this relationship is too comfortable to take a step forward? Before I go to sleep at night, I'm going to ask about the princess tomorrow, but I can't say anything when I see Mr. Leanhardt in front of me with wonder.

"... that's sweet"

I'm sweet to myself everywhere. If you want to name your relationship with Mr. Leanhardt, you know you have to step out.

"Yeah, but I like how sweet it is."

Mr. Leanhardt once again carries his apple pie to his mouth and smiles. The words were supposed to mention apple pie, but for some reason I did feel the warmth that even tolerated my sweetness.

The next morning I was on my way to Mr. Charlotte's shop with some embroidery pieces. Mr. Leanhardt has gone out to help Charlotte, as he said there will be a sorcery division gathering today, so I decided to go out too.

The wind is refreshing, it's a beautiful day. I look up into the sky holding my hat down gently so that it doesn't fly. One of the fluffy, floating clouds was shaped like a flower and I wanted to teach Mr. Grete. Can you get to the store before that cloud runs away?

In the last three months, my strength was returning to normal, and I was able to reach the store in about 10 minutes. I'm glad to be able to be Mr. Grete's playmate today, and I willingly lay my hands on the store door.

But I usually felt a great deal of resistance to that door opening without having to put a lot of effort into it. I guess it's locked. If you look closely, the back of the store remains dark. It's usually a long time to be open, and today shouldn't have been your day off.

... I wonder what the hell is going on.

Is there any kind of delay? As it was for about 10 minutes, I waited for Mr. Charlotte to arrive, looking around the store, but there was no sign of him ever showing up.

I had no choice but to buy some fruit in the city and put it back out once. As it is, let's go and see what happens to the detached people where Mr. Charlotte and the others live.

Indeed, Mr. Charlotte's husband, Mr. Ralph, should have been away from home since yesterday to purchase the product. I wanted to help if I was in any trouble.

Once again, after about 10 minutes of walking to reach the front of the mansion, I aim to leave across the garden without stopping at the mansion. It's big enough for three families to live apart. Sometimes Mr. Grete runs around in the garden connected to your mansion. For Mr Grete, it could be described as a laid-back environment.

But I don't see Mr. Grete in your garden today. Ring the bell of separation wondering if you are going somewhere with Mr. Charlotte.

After dozens of seconds, there's no response. I still thought you were out, and today I thought about going back to your mansion, and I heard a bunch of footsteps rushing over, and the door opened with momentum.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I can't get my hands off you..."

Mr. Charlotte, who appeared from between the doors, had slightly disturbed his dark hair and raised his breath. You must have really rushed me here.

"Good morning, Mr. Charlotte. I was not at the store, so I thought something had happened and came to see how you were..."

"Oh, well, it was already that time.... but the store isn't going to open today. Actually, Grete had a fever, and I'm just calling a doctor."

"Mr. Grete?

That's important. When Mr. Charlotte invited me into the house, he took me straight to the children's room. This is a lovely children's room with light peach wallpaper.

On the bed installed at the window lies Mr. Grete, with a red face. Ha ha, and my repeated breath seemed painful and I rushed over to the bedside.

"Mr. Grete......"

The consciousness seemed clear, and when I reflected in the purple blue eyes, Mr. Grete gave a grin and an angelic grin.

"Leila, sister..."

"Poor thing...... The doctor is coming now. Good luck with that."

If I held Mr. Grete's small hand, the fever would have been much higher than usual. It makes me kind of annoyed to see Mr. Grete, who is usually getting better.

"This is the fruit I bought earlier, if you don't mind"

With Mr. Grete in this condition, he won't even be able to go shopping. It was a fruit I bought because I thought Mr. Leanhardt would eat it, but now Mr. Grete is a priority.

"Thank you, Layla. That would help..."

Mr. Charlotte was staring at Mr. Grete looking terribly worried. I can't help it because Mr. Grete is in such a condition that it doesn't hurt to put it in his eyes.

"Is there anything I can do?

"Huh...?

"There is no Mr. Ralph today, and it would be inconvenient for you alone. Whether it's shopping or laundry."

I suppose Mr. Charlotte would have felt a lot differently if Mr. Ralph had at least been here, but I can't help it without him. If Charlotte, who exists like a sister like a friend, is in trouble, I wanted to help you.

"... are you sure?

Mr. Charlotte, who usually has only a pleasant and bright impression, looks somewhere weak. If I hadn't been forthcoming at times like this.

"Yes, I'll take care of anything!

Housekeeping other than cooking is generally possible, and shopping is a treat.

"Thanks, Leila...... So, can you come over here for a second?

Having said that, I saw that Mr Charlotte had left the children's room behind, and I waved gently at Mr Grete before following Mr Charlotte. Mr. Charlotte's way was to the living room. This is where I used to have Mr. Grete's birthday party.

On the large dining table was placed an embroidered purple sunflower coaster that I gave Mr. Charlotte, and in this situation, I secretly rejoiced that he was using it. Even when you received it, I thought you would take care of it because you were already happy with it.

"... you know, could you deliver the magic equipment in the store to the Magic Division? I was asked to deliver today."

"Delivery, is it?

"Yeah, but do you know the headquarters of the Magic Division? It's right next to the church..."

Mr. Charlotte retrieved a map drawn on old parchment paper from the cabinet. If you have a map, it's fine. I smiled at Mr. Charlotte.

"Me, I've always been good at reading maps. Leave it to me."

Mr. Charlotte smiled weakly to respond to my grin like that.

"Thank you, that's what you've been asking me for a long time, so I've been worried about what to do. If I had it, I could magically send it..."

"You were... I'm glad I can help. Charlotte would like you to think only of Grete."

It's only been a little over four years since I became a mother, even though I've been alive for hundreds of years. There will be a lot to be anxious about. Not to mention this is the capital of the illusion king, more residents who still can't break the curse, so neither do their parenting buddies. I'm sure there must have been plenty of moments to think about it.

"Thanks, Leila...... That would really help."

"There's nothing like this.... Anything else I can get you? If you need anything, I'll buy it on the way home."

I looked up at Mr. Charlotte as I wrapped my old map and store keys in a small bag. She showed a slightly contemplative bare gesture, but eventually shook her neck sideways as she peeled.

"No, it's okay. I just bought the ingredients and... I got this fruit for Leila, so I don't have a problem with it so far."

"Okay. Well, I'll come and return the keys to the store when the delivery is complete."

"You don't have to hurry. Because I'm not going to open the store until Grete is well anyway. Besides, if the cold moves, it's gonna be tough, so when the delivery's over, just go straight back to the mansion and you'll be fine."

"Oh, don't worry about me..."

"- If Leila catches a cold, my brother won't let me go for a month or so. You don't like that, do you?

Mr Charlotte said that very seriously. Sure, it's not hard to imagine from what Mr. Leanhardt looked like when I fell asleep. Most of all, I don't hate it, but I don't think I can rest to rest weirdly nervous. Besides, even if you've been with me for a month, you'll be in the way of Mr. Leanhardt's work.

Unexpectedly, with an ambiguous grin, Mr. Charlotte laughed at me all the time to perceive the mood.

"Sometimes Leila needs a rest. Right?"

"... ok. Call us anytime you need anything"

After that, it would be really helpful, and I repeat over and over again, Mr. Charlotte asked me to escort him to the front door. I put my hat on my head and Mr. Charlotte put it back on deeply because of the strong sun. I can't help but laugh at the motherly behavior of a child.

"Okay, I'll go and come. Tell Mr. Grete to take care of himself."

"Yeah, do me a favor. Thank you so much, Layla."

I give small thanks and walk out in the lawn. Mr. Charlotte was waving at me as I looked back a few steps. Smiling unexpectedly at the warm sight, I also slowly waved back.