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Bermuda Chapter 298
🕑 Added 2024-09-17 10:32:46 +0000 UTCChapter 298
Knock knock–
When he opened his eyes in a half-asleep state, everything was filled with that person's scent, making him feel for a brief moment as if he were wrapped in that person's arms.
But he couldn't feel the appropriate weight of strong arms or the warm body temperature allowed only to him. The blanket he hugged while curled up like a shrimp was soft, but it didn't provide the same sense of security as the touch he remembered.
The light seeping in under the blackout curtains, which he didn't remember drawing, was particularly bright. It was quite a different scene from the darkness he last remembered.
Leonardo stared drowsily around the room, which had become somewhat familiar overnight, trying to recall when he had crawled into this bed. He had heard that sometimes when extreme fatigue builds up to the point of near fainting, one's body can unconsciously walk on two feet to find a comfortable place.
He remembered Finder laughing a few years ago, asking if he had sleepwalking. Leonardo half-buried his face in the soft pillow and slowly closed his eyes.
His whole body felt incredibly heavy. Although he didn't remember the dream well, judging by his not-so-good mood, it seemed he had another nightmare.
It was a natural progression since he had set foot in the imperial capital. Nevertheless, thanks to the scent coming from the bed, it seemed he had woken up at this point...
Knock knock–
"...?"
Leonardo, who had been sluggishly buried in Hugo's scent like a sloth, suddenly opened his eyes at the knocking sound he had missed in his sleepy state. Reflexively raising his head like a meerkat, he heard a woman's voice from outside following the knocking on the door.
'Are you there?'
This was clearly the Commander's personal room. But with an unfamiliar voice lingering, he was at a loss for how to react. Looking around, he checked the clock on the bedside table. 7 AM. About 4 hours had passed since he last checked the time.
'What, when did it get like this?'
Leonardo, gathering his wits that were still left on the pillow, kept his mouth shut as if no one was there and barely managed to get up from where he was lying.
As he lowered his feet to the floor, he noticed indoor slippers neatly placed as if waiting to be worn. They looked too big and might slip off, but he roughly slipped his feet into them and stepped out of bed.
Knock knock knock–
As impatient knocking urged again, his sharp golden eyes stared at the door with a wary gaze. Still, he smoothed down his bird's nest hair and naturally headed towards the sofa. He had sensed a presence and wondered if it might be Flynn, who was sprawled on the armrest with his legs hanging over, looking like he had been working overtime for two days. Judging by the mosquito-like sound and even snoring, which was unlike him, Flynn seemed to have been as tired as Leonardo.
In contrast to his unsightly posture, a blanket was neatly covering his upper body. It looked as if someone had covered him. Leonardo vaguely recalled the gentle touch he had felt in his sleep.
'Did he come and go at dawn?'
"I'm here on the Commander's orders–"
At that moment, as if already knowing someone was inside, the knocking and the woman's voice grew louder. At the mention of the Commander's orders, Leonardo hesitated, looked around the ownerless room, and then bent down to shake Flynn.
"Hey, wake up."
Even though he lowered his voice and spoke as if whispering, Flynn opened his eyes immediately as if he had been awake. However, before his pupils had lowered, the whites of his eyes that first appeared were quite scary. But as they soon returned to their normal position, Leonardo leaned in close and asked:
"Someone's outside, saying they're here on the Commander's orders. Should we open it?"
Flynn, still not fully awake, just stared at Leonardo with a dazed expression despite his question. Then, as the voice was heard again from outside, he jumped up from his seat in surprise.
"Ah, yes! I'll open it right away!"
Did he know who it was to react like that? Flynn, who had answered to the air, came down from the sofa as if rolling off. He got up awkwardly, hurriedly tidied his clothes, and rubbed his rough chin with a flustered expression. Then he went behind the sofa, stood in front of the door, and fumbled with the door panel here and there.
Although he didn't know how the lock worked, when Flynn touched the handle, about 3 seconds later, there was a click sound, and the heavy door slowly opened. Beyond it, in the corridor, a medical team of at least 10 people was waiting in two rows, ready in formation.
Not knowing what the situation was, Leonardo gripped the sofa headrest and watched them closely with one eyebrow raised.
They came on the Commander's orders? Just as he was growing suspicious, the woman at the front stepped forward and revealed the reason for their visit.
"We're here to escort you to the infirmary for a detailed examination. We ask for your cooperation."
***
"Eat all of this and this, and you've already heard about the examination from the Commander, right? There's no need to be nervous at all. Just stay still. There might be some discomfort, but we're not doing anything bad to you, so don't worry."
Flynn brought Leonardo, who had changed into an examination gown similar to a patient gown, a well-cooked beef stew and a potato salad that was mashed just enough to maintain its texture. In addition, he handed over several packets of unidentified powdered medicine, emphasizing to him several times that this medicine and examination were not harmful.
Leonardo scooped up a large spoonful of the stew meat that tore along its grain just by pressing with the spoon and put it in his mouth. Although it was delicious enough to melt in his mouth, he replied in a displeased tone, feeling that even Flynn was treating him like a child now.
"I said I get it–. As long as you don't do things like extracting mana or stuff like that, I'll stay still too."
"..."
"And do you think I act up all the time for no reason? I have a sense of what's going on, you know? I know this is just an examination, that's why I'm wearing this obediently too."
Leonardo raised the arm holding the spoon high and shook the silver ring revealed under the loose examination gown. The ring, which fit perfectly around his wrist, wasn't for the same purpose as handcuffs, but it was a bracelet-type restraint that served a similar function nonetheless. This was because there was a strong request from the medical team that mana restraints must be worn to proceed with the examination.
Hugo had wanted Leonardo to receive the examination without wearing any restraints, but since he had a history of causing a disturbance in the infirmary once, the medical staff were already scared, making it difficult even to select examination personnel. In the end, Flynn had a brief argument with the medical team on behalf of the absent Hugo, during which Leonardo suddenly stepped forward and insisted on wearing the restraints himself.
There were several reasons, but the biggest was the desire to get the annoying task over with quickly, and he was also bothered by the story that Agrizendro had exercised his veto power against the orders of an Upper House member from the same family because of him.
However, Flynn knew that Leonardo was sensitive about handcuffs due to last night's incident and wanted to avoid this situation as much as possible. But it wasn't a problem that could be resolved by being adamant at his level, and for a more precise examination, proceeding according to Leonardo's wishes was the best decision.
So it was natural for Flynn to have a complicated expression when he saw the silver ring fastened around Leonardo's wrist.
"Right, it's just an examination... Thanks, Blaine. For understanding."
As Leonardo casually continued to eat the stew, Flynn felt that he was deliberately trying to act nonchalant. Perhaps because of this, he felt even more sorry.
Leonardo just glanced at the weak voice but didn't particularly respond and poured the remaining stew into his mouth. Then, taking a bite of the fluffy potato, he looked at the laid-out medicine packets and asked:
"By the way, what kind of medicine is this?"
Flynn inwardly flinched at what he saw in Leonardo's hand.
"Huh? Oh. Muscle relaxants and painkillers... you know, that kind of thing."
"Hmm."
"Oh, and also. They said there's a small amount of a component that causes drowsiness, but you don't need to worry about it much. If you feel sleepy during the examination, you can sleep. The medical staff will proceed as needed."
Leonardo nodded with an ambiguous response. Then, unnecessarily craning his neck and looking around, he asked with a sulky expression:
"Is your Commander busy? Why isn't he showing up again?"
Flynn gave an awkward smile.
"...It seems he has a lot to check because of that incident yesterday. But he'll probably come by the time your examination is over. I heard he instructed Gabe to clear his entire afternoon schedule. Won't he be with you all afternoon?"
Even as he explained the situation, Flynn couldn't deny feeling bitter inside. Seeing Leonardo looking for the Commander despite his presence made him feel that he wasn't very trustworthy.
Well, he was someone who even gave in on the issue of wearing restraints with the medical staff, so he was lacking in many ways to earn Leonardo's trust.
"I'll be here watching until the Commander arrives."
Nevertheless, Flynn lowered his eyes and muttered softly, trying to reassure Leonardo. Although it probably wouldn't be much help...
Leonardo, who had been chewing on potatoes with one cheek puffed out, licked the crumbs from the corners of his mouth and stared intently at Flynn's face.
"Really?"
Flynn raised his head with a puzzled look at the sudden question. Leonardo raised the corners of his mouth and grabbed Flynn's hand.
"You promised. You have to stay here."
"...Huh?"
"Don't leave me alone, okay?"
The tightly held hand was warm, almost hot as always. As that heat sincerely held onto him, Flynn became somewhat solemn, even though he had no intention of going anywhere in the first place.
"Yeah. Of course, I'm not going anywhere."
"Mr. Leonardo Blaine, if you've finished your meal, we'll move to the examination room."
Just then, the medical staff, who had finished preparations, noticed the almost empty bowl and gave a subtle hint.
Although he had finished the simple meal, he hadn't taken the medicine yet, so Flynn gathered the laid-out medicine packets, asking them to wait a moment.
However, Leonardo, who had gotten up first, naturally took them himself. Then, heading towards the examination room following the medical staff, he lightly shook the medicine packets.
"I'll take them inside."
Flynn, who had hesitated, stopped in place and then nodded without saying anything.
Anyway, one side of the examination room was made of transparent glass, so he could monitor the situation from outside.
"Do well in there."
With Flynn's farewell, Leonardo nodded slightly and entered through the examination room door. Unlike yesterday, he didn't look as anxious as Flynn had worried, and he seemed to follow the medical staff's instructions without particular resistance.
Feeling relieved, Flynn collapsed into the seat where Leonardo had been sitting. He sighed, leaning his head against the pristine white wall.
He was Leonardo's guardian while the Commander was away. He hoped the examination would proceed safely so that he could take responsibility for him.
Comments
Jesse Gibson
If I were Leo I would take the medicine and as soon as it entered my mouth, burn it away with fire.. if that’s something I could do hahaha 😂
Ahbrimone
Flynn flips from wanting to be trusted by Leo to “please take him Commander it’s too much responsibility!!!”
