The Monster Lady and the Holy Knight - Side Story 3

Her mouth was dry, and her heart pounded. The moment she realized he was talking about marriage, her chest tightened. She had never imagined that a man who always seemed so composed could have such worries. But as he had just said—unless spoken, such things could never be known.

“That is my darkness. The pathetic fear of struggling endlessly, afraid that someone who can truly complete you will appear.”

Leon spoke without hesitation, laying bare his deepest, darkest thoughts. He exposed the parts of himself he least wanted to show, as if he had no sense of shame. But it wasn’t because he lacked embarrassment—it was because he wanted her to be just as honest.

Veronica pressed her lips together. After a long pause, she murmured softly, “There’s no need to worry. I’ve never dreamed of divine blessings or public vows that promise a lifetime together. I just need someone to be with.”

Leon said nothing. As if sensing his disbelief, Veronica stumbled over her words, trying to reassure him.

“And I’ve never regretted leaving with you. Not even today. It didn’t hurt. It was good. The only reason I looked a little down… it was nothing, really. I just thought of us when Charlotte mentioned losing her family.”

“Us?”

“If the swords had shattered, and I hadn’t come back to life—what would you have done?”

In the end, she asked. The question she had suppressed and tried to wash away. Leon ran his fingers slowly through his damp hair, lost in thought. She knew now—it was his habit when holding back words he wanted to say.

“Don’t avoid the question. Be honest.”

“I would have died.”

“……”

“I was already on the verge of death. But even if I had been healthy, it would have been the same. I had no reason to live without you.”

Her body went cold. She had expected the answer, yet it still shocked her.

“Are you disappointed that it wasn’t the answer you wanted?”

Disappointed? Who could possibly feel disappointed hearing their lover say they had no reason to live without them?

If anything, she was overjoyed. The realization that she was his only flame was terrifyingly exhilarating. So much so that—

“No. I just hate how darkly pleased I feel.”

Do you know what it’s like to love someone so much that you fear yourself?

Veronica clenched her trembling hands. Looking away as if she wanted to escape, she continued, “I want you to be happy. But at the same time, I wish that even if you were suffocating, you would only think of me. I want you to sacrifice yourself, thinking only of me. But what is this? Wanting to take even your last breath—is that really love? Isn’t that far too selfish?”

The bigger love grows, the more anxiety grows alongside it. Humans truly are exhausting creatures.

“I’m afraid that my unhealthy heart will one day destroy you.”

“Veronica.”

“I—”

“I won’t be destroyed by something like that.”

Leon cut in firmly. Veronica flinched and looked up. His unwavering, steady gaze met hers directly, like a flame guiding through the darkness.

“Even if two pillars hold up a roof, their thickness doesn’t matter much. What matters is whether there’s another pillar standing on the other side.”

It was a metaphor that was both clear and vague. Then he added, “Relationships don’t collapse as long as you stand together.”

As Veronica’s dazed eyes gradually refocused, a strange realization sent a chill down her spine.

As long as they stayed together, that was enough. What seemed like an impossibly complex relationship was actually that simple.

“If emptiness is the issue, then we just need to keep filling it. As long as we remain as one, never parting, there will be no loneliness or void.”

His large hand cradled the back of her head, pulling her into his embrace. As his warmth enveloped her, all the tangled thoughts slowly melted away.

Ah, yes. Perhaps this was enough. Whether love was big or small, selfish or not, just being together was enough.

“I won’t leave.”

“I know.”

“I have no regrets.”

“I know.”

“I truly don’t need marriage or vows.”

Her voice came out muffled as she sniffled, and Leon silently tightened his embrace. The lingering sorrow from leaving Kart unraveled completely, like a drop of blood dissolving in deep water. She should have confided in him sooner. He was someone who would share any burden.

“Do you have anything else you want to say?” As he stroked her shoulder-length hair, Leon asked.

Veronica, still sniffling in his arms, suddenly recalled something and mumbled hesitantly, “I’ve always wondered… why don’t you ever call me by a nickname?”

“Why should I shorten something so precious? If anything, I wish your name were longer.”

“Why?”

“So I could say it for even longer.”

“…Where do you even come up with these things?”

“I rack my brain every day, jotting down any good ones to use later.”

His nonsense made her laugh despite herself. As she giggled through her tears, he laughed along with her. In the drowsy atmosphere, her body felt loose and relaxed. On a cool summer night, with the breeze gently swaying around them, nothing seemed scary as long as they were together.

From now on, all they had to do was stay close like this. If they did, their flames would only grow stronger, burning brightly as one.

Veronica closed her eyes, drifting into slumber, cradled in his warmth.

***

The man dreamed. It had been a long time since he last had a dream. In it, he was walking through an endless desert, and after passing through a sandstorm, he found Veronica standing beside him. They looked at each other briefly before turning forward and walking together. They walked and walked until they finally stopped in front of a beautiful sword. Veronica pointed at it as if she wanted it, and Leon reached for the hilt to offer it to her. The moment he pulled it out with strength, his eyes opened.

Chirp, chirp.

He stared at the morning sky, where white clouds drifted, before lowering his gaze to the woman in his arms. Sunlight, slipping through gaps in the leaves, fell upon her face.

Veronica was sound asleep, her lips slightly parted. Occasionally, her brows furrowed or her eyelashes trembled, as if she were dreaming. He could watch her for an eternity without growing tired of it. No, even if he woke up to her every morning for the rest of his life, it wouldn’t be enough.

Once they crossed the Whiteland border today, they would reach the northernmost port, Roberdin, in a month. After settling down, he planned to get her a sword, just as she had wanted. That must have been why he had such a dream.

Tracing his fingertips along her collarbone, he watched as a red mark briefly bloomed and faded. Simply touching her wasn’t enough. In the end, he entwined his fingers in the hair at the back of her head and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Mmm…”

The woman let out a soft whimper as he inhaled her scent deeply, filling his lungs. He felt like a beast in heat. He wanted her—more, deeper.

His restless touch must have woken her, as Veronica murmured, “This doesn’t make sense… Why is it morning already? This must be a trick played by the god of sleep…”

Her voice trailed off as she dozed off again. Amused, he chuckled, and she mumbled something else before drifting into deeper sleep. Pressing a kiss to her round forehead, Leon sat up.

“If you’re tired, sleep a little longer. I’ll call you when breakfast is ready.”

“…No. I told you, I hate waking up alone.”

Despite her grogginess, Veronica forced herself to open her eyes. She was far lonelier than she let on. She would wake early and stay up late just to match his schedule. Every time he saw her nodding off, a strange feeling stirred within him. Yet, he had once left this woman alone in a dark room.

“Then should I wake you?”

Chasing away his bitter memories, he slipped his hand under her clothes out of habit. She let out a ticklish, uneven giggle. Lowering his head, he pressed his lips to her delicate nape, his hand naturally sliding upward, cupping the soft, yielding flesh in his palm.

“You’ve gained weight.”

“Well, someone keeps feeding me without rest. You’re probably fattening me up to eat me.”

“Sounds like a great person. Never let them go.”

At his shameless response, Veronica giggled. Just meeting her gaze made his body react. Small face, delicate features—she was beautiful, and she was the only one who didn’t realize it. She was becoming even more stunning with time.

“If you’re fully awake, go wake the others.”

After gazing at her for a moment, he slowly withdrew his hand from beneath her clothes.

“…Are you going to fetch water? We’re not doing more?”

Leon, who had been about to stand, hesitated at her unexpected question.

When he turned to look, Veronica, now lying on her side, added in a small voice, “I’m still sleepy.”

Leon silently observed her innocent gaze. The wind rustled the leaves, creating a whispering sound. Even in the shade, her pale shoulders shone bright.

She had no idea how provocative her words were. If she knew just how much restraint he was using, she would never have said such a thing.

“Later. When we’re alone.”

Hearing movement from nearby, Leon answered firmly.

He always wanted to give her more than just warmth. He wanted to give her so much that even if she recalled the past, she would never consider leaving. He had no time to sit idle. Now, he had a family to protect.

***

“Noah went into the forest to find something light for breakfast. If you’re tired, sleep a bit more.”

Veronica informed the groaning Hugo before approaching Nightstar. Horseback practice had now become a morning routine. Though Leon often told her to stop tormenting the poor animal, she had continued.

But today, she had made significant progress. After repeatedly attempting to mount only to slip off, Nightstar let out a snort of resignation, lowering its neck and body to help her climb on.