Grandeur Fantasia

Chapter 99.1 ~ Becoming Closer

AN: Things might feel slow for a few chapters, but I really need to set it up for the Academy Tournament and Leon's company, so sorry about that >_<! I also want more action and the plot to actually move, but I need to do this for character development and some setups. Hope you guys enjoy it~!

Leon sat back on the couch and Aria and Iris joined him and sat on the couch opposite of him. Hot tea and snacks have been prepared by the maids before they left the princess and her aide to their private conversation with the [Dark Hero].

Leon sipped the tea and turned to Aria and Iris. His expression turned serious with a hint of sadness and guilt, which didn't go unnoticed by the two.

"...First of all, there's something I need to tell you."

"What would that be, dearest?"

Aria and Iris looked at him worriedly. They could feel that whatever Leon was about to say was something that weighed him down immensely.

"...There's something I haven't told you about my past."

The room was silent and Leon felt his guilt growing increasingly larger in his heart. He, who hated lies, lied about his past to the women he loves with all his heart.

He knew it was wrong and wanted to make amends by telling the girls the truth they deserve. But... he feared that is was too late... He was afraid that he had betrayed their trust and lost it forever.

When he looked at Aria and Iris's expression, it was as if a spear was stabbed into his heart. They looked at him with widened eyes. He could see sadness reflected in their beautiful eyes.

"I know this is inexcusable... You've given me your full trust and love. Yet, I couldn't be truthful about my past..."

He looked down to the ground. His hands clasped tightly against each other on his lap. If it wasn't for his level 100 body constitution, blood would have flowed from how much his nails are digging into his skin.

"I'm very sorry... I can't tell you everything about my past yet... But... I will definitely tell you soon... I will definitely tell you everything about me..."

He clutched his eyes closed and lowered his head even more. He knew just how this could jeopardize his relationship with Aria and Iris. But he still needed to do it. He wanted to be completely truthful with his lovers, just like how they've given him their full trust.

"Look at me, Leon."

Leon opened his eyes and raised his head to meet Aria's gaze. Her voice sounded stern. It was the first time Leon had ever hear her sounding like this.

Iris also looked at him with slightly moist eyes, but still kept a firm gaze, as if trying to keep up a brave front.

"Why did you lie about your past?"

"...It's because it was something that people could use to exploit me, taking advantage of my lack of knowledge or taking advantage of my unprecedented knowledge. I also... couldn't trust anyone in the past..."

If Leon told people that he wasn't from this world, many would try to use him to their advantage. Knowledge from another world, strength that could defeat Calamity class monster and the lack of common sense of this world, all of them would've given him a huge target mark on his back.