Morning Beneath the Ancient Canopy [Part -2]
"...Wait."
Her blue eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"You... opened your eyes awfully quickly."
Rias blinked before turning toward Leon.
"...Don't tell me..."
"Were you already awake?"
Leon rubbed the back of his head with a helpless smile.
"I never really fell asleep."
Both women froze.
"...What?"
Leon looked toward the fading campfire.
"I closed my eyes to rest."
"But someone had to stay alert."
"This forest isn't completely safe."
"If a magical beast or an unexpected visitor had appeared during the night, someone needed to notice first."
Realization slowly dawned on both of them.
The protective barrier...
The untouched campfire...
The peaceful night...
He had quietly watched over them the entire time.
Selena lowered her eyes, a mixture of gratitude and guilt filling her heart.
"You... stayed awake all night?"
Leon smiled casually.
"It wasn't a big deal."
"You two were exhausted."
