The Demon and the Hero - Chapter 10- Impatient

“What?! Riphez was there?!” Hera’s reaction was expected as Lenora nodded while covering her face with a warm towel.

After returning from the dinner, Hera was waiting for the lady to hear about what happened.

And, against what she expected, her dear friend ended up meeting a man who recently confessed to her, while being with a guy who was showing interest in her.

This was messed up.

“What did he say?” Hera asked, a bit of anxiety in her voice.

She has seen the dedication of the young man and for him to see Lenora being on a date with another man must have been heartbreaking.

After removing the towel, Lenora added, “He said … .he would be returning since he got the answer for which he came here.”

Hera’s eyes widened. Shock prevented her from saying anything, allowing Lenora to add, “I…was quite troubled seeing him like that. Maybe because I have only seen him smiling around me his saddened expression made me feel anxious.”

“…you talked to him after that, right?” Even Hera was feeling her heart heavy for the pitiful one.

From the sound of it, he must have felt quite devastated to just suddenly give up on the woman he was so resolutely pursuing.

However, thankfully, “Yes, I talked to him. I chased him and asked him what was going on in his mind…we had quite a conversation. And in the end, he agreed to not return to the demon realm.”

Hera was surprised and relieved as she asked, “What did you say to him that he dropped the plan?”

Lenora felt a bit embarrassed confessing, “I told him I won’t go on any date with anyone.”

Hera’s mouth parted slightly. Her shock elevated seeing her ever so stoic friend, blushing slightly.

Inching closer to her, she said, “You said that you won’t go on a date with anyone else but him?”

“—! That’s not…what I said! I said I won’t go on any date.”

“But doesn’t that mean the same? After all, you have already given your word to Riphez to date him for a week.”

Lenora grimaced; this damn maid remembers every goddamn thing.

Seeing her grumbling, Hera giggled, “You are adorable, Lena. For blushing and shying away at this age, who would’ve thought.”

“Shut it, and scram. I need to sleep.” Lenora covered herself with the cover since her face was turning hotter with each second.

Hera’s melodious giggle resonated in the room before she walked away, closing the door behind her.

Lenora remained awake for quite some time…her mind reeling back on what happened this evening.

Whenever she recalled those eyes of Riphez when he saw her and the Prince together, her heart became heavy. However, the elation and relief he showed later, allowed her heart to attain serenity.

His sweet smile…his gentle eyes, the way he clung to her…everything made her feel like she needed to protect him.

To protect his smile.

******

The next morning, Lenora woke up early … a little too early.

It was six in the morning and it was still too early….so she decided to work out a bit.

She took her sword and went to the backyard.

Stretching her body, she began swinging her sword.

The basic training of swordsmanship was to swing your sword without letting a single slash become weaker or shorter than before. Precision and discipline are the two most necessary factors required to become a swordsman.

Lenora aimed for a thousand swings, but after five hundred she felt a bit tired.

Looking around, she rested the sword by the tree, and after wiping her sweat, she jumped over the wall and in a blur, made her way towards the nearby shop.

From the corner of the street, she watched the bakery where Riphez worked and felt disappointment upon finding it still closed.

‘Quite moody these shop owners have become these days…’ It was already nearly six thirty yet they hadn’t opened up. Sigh.

She returned to the training ground and went for another five hundred slashes and some core workout before deciding to call it a day.

Returning to the mansion, she took a quick bath and changed her clothes. With the surety, she walked out of the mansion and headed towards the bakery.

….however,

“Still closed?” A frown marred her face as the lady saw the bakery’s doors still shut.

She thought it was fairly late now yet it hadn’t opened—making her feel a bit suspicious.

However, before she could have barged in to inquire, a voice called out,

“Miss Lenora?”

Lenora paused and turned to look at the source of the voice,

“Riphez…” he was standing there with a perplexed face. His brown long hair was slightly damp. He looked at her with those big innocent eyes.

She stepped back from the store doors, and asked him, “Did something happen in the store? Is it still closed?”

Riphez shook his head with his slim brows slightly knitted, “It usually opens at eight. Did you need something urgently?”

“…” Lenora…might have been a little impatient.

Coughing in her fist, she said, “My maid got a little sick so I thought I could have breakfast here.” She lied through her teeth. But she couldn’t have said that she was getting impatient to meet him!

‘No..I wasn’t impatient to see him..definitely not…it was just to ensure that he didn’t leave for the demon realm….yeah, that should be it.’

“Miss Lenora?”

“Ah, yes. Should I come later?” She asked, but Riphez instantly shook his head,

“No, please come with me.”

Lenora was perplexed, “But the shop hasn’t opened.”

Riphez smiled, “I will cook you a meal in my room. Now please follow me.”

“…” …in his room?

*****

A/N:- The Brave Hero is not immune to the charms of the little baker. Damn, thanks for reading.