Betrayed, I Knocked Demon Lord's Door - Chapter 69: Chapter 69

Periods were rough, but our relationship was going fast.
Too bad that little "brain fog" faded away once it was over, and everything went back to normal.
Still, even though Caitlyn wasn't as soft and clingy anymore—back to her usual proud self, only hinting at wanting attention, her attitude toward Leon had shifted in a subtle way.
Instead of keeping him at arm's length, she'd stopped resisting his little gestures of closeness, like letting him hold her hand when they went for walks.
Leon's cooking skills had also improved a ton thanks to his daily grind. He wasn't a master chef yet, but the difference from when he started was huge.
Before he knew it, half of November had slipped by.
That night, as Leon shoveled food into his mouth, he kept sneaking glances at Caitlyn across the table, feeling a strange warmth in his chest.
Her birthday was coming up on the nineteenth.
At first, he'd planned to cook her a big birthday feast as a surprise.
But he cooked dinner every night, and they barely ordered takeout anymore.
Leon thought about slowing down, but every time Caitlyn looked at him with that little spark of anticipation, he just couldn't say no.
But if he cooked for her every day, would the birthday surprise even feel special anymore?
Leon mulled it over through the whole meal and finally came to a conclusion.
That was wrong!
He realized he'd been missing the point. He was practicing his cooking so he could make warm, delicious meals for the world's cutest Caitlyn every single day, not just for a one-time birthday surprise.
'Hmm, guess I'll just have to come up with an extra little surprise to go with the big birthday dinner.' he thought.
Caitlyn rubbed her happily full belly after dinner, then looked up at Leon and asked, "Wanna go for a walk?"
Leon nodded. "Put on a jacket. It's getting cold again."
Caitlyn refused, "I'm wearing a wool sweater. I'm not cold."
"Then you're not going out." Leon stood in front of her with his arms crossed, not giving her any chance to argue.
Caitlyn pursed her lips and stared at him for a long moment.
It was definitely going to be too warm.
"Alright, alright. Move it, or I'll kick you!" she grumbled, pouting as she squeezed past Leon and headed for the bedroom.
Leon followed behind, head held high and chest puffed out like a rooster who'd just won a fight and impressed his favorite hen, looking ridiculously pleased with himself.
Caitlyn opened her closet, hesitated momentarily in front of all those clothes, and was just about to grab a cape when Leon suddenly grabbed her hand from behind.
She looked up, ready to snap at him, but the sudden warmth of his body pressing against her back made her heart skip a beat.
Without missing a beat, Leon picked out a thicker coat. "Wear this one. It looks good on you."
Caitlyn glared at him for a long while, her cheeks burning, so mad she could grind her teeth.
She really wanted to bite him hard! But what if he actually liked it?
Once she'd changed and stepped outside, Caitlyn sped up, swinging her hand just out of Leon's reach, refusing to let him hold it.
Leon grinned, trailing behind and playing his little game of trying to take her hand, not in any rush.
He couldn't help but smile. 'The childish Lady Caitlyn really is adorable!'
One in front, one behind—one tall, one small—the two of them strolled leisurely down the street. The sky was pitch black, not a single star in sight, like ink spilled across the heavens. Only this city shone bright, standing alone in the wilderness.
But neither of them felt lonely or afraid. They just quietly enjoyed the peaceful moment together.
As they neared the far edge of Laverit, a winding river snaked its way through Ekavine, flowing right past the heavy city walls and out beyond.
Caitlyn stopped. A gust of wind swept up from the water, damp and chilly as it brushed her face, making her squint a little.
Leon finally managed to catch her hand, gently holding it as he stepped forward, shielding her from most of the cold wind. His gaze drifted toward Laverit, the darkest corner of Ekavine City.
It wasn't some rundown slum. Ekavine City didn't have places like that. It was just that there weren't many lights around.
"Are you cold?" asked Leon.
"Hmm, not really." Caitlyn let out a quiet breath, feeling the warmth of his palm, and glanced down at the river.
The sound of rushing water echoed along the banks—swish, swish, swish—filling the quiet, dim night with a touch of loneliness.
Leon said softly, "When we get back, you should sit by the fire."
Caitlyn said casually, "Yeah, but I'm going to take a hot bath first."
Leon added, "Be sure to keep warm! Otherwise, our invincible Lady Caitlyn will be pitiful again next month, and I can't stand seeing you like that. You really need to take better care of yourself, you know?"
"I'm pretty sure I know more about this than you do..." Caitlyn muttered under her breath.
He didn't even have to deal with this every month, and he was trying to act like he knew better.
After a moment of silence, Caitlyn suddenly murmured, "Leon."
Leon looked at her. "Yeah?"
Caitlyn shook her head. "Nothing."
"Hmm?" Leon raised an eyebrow, glancing at her in confusion.
Caitlyn huffed, "Can't I just call your name for no reason?"
Leon sighed. "Of course you can, Lady Caitlyn. You can do whatever you want."
Caitlyn rolled her eyes. "You make it sound like if I wanted to take over the world, you'd actually help me do it."
"If that's what you really wanted, yeah, I'd help you." Leon replied with a relaxed smile.
Caitlyn couldn't help but glance back at him, feeling like he wasn't joking at all.
'No way! Would he really go conquer the world for me if I just said the word?' Caitlyn thought.
Caitlyn said, "We used to be at each other's throats! We've been rivals for over ten years!"
"So what? Does that stop us from being such good friends now?" Leon gave her hand a little swing, as if to prove his point.
Caitlyn muttered under her breath, "You're the one who showed up at my door looking all pitiful. I only let you stay because I felt sorry for you."
Leon asked, "So, Caitlyn, does that mean you don't see me as a friend?"
She suddenly went quiet.
Leon froze for a second, quickly turning to look at her, a little flustered.
He wondered, 'Wait, why isn't she saying anything?'
Leon tried to speak, "Caitlyn..."
"Shut up. If I didn't see you as a friend, I would've kicked you out ages ago! Besides, you still owe me a ton of money! Don't even think about escaping my grasp until you pay back every last coin!"
Even as she said it, Caitlyn avoided his eyes, a flicker of emotion rippling deep in her crimson gaze.
'What is she really thinking?'
Leon squeezed her hand tight, her warmth flowing up his arm and straight into his heart, warm and comforting.
'Friends...' He smiled. "Alright, alright. Guess I'll just owe you for the rest of my life..."
Caitlyn asked, surprised. "What did you just say?"
"Oh! Look, a snack shop! Want a hot dog? I'm really craving some doughnuts!" Leon awkwardly changed the subject, his eyes falling on a snack shop not far away.
Caitlyn let out a sigh, her thoughts interrupted. "I really need to watch my figure..."