My Love Debts Are Everywhere!
Chapter 653 - 653: The Meaning Behind a Promise

"Make a contract? What do you mean?" Leon asked, curiosity in his voice.

Astra sat back down, the smile never leaving her lips. "A contract is exactly what it sounds like. You and I will form an interconnected bond—just like the one you have with the Fairy Queen."

She glanced at the back of Leon's hand, where a faint flower symbol marked the contract between him and the Fairy Queen.

"Ah... so it's like that. I see," Leon murmured with a small nod.

He crossed one leg over the other and folded his arms. "So, how do we begin the contract?"

Astra's smile deepened as she replied, "Leave it to me."

***

"Huft..." Leon slowly opened his eyes and looked around. He was at the sacred altar.

He got to his feet and glanced at the back of his left hand, where a faint green tree symbol glowed softly.

A helpless sigh escaped his lips as he smiled wryly. "I already have contracts with Miranda and the Fairy Queen, and now Astra too. Isn't this getting a bit much?"

Of course, having contracts with both the Fairy Queen and Astra gave him a major advantage. In a pinch, he could summon them and borrow their strength.

In the end, he hadn't lost anything. On the contrary, he now held trump cards he could play at any time.

Brushing the dust from his white robe, Leon stepped down from the sacred altar.

Once he exited the hallway, he spotted Zelda waiting by the massive iron gate that marked the entrance.

She stood with her arms crossed, leaning casually against one of the great roots of the World Tree.

Sensing his presence, Zelda opened her eyes and shot him a cold glance.

"Let's go," she said flatly.

Without giving him a chance to respond, she snorted softly and turned toward the Emerald Palace.

Feeling ignored, Leon could only sigh. He knew Zelda was acting that way because of what he'd done last night—teasing her a little too much.

But he also knew she wasn't truly angry. She was just sulking, quietly demanding his attention.

He quickly caught up and gently took her right hand, catching Zelda off guard.

"What are you doing?" Her brow furrowed slightly as she tried to pull her hand from his grip.

But Leon could tell she was only pretending—her attempt to break away felt half-hearted and weak.

With a smile, Leon coaxed, "I know you're still upset about last night. So, how about we take another stroll through Lusire City for a change? There's something I want to buy, anyway. Besides, our date wasn't perfect—most of the stores were closed, and we couldn't visit them. What do you think? Interested?"

Zelda's eyes widened at his words. She glanced at Leon, who was smiling with a mischievous glint in his eyes and a playful lift of his eyebrows.

In an instant, her face flushed red, and her effort to escape his grasp faded.

"Since you're being so pushy… how could I possibly say no?" She mumbled, turning her face away as she pursed her lips.

Seeing her tsundere reaction, Leon almost laughed—but quickly held it in.

He knew that if he did, Zelda would get flustered and probably run off to the Emerald Palace.

"Then let's go."

Leon gave her hand a firm but gentle squeeze and led her toward Lusire City.

...

Time passed quickly. It had already been four days since Leon announced he would be leaving in five.

That meant his departure was tomorrow. Over the past few days, he had spent most of his time settling various matters with the First Elder, Astra, and the Fairy Queen.

After all, they were important figures—especially the First Elder, whose vast knowledge was invaluable.

Leon had learned a great deal from her, from historical records to the characteristics of hidden races like dwarves, giants, spirits, and others.

Although some of it overlapped with what he had heard from the Dragon Ancestor, that didn't stop him from continuing to learn.

There was no harm in expanding one's knowledge—the more you knew, the better prepared you were.

Besides, the information provided by the First Elder was far more detailed and comprehensive than what he had received from the Dragon Ancestor.

But that wasn't surprising. The Dragon Ancestor had spent most of his life in deep slumber, and much of his knowledge dated back seven thousand years.

The First Elder, on the other hand, had remained active.

Even after the Elven race secluded itself from the world, she maintained contact with her husband, Amon Crimson, and continued receiving important updates during that time.

Thanks to that, Leon was able to learn things he had never known before.

Aside from studying with the First Elder, Leon also spent time with Elina, Nana, and Zelda.

With Nana and Elina, he took them out to eat in Lusire City—an outing that left both girls overjoyed and full of laughter.

Zelda, however, was often taken out alone, either in the morning or at night, for quiet dates in the same city.

At first, Leon had intended to reject Zelda's feelings—feelings she had confessed back at the river's headwaters. But for some reason, that resolve began to weaken as time passed.

He found himself torn between his own emotions and the promise he had made to Athena.

And the more time he spent with Zelda, the clearer it became how deeply she loved him. It showed in every look, every gesture, every word.

As a result, he found it harder to sleep at night—his mind constantly caught between what he felt and what he should do.

***

Leon sat on his bed, leaning against the headboard.

One leg was bent while the other stretched out before him. He rested an arm on his knee and gazed at the open window to his right.

A cool night breeze drifted in, brushing softly against his skin.

Through the window, he could see the massive, sturdy trunk of the World Tree standing tall in the moonlight.

"Huh..." Leon exhaled deeply and lowered his gaze from the window to the bed. "How should I respond to her feelings? Am I really going to keep rejecting her like I planned? But... wouldn't that just end up hurting her?"

It would be a lie to say he felt nothing for Zelda. She was graceful, kind, sweet, innocent, adorable... and heartbreakingly fragile.

Ever since he'd learned about her past, Leon had made it his goal to help her heal from the loneliness and pain she carried.

That's why, for the past four days, he had kept inviting her out on dates.

If he rejected her tomorrow, he feared it might shatter her already fragile heart.

"Tsk. What a pathetic man. Still unsure about your feelings? You sound like some love-struck teenager. Come on, you're twenty-four—and don't forget, you've got three daughters who are already four years old."

A mocking voice, accompanied by light laughter, suddenly came from the front, making Leon's heart nearly stop.

He quickly turned his head toward the sofa—and there, seated casually with his legs crossed, was a middle-aged man in a white robe.

In his right hand was a cup of tea, which he sipped leisurely, as if his presence were the most natural thing in the world.

"You... that blind old man? How did you get in here?" Leon asked, stunned.

He rubbed his eyes, half-expecting the man to vanish.

But the figure remained, smiling playfully at him—undeniably real.

Leon got off the bed and approached him at a relaxed pace.

"Old man, what are you doing here? Isn't the Elven territory protected by a barrier?" he asked curiously, settling onto the sofa across from him.

The man let out a soft chuckle and replied confidently, "In this world, there's no place I can't go."

Leon fell silent. There was nothing to argue with. After all, he remembered clearly—this man was no ordinary person. He could appear anywhere, anytime, like a shadow.

More than that, his presence hadn't stirred the slightest ripple—not even a trace of energy. It was as if he were part of the air itself.

"By the way..." Leon crossed his legs and looked at him with curiosity. "Got any advice for me, old man? I'm guessing your sudden appearance has something to do with what I'm dealing with right now."

This mysterious white-haired man always appeared when Leon found himself in trouble—offering guidance at just the right moment.

So surely, this time was no different.

"I don't have any advice for you, Leon Kruger," the man replied casually, shrugging his shoulders. He leaned back against the sofa and continued, "What matters now is how honest you are with your feelings."

"Honest with my feelings?" Leon echoed, frowning.

"Yes." The middle-aged man nodded slowly. "Let me ask you—how do you feel about the Elf Queen?"

Leon fell silent for a moment, then answered softly, "Of course I like her—no, I love her."

"Good!" the man said, nodding with satisfaction. "In that case, why hesitate?"

"Well..." Leon scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I made a promise to Athena. She told me to stay away from Zelda."

"Huh..." The middle-aged man rubbed his temples in frustration. "Leon Kruger, I gave you too much credit. You're not as sharp as I thought. How could you completely miss the real meaning behind that promise?"

Leon blinked in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

The man turned his head toward Leon, his eyes still hidden behind a blindfold, and continued, "As the Fated One, you're not destined for just one woman. You'll become involved with many of the hidden races. And one of the only ways they'll truly stand by your side is through the bond of marriage."

"I'm sure Athena knew that from the very beginning. The reason she made you promise to stay away from Zelda wasn't to stop you—it was to make sure you wouldn't forget her. She was afraid she'd be overlooked amid all the connections you'll form with other women from different races. How could you not see that?"