The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 151. Rin Valarune

Chapter 151: 151. Rin Valarune

Thoughts tumbled like leaves in a windstorm as Rin’s mind whirled in a fog. In her memory, Leonhardt Caulem was a dim shadow—just a classmate, a reserved bronze-class student she had never spoken to or noticed. Their eyes never met, and their paths never crossed.

However, something was growing within her since the bandit attack. What drew her heart to him? Was it his quiet generosity? His constant presence nearby? She was unable to figure it out.

In her haze came a harsh, odd voice: ’Miss, what are you reading?’ Who is it?

After she was smashed into the arena wall by Berend’s hammer, darkness took over and the world faded away.

Her mind had gone blank, leaving only fragments: crushing Berend with a power that didn’t feel like hers, using gravitational magic she didn’t know. The pictures flickered and then disappeared. Slowly, distant, muffled voices began to emerge, like whispers behind a door.

"She still hasn’t woken up?" A gruff but worried voice inquired. Mori.

"No, she has used up her energy." In a soft, apprehensive voice, Velmera responded, "She needs time to heal."

"So she just needs some time to wake up?" another voice said, calm but concerned. Lucian. "So, brother, why don’t you get some rest? You arrived here at the break of day.

Rin felt the warmth of Leo’s close, steady voice in her chest. "I’m all right. I want to be here when she wakes."

Velmera’s voice became stern, almost scolding. "Brother-in-law, you haven’t eaten all day. Atleast have something from the canteen."

Practical but playful, Mori jumped in. "Apples are right here. Leonhardt, take one."

Lucian hesitated, his tone uncertain. "But It’s for senior Rin."

Unconcerned, Mori snorted." She won’t give a damn. Have a piece here."

Rin’s body felt heavy, like stone, but she pushed through the haze, her will fighting to wake up. Her eyelids fluttered, hard to lift, and slowly opened.

The world was hazy, with soft light making shapes blurred. The room fell silent as the voices ceased. When her vision returned, she noticed Lucian and Velmera seated on wooden chairs across from her. Lucian’s eyes were wide with surprise as he held a slice of apple.

With her silver brooch gleaming in the lamplight, Velmera’s hands froze. Mori was standing to her right, looking shocked and holding an apple half-eaten in his mouth.

Rin turned to the left and looked into Leo’s eyes. His crimson eyes were focused on her as he sat on a stool by her bed, holding a half-bitten apple. A surge of emotions was triggered by seeing him, his angular face softened by concern, his uniform wrinkled from hours of waiting. Her chest tight with relief and guilt, tears welling up in her eyes and streaming down her cheeks.

The group became a cacophonous jumble. "We ate without asking, sorry!" With a flushed face, Lucian blurted and pushed his apple slice at Mori. "He is to blame!"

Mori pushed the apple and Lucian’s slice toward Leo while yelling and waving his arms. He protested, avoiding responsibility, "It’s because Leonhardt said he was hungry!"

With his crimson eyes fixed on Rin, Leo, as composed as ever, took a slow bite of the apples. With her hands clutching the rough blanket covering her, she let her tears fall freely, streaking her pale face. Velmera spoke softly and worriedly as she leaned closer. "Why are you crying, Senior Rin? Are you in pain?"

Rin forced the words out, her voice raw and weak. With her voice breaking and tears choking her, she said, "I’m so sorry for dragging you all into this."

"I’m such a fool. I made a mess of everything."

Leo sat quietly by her bed, eating his apple slowly, his crimson eyes unreadable, while Lucian, Velmera, and Mori exchanged concerned glances.

Leaning, Lucian spoke quickly and quietly. "Do something, brother. She is breaking down."

Leo stood up, finished his apple, and wiped his hands on a cloth over the chair. His voice was steady but gentle as he leaned in close to Rin, his crimson eyes meeting her teary pink ones. "You don’t have to cry like this, Rin Valarune."

His comforting words cut through her haze as her sobs slowed and her eyes met his. Leo’s hand moved toward her face as his lips quirked into a tiny, playful smile.

what....?

She froze, expecting a gentle touch, but his fingers snapped quickly, flicking her forehead. Rin rubbed the area and let out a startled yelp, her eyes wide.

With shocked and perplexed expressions on their faces, Lucian’s jaw dropped, Velmera gasped, and Mori almost choked on his apple.

Leo narrowed his eyes as he leaned closer, his face close to hers. "I can’t stand people who cry before the punishment even starts."

Rin’s breath caught as her tears began to flow again, but he held her chin softly and tilted her face to meet his eyes in a firm yet gentle tone. "Hey, don’t cry until I say so, okay?"

Rin stopped sobbing and looked into his eyes.

As he gazed at her bandaged face at the moment, an unexplained warmth arose in Leo’s chest beneath his composed exterior.

Velmera’s voice interrupted. "Brother-in-law, she just woke up. Don’t be so harsh with her."

Lucian nodded. "Yes, Big Brother, calm down. She has endured enough."

Leo released Rin’s chin and stood up straight, his eyes darting to them with a glint of irritation. "Oh, come on." With a huff, he tangled his red hair and yelled, "She should have thought this before committing to a duel she couldn’t win."

"You saw what happened. She would have died or worse if Lucian and I hadn’t intervened."

Rin’s gaze dropped to the blanket as she twisted the fabric with her fingers while feeling guilty. "I am sorry," she said in a tiny, broken voice. "I just... I couldn’t allow them to speak badly about you. I lost my control."

Leo’s head turned to her. "So you’d throw your life away for my reputation?"

She stayed quiet, her silence heavy, hands still clutching the blanket.

Leo sighed, his voice softer but annoyed. "Look, Rin, I don’t care if people fight their own battles and lose. What gets under my skin is when someone I care about gets hurt because of me."

Rin’s head shot up, her pink eyes wide at someone I care about, the words hitting like a spark, warming her chest. Before she could speak, the infirmary door creaked open, and the head healer walked in, a strict woman in flowing robes, followed by a nurse, they both stops looking at many people in the room. They argued the patient needs rest leaving no room for debate.

After exchanging brief glances, Leo, Lucian, Velmera, and Mori made their way to the door, their footsteps soft on the wood floor. Rin’s voice was a quiet, frantic whisper, and her eyes followed Leo’s. "Wait..."

At the door, he paused and turned to look into her red eyes. His voice was strong and low, lingering like a vow, "Rest up. I’m not done with you yet."

Rin was left alone as the door gently closed behind them.

Leo’s words, ’someone I care about,’ echoed in her mind as she sank back into the pillow, her heart pounding.