The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 154. Rin and Reo

Chapter 154: 154. Rin and Reo

The gentle evening light streamed into the infirmary, creating soft shadows on the white walls.

Rin was sitting upright in her bed, recovering nicely, with just a few bandages covering her forehead and arms. The soft fabric of her loose, pale gown feels light against her skin.

Her maid offered tiny pieces of fruit from a wooden bowl while perched on a stool next to her.

Rin let out a sigh, her voice a soft murmur, her pink eyes fixed on the horizon. "What keeps him from coming to see me today?"

The maid’s voice was friendly and lighthearted as she offered a slice of apple. "Perhaps Lord Leonhardt caught up with things, Lady Rin. He is the section leader, right?"

Rin took the apple and chewed it with a hint of annoyance while pouting and clenching her lips. "Yes, he is the leader, all right. demonstrated it by lecturing me yesterday," she snorted, her tone mockingly annoyed.

She grabbed the pillow from behind her, twisting it in her hands as her frustration poured out. "Who does he think he is to discipline me like that? I stood up for him!"

The maid laughed at Rin’s typical tirade, her eyes sparkling with laughter. "So, do you despise him now?"

Rin’s face flushed, her eyes fell to the pillow as she gave it a tight hug, and her voice became quieter, almost shy. "despise? How could I be? He is concerned about me." With a faint smile on her lips, her voice became dreamy.

"He even said how important I am to him." Her eyes narrowed as she glared at the pillow, but her fire returned. "Even so, he made me cry! I’ll show him who’s in charge one day."

The maid’s voice was kind but playful, and her smile widened. "By getting married to him?"

As Rin punched the pillow, her voice was audacious and her eyes glowed with resolve. "Exactly! I’ll show that fool that I’m in command!" Just as the door creaked open and Leo entered, she swung once more, her fist digging into the plush fabric.

Rin and her maid froze, staring at him with wide eyes. Leo stood in the doorway, his crimson eyes landed on Rin, mid-punch, her fist in the pillow. He tilted his head. "Planning to fight someone again, Valarune?"

Rin’s face turned bright red, the pillow slipping from her hands as she waved her arms, her voice a nervous squeak. "N-no! I was just... uh, talking to myself! Nothing crazy, I swear!"

The maid blushed in embarrassment and suppressed a laugh. Leo’s tone was firm but even as his eyes shifted to her. "Will you wait a minute?"

With wide eyes, the maid rose quickly and bowed softly, saying, "Of course, Lord Caulem." She gave Rin a reassuring look before sneaking out as the door clicked silently closed.

Rin straightened her posture, her hands fumbling with the blanket as her pink eyes darted between Leo and the floor.

Leo approached, his boots silent on the gleaming wood floor, and her heart raced as she grew more anxious with each step. He reached over to her bed.

Rin winced and squeezed her eyes shut, anticipating another scolding like the one from yesterday. Rather, as if she were a child, a warm hand patted her softly on the head.

Her eyes opened wide, pink gaze meeting his crimson one, and she saw him smiling. "Relax, Rin," he said in a soothing, low voice. "I’m not here to give you another lecture."

Words stuck in Rin’s throat as her mouth opened, but he continued speaking in a quieter tone. "I had to say sorry to you. I should not have lectured you yesterday."

Her eyes grew big, surprise flashing across her face as she looked for any sign he wasn’t serious. But his crimson eyes stayed steady, showing a rare softness.

She felt guilty and looked down while tinkering with the edge of the blanket. "I should be the one to apologize," she muttered in a low voice. "I gave you a lot of trouble. I should’ve stayed out of that fight."

Leo pulled the wooden stool closer, its legs scraping softly, and sat down and leaned back, a small smirk on his lips. "Yeah, you should have stayed out of it." "But you’re stubborn."

A spark of annoyance flared as Rin puffed out her cheeks and pouted at his comments. "Hey!" she snorted, but a shy smile appeared on her face as his genuine and deep laugh cut through her annoyance.

His face grew serious, curiosity sharpening his eyes as he leaned forward a bit. "Rin, where’d you learn those advanced spells?" he asked, voice calm but searching. "The ones you used against Berend."

Her brow wrinkled, confusion filling her pink eyes. "Advanced spells?" she echoed, tilting her head. "What are you talking about?"

"The gravitational magic, the Aether Spiral—those aren’t beginner tricks. When did you pick them up?"

She shook her head, her confusion growing, her voice honest and a bit frustrated. "Leonhardt, I don’t know any advanced spells. I’m only able to use intermediate stuff learnt from class."

He froze, his mind racing, a cold feeling settling in his chest. He leaned closer, eyes narrowing. "Rin, you nearly took Berend down with those spells," he said, voice low, almost shocked. "You don’t remember casting them?"

She shook her head again, her fingers twisting the blanket tighter. "I swear, I don’t know what happened. I only remember fighting with what I know."

Leo’s jaw tightened, a spark of understanding flickering in his mind. He sat back, his voice careful but urgent. "When did you black out during the fight? Think hard."

She scowled, her fingers halting on the blanket as her eyes wandered in an attempt to recall. She spoke slowly, "It was when Berend applied that aura coating to his hammer." I crashed into the wall after the hit. After that, everything became dark."

As the pieces began to fit together, Leo’s eyes darkened and his mind began to race. As if testing a bold notion, he leaned forward once more and lowered his voice to a low whisper. "Do you recall what you told me at the banquet when we were drinking, Rin?"

Her pink eyes, wide and innocent, blinked up at him as her confusion grew. "The banquet?" she inquired in an uncertain tone. "I thought I had simply fainted from the wine. You helped me to my carriage, didn’t you?"