"Yuki."
Arlott's voice cut across the courtyard, sharp and clear.
"Take Leon and leave. I'll handle the rest."
Yuki didn't respond.
She wasn't looking at Arlott. She wasn't looking at Vane or the paladins or the two S ranks flanking the High Cleric. She was looking at Leon's face.
Just his face.
He was exhausted in a way she could read better than anyone, the particular stillness of someone who had pushed past their limit and simply stopped. She could feel it through the contract, faint but present, that thread of his existence running quieter than usual.
She brought one hand up and brushe tod the hair back from his face.
Slowly. Without looking away from him.
"Hand him over," Vane said again.
The threat in his voice had graduated. It wasn't a request anymore and it wasn't pretending to be.
Yuki still didn't react.
