I leaned quietly against the wall and peered quietly at the scene playing out in front of us. Was this going to play out as it should, I wonder? At least, Helena wasn't by the Heroine's side.

---*---

Lionel raised an eyebrow at the sound that escaped from Claire, likely unused to hearing a girl actually squeal after being around me so much.

Meanwhile our flustered Heroine's eyes had locked onto his rock like body... but despite the blush she had a hint of determination, as she saw the scars that covered him.

As expected from a man standing in shield walls, many of his scars were on his shoulders and arms. A few appeared at his side as well, from when someone managed to awkwardly squeeze in a spear between the shields.

Lionel's shoulders weren't just scarred, they were battered. For how young he was it was clear he had been to the front line more than once, and that it was already taking its toll on his body. From my standpoint he would likely be unable to lift a shield by the time he turned 20 if he continued at this pace. That is merely four years from now.

I did have a vague feeling that my presence may have made Lionel push himself beyond his limits a few times... but it was something that couldn't be reversed.

In the novel the heroine watched Lionel's scars in horror... but she never commented on where they were or how deep they were either. All in all I hadn't thought about it either... and nor did I ever see him undressed enough to know until now.

However, our beloved Heroine showed no fright nor terror.

"Your injuries... are really bad..."

She was right. They were bad. The skin sunk in here and there from closed and sutured deep wounds. I am quite sure that a few of the hits had chipped off some bone as well.

Lionel merely avoided her gaze with disinterest.

"Would you let me heal them?"

Her question took me aback. It was one thing to heal an open wound, but Lionel's injuries were old and healed up.

Even Lionel raised an eyebrow as he finally looked at her, though, with a coldness I wasn't used to see from his side.

"You can do that?"

Claire nods softly and then motions him to a nearby couch.

Lionel is aware of his physical condition as well. I do not believe there should be any doubt about that. After all, he should be in pain every time he lifts a shield or anything heavy. That said... he does look awfully exhausted today, considering he wasn't a part of the drama that happened in our class.

---*---

Once Lionel has sat down and dried off properly, Claire gently puts her hand on his shoulder. As I, she seems to form a frail flower when compared to Lionel's sturdy stature.

A warm light spreads around her hand and over Lionel's skin in an instant. It is as if they're bathed in sunlight... or... radiate it gently... still, gentler than the light of a flame. Lionel's eyes close softly, and he looks... completely relaxed. Like she took away his stress and worries with that single spell.

His shoulder heals. Flawlessly. You'd think she even healed the bones as well. No, she probably did...

It is magic I cannot cast, and her magic truly is beautiful when seen like this. Gentle, warm and caring. It is no wonder that someone like Lionel would fall for her. Still, the original Lionel was much... darker...

---*---

Lionel is now spotless. Not a single scar is left. Not a blemish. Heroine-chan... your ability is amazing.

"I... originally learned this to help Augustus-sama... but I am happy that it can help other people around me," Claire speaks softly once she finishes up healing his injuries.

Lionel puts a hand on his shoulder and rolls the shoulder a few times to get a good feel of it. He was visibly amazed until Claire mentions 'Augustus'. It's like his expression goes from bright to dark in an instant, his gaze once again cold, and I overhear a small voice nearby going:

'Gaaaah! I told you not to say that name near them!' in a pained whisper.

Magdalin and I aren't the only ones watching. Helena is there too... in another hallway...

"Augustus?" Lionel speaks out... no... he nearly sneers it out.

"That person wouldn't let you heal their scars. They consider them medals of honor," he continues while checking over the rest of his scars one final time.

"You know Augustus-sama?"

Claire's eyes go wide, and so does mine... for the conversation took an unexpected turn.

"I do." He answers grouchily.

"Does Augustus-sama attend the academy?!" Our cute heroine bursts out.

"Lily-sama never really responded, and one of my childhood friends insisted that he'd seen Augustus at the opening ceremony. That he was certain!"

Haaah? I wasn't cross-dress- Oh dear.... oh dear lord... and oh our dear heroine. I am so glad that you apparently only focus on appearances and not the surroundings. I glance to the hidden away Lumere. I'll need to ask Lumere to stay incorporeal, since he's thought of as Augustus' fairy.

Meanwhile, Lionel merely raises an eyebrow at her for a moment and then leans back in the couch.

"I did hear you made a very passionate public confession of your love for him. No wonder she didn't tell you anything."

It isn't like you are telling her anything either, Lionel.

"What do you mean?" Our Heroine frowns, and I ignore the whisper from the other hallway going:

'Is she in love with her twin?!'

Lionel's eyes narrow at the Heroine as he unexpectedly leans in... so close that their lips nearly meet.

"I'll make a qualified guess at why you love him. He did something reckless in war, you healed him, and you fell in love with the kindness he showed."

Our sweet Heroine is red from her neck and up, and not only from him calling her out. Lionel is bare chested after all, and currently leaning in rather close. This is not a part of the scene from the book. At this point Lionel should merely have been quiet towards the Heroine, and their conversation should have been about war... Lionel should have done nothing at all to hurt the Heroine. Yet... his intentions and his expression seems dark.

"Y-yes..." Out Heroine turns her face away, but Lionel blocks her escape by placing a hand on the arm rest behind her.

"Did you, even once, consider that perhaps he was merely kind to you to get you to do what he wanted?"

Our innocent Heroine's eyes widen at his words... in shock.

No... seriously... you hadn't considered that Claire?! Lionel is, of course, on the spot.

"You were eight and had power that could let them win. Of course he'd use kindness if it could get you to comply easily."

Lionel leans in further, making Claire lean back with rounded eyes and a swimming sight.

"T-there's no way Hero-sama would do that!" She squeaks out in a protest.

"Then, tell me... if he really liked you, would he not respond to your feelings? Have you considered that Lily may hide his whereabouts from you because you're obsessing over a man that has no interest in you?"

It took me till now to figure out what he was doing. Originally the subject was war, but it has turned to the subject of love because of me. No, perhaps also war... or just people. Our Heroine is innocent at heart. So innocent that she truly believes in the kindness shown to her... Lionel never had the option to experience that. Our Heroine has jumped from one landmine right onto another one... but I don't intend to save her.

Helena looks incredibly satisfied as well.

This is progressing too fast though...

"T-that's not true..." Claire's voice cracks. It is almost as if you can hear her heart break.

Thud.

Our beloved heroine squirms over the arm lean and flops down on the floor. She is on her feet in a moment and scurries through the room towards the hallway where Helena is...was hiding. Things go quiet as the two of them run off and leaves only Lionel... gazing at the direction where she left. His eyes colder than ice.

Magdalin gently tugs my arm and motions for us to leave quickly before Lionel notices us. I shift away from the wall and disappear into the night.

Lionel... what happened to you while I wasn't looking?

Weren't you always a warm hearted older brother under the icy surface?