Upon awakening, I checked over my ankle and found it to have darkened to a deep purple. Still extremely tender to the touch and not at all happy about having any sort of pressure applied to it. For that very reason, I had Clorica be the one to wake me up this morning so I might have some assistance getting dressed.

"Princess, Dr. Jones sent over a pair of crutches for you to use in the meantime while your ankle heals," Clorica says, handing me the crutches. I turn to thank Clorica for her assistance this morning, but she's asleep on her feet. I smile wryly. She's always falling asleep, and yet she somehow is able to complete all her work with aplomb. I'm not sure how she does it, but I'm glad that she does. I softly thank Clorica and I try to finagle the crutches. I've never used these before so it's a bit of a struggle to get them to work right. Are these supposed to be this uncomfortable? The crutches bite my into my armpits and I have to wonder if these are the right size for me. These honestly seem to be made for someone taller than me.

Resigning myself to discomfort, I crutch my way out to my field. Leon said he would assist with my chores while my ankle heals. I wonder what time he'll be here. Honestly I am rather curious about him. He is a constant enigma to me. One moment he's relentlessly teasing everyone around him, and the next he gets all serious and kindhearted, helping everyone in need. I'm not quite sure what to think of him. Perhaps learning more about him would help me gain some perspective.

As I reach my fields, I hear the happy chatter of my monsters. It's an ecstatic sound that they only make when they're being fed and to be honest, I thought they only made that sound for me. Hmm, I guess perhaps Leon is already here. He's quite early and I didn't think he was much of a morning person. It seems that there is a lot I misjudged about him. Lost in my morning musings, I don't notice Leon exiting the barn and immediately stripping his shirt off.

Catching sight of his vast expanse of tanned, muscular skin glistening with sweat, my breath catches in my throat. He really is beautiful. The contrast between his tawny skin and his silky pale blue hair is stunning. And those fox ears of his are quite adorable; I have the strong urge to pet them again. His eyes, shadowed by sinnfully long eyelashes are a vibrant shade of turquoise that seemingly stare through my soul. The moment I make eye contact with him, I flush with embarrassment, having just been caught ogling him.

"Put your shirt back on Leon!" I blurt out trying to cover my embarrassment.

"But it's sooooo hot," Leon whines, winking mischievously at me.

"I'm well aware it's hot, but you don't see me stripping in the field in plain sight of a main thoroughfare!"

"Why not? I'm sure you'd be resplendent as always."

"Because it's indecent! That's why! And why would you be thinking about me with my clothes off anyway!?"

"Merely because you're so fun to mess with Frey. I really got you going there didn't I?" Leon winks at me again and slowly, so agonizingly slowly, puts his shirt back on. He's doing it on purpose and I'm trying my hardest not to pay him any mind. I refuse to give him the satisfaction of my embarrassment.

"So am I correct in assuming that you only decided to help me out so you could relentlessly tease me? And here I was starting to think better of you," I respond in irritation. Something about my tone causes Leon's eyes to go wide in surprise, and then concern. Perhaps I sounded a bit more bitter than I intended.

"There's more to it than that Frey… While you are my new favorite target, there's something incredibly intriguing about you. You are an enigma wrapped in mystery and ribbons." He walks over to where I'm standing and before I can say a word to respond, he places a finger over my lips and shushes me. "I'm not finished yet, Frey. You had no connection to this town, and yet you gladly took up the mantle of responsibility that comes with being princess and you take great pains to ensure that everyone in town is taken care of. At the same time, you are completely reckless and seem to have little to no regard for your own safety and well-being. So I have decided to take it upon myself to protect you for Venti's sake. I've seen how close you two are, and she would be quite devastated if anything happened to you. Besides, now that you've become my new favorite target, I can't very well let you die now can I?"

He steps away to water my crops and I'm left standing there balanced on my crutches struggling to come up with a response to his statement. My heart is racing from how close he was to me and the brush of his finger against my lips; my mind is rebelling and trying to come up with a way to defend myself, but he's right. I don't think before I act in situations where my friends might be in danger. Venti has accused me of recklessness before and most of my friends have chastised me for caring so little about my own safety. But even though Leon is correct, I don't have to like it. I guess sometimes I'm just too stubborn to give up the fight.

It's clear that Leon cares deeply for Venti. And why not? He was after all the first to sacrifice himself and become a Guardian. On top of that, he was also her priest. So easy to forget that fact. Leon, the dragon priest. How could someone who never takes things seriously be a priest? It boggles my mind. Just another facet of the human conundrum known as Leon. I honestly thought he was a bit of a jerk at first. Funny how your opinion of someone could change so subtly that you don't notice the change at first.

"So, are you going to be dogging my every step, now that you've taken up this oh so grand idea of saving me from myself?" I ask.

"Be careful what you wish for, princess, you just might get it," Leon says as he walks back towards me. He tilts my chin up with his finger, "Because I think I might enjoy following you around for a while." He releases my chin and takes a step back, a smug grin on his face, eyes dancing with mischief.

Meanwhile I am trying to control my reaction to him and I'm failing miserably. My eyes went wide at his touch, my breathing hitching at his closeness, the warmth of his skin and his natural scent, a combination of sandalwood and a sea breeze. I manage to maintain my balance on my crutches at least; I don't think what little vanity I have would be able to handle the embarrassment of falling to my knees at a single touch.

My mind and body are confused; these feelings are extremely foreign to me. I shake my head in an attempt to clear it, and while still a little muddled, I decide that I have other duties to attend to and I have to pull myself together to accomplish them. Awkwardly crutching myself around towards the door to Venti's room, I leave without another word to Leon. I refuse to dignify his comment with a response, but I also fear what my own response would my voice tremble with unknown feelings? Would I be able to snap back quickly with something witty? Perhaps the better part of wisdom is to say nothing at all.

And so I continue into Venti's room, ignoring Leon, who still had some remaining chores to do before he would be able to follow me. Perhaps now was my chance to give him the slip if in fact he plans on following me. Crutching my way past Venti, I briefly greet her and continue out the front of the castle. Who would be best to go see? How about Maragaret?

I turn to my left and crutch as quickly as I can toward the east side of town. I pass by the general store and proceed to Maragaret's house. Balancing careful on my crutches, I knock on her door. Much to my chagrin, there is no answer. It seems she has already left for the day. If thats the case, she might be at Porcoline's restaurant already. I make my way up the northbound street as quickly as I can and almost crash head first into Dylas.

I glance up to apologize, and I notice he's blushing profusely. What is with everyone today? "Hey, Dylas. Would you be able to open the door for me? It's a little difficult with these crutches."

"Uhh, um, of course. One moment," Dylas turns towards the door quickly, trying to cover his embarrassment. He opens the door for me and I proceed forward with a thanks and a smile. I hear the familiar lilt of Margaret's voice as she chastises Porcoline for not going to his annual health check-up. A smile forms on my face as I shake my head and make my way toward her. She's so incredibly caring and I adore her. She may perhaps be a little overbearing sometimes, but that's part of her charm. And besides, I'd much rather have a friend who cares too much than too little; if I'm being honest, apathy is incredibly dull and unsatisfying in a friendship.

As I approach, Margaret finishes her rant and she turns to me with a smile. Her radiant smile lights up the room and I feel myself automatically returning her smile as we greet each other. I explain my situation and she grins mischievously, ushering me to the back room gently. She pulls out a stool for me to sit on in this rather cramped space. It's not much of a room at all; more of a pantry really. Margaret and I are very close to each other, but I don't mind. We agree that perhaps this is the best place for me to hide for the time being, and perhaps we can get me out of town for some fresh air without him noticing.

Now it's not that I'm afraid of Leon per say, it's more of the fact that I'm not quite sure what to do with my reaction to him. Everything I feel when I'm around him is so intense and confusing, I don't even know where to begin with it. Perhaps having some space to work through the events of the past twenty-four hours and my emotions in regards to said events will help me keep a more even keel around him. Having never experienced such feelings before, I was rather alarmed and felt that making my retreat from this morning's encounter to be quite prudent.

A knock sounds on the door and Margaret goes outside to answer it. My original intent was to spend some time talking to Margaret about these feelings I have and perhaps gain some wisdom from her. It was a solid plan, but I underestimated Leon. The door opens to Leon standing there, arms crossed with a bemused expression on his face. My jaw drops to the floor and Leon bursts out laughing at my shocked expression. I honestly thought I would have more time before he found me.

"H-how?" I manage to squeak out.

Leon gets himself under control and replies, "You weren't exactly sneaky. Pretty much everyone saw you, and you're not exactly quiet or fast in those crutches." He pauses a moment, a smug grin appearing on his face, "If you wanted me to chase you that badly, you could have just asked. But perhaps next time you should take me out to dinner first." Leon winks at me and walks over to one of the restaurant tables and orders some food.

My jaw on the floor, still flabbergasted, I sit there on my stool in the pantry staring at him. Margaret steps into my line of view, glances at Leon, then looks back at me knowingly. She's grinning at me and that glint is back in her eyes. My eyes narrow. What could she possibly be planning? She winks at me then helps me up from my stool and leads me over to the other side of the building where Arthur keeps his office. I can feel Leon's eyes tracking my every movement and I try not to let my face flush at the thought.

Margaret sits me down on the plush sofa in the sitting area and informs Arthur that we're going to borrow his sitting room for a bit. He murmurs his assent, clearly engrossed in administrative paperwork. Margaret then takes the seat across from me and rests her chin atop her clasped hands, leaning forward and staring intently at me. "So, what's going on between you and Leon?" she asks.

"I don't know Margaret. I asked him to help out with farm chores while my ankle heals, but every time he's near my heart starts pounding faster and I can't seem to catch my breath. Honestly, I have no idea what's wrong with me. That's why I wanted to come see you today."

"Hmm, I see," she pauses to think a moment then says, "That still doesn't explain why he felt the need to follow you all the way here."

"I thought I mentioned it when I arrived. I told you that he's determined to be pinned to my side and I wanted to get him off my trail for a little while so we could talk," I say somewhat confused.

"Oh! Is that what you were trying to tell me? You were so flustered and out of breath that I only was able to hear 'hide me' when you were babbling upon your arrival," Margaret laughs her musical laugh and beams at me.

"Why are you looking at me like that? What's so funny?"

"You! You're just too cute!" she grasps my hands in hers and leans in close. "I'm so excited for you! Ah! Your first love is the one you usually remember for the rest of your life!" She's so close to me that we're almost touching and I'm more confused than ever. Love? This is love? Why now? Why Leon?

"I don't understand, Margaret. Love? What is love?"

"Oh, Frey, that's right, your memories. I spaced a moment, not realizing you wouldn't remember learning all about love growing up." She pats me on the head gently and continues, "Love is a magical thing. Its almost tangible if you know how to look for it. It's the most powerful emotion in existence and its quite obvious to me that you have the beginnings of that emotion for Leon. I saw the way you reacted to him. And I noticed the way you said his name. Nothing could be more obvious!" Her eyes are sparkling with excitement, an excitement I don't feel.

I place my head in my hands. How does one react to this information. In love? With Leon? Leon, the one who torments Forte for his own amusement, and is somehow very gentle and nurturing to Kiel, almost like a mentor. And then there's the way he cares for Venti. Argh! I'm not ready to accept this. It's too much too fast and I'm not ready for this! "I didn't ask for this Margaret! What do I do? What do I do?" I start sobbing in frustration. "I didn't want to like him. And now you tell me that I'm falling for him? I can't accept that. I don't even know him! I-I-I"

"It's ok Frey," Margaret interrupts me and pulls me into a hug. "It's ok to be afraid of change. And it's ok if you're not ready for it. Just take your time and let it happen. Give him a chance. He's not nearly as bad as you're imagining. And if it doesn't work out? Well, there's always other fish in the sea."

"Are you sure? Could it really be that simple?"

"Take some time to get to know him a little better and if you don't feel comfortable with it, then you know its not meant to be."

"Ok. Thank you Margaret," I say, wiping my frustrated tears from my eyes and drying the rest of my face with a handkerchief from my pocket.

"Of course, Frey! Anytime. We're friends after all, It's what we do." Margaret helps me stand up and balance on my crutches and we make our way back into the restaurant portion of the building.

Leon is exactly where we left him, sitting at one of the tables eating the food he had ordered. He has an amused look on his face as we approach. Seeing that I arrived safely, Margaret gives me a wink and a smile then stalks back towards Porcoline to pester him more about his health checkup. I shake my head at her before turning to Leon.

"If you have something to say princess, then say it. You're practically shaking with it; if you let it go too long you might explode," he says cajolingly.

"Do you truly insist on this following me around nonsense?" I snap, clearly unamused. Perhaps I'm still a touch frustrated, but who could blame me. I was not prepared for this.

"Yes, Frey. If you must know, you are a hazard to yourself and you're one track mind while admirable, seems to get you into trouble. Can you imagine what would have happened if you had run out of energy and collapsed? Or if an enemy happened to get into town and you had no way to defend yourself? You're a walking target with those crutches and I know not only Venti, but plenty of others would be quite upset were anything to happen to you."

"And what about you? Would you be upset if something happened to me?" I blurt without thinking.

"Yes, even I would be upset," the smug smirk is still upon his lips, but his eyes have softened. "I've taken an interest in you and until I figure you out, I need to keep you safe."

I stiffen at that last comment. "So say I agree to allow you to follow me around. Will you keep a discreet distance, or will you be next to me every step of my day?"

He looks at me amused, as if the idea of me "allowing" him to do anything is hilarious. "I think it would be best to stick close to you, princess. You have a knack for getting into trouble and I'd much rather be close enough to protect you. And before you get mad at me for suggesting you need protection, under normal circumstances I know that you can hold your own. But while you are injured like this, combat is out of the question. I won't interfere in your business so long as you don't try to ditch me again. Do we have a deal?"

"Fine then. We'll begin this tomorrow morning. I'm going to retire to my room for the day, and I will see you anon," I say stiffly and try to crutch my way out of the restaurant with dignity. Dylas is by the door and opens it for me. He takes one look at Leon, then turns to me and walks me home.