Chapter 14

Justine looked at Leon and the book.

"How odd," she signed. "I bought this exact book as a gift for the man I loved. But now, it's a gift for me because I took the first step to overcome my past scars."

She smiled and thanked him.

Leon watched her until she reached the ground floor before finally turning away.

The receptionist leaped to her feet.

"Wasn't that your favorite performer, Dr. Tuke?!" she whispered excitedly.

"Oh, so this is the one who made Dr. Tuke fly home from Hattenberg—before the conference even ended—just to see her perform?" her colleague chimed in.

Indeed, Leon had attended a science conference in Hattenberg, one of the largest cities in Libernois, a country across the ocean from Novaris. It was supposed to last three days—until he flew back to Novaris early, just to catch her swan song.

Leon grinned. "Keep this lore quiet when she's around, young women. She's just a patient here."

"Yes, sir! Definitely, sir!" The young women nodded enthusiastically. "She's