Chapter 329: Matters Of The Heart [Part 1]

After dinner, Tianna went to look for Leone to talk about important matters.

When the young chieftain went to meet her, he personally invited her to his house, which was located deep within the mountain.

Very few guests had been granted this opportunity, so Tianna decided to agree.

When she arrived at Leone’s house, she noticed he was living in a cavern, which was where Jason and the first Aslanians also lived.

"Natalia?" Jason blinked. "What are you doing here?"

"We are here to discuss a business deal," Leone replied. "Since she is a merchant from the White Falcon Merchant Guild, I thought it was best if we had some talks before the upcoming Tribal Gathering."

Jason nodded in understanding. His chieftain had been doing a good job in handling the affairs of the Aslan Tribe. For this reason, he had no doubt that whatever "business talks" he would have with Natalia would surely benefit the tribe.

"Well then. Please come in," Leone said as he opened the door to his house.

The moment she entered the room, Tianna noticed that Leone’s house wasn’t as luxurious as the villas he provided for his guests.

Instead, there was only a simple table, a simple couch, and a simple bed.

In fact, everything around the room was simple, which made her wonder whether this really was Leone’s room or not.

A moment later, she heard a movement from the door right across from her.

Aria, with her hair still wet and wrapped up in a bath towel, emerged from the bathroom. A smile appeared on her face when she saw Leone. However, that smile quickly froze the moment she noticed there was another person inside the room.

"S-Sorry!" Aria hurriedly returned inside the bathroom with beet-red cheeks.

She was currently on night duty to serve her chieftain. Leone hadn’t forgotten about it, but he didn’t expect her to come so early tonight.

If anything, he thought that Aria would arrive two hours later, so this was ‌hindsight on his part.

’Why didn’t you tell me that Aria was already inside my house?’ Leone asked Daedalus.

’I thought it was going to be entertaining—errr, I mean, why should I tell you?’ Daedalus asked back. ’Did you even bother to ask?’

Leone could only facepalm at those words. Daedalus had a really mischievous side to it.

"Excuse me for a bit," Leone said before heading to the bathroom to comfort the embarrassed and shy girl who was hiding inside it.

Though, just like Aria, Tianna was also blushing. She had done nothing wrong, but she felt like she had suddenly become a third wheel. As Yuni’s friend, she was aware that Aria and her friend would usually spend the night with Leone on a rotating shift.

This was a promise he had made with them during the night before the war, when the two ladies had bared their feelings toward him in order to calm his heart before the war started.

Back then, he had asked them for a compromise. This was that compromise.

After a few tender hugs and some words of assurance, Aria finally emerged from the bathroom.

She then hurried toward Leone’s bedroom with a towel still wrapped around her body.

The young lady swiftly headed to the closet in order to wear a nightdress before diving into the bed to hide under the blankets.

"I’m sorry," Tianna said, but Leone just waved his hands in return.

"It’s no one’s fault," Leone replied. "Well then. Let’s talk about the reason why you wish to talk to me."

At those words, Tianna glanced at the bed, fully knowing that Aria could eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Don’t worry," Leone smiled in understanding. "Aria is my confidant. She will not speak of anything that we will talk about in this room."

"Yes." Aria poked her head out from the blanket. "I promise I won’t say a thing."

Tianna nodded back. "I want to tell you about the special event that will be held during the Tribal Gathering. It’s the Martial Tournament that will decide who gets to be the next regent of Eden."

Leone nodded in understanding. "I’ve heard a bit about this tournament. If I remember correctly, the champion’s wish can be granted, right? As long as it doesn’t go below the bottom line of the chieftains and it’s a wish within their power, their wish will be granted."

"That’s right." Tianna nodded. "And this year’s competition will be a very challenging one. You see, I’ve heard rumors that a prodigy from the Grimhowl Tribe will be participating. He already stated his wish as well. If he wins, he plans to ask the Chieftain of the Warclaw Tribe to marry his daughter, Tianna, to him."

"Huh?" Leone’s expression turned solemn after hearing Tianna’s statement.

After all, how could he possibly allow such a thing to happen? All this time, he was working hard to play matchmaker for Jason and Tianna.

He knew Tianna was very popular among the young men of the barbarian tribes, so Leone wasn’t surprised to hear that a participant of the Martial Tournament planned to ask for her hand in marriage. He could even tell that Godwin might even grant this wish, as the tournament’s champion was considered a very honorable person.

"What do you want me to do?" Leone asked in return. He wanted to know why Tianna had shared this information with him.

The young lady didn’t hesitate and came clean.

"Earlier, Jason said that she loved our Great Oracle," Tianna said without batting an eye. "However, for this to happen, he needs to gain enough merit to be acknowledged by our chieftain.

"Even if he were to kneel in front of Lord Godwin, he would turn down his proposal to marry Lady Tianna. If possible, you should send Jason to compete in the Martial Tournament to have his wish granted."

Leone and Daedalus finally understood what Tianna was telling them. She didn’t want to marry the prodigy from the Grimhowl Tribe, so she was hoping that Leone could do something about it.

Naturally, the Chieftain of the Aslan Tribe would move mountains to make Jason happy. But for his vassal to gain happiness, he must first know what Tianna actually thought about Jason.

Sure, she made it sound like she also liked Jason. However, unless she came clean, all of it was purely Leone’s speculation.

In short, he needed proof.

He needed Tianna to tell him that she also loved Jason.

As long as she did that, Leone would not hesitate to use every means at his disposal to make it happen.

"Then, does Lady Tianna love Jason?" Leone asked, his gaze never leaving Tianna’s face.

While doing so, he tapped on the table with his fingers, causing small runes to appear on top of it.

Those runes then turned into words, which said.

"Remember, I know who you really are. So, tell me the truth. Do you love Jason?"

Tianna stared back at Leone long and hard. It was no longer a secret between them since her father "Conrad" had already shed his mask during the battle against the Monster King.

But of course, that was what she thought. What she didn’t know was that the moment they entered the Aslan Tribe back then, Leone already knew of their true identities with Daedalus’ help.

Then again, the other chieftains had probably already suspected that Natalia was none other than Tianna in disguise.

"Yes," Tianna replied softly.

Her words were so soft and low that it was almost inaudible.

Leone heard it, but he wasn’t satisfied. He wanted her to tell him about her feelings firmly and clearly.

"I didn’t hear you," Leone said. "Please say it properly. If you do, then I promise to do my best to prepare Jason for the tournament."

Tianna rested her closed fists over her lap, as if gathering the courage to speak what her heart wished to happen.