The heavy iron lamp crashed against the wet stone.
A deafening sound echoed through the storm.
Pearl’s breath stopped.
Leo had pulled her into his arms— shielding her completely.
But part of the broken metal struck his shoulder.
Hard.
The impact forced them both to the ground.
Rain poured over them.
Leo’s arm stayed tightly around her.
Protective.
Unmoving.
Pearl’s heartbeat pounded wildly against her chest.
For a moment— she couldn’t move.
Couldn’t think.
All she could feel was him.
His warmth.
His strength.
The way he held her like letting go was not an option.
Leo’s breathing was rough.
His shoulder burned sharply.
But he didn’t care.
His dark eyes scanned her face.
Her forehead.
Her cheeks.
Her hands.
Checking.
Searching.
Making sure she was untouched.
When he saw no injury— relief hit him.
Hard.
His hold tightened for a second.
And in that moment— he made a silent vow.
No one.
Nothing.
Will ever hurt you.
Not , while he’s alive.
Pearl looked at him.
Rainwater slid over his sharp face.
His dark eyes were no longer unreadable.
They were fierce.
Protective.
Shaken.
As if her getting hurt would have broken him.
“Leo…”
Her voice trembled.
Only then did Leo loosen his hold.
Pearl sat up.
And her eyes immediately widened.
Blood.
His shoulder.
The white of his shirt was stained red.
“You’re hurt!”
Leo glanced at it.
“It’s fine.”
Pearl frowned.
“It’s bleeding.”
Pearl shook her head.
“No.”
Without waiting— she stood and grabbed his wrist.
“Come with me.”
Leo looked at her hand around his wrist.
Small.
Warm.
Firm.
And for some reason— he followed without resistance.
The infirmary was quiet.
The storm outside softened into distant rain.
Pearl sat Leo down on the bed.
The nurse had stepped out for medicine.
For now— it was only them.
Pearl stood in front of him.
Her brows furrowed as she looked at his wound.
“It’s deep.”
Leo watched her.
Her wet hair still framed her face.
Tiny raindrops rested on her lashes like pearls.
She looked worried.
Genuinely worried.
And somehow— he liked that.
Pearl carefully took cotton and antiseptic.
Her fingers trembled.
“I’ll clean it.”
Leo stayed still.
The moment the cotton touched his wound— he flinched slightly.
Pearl looked up instantly.
“Does it hurt?”
Leo looked into her eyes.
“No.”
Pearl narrowed her eyes softly.
“You’re lying.”
That made something inside Leo shift.
No one talked to him like this.
Not like she did.
She cleaned his wound gently.
Carefully.
Every touch soft.
Every movement warm.
Leo’s gaze never left her.
He watched the way her lips pressed together when concentrating.
The way her lashes lowered.
The way her fingers moved so carefully— as if afraid of hurting him.
But she didn’t know.
She already had.
In ways far deeper.
Pearl tied the bandage.
“There.”
Leo looked at it.
Then at her.
“Thank you.”
Pearl smiled faintly.
“It’s because you saved me.”
Silence.
Soft.
Warm.
The rain tapped against the windows.
Her heart was restless again.
Why did being alone with him feel so dangerous?
So strange?
She stepped back.
“I should go.”
Leo’s eyes darkened slightly.
She turned— but before she could leave— his hand caught her wrist.
Pearl froze.
Her heartbeat stumbled.
Leo looked at her quietly.
“Wait.”
She slowly turned back.
Their eyes met.
The room suddenly felt smaller.
Quieter.
Closer.
Leo’s voice was low.
“Can I call you Melody Girl?”
Pearl blinked.
“Why?”
Her voice came out softer than she expected.
Leo’s fingers loosened but didn’t let go.
Pearl tilted her head.
“I have a name.”
Leo looked at her.
Of course she did.
And he wanted to know it.
More than anything.
Pearl opened her lips.
“It’s—”
But before she could finish—
Leo lifted his hand.
His finger gently rested against her lips.
A soft shush.
Pearl froze completely.
Her eyes widened.
His touch was warm.
Light.
But it sent chaos through her heartbeat.
Leo leaned closer.
“Some names are too precious for ordinary days, Melody Girl.”
Leo’s voice lowered, softer this time—
“The first time I speak yours…”
His gaze deepened.
“…I want the world to remember it with me.”
His voice was almost a whisper.
Pearl could barely breathe.
Her heart pounded so hard it almost hurt.
Leo lowered his hand slowly.
His gaze softened.
Because he wanted that day to matter.
He wanted the first time he spoke her name— to become unforgettable.
A day made only for her.
A day where the world itself would feel too small for what he wanted to say.
And though he didn’t tell her— deep inside, Leo already knew.
The day he would take her name— would be the day he confessed.
The day he would place heaven itself at her feet.
Pearl stepped back.
Her cheeks burned.
Her heart trembled violently.
She clutched her diary against her chest and hurried out of the infirmary without another word.
But even after leaving— her hand slowly touched her lips.
The place where his finger had rested.
Why did his words feel like a promise?
Inside the infirmary—
Leo stood still, watching the empty doorway.
His fingers still remembered her warmth.
His dark eyes lowered.
“Melody Girl…”
he whispered.
he realized finding her was only the beginning.
Because now— he wanted her name.
Her world.
Her heart.