Despite not receiving the response he hoped for after a few moments, Leo remained undeterred. With a gentle tone, he turned to Hera and asked, "Do you think I can reallye?" His gaze dropped slightly as he posed the question, already bracing himself for a potential rejection. He resembled a disappointed dog denied a treat by its beloved owner. Before Hera could respond, Leo continued in a softer voice, "I don’t know anyone out there except for you. If you don’t agree, I don’t think I’ll fit in with anyone else. But everyone in the vige seems so weing and nice that I feel like..." Leo trailed off, his words ended with a sigh.


    Even without finishing his sentence, it was clear what he was trying to express, and his struggle to articte his feelings was palpable. He appeared torn between his desire to join and his expectation of rejection, and Hera couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him.


    Hera perceived him as both intimidating and unapproachable, leading her to specte that he might not have many friends and could be introverted. It seemed natural for him to act reserved, perhaps harboring curiosity but feeling too shy to reach out to others. Despite his striking appearance, the energy he exuded didn’t seem particrly inviting, making it challenging for others to approach him.


    Hera felt a sense of responsibility to help Leo break out of his shell and connect with new people. She saw his good looks and natural charisma as qualities that shouldn’t be hidden away. "I was actually just about to ask you to join us. Would you like to?" she inquired, observing Leo’s face light up like a bulb. A wide smile gradually spread across his lips, and he beamed brightly at Hera, momentarily catching her off guard with the radiant visual attack he sent her way.


    Leo nodded eagerly at Hera, instantly agreeing with her offer, and apanied it with a gentle smile. Only then did the usually silent Xavier speak up, his lips pursed thoughtfully. "Hera, aren’t we supposed to cook for the vigers tomorrow?" Xavier paused, casting a nce at Leo. "Perhaps we could hold the celebration tomorrow instead. That way, we can treat it as both a celebration and a thank-you party for the vigers. Today, we could all use some rest afterpleting the race."


    To be honest, Xavier was content to stick to their nned itinerary for the day. He wasn’t particrly tired, and they could still celebrate today while cooking for the vigers tomorrow, as originally nned. However, he couldn’t shake the feeling that if he gave Leo an inch to get closer to Hera, he would definitely take a mile.


    He feltpelled to prevent that from happening, a nagging feeling stirring inside him that this wasn’t how things were meant to be. It was as if something or someone was urging him to view Leo as an adversary rather than a potential love rival, and the unease grew within him.


    He found himself in a dilemma; he didn’t want to control Hera’s choices or her interactions with others, yet he couldn’t help but intervene in Leo’s attempts to get closer to the woman he admired. <i>’Is this jealousy?’</i> Xavier wondered as he tried to decipher the unfamiliar feeling. Having never experienced jealousy or envy before, he wasn’t entirely certain.


    Upon hearing Xavier’s suggestion, Hera found it logical and efficient, without suspecting any ulterior motives. She genuinely considered the proposal and weighed their options. However, she had already extended the invitation to Leo, and she hesitated to rescind it or abruptly alter their ns, mindful that Leo might not be avableter.


    Leo interjected with his own idea, addressing Hera’s concerns. "As I mentioned earlier, I have some free time on my hands since I wasn’t that crucial in mypany. Would it be alright for me to join you guys in the vige?" He asked, with a hint of apprehension, as if unsure of their response. "Perhaps I could also take some time to explore the beauty of the vige," he added, stealing a shy nce at Hera. "Maybe you could show me around?"


    By now, Xavier was certain of one thing: Leo was a formidable rival who could employ any means to capture the attention of the person he liked, even if it meant acting coy or disying shyness. Xavier felt like he had already lost to Leo in this regard, unable to envision himself behaving shyly or appearing vulnerable in front of Hera.


    Xavier nervously nced at Hera’s face, trying to gauge her reaction to Leo’s obvious acting. Hera, too, noticed Leo’s act, and her earlier concern evaporated. However, she chose not to call Leo out, as his behavior seemed harmless. Perhaps he genuinely wanted to visit the vige but was too shy to ask directly, resulting in his roundabout inquiry.