"My apologies, Ellis, but this hand is reserved for Lorenz Foxhead only."
"No, it doesn't have to be that way. Here, just put a finger on top of my wrist for a moment."
He readily rolled back his sleeve, showing his wrist to Leon, who helplessly glanced at him and placed a finger on the skin of his wrist. Ellis observed the affixed point carefully for a while, but nothing ordinary or extraordinary happened. Disappointed, he drew back his arm first.
"Sorry to bother you."
"What's going on with you?"
Leon asked curiously, finding the act a bit amusing.
"I'm having a quarter-life crisis..."
"And what's that?"
Ellis looked at Leon, completely engrossed in finding out what he meant, and started feeling even more guilty. The last time he had said something he shouldn't have. If Lorenz rejected him now, wouldn't he resent him too for encouraging him to go for it?
"You know, Leon—I mean, Your Grace—how about you..."
