CH 29

A red sunset settled in the winter forest. 

Noelier got up from his seat and said he had to go. I finished tying Rachel’s hair and patted her bottom. 

"Come on, Rachel. You should see your brother out."

"...."

"...Rachel?"

I called her once more as if to urge her, but Rachel remained motionless. She didn’t think of moving her bottom that was stuck on the floor. 

I looked at Rachel with a bewildered face. 

"Why, Sister?" 

"......." 

"Yes?" 

Rachel shook her head.

…Didn't your memories come back?

I looked at Noelier with a troubled face. He smiled and shook his head like it was okay. 

"I guess it's still awkward." 

“But…” 

I looked at him, puzzled.

I thought she might have some memories back... 

….Anyway, Rachel ought to be more present.

When will her memories return? 

I have no choice but to get up alone from my seat.

"I want to see you off too!" 

Then Zion jumped up. 

"Zion." 

Then Rachel called Zion in a dry voice. It was an expressionless face that was not normally seen in Rachel. 

"Huh?" 

"Don't go out, let's just sit down." 

Rachel beckoned him to her side. Zion shook his head in bewilderment. 

"Why? I want to see him off too." 

"It gets hot without you. Help me." 

"I can't use ice magic! So I'm going to see him off with my sister...." 

"Ears." 

"Heee!" 

With Rachel's words, Zion trembled. Then, as quick as a commanded puppy, he sat down. He looked very frightened. 

Ears. What does that mean? 

I stooped to the children, snooping. In the meantime, Rachel, who glanced at me for a moment, began whispering in Zion’s ear. 

“What is it? Please tell me, too.”

Rachel shook her head with a coy look.

“We didn’t say much, did we?”

“....”

"Right, Zion?" 

"Uh huh······." 

At Rachel's urging, Zion smiled awkwardly and nodded his head. 

Are these mice already making secrets? 

I watched the children with contempt. 

Rachel giggled and covered her mouth as if she would not speak. 

I couldn’t help it. Seeing her innocent look, I smiled and got up from my seat.

"Bye!" 

“Goodbye, brother…” 

Two voices of different pitches saw Noelier out. Before standing, Noelier glanced at his sister. 

"......." 

"......."

The gazes of the two siblings met. It was like they were having their own silent conversation. 

Rachel raised her hand and tapped her eye. Then she nodded with a grave earnest look. Noelier nodded back with the same serious expression. 

Is it a brother and sister greeting?

I walked out of the cottage with Noelier, but before leaving, I looked at him and said, “I'm sorry to bother you again today.” 

"No, it’s okay.” 

I felt uncomfortable because he had to stay a few more days because of me. Noticing my heart, Noelier shook his head as if it was okay. 

"I'm sorry that I stayed at my own will.”

"Don't say things like that. You've suffered because of me. There was also that embrace… Thank you very much.”

"...Well then, Eve." 

"Yes?"

"Could you please grant me one request?" Noelier asked politely. 

With a slight nod, he took a step closer to me. 

"Give me a small reward too." 

"...A reward?" 

A reward? What would he want? I don’t have anything. Don't tell me you're taking the money you gave me? 

I shook my hands in tears, indicating that I had nothing. 

He smiled and shook his head. 

"It's not material. It's very easy." 

"If that's the case...what is it?" 

"·······Can you stroke my hair just once?" 

"Yes?!" 

I let out a sound of surprise.

Then I heard a loud bang over the thin door. 

I quickly turned my head toward the window. I spotted black hair and silver hair scattering in a hurry, trying to disappear. 

No, those mouse drops!

"Eve." 

It was when I was about to ask what they were peeking at so secretly. Noelier called me one more time. I turned my gaze toward him. 

Before I knew it, he came closer. I looked at him with a puzzled face. Then he stammered, blushing. 

“When Ev, Eve’s hand touches it, the heat circulating through my body disappears.” 

"We, Well then, why don't we hold hands instead? The hair is a little…” 

I also stuttered. It was the first time I heard such a request, so I felt embarrassed. 

"…Hands, I’m not yet ready mentally...”

“……” 

“Of, of course, I don’t hate it. I wish I could, but...… "

Noelier mumbled and shook his head. Before long, he had dyed his ears red. 

I couldn’t say a word and just licked my lips. 

Noelier then asked imploringly, drooping down the corners of his eyes.

“...can’t you?”

“......!”

The sight made me take a deep breath. His moist red eyes made my heart thump and sink. It was as if tears were about to fall. My heart started beating faster than when I woke up in his arms. My nostrils fluttered spontaneously. 

But he said sullenly, thinking that I was going to refuse. 

“······Was it too much to ask?”

"No, rather than too much...." 

"But last night, when Eve touched me, it felt so good..." 

"Wah!" 

No, this guy! What are you talking about in front of the kids? What do you mean touching?

I stood before him, waving my hand vigorously.

"Okay, okay. I'll do it for you!" 

His face brightened with my consent. 

······ Is it really okay to do this? 

I was reluctant but I stretched out my hand. As if Noelier had been waiting, he leaned his big body to meet mine. His soft black hair scattered through my fingers. His face relaxed even more. 

"Does this make you feel better?"

"......" 

"......" 

Noelier nodded with his eyes closed tightly. 

‘You asked me with that face, how can I not listen?’

I stared at him blankly. My fingertips were burning. I bit my lips in shame. 

"Ruby, it’s just like what you said!”

Then a small whisper dug into the scene. 

“I told you, right? This is the best way to attack your sister.”

"Ruby is a genius."

"But it's only the head. It's too weak. Only then when..." 

I turned my head sharply to the murmuring voices of the children. The children glued to the window were looking at us with their eyes shining. 

Instantly, my face became hot. 

“.....” 

I quickly lowered my hand at the rushing embarrassment. 

As my hand fell, Noelier slowly opened his eyes. 

Disappointment spread on Noelier's face, but he did not ask for more. 

"....Thank you." 

Noelier straightened his posture. 

When our eyes met, we averted both our gazes as if we had made a promise. 

"It’s, it's nothing." As I said that, my voice trembled. My heart was pounding as if I had done something wrong. 

"Now, I’m really leaving." He smiled and said with a relaxed expression. 

I flinched and lowered my head. After a while, as he was about to turn around and go, he stopped and looked back at me. 

"Eve." 

"Yes?" 

"......Be careful eating weird food.”

“Something weird?”  

"Yes." 

What does that mean? 

I blinked and tilted my head. How thorough I am about that. Of course, I suffered from strange drugs yesterday, but it would not have happened if the merchant had not given me strange herbs.  

"Yes. Don't worry." I nodded and spoke proudly. 

“.....” 

A slight concern appeared on Noelier's face. 

No, really! Noelier seemed unaware of how wary of a wolf I was. 

Noelier, who had been staring at me for some time, smiled and nodded.  

"Yes, I see. Then I'll leave now.”

He bowed politely and turned away from us. 

“.....” 

I looked at his back and waved blankly. 

Suddenly, my hand reached the end of my gaze. I felt that there was still a soft touch on my fingertips, so I hurriedly lowered my hand. A wolf stroking a dragon's head. Besides, even his face was blushing...…

I felt weird. 

“He's gone." 

“It's alright. He'll be back.”

At that moment, a whispering voice was heard again.

‘Yeah, it's all because our mouse drops were looking at us.’

I blamed the kids and opened my eyes. When I turned my head, the frightened children hid under the window.

“You guys!”  

With loud footsteps, I entered the cottage. 

"Eek, let's run away, Ruby!" 

A whisper was heard from Zion as he pulled Rachel closer. 

"These mouse drops! You won’t come here?" 

I chased after them with a loud noise, like a monster in a fairy tale that will eat them. The children ran around the narrow house, making voices out of half-fun and half-fear. It was like tagging, but not like the usual tag. 

I tried to think of something else, but the fingertips that touched Noelier's hair seemed to keep getting hotter.