Noelier ran a hand across the corner of his mouth as if in disbelief.
His red eyes grew dark. He didn't want to believe it, but it was possible.
Noelier recalled the dream he had a few days ago.
He lay alone in the hot flames.
No, actually, he couldn't even tell if it was himself. It felt vivid yet unfamiliar. It felt just like peeking into someone else's memories.
He felt intense pain in his arm, wondering if he had been seriously injured. He couldn't even move a finger.
The pain was so vivid that it felt like reality, not a dream. To make matters worse, his vision was blurry, as if his eyes had been injured as well. Everything he saw appeared to be shattered into pieces.
It was just as he was fumbling around, looking up his surroundings, that he heard the sound of footsteps approaching him.
He recoiled and stepped back. He wanted to say something, but his throat was so dry that only fragmented words burst out.
“...Don’t come closer.”
He mustered his last ounce of strength to speak. It was a clear warning. But the sound of footsteps did not stop.
He forced himself to raise his arm. It meant he would attack if anyone approached. Only then did someone stop in front of him.
And he placed his hand on his wound.
"...!"
A tremendous chill ran through his body. The heat that had surrounded him, as if to melt everything, subsided in an instant.
“Who are you?”
"..."
"...What is your name?"
There was no answer.
He had to find out the name, the name, but his body, relieved by the cold, slumped limply. Blink, blink, his eyes closed on their own.
"My name is..."
It was a soft tone. A voice that seemed familiar, yet unfamiliar.
Just as he was about to listen a little more, he woke up from his dream in vain.
Noelier was drenched in sweat. The coldness he had felt in his dream was nowhere to be found.
Noelier thought that the solution to this matter would lie with Eve.
So he wore a mask called kindness that didn't suit him.
At first, he tried to take her younger sibling along as well, but... He didn't.
He didn't want to ruin the atmosphere they had.
If other subordinates had read this thought, they probably would have been appalled.
What need is there for him, the leader of the South and furthermore the master of the Beast World, to be considerate of others?
"...Because she helped Rachel. And Rachel... seemed to like her too."
Noelier muttered as if making an excuse.
It’s absolutely not like he fell in love with her at first sight.
Those are all intangible emotions that exist only in novels. Noelier thought so.
"..."
So this is nothing.
"..."
Not really.
The reason his face turned red when they held hands was simply that it was the first time he had held someone else's hand. That is why.
"..."
His face began to turn red. It was somewhat different from the heat filling his body.
Noelier clenched his fist tightly. The protruding veins stood out on the back of his white hand.
Why am I acting like this? Just as he was tracing his unpredictable mind, he heard the sound of hurried footsteps.
His gaze, which had softened as he thought of Eve, became sharp again.
It was when he was about to assume an attack stance, wondering what kind of fearless wolf cub it was.
“... Rachel?”
His younger sibling was standing in front of Noelier.
As if having run with all her might, her cheeks were flushed red.
"This tactless...!"
"...?"
"Idiot! Fool! Mongrel! Fire-breathing reptile!"
Rachel stomped her feet with an angry face.
Noelier was flustered. He was quite shocked that his delicate younger sibling had suddenly blurted out such harsh words.
"Phew. I finally feel like I can breathe. As expected, holding it all in makes you sick."
Rachel spoke with a slightly softened expression, as if relieved after letting it out.
"No. It's actually for the best. It would be strange to take her away so suddenly, since she's a really scaredy-cat."
Rachel, who had been muttering something, lifted her head and met Noelier's eyes.
"A man who cries prettily. There are a few more besides that."
Then, she suddenly started spouting strange words.
"My sister says she likes handsome men."
"...What?"
"And they say they want a last name. I don't know what a last name means."
"What are you talking about..."
"They wish they had a lot of money, too."
“Rachel.”
"And they say they want to move to a warm place."
Incomprehensible words poured out of the small mouth.
“Everything is satisfied.”
"..."
“I will help you.”
Noelier just blinked, unable to understand this situation. At that, Rachel sighed in frustration and pounded her chest.
"They say men go straight ahead!"
Rachel, fuming to herself once again, shouted "You fool!" with all her might, turned her back, and ran into the forest.
Noelier, who had suddenly mastered all of Eve's ideal types, just stared blankly at his younger sibling's retreating figure.
"Ah."
And before long, he realized everything.
"..."
Noelier's face flushed bright red. He thought he had hidden it well, but he had ended up being caught by his much younger sibling.
A large, white hand covered the corner of his mouth. He felt so ashamed and embarrassed that he thought he would go crazy.
"Uh..."
He washed his face with his hands and came down from the forest, mulling over what Rachel had told him.
***
03.Wolf
The dawn sunlight pierced through the winter forest. Before I knew it, it was time to leave. Having fully completed my preparations, I checked the medicinal herbs I had brought.
"Wow..."
Rachel, who had eerily sensed my preparations to go out, rubbed her eyes and stood up from her seat.
"Don't get up, sleep more."
“Ugh..."
Rachel shook her head and grabbed the hem of my clothes. The way she rubbed her wide-open eyes was just so adorable.
I smiled softly and stroked Rachel's head.
"Sister, why are you leaving...?"
"Yeah. I have something to take a quick look at."
"Are you going out to do business again? Didn't brother, or rather, that person, give you the money?"
Money? He gave it to me.
He gave too much.
I recalled the meeting from a few days ago.
I expected Noelier to give me a look full of contempt, saying, "You have dirty tastes," but he was calmer than I thought.
No, on the contrary, it seemed as though his face had brightened even more.
"That’s what I told you back then.”
He said that and put down the heavy bundle.
Flutter!
At the loud noise that made my ears ring, I stared at him with my mouth wide open.
"Oh my god, what is this..."
I struggled to hold back my rolling eyes and spoke with a troubled expression.
“This is too much.”
"Is that so? I think that is too little. I can give you more if you would like."
Is that so? Then can you give me more?
The words welled up in my throat. Life is so tough that I’ve become a slave to capital; what can I do?
I'm just a wolf true to its instincts.
Of course, I refused at first. There was nothing more uncool than being too obsessed with money, so I had to manage my public image.
In the world of reciprocity, refusing about three times was the standard practice.
In fact, it was something that could be said because it didn't seem likely that Noelier would say, "If you dislike it so much, there is nothing I can do. I will take the money back."
"Please let me know if you need more."
Noelier said that, flashing a beautiful smile.
Gasp.
It was the first time I had seen such a bright smile. My heart felt like it was going to stop, so I unconsciously brought my hand to my chest.
'Your smile looks more expensive. Can I buy it with this money? How much do you need?'
I felt like I was about to say something cheesy without even realizing it.
His good looks were that powerful.
No. But 'if you want.' What if I actually mention a huge amount?
'I told you, he has a surprisingly naive side.'
I recalled the moment we held hands. As I thought of him, with the tips of his ears stained red, my wolf instincts threatened to reawaken.
'Being shy is totally my style.'
I smacked my lips.
Well, anyway, I received the money.
'Because money is the best!'
It seemed like I could buy a castle (not that castle) if I saved just a little more.
Farewell, foolish past me!
'Now, selling herbs is over.'
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