Phew. It was nothing. I really overreacted.
I glanced sideways at the red books placed on top and let out a sigh of relief. The impact of the original novel was too great. There’s no way she’d be reading a book like that already, haha. I lightly reached out and picked up the book Rachel wanted.
"Here."
"Thank you!"
How could he be so polite? A pleased expression naturally formed on my face.
Rachel sat on a chair placed to one side and opened a book. The red eyes glimpsed through the hat pulled down low were determined.
'Okay. Then I...'
I glanced at the bookshelf while watching Rachel.
'Actually, if I want to ask about the human region, it would be better to hear from someone who has experienced it firsthand.'
The problem is where to meet such a person.
The half-breed who lived in the north, and in the forest at that, had no choice but to rely on books.
However, since that day, not a single book related to the human region could be found.
'Who bought all of that? Why isn't it here?'
I can't get the information without that book, either. I let out a small sigh.
Thinking I should visit another bookstore, I shifted my gaze to other books.
I saw red books gesturing for me to look at them.
I scowled tightly. It was because I remembered the book I bought that day.
'Just thinking about it annoys me.'
"What kind of red book is that? Even I could write something more risqué than that." These were the words of someone who had impulsively bought it after being swayed by the title.
Well, the book was stimulating in its own way. It's a hyena shapeshifter, after all. What more needs to be said?
But that wasn't my taste.
So-called manliness? Yeah. That's all well and good.
'But men... they need a certain melancholic charm.'
The best male protagonist I had imagined was someone who had to obey the heroine no matter what, was constantly worried about being hated, and eventually even shed tears.
'Plus, if he's pretty, that's a plus 100 points.'
Past life tastes don't go away.
But what can I do? It is the instinct of a woman and a wolf. I decided to be a little more confident in my tastes.
'Therefore, that book is eliminated!'
I shook my head firmly and rolled my eyes to look for another book. But there was nothing but pure 'macho' men.
'No, not that kind of thing. Something modest and pretty, you know, like that!'
The writers have no idea what's going on! It was a moment when I found myself pounding with frustration.
Shocked.
I snapped my head away at the intense gaze.
"..."
"..."
I made eye contact with Rachel.
"..."
Cold sweat trickled down my back. Surely she didn't see it...? I forced an awkward smile. Then, Rachel smiled broadly and held out a book as if asking for praise.
"Sister, I was reading this. Look at this."
I, who had been frozen stiff, approached Rachel with an even lighter smile.
“Did you read it quickly?”
"Yes, it's not many pages, so I read it quickly. It's really fun."
"Really? Then can Zion read it too?"
I took the book Rachel was holding.
<When Disaster Opens Its Mouth>
"...You... you read this?"
"Yes! It's so much fun."
"No, why are you reading a book like this?"
I checked the part Rachel was reading.
"..."
And after closing the book without a word, she quietly returned it to its original place.
As expected of our villainous heroine.
I tried hard to act like nothing was wrong and led Rachel out of there.
"Sister, buy this for me!"
Zion, having already picked up an item he liked, looked at me with sparkling eyes.
I glanced at the owner as I placed all the items to be paid on the shelf.
As I did so, I cleared my throat for no reason and puffed out my chest. Then, I asked him discreetly while he was in the middle of calculating the bill.
"I haven't seen any books related to the human world lately. Have they all sold out?"
The man answered, still staring at the object.
"It's been ages since those were all banned books."
"...Banned book?”
I asked back, forgetting even to change my voice.
"Well, it's not a completely banned book. It can be republished after review."
"What? To think it was suddenly designated as a banned book? Just for reading a book..."
"It's just that the number of beastmen crossing over into human territory is increasing. What else could be the reason?"
"..."
Feeling guilty, I kept my mouth shut tight.
The man who knew nothing continued speaking with an indifferent expression.
"Over there, what is it? I heard the human king is furious. So they're saying they're going to regulate things before it gets worse or something. But even if they regulate this, those who are going to cross the line will cross it anyway."
"..."
"I wonder if the humans will cross over."
"Then I could have some fun with you."
The man chuckled and returned the change.
At the mention of regulations, I bit my lip in anxiety.
'At this rate, it looks like I'm stuck living in the North.'
I was deep in thought with a serious expression on my face.
“Sister."
It was when I was floundering, lost in thought, that Rachel tugged at the hem of my dress.
"Yes?"
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh. It’s nothing.”
I shook my head and held Rachel's hand.
If I go to the human world, I won't meet Rachel either.
Seeing how I felt a lingering sense of regret, it seemed I had grown attached to her before I knew it. I hugged Rachel tightly for no reason once and left the general store.
"Cold!"
"Just wait a little longer. It will be warm when you get home."
"It's cold at home, too."
On the way up into the forest, Zion whined and clung to my side. As I gently soothed him and stroked his head, Zion looked up at me and asked with a subtle look on his face.
"Sister. You know."
"Yes."
"Uh, when is the older brother who came before coming?"
"Brother?"
"You know, handsome and rich brother."
Are you talking about Noelier?
More importantly. I know he's handsome, but how do you know he's rich?
I wore a bewildered expression, but the perpetually cheerful Zion jumped up and down, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"I wish that older brother would come often."
"He's a busy person, so it'll be hard for him to come often."
"Ah, no! He has to come to my house!"
Zion spoke urgently and stopped. Thanks to that, Rachel and I also came to a sudden halt.
Zion glanced at Rachel once, then spoke with a determined look on his face.
"That brother has to come often! That way Ruby and I, ugh!"
"Zion! I'm so hot!"
Zion could not finish speaking. It was because Rachel suddenly hugged Zion tightly.
Zion, who was about to fall backward with a thud, staggered and barely managed to regain his balance.
I smiled with relief as I looked at the friendly little mice. It seemed that I had now escaped the trajectory of exhaustion to some extent.
'But Noelier...'
Suddenly, he from the novel came to mind. The one who had another heart stolen by a wolf, was unable to save a mate, and eventually died.
There was still a long way to go until the beginning of the original story. It means the wall won't burn to death.
However, he merely has some time left, and the future will not change. After all, he only had one heart.
'I wish he wouldn't die.'
It had been a long time since I had forgotten our terrible first meeting. Before I knew it, I was hoping he wouldn't die.
It was then.
“Brother!”
Zion ran off, making a loud noise.
“Noelier?”
He hugged Zion, who was smiling brightly as he embraced him. Zion kept muttering how warm it was and rubbed his face against his chest.
Rachel, his actual younger sister, stayed by my side with an indifferent expression.
Why did he come so suddenly? I calculated the date we were supposed to meet. I think it was probably tomorrow or the day after.
Noelier, holding Zion lightly, approached us.
"Was today already the promised day?"
At my question, Noelier hesitated, then slowly shook his head.
"I'm worried."
“Are you worried?”
Are you talking about Rachel? I looked down at Rachel clinging to my leg.
"..."
"..."
The dragon siblings' gazes met. They exchanged only glances and remained silent.
"Excuse me..."
“What are you two doing?”
Zion and I rolled our eyes, glancing nervously at them.
It felt like even meeting an enemy on a narrow bridge wouldn't be colder than this. You two are siblings, right...?
It was then.
"Mmm, it's hot."
Rachel was the first to look away. Then, as if nothing had happened, she rubbed her face against my body and whined in a voice full of affection.
"Are you hot? Shall I give you a hug?"
"Yes."
Rachel smiled sweetly and opened her arms toward me. It was just as I was bending down to give her a proper hug.
"Eve."
Noelier called me. I looked at Noelier in a half-bent, hunched position.
"Yes?"
"I also have a fever."
"...Yes?"
He approached me with his face bright red.
Does he want me to pat his head again? But there are kids here, so... I looked at the children with a bewildered expression.
Our innocent younger brother just tilted his head, and Rachel...
"..."
She was looking at her older brother with a slightly annoyed expression.
It was the same face as when she saw me transformed into a puppy, no, a wolf.
"Hah... that's not it."
Rachel let out a small sigh, muttered something, and stroked the back of her neck with her hand. She seemed stifled by the heat, even though she was sharing the cold. It was just as I was about to share a little more strength.
"Ah."
Noelier nodded with a solemn expression, as if he had realized something.
"Eve."
As if asking him to look this way, he began to unbutton the buttons fastened up to his neck with his other arm, which was not holding Zion.
A thick, white yet masculine neckline was revealed.
And in the middle, a magical restraint worn like a choker.
I recalled an illustration from a novel that had brushed past me.
When serving the Queen, the male protagonist's appearances.
"...!"
The wolf's instincts were surging wildly!
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