TFLCM - Chapter 99

“Uhm..."

A faint moan escaped from between Aria's lips.

“Can’t you see clearly?”

I asked while observing her condition. The grip on our clasped hands seemed to be tightening. I could read anguish on the deeply furrowed brow of hers.

"...As expected, you can't see it."

Aria opened her eyes after quite a while.

"I tried to look for the heart... but I can't see it clearly."

Before disappointment could settle on my face, Aria quickly spoke up.

"Instead, I saw something else."

“What is it?”

She spoke with a smile on her lips, as if delivering good news.

"You have a soul color similar to that dragon's."

"The color of the soul... Is that a big clue?"

"Of course."

Aria nodded vigorously.

"The color of a soul is bound to be different. Even among blood relatives, subtle differences exist. However, your soul and the dragon's were similar. The tips were slightly tinged red. We call that a 'promise'."

She continued.

"Furthermore, I saw a faint black color. Black usually signifies death, so I suspect it might be related to the first leader—that is, the legend."

It was a plausible explanation. If Noelier was the reincarnation of the first leader, it was connected to death.

Aria continued speaking.

"And the red color—that's important. Maybe that could be the heart. Think about it. It's the very distant past. There's no way a dragon's heart could still be inside its body until now..."

The color of the soul intertwined with promises, and the black soul associated with death.

It felt like everything was fitting together like a puzzle.

'In that case, I might really be that wolf.'

My legs gave way in an instant. Before I knew it, I slumped down. It felt as if the heavy weight pressing down on my chest had vanished.

Of course, we didn't find the heart exactly, but I felt relieved to think we found a link.

But if so, why did 'Eve' in the original novel die from Rachel's fire?

'It doesn't seem like Aria is lying, but...'

Seeing me confused, Aria spoke up.

"If you don't believe me, how about using this method?"

“What is it?”

"As you know, dragons are required to offer their hearts when taking a mate. And after that..."

She trailed off. Seeing that she seemed hesitant to speak, I urged her to answer.

"Why? What is it?"

"After that... They do the imprinting."

“Imprint?”

“Yes. Imprinting.”

She nodded.

This was the first time I had heard this. As I stood there in surprise, Aria continued.

"For dragons, mating season comes as a matter of course. However, they cannot mate with just anyone. That is why they imprint with their mates. Only those with a heart can endure a dragon in heat."

Aria met my eyes as she said that.

"If you really are that wolf, you just need to imprint. Nothing will happen."

"Okay."

When I nodded without any particular suspicion, Aria said with a troubled expression.

"...But this isn't a problem that can be easily dismissed."

Aria rubbed her forehead as if she had a headache.

"You must not underestimate the Dragon's Mark. If you're not careful, your life could be in danger. On top of that..."

Aria bit her lip nervously.

"Imprinting is... that kind of thing."

“Something like that?”

"..."

Aria stared at me without saying a word.

It was as if her narrowed eyes were asking, 'Why are you asking such a thing?'

"Ah...!"

Aria, realizing the meaning of the exclamation I let out, actually looked apologetic.

"I know. It must be scary. It seems like that dragon wants to imprint on you too, but that is usually difficult..."

“It’s awesome!”

"..."

Aria blinked blankly at the cheer that was like a lion's roar.

"...Aren’t you scared?"

Aria looked at me with a bewildered expression. But on the contrary, it was I who was confused.

“Am I scared?”

"I know you're strong in places like that, but your opponent is a dragon."

"I know. That's why I'm worried. Noelier isn't immune to things like this. He might cry, asking how we can start with something like this when we're not even married yet. That shouldn't happen! No, actually, maybe crying would be kind of nice..."

I was genuinely saddened.

Then Aria burst into a hollow laugh.

"What kind of nonsense is that? That dragon wouldn't even blink an eye..."

It was just as Aria was rambling on in a bewildered tone.

"Eve."

A welcome voice called my name. Thanks to that, Aria's words were abruptly cut off.

As I turned my head, I saw Noelier approaching us.

"Preparations are complete. Now we just need to set off."

"Is it so?"

"...Do you want to stay here a little longer?"

Noelier said with a slightly anxious expression.

I immediately shook my head.

I did everything I could. What remained was for the Easterners.

Furthermore, I left without a word, making Noelier anxious. I didn't want Noelier to feel bad emotions anymore.

'And, you have to imoront it too!'

As soon as I thought that, I wanted to go back to the South quickly.

There was a lot to do. The imprinting was one thing, but above all...

I wanted to tell him my true feelings and everything I had been hiding.

"Noel. Let's go back together."

At my words, Noelier's face instantly relaxed. It was a smile beautiful enough to melt even a frozen heart.

“Complete... fraud..."

Watching Noelier nod happily, Aria muttered with a disgusted look on her face.

'Fraud?'

I looked at Aria with a question mark on my face.

Aria flinched and gave an awkward smile.

"It's a scam. The leader's appearance."

That is true. It was a lie that someone beautiful, even when standing still, would smile like that. I nodded in agreement.

“Uh, sister!”

Just then, a familiar voice was heard from afar.

Rachel was running toward us, breathing heavily. It was Zion chasing after her.

"Rachel, why do you keep running away?"

"..."

Despite Zion's hesitation, Rachel silently hid behind my legs. I wondered if she had fought with Zion, but seeing her glancing around, it didn't seem like that was the case.

It seemed as though Zion was trailing behind Rachel, just as always.

"Rachel, why do you keep running away? I said, ' Let's play."

"...No."

"Damn it... this is too much..."

Zion, who had been making a sad face, flinched and shook his head vigorously.

"I won't cry anymore. I won't whine either."

"I like men who cry. Even more so men who whine."

"Then I'll cry again! Just like my sister's ideal type."

Why are you bringing me up again there!

I hurriedly covered Zion's mouth. Zion, his face full of question marks, closed his innocent eyes.

'I told you not to say things like that anywhere!'

I shot a glare at Zion, but our little mouse couldn't possibly understand.

I sighed and let go of Zion.

Zion scurried over to Rachel as if nothing had happened, and Rachel avoided Zion by burying her face in the hem of my clothes.

"Haha, good boy, really."

I looked at Noelier and Aria with an exaggerated smile. Aria's face as she looked at me was pitiful.

"If anything, I made him cry. He's not the type of man to cry..."

Aria shook her head, muttering incomprehensible words.

"Cheer up."

Then, as if to comfort me, she patted my shoulder. All I could do was have question marks floating above my face.

Then, I suddenly realized that the surroundings were quiet. The children's squabble had stopped abruptly.

As I lowered my head, I saw Rachel staring intently at Aria.

"...?"

Aria received Rachel's gaze with a troubled expression.

Rachel wore a particularly serious expression when staring intently at something.

Aria, who had been smiling awkwardly at the child's gaze, paused.

"Huh? The color..."

It was just as she was about to say something. Rachel suddenly pulled away from my side.

"Zion, come here."

Then, as if she had never said she didn't want to play together, she took Zion's hand.

Zion's face turned red like a burning sweet potato.

"Hand, hand, hand...!"

"No?"

"Well, that's not it..."

Zion was flustered and scrambling. Then, squeezing his eyes shut, he muttered like a boy confessing to his first love.

"It's just because I like it so much..."

"..."

Thanks to that, Rachel's face also turned bright red.

"I wonder if my abilities have fully returned yet..."

Aria rubbed her eyes as she watched the scene. She felt a sense of contentment at the sight of the children's cuteness.

'In that case, I can't lose either!'

I crept closer to Noelier.

“Noel.”

“Yes, Eve.”

“Do you want to hold my hand?”

Noelier's eyes widened at my words. He, who had been parting his red lips, slowly nodded.

Hiding my wicked intentions, I clasped his hand. Then, squeezing out every ounce of strength, I sent cold air into his body.

As if brainwashing him, saying, "I'm the only one who can cool you down!"

Was that conveyed?

Noelier fidgeted with his clasped hands. Not to mention his flushed cheeks.

"Liar..."

Aria muttered something, but I, who was completely smitten with Noelier, did not ask what she meant.

Aria trembled.

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