It was when he was mulling over Lily like that.
The sound of a knock woke him from his thoughts.
“Theo.”
A man opened the door and came in. There was a long scar on his face extending from his forehead to his left eye.
"What's the matter?"
"I think you need to take a look at this."
The man handed the paper he was holding to Theo.
As the envelope was opened, something tumbled onto the desk. The man and Theo's faces contorted.
"Shit..."
Theo muttered a curse under his breath.
It was the trace of the wolves he sent to the South.
As long as this was inside the envelope, the lives of the captured wolves would not be safe.
Theo bit his lip and unfolded the paper inside. It read as follows.
'If you wish for your homeland to remain intact.'
"...Offer what you cherish most."
Theo muttered softly. A headache washed over him, so he pressed his temples.
Offer what you cherish most.
Theo recognized the hidden meaning at a glance.
It didn't simply mean valuable jewels or money.
It must mean to send the hostages.
So that the wolves can never do this again.
'In short, like a companion.'
Theo bit his lip.
What kind of madman would send his partner into the enemy's lair?
Furthermore, wolves only take one mate in their lifetime.
To think you would take a mate hostage to wolves like that.
'If only those guys hadn't betrayed me!'
Bang! Theo slammed his fist on the desk. Uncontrollable rage surged within him.
He didn't believe them. He meant the cunning humans who called themselves 'Dragon Hunters'.
Perhaps it was a natural result.
Even if wolves and humans join forces, how could they possibly catch a dragon?
But the dragon's heart. He wanted to get it by any means necessary; that thing said might grant eternal life.
It was a foolish choice.
Theo let out another deep sigh. Then the scarred man glanced at Theo.
"What are you going to do? Are you going to send it?"
"...Whoever it is, we’re going to have to send it."
Theo swallowed and answered. The scarred man hesitated and answered.
"Do you have any candidates in mind?"
"How can I make a decision right now?... I'll have to think about it."
Theo slammed the documents down as if shouting. The man fell silent again, but mumbled as if he had a lot he wanted to ask.
"You can leave now. I need some time to think, too."
"..."
The man, who had been grinning, eventually shut his mouth. Nothing would change even if he added more words.
The man left the room.
Theo, who had been reading the message over and over again, shook the bell on the desk.
Theo, who had been reading the message over and over again, shook the bell on the desk.
“Did you call me?”
With the sound of a knock, a man who looked like a servant entered the room.
"Bring me the list of wolves working on our side."
***
“Lily.”
I turned my head at the clear voice.
Lily, who had finished getting ready before I knew it, was looking at me.
"I'll be back. I prepared something to eat in advance just in case you get hungry on the way. I might be late, so don't hold back and eat. Got it?"
“Yes. Thank you.”
“I’ll be back”
Lily, smiling broadly, left the house with her older brother, Raven. The wolves and I saw them off.
After the door closed, I peeked my head out the window.
Lily and Raven, wearing white cloaks, gradually moved further away.
The wolves followed me, lifting their chins high to look outside. They looked cute, so I let out a small laugh.
'Shall I take a look outside?'
I can't just sit here with my hands full. I have to find Noelier quickly...
"..."
I shook my head as I was lost in thought.
'No.'
I didn't know what might happen if I acted rashly.
I must not forget Aria's words. The current 'me' must not disrupt the flow of this place.
'...Of course, I ended up revealing my true self to my mom.'
Still, the space didn't get distorted like last time. It meant it was still okay.
Thinking that, I pulled away from the window. The wolves that had been leaning against the window followed me closely.
As I bent my knees, the wolves quietly settled down next to me.
'Why are these wolves so gentle?'
I petted the wolves. They seemed to enjoy it. The wolves, with their eyes closed, enjoyed my touch.
Suddenly, I felt that this moment was very peaceful.
Even though the real Noelier is currently standing precariously on the brink of impending destruction.
'When will Mom and Noelier meet?'
I wanted to ask, but I couldn't. Because I couldn't tell her what would happen in the future.
I looked out the window again. The snow was still falling heavily.
***
"Lily! Can you come over here?"
"Yes! Just a moment!"
Lily, who had been carrying things diligently, stood up with an answer.
The woman who called Lily was carefully scanning through the documents filled with items.
The woman, sensing a presence, raised her head and looked at Lily.
"Please bring this inside. It's fragile, so be careful. Right, just take it to Koen."
Saying that, the woman gestured toward what was in front of her with her chin. Lily lifted the heavy box along with her answer.
Judging by the rattling sound, it seemed there was glass inside.
'It would be a big problem if I dropped it.'
With a grunt, Lily adjusted the box once again and walked into the mansion.
However, no matter how much she looked around, Koen was nowhere to be seen. The strength was slowly draining from the hand holding the box.
'I'll break it if you're not careful.'
Lily put the box down on the floor for a moment.
Phew. She let out a sigh and patted her lower back. Her back would often ache from doing work like this.
However, even this time was a luxury. Lily bent down again and lifted the box.
It was just as she turned the corner to look for Koen again.
Thud!
Just then, she bumped into someone who was approaching this way.
The box she was holding shook precariously.
The rattling sound grew louder. Growing impatient, Lily adjusted her grip on the box.
Fortunately, there was no accident of dropping it. Lily let out a sigh of relief.
"Damn it, what is this?"
An irritated voice poured down from above. Lily, having lifted her head, had a stiffened face.
"Who is this? Isn't this Lily?"
"..."
The person she bumped into was Theo.
Lily's face, which had been relieved by the fact that she had protected the box, stiffened.
On the other hand, a smile appeared on Theo's face.
He was racking his brains, not knowing what reply to send to the dragons. However, upon seeing Lily, he felt those thoughts vanish completely.
“Lily.”
Theo greeted him warmly and took the box containing Lily.
"I told you not to lift things this heavy. Who told you to do that? I'm going to teach you a lesson."
"...Please give it to me. I need to pass it on quickly and return to my seat."
"I told you I'll carry it for you. Who do you need me to give it to? Huh?"
Theo didn't seem to get tired.
She didn't know how to react when he acted like this.
Even though she expressed her refusal in her own way, Theo was a man who never gave up.
Lily's head dropped lower and lower.
Then, a voice suddenly came to mind.
"Just the fact that Lily is holding out against that piece of trash... no, that bastard is amazing."
"If you ever feel that way, please pat yourself on the back. Tell yourself that you are doing very well right now and holding on."
It was something said by a girl who looked exactly like her, whom she felt a strange affection for.
It was a simple comfort. The kind of comfort anyone could offer.
However, the child who spoke clearly looked so pretty.
'I want to be like that, too.'
Lily, with her fists tightly clenched, slowly raised her head.
Even then, Theo was still muttering to himself.
"Right. I forgot to mention this."
"..."
"You know, yesterday I saw a child who looked exactly like you. I was worried they might be part of your family, so I tried to be nice to them in my own way, but they ran away..."
“My Lord.”
Lily firmly cut him off. Theo's mouth, which had been moving vigorously, stopped abruptly. He blinked his eyes with a bewildered look.
“Lily?”
"...Please stop."
"What?"
I told you we have to go back."
Lily said that and took the box in his hand.
Her heart was pounding like crazy. Her hand holding the box was trembling, so she had to adjust my grip again.
"Lily, what's wrong? You're not acting like yourself today."
Theo spoke as if regretful. She, having chosen her words carefully, mustered the courage to speak again.
"...I hope this doesn't happen again in the future."
"Lily, why are you so sensitive? I was just trying to help you..."
“It’s inconvenient."
"... What?"
Having conversations she doesn't want to have, doing her work for her—everything.
“Lily.”
“I’ll just go now.”
Theo tried to continue speaking, but Lily bowed her head in greeting as if she didn't want to hear it. Then she turned around and quickly left the place.
Theo stared blankly at Lily's retreating figure with a dazed look on his face.
It was the first time he had seen such a blatant refusal.
"Ha!"
Theo, who had been letting out a hollow laugh, began to turn bright red.
“How dare you...”
Are you rejecting me?
Don't you know who you're making a living thanks to?
The more he ruminated, the greater his anger grew. He gasped as he looked down at the documents Theo was holding.
There was a list of wolves working at his company.
'If you push me away like that, I guess I can't help it.'
The only option is to drive them out directly.
Theo's eyes grew dark.
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