HCLYB 10

chapter 10

Behind the Green Garden Orphanage, there was a forest.

That forest served as a playground where the children could run and play freely.

Right now, Calix was there with Maya.

As he stared toward the forest entrance, he finally pulled back the hood he had been wearing low over his head.

A faint flush colored his usually pale cheeks.

His sparkling ruby-red eyes were fixed on Reina as she entered the forest—

—or rather, on the large white dog walking beside her.

“This is Ellie,” Reina said.

Ellie had pure white fur, bright eyes, and a moist black nose.

Though she was large for a puppy, she was still young.

Ellie had been bought by the count and countess for Reina when Jonathan left for the naval academy.

But since they disliked animals for being dirty, it was obvious what would happen to Ellie after Reina left.

So Reina had Maya bring Ellie to the orphanage.

The children were thrilled by the sudden appearance of the dog, not knowing what to do with their excitement.

Calix was no exception.

When he spotted Ellie playing with the children, he pressed his forehead against the window, unable to look away.

—Do you like dogs?

Reina hadn’t missed the opportunity to ask.

As expected, Calix nodded, and the next day, Reina arranged for the two to meet.

“Ellie.”

Calix called her name softly.

Ellie, wagging her tail wildly, barked and leapt forward.

Her body slammed into Calix, knocking him over, and she began licking his face all over.

“Hahaha, that tickles!”

Calix burst into laughter.

Reina stood there, momentarily dazed.

It was the first time she had ever heard him laugh out loud.

His previously gloomy eyes curved into crescents, and his lips spread into a wide smile.

For the first time, Calix truly looked like a twelve-year-old boy.

“You really like dogs, don’t you?”

“Yes. I always wanted one, but they wouldn’t allow it.”

Calix gently scratched Ellie behind the ears as he continued.

“My brother didn’t like animals.”

Focused on Ellie, he didn’t react as strongly as before when he mentioned his brother.

“They said animals don’t live as long as people, so you shouldn’t grow attached for nothing.”

It was almost like he was talking to himself.

The corners of his lips slowly fell.

But then he saw Ellie panting and smiling again.

“I think Ellie is thirsty.”

At that, Reina held out her hand to Maya.

“Give me the water bowl. I’ll go fetch some water from the stream.”

Then she leaned in and whispered,

“You show Calix Ellie’s tricks.”

That would surely make him even happier.

Maya handed over the bowl and warned,

“Don’t go past the stream.”

“I know.”

Reina took the bowl and headed toward the stream.

When she reached it, she crouched down.

As she was scooping water, she suddenly paused.

Something in the water shimmered.

What is that?

In the middle of the stream, a platinum-colored aquatic plant swayed, giving off a faint rainbow glow.

Reina couldn’t take her eyes off it.

She had heard that although fewer remained now, the empire still had many mysterious lifeforms not found in other countries.

Could that be one of them?

Without realizing it, she stepped across the stones like a bridge, getting closer to it.

Soon, it was within reach.

Rolling up her sleeve, she knelt carefully and slowly dipped her hand into the water.

Just a little more…

As her fingertip finally touched something—

A slick, rope-like force suddenly coiled tightly around her hand and wrist.

“W-what is this?!”

Startled, Reina tried to pull back, but the force dragged her forward.

Losing her balance, her body pitched toward the water.

She squeezed her eyes shut, expecting to fall in—

Splash! Splash!

Someone rushed through the water and grabbed her from behind, pulling her back.

“Ugh!”

An arm wrapped around her waist, dragging her back, but her feet tangled and she fell forward.

Her nose hit something hard.

Dazed, Reina braced herself and pushed up—

Warmth met her palm.

She realized what she had fallen onto wasn’t the ground—

—but someone’s chest.

Slowly, she lifted her head.

And froze.

The man she had fallen onto, tangled together with her—

was none other than Lucius.

Why is Lucius here?

Reina’s face turned pale.

She remained frozen, sitting between his legs with her hand pressed against his chest.

“That was an opal aquatic plant,” Lucius said calmly.

“It lures people in with its light and drags them underwater. Don’t reach out to shimmering plants carelessly.”

His gaze shifted toward the stream.

It was strange—he had thought such plants had gone extinct recently.

“Why…”

Reina barely managed to speak.

“Why… why are you here?”

Her voice trembled badly.

Lucius frowned slightly.

“This is not ‘here,’” he said, gesturing at the ground.

Only then did Reina realize she had crossed to the other side of the stream.

The side she had originally been on was orphanage property—but this side was not.

“How do you know that…?”

“Have you been here before?”

Lucius simply looked at her strangely instead of answering.

Rustle.

A sound came from across the stream.

Reina quickly turned her head.

Lucius followed her gaze—

But suddenly, Reina grabbed his face with both hands.

“Are you alright?”

Her eyes were wide.

“You don’t look well at all.”

“I’m fine.”

As if he had reached his limit, Lucius tried to remove her hands.

“Not fine! You’re not!”

Reina raised her voice deliberately, afraid he might hear her pounding heartbeat.

Because on the other side of the stream—

Maya had come looking for her.

And beside her stood Calix, without his hood, holding Ellie’s leash.

If Lucius turned his head, he would see him.

Reina had no choice.

She had to keep holding his face until they left.

“You look… sick. Like you have a fever.”

She didn’t even know what she was saying anymore.

His golden eyes were icy cold.

Unable to bear his gaze, her hands moved on their own—

covering his eyes.

Okay… I can breathe now.

But only for a moment.

She soon realized the tickling sensation against her palm—

was his eyelashes.

Have I lost my mind?!

She had already manhandled his face—and now she was covering his eyes.

“Y-your eyes feel really hot too…”

She stammered badly.

“Just… try closing them like this for a moment…”

Taking advantage of the situation, Reina quickly checked across the stream.

Thankfully, Maya and Calix were gone.

She let out a small sigh of relief—

Just then, Lucius grabbed her wrist firmly.

Reina squeezed her eyes shut.

I’m dead.

Maybe if she begged now…

But Lucius didn’t immediately remove her hand.

Instead, he slowly, deliberately breathed.

Then, he gently removed her hand from his eyes.

He looked at her precisely—as if his vision had never been blocked.

Saying nothing.

Which made it even more terrifying.

“I’m sorry. I was just worried and acted rudely—”

“Your name.”

He cut her off.

“What is your name?”

Reina pressed her lips together.

This wasn’t a polite introduction—it felt like an interrogation.

If she told him, it felt like he might send a complaint to the Crolotte family.

As she subtly tried to lean back, he lightly tugged her wrist.

That small movement brought their faces much closer.

Only then did she become acutely aware of how entangled they were.

“Isn’t that unfair?”

“…What?”

“You seem to know who I am.”

Her eyes widened.

“So it’s only fair that you tell me your name as well.”

After hesitating, she finally spoke.

“I am Reina Crolotte, of the Count Crolotte family.”

For just a moment—

she saw it.

A slight flicker in Lucius’s eyes when he heard her name.

He finally released her wrist.

Standing first, he extended a hand.

Reina took it and stood.

“Reina.”

He repeated her name, as if confirming it.

She looked up at him cautiously.

“I look forward to seeing you again.”

With that, he turned and left.

Reina stared blankly at his retreating figure.

“I look forward to seeing you again”…

It was a common farewell—

but she couldn’t shake a bad feeling.

Did… Lucius see Calix?