RHH | Chapter 4.6

Gretel looked down at the pouch at her waist, her gaze filled with horror. With trembling hands, she removed the pouch from her body and held it out of the hollow. The chief’s words when he had given it to her echoed in her ears.

‘Just hold this and pray to protect the village.’

Her young lips chewed over the words repeatedly. But what lingered in her mind were the words of Leehwan and Absalom.

‘You’re being used.’

The beautiful man’s words fanned the doubts lurking in the corner of Gretel’s heart. That was why she had gone to the chief—to dispel her uncertainties. Little did she know, she would witness the true nature of her neighbors there.

“Horrible.”

The chief, the villagers, the truth. And her own future, which she had chosen despite knowing everything. But the most horrifying thing was the object inside the pouch she now held.

Her fingers loosened their grip.

The village was in chaos. The Manticore horde rampaged freely, and the villagers desperately called Gretel’s name, but the hazy barrier that had always protected them never appeared.

Cries rose from all over the village as the Manticores swept through. Over twenty people had died, and no one was left unharmed.

“Gretel! Where are you hiding?”

“After all we’ve done to raise you, you’re so ungrateful!”

The survivors scattered in search of Gretel. One of the women entered the forest. Just as Gretel was emerging from the hollow, she saw her.

“Ah, ma’am.”

Just yesterday, Gretel had eaten lunch at the woman’s house. But now, the woman glared at her as if she were a stranger. The kitchen knife in her hand gleamed darkly.

“Because of you…”

The woman muttered softly. Gretel stepped back, just as she was about to turn and run—

“My daughter was eaten, so why are you still alive!”

The woman swung the knife. The blade grazed Gretel’s shoulder. She instinctively swallowed a scream and took a step back. But before she could take three steps, her hair was yanked back.

“Die! Die! Just die!”

“P-please…! I… I was wrong…”

The woman slashed relentlessly, her strikes drowning out Gretel’s pleas with screams.

Blood gushed out. In that moment, what flashed before Gretel’s eyes wasn’t Absalom, who always made her heart race, but Leehwan, whom she had always been wary of.

He was always stern and expressionless. Sometimes, she thought he pitied her. That was why she acted even colder toward him—because his pity was the only genuine emotion she had ever received in her life.

So she chose to reject it rather than accept it. To live content with what she had.

But in the end, it meant nothing.

Her vision turned black in an instant.

Gretel’s faint voice reached Leehwan. But by the time he arrived, it was already over. He approached her, lying in a pool of blood, and gently closed her wide-open eyes, leaving her with a peaceful expression.

Beside the dead Gretel, a woman laughed madly. Absalom knocked her out and picked up the pouch that had fallen nearby.

“Leehwan. Look at this.”

Even if its power was faint, it was still a relic. Leehwan suppressed the rising disgust in his chest and took it.

Inside the pouch was an old bronze key. A rough hand gripped it tightly.

“We need to go.”

Absalom pointed toward the village as he spoke. Several presences were approaching. Leehwan took one last look at Gretel before standing up.

Behind their retreating figures, a panicked voice faintly echoed.

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

Leehwan rode without rest. The basic needs to eat and drink—or even the fact that the horse needed rest—didn’t cross his mind. He just rode on and on, mindlessly.

He finally stopped near a fairly large city. If Absalom hadn’t halted him, he might have ridden past without noticing.

“Let’s rest here. Otherwise, your body won’t hold up.”

Absalom, who said this, looked pale himself. Leehwan reflected on his reckless actions.

“I’m sorry.”

Leehwan fumbled for Absalom’s lips. The always petal-soft, red lips were now pale and rough.

He had ridden blindly, thinking the horse looked fine. But what he should have checked was Absalom. Leehwan deeply regretted acting impulsively out of emotion.

They found a clean inn. Leehwan dropped his luggage in his room and immediately went back out. After stopping by the lobby on the first floor, he headed to Absalom’s room.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Leehwan entered and closed the door. Then he turned and scrutinized Absalom. He had only taken off his coat and was still in the same clothes. Without hesitation, Leehwan reached out and began to undress him.

“L-Leehwan?”

“Stay still.”

By the time only his shirt and pants remained, a servant arrived with water and a towel. Leehwan dampened the towel and began wiping Absalom’s hands.

“Leehwan, you don’t have to do this.”

Absalom, realizing why Leehwan was doing this, spoke up. Leehwan dodged the hand trying to take the towel and replied.

“It’s almost done.”

Only after thoroughly cleaning Absalom’s feet did Leehwan raise his head. Absalom was looking down at him, his face red. Seated on the bed, he watched as Leehwan knelt at his feet.

Leehwan took Absalom’s hand and brought his lips to the back of it.

“You’re like a knight.”

Absalom muttered. Not a knight of salvation, but a dragon’s knight might have been fine.

Leehwan replied.

“Not like a knight. I am a knight. Now, lie down.”

Leehwan stood up and gently pushed Absalom’s shoulder. Absalom obediently lay down on the bed. Leehwan pulled the blanket over him, then carefully gathered and arranged the silver hair scattered on the pillow.

“It’s kind of… I said you didn’t have to, but it feels nice. I think I’ll fall asleep soon.”

“Good. That’s what I was hoping for.”

It was already dusk, and they had eaten before coming up to their rooms. It wouldn’t be strange to fall asleep now. Leehwan stroked Absalom’s head and asked,

“Do you need anything else?”

“It’s not a need, but a wish. Can I say it?”

Leehwan nodded. Still, Absalom hesitated a little.

“Stay with me. Since we’ve been living in the same house all this time, I feel like even the sleep I was about to have will slip away if I think you’re not in the same space.”

It was an unexpected wish. Leehwan stared at Absalom. Seeing this, Absalom quickly continued.

“I don’t mean stay forever. Just until I fall asleep…”

Leehwan stood up. Absalom watched his retreating back with a sense of loss.

Had I said too much? Absalom bit his lip. Just then, the door opened, and Leehwan entered. He was carrying his luggage.

“I canceled one room.”

Leehwan said it was good he hadn’t unpacked. Absalom looked up at him, stunned.

After a quick wash, Leehwan walked toward the bed. Absalom still hadn’t taken his eyes off him.

“Move over a bit.”

“Ah, okay.”

Still dazed, Absalom quickly shifted. Leehwan slipped into the spot beside him. The warmth of the bed, heated by Absalom’s body, was comforting. He pulled the blanket over himself and lay down, immediately meeting Absalom’s eyes.

“This might sound strange.”

“What?”

The dim room after sunset, the pleasant feel of well-dried bedding, the soft voices exchanged in the quiet. Everything in this moment resembled the twilight.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt as sure about being your lover as I do now.”

Having said that, Absalom wriggled downward. Then, he hugged Leehwan and buried his face in his chest. Leehwan recalled a time when he had fallen asleep in a similar position.

“Did you like sleeping like this?”

“Yes. I can hear your heartbeat clearly…”

Absalom smiled, his eyes curving. His expression was as satisfied as a cat that had just licked a bowl of cream. Leehwan wrapped his arms around Absalom’s head.

“Tell me if it gets stuffy.”

“You can hug me tighter.”

Then there was silence. The warm, sweet air made the tip of his nose ache with each breath. Leehwan buried his face in the silver hair. Exhausted, he began to drift off.

“Actually.”

A deep, low voice brushed his ear.

“I’ve often been afraid you’d disappear while I was asleep.”

Nonsense. Leehwan wanted to retort. But his tongue was already succumbing to sleep.

“I guess I won’t have to stay up all night tonight. Staying up all night just watching you wasn’t so bad, but it’s a shame in its own way.”

Listening to words he wouldn’t remember in the morning, Leehwan fell into a deep sleep.

The next day.

Leehwan woke as soon as the sun rose. The cause was the sunlight streaming through the window he hadn’t properly closed the night before. Annoyed, he was about to turn over when his eyes shot open. His arm felt heavy.

The first thing he saw was hair that seemed to have been dipped in pure silver. Lowering his gaze, he saw a smooth forehead and an elegantly straight nose. The lavender eyelids were tightly shut. Further down, slightly parted lips. Not a single flaw in sight.

Leehwan lost himself for a moment, admiring Absalom.

As time passed, the sunlight slowly shifted. Worried it might reach Absalom, Leehwan pulled him deeper into his embrace.

But the sun was merciless. Before long, Absalom’s eyes were bathed in light. Leehwan reached out to create shade. Even so, the light wasn’t fully blocked.

Just as he was frowning, a small laugh came from within his arms. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Leehwan spoke gruffly.

“If you’re awake, you should say something.”

“You’re cute when you’re trying so hard.”

Leehwan let out a hollow laugh. As he released his arm, Absalom sat up. His long silver hair crossed the beams of light, teasing Leehwan’s eyes.

Absalom got out of bed and walked to the window. The room was quite cold from the chilly wind slipping through the shutters. He opened them wide, letting the dazzling sunlight pour in and bathe him in white.

Suddenly, Leehwan recalled a morning from long ago. It had been in a shabby tavern, yet it had felt more comfortable than any other. Back then, Absalom had also opened the window like that, bringing light into the dark room.

“Do you remember? It must have been around last year. We stayed at that tavern on the second floor.”

For Absalom, it was last year. But for Leehwan, it had been four years ago. The fact that he remembered it so vividly showed just how much he had cherished that morning.

“That’s right.”

“You remember.”

Absalom returned to the bed. He looked pleased.

“How could I forget anything about you?”

Bending down, Absalom kissed Leehwan’s forehead.

“Get up, Leehwan. The fourth relic is right in front of us.”

“…Right.”

Leehwan got out of bed. The cold winter morning air sharply pierced his lungs.

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

Wibaeng reached his arm out the window. As if waiting, a messenger bird landed on his arm. He deftly removed the letter tied to its leg and handed it to Lucien.

Lucien unfolded the letter. The familiar handwriting revealed the sender.

“It’s from His Highness’s direct aide.”

It seemed Charles had placed considerable importance on this matter. Lucien smiled faintly as he read the letter.

The relic kept in the royal palace of Röntner had disappeared.

“What does Sir Alexander plan to do with the relic?”

Whatever it was, it wouldn’t be good for Lucien. Because Leehwan was now under the dragon’s control.

Lucien held the letter to the flickering candle. Black smoke scattered.

“Where is Sir Alexander heading now?”

“To the north of Röntner.”