WLWES 23

By the time they reached the castle, the rain had stopped, and they were able to return before dark. That’s what Rio heard later. He had fallen asleep on the way, and when he woke up, he was in Gideon’s room.

Staring up at the familiar ceiling, Rio let out a long breath and slowly sat up. The tiredness was gone, and his body felt lighter.

“Oh, my foot has been treated.”

He felt something strange and lifted the sheets. Bandages were wrapped around his foot. It wasn’t in a cast, so the bone must be fine.

“That’s a relief. It hurt so much that I thought for sure it was broken, like the time I fractured my arm…”

Muttering to himself, he touched his forehead and arm. Now that he knew his foot wasn’t too bad, the wounds on his forehead and arm were starting to sting more.

“I could heal this with magic… but I can’t. It’d be suspicious if I suddenly recovered…”

“Rio.”

At that moment, Gideon’s voice came from outside the door, and Rio nearly jumped off the bed.

Did he hear me? No, I was whispering… I think. But I heard Gideon’s voice clearly…

“Rio, are you still asleep?”

Panicking, Rio scrambled to pull himself together just as Gideon entered the room. It was Gideon’s room, so he could have just come in without asking. Rio looked up at his stern face and thought about how polite he actually was for considering his feelings.

He had already grown accustomed to Gideon’s intimidating expression. In fact, he’d come to believe that he was actually quite good-looking. Not that he’d ever say that out loud or anything. Gideon has many good traits, he is the lord, handsome, and at a good age. So Rio couldn’t understand why he wasn’t married yet.

“What’s that look? You’re making a funny face,” Gideon said with a hint of amusement.

“Huh?”

Gideon laughed softly. Rio could still tell he had a smile on his face, even if his expression barely changed. But being laughed at wasn’t any fun.

“What do you mean, a funny face?”

“Your eyebrows were going up and down, and your mouth was opening and closing. What were you thinking about?”

“Really? Um… I was just thinking I caused you trouble again.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m relieved that your complexion has improved. Hm… Rio, you’re very expressive. I’m a little jealous.”

“Huh…?”

Jealous? He is jealous.. So, he is aware… I see, I guess Gideon knows he’s quite expressionless. Maybe that’s something that worries him.

Rio looked up at Gideon, met his gaze, and said gently, “But you’re expressive too, Gideon.”

“Me? Even though they call me the Wolf Lord?”

Rio blinked in surprise.

He just called himself the wolf lord… So he’s aware of the nickname. I wonder if it makes him feel insecure. But honestly, it sounds kind of cool to me.

Rio was about to get off the bed when Gideon quickly stopped him. He pulled a chair over and met Rio’s gaze.

“You need to rest for a while.”

Rio nodded obediently.

“Okay. I’m really sorry for causing you trouble.”

“I told you not to worry. You didn’t do anything wrong. You’re the victim here. I should be the one apologizing, my subordinate did something unforgivable. I am sorry.”

“No, no, you’re not at fault either. You came to save me.”

“But a subordinate’s actions are the master’s responsibility. Kenny is smart, capable, and respected… So why would he do something like that?”

“What’s going to happen to Kenny now? Did he say anything?”

“He’s under house arrest. I’ve ordered him not to leave his room, and there’s a guard posted outside. He hasn’t said a word yet.”

“I see…”

Rio looked down and exhaled. What was Kenny thinking? He wanted to speak with him, just once, face-to-face.

“What are you thinking?”

Gideon leaned in, and Rio met his purple eyes.

“Can I go see Kenny?”

“Why do you want to go see him?”

“I want to know why he did it. I would like to hear it from him.”

“I see. Either Gale or I will be present, is that okay with you?”

“If possible… I’d prefer to go alone.”

“Hmm… Then I’ll wait outside the room. Will that work?”

“Yeah. That’s fine.”

It would be a problem if Kenny talked about magic, but Rio lowered his eyes, thinking that he could manage somehow. Then he suddenly looked up, realizing that he had forgotten something important.

“Oh! Where’s An?”

“Calm down. Atlas is playing with her. She’s not hurt.”

“Thank goodness…”

Rio let out a huge breath of relief.

Back on the mountain, he hadn’t been able to properly check on her condition, and deep down, he’d been terrified she might have been seriously injured. The relief was overwhelming. Then he tilted his head slightly.

“Wait. You said Atlas is playing with her?”

“Yes. Though, to be honest, it’s more like An is the one playing with Atlas.”

“So she’s warmed up to him, huh?”

“Seems like it. Atlas was really excited about it.”

If An has warmed up to him, then Atlas must be a good person. An always senses people’s true nature. That’s probably why she didn’t like Kenny…

Wanting to see Ann soon, Rio looked around the room.

“Hey, I’ll rest like you said, but… can I do it in my room instead of here?” he asked.

“You resting right here is totally fine,” Gideon replied.

“But it’s your bed. I’m in the way, right?”

“You’re not in the way. I’ll be sleeping here at night anyway, so it’s fine as it is.”

“No, no, I’ll sleep here at night, but I want to rest in my bed now.”

“Hmm, then I’ll carry you from your bed to mine at night.”

“Huh, Why?!”

My foot’s not broken! I can walk, you know! Why would you carry me?!

Rio was about to voice his protest when Gale called for Gideon from outside the door.

“I’ll be back. Rest,” Gideon said before leaving.

Rio leaned forward to thank Gale, but Gideon’s back blocked his way, and the door closed before he could meet Gale’s eyes.

“Ah… I didn’t get to thank Gale for letting Gideon know.”

If I could use magic, these wounds would heal right away. My forehead, my foot… all of it. Life at the castle, surrounded by people, is fun, but I can’t be my true self here. Sure, it’s comfortable. I have shelter and food, and I even get paid. But still… I think I want to travel again with An. Go wherever we feel like.

“I want to hold An…”

Just as he muttered that, the door opened slightly, and An rushed in through the gap.

Startled, Rio jumped off the bed. The moment his foot hit the floor, pain shot up his leg, and he dropped to his knees, catching himself on both hands. But he quickly lifted his head, catching An mid-leap and rolling back with her in his arms.

“An! I missed you!” he exclaimed.

“Rio! Are you okay?” Atlas asked, with concern in his voice.

Atlas rushed over, peering at Rio with worry. Rio grinned widely while looking up at Atlas as he rubbed his cheek against An’s.

“I’m okay, really. Thanks for watching her.”

“Heh, An really is adorable. She finally warmed up to me too, you know,” Atlas said.

“Yeah, looks like it. You must be a good guy,” Rio replied.

“Huh? Where’s that coming from?” Atlas asked, puzzled.

“An’s a good judge of character. She really hated Kenny, after all.”

“Ah…”

Still hugging An, Rio sat up. As he started to stand, Atlas offered him a hand.

“How’s your foot?”

“It hurts, but I’m fine.”

“Don’t push it, alright? I heard it’s a sprain.”

“Yeah. At least it wasn’t broken.”

“Right? They said it was a miracle you only got that injury after falling from that height.”

“Wow. Guess I’m lucky. Ever since I met An, things have been going pretty well.”

“Maybe she’s your good luck charm. By the way, is An a dog or a wolf?”

“I’m not sure.”

“She kind of looks like a wolf, but at the same time, she also doesn’t. There’s just something different about her.”

“That’s what I thought, too. But even if she is a mythical creature, An is still my family, so I would never leave her.”

“Yeah, I really like An, and of course, I like you as well.”

“Thank you.”

The two of them sat side by side on the bed, taking turns petting An. She lay on Rio’s lap, eyes half-closed, looking utterly content.

That’s right. No matter what An is, I’ll never let her go. We’ll always be together. What Kenny did only made that resolve stronger.

“But she hasn’t grown much, has she? She’s adorable like this, but… I do worry. An, I hope you grow up big and strong,” Atlas said.

His words made Rio’s heart skip a beat. He’d thought the same thing. If she were a dog or a wolf, she should’ve grown more by now. It had already been over a month, and yet she remained small. Still, her current size was perfect, easy to hold, fit neatly into a bag, and was not in the way when sleeping together. But still, he wanted her to grow strong enough to protect herself. He’d protect her no matter what, but he didn’t want her to get hurt ever again.

“Yeah…” Rio nodded, agreeing with Atlas’s words.