Chapter 10
Behind Green Garden Orphanage, there was a forest.
It served as a playground where the children could run and play freely.
Calix was there now, together with Maya.
He had been staring at the forest entrance. Finally, he pushed back the hood he had been wearing low over his head.
His usually pale cheeks were flushed pink.
His sparkling ruby eyes were fixed on Reina as she walked into the forest.
More precisely—on the large white dog walking beside her.
“Her name is Ellie,” Reina told him.
Ellie had pure white fur, bright eyes, and a shiny black nose.
She was big for a puppy, but she was still young.
When Jonathan first left for the Naval Academy, the count and countess had bought Ellie for Reina.
But since they disliked animals and thought they were 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 a dog.
Calix was no different.
He had spotted Ellie playing outside and pressed his forehead against the window, unable to look away.
—Do you like dogs?
Reina had asked at just the right moment.
As expected, Calix nodded.
So the next day, she arranged for them to meet.
“Ellie,” Calix called softly.
Ellie wagged her tail wildly and barked happily before jumping onto him.
Knocked over by her weight, Calix burst into laughter as she licked his face.
“Ahaha, that tickles!”
Reina stared in surprise.
It was the first time she had heard him laugh out loud.
His usually gloomy eyes curved into crescents, and his lips lifted into a wide smile.
For the first time, he looked like a twelve-year-old boy.
“You really like dogs.”
“Yes. I always wanted one, but they said no.”
He gently scratched Ellie’s ears.
“My brother didn’t like animals.”
Lost in playing with Ellie, Calix didn’t freeze this time after mentioning his brother.
“They said animals don’t live long, so it’s better not to get attached.”
He muttered it more to himself.
His smile slowly faded.
But when he saw Ellie panting in the heat, he smiled again.
“I think Ellie’s thirsty.”
Reina held out her hand to Maya.
“Give me the water bowl. I’ll get some water from the stream.”
Then she leaned closer and whispered,
“Show Calix Ellie’s tricks.”
That would make him even happier.
Maya handed her the bowl.
“Don’t go past the stream.”
“I know.”
Reina walked toward the stream.
She crouched by the water and began filling the bowl.
Then she paused.
Something sparkled in the water.
‘What is that?’
In the middle of the stream, platinum-colored plants shimmered with faint rainbow light.
Reina couldn’t look away.
She had heard that the Empire had many mysterious life forms not found elsewhere.
‘Is that one of them?’
Without realizing it, she stepped on the stones like stepping-stones and moved closer.
Now the plant was within reach.
She rolled up her sleeve and slowly reached into the water.
Just as her fingertip brushed something—
Something slimy and strong wrapped around her hand and wrist like a rope.
“What—what is this?!”
She tried to pull away, but it yanked her forward.
She lost her balance and felt herself falling into the water.
Just as she shut her eyes—
Splash! Splash!
Someone rushed through the water and grabbed her from behind.
“Ugh!”
An arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her back.
But she stumbled and fell forward.
Her nose hit something hard.
She touched it and pushed herself up.
It was warm.
She realized she had fallen not on the ground—
But on a man’s chest.
Reina slowly looked up.
Her eyes widened.
It was Lucius.
‘Why is Lucius here?’
Her face turned pale.
She was sitting between his legs, one hand still on his chest.
“The plant just now was Opal Grass,” Lucius said calmly.
“It lures people with light and drags them into the water. Do not reach for shining plants carelessly.”
He glanced at the stream.
He had thought Opal Grass was extinct.
“Why…?”
Reina barely spoke.
Lucius looked at her.
“Why are you here?”
She stammered.
“This is private property. You can’t just—”
“Not here.”
He pointed at the ground.
Only then did she realize she had crossed to the other side of the stream.
The orphanage land was on the opposite side.
How did he know that?
“Have you been here before?”
Instead of answering, he gave her a strange look.
Then—
Rustle.
Leaves moved.
Reina quickly turned her head.
Across the stream, Maya stood with Calix—without his hood—holding Ellie’s leash.
If Lucius turned his head, he would see Calix.
Without thinking, Reina grabbed Lucius’s face with both hands.
“Are you alright?”
She stared at him wide-eyed.
“You don’t look well at all.”
“I’m fine.”
He tried to remove her hands.
“No, you’re not!”
She raised her voice to hide the sound of her pounding heart.
She had no choice.
She had to block his view until Maya and Calix left.
“You look feverish!”
She was saying nonsense.
His golden eyes were icy.
Unable to endure his gaze, her hands moved on their own—
And covered his eyes.
‘Ah… that’s better.’
But then she felt something brushing her palms.
His eyelashes.
‘Have I gone insane?!’
She had not only grabbed his face—
She was covering his eyes.
“Your—your eyes are very hot too.”
She stammered badly.
“Try closing them for a moment.”
While blocking his eyes, she glanced across the stream.
Maya and Calix were gone.
She sighed in relief.
Suddenly, Lucius grabbed her wrist firmly.
She shut her eyes.
‘I’m dead.’
Maybe if she begged—
But he didn’t immediately remove her hand.
Instead, he breathed slowly.
Then he gently lowered her hand.
His eyes focused on her perfectly, as if they had never been covered.
He simply stared.
That scared her more.
“I’m sorry. I acted rudely because I was worried—”
“Your name.”
He cut her off.
“What is your name?”
She pressed her lips together.
It sounded more like an interrogation than an introduction.
If she told him, he might send a complaint to the Crollot family.
She tried to lean back, but he lightly pulled her wrist.
Their faces moved closer.
Only then did she realize how close their bodies were.
“Isn’t it unfair?”
“…What?”
“You seem to know who I am.”
Her eyes widened.
“So you should tell me your name too.”
After hesitating, she finally said,
“I am Reina Crollot of the Crollot Count family.”
For a brief moment—
She saw it.
His eyes flickered slightly when he heard her name.
Lucius released her wrist.
He stood first and offered his hand.
She took it and stood.
“Reina.”
He repeated her name quietly.
She looked up at him carefully.
“I look forward to seeing you again.”
His low voice lingered as he turned and walked away.
Reina stared at his back.
‘He looks forward to seeing me again?’
It was a simple farewell phrase—
But she felt uneasy.
‘Did Lucius see Calix?’
