MHWSW | Chapter 005

Chapter 5

With this thought, I tried to lift my body. But it seemed the injury wasn’t limited to my ankle. The moment I attempted to sit up, a sharp pain surged through me, stealing my breath.

“Ah! You shouldn’t move like that right now!”

It was the voice I had heard before. But did it sound softer this time?

When I turned my head toward the source of the voice, I saw someone with wavy golden hair slightly covering their eyes. They quickly approached and supported my back. Up close, beneath their glossy, soft hair, I saw beautiful crimson eyes.

A clear, translucent red that captivated my attention.

If it had stopped there, it would have been fine. Was I enchanted by those colors?

“…Beautiful.”

The word slipped from my mouth unconsciously.

His crimson eyes were so beautiful. As if the Ruler had carved two rubies and gifted them to him as eyes.

It didn’t stop there. The man’s face, seen up close, was stunning to the point that calling it “dazzling” wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life.

Is this what it means for something to be etched into your mind?

Upon hearing my words, his neck and ears quickly turned red. Yet, his hand supporting my back didn’t let go. His hand was so strong and large that, unconsciously, I tightened my facial expression.

Did that look like displeasure?

“Ah… I, I’m sorry. I knew I shouldn’t touch your body recklessly, but I couldn’t leave you like that.”

“…It’s fine, but where am I?”

“Ah, this is my cabin.”

He carefully lowered his hand and placed a pillow behind my back. Thanks to that, I could look at him in a more comfortable position that eased my pain. He was still looking at me, smiling warmly.

“And I’m Didier. Call me casually.”

He said this with an innocent smile. His beautiful eyes, adorned with golden lashes, squinted as he smiled like rays of sunlight, innocent and harmless.

With that gentle smile, I felt my inner guard dissolve like embers doused by rain.

He had a strange innocence capable of breaking down even the walls of someone as cautious as me.

“Ah! And I’m a sheep. So don’t worry too much! I definitely won’t eat you!”

“…A sheep?”

“Yes!”

When he said he was a sheep and smiled innocently again, I couldn’t help but laugh genuinely.

A sheep and a wolf. Who should be worried about whom?

Instinct.

No matter how human I appeared, it’s a trait that never fades. It’s natural for a predator to fear its prey—that’s the law of this world. So, isn’t this bold sheep rather adorable?

Even if he lives in the mountains, he couldn’t possibly be unaware of the wolves of the Guinevere family. I bear all their traits: silver hair that gleams under moonlight, golden eyes that shimmer in the dark. My colors aren’t ordinary; they evoke the image of a wolf directly.

“Who do you think I am?”

Aren’t you afraid of me?

How dare this cheeky sheep say I shouldn’t be afraid of him? Didier looked at me with wide eyes, then lowered his head. I couldn’t tell if he was frowning or shy. But his appearance was utterly endearing.

As I stared at him, waiting for his words, he began fidgeting with his hands. Was he deliberately acting cute? Didier hesitated, moving his lips, then finally spoke.

“I know. I know you’re a wolf, but I’m not afraid.”

Do I seem that unimposing…?

I had never once in my life thought I lacked presence, so it felt like I’d heard something unexpected, and my face contorted strangely. So did my last shred of pride. Seeing my expression, Didier quickly spoke.

“It seems your injury is severe… Did I upset you?”

“Even if I’m injured, I’m still a wolf, and that doesn’t change.”

“Ah…”

Didier opened his mouth slightly. An expression that admitted his mistake. He looked flustered over a mere slip of the tongue, exuding guilt. I had specific words for him.

“It’s fine. You’re my lifesaver.”

“…That’s good.”

“Don’t you want to know about me?”

“…!”

Didier’s expression changed noticeably with every word I said. He looked sullen, then suddenly smiled. How could his expressions be so varied? I felt a strange confidence that I’d soon see his crying face.

“Erica Guinevere, and as you know, I’m a wolf.”

“Erica… Lady Erica.”

The way he said my name felt oddly ticklish. I felt a mysterious mix of joy and surprise. Surely, he saw me for the first time today and just learned my name, but his voice carried emotions that seemed centuries old.

‘Is it just a feeling?’

But, strangely, I didn’t feel the need to be cautious around him. Was it because of his innocent appearance? Because he was a sheep? Or because he saved me?

Perhaps because this cabin exuded a surprisingly warm atmosphere.

I thought about it with surprise and continued speaking.

“By the way, I’m late in greeting you. Thank you for saving me, Didier.”

“It was my duty, Lady Erica.”

“I know this might sound strange to say…”

“Yes?”

When I hesitated slightly, Didier looked at me with wide eyes.

“Don’t save just anyone so easily. It’s dangerous.”

It’s not something to say to the person who saved me, but…

People who come to this mountain are rarely here for good reasons. This mountain is rugged, and criminals often hide here.

Of course, there are tribes living in small villages at the mountain’s base, but they constantly move in search of food and rarely have permanent residences like this.

‘…Now that I think about it, it feels a bit suspicious.’

I suddenly felt something odd. But before I could delve deeper into thought, Didier smiled and said:

“But thanks to that, I was able to save your life, Lady Erica. I’m happy with just that.”

I stared at his bright smile with wary eyes, then asked what I’d been wondering about since waking up.

“I’m truly grateful, but I have a question. Why do you live here?”

“Ah! I was abandoned on this mountain when I was young.”

“Abandoned? So, you live alone? That must be lonely.”

“To be precise, I’m not alone. I have a little friend here. Not a beastman, but I’ve managed to survive thanks to him until now.”

Didier’s words sounded sincere. Indeed, this mountain is full of hiding criminals, as well as abandoned children. But most of them die soon after being left. Mount Anlindri is not a place young children can endure.

But sometimes, a few survive by sheer luck.

“I misjudged you…”

I softened my sharp gaze and apologized to him.

“I’m sorry for misunderstanding.”

“No, it’s fine! It’s natural to be cautious in such circumstances.”

“Even so, it doesn’t change that I misjudged you. I’m sorry, Didier.”

“It’s okay, Lady Erica. Ah, aren’t you thirsty? I’ll quickly get some water and something for you to eat.”

Actions I don’t see in the family, a bright smile, and warmth.

As I stared at Didier for a moment, he waited quietly. Perhaps he thought I had more to say.

“…Thank you, Didier.”

It was thanks for everything. For his warm smile and care. And, of course, for saving my life, even if I didn’t express it clearly.

“…Me too.”

Didier paused for a moment upon hearing my words, then muttered a shy response to my thanks. It wasn’t quite a fitting reply to gratitude, but before I could comment, he had already turned around.

As I watched him leave, I realized unintentionally that I was smiling. It was a bit strange.

In the family, I never smiled, always maintaining my dignity as the heiress. Why was I smiling like this at someone I’d just met? I didn’t understand myself.

‘Even with Mary, Riel, or Arin, I wasn’t this open so easily.’

I should be more cautious. That’s undoubtedly the right choice. But, strangely, I felt some of my walls had crumbled with him. Very strangely.

‘Did I hit my head when I got lost?’

I didn’t feel this way even when seeing people much weaker than me. Does Didier himself affect me this way?

Even if that’s the case, strange is strange. But no matter how much I thought, I couldn’t find an answer easily. Was it because of mental exhaustion? Physical fatigue began to overtake my mind.

“I need to rethink my plan…”

Drowsiness started creeping up from the back of my head. Sleep quickly swallowed my thoughts.

Unlike my complex emotions, it was a peaceful sleep.

***

Chirring! Chirring!

[Are you trying to fight me? Huh?]

Beep!

[Scream all you want. You think your master will care?]

The noise was annoying. Terribly annoying. High-pitched voices, as if coming from right above me, made my forehead crease.

[Hey! You’re the one who woke my lady!]

Chirring!!

[Me? No way I’d do that to my lady.]

There was a strange bird’s sound and a very familiar voice arguing. Yes, a very familiar voice. I wasn’t fully awake, but my consciousness snapped back suddenly. When I tried to sit up quickly, my face contorted again from the pain.

[Ah!]

Chirring!

[Done? You’re saying my lady’s in pain because of me since I’m fat? Hey!]

‘Kob…?’