Chapter 53

"Dang."

She forgot for a moment.

Reina, herself, was completely, utterly oblivious to just how unlucky she was.

'Is there really some sort of magic spell cast on me that's making the opposite of everything I say come true?'

It was a few hours ago that she convinced and persuaded Eli, but not long after, they encountered a situation that was 'not very good'.

"Sorry."

Eli gave her an apology with that timid voice of his, a pout on his lips.

"Because of me, even you became like this, Reina… I'm sorry."

"Hm? No. I didn't even know that night was fast approaching because it was so fun talking to you. Why is it your fault?"

They were waiting for the pain of his ankle to subside, but Reina got too caught up and lost track of time.

Then, when she came back to their senses, dusk was about to settle, and they wouldn't be able to see well in the dark. And so, they effectively became two lost children in the middle of the woods.

"But no matter how much I think about it, it's ridiculous. Two people have disappeared, but no one is coming up to find us?"

By far, she was the most resentful of Paul.

She didn't even want to come here in the first place, but he dragged her out, then coerced her by presenting the imperial permit. Was that not effectively a threat?

"This best friend of yours is freezing to death, and yet…"

All the other people were gone. Not even their shadows could be seen anywhere.

Eli looked even more depressed after he heard Reina's mutters as she was talking to herself.

"Ah, Eli, don't make that face. I'm really not mad at you. I'm angry at those terrible, trash-like people who aren't coming to find us."

As she clenched her fist—looking as if she was going to beat someone up right now—the frown on Eli's lips finally turned up little by little.

Following Eli's example, Reina also grinned.

"So, don't feel sorry. And actually, if I really wanted to, I can just go down, right?"

Hearing this, Eli's gaze went teary again as the redness of his cheeks puffed a little.

"If you're cold, then you should go down first…"

'Ah… I'm going crazy.'

If he's going to say this with that kind of face, how should she interpret his words? Was he telling her to go first or not?

Obviously, if she were to leave Eli all alone here, she's sure that a mountain spirit would haunt her dreams for the next ten years. But would it stop there? The scolding would go as far as, 'This rascal! Did you leave that cute little bean alone, huh?! Even an iron axe¹ wouldn't be given to you, tsk!'

What kind of nonsense is this, you might ask, but this just all boils down to just how cute Eli is.

"You have to listen to what people have to say until the end."

She practically crooned to Eli with that soothing voice of hers, and at this, Eli's became as wide as saucers.

"I could have left, yes, but I didn't. So, don't feel sorry. I want to stay."

"But it's… just. Why, like this… huh?"

His head was bowed down as he murmured, and whatever he said couldn't be heard properly.

"I didn't quite catch that. Can you say that again, Eli?"

So she sat down next to Eli again and asked him affectionately. He looked up at the woman next to him.

But… What's going on?

Why did his eyes look red?

"Don't tell me, my rice cake², are you crying right now…?"

Slightly flustered at the sight, Reina sharply turned and looked into his eyes just before his tears started to flow out again.

"W-Why are you crying?"

When Reina bewilderedly asked, Eli soon burst into tears, his straight brows slightly knitted.

"…When did I? I'm not crying."

He hid his reddened eyes as if he had gotten scalded.

"We're not even close. Why are you so nice to me?"

Ah… So he started to cry because he found the situation too strange?

"Should two people be close first before they help one another? Especially when one is hurt?"

"..."

A vague hint of disappointment was about to fall over Eli's verdant green eyes. So Reina opened her lips again.

"But other than that, it's strange, but I kinda like you."

And in response, his voice sounded a little more upbeat this time.

"…Why?"

Why, you ask? How can I not like you when you may potentially be my savior?

"Then should I not?"

"..."

The expression on his face this time looked like he had encountered a difficult problem. Well, no wonder. They met for the first time only a few hours ago, so he'd be too conflicted to answer.

"Should there be a reason for one person to like another? Right?"

"…Is that so?"

"Yeah. You feel what you feel."

At Reina's answer, Eli briefly lowered his gaze, but he soon murmured shyly.

"…Me too."

"Huh?"

"I like you, too, Reina."

Instead of answering back, Reina shook her head, at the same time patting Eli's head. Then, the refreshing smell of grass wafted in lightly.

'You look like a herbivore, and you act like one, too. You're just too cute.'

Then, he trembled briefly as if he suddenly felt cold.

"Ah… Come to think of it, your clothes are thin."

Unlike Reina, who had dressed snugly earlier at dawn, Eli was wearing only a white shirt.

'You're brimming with energy, too, huh. You managed to come out so early in the morning dressed like that.'

She quickly got up from her seat and took her cloak off, which she then put over Eli's shoulders. Along with the cloak's warmth, Eli was enveloped with a gentle lavender scent.