RIRAWN | Ch 16

Episode 16 

The seeds enchanted with growth magic shot up quickly, turning into thick vines as big as a person’s torso.

They twisted together with other vines nearby, weaving into a solid, seamless fence.

Lindsay checked carefully, making sure there were no gaps, then patted Lionel’s shoulder.

“There are four-horned goats on this farm. Normally, they wander alone, but since it’s mating season, sometimes they stick together. If they do, they’ll get aggressive—so be careful.”

“I can use magic, right?”

“Highly recommended.”

Honestly, she never expected him to wrestle those goats barehanded.

When you’ve got magic, why break your back? Most mages spent their whole lives holed up in a lab studying spells, not exercising.

Lionel wasn’t much different.

His muscles probably just came from daily survival, not real training.

Sure, when he hugged her, his chest felt broad and solid… but that didn’t mean he could haul around one of her goats.

Each one was big enough that it usually took two or three grown men working together to move it.

“Watch out for their horns. I’ve got other chores, so I’ll head off. If you need me, use the comm-stone.”

Lindsay tossed him the job and turned toward the barn.

If she wanted to take care of all the animals before sundown, she had to move fast.

“Lindsay.”

She stopped mid-step at the sound of his amused voice behind her.

“Come to think of it… I don’t actually know what a horned goat looks like.”

Her eyes narrowed to sharp triangles.

She turned her head just enough to glare at him.

“You recognized the milk yesterday just fine.”

“Well, I’ve had goat’s milk before, so I know the taste. But I’ve never actually seen the animal itself.”

…If he grew up in the Roman Empire, that made sense.

The goats lived mostly in the Ankala Kingdom.

By the time they reached the empire, they were already butchered for meat or processed into milk.

And in a world without the internet, you wouldn’t easily know what a foreign animal looked like.

But still…

Why does that sound like a lie?

Suspicion filled her green eyes.

“Anyway, the only animals roaming around the farm right now are the goats. Just use a detection spell and find them.”

“Lindsay.”

“Not happening.”

“Just once. Please, come with me to look for them? Yeah?”

He pleaded so earnestly that Lindsay squeezed her eyes shut in frustration.

“….”

“Please. I swear I won’t bother you again.”

She snapped her eyes open and whipped her head around with a loud whoosh.

“Ugh, fine! Just this once. I’ve got a mountain of work, though.”

“Thank you, Lindsay.”

How could she say no when he looked at her like that?

She sighed, shoulders slumping, and cast the detection spell.

Magic waves spread out from her, picking up every living thing on the farm.

The closest goat wasn’t far from the lighthouse.

She pinpointed its location, and the two of them headed out across the field together.

Fresh green grass brushed against their ankles.

The smell of summer greenery floated on the wind, filling her lungs.

The crisp air soothed her irritation. Yeah… it was early summer. She could take her time.

As they walked side by side, Lindsay decided to break the silence.

“You’re not curious about anything? I thought you’d be asking a million questions by now.”

Her house, her farm, even the way to get here—none of it was normal.

To a mage, it should’ve been a treasure trove of things to study.

Yet he hadn’t asked her anything.

All the time she spent wondering when to explain things to him felt pointless.

“I didn’t know I was allowed to ask.”

That answer caught her off guard. She frowned faintly.

“Why wouldn’t you? Are you the type who… wait. Huh?”

Was he… being considerate of me?

She glanced sideways without thinking—and got caught.

Those lavender eyes had been watching her all along.

Their gazes locked, and the corners of his eyes curved downward in a soft smile.

Her chest tightened.

A lotus-like smile bloomed on his face. Panicked, Lindsay quickly looked upward instead, staring at his pale forehead where silver hair spilled like threads of silk.

Gradually, her racing heart calmed.

“If you’re curious, just ask.”

Her gentle words came out before she realized.

Lionel, trying to catch her eyes again, tipped up onto his toes slightly.

Her green eyes rolled down in response, avoiding him again.

Seeing that, Lionel’s lips curved in amusement.

“Then I won’t hold back. Honestly, I’ve been dying to ask things since I got here.”

“You should’ve just asked earlier.”

“I didn’t want to risk asking something rude and make you hate me.”

“…Who, me?”

If someone hates you just for asking questions, that person’s messed up.

Wait… does he think I’m like that?

She blinked, dumbfounded.

Then she shook it off and answered firmly.

“I wouldn’t hate you. Go ahead and ask.”

“Alright then… This place is your real home, right? The house in the capital is just temporary?”

“Yeah.”

His face darkened at her confirmation.

So she would eventually leave the capital.

Desperate to know more, he pressed further.

“Then why did you go to the capital? Can you tell me?”

That way, he could figure out how to keep her from leaving once she finished whatever goal she had.

“For world peace?”

His steps faltered.

Her tone was light, but he knew instantly it wasn’t just a joke.

Anyone else saying that would’ve sounded ridiculous.

But this was Lindsay.

She wasn’t good at lying, and she didn’t make silly jokes.

Which meant…

“I was kidding. Relax. Anyway, look—there it is. That’s a horned goat.”

If she said it was a joke, it was a joke.

Forcing his face to relax, Lionel followed her finger.

The creature grazing nearby had two heavy, curled horns on its head, muscles bulging under its coat, and a small golden bell tied to its thick neck.

Lionel’s jaw dropped.

“What on earth do you feed these things? That’s twice the size of any goat I’ve ever heard of…”

Lindsay squinted at him suspiciously.

“Didn’t you say you didn’t know what they looked like?”

“…Size doesn’t matter. What matters is we found it.”

Smoothly changing the subject, Lionel chanted a levitation spell.

The goat suddenly floated into the air, flailing its legs wildly.

Its golden bell jingled nonstop as it dangled.

“Now lower it gently. Slowly… don’t scare it. That’s it!”

Lindsay clicked her fingers together in delight, making a sharp snap.

“What about casting a calming spell on it?”

“Great idea.”

Under Lionel’s magic, the goat stopped thrashing and returned to munching grass peacefully inside the pen.

Lindsay beamed at his neat, efficient work.

Sure, he could be cheeky sometimes, but she had to admit—he was competent.

“I’ll bring lunch later. Keep working hard.”

“I’ll call you soon. Wait for me, okay?”

“The faster you finish, the faster I’ll give you another job. Got it?”

There was plenty of work to be done, and Lindsay wasn’t about to let her new worker slack off.

“As long as I’m doing it with you, I’m happy with anything.”

“…Right.”

Sometimes his casual, sweet words left her lightheaded. Like now.

They hadn’t known each other that long, and yet he acted so close, so familiar.

Flustered, Lindsay turned her back and shuffled off. She needed to focus on her chores.

She ignored the weight of his gaze following her and headed toward the barn where the rest of the animals were.

The summer breeze blew across the field, carrying faint traces of laughter behind her.