Chapter 6
The sentences that had been forming in his mind scattered in an instant.
Ruban, quietly staring at her, unconsciously parted his lips.
“I’ve fought in countless wars… and have taken many lives.”
His tone was calm, almost detached.
“I have no right to feel pain over the wounds on my body.”
Lowering his gaze from hers, Ruban turned his head slightly to the side.
Even while watching her sit silently, frozen, he couldn’t understand why he kept spilling unnecessary words.
Why did feelings he had never shown anyone else surface at this exact moment?
And why with this woman?
Then.
A small hand gently tapped his shoulder, and Ruban stiffened.
Diligently, she continued to pat his frozen shoulder.
Just a simple touch on his shoulder. And yet.
His heart thumped wildly, his chest heaved uncontrollably.
Trying to suppress his emotions, Ruban looked at her.
“…What are you doing?”
“You looked troubled.”
Sitting side by side, Nayeun’s arm reached up to his shoulder at eye level.
A faint laugh escaped Ruban as he grabbed her trembling arm.
“Stop. Your arm will hurt.”
“This isn’t trembling from pain—it’s from lifting something heavy earlier.”
Nayeun, her small hands clenched tightly, now tapped his arm gently in return.
“Why would you lift something heavy?”
“The shopkeeper I help was carrying two baskets, and I wanted to help, so I took one.”
Ruban raised an eyebrow.
“The shopkeeper asked you to?”
Not noticing the slight sharpness in his tone, Nayeun smiled and answered cheerfully.
“No. She kept telling me not to, but I insisted because I wanted to help. But the basket was so heavy that it surprised me!”
They seemed to have grown closer already.
Relaxed, he crossed his legs and subtly turned toward her.
“My sister sometimes talks about you, Ruban.”
Looking up at him, Nayeun nodded, signaling him to continue.
“And do you know how she looked when she did?”
“How?”
Nayeun clasped her hands to her chest, imitating the shopkeeper’s expression, eyes sparkling brightly.
Ruban burst into laughter at her exaggerated mimicry.
Unable to stop laughing easily, Nayeun teased him with a playful glare.
“I’m serious. She really acts like that.”
“Alright, I get it.”
He tried to rein in the corners of his mouth, still curving upward.
“Just your presence in this village makes the residents feel more at ease than ever.”
“…”
“Don’t push yourself too hard.”
Nayeun withdrew his hand from his pocket and gently caressed the area around his wound.
His rough skin and old scars were warm to the touch, warmer than anyone else.
Almost like him.
She smiled softly.
“I hope it doesn’t hurt.”
Not just the wound, but his heart too.
She swallowed the words lingering in her mouth.
Feeling her gentle touch on his wound, Ruban closed his eyes slowly.
Later that night, Nayeun drew the curtain aside and peeked out the window.
After confirming the dark sky, she was about to close the curtain when a distant, towering spire caught her eye.
‘The view from outside is beautiful… but looking far from high up is still a little scary…’
Quickly stepping back, she pulled a thick coat from her wardrobe and put it on.
After checking her reflection in the mirror, she opened the door.
A silvery-haired man stood in the dim hallway, glowing even in the dark.
“Ruban.”
Ruban’s eyes widened at her cheerful call. He smiled, straightened from leaning against the wall, and approached.
“How long have you been waiting? You could’ve called me out.”
“I just got here too.”
Since they hadn’t agreed on a precise meeting time, she had waited for over an hour—but even that time felt precious.
Seeing her relieved at her fib, a quiet satisfaction slowly bloomed inside him.
“Do you have anything warmer? It gets quite chilly at night.”
“This coat is warm enough. Let’s go quickly.”
It was her first nighttime outing here, and her heart fluttered with excitement.
Ruban followed her as she went down the stairs, full of joy on her face.
Outside the inn, the two walked side by side along the promenade.
Since it was late, no one else was around. With trees lining the path, darkness pressed in more than expected.
Hugging her coat tighter against the cool breeze, Nayeun asked,
“Why did you want to walk at night today? Did something happen during the day?”
“No, I just wanted a quiet walk.”
Ruban shrugged casually.
Nayeun nodded, smiling faintly at the petals scattered on the ground.
It had been a week since she started walking with Ruban daily.
Every morning, he left the inn with the knights, yet before nightfall, he would come find her and lead her to the promenade.
The more she appreciated his care, the stronger her guilt for deceiving him became.
“Inael.”
Her thoughts snapped back at his voice.
“Shall we sit for a bit?”
“Sure.”
Ruban guided her to a table with two chairs outside.
Hopefully, no wolves would appear tonight.
Narrowing her eyes, Nayeun scanned the dark foliage.
Tap, tap.
Ruban lightly tapped the table with his fingers.
Seeing her bright eyes on him, he tilted his head up toward the sky.
Following his gaze, Nayeun gasped softly.
The night sky was adorned with countless stars, as if they were about to pour down.
The densely packed stars flickered like hundreds of tiny candles.
“Morona village is known for clear skies—perfect for stargazing.”
“It’s really… beautiful.”
She stared upward so long that her neck ached slightly.
Watching her tilt her head in wonder, Ruban’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“I’m glad it captivated you so much.”
Her gaze shifted from the stars to him.
For a moment, Ruban froze, enchanted by her eyes.
Her dark eyes shone as if they held every star in the sky.
Beautiful. So captivating that even blinking seemed a waste.
Caught for a moment, he blinked, only to realize Nayeun looked puzzled. He let out a quiet chuckle.
It wasn’t her lost in thought—it was him.
Time slipped by as they chatted happily, leaning on the chairs.
“Sleepy? Shall we go in?”
Rubbing her eyes, she asked.
“Are you sleepy, Ruban?”
“Not really.”
“Then let’s stay a little longer.”
Though drowsy, leaving the comforting atmosphere felt premature.
Stretching to wake herself, Nayeun leaned her arms on the table.
“You know…”
Ruban chuckled softly before she could finish.
“And what are you curious about this time?”
Her endless curiosity was both amusing and endearing.
“What is Blayer like?”
Surprised, his eyes widened.
“You’re curious about my territory?”
Nodding, she looked at him expectantly.
Ruban swallowed dryly and began.
“Blayer is warmer than other regions, so even in winter the wind is pleasant. The residents live fairly freely—probably because I’m often away. But it’s safe; any threats to their safety are dealt with swiftly.”
His pride and affection for his land were clear on his face.
The warmth in his words matched the warmth of Blayer itself.
After asking several more questions, Nayeun finally fell asleep at the table, head resting on her arms.
Quietly, Ruban removed his coat and draped it over her.
Then he pulled the chair closer, resting his chin on his hand as he gazed at her peaceful, sleeping face.
“Inael, would you like to come to Blayer with me?”
He whispered softly to her sleeping form.
A small sigh escaped her, amused by his childish behavior.
Since meeting her, he realized he smiled more, and showed a gentleness he rarely displayed.
Could a person change this much in just a few days?
His own transformation felt strange.
“Mm.”
Her rosy cheek twitched slightly, prompting a soft smile on his lips.
He brushed back the stray hair from her face, revealing the healing scar on her forehead.
Naturally, memories of their first meeting came to him.
A small, beautiful woman standing bravely before a fierce wolf, her face radiant.
Ruban had thought several times that the mystical scene must be a fantasy, blinking in disbelief.
‘I even wondered if she might be a forest fairy.’
He chuckled quietly.
Judging by what he knew now, if the wolf hadn’t cried out and charged again, he wouldn’t have moved a muscle until the moment she was swallowed.
Listening to her soft, rhythmic breathing, Ruban’s smile deepened.
