Chapter 19
“Um, Duke.”
“What, do you think I’ll pounce on you like a beast?”
The way he said it was honestly absurd.
“That’s not what I meant—”
“I won’t ever be emotionally swayed by you, so it’d be best if you stopped worrying about that nonsense.”
Calyx turned his head away as if annoyed. His sudden attitude left me more embarrassed than offended.
Why does he hate it that much?
I thought he would agree with me and respond calmly. I thought Calyx would think the same way I did.
Only the crackling sound of the fire filled the cave. Outside, the snowstorm was still howling. I pulled my cloak tighter and stared at the red flames.
The atmosphere felt heavier than before.
Did I say something unnecessary?
Still, I needed to draw a line. This instinct of his—or whatever it was—was troubling me too. The more he acted that way, the more my heart raced beyond simple discomfort.
Getting involved with a man like that is the worst idea.
For now, there didn’t seem to be any way out. As I blankly stared at the fire, it gradually grew smaller.
I looked around and picked up some dry leaves near my feet. Then I froze. Calyx had grabbed the same leaves. Our hands touched.
I quickly pulled my hand back. Calyx paused for a moment, then without looking at me, clenched the leaves and tossed them into the fire. The sensation of his hand lingered on mine.
Why is he doing that? He could’ve just used his sword like before.
Why grab the leaves? I unfairly blamed Calyx and clenched my hand.
The fire flared, smoke rising with it. Strangely, Calyx’s scent kept drifting into my nose—fresh like a forest, yet heavy like wood.
Why would he wear perfume while hunting?
That, too, made no sense to me. As I stared at the fire with a stiff expression, a low voice sounded beside me.
“Why are you wearing perfume?”
My voice rose in disbelief.
“What?”
“You’re going to kill Berok. That kind of perfume will just be buried under the smell of blood.”
“I don’t use perfume.”
“Then what is that daisy scent?”
His words were sharp with irritation. His eyes were as keen as blades.
“I’ve noticed it for a while. Don’t use perfume. It’s irritatingly unpleasant.”
The words slipped out of me without thinking.
“I’ve never used perfume in my life. And if anything, you should stop wearing it, Duke.”
Calyx looked at me as if I were ridiculous. Feeling wronged, I spoke quickly.
“Do you know your scent is stronger than anything else right now? It smells like a forest, and it’s irritating and unpleasant too.”
The corner of Calyx’s lips curled in a mocking smile.
“Mr. Lerit, don’t make things up.”
“You’re the one lying. I don’t even use perfume, and you keep saying I do.”
Calyx let out a dry laugh as he looked at me.
“You look very wronged.”
“Because I am. I didn’t use it.”
I muttered and stared at the campfire. Calyx didn’t say anything more.
Silence settled again. Both of us just looked at the fire.
I tightened my cloak and peeked outside.
How long is this snowstorm going to last?
The cave entrance was still roaring with wind. His scent still lingered in my nose. Though the fire burned strongly, the cold crept closer, perhaps because of the storm.
I checked my watch. It was already midnight. I was hungry too. I took out a few protein biscuits from my pocket.
I was about to eat alone, then glanced at Calyx. He was staring at the fire with a stiff face. His sharp eyes made him look even colder, and his tightly set lips made him seem unapproachable.
Even so, I held out a biscuit.
“Would you like one?”
My mother used to say it. My aunt too. If you have food, share it. And hadn’t Calyx told me to eat Berok meat earlier?
Calyx lowered his gaze, then turned away.
“Eat it yourself. I’m not hungry.”
His tone was cold. My outstretched hand felt awkward.
Would it kill him to say it a little more kindly?
I chewed the biscuit with a stiff face. It didn’t taste like much, but it filled my stomach enough.
The cold grew worse.
I shivered and looked outside. The snowstorm showed no sign of stopping. The wind sounded stronger than before.
I had thought we’d stay up all night hunting Berok, but instead, it seemed we’d be spending the night inside this cave. Together. With Calyx.
The cave wasn’t even spacious. He was right beside me, much larger than me, his presence impossible to ignore—not to mention his scent.
As I watched the relentless storm, the words slipped out unconsciously.
“When will the snowstorm stop?”
“It won’t stop all night.”
I was so shocked my voice rose.
“It won’t?”
I looked at Calyx in disbelief. He replied calmly,
“Judging by that storm, it’ll stop by morning.”
“Then… does that mean we have to stay here until morning?”
I even had the extreme thought that I should’ve gone with Vodka earlier. At least then, I wouldn’t be stuck here awkwardly with Calyx.
Calyx turned to look at me.
“You can go out now if you want. If you want to freeze to death.”
I was too dumbfounded to speak. Resentment toward Herkel bubbled up inside me.
That stupid delusion.
It was all Herkel’s fault. If not for that, I would’ve already killed Berok with the soldiers and been resting in a warm room.
I pulled my cloak tighter with trembling hands. I was so cold my teeth chattered. Irritation built up in my head.
Then something warm touched my shoulder.
Startled, I looked up and met Calyx’s eyes. He gestured at my lips.
“You’re noisy.”
Apparently, my chattering teeth bothered him. Still, gratitude was due.
“Th-thank you.”
Wrapped in his cloak, Calyx’s scent became even stronger. It almost felt like he was holding me.
My stomach fluttered. I glanced at him, thinking I was being subtle—but our eyes met.
The question slipped out.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“No.”
But now that I looked closely, his chest was rising noticeably, and his ears were red. Calyx immediately turned his head away, his expression more twisted than before.
Maybe because his cloak warmed me, I suddenly felt guilty and spoke again.
“I’m sorry if I was rude earlier. I have a rule not to form emotional relationships in contracts.”
Calyx didn’t answer. Embarrassed, I continued.
“I had a bad experience before. He was a wealthy noble. At first, he was very kind, so we got fairly close. The job was clean too. But he mistook my professionalism for romantic interest…”
“Who was it?”
“What?”
“The bastard who harassed you.”
A dark killing intent bloomed in Calyx’s eyes. His tone grew rough. I didn’t think much of it and answered casually.
“Count Hollint. He’s pretty famous in high society. Always approaching women and spending nights with them. I didn’t think he’d do that to me too.”
It was in the past now, but back then it had been quite uncomfortable.
“Anyway, since then, I never get overly close with clients. There are exceptions, though.”
“Exceptions?”
Calyx looked at me with clear interest. Strangely, the words flowed easily now.
“She’s a woman. I once drove away a marquis who was stalking her, and we’ve kept in touch since.”
She had even given me a house. I couldn’t help but be grateful.
“So you keep your distance from men?”
“Yes.”
The conversation paused. Yet it didn’t feel awkward. It was the first time I’d spoken this long with Calyx without clashing. A strange sense of familiarity formed.
Maybe because of that, I asked what I’d been wondering for a while.
“Do you still think I’m a scammer?”
“Yes.”
It was so short I regretted asking. Feeling wronged, I said,
“I’ll definitely catch the scammer. I believe he’s still alive.”
“Wouldn’t it be more of a loss for you if you don’t?”
“……”
“You’ve already risked your life.”
“Exactly. I’ve risked my life, so I have to catch him.”
I glanced at Calyx. His face looked more relaxed than before. His brows weren’t furrowed.
I recalled what I’d gone through—wandering empty house plots, asking around in Delirp one by one.
Meanwhile, Calyx had uncovered information on Prod Swindel with just a few documents. That he ran a leather shop. That he had ties to the royal family.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t match Calyx’s information network. I had no money—just a healthy body.
I spoke earnestly.
“So… could you help me?”
In the end, I needed Calyx’s power. I looked at him, hoping he’d cooperate, even just a little.
Finding the scammer alone was the right thing to do, but if he helped, I might find him faster.
“Is what I’ve already done not enough?”
“That ‘help’ is help as you see it, Duke. To me—”
“Then what will you give me if I help you properly?”
