[Ch. 47] The Sckeeves (Past)

I saw Raylon's large smile as he closed his eyes in bliss to enjoy the candy I had thrown at him. Why does he make such a silly face when he eats candy? He looks like a child.

The Baron glanced over at me and then followed my gaze up to the crowd on the roof.

He muttered under his breath, "So those are the people I've been hearing so much about?"

I looked away from Raylon and felt my smile slowly dying down, "Mmn."

The Baron spoke in a threatening tone, "Interesting to know they don't belong to our ally nation. If I am not mistaken, the tall handsome one is your suitor?"

I turned my gaze to him, "Did you know that most accidental deaths are a result of carriage incidents? A spiritual beast could be spooked, throwing one off the carriage and causing them to land on their neck."

He scowled, "Just try to look somewhat interested in the parade."

I ignored him and continued to watch the route ahead. I wanted to finish this stupid parade as fast as possible.

After the long and boring speech, I was able to rejoin the others at the tavern. Fillandra followed me with a few other workers holding jugs. I nodded at them and they began to fill up the glasses. Raylon noticed the different colors, "Are we all drinking different things?"

Fillandra bowed to him, "Yes sir. For the two women, we have our signature bubbly drink. For Lady Moao and the dragon clan member, they will be drinking our hard liquor. For you Sir." She placed a red drink in front of him, "Our fruit wine."

Raylon cautiously took a sip and realized it tasted much like the juice he had earlier. He smiled, "It's delicious."

She bowed to him, "I am glad it is to your liking."

I nodded to them and motioned for them to leave. We indulged in snacks and drinks while we listened to a local small band play.

Korph raised a glass to me, "Alright, let's see who will drink more this time!"

"Mmn."

Anytime the jugs were empty, the workers would quickly replenish them. I noticed Raylon happily finishing his glass and raised an eyebrow, "How many?"

"This is my third one. It tastes like juice."

"Oh."

That's not good. I assumed he wouldn't drink that many. The cocktail was sweet, but it was also potent.

Amanda and Mona were in their own world giggling at each other. Their faces had a slight shade of red while Korph and I had yet to feel the effects. I stared at Raylon a bit concerned for his well-being.

Amanda noticed my stare and translated, "Be careful with that, Sir Raylon. It is nicknamed the danger drink."

He swallowed another gulp, "Why's that?"

"It is dangerous because you can't taste how strong it is."

He looked at it with a sullen look, "Huh."

Korph held out his drink to me, "How about a speed round?"

"Mmn."

I kept up with him with ease while occasionally watching Raylon. His face became gradually red from the alcohol he consumed too quickly. I drank my glass and heard a thud next to me. I looked over to see Raylon with his head laying on the table.

Korph looked at him and poked his head. "Oi." Raylon mumbled something into the table. Korph bent down closer to him, "What?"

Raylon turned his head so that the side of his face rested on the table. "This place is the best. Everyone is so amazing, and everything is so amazing!"

Mona burst out laughing, "Brother! Are you drunk?"

He jerked his head up with an indignant expression, "I'm not drunk."

Both Korph and Mona burst out laughing at his childish face. Korph held his sides as he laughed, "He's definitely drunk."

I felt someone staring and turned to see Raylon watching me with unwavering eyes. I suddenly felt strange, "Hmm?"

He stated firmly, "Moao is amazing."

I flinched from his sudden compliment. I looked around not knowing what to do.

Korph laughed harder, "Oh? And how do you feel about Moao?"

"I like Moao."

Korph laughed harder as my mouth dropped open.

What did he say?!

I bit my lip and forced myself to look away. My hands clenched on my lap as I felt a strong feeling of emotion stir in my usually numb chest. Korph wiped his tears, "What do you like the most about Moao?"

Ugh. Why won't he just drop it?

I looked away, pretending not to listen. However, I was extremely curious about the answer.

Raylon grinned, "She gives me candy!"

What?! That's the reason?! What am I to him, just a candy machine?!

I snapped at him in irritation, "How old are you?!"

He rolled his eyes, "It's not polite to ask someone's age."

I clicked my tongue in annoyance and finished my glass. I felt something suddenly wrap around my waist and froze. I looked down to see Raylon hugging me while rubbing his face on my side. My dead heart thumped in my chest. I allowed him to rub against me while I twitched at the unknown feeling.

Mona laughed, "I'm sorry Lady Moao. My brother doesn't get drunk often, but when he does, he can get a bit… Affectionate."

I can see that… But… It's not so bad.

Amanda angrily swatted at his hands, "Get your hands off of her!"

Raylon looked at her and hissed.

Amanda gasped, "Did he just hiss at me?!"

I raised an eyebrow, "What are you now? A cat?"

He looked at me with large innocent eyes, "Meow."

I trembled. Ah… Too cute.

Korph took advantage of the situation and began to ask him embarrassing questions. Raylon answered them without any sense of shame while still hugging my side. Mona and Amanda sat covering their ears and blushing from the things they knew they shouldn't be hearing.

Amanda shouted no longer able to take it, "Korph! Stop asking him those kinds of questions!"

"Why? It's funny."

"No! It's embarrassing!"

"What? Those urges are natural!"

I was relieved Amanda stepped in. Those answers contained far too much information. I would have stopped it, but I couldn't think of what to say. He had rendered me speechless with his much too vivid descriptions.

I looked down and noticed him yawn. I patted my lap so he could lay down and sleep on it. He didn't even hesitate to put his head down while still hugging my waist. My body was tense at his touch, but I didn't feel like pushing him off. Instead, I rubbed his head with a faint smile. I noticed the table get quiet and looked up to see everyone staring in astonishment.

I tilted my head at their stares, "Mmn?"

Korph scratched his head as he stared at the sleeping Raylon, "I will take him to his room."

"Mmn."

Korph went to pick up Raylon, but he refused to let go of my waist. He shouted, "No! I'm not leaving!"

Korph was at a loss, "Oi! You need to go lay in bed before you barf everywhere."

"I will only go if Moao takes me!"

Everyone turned to stare at me and I let out a sigh, "I will take him."

I stood up with Raylon who still refused to let go of me. I walked with him to his room while I ignored the stares of bystanders. Amanda watched us leave with an anxious expression, "Is it really okay to let the two of them leave by themselves?"

Mona's face twitched, "I would be worried, but this is Moao we are talking about. I doubt anything will happen since it's her."

The rest of them quickly nodded in agreement.

I used the key to unlock his door and went over to the bed. I ripped him off of me and flung him onto the bed. I turned to leave but felt something clutching at my dress. Raylon wrapped around my waist once more. I tried to struggle out of his grip but stopped when he cried out, "Don't leave! I just want to cuddle!"

I stopped resisting, "Why?"

His already rosy face grew redder, "I like you."

My mind froze.

Is that... Another confession?! I have no idea how to react to that… I am used to people saying they like me, but they usually have ulterior motives… Could he have ulterior motives?... Or does he truly like me?

...Maybe he just meant he likes me as a friend?

There's no way he could actually like me more... Right?

I forced myself to turn away as my cheeks burned from embarrassment.

He continued, "Even if you do smell bad. I want to cuddle with you."

Wha-

I frowned, "I smell bad?"

"Yeah. You always smell like ink and paper. Like those old books from the library."

I swallowed down my anger and clicked my tongue, "Tsk."

Suddenly he jumped off the bed, startling me once more. He rushed to his luggage and started to toss things out. I watched silently as he pulled something out and grinned. He forced it into my palm, "Here!"

I opened my hand and noticed a strap with an opal in the middle surrounded by other flashy stones and a small feather. I held it up, "What is it?"

Raylon smiled gently, "It was my mothers. That's all she left me."

I pushed the strap back, "I can't accept this. It's too valuable."

"You have to! In our culture, it is considered rude to refuse a gift."

"But-"

"Besides! I never gave you a gift when I visited your house the first time."

Seeing that he refused to back down, I put it in my pocket carefully. I guess I will just give it back to him once he's sober.

He walked over to me, but tripped over his feet and fell onto his face. I sighed and went over to help him up. I grabbed his arm and noticed he was shaking. He spoke without raising his head, "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For using you. For lying to you. For hating you. For everything."

"You're just drunk." I helped him stand up before leading him back to the bed. I took off his shoes and placed him under the covers. He avoided my gaze with a look of shame.

He murmured, "It doesn't change the fact that I did it."

I shrugged, "I'm used to it."

"But doesn't it bug you? Aren't you upset? How can you feel nothing at all?"

I don't know why I'm like this. If I had to guess, I would say it's a result of all those reincarnations. Each one I endured a new type of suffering. I was a disappointment, I was treated lower than an animal, and I was tortured until I begged to be killed. Each life I desired a friend or for anyone who would be there beside me no matter what.

However, with each reincarnation, I was forced to deal with crippling loneliness. It hurt less if I chose to be alone.

Before I realized it, I no longer felt emotions anymore. There was only numbness left.

I looked down with a frown, "There is no point to anything."

I awaited a reply and heard only rhythmic breathing. I looked over to see him fast asleep with hair covering his angelic face. I calmly brushed the hair out of his face.

It should be a crime for a man to be this beautiful.

I hated humanity and distrusted anyone I met. So then why? Why do I hesitate so much when it comes to Raylon? Usually, I would have scared anyone away by now. However, not only is he still hanging around, but he seems to be attracting more people to my side.

Maybe this life will be different.

Maybe this time I will actually have a good life.

I stared at Raylon with a warm feeling emerging from my chest. I grasped at my chest desperately wanting to go back to feeling numb.

"Why." I asked in a strained voice, "Why won't you go away? What could you possibly want?!"

I stared at his sleeping face that was still a faint red. I gazed at his thick eyelashes before my eyes rested on his plump lips. I bent close and hovered over his mouth. I could feel his deep breath rest on my lips. I bent further and softly placed my lips against his.

I pulled back while smiling softly, "But, even after everything, why do I still want to devour you?"

I lowered my head once more and kissed those soft, yet firm lips. I bit down on them, wanting to devour them completely. My eyes snapped open when I realized I had just attacked a defenseless man. I jumped up and held my lips in surprise before rushing out of the room.

That night, Raylon dreamt that he was eating soft mochi. He enjoyed it cheerfully before biting his own lip.