Collector’s Cage - Chapter 40

How many times had she said she hated it? Feeling slighted, Hermie bit her lower lip.

So, it seemed Froy really hadn’t been listening to her words.

Then why is he listening now? Is it because he’s afraid the expensive fairy he bought might die? While thinking she needed to use his feelings to her advantage, Hermie kept doubting Froy’s sincerity. But contrary to her gloomy inner thoughts, on the outside she smiled brightly.

“I’m going to stick right by your side.”

“You still haven’t fully recovered from your fever. Lie down.”

“No. I won’t lie down.”

She was afraid that if she left Froy’s hand, she might end up back in the cage. So she clung to him even more. Froy stroked Hermie’s head as if to reassure her.

“Sleeping here is dangerous, so stay inside. I’ll let you out in the morning.”

Could she trust that? Her head understood, but her heart refused to accept it.

'I have to escape before I'm imprisoned again.'

The memory of desperately clinging only to be coldly rejected was still vivid. The shock had felt like her whole world was crumbling.

Looking back, it wasn’t such a shocking thing. It was entirely predictable. The problem was that she had placed her hopes in his affection.

To Froy, she was just one of his collectibles—he wanted to keep her locked up to admire. The mistake was Hermie’s, for thinking she wasn’t a collectible but a person.

Hermie stared back into the warm gaze directed at her. The emotion conveyed through those blue eyes was as sweet as sugar and as sinister as poison.

If she fell in love with him, Hermie would never escape this prison. Therefore, being swayed by his feelings was akin to self-harm.

“Just today, just today let me sleep by your side. Okay?”

“But what if I toss and turn and something happens…”

“I can sleep next to your pillow. I’ll be careful.”

Unable to be firm with Hermie, who had just regained her senses, Froy reluctantly nodded.

Hermie sighed with relief and solidified her resolve.

'I'm escaping tonight.'

She knew well that going outside was dangerous, but Hermie had no other choice. Now that she realized using Froy was impossible, she had no option but to find the mage on her own.

To help Hermie regain her strength, Froy presented her with all sorts of food. Starting with the apple pie Hermie usually loved, mountains of meat and fruit piled up on the table.

Prepared in human-sized portions, the food looked like huge hills to Hermie.

“Wow.”

Having only received finely chopped food in the cage, seeing massive dishes laid out before her was breathtaking.

It was a pity she couldn’t eat to her heart’s content so soon after recovering. With the mindset of enjoying a last supper, Hermie began picking at the food bit by bit.

“Is it good? You’re eating well.”

“Yeah.”

Froy ate with her. He couldn’t help but smile as he watched Hermie climb onto the plate and eat diligently.

“I was so worried because you weren’t eating well.”

He lightly pushed Hermie’s forehead with his finger. It was a timid revenge for all the worry she had caused him. Hermie, who almost toppled over backward, shot a sulky glare at Froy.

“It’s because you didn’t trust me!”

“…I’m sorry about that.”

“Whatever.”

Once she successfully escaped, all these emotional struggles with him would be over anyway. Not wanting to expend her energy on a tedious tug-of-war, Hermie snorted and turned her back.

Watching her huff with her back turned, a crease formed between Froy’s brows. She was so cute it was driving him crazy.

“Are you going to keep sulking? Won’t you look at me?”

“No!”

“Why are you like this? Just look at me once.”

The smile never left Froy’s face as he coaxed and cajoled Hermie. It was fine if she got angry or acted annoyed. Just the fact that Hermie had opened her eyes again made him immeasurably happy.

Why hadn’t he let her out of the cage sooner? Without the cage dividing them, it felt this wonderful. Froy spent the pleasant mealtime regretting the days he had let slip by.

Late at night, Froy prepared Hermie a spot by his pillow that looked like a small nest. Hermie sat inside the nest, staring intently at Froy.

The flickering candlelight was reflected in her clear eyes. A cozy scent emanated from Hermie. Placing her next to his pillow made him want to put her right on his face and fall asleep, but he restrained himself because she might get hurt.

"Good night, Hermie."

"Good night. Sweet dreams."

"Yeah."

Hermie came out of the nest and kissed Froy’s cheek. Then she went back into the nest with a sulky expression.

The adorable action made Froy’s ears burn. An impulse surged to bury his face in Hermie and cover her with kisses.

But if he did that, Hermie would get very angry. Once she sulked, it wasn’t easy to appease her. Under the covers, he just clenched and unclenched his fist, suppressing his surging emotions.

Froy closed his eyes after watching Hermie settled by his bedside.

Tomorrow, he should give her a little box as a gift. So he could take her anywhere. He would order more pretty clothes and have every meal together.

Thinking of all the things Hermie would need, he gradually fell asleep.