The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 2.16

Rosette looked down indifferently at the man kneeling submissively before her. She felt little satisfaction seeing the man who had grabbed her collar now kneeling before her. She knew he was merely hiding his claws temporarily because a stronger person was behind her. Rather, her sense of helplessness grew. What would have happened without that man? She might have been beaten severely and rolling on the floor. In the process, she might have died or suffered permanent disability. When her thoughts reached that point, her whole body began to tremble. Rosette was afraid of the man called Vito. Rosette spoke, interlacing her trembling hands.

“The child is badly hurt. We need to see a doctor today. You’ll take responsibility for that much, won’t you?”

That’s why Rosette said what needed to be said. She could feel Levit panicking beside her. But Rosette didn’t budge. Levit was a child. Adults should protect children. Especially a child who got hurt trying to protect her.

Even in a world where common sense didn’t apply, Rosette acted as she had been taught. It was Rosette’s honor and pride. That pride was the foundation of who Rosette was. If she yielded to power and ignored the child’s injuries, she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself.

“I-I’m sorry.”

Fortunately, Vito feared the man behind her more than expected. Are nobles that frightening? He took money from his pocket without looking and pressed it into Rosette’s hand. Then he hurriedly left the place. Rosette dejectedly watched the backs of the two men as they scurried away.

When the situation ended, people dispersed like audience members after a play. While Rosette was angry at the people who didn’t help, she wondered if she would have stepped up for herself. She couldn’t guarantee it. So rather than blaming those who didn’t help, it was right to thank the person who did.

“Thank you. You saved me.”

“Not at all. Those people were rude.”

The man shrugged as if it were no big deal. The man extended his hand. Rosette took his hand and stood up. She frowned at the sharp pain she felt as she rose. Her whole body ached and throbbed as if she had exercised vigorously. Her muscles must have contracted from the shock.

“You’re a brave person.”

“…Me?”

“You’re still trembling, aren’t you?”

The man’s words were puzzling. Rosette tilted her head.

“What does my trembling have to do with being brave?”

“You stood up for the child despite being afraid. A reckless but brave act.”

The man said, narrowing his eyes. Somehow, he gave the impression of a snake. Not a thin viper, but a huge snake with a black, thick body that mercilessly constricts its prey.

“Levit, are you okay?”

She wanted to lift Levit’s clothes right away to check his condition, but there were still too many people around. Levit nodded and smiled reassuringly.

“I’m fine.”

“This won’t do. Let’s go to the doctor. Thank you so much for saving us. I need to hurry, so I’ll be going now.”

Rosette took Levit, who insisted he was fine, and dragged him to the doctor. The man watched the bickering pair walk away with a strange smile.

***

“Haah…”

Rosette sighed as she looked in the mirror in front of the washbasin. Blue handprints remained on her neck. It wasn’t very visible in the evening darkness, but could be seen upon closer inspection. Moreover, perhaps because of the pressure from being choked, blood vessels in her eye had burst, making one eye bright red. When she washed, she saw dark bruises on her b******s and thighs as well. They would surely hurt more tomorrow.

“Bastard.”

Rosette muttered a vulgar word for the first time in her life. Then she was startled and listened at the door. Fortunately, it was quiet outside. Evan didn’t seem to have heard. Rosette breathed a sigh of relief.

She forcibly took Levit, who insisted he was fine, to see a doctor. Fortunately, the doctor said his internal organs didn’t seem to be damaged. There would be some bruising, but it would gradually disappear. Then Levit asked the doctor to examine Rosette. The doctor sighed when he saw Rosette’s neck and prescribed an ointment that would help the bruises fade.

The medical expenses were quite high, but fortunately, the man had given them a lot of money. He seemed to have taken out all the money he had in his urgency. Levit forcibly gave Rosette money for the restaurant despite her refusal. There was almost no money left after that, but Levit was very insistent. He said his brother would take it all anyway. Rosette finally returned with the money, feeling burdened.

She had successfully entered the bathroom, avoiding Evan, who had been desperately waiting for her return, but it was only a matter of time before she was discovered when she left. So Rosette took a very long bath. Until it became dark enough that only their silhouettes were visible. Rosette left the bathroom, her neck deeply hunched.

“…Evan?”

“….”

The day was cloudy and the room was dark, making it difficult to tell if Evan was awake. Rosette went to the bed and carefully caressed Evan’s cheek.

“Are you sleeping?”

“Mmm…”

Whether the afternoon spent waiting for Rosette had been tiring, or he couldn’t endure the bath time that exceeded three hours, Evan was deeply asleep.

“What the…”

Rosette let out a dejected sigh at the sight of Evan sleeping soundly, making her earlier worries seem pointless. While she felt relieved, she also felt disappointed. What was this feeling of wanting him to know she was hurt, yet not wanting him to know? Rosette pondered her strange emotions as she settled beside Evan and lay down.

The room, bathed in faint darkness, was strangely quiet. Like the silence before thunder strikes. Even the smell of rotten wood soaked in seawater had become familiar and was barely noticeable. Rosette lay on her side and watched Evan sleep. His round forehead, well-shaped nose bridge, lips, and firm chin. Rosette gently traced them with her fingertips without touching. Her heart pounded pleasantly. This pounding was completely different from when Evan had been a dog. Though in fact, his appearance had been closer to a wolf than a dog.

In the past, on days when she was hurt or sad, she would lock herself in her bedroom and hug Evan for hours, but now she had to trace his silhouette from a distance where her hand couldn’t reach. Rosette felt a little sad about this fact, yet had a premonition that even this time would come to feel precious later. The moment she thought that this time would become a memory while living in the present, Rosette’s chest tightened. What will become of us? Can we stay together? Rosette buried her face in the pillow, thinking she would like that to happen.

Had she dozed off? She seemed to have had a short dream, but couldn’t remember it. Rosette woke up to Evan’s moaning.

“…not saying I won’t…”

“Evan?”

Rosette softly called Evan’s name, but he didn’t wake up.

“…just…by your side…that’s all…”

“Evan, are you okay?”

Rosette paused while feeling Evan’s face, stopping between his eyebrows. Sweat-soaked wrinkles formed between his brows, perhaps from a nightmare. Rosette gently shook Evan while calling his name.

“Evan, wake up. Evan.”

“…Huh.”

Evan opened his eyes, inhaling roughly. She could tell from the feeling of muscles beneath her fingertips. Evan reached out and touched Rosette’s arm.

“…Rosette? Is that you?”

“Yes, Evan. It’s me.”

Still confused after waking, Evan searched for Rosette for a while like a child. Rosette patiently answered each time. Just like how young Evan had stayed by Rosette’s side even when his fur was being pulled out. Evan reached out and suddenly embraced Rosette.

“Thank goodness…”

It felt breathtaking. This was the first time she had been held so defenseless in Evan’s arms. She could distinctly feel Evan against her skin. Evan smelled of soap and faint sea salt. Rosette couldn’t control her racing heart. She simultaneously wanted to push Evan away and to hold him tightly herself. After contemplation, Rosette carefully embraced Evan. She could feel Evan’s firm back muscles under her fingertips. Evan’s embrace was warmer and broader than she had imagined. His body temperature seemed about 1 degree higher than hers. Rosette nestled into Evan’s embrace like a child. She could feel Evan’s heart beating a little faster than usual, like her own. Thump, thump.

“…Rosette.”