Unrequited Love, Lost for the Better - Chapter 21

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※ This work contains depictions of coercive relationships, explicit language, and other graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

As she moved, her limbs ached as if she had been tumbling across the ground. Collette barely suppressed a scream. Then she realized that the cloth she had been lying on was a large cloak.

Valen’s cloak?

This cloak was specially treated protective gear, resistant to both flames and monster venom. A cloak specially made for him, who always moved at the front of the squad—and he was using it like this.

But Valen would indeed use his own protective cloak as her mat. He had always been most concerned about her safety, no matter the time or place. Even though they had been arguing about the warp just before, if it was Valen as she knew him, he would have done exactly that—and more.

Biting her lower lip, Collette clutched the cloak. She stood up, draped it over her arm, and looked around.

Valen…? Where is Somerset?

She saw people gathered in groups of three or four. The atmosphere was unsettled. Not a few had splints on their limbs or bandages on their heads. Many looked uneasy, but the one with the most grim expression was undoubtedly Valerian.

Strange.

He was speaking with the 2nd Team Leader, Ronald Woodrow, radiating a cold aura. His sharp features looked even more cutting, enough to make anyone cower. Collette knew when Valerian made that face.

He’s too tense?

For Valen of all people to be this tense—she hadn’t seen him this tense since she fell from that tree as a child.

As Collette walked toward Valen, he sensed her presence and turned his head. The moment their eyes met, the sharp, tense air around him softened in an instant. Woodrow, standing beside him, blinked in surprise at the change.

“Collette.”

He called her name softly and reached out his hand.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“…No. I’m fine.”

Her limbs were stiff, but not enough to stop her. Avoiding Valerian’s reaching hand, Collette held out the cloak to him. When she rejected his touch, Valerian’s gloved fingertips twitched—but he took the cloak.

“This is inside the Labyrinth, right?”

“…Yes.”

“How did we end up here?”

“I’m figuring that out now.”

“Those people have different colored bands on their arms—they’re split into Team 1 and Team 2, right?”

“Right.”

Valerian answered calmly and nodded toward Woodrow, who was watching them from a distance.

As Woodrow gathered his team members, Collette observed their appearances. All of them wore bands—they were the exploration team members. The additional volunteers who had left the Tower with her were nowhere to be seen. And her junior was also missing.

Why isn’t Somerset here?

If she and Valen had been moved into the Labyrinth, Meliano, who had been in the same spot, should have been moved too. So why was only her junior missing?

Could it be… that only Somerset was sent somewhere else…?

The thought crossed her mind, but she shook her head.

No. Maybe only I and Valen were moved.

It would be most fortunate if Meliano hadn’t been moved into the Labyrinth at all. Still, it was best to confirm. Collette moved to ask the exploration squad members if they had seen her junior.

In that moment, a smooth, thick fabric wrapped around Collette’s shoulders. Valen had draped his cloak over her. Collette tried to take it off.

“What are you doing? This is yours.”

“I’m fine. You keep it on.”

“I said no. You wear it.”

“Collette.”

When she wouldn’t put it on willingly, Valerian removed the shoulder clasp from his own cloak and used it to fasten it around hers.

“Keep it on. That way I can lead without worrying.”

Unlike his firm tone, his gloved hands fastening the cloak trembled faintly. Collette pressed her lips together. Valen, who had schemed to keep her out of the Labyrinth, couldn’t possibly be happy with the current situation.

She glanced at Valen as he fastened the cloak securely on her shoulders. His half-lowered dark lashes trembled. Judging from his conversation with the 2nd Team Leader, he only guessed they had been spatially moved along with the other squad members—he didn’t know the exact cause.

“…What about Somerset?”

Valerian’s brow twitched as he carefully checked her attire.