Red Riding Hood - Chapter 22
At some point…
The Angel began to appear by her bedside as she slept.
It was likely after she had grown older, and more specifically, on the nights when she returned from the village with wine given to her by the White Goat priest, drank a glass with everyone, and fell into a deep sleep.
The Angel would open the door, enter her bedroom, and stand by her bed, watching her as she slept.
When Cinq, sensing his presence, groggily opened her eyes, he would softly sing her a lullaby and gently stroke her back. With that, she felt reassured and fell back asleep.
To her, the Angel’s presence was nothing short of a small miracle.
That someone—or something—wished for her nights in this fearful forest to be peaceful was an immense comfort, even if that someone wasn’t human.
‘But last time, the Angel didn’t come.’
On the night she last received wine from the White Goat and the Wolf appeared, gifting her freedom and teaching her love, the Angel did not show up.
Cinq wondered,
‘Is it because I’m not drinking the wine? Or perhaps the Angel sent the Wolf in his place. Does that mean the Angel won’t come anymore?’
As she sprinkled salt and vinegar over the carrots, the Wolf sidled up to her.
“Cinq, my adorable little chef! Why are you making salad with such a serious look on your face?”
At his words, Cinq looked up and smiled shyly.
The man, brimming with a vibrant and intense presence, gazed at her quietly.
She liked him. She found herself irresistibly drawn to the man who loved her. If asked what she liked about him, she could only answer, everything.
She loved his overwhelming, commanding presence, the cool masculine scent emanating from him, his strong and handsome face, the coarse, addictive texture of his beard, and the lemon-colored eyes deeply set beneath his brow.
When he gazed deeply into her eyes with those beautiful lemon-colored irises, it felt as if a part of her soul connected with his.
Though his appearance was quite intimidating, she loved how he constantly uttered tender, playful words with his soft, full lips. She also loved how he never left her side, as though trying to keep his promise of staying with her forever.
“Cinq, Cinq. I’ve missed you.”
Even now, after sweeping only the bedroom floor in his attempt to clean the house for her, the Wolf had returned to her, pressing his large, firm body close to hers, nuzzling affectionately.
To Cinq’s eyes, it was as though she could see a tail wagging eagerly behind his taut backside.
“We’ve been in the same house all day.”
“Cinq, I want to keep you within my sight at all times. No, I want to keep you locked in my arms forever.”
“How could you do that?”
Cinq asked, laughing as she looked up at him.
“Lord Wolf, are you a gift sent by the Angel?”
The Wolf blinked his large eyes before breaking into laughter, rubbing his rough cheek against her soft one.
“Of course! Just now, a heavenly Angel whispered to me, ‘The woman you love is over there, her fingertips turning carrot-colored as she makes a salad. Go quickly and have a taste.’”
Cinq giggled and picked up a bit of the carrot salad, placing it in his mouth. Since the salad was still meant for storage, it was bound to taste sour and salty.
As expected, the Wolf winced at the sharp tang, his nose crinkling in discomfort.
“Little one, that is too sour!”
Oddly enough, even his grimacing face looked lovely to her.
Cinq leaned in and planted a small kiss on his bearded chin.
“Lord Wolf, you’re adorable.”
She felt his body tense once more.
The Wolf, lifting her skirt, said,
“Cinq, you’re wearing undergarments today, are you not? This old Wolf needs to check.”
Cinq burst into laughter, gently pushing his chest as he leaned in.
“No, stop it. We need to go hunting for meat today.”
“Ah, a busy little fisher-lady, are we?”
“That’s right.”
The Wolf rested his chin on top of her head, enveloping her in his broad chest as he said,
“Cinq, let’s go together.”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“If you’re worried about my injuries, I can’t move quickly yet, but thanks to my Lady’s devoted care, I’ve gotten much better. Besides, I need to find my horse, too.”
Cinq nodded, nuzzling her head against his neck.
“Then let’s do that, Lord Wolf.”
