Towards the Winter Cabin of Serenity and Madness, Cinderella Runs - Chapter 15
“Still cold?”
“I, I think I’m okay now,” Roel replied, shrinking her shoulders.
Though her fear had subsided, the sight of the man’s rib cage and his thick chest, along with the feeling of his thick arms around her, left her feeling disoriented.
He rubbed and massaged Roel’s body as if trying to warm her cold flesh. His rough, calloused hands effortlessly glided over her back, sides, shoulders, and arms.
Since his touches were not lecherous but rather business-like, Roel kept silent even as he freely handled her body. Her fear and subdued demeanor towards him remained unchanged.
She’s so skinny yet surprisingly soft, the man thought as he warmed her up for a while. Her body temperature seemed to have returned somewhat, but the trembling persisted.
Why is she still shaking? Could it be a cold? The man frowned, considering the nuisance of dealing with a cold.
Since they had to conserve firewood, increasing the cabin’s temperature wasn’t an option.
Moreover, with heavy snowfall, he had to ensure the roof didn’t collapse under the weight or check the surroundings, leaving no time to care for a sick woman.
Should I give her some strong liquor? Drinking spirits might generate body heat and help her feel better. The man, who was naturally resilient to illness, was unsure how to handle the situation.
Sighing in frustration, he then felt a warm sensation rising from his lower abdomen and rolled his eyes, having thought of a good idea. He then turned over and climbed on top of Roel.
“…!”
Roel, suddenly finding herself under him, looked up in alarm. The breath was knocked out of her, wondering why he had done this so abruptly.
The shadow looming over her reminded her of Howson and triggered her fears.
I’m scared, I’m scared! It’s disgusting, he’s come to kill me! He’s here for revenge!
Caught in a delusion, Roel panicked. As she turned pale, she started to thrash violently.
A flailing arm struck the man’s face, causing his head to turn. His brows furrowed momentarily.
He easily restrained Roel’s hands and immobilized her.
“Stay still.”
Roel gasped for air, sounding as if she had been pulled from water.
Even as he held her down, he continued to massage her body, gently kneading her frozen hands, arms, and shoulders to help them thaw.
The tense standoff lasted for a few minutes. As his body heat transferred to her, warming her up a bit, she was able to calm her dizzy breaths. Roel then managed to look directly at his face for the first time.
Bright yellow eyes, a massive build, jet black hair, and a beard, and strangely, his deep, calming voice. This was not Howson.
Feeling relieved, Roel looked up at him with an innocent face.
“Why, why?”
He shrugged as if it was nothing significant.
“They say excitement wards off the cold.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s better than catching a cold.”
His hand suddenly grabbed her chest. His large palm covered her b****t, pressing it down.
Despite his intentions to excite her, unfortunately, he had no clue how to arouse a woman. All he knew were the crude jokes and brags from mercenaries who boasted about their s****l conquests.
As he clumsily and roughly kneaded her b****t, Roel whimpered in pain.
“That, that hurts…”
It felt as if her flesh was being torn away. Roel pitifully shivered, clinging to his arm as if to beg him to stop.
When Roel showed no signs of excitement, he frowned, puzzled by her reaction. Her face seemed to pale even more. He genuinely couldn’t understand why she wasn’t reacting as expected.
“Why, don’t you like it?”
“…What?”
“Do you dislike it?”
His eyes, sharp and yellow like a beast’s, pierced Roel’s heart. The orange glow of the fireplace flickered in his eyes, making her face feel hot under his gaze.
What should she answer? Was it okay to say she disliked it? The suddenness of the situation left her bewildered and scared. Her breathing became ragged, and her head spun. Yet, at the same time, she felt her will to escape ebbing away, shrinking back instead.
The fierce snowstorm outside the cabin, the overwhelming presence of the man on top of her, and those piercing yellow eyes—all of it silenced Roel.
There was nowhere to run. She had no strength to resist. There was no way to know the silent man’s thoughts. And frankly, she was too exhausted to ponder them any longer.
Didn’t she know he would be like this? She wasn’t that naive, was she? Men are all the same, aren’t they? What was she expecting? Spread your legs, give in, and maybe you can prolong your miserable life a bit longer.
Her frail heart whispered to comply meekly. Roel clenched her eyes shut and turned her head away.
“…No.”
Her hands fell limply. He observed her sagging form. Roel clenched her eyes and took shallow breaths, as if enduring something. Every breath made her ribs and chest subtly quiver, stirring something in him.
Is that a yes? He impulsively brushed his lips against her white nape. The pulsing of her vein was palpable beneath the transparent, thin skin. Everything about her was so slender and fragile, prompting him to be gentle. The feeling was peculiar. No, it was clearly excitement.
This was a first for him.
When he went out as a mercenary, there were women who knocked on his inn room, offering to serve him during baths or climbing onto the bed and skillfully undress.
Their reasons were usually one of two: money or affection. He could give money, but since he had no interest in forming relationships, he always sent them away.
Another reason was that he wasn’t particularly aroused by the sight of their naked bodies.
