I took out the blanket meant for the children and laid it on the ground, Remy and Ray placed rocks on the corner. Len handed me two baskets, one with our harvest earlier, and the other full of prepared snacks.
"Sister!" Ray called out, extending his arm to feed me a sandwich.
I took a bite. "Oh! It's yummy!"
Remy giggled, "Ira Len made it!"
Leaning on the tree trunk, my gaze fell on Mister Secretive plotter wannabe. "Isn't it stuffy? Having your hood on, I mean."
He shook his head. "It's alright. Stuffiness is better than scaring people."
"Why?" I immediately regretted asking. That's none of my business!
What if it's because of a scar he sustained from war?
A facial deformity from birth?
Or because half of his face was burned in a fire that killed his whole family?
I was about to apologize when Len said frankly, "A friend of mine told me that my gaze is far too terrifying."
"Is it that bad?"
Len also leaned his back on the tree and laughed. It was really like music. "Hmm, ask them," he pointed at the two who were eating the berries we picked. "They cried when they first saw my face. Isaac peed himself."
I almost blurted out, 'Are you a monster?'
After a while, the children fell asleep.
Perhaps because it was too serene, I let my guard down and blurted out some nonsense. "This place makes me feel so peaceful."
"I feel the same way. It's most likely because of the holy tree."
"Holy tree...?"
This is a holy tree?! I immediately stood up and faced the tree I was leaning on, bowing quite deeply.
Len chuckled, "It's alright, Sienna. The tree is quite fond of you."
[The Farshien trees or to be more precise, the holy trees were a symbol of protection in the Rosenlite Empire. It used to be an altar where humans offered food to connect the living to their deceased loved one's spirit. The berries were believed to contain spirits so no one eats them. Those who tried due to greed or misconstrued ideas were cursed with endless nightmares. Dreaming of the spirit's life and eventual demise until they ultimately wish for their own. - Azriel Lennox von Farren, The sun that melts the snowy mountain, Vol. 1, Ch. 16]
"How can you tell it's fond of me?"
"...Instinct."
"Ah, it's completely gone." Len said, holding the two baskets in his hands, he stood up, "I'll go pick some berries."
"I-I'll go too." I stood up abruptly.
No, no, no wait. What overcame me?!??
He hummed and walked closer to me. "Very well," he said and handed me the basket.
I took it and followed him. We walked a different path from the one we used hiking up. It was densely packed with trees and bushes.
When we encountered a slope, Len alerted, "Be careful, it's quite slipp-"
"Ah!" Too late for the warning, Len.
I reached out to a tree but my hand slipped, I tried to harden my feet on the ground but it was useless.
"Wait!" Len yelled, dropping the basket and rushing to my side but unfortunately, the wet soil was a rather nefarious enemy.
I accepted my fate of going home dirty and closed my eyes when I felt a hand grab my waist. My breath hitched.
"Are you alright?" Len asked.
"Yes..." Opening my eyes, I finally realized how close we were to each other and how muscular Len was.
I can't see it, but him holding me like this, and from the glimpse of his forearm while he's holding onto the tree trunk... This man is strong.
I raised my head and Len lowered his. Unconsciously, I tilted my head as I caught a glimpse of his lips and nose. He probably noticed my burning gaze cause he immediately got flustered. He used his hand to support the two of us in tugging his hood.
Now, what happens to two people on a wet, slippery slope without anything to support them?
They will slip, fall, roll, glide, and everything synonymous with slide.
I screamed as the whole ordeal happened, meanwhile, Len didn't utter a word, he just tightened his hold on me, pulling me closer to him.
Luckily, the roller coaster-like ride stopped before we encountered a ravine or cliff. I panted, trying to catch my breath while desperately wiping my hands clean on the cloak. After a long silence, well, not entirely silent because I sounded like a 90-year-old man snoring, we turned to look at each other. His appearance and mine were utterly disheveled.
"Pffft– HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Len paused for a minute before joining me in my laughter.
He stood up and removed his dirty gloves, revealing his slightly tanned and large hands. He reached out for my hands and pulled me up. "Did you have fun?"
"Fuck yeah!" It was something I never experienced before, "the first time..."
"Hmmm... Next time, I'll bring a blanket so we won't get dirty."
My eyes brightened at the idea, "Yes!"
"Alright, alright..." Len put his hands on my forehead, then he carefully tucked my hair, well, wig on my ear.
What, what, what????
"You look pale."
...
Now that you mention it... I am nauseous.
"Ah, am I?" I asked and he nodded.
It's a good thing I'm always prepared heh. I planned to take out the pouch of candies tied to my pants' belt loop, but Len seized my hands before I could raise it.
Bro...
I was gonna complain but then Len's hand, like a gentle morning breeze, soothed me.
It was warm.
Warm and comfortable...
"Do you feel better?" He asked as he let go.
??????
All of a sudden, I'm all good?!
Sorcery! This is sorcery!
"No?"
"Ye-Yes! I feel better!"
"Good." Len looked at the wrecked basket and chuckled. "It's unfortunate, but let's head back."
...You're making me feel guilty.
"No!"
Oh, he froze lol.
"Pardon me?"
"We can't just leave without bringing something can we?! What if they get hungry, think of the children!"
"Think of the children—the children—dren."
Damn, echo.
"I mean, I mean..." Fuck, why do I say embarrassing things when I'm with you.
"Huh?" He covered his mouth and said in a muffled voice, "I see... How inconsiderate of me, I should've thought of the children..." Len continued to tease, "What should I do, Sienna?"
"..." I removed my cloak, tied it up to resemble a bag, and threw it on his shoulder, "Leave me alone."
"Haha...hmm."
I glared at him causing him to shut his mouth. I pointed at a shrub that had spherical yellow berries, "that looks delicious."
"Helia? It is tasty."
We walked over and picked the berries off until the shrub was only green.
"Try one." He said, handing me a golden-colored berry.
Hey, your favoritism is showing.
I took it and ate it whole. The Helia berry had a toasted, nutty taste, and its texture was similar to a dried date.
"Good?" He asked, taking out a handful of berries from the makeshift bag.
"Yup!"
"...Yes?" He handed me half of it, while he ate the half in one gulp.
We continued to forage. Mushrooms, fruit, berries, herbs... Along the path, Len also picked up flowers of various kinds and colors.
I didn't question it at first, but then, the flowers he picked grew to an obnoxious amount.
"Why... are you taking so much?"
He froze and statically waved a red flower, "It's for the children..."
"Oh! Remy's gonna be happy!"
"You think?"
"Definitely!"
After the bag was filled to the brim, we went back.
I bid them farewell when we reached the intersection of Rielta and The Central.
"You're not coming with us?" Remy asked, a red flower was placed on her tiny ears. The two kids looked at me with doe eyes.
I'm coming with you, let's all live together!
...
"Next time..."
"Awwww..." The two whined, and their eyes drooped. Ray turned his head and looked at Len.
What? Asking him to persuade me?
Len grabbed Ray's head and turned it to face me, the little cutie pouted, "That's enough. Mir Sienna still has work to do. Say goodbye now."
"Buh-bye." They said, dejectedly waving their hands.
I imitated them, saying bye-bye in a sad manner. I looked at Len, "I'll get going then."
"Hmm. Take care, be careful on the road."
"You too."
We nodded at each other, I was about to signal Leila to start but Len called out to me, "Sienna."
"Huh?"
Len stretched his arm out, handing me a fistful of violets. Flustered, I clumsily took the flowers, "They're pretty, thank you..."
He hummed and added, "The emperor... His majesty affixed a thousand gold bar and 20 thousand silver coins to the already existing budget for children's of the street."
Why are...
...
AGHHHH!
"You're teasing me again!"
"Haha."
To be continued.