YW | Chapter 2.1

As Liriel exhaled, a puff of white breath scattered in the air. No matter how much time passed, he couldn’t get used to the cold, so he wrapped his scarf tightly. The thick scarf, wrapped three times, was bigger than his head, but he didn’t seem to care about how ridiculous he looked.e0f3663a0ca15b31

Dressed in a blue coat and surrounded by a fluffy yellow fur ball, Liriel, with his white hair and skin, looked like a waddling snowman. Despite his bulky appearance, Liriel’s steps were quick. As soon as he opened the door, the cold wind hit his nose, but he paused only for a moment.409a94d98cd1dadd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

His destination wasn’t far. After a few steps, Liriel found his friend, and warmth spread across his face.e29de02af7edd5db

“Sorry, I’m really late.”881fa0ebaf397aeb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Even though Liriel apologized 0d8f2cdf58 while crouching down, the 6d08619b42 returning gaze was sharp. His usually neat e03a8e68f2 posture was slouched, c983c8de8a showing how upset 3baa6bd83a he was.1540422289bec89f

“I was trying to cut them into star shapes….”05df5afa3d8b064f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

From his bulky clothes, 332c6bf455 Liriel pulled out a a32b286ce6 pocket and offered neatly cc910a7fb5 cut carrot pieces to 78ac44d810 his friend, the fox. The fox ecf5987d14 sat down, 57a5e926d0 took the 9c8de53cf1 carrot with 0204e54d30 its front 4f45411a67 paws, and 8c6d79af7a the sound f3eda1e9e8 of crunching 1b7555c3e1 echoed quietly.98c9b309ecf4da47

Liriel watched with a slightly complicated expression. No matter how many times he saw it, he couldn’t get used to it.99e9efcf30f16931

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It didn’t seem like just an ordinary fox….e35a53e809158efa

Hiding his uneasy thoughts, Liriel continued to offer carrot pieces. The little fox he met two and a half years ago was special to him for many reasons. It wasn’t just because the fox’s fur was a soft chocolate color or because its small body was endearing.e2a3c50370069277

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

One day, the fox suddenly appeared, rubbing its cheek against Liriel’s feet as he watched the snowy landscape. When he absentmindedly reached out to the living warmth, the fox licked his fingers without hesitation.ebd9960afae0a62d

Tears suddenly streamed down Liriel’s face as he stared blankly at it. It was an inexplicable sorrow.26b9df68139eedb9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The fox, surprised to 4a106b9242 find Liriel silently crying c7f1690213 while it was being 6b6835395e playful, seemed a bit e4ae3df0b1 flustered but soon disappeared 6d41e8ff07 as if nothing had f1d970314d happened.5e926c334e16e1ca

Contrary to his expectation that they wouldn’t meet again, the little creature returned the next day. And the day after that. It came to him every single day.960f07c90bd0b904

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The fox slowly infiltrated Liriel’s life.1cda7b275dc956fd

Knowing the short lifespan of wild animals, he didn’t want to get attached, but the stubborn fox consistently sought him out. The first time Liriel reached out to the fox was purely by chance.05e4124f33eae478

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The fox, usually sitting quietly on Liriel’s lap, suddenly jumped into his coat pocket. Normally, it wouldn’t have mattered, but that day, there was a small cookie in Liriel’s pocket. Realizing it too late, Liriel hurriedly pulled the fox out, but it had already crunched on the sugary treat.c99e7356e744802e

Flour, sugar, butter—none of it was good for animals, so a panicked Liriel shook the fox vigorously, but the cookie didn’t come back out. The fox’s eyes just widened in surprise at the sudden rough treatment.e568ae684d50ef06

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Fortunately, the fox f1794cb344 was fine afterward, 8265144c55 but perhaps because 95d76d9c09 it was sulking, eb1c669395 it growled from a3664cdea9 a distance. To apologize, Liriel 0b97a32742 started bringing sliced e515389421 carrots, a habit 269b29fd99 that continued to 0502e72430 this day.4ed803a4951204eb

It was the first time he had ever cared for something. When he was very young, he didn’t have the luxury, and as he grew older, there was no one to care for.c413d3908f5b1105

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

That’s why this fragile creature, which would starve without him, was incredibly precious to Liriel. Just looking at it made his heart flutter, and a love he had never felt before bubbled up.ca7568b0977847f7

Lost in thought, 9fe0e39208 he paused, and de248eb487 a small paw 466b9442c8 tapped his arm. Despite being sulky, 962f21c2f7 the fox seemed 88fc71fdf3 to want more a749dd6dff carrots, scrunching its 25bb522fac nose adorably.046a906b05ba8ae6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, sorry.”2ea8d1b0fdb94766

Liriel offered more carrots 9dbd34d762 and popped a piece 532d9d92bb into his own mouth. It was so fresh 9eb7d3347a that it crunched and 38753e3cc0 tasted sweet even raw. Sharing the carrots b875697e16 one by one, a4c861fc24 the once-bulging pocket ea210d26c6 quickly emptied. The fox patted f6e2931340 its now full 7de5742b9d belly with a 4c50fe6fb5 satisfied expression, its 41b58e38c2 bright red eyes 9216a07518 blinking slowly.c31b5b1d4eae5285

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

No matter how you 8c4802b636 look at it, it 387c85bc59 acts too much like 285492c435 a person.2b9b21d52a4ec7a9

Setting aside his 61e1b25849 suspicions, Liriel picked 389dbf0d75 up the fox 37b34501d0 and began to 5ffd4330eb walk. The snow crunched 0029c83c46 pleasantly underfoot.587bb0d33ba86187

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Despite having eaten enough to make its belly round, the fox, which hadn’t grown at all since the day they met, felt almost weightless. Hopefully, it wasn’t sick.c7d901bda6d5ed14

Whether it understood Liriel’s gloomy worries or not, the fox dozed off. Smiling softly at its peaceful appearance, Liriel walked carefully so as not to wake it.6029904a82ab303d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Going on adventures with the sleeping fox was a new hobby for Liriel. It was something he wouldn’t have considered alone, but thanks to the fox, courage bubbled up inside him.e0c96ddda4d84820

At first, he f92fc601d9 only lingered around 0962a447ac the annex given 63954e8810 to him, but d979c253ff gradually, he expanded 14af968a91 his territory, sometimes 17515dd3a0 even approaching the 6d4df97594 main castle. As he wandered without 6b9b3ee2f3 encountering a single soul, 6301158ade his courage grew day 7b7b5c1728 by day.28dc2366ed9f620d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Spending time alone in 0a3992a830 the quiet annex dulled 4b37460254 the internal wounds that adf3920a79 felt like they had 4f67c0bab9 been sliced thin with e657ac47eb a knife.860d6e437f84a87a

Three years ago, when Liriel first set foot in the cold north, he honestly thought it would be okay to die here. He had chosen this place with that intention. Whether he froze to death, was beheaded by Archduke Baltar, or poisoned by retainers who valued Baltar’s honor, it didn’t matter. Since he couldn’t end his life by his own hand, ending it this way didn’t seem so bad.a5eaf677c51698a6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

However, none of Liriel’s expectations came true. The annex provided by Baltar wasn’t luxurious, but it had everything he needed. He had never even seen Cassius Baltar’s face, and the retainers, whom he thought would demand he pay for tarnishing Baltar’s honor, never showed up. In fact, not only the retainers but also the servants were absent.3870e9a52b40cf39

At first, 1757ab6d2a there seemed 9a879740fd to be cf318a9ed7 a few f0df343247 servants lingering dfbc71266c around, but d22907b45f after he ae502dd49d trembled like bc09f0aefb he was e222e2010c having a f8db7fb720 seizure every ef1e8b4652 time he 326eef4a14 encountered them, f01fe9db6d he stopped 1ec102063c seeing people f4e3a7b0ff altogether.2e1a5c92cbbd4c76

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Breakfast was 2ef145c076 prepared before fd884019dd Liriel even bf7b041fe9 woke up, 59fa9217c2 lunch was e354c1fdae served while d8d0722896 he read ad9c01bb56 in the c6a371645c library, and 5e606714f7 cleaning and 4d499c012f organizing were 8752ab4821 done while 2a32371a70 he took 50f765c54f his walks. He usually skipped dinner. The unspoken routine established dadaa9a8e0 within a month continued f0faa57797 unchanged to this day.8666018d1b798ac9

Though he wasn’t eating well, he was at least eating and sleeping, so his once twig-like body gained a bit of weight. With the weight came stamina, and with stamina came walks. Strangely, the simple act of soaking up the sun and breathing fresh air gradually dispelled the suffocating depression. It was a curious thing.66da90a259942f89

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Looking back, it 4e799d1e1d was the first 7cd3a3dc3d time he had 0ca3361f4b lived so peacefully.c90fcf911d305141

In the c6305311eb past, he 61689605a6 was always 9ec9b64329 chasing recognition, 40aa7c04cc working hard 926428fa04 as if 65881d1ce9 pursued, and 0d9a05dee4 after regaining 739e84e4c0 his body, 458e5a1b27 he was 81da3b89b6 busy bristling 5f94e23748 under the c3416b98cc piercing gazes.07a67089658dd8b7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

So Liriel liked this cool peace. Though Baltar was mostly bone-chillingly cold, there were no unsettling stares, and he didn’t have to worry about imitating anyone.b3c83918b80611b9

When his legs 358eca33d8 grew heavy and 7a7366f8fc he stopped, he 35652788a8 found himself near 0422982ffd the main castle ca6b2d01b1 again. It seemed he had be23d0a1c0 ventured a bit deeper 901e3d30da than last time. As he exhaled e2dfebebc4 his slightly labored 11ccc64fe9 breath, a translucent f9f140cae6 puff of air d9f2b9ae40 gathered and dissipated 2490659081 before his eyes.1963d63f6bd01676

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I should 12d2e39d55 head back.a44fff40697cb964

Just as Liriel was 45efd60e3f about to turn, he 65400a545d heard a faint crunching 553daa24bc sound in the distance, c52794f73b like the sound of 868a67375f footsteps on snow.2899e0dd4f814862

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Narrowing his eyes, Liriel 197f4aa44c glared in the direction 3690d18108 of the sound. He thought it d99a1f9ebc was a wild 34513d60cf animal, but on 5713334a4f closer inspection, it ff84f07043 was a large 60e41f8997 man. Though he b850128132 could barely 249926d7b2 make out 215c5da2d8 the shape 3d4d34a0a3 from the 1f1c7b7506 distance, seeing 0be1fe2d9b a stranger 07e70aeb74 for the a66ae72cae first time ea38c2f321 in so 551e2bd42d long startled 73d8986bc6 Liriel, and 4b67acb68d he immediately b3083b06a5 turned his f9a92ef153 back.92e3690df175c863

There was no time 6b67d10a76 to think. The sudden movement woke 3dfa653fe8 the fox, which growled a6166dcc87 in protest, but for 373b61e5a7 the first time, Liriel 8dfbb189b4 ignored it and dashed d9529a7374 away.bc4bfaca4eb74841

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Thanks to that, 84447e271e he quickly reached 23a56600c0 the annex. His legs trembled a54596efe1 from the exertion, 05a4f0fd31 and he was 97ffbd5d97 out of breath.6934288642b85075

“There was a person, fox.”d3699309dfd18686

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The fox, with a grumpy look, smacked Liriel’s chest with its paw. It hurt quite a bit. Angered by the disturbance of its sleep, the fox leapt down and disappeared into the forest, ignoring Liriel’s complaints.3a696419314cf84b

Catching his c4ab699950 breath for d8eab13965 a moment, 9d1d2c7aa5 Liriel moved a95df6c931 his heavy b54020c565 legs and 3423988af3 entered the cd507fe110 annex. His heart was still bf58acb130 pounding.e0bb862c9d25ff43

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Though he hadn’t seen clearly, a figure that large was likely a knight.b4c5b7bbf7a2089c

Encountering a person after so long heightened Liriel’s anxiety. Meeting people was still frightening, whether they were kind or disdainful. So Liriel wanted to preserve the peaceful life in the annex with the little fox.37dac1e9eda3b0f5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I must never go that way again.”5ffedf00e103ca32

Liriel resolved a1f886b063 firmly, but a06b3d34b4 it took 36ef1c034e less than 016d79efaa four days c72ae7634c for that 0761d56582 resolve to 61dbe70aee break.a407e5e6f785b9b9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚c50c40c0fdc5a732

Is the fox sick? Liriel had a reasonable suspicion. Lately, the fox seemed to think it was a rabbit, hopping around energetically. It even jumped up to Liriel’s waist sometimes. Plus, it stopped eating the carrots it used to love.f5e3e4515d22767d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Running around was fine, but not eating was a survival issue, so Liriel’s worry grew daily. In this harsh weather, it seemed unlikely that a baby fox could find food on its own outside.43e37f4cd4dd9d4a

“What’s wrong, huh? Should I give you something else?”6b1a3cb16f480b91

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He was frustrated because he couldn’t figure out the reason. It was upsetting that the fox couldn’t speak. If it were a person, he could at least ask where it hurt, but he worried that it might be suffering alone because he hadn’t noticed.8c2aa97e2cb03814

The fox swatted 282b02e481 away the flower-shaped a8836bffdb carrot Liriel offered. The awkward 4312e9e64b carrot flowers e2dfeeec94 scattered on dc96b4180b the white 3e20e643ed snow. Thinking it bb6228fa2f might dislike 4825ef0bae carrots, he 81931c1297 tried offering 66d807003a a cookie, c59661d6d1 but it b0fee50322 was rejected 66a13c7b73 even more a0ef8a9758 forcefully.3b42f5a27d579946

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The fox, which now barely jumped up to Liriel’s calf, soon ran into the forest. Unlike usual, it didn’t go far and just stared blankly at Liriel. When Liriel blinked dumbly, the fox stomped its back feet impatiently, as if telling him to follow.9dac51fff40823fe

I really don’t want to go that way again….8627f719cdf1caf7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Sensing Liriel’s reluctance, the fox started hissing.3e2f0e1967e08c81

Do foxes 6285381287 even hiss?291630ba50511d30

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Worried that it 5b3a86d060 might get hurt, 2959198cb5 Liriel reluctantly followed b59ef5e64c the fox. Contrary to his wish 77a34a1c7f to avoid the place c5c9d0bb7b where he saw the e15d6d006b stranger last time, the 27f4107f07 fox headed straight in 3bc0c1ddd7 that direction.727292068eca44ce

Feeling uneasy, Liriel decided he couldn’t let this continue and picked up the fox, which struggled fiercely. The small creature was surprisingly strong, and its front paw smacked Liriel’s nose.46edaef02591ec4f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Ouch!”dd14d21ef336a66b

Taking advantage of Liriel’s dazed state, the fox escaped again. Frustrated, Liriel chased after it, leading to an unexpected pursuit.ddc2648fa5bc5ece

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Gotcha!”b08855be5a957305

After running for a 74b4e481ca while, Liriel finally caught fa8856e9f8 the fox, which had 37b41363cb suddenly stopped. Once in his b0ef656320 arms, the fox 933d13d916 was surprisingly calm, 98d534d31b unlike before. Its docile 8059cc7954 behavior made 6fff58a133 Liriel chuckle.e7c4102eb5f58f00

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Look at this b5cb117ea5 little one.da0f87c495ebea2b

“For now, you’re only eating greens.”a85b8ecc8eafc6af

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As he ad03fb9b1d turned to a74ad647db leave, a 42ade5e3f8 strange feeling 4ab4f066e9 of being cd7d0042d8 watched washed 751cc6f2c7 over him.495649f8145eb7ea

Liriel slowly lifted 7d6c5d57b6 his head from be819b1945 the fox.4c3e1f7d802b1213

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

And there, 84c83848b3 closer than bc9af8b3ce expected, he 29da8706ae locked eyes 75f7f81640 with deep d07cfbefff iolite-colored eyes.c9a77ca9d9c3e7a5

“…Oh?”bda7cb0ca995f5de

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

A breathy sound escaped Liriel’s lips.68c2b5cf85ee0378

Neither of them 1542d0e597 moved first.27bf560666c42f86

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The man wore only a light shirt despite the cold weather. Even so, he was larger and taller than the bundled-up Liriel. Judging by the sword at his waist, he seemed to be the knight Liriel had seen from afar three days ago. Liriel’s eyes widened, and his body froze.fce18ff1e907e8e1