The Village Girl And the Fox Prince

Chapter 15 - Misconceived.

Since the embarrassing incident earlier this morning, the two of them had continued to be in an awkward situation. Along the way to the tavern where they worked, neither of the two started the conversation.

Moreover, previously Hazel had discussed about maintaining distance. Lynx was sad to behave as usual. He knew it was his fault, and also understood the anxiety of the girl. So as much as possible Lynx will not create any more problems.

“Hazel,” call Lynx who walks behind the body of the orange haired girl. Lynx suddenly remembered something.

“You've been thinking about the rent? What if I find another job? A job with a bigger salary. I will try my luck elsewhere,” Lynx bargained, through this chat she took the opportunity to melt the atmosphere.

Hazel, who had not turned her head at all, did not even stop her legs, immediately replied, “No. You don't have to do anything. Let this be my business. Not a good choice if you walk out of that store. Don't make trouble, we just worked there a day.”

Lynx who was unwilling to refute, immediately nodded obediently. “Good. I'm just giving you advice.”

Regarding the rent, Hazel almost forgot about it. Even though just last night he was reviled and forced to bend his knees to humble himself in front of people who have a lot of money.

Just because of the incident in the morning, Hazel was a little lulled from the sadness that usually always makes her lose her spirit. Since Lynx, Hazel has only realized that her life is not as bad as before.

Either because of Lynx's innocent nature that sometimes upset him half to death, or maybe because of his sincerity that was willing to accompany him in this condition. But whatever the reason, Hazel must be grateful for the changes in her life.

“Finally you guys came too. I'm afraid that if you come late or worse again do not come back here,” welcome Marrie, the middle-aged woman who looks excited to see the presence of Hazel and Lynx.

Hazel carved a faint smile. “That's impossible, Madam. As much as possible we will do our best.”

Lynx standing next to Hazel was just a beard.

“Good. Then you go into the kitchen. Before opening the shop, you were in charge of helping other officials prepare food,” Marrie told Hazel with a sneaky glance.

As the net moved on Lynx, her expression completely changed, no more snide eye glances and a faint tone were shown. Such obvious differences sometimes touched Hazel's fragile heart.

Marrie showed a flirtatious smile while occasionally patting Lynx on the shoulder in anxiety. “While Edgard, you can sit while waiting for customers to arrive.” He took Lynx's arm for granted, then led her to one of the tables.

“Wait a minute here. I'll bring you breakfast,” said Marrie after taking Lynx. But the man stopped his hasty steps about to leave, so Marrie turned to him again.

“No need to bother, Mistress. I had breakfast at home earlier,” subtly reject Lynx.

But the staunch Marrie wanted to give the man breakfast, choosing to ignore the refusal. “Come on, you've never tasted noodle soup in this store. Noodles with gravy made on the basis of hereditary recipes, the taste does not change at all. And when you try it later, you'll definitely like it.”

Not yet had Lynx throw rejection again, the woman had darted away. Lynx took a rough breath while propped up with her chin, her confused expression bringing out a fold on her forehead.

“Mie gravy?” Lynx muttered, many questions popping up in her mind. “What kind of food is it?”

Switching from Lynx, the kitchen conditions in a small shop owned by Marrie was filled with people who were busy with their respective duties. Many people who go back and forth to and fro nimbly put the ingredients into a large cauldron.

Hot air was felt because the narrow kitchen was almost half occupied by a large fire stove. Some people who are also deft to make noodle dough, not once engaged in conversation. They are so focused.

As for Hazel, who was at a loss what to do. I could only stand and watch the people work. When his eyeballs rolled to the side, he caught the figure of Marrie taking something from inside the drawer.

Hazel accidentally saw some money neatly stored in the drawer. One thing Hazel is thinking about right now. He thought that the old woman might be able to help him.

If Hazel is desperate to borrow money from him, will it work?

Let's just say that Hazel has gone crazy, just worked a day she has dared to borrow money. Due to the forced circumstances, he was in a cornered position and had no other choice. Again, Hazel had to lower her self-esteem.

Pathetic right?

“A-anu, Mistress ..” Hazel stopped the middle-aged woman, who was carrying a serving of food in a tray.

Marrie, who saw that Hazel was not doing any work, was obviously upset. Seen from his fused brows, his expression also seemed unfriendly.

“You're still here? Why not mix with the others? Much work you must do.” Marrie asked with a sharp look.

Hazel bit her lower lip, enduring the shame she had left. His head suddenly shrunk when he knew the woman's response looked scary.

“S-actually there's something I want to talk to you about, Madam,” great-grandson Hazel with her head down, her hands fidgeting with agitation.

“What is it?”

Trying as much as possible to put aside her prestige and shame, and prepare her mentally for accepting sadistic rejection, Hazel finally ventured to express her wishes.

Hoping that the woman who always put an intimidating look on him would help him. If not, Hazel still hopes that at least the rejection she receives will be fine.

Before Hazel talks about her wishes to Marrie, Lynx is secretly eavesdropping. His tall body stood from behind a wall near the doorway, deliberately doing so out of curiosity what they were talking about.

“Bo-can I borrow money, Mistress?” great-granddaughter Hazel, she held her breath for a while to ease her nervousness.

“Borrow money? Are you crazy?” Marrie had no idea after hearing what Hazel had just said.

“True, Mistress. I need money to pay for the rent. You can cut my salary until my debt to you is paid off,” Hazel replied, still bowing her head.

But Marrie seems to have no sense of pity after hearing Hazel's explanation asking for help. Because for him, it was not a matter that he should think about.

“Do not make it up. I could probably lend you some money. Moreover, you have not worked here long. You better get back to work, soon customers will surely come,” timpal Marrie while walking past Hazel just like that.

“Hufft..” Hazel's shoulders slumped along with the breath she let out. Looks like he really has to sleep on the streets tonight.

***

Time after time moved quickly, because the food stalls today are quite crowded, Hazel with her disheveled face was reprimanded several times from customers.

The girl made a mistake many times. Either misdeliver the order, mistakenly write the order, or even accidentally drop the glass and bowl. The chaos almost happened many times.

Lynx also secretly steals a glance into the tavern, seeing Hazel being scolded for her mistake. Lynx, who was familiar with the situation, felt she had to do something.

In the spare time when customers are not so crowded and can be conditioned, Lynx sneaks into the store. Searching for Marrie's whereabouts without Hazel's knowledge.

In order to help someone who lately has a place in his heart, Lynx is willing to do anything to restore the lost smile on the girl's face.

“Edgard? Why are you here? Anything you want?” Marrie who was busy in the back room to control the employees, was a little surprised to see the figure of Lynx who was suddenly here.

“Mistress, do you want to make a deal with me?” Lynx went straight to the point, unwilling to waste time on pleasantries.

Marrie's forehead flinched in confusion, slightly tilting her head. “Deal?”

***

Day starts at dusk, a sign that working hours are over. Hazel, who has not interacted with Lynx all day while working, does not know where the man is now.

When receiving a daily wage, Lynx did not show her nose. Hazel darted to the right and to the left, looking around for the figure of the long-haired man. But he didn't see it everywhere.

Marrie put her eyebrows together when she saw Hazel's seemingly confused presence.

“Why are you in line?”

Hazel rolled her eyeballs quickly. Is it because today she made a lot of mistakes, so she was reluctant to give him a wage?

“Come home, meet Edgard. Your money I gave him,” said Marrie again, but Hazel's confusion has not gone away completely.

Hazel left empty-handed. Not receiving a penny after a long day at work. In his mind many swimming questions need answers, while the figure of Lynx is still not visible to this day.

In a situation still wrapped in confusion, Hazel's bad thoughts have spread everywhere. Even he thought that Lynx had taken the money away, and left him alone in this difficult situation.

“Hah, I should immediately pack the items and vacate the house immediately. No matter where the fuckin' fox went who had brought my wages, because right from the beginning I should not have pity and empathize with him,” Hazel cerocos with a feeling of annoyance that gooey.

But what he saw first after stepping on the grounds of the house, was inversely proportional to what had just filled his mind. Had guessed that Lynx left while carrying away his money, but it turns out the man is now at the door of the house.

Not without work Lynx stood there, not also deliberately waiting for Hazel and want to welcome her who just got home. But Lynx talked to two men who came to collect rent last night.

When Hazel walked towards them, the two men there were already about to leave. In the hands of one of them was a wad of money fluttered near the face.

The bodies of those passing through Hazel, momentarily stopped to say something, “Next time don't be late paying the rent.”

His lips grinned meaningfully. A little closer to Hazel's ears. Then back to talking, “By the way, are you now switching professions to be a good-looking guy bedmate?”

Hazel did not answer, but it was seen from her tightened jaw that anger was igniting her now. But because Hazel was tired of arguing with them, what they said was not true, so it was futile to bother straightening.

Instead, Hazel chooses to meet Lynx who is still standing at the door. He approached her to ask her what was really going on. Because if you look at a glimpse of the cut of the incident just now, Hazel thinks that Lynx has paid the rent for this house.

“You're paying off the house rent?”

Lynx nodded. “Yes, I paid it off. So we don't need to lift foot out of this house.”

“Which money did you get from? This daily wage you have also taken, but if it is paid for rent ... Isn't that not enough?” Hazel again asked the question.

While widening a smile full of sincerity, Lynx replied, “I borrowed money on Mrs Marrie. I was forced to do it, because I don't want to see you have to hang around at night because you don't have a place to live.”

Hearing that, Hazel's heart was filled. Feeling remorse for having accused and prejudiced the man before. Though in hindsight, Lynx with that innocent and a little stupid nature that Hazel should not have guessed too far.

“Before I wanted to apologize. I accused you of nothing. Accept kas--”

“Wait a minute,” cut Lynx, his eyes were fixed on something. It was on Hazel's injured hand. Because actually since then Lynx's attention has been focused there.

“Your fingers are injured?”

Hazel nodded slowly. “Yes, but it's a small wound. Accidentally injured when I picked up a shard-”

“EH?! W-what are you doing?” The girl screamed in shock, ending her previous unfinished speech because suddenly Lynx pulled her index finger to put it in her mouth.

Wanted to pull his index finger from there, but Lynx didn't let it. His treatment invites Hazel's heartbeat to race stronger. It felt like he could hear his own thumping.

Unaware that a red tinge had appeared on the surface of her cheeks, Hazel did not even blink once. He focused on seeing Lynx who was busy poking at his finger. It felt as though the man's slightly rough tongue was enveloping his finger inside.

Lynx did so because she intended to heal, given that her saliva was able to treat the wounds of others. But it seems Hazel forgot about the man's abilities.

“Manis.” That's what Lynx said after pulling Hazel's index finger out of her mouth. The curvature of her lips appeared along with her pointed ears and bushy tail.

“Hihiiii.” Lynx further pulled the corners of her lips, drowning her warm gaze into the beautiful curves of her smile. “Some more time the wound will heal.”

Without saying anything else, Lynx decided to go inside. Because it was getting dark soon, he could not show his body changes in any place.

While Hazel who was still feeling cold heat all over her body, looked dazed with a fast-spreading look. His heart felt in ruins in the blink of an eye.

Though know, if the man had no other purpose than to treat his wound. But why is Hazel so hard to control?

“Hey, relax. Don't fall for the charm.” Hazel patted her cheek repeatedly, trying to shake off the strange feeling that was still stirring in her chest.

***