The Village Girl And the Fox Prince

Chapter 8 - Something to Hide.

Hazel pushes Lynx's body moving closer. Because the atmosphere here feels different. So Hazel was afraid that the man might do something indecent.

“Exit. What are you doing?”

Lynx scratched the back of his neck, putting on a confused face. “You said you wanted to be treated? So I'll do it.”

“It can't be from a distance? Just so you know, the wounds on my body are in a sensitive place. So I need to know first how you heal the wound,” explained Hazel, both hands have covered the front of her chest.

“Give your hand,” command Lynx, herself already pulled a chair to sit on, closer to Hazel.

Without asking anything more, Hazel reached out her right hand. Directly reached by Lynx, moved slowly towards the mouth so that the man's breath is very felt.

Eventually Lynx's tongue protrudes, drenching Hazel's back with saliva. At the same moment, Hazel instantly widened her eyes. Hurriedly pulled his arm from Lynx.

“Stop! That's disgusting. Is that how you heal wounds?” his screeches while wiping the back of his wet hand with a cloth.

“True. My saliva is very useful. Why are you looking at me like that?” Lynx was a little offended.

Hazel snorted, “Huh, I thought you were a magic user who could heal someone's wounds through your light-emitting hands. But it turns out that the way your abilities work is beyond my expectations.”

Not knowing what the man had in mind, Lynx looked gloomy. “No. I don't even master any magic. The healing ability was pure since I was born. That's why I..”.

Hazel waits for Lynx to resume her speech, but a few seconds pass and she doesn't speak anymore.

“Why?” Hazel was still waiting with a curious look.

But Lynx shook her head with a forced smile on her face. So I was hiding something.

“Nothing.”

Because Hazel did not care much and did not want to interfere with the man's affairs, so Hazel buried her curiosity. Choose to focus on what you are doing now.

Hazel's body moved from the chair, tidying up her breakfast plate. “Continue breakfast. Let me do the dishes.”

Lynx only nodded briefly, dragging her chair to where it had come from. Then again chewed his food that has not been exhausted.

The sink where Hazel washes dishes is not far from the dining table, so Hazel occasionally glances at Lynx who keeps her head down. Although his curiosity about the man had been pushed aside far away, but still the awkward atmosphere here still felt.

So to melt the atmosphere back, Hazel asked something that had filled her mind, “Hei, Lynx.”

“Um?” he said without moving his eyes off the plate.

“I want to know, how did you get a lot of fish with your fox form yesterday? You ended up with a wound, something must have happened.”

Lynx stopped chewing, replied as she could, “I'm looking for the nearest river here. To be able to get that much fish, I need to fight with some wild bears who are also preying on fish.”

Hazel's body half turned back, looking at Lynx's relaxed expression as she said so, making Hazel shake her head.

“Why are you so reckless?”

The corner of Lynx's lips formed an arch, revealing a bitter smile. “If I wasn't reckless, you wouldn't take me back would you? All this time, I always did the same thing so that I could survive in this world.”

“... I realized that I was useless, so as much as possible I had to work hard, surpassing those who had been awarded special abilities. It's okay if in the end this body I have to sacrifice repeatedly, because in addition to the energy and physical strength that I have, I have nothing else to impress others.

But there was one thing Hazel knew, the sadness tucked away from the tone of her speech and the radiance through her beautiful eyes dimmed. This indicates that the man is not feeling well.

“Ah, forgive me. Speak me bouncing everywhere.” Lynx chuckled clumsily as she scratched her nape. “Forget it. I was unconscious when I said that.”

His sturdy body was towering, moving with empty dishes towards the sink to help wash the dishes beside Hazel. But Hazel didn't let the man do it.

“You don't need to wash dishes. Just let me. You better shut up or do something else. The wound on your hand is still wet. It'll be worth the last night bandage I gave you. Don't make me have to cut my clothes again,” tell Hazel, take the plate in the man's hand.

“Good. Thank you.”

***

Today was a very hot day, the sun was overhead. It feels very lazy if you have to travel in these conditions. But there was no choice for Hazel but to do it.

Because after all, Hazel is unlikely to continue to stay at home and rely on the rest of Lynx's innate fish to survive. There is a house rent that he must pay also there is a debt with exorbitant interest that continues to lurk the safety of his life.

So Hazel was determined to find a job in the center of the village, no matter what job she got later, she would not protest and refuse, as long as it was still acceptable to common sense. Although his body had not yet fully recovered. The body still feels sore and sore, Hazel will not care.

Hazel was getting ready, using only her shabby robe to ward off the scorching sun. Relying on determination, Hazel is so eager to bet her luck out there.

“Where are you going hot like this?”

The question stopped Hazel's two steps that were about to cross the doorway. He just remembered that he had not said goodbye to Lynx.

“I'll look for a job, you keep the house,” the answer is short, don't even look back.

“I want to come. Wanting to accompany you and help you work,” pinta Lynx, a pithy expression was already drawn on her beautiful face even though Hazel did not see it.

Hazel immediately screeched bitterly, “Don't be crazy. Who are you? You're not human, Lynx. I can't predict when you'll pop your ears and tail. How about someone else mel--”

“But I can,” cut it with confidence.

“Hah?!” Okay, Hazel's patience, which was as thin as a tissue, was divided in two, now she couldn't resist her frustration anymore. His body had already turned back, glaring at Lynx.

“My ears and tail will appear when I am happy, or sad in excess. But I can control it,” Lynx explained.

Hazel exhaled while rubbing her rough face. “OK, that you might be able to handle. But what about your wounds? People will probably look forward to seeing your appearance like this. I could have been accused of exploitation for bringing someone like you to work.”

In order to make the girl more confident and willing to trust him, Lynx displayed a big smile. Trying to show that he is not a problem and does not feel disturbed by the wounds on his body.

From the heart of Lynx who has been firm on the decision made, Lynx is eager to be next to Hazel. At least he can make sure that Hazel is okay.

“Please trust me. This wound is nothing. Because I've been hurt more than this. I'm not gonna die. I know the limits of my own abilities. So please do whatever it takes so I can get out of the house with you. Maybe with more covered clothes?”

Again, Hazel let out a breath of rage from her little mouth. Staring lazily Lynx who was widening the grin of his feet.

“Haissh, you're this.”

***