<Chapter 100>
#11. Love is a Hurricane (5)
Massaging his stiff neck, Calix let out a heavy sigh. These days, fatigue had been piling up steadily. Things had gotten so bad that even Durasen had said, “If you have any concerns, feel free to talk about them.” Of course, no matter what he said, Calix had no intention of sharing his worries.
‘Damn old man.’
Frowning deeply, Calix turned his gaze toward the meeting room, which should now be empty of people. This wasn’t meant to be a meeting that dragged on for so long. The Padrian family would supply herbicide at a reasonable price, and in return, the Botenta family would prioritize supplying the affected neighboring regions while maintaining their existing operations. It was just a contract for that.
If there was a problem, it was that neither Padrian nor Botenta were clergy. Even though it was obvious that a large influx of refugees would escalate into a bigger problem, the negotiation of terms, prices, and contract details was proceeding fastidiously. Annoyed by the retainers of the Botenta family who were reluctant to compromise on their demands, Calix had left them with several types of contract clauses he had prepared in advance.
With each movement of his body, Calix felt something inside his pocket and raised his hand to the place where the inner pocket was. Inside was a precious item that had been custom-made through a pre-placed order.
“The item came out earlier than expected…”
Now that the item was ready, all that remained was mental preparation. It was a slight impulse that directed Calix’s steps toward the garden.
A faint smile appeared on Calix’s face as he recalled the small figure who always kept his red lips tightly closed and whose brown eyes constantly flickered. The cause of his deep concerns recently was, as always, just one person.
‘Why did I suddenly lose control…’
Obviously, the subject with loose reins was not the hamster who should be quietly staying in the room, but himself. Since the word ‘temporary’ was dropped from the label of their relationship, Melty had become more proactive with skinship. Usually quick to run away or be on guard, lately he had been actively approaching or hugging Calix first. The soft body that filled his arms, the fluffy hair, the clear voice, and the shining face—all made Calix’s core respond too easily.
‘At this rate, I should be wondering if I’m just a beast in heat.’
Brushing back his hair, Calix took a deep breath. In his mind, he had already gone far ahead long ago, but when he actually tried to take action, his body kept sending warning signals. They would continue to do many things together in the future, and he didn’t want to leave a scary first experience that would lead to regret.
As Calix was lost in thought, he heard a commotion nearby. Recognizing a familiar voice mixed in with the others, he changed his direction.
“…I can give Calix-ssi what he needs. Unlike you.”
At the sudden mention of his name, Calix frowned. Just as he confirmed that the speaker was Iel Tuanivel and was about to interrupt—
“I’m the one who received the confession, and I’m the one who got the marriage proposal, not you.”
“…What kind of conversation is this?”
Calix muttered to himself at Melty’s heated response. Perhaps because the surroundings were quiet, his words echoed loudly. Iel, who noticed Calix first, widened her eyes.
“What conversation? The one Calix-ssi likes is me…!”
Unlike her, Melty seemed not to have grasped the situation as he tried to continue in a high tone, but then belatedly turned his head.
“‘Me’…?”
Calix repeated Melty’s interrupted words with a slightly amused voice. Melty, who had never expected to blurt such words in front of him, tightly closed his mouth. Despite his spirited shouting just moments before, Melty sat back down on the chair.
Calix gazed lovingly at Melty’s cheeks, which had turned bright red with embarrassment. The fact that he had so openly displayed his possessiveness in front of others made him so adorable that Calix wanted to bite him.
“It seems the meeting ended early. I was just about to come greet you, Calix-ssi.”
At Iel’s gentle, affectionate voice accompanied by a soft smile, Calix’s expression hardened. Though he tried to maintain courtesy since Durasen had introduced her as an “honored guest” who would play an important role in this negotiation, he couldn’t hide his displeasure.
“Did we have an appointment?”
“We don’t need an appointment to meet, do we?”
Calix returned her smile as she spoke with a light laugh. Though he had reluctantly spared her some time before, she was always unpleasant to see.
“That’s true. Since we’re staying in the same mansion, I’m happy to at least exchange greetings.”
Iel’s expression hardened as she understood Calix’s implication that he had no intention of giving her any more time. Without the slightest hesitation, Calix turned his gaze away from her and looked at his lover, who had been hanging his head low with only his ears perked up attentively.
“Calix-ssi.”
Contrary to his expectation that Melty would continue to be embarrassed, his voice was firm. Melty slowly raised his head.
“Who is Calix-ssi’s lover?”
“You, of course.”
“Then who are you going to marry?”
“Who else but you.”
Calix answered without the slightest hesitation to Melty’s intensely shining eyes. Though he couldn’t know exactly what conversation had taken place with Iel, he could tell that this stemmed from Melty’s jealousy. Willing to indulge in this cute jealousy, Calix answered Melty’s questions without any hesitation, just as he wanted. As their conversation continued, Iel’s face turned red and blue, but no one paid attention to her.
With a triumphant face, Melty stood up again and grabbed Calix’s wrist. Without even giving a glance to Calix, who was blinking docilely at his junior lover’s forceful demeanor, Melty addressed Iel.
“Now do you know who’s the intruder? If you eat up everything you covet so greedily, you’ll get sick.”
After finishing his words, Melty walked away, still holding Calix’s wrist. Though he hadn’t even grasped the situation, Calix obediently followed Melty’s lead with plodding steps.
Perhaps because it looked strange for the small and petite Melty to be dragging Calix by the hand, passing servants turned their heads after giving them puzzled looks. Without paying any attention to the gazes of others, Melty headed straight for the room.
“Calix-ssi, tell me straight. What’s your relationship with that woman?”
As soon as the door closed, Melty’s eyes flashed as he turned back into an interrogating posture.
“What relationship… We’ve just crossed paths a few times, that’s all.”
Calix lightly shrugged his shoulders. Though he didn’t know why Melty had become so jealous, Calix was confident because he really didn’t have any significant relationship with Iel.
At his nonchalant response, Melty bit and gnawed on his lower lip. While it felt good that Calix had firmly taken his side in front of Iel, the image of Iel speaking so confidently kept stirring in his mind.
“If you’ve just crossed paths a few times, how come there’s talk of her marrying you? And I, I saw everything yesterday!”
“What did you see?”
“You flirting with that woman from earlier.”
Recalling that scene, Melty’s eyes filled with resentful tears as he finished speaking. Startled by this, Calix hurriedly lowered himself to meet Melty’s eyes.
“No, I…”
“You told me you were going to a meeting, but you like flirting with a woman in an empty meeting room? Other times, when someone asks you to do something, you tell them to get lost, so why do you escort that woman? How long have we been dating for you to be looking elsewhere?”
Melty sniffled loudly as he listed all the suspicious circumstances, giving Calix no chance to explain. Breaking out in a cold sweat, Calix hastily opened his mouth.
“No, she was introduced as an important guest of the Botenta family, so I was just being polite. I’ve never done anything to feel guilty about, and I don’t have the slightest intention of cheating on my little mouse-like darling.”
“Why am I a mouse? I’m a hamster beast-person!”
“Right, right. My hamster-like darling.”
Melty’s flashing eyes seemed to shout, ‘Who else is a mouse?!’ Hurriedly correcting his statement, Calix enthusiastically played along with Melty’s words.
“So, have all the misunderstandings been cleared up now?”
Calix asked as he carefully restrained Melty’s hands, which were irritably rubbing his eyes. At his question, Melty shook his head vigorously. Hoping for his mood to improve, shadows fell over Calix’s face again. Glaring at him and repeatedly chewing his lower lip, Melty opened his mouth.
“Then why did you suggest we use separate rooms?”
“…Huh?”
Calix responded blankly to the unexpected question. At his response, Melty opened his mouth again, putting strength into his eyes.
“And why haven’t you given me any kisses or pecks lately?”
