<Chapter 119>
#14. Calm Before the Storm (1)
Malek Crosel alternately looked at Calix and his brother, who was purring softly as he slept on the bed, with a serious expression.
“Nyam… nyam.”
Though his brother, who seemed to be eating something delicious in his dream as he smacked his lips, was always adorable, Malek quietly touched his forehead at the appearance that clearly showed they had spent a heated time together.
While he had no desire to interfere with his brother’s sex life, the dilemma of whether he should simply observe his newly-adult brother living so indulgently was a persistent problem that had been troubling Malek since reuniting with Melty.
“Didn’t you come because you had something to discuss?”
Barely tearing his gaze away from his brother at Calix’s question, Malek stared at Calix, whose complexion was even more glossy than usual.
“You… horny beast.”
It was natural for his words, which popped out of his mouth, to be sharp. The antagonistic resistance toward the thief who had snatched away his preciously raised brother overnight wouldn’t easily subside. A bright smile appeared on Calix’s lips at Malek’s words.
“I’m flattered to have our relationship acknowledged like this.”
“Where exactly in what I just said did you find any acknowledgment?”
“Well, to become a horny beast requires effort from both parties.”
“…”
Malek was left speechless at Calix’s leisurely smile as he spoke. Though he had conversed with Calix several times, Malek was inevitably defeated each time. Having given up on arguing with Calix based on past experiences, Malek stroked Melty’s hair as he slept on the bed and spoke.
“I came because there’s something I need to confirm, so let’s stop with the unnecessary talk. I heard you’re planning to go up to the Padrian mansion?”
“Did you hear that from Angel?”
“I asked a question, and you answer with another question? You disrespectful bastard.”
A slight smile curled on Calix’s lips at Malek’s voice as he glared intensely. The physical differences between Malek and Melty were so great that it was hard to believe they were siblings. From their bone structure to their manner of speaking, they were completely different people, but upon closer inspection, Calix now noticed that their eyes were very similar.
Perhaps because he had seen a resemblance to Melty, Calix’s mood softened considerably, and he casually shrugged his shoulders while readily providing an answer to what Malek was curious about.
“There’s no point in staying here any longer; it will only hold me back. We’ll leave right after finishing our meal.”
If he had been traveling alone, he would have departed without hesitation, but now he had to travel with Melty. Meals during travel would naturally be less substantial. Calix wanted to minimize poor-quality meals for Melty, whose appetite had greatly improved lately.
“Will you be traveling together?”
“…I’ll follow quietly, so don’t worry about it.”
Calix nodded silently at Malek’s reply. Malek stared at the peacefully sleeping Melty without even giving Calix a glance. His gentle stroking of Melty’s hair, careful not to wake him, was dripping with affection.
“Is it for protection that you’ve placed people around my brother?”
“Things have been a bit unsettled lately. Speaking of which, I heard you cleared out all those hanging around your home.”
“How could I possibly leave suspicious characters in a place where my brother stays?”
Calix remained silent at the thick killing intent in Malek’s voice. It was completely contrary to the affectionate demeanor he had shown in front of Melty since the first day, but for Calix, this side of Malek was actually more familiar.
“You’ve made things quite difficult by ruining the traps I deliberately set.”
“I’m well aware that the Padrian people are insidious, but I can’t stand that. What if my brother were to be endangered somehow?”
“That’s precisely why I set the traps, to prevent such things.”
If one moved clumsily, they might just cut off a few twigs and be done with it. Malek gave a short sneer at Calix’s response.
“Given your track record, I don’t find that very reassuring.”
“…”
Though Calix had won 100 out of 100 verbal battles with Malek, this time he had nothing to say. Calix knew very well that whatever he said would sound like an excuse. In reality, Melty had already been in danger twice while staying with him.
The first time was because of Bain Spangky, who had infiltrated the mansion, and the second time was due to the landslide incident. Since there was circumstantial evidence that the landslide had also been artificially created, Calix considered it his fault.
“The Padrians have far too many enemies. That’s why it’s always a dangerous place. Of course, for the people in your family who are very good at avoiding trouble, it’s not my concern. But my brother is different.”
Malek clicked his tongue with a “tsk” sound. If it had been another sibling who had matched eyes with Calix, there would have been no need for such worry. The people of the Crosel family were all skilled enough in hunting to easily take care of their own lives. But of all people, the one who fell for someone from the most dangerous family was his youngest brother, who had zero offensive capability—this was a combination that couldn’t help but cause concern.
“I won’t stop them if they like each other. But I can’t tolerate my brother being put in danger. Understand?”
“Yes, I understand. I have no intention of putting him in danger.”
Calix spoke with a respectful attitude. He instinctively realized that this was like an interview with Melty’s family. With a determination to leave a good and proper impression no matter what, he maintained a straight posture with his back perfectly upright.
“Surely you don’t plan to just take advantage of my most preciously raised brother and then discard him?”
“As I told you before, I’m thinking about marriage.”
“You think you’re the only one with thoughts? Have you proposed to my brother yet?”
“I will soon.”
The environment was already close to a proposal when he first confessed his love. A faint smile appeared on Calix’s lips as he recalled the flower ring he had placed on Melty’s finger. The ring for the proposal had been prepared for quite some time, but he hadn’t yet placed it on Melty’s finger. He didn’t particularly want to deliver such an important matter in someone else’s mansion, especially in such a chaotic place. In Calix’s mind, he had already designed a grand proposal to take place after returning to the mansion.
Malek, who had been glancing at his face, let out a low sigh.
Naru, who was positioned at Melty’s bedside, looked up at Malek with a gaze that mixed wariness and curiosity. The worry that had been etched on Malek’s face somewhat subsided at the sight of the intelligent snake, which had remarkably recognized him as someone who resembled its master.
“Let me tell you in advance: if you make my brother cry, know that your neck will bleed.”
Calix smiled awkwardly at the savage words that were so characteristic of a Crosel. Though all of Malek’s words were rough, it was clearly evident that, unlike his previous vehement opposition, the scale had tilted toward approval.
“I’ve sent letters to our family, so you should also be prepared to face our family members soon.”
Having finished speaking, Malek reluctantly removed his hand that had been stroking Melty’s hair. He still wasn’t fully accustomed to the fact that his youngest brother, who had seemed like he would always remain in his care, was leaving the nest faster than expected. To soothe his empty heart, he slowly massaged it and steadied his breathing.
“It might be because this place has gotten noisy lately, but there are people sticking around Melty.”
“…How many?”
“Besides the ones you’ve placed, about three remain.”
After finishing his words, Malek rubbed his thumb across his lips. Looking at him, Calix laughed softly.
“That’s surprising. I thought you would have eliminated them immediately.”
“I told you, about three remain.”
Though an important part had been omitted, Calix let out an empty laugh as he realized what Malek’s words meant. The number three didn’t refer to how many people were lurking around Melty, but rather how many Malek had left alive so far.
“Seeing that you’re telling me this, where are you going?”
“Thanks to everything, I’ve got quite a backlog of work. I’ll go with you as far as the mansion since I’m worried… but after that, I’ll go handle the overdue work for just a short while.”
Having finished saying this, Malek glared at Calix with intense eyes.
“Got it? I’ll be back after handling work for a ‘very brief’ time.”
Calix nodded with a subtle smile on his lips at Malek’s voice, which emphasized each word. Though Malek’s tone exuded an aura that clearly said, ‘Don’t mess with my brother in the meantime,’ Calix, as always, cheerfully ignored it.
“There’s no need to worry. Brother-in-law.”
***
By now, Melty’s fixed seat was on Calix’s lap. Calix couldn’t help but laugh as Melty promptly found his spot and settled in as soon as they boarded the carriage. Since there was absolutely no reason to reject the warmth that snuggled against him in his arms, he could be completely satisfied.
“It seems you’ve gotten along better with my brother. That’s great.”
For Melty, the fact that his lover and family were getting along was nothing short of good news. Calix had summarized and shared what had happened while Melty was asleep. Learning that Malek, who had been adamantly opposed and disapproving, had created an atmosphere of approval made Melty happy.
“Hmm… that’s right.”
“But why do you look so gloomy? Aren’t you happy that you got my brother’s approval?”
Melty narrowed his eyes and looked at Calix, upset by his ambiguous reaction that was hardly joyful. At his petulant question, Calix scratched his cheek with a troubled expression. After considering whether to speak honestly to Melty, Calix cautiously extended his hand to Melty’s waist.
Then he placed his hand on Melty’s slightly protruding belly. Melty blinked at Calix’s hand suddenly placed on his stomach and tilted his head slightly.
“Mr. Calix?”
“First of all, I am happy that we’ve received your brother’s approval. But there’s something more important than that.”
“Something more important?”
At Melty’s puzzled question, Calix carefully chose his words to avoid surprising him.
“Actually, I’ve been thinking something was strange for several days now.”
Calix swallowed dryly, his right hand still resting on Melty’s stomach. With each breath Melty exhaled, his rounded belly moved slowly up and down.
After quietly observing this, Calix slowly opened his mouth.
