At the End of the Hidden Greenery - Chapter 165

Jiwoo responded naturally, but Solmih stared intently at Callan, who was sleeping with his eyes closed, as though it was a rare sight.

“It’s surprising to see him like this.”

“What do you mean?”

“That he’s sleeping so deeply that he won’t even notice if you touch him.”

Letting down his guard completely while asleep showed a vulnerable side. Something like a flaw or weakness. It was the kind of thing people tend to hide, especially from strangers.

Thinking back, when they first met, they had tried to present only perfect versions of themselves. Even though they were living in poor conditions due to the wilting tree they were caring for, they still tried to appear strong and capable when they approached Jiwoo. After deciding to seduce her, their efforts intensified.

But as they became accustomed to life in El Ragneil, these more vulnerable moments began to surface.

Jiwoo couldn’t help but gaze at Callan’s sleeping face. Thinking about it, she realized that even when they slept together, she was the one who always fell asleep first. It was the first time she was quietly watching him sleep.

She also realized why Callan often stared at her while she slept at night. In a way, it was similar to her own experience. Being on alert in a new place and taking time to finally feel comfortable enough to fall asleep.

Jiwoo gently brushed Callan’s hair behind his ear. As her fingers touched his ear, it twitched slightly, and she felt nothing but affection.

Solmih, watching from the side with a smile like a painting, asked,

“Can I ask what you and this guy were talking about just now?”

“Ah, that…”

Jiwoo was about to casually answer but stopped herself.

These people always approached in such an innocent way, making it easy to guide her into answering naturally. She almost spilled everything about her plans to surprise them with the gifts.

Since Jiwoo had planned to surprise them later, she played it off.

“It was nothing important.”

“Ah…”

In truth, Solmih was a little difficult to read.

Jiwoo realized that Solmih was one of the few nocturnal members of their group. She tended to sleep at night, while he was awake and active during those hours, so they didn’t interact much.

“I see.”

He picked up the white fur scarf that Jiwoo had been eyeing earlier. As if to drape it over her, Jiwoo tilted her head to let him, and he placed it around her shoulders while drawing close. The close distance made the air thick with the scent of roses.

“Was it really nothing important?”

His gaze lingered on Jiwoo’s pinky finger for a moment before he spoke.

Thinking back, Jiwoo remembered how, when Helka had been struggling to regain control of his body, Callan and Solmih had discussed the matter among the group. Solmih was likely the person who knew Callan’s personality best, given how close they were.

“I know what Callan’s been doing. But now that he’s back like this…”

“Ah.”

It seemed like Callan was still worried about the lingering poison on Jiwoo’s hand.

“It’s fine. It’s not harmful.”

“Even though it’s like this?”

Before Jiwoo could answer, Kaman had already wrapped his arms around her from behind and took her hand. He fiddled with her fingers, as if he, too, was bothered by the situation.

“It’s just the color that’s changed.”

“Do you like it?”

It was a question without much meaning. Since he could hear Jiwoo’s heartbeat, he likely knew whether she liked it or not.

Solmih tended to speak indirectly rather than addressing the matter directly. Jiwoo had often misunderstood him in the past, but this time, she immediately understood from his expression and the way he was leaning in closer.

“Yes. I like it…”

As if Jiwoo’s words were an invitation, Solmih slowly moved in and kissed her lower lip.

The sweetness of the rose scent mingled with the kiss, making Jiwoo feel as though cherries were popping in her mouth. Solmih tilted his body closer, deepening the kiss and pressing his tongue against hers. A slow and soft pleasure spread through her mouth.

“Ung…”

As Jiwoo became more accustomed to them, she learned that they used their stunning appearances and alluring fragrances to seduce and fully utilize those traits.

Especially after they learned that Jiwoo enjoyed kissing, they often kissed her like this, coaxing her gently and persistently.

“Seo Jiwoo.”

Solmih had a striking appearance, but his expression was always cold, so it was hard to imagine him being this way….

However, when Jiwoo blushed and stared at him, he leaned in to kiss her eyelids and the corners of her eyes, melting the mood before the kiss. Each kiss from his gentle lips on her face made her heart race more than the kiss itself.

Moreover, he was one of the older members of the group, so he carried himself with a slightly more refined manner, both in speech and action.

“Did you really not say anything important?”

“…I told you.”

He was the kind of person who made Jiwoo nervous in many ways.

“So, why were we invited?”

They were quick to pick up on things with their good ears.

They had noticed that Jiwoo was hiding something. He was now urging her to reveal what it was. It seemed that, after the invitation from Tevon, they had become curious about the reason.

Jiwoo decided it was best to give a half-truth, half-lie answer this time.

“There’s something important I want to discuss. I thought we could all have a drink together and talk about it.”

“Hmm…”

Solmih accepted the explanation with a smile, though it was clear he didn’t quite believe it.

From behind, Kaman placed his chin on Jiwoo’s shoulder and spoke.

“You don’t really like alcohol.”

“Huh? I like alcohol.”

“Well, you like drinks that go down smoothly. Something cold and sweet.”

Jiwoo tilted her head in confusion.

“I like the feeling of being drunk, too.”

Kaman stared at Jiwoo for a moment, then gently brushed the hair scattered on her forehead aside. As he combed through it with his hand, he whispered softly.

“You used to, but not anymore.”

“…Really?”

“Really.”

As she listened, it seemed right.