Don't Pick That Flower (2 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 5
The lake up close was several times more beautiful than it had appeared from afar.
Irene approached the lakeshore and gently dipped her hand into the water.
“It’s cold.”
Not so cold that her teeth chattered, but a pleasantly refreshing chill.
Irene first filled her water jug, then thoroughly enjoyed the lake view she had longed for.
Gazing at the beautiful, open landscape, it felt as if the worries, anxieties, and dark thoughts accumulated in her heart were melting away.
“……”
Yet, the moment she saw the wound ointment tucked in her pocket, they all came rushing back.
Fiddling with the ointment, Irene recalled the incident that morning at the inn.
Everything about it had been bewildering and puzzling, but what confused her most was that Carlos had given her the ointment.
It was also strange that he’d told her to cover herself with his coat because the north was cold.
It almost seemed as if he were worried about her.
“Worried about me…”
It was a word utterly unfitting for Carlos.
And the fact that she herself was the reason for this connection made it feel even more so.
After sorting through everything she’d seen, heard, and felt so far, one thing had become crystal clear.
Carlos had no intention of killing her.
She couldn’t say about later, but at least for now, she was certain.
And… what else was there?
While organizing her tangled thoughts by the clear lakeside, the bushes behind her rustled.
Startled, Irene quickly turned around.
From the bushes hopped out a snow-white rabbit, slightly larger than a palm.
The moment she saw the rabbit, all tension vanished, and a bright smile spread across Irene’s lips.
“Come here.”
As Irene reached out her hand, the rabbit hopped closer and sniffed her fingers curiously.
“How adorable.”
She wanted to stroke its head, but worried it might run away.
Irene gently touched the rabbit’s nose. Fortunately, it only perked up its ears and didn’t flee.
Maybe it would be alright to pet its head after all.
Just as Irene reached out to stroke the rabbit’s head—
Kyuung—.
With a strange sound, the rabbit’s red eyes flashed momentarily, and its body began to grow larger.
“……!”
Irene jumped back in shock.
Unfortunately, right behind her was the lake, leaving her little room to retreat.
While Irene flustered in panic, the rabbit swelled to the size of a house and raised a massive front paw.
Irene hastily threw herself sideways to dodge.
Keeeng, keeeng—.
The rabbit let out an eerie cry and advanced toward Irene.
With each step it took, the ground shook violently as if an earthquake had struck, making it impossible to stand straight.
To make matters worse, when she’d dodged its first attack by throwing herself aside, she must have twisted her ankle—sharp pain shot through it.
But if she stayed like this, she’d surely be crushed under the rabbit’s paw or impaled by its enormous, sharp front teeth.
After surviving so much, she certainly didn’t want to die to some bizarre rabbit!
Gritting her teeth, Irene tried to stand—but collapsed again after only a few steps.
Just then, as the rabbit drew within arm’s reach and swung its paw—
Shweeeek—.
A sound like something slicing through the wind rang out, and a large shadow swept her into its arms.
The shadow’s owner was Carlos.
Surprised by his sudden appearance, Irene’s eyes widened, and her mouth fell open in astonishment.
“Right now……”
Kieeeek—.
Before she could utter another word, a grotesque, pained shriek filled the forest.
Immediately afterward, the ground trembled violently with a thunderous boom far louder than when the rabbit had stomped earlier.
The metallic scent of blood drifted on the wind.
“Did you… defeat the rabbit?”
“Yes.”
I see. He’d defeated it.
Irene finally let out a deep sigh of relief.
At the same time, a question arose.
Carlos hadn’t been holding a sword or any sharp weapon—how had he defeated the rabbit?
And when exactly had he done it?
He’d rushed straight over and wrapped his arms around her.
“……!”
Realizing belatedly that she was nestled in his embrace, Irene flustered and tried to pull away.
“Stay still.”
But Carlos wouldn’t allow it.
Instead, he pulled her closer, unintentionally pressing her face against his firm chest—her cheeks flushed bright red.
She tried to pull her face away as much as possible and pleaded softly,
“N-no, please let me go.”
“The cleanup isn’t finished yet. Stay still.”
“Clean… up?”
What exactly was he cleaning up?
Irene asked in confusion, but received no reply.
His arm, which had been wrapped around her waist, finally let go only when the scent of blood had nearly vanished.
Once her view cleared, Irene panicked upon noticing the rabbit’s corpse was nowhere to be seen and quickly scanned her surroundings.
But no matter where she looked, there was no sign of the rabbit’s body.
‘What on earth happened?’
Had everything just been a dream?
No, that couldn’t be. The enormous rabbit footprints imprinted on the ground were proof enough.
Besides, hadn’t Carlos himself said he’d taken care of the rabbit?
Yet there was neither a corpse nor even a bloodstain—leaving her utterly bewildered.
Was this what people meant by “ghosts crying in frustration”?
Still looking around for the rabbit’s remains, she spotted Dewey rushing toward her from beyond the bushes.
Dewey quickly closed the distance and asked worriedly,
“Are you alright, miss?”
“I’m fi—”
“You seem to have twisted your ankle.”
Before Irene could finish her reply, Carlos spoke.
“Your knees and elbows are injured too.”
Hearing this, Irene checked her arms and knees.
‘Really?’
Indeed, there were wounds—ones she hadn’t even noticed getting.
She wondered how Carlos had known.
Dewey also noticed her injuries and clicked his tongue.
“Oh dear. You’re quite hurt. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
It stung a little, but not enough to complain about.
‘The real problem is my ankle…’
It seemed more severely twisted than she’d thought—her ankle was already swollen. Clearly, walking on her own would be impossible.
“Sorry, but could you help me up?”
“Of course.”
As Dewey reached out his hand, Carlos, who had silently drawn near, suddenly scooped her up into his arms.
“Ah…!”
Caught completely off guard by his action, Irene let out a startled cry.
Dewey, on the other hand, smiled contentedly.
“This is definitely better than just helping you walk.”
Better? Better how!
Irene screamed silently in her mind but politely requested Carlos,
“Please put me down.”
“……”
Carlos dismissed her plea as if it weren’t even worth answering and walked straight toward the carriage.
Dewey watched them with a cheerful grin, then abruptly hardened his expression and walked off in the opposite direction.
*
Thanks to Carlos, Irene arrived at the carriage comfortably—but her mind was anything but at ease.
‘Just a little longer—I can endure it.’
Thinking that this embarrassing situation would soon end now that they’d reached the carriage, Irene tried to soothe her discomfort.
Carlos gently set Irene down onto the seat and asked,
“Where’s the wound ointment?”
“It’s in my pocket……”
Irene took the ointment from her pocket and handed it to him.
When Carlos took the ointment and grasped her knee, Irene finally realized what he intended to do and hastily refused.
“N-no, it’s fine! I’ll apply it myself.”
“I’ll do it.”
“No, really, I can do it myself. Please let me.”
She pleaded earnestly, but once again, her opinion was easily dismissed.
Carlos, somehow already holding a water jug, dampened a handkerchief.
Then, with unexpected gentleness and care, he cleaned her wounds and applied the ointment.
His touch was oddly tender and cautious—enough to make her heart flutter anxiously.
Though not as intense as when he’d touched her back at the inn, it still gave her a strangely flustered feeling.
Afraid she might accidentally let out an odd sound, Irene kept her mouth tightly shut while Carlos treated her wounds.
“All done.”
Finally, his hands pulled away—but the sensation lingered, making her heart race.
Irene took a deep breath, trying to calm her fluttering nerves.
“I’ve done basic first aid. We’ll get proper treatment once we reach the nearest village.”
“N-no, it’s fine. This much is enough……”
“I’m not fine with it.”
But it really was fine…
Irene glanced at her wounds, now thickly coated with ointment.
Compared to the injuries she’d suffered from that man, this was nothing.
“You must be exhausted. Get some rest.”
Irene shook her head. Last time, she’d fallen into such deep exhaustion that she’d passed out without realizing—but not now.
She wasn’t that tired, and above all, she didn’t want to sleep defenselessly in front of a predator.
“Sleep.”
But since Carlos insisted yet again, Irene had no choice but to lie down on the carriage seat.
When he draped his coat over her like a blanket, his distinct scent filled the air—indescribable, yet somehow clearing the tightness in her chest.
How ironic—to fear him yet find comfort in his scent.
…
Well, he wasn’t as terrifying as when they’d first met.
When Irene stared at him openly, Carlos frowned.
“I told you to sleep. Why aren’t you?”
Flustered, Irene quickly shut her eyes.
She’d thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep—but drowsiness washed over her so strongly it made her earlier thoughts seem foolish. Her consciousness began to fade.
“I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
His low voice pierced through her hazy awareness.
Half-lost in sleep, Irene unconsciously voiced the question she’d kept inside.
“Are you… going to kill me?”
There was no reply—but Irene didn’t mind.
More accurately, she couldn’t bring herself to care.
After all, she’d asked it unconsciously.
So unaware was she of even having asked that she sank deeper into slumber.
“…Probably.”
Thus, whether by fortune or misfortune, she never heard Carlos’s belated answer.
*
Dewey, who had gone off in the opposite direction from Carlos, returned about two hours later.
Noticing Dewey’s arrival, Carlos glanced once at Irene, who was sound asleep, then stepped down from the carriage.
Dewey approached and knelt before him.
“I’m sorry.”
It was an apology laden with many meanings.
Carlos, as if he’d already anticipated it, gave a nod.
“That quick-witted one might have already returned to the Underworld after sending only his minions.”
The world was broadly divided into the Heavens, the Human Realm, and the Underworld—the latter being the dreaded domain teeming with monsters feared by humans.
Carlos was the sovereign ruling the northern territory among the Underworld’s four regions, and Dewey was his loyal servant and a resident of the Underworld.
“Shall I send a pursuit squad?”
Carlos was about to nod when he sensed killing intent wafting from the forest and turned toward it. Deep darkness swirled in his violet eyes.
Dewey also sensed the killing intent and looked in the same direction as Carlos.
“It seems some stragglers remain. I’ll go deal with them.”
“No. I’ll go myself.”
“There’s really no need……”
Whoosh—.
“…to.”
Before Dewey could finish his sentence, Carlos had vanished into the forest.
“Honestly, such an impatient man.”
Dewey scratched his head and looked down at the shadow Carlos had left behind.
The masterless shadow stretched its form long and wide, then settled over the carriage carrying Irene as if to protect her.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
Most Commented This Week
The Villain Has Gone Mad For Me (Completed Main Story)
I’m The Lowest-Ranking Daughter Of A Martial Arts Villain (2 Chapters Left to Complete)
I Became the Assassin Family’s Foster Daughter (Completed Main Story)
Men of the Harem (137 Chapters Left to Complete)
The Duke Only Needs My Child (Completed Main Story)
At the End of Ruin, There You Are (56 Chapters Left to Complete)
She’s a Villainess but her Husband is Handsome (Completed Main Story)
People Aren’t Meant to Be Fixed! (4 Chapters Left to Complete)
My Discarded Fiancé Returned (Completed Main Story)
Summer Must Die (16 Chapters Left to Complete)
I Received The First Time Of My Extraordinary Superior (9 Chapters Left to Complete)
Regret With All Your Might (Completed Main Story)