WTBFCY Chapter 16

He apologized with a slight tip of his hat, but the deep shadows obscured most of his face—only his mouth visible, and even that small glimpse revealed striking features.

"Ah, no need."

"What brings a young lady to these streets at such an hour? First time in the capital, I'd wager?"

The implication was clear: what kind of fool wanders here alone at night? Regina caught the edge beneath his words and nodded reluctantly.

"There's no need to be on your guard. You seem frightened, so I won't come any closer."

The man held up both hands and stepped back a pace. His manner—treating her like a child—made Regina's frown deepen, though her eyes remained cautious and fixed.

"My name is Sashar, my lady. If you're waiting for your companions, would it trouble you if I remained nearby? You look rather anxious, and I confess I'm concerned."

"Ah... yes."

She didn't say the words aloud—you look far more dangerous—but her expression made it clear enough. Sashar wanted to laugh but held it in, keeping vigil at the girl's side. When he glanced sideways, he saw them: the group watching from across the street. They spat and turned away.

Kidnappers, then. Planning to take the girl.

Sashar turned back to Regina. Kind to the elderly, he couldn't simply pass by a young lady in danger. Though she seemed to find his kindness unwelcome.

"This street is safe during daylight," the man said. "But once darkness falls, it becomes quite perilous."

The man saying it looked far more dangerous than any peril the street could offer. Regina forced an awkward smile and stepped further away, saying nothing.

Click.

The streetlamp between them suddenly blazed to life. In that instant, the man's face became visible. Regina's eyes had adjusted to the sudden brightness before she knew it—and their gazes met.

Red eyes.

"Ah, how careless of me."

Sashar removed his hat and repositioned it, stepping back. His manner suggested he'd made an error. Confused, Regina stared up at him as his lips curved into a soft smile.

"Did you see my face?"

"Yes? ...Yes. You're quite handsome."

A serial killer asking if you'd seen his face? Regina's mind briefly conjured a mystery novel she'd read once, but she answered without changing expression. With their eyes having met directly, claiming she hadn't seen him would be more dangerous.

"Ha, is that so? I'm flattered to be to your taste."

But the man made no move to harm her. He merely looked troubled, rubbing his mouth before surrendering to something with a faint smile.

Sashar seemed about to speak but instead closed his mouth and suddenly turned. When he looked back at Regina, he smiled—and the curve of his red lips was quite striking.

"Ah, it appears your companion is approaching. Coming rather quickly, too. Well then, my lady. It was a pleasure meeting you. I hope you enjoy your time in the capital."

The man who'd called himself Sashar bowed with perfect courtesy, then withdrew. Regina watched his graceful retreating form with suspicion before turning to look where he'd indicated.

"...What?"

The street appeared empty. Then a small figure emerged from the distance. She squinted. Under the bright streetlamp, the face became clear.

Familiar.

"Noah!"

Noah approached with obvious irritation written across his features. He didn't seem to hurry, yet covered the distance quickly—his long legs covering ground faster than expected. As he drew near, his sleepy voice asked the question:

"Did you get what you needed? Come on. I'm tired."

He looked like he'd already napped and forgotten she needed collecting. Regina felt a spike of frustration, but her smile held.

Maybe if she kept smiling, that annoyance would soften into something less murderous.

"Yes! Thank you so much for coming to get me, Noah!"

Noah regarded her bright smile with indifference, shrugged, and turned to walk ahead. The brick street beneath them glowed in the streetlamp's light, beautiful in its way. As Regina followed, her footsteps tapping against the pavement, she glanced back once.

That man in the hat—Sashar, he'd said? Strange fellow indeed.

The inn was better than expected. Actually—being honest—it was excellent. The spacious bathroom dispensed hot water generously, the room was large and clean, and the bedding was wonderfully soft. She'd nearly fallen asleep the moment she sat down. Regina found herself pleasantly surprised by how well-appointed it was.

"If this is an inn, I'd believe it was a small mansion instead."

The building was that well-maintained. After indulging in a long bath, Regina dressed in her new clothes. She gave her still-damp hair a cursory towel-dry and draped the towel over a chair. A glance at the clock showed evening had arrived.

"Oh, I ordered dinner earlier. I should go down."

She hurried downstairs, remembering her request. The dining area bustled more than she'd expected—travelers stopping only for meals, mixing with patrons. Regina found a table and asked a passing staff member to bring her prepared food.

Should I have asked Noah to join me? The inn has plenty of space...

But when she actually sat alone with her meal, she second-guessed the decision. Eating with him would likely end with indigestion.

Then she took her first bite, and regretted not inviting him at all.

"What are you doing here?"

She hadn't heard his approach. Noah stood across from her, looking down. He wore casual shirtsleeves, his hair disheveled over his eyes—an unfamiliar sight from someone usually so meticulously composed, even when exhausted. Regina felt a small jolt of surprise.

"Eating? Would you like to join?"

"Eating?"

"Yes."

Noah tilted his head, expression confused. Regina felt awkward but nodded anyway. His response made her even less comfortable.

"Hmm? You're hungry?"

"...!"

"Strange. Usually you go a month without."

The unspoken ending: without eating humans. Regina swallowed hard. Noah's downward gaze held pale blue light in those winter eyes—deceptively drowsy, but the look of something hunting prey.

Her spine went cold.

"No, no—I mean, even if I'm not hungry, I should eat! Ha, didn't you know? Humans eat three times a day, after all."

She barely maintained her smile. Noah's expression remained thoroughly confused.

"...You eat even when not hungry?"

"Yes, because humans die if they don't eat, right?"

"You're not human."

"But I look human, don't I?"

They spoke the same language and understood nothing of each other. Silence fell between them. Noah watched her quietly before yawning and pulling out the opposite chair to sit.

"I thought you'd run away. Next time, tell me where you're going."

"Yes? Okay, I will."

Regina didn't show it, but guilt pricked at her. She'd thought his constant sleeping meant he wasn't paying attention. She'd been wrong.

While Regina ate, Noah sipped water with obvious boredom. Then something occurred to him.

"Oh, that reminds me—who was the man with you when I arrived?"

"A man?"

"The one in the black hat."

Noah gestured to his head. Recognition flickered across Regina's face.

Ah. That mystery-novel killer of a man.

"I don't know. He was just standing there and struck up a conversation. He said this street is safe during the day but dangerous at night. Did you know that?"

"No."

Noah answered with absolute confidence. Regina smiled—of course he didn't. But something occurred to her, and she looked at him curiously.

"Actually, he was quite unique. His eyes were red. I've never seen eyes like that before. The capital certainly has all sorts of people."

She trailed off, still speaking of how fascinating it all was, when her eyes went wide.

The man who'd been sprawled across the table like a wet rag—was gone. His chair had been shoved far back.

"...What?"

She turned her head frantically but saw no sign of Noah in the dining room. The man was like a ghost.

After a moment of confusion, Regina sat back down. What else could she do? It was too late to hunt for him at this hour anyway.

If he thinks I ran off again, he'll try to kill me.

She picked up her fork and knife, cutting into a sausage with a crispy skin. Inside, a burst of juices—exceptional.

"Tastes foul."

Shadows lay thick between the buildings. The man dressed entirely in black straightened his slightly-askew fedora, frowning. Beneath his black shoes lay scattered clothing—oddly, shaped as though only the person wearing it had vanished.

Thud.

He stepped out, and his pale face emerged from the shadow.

Sashar. The man who'd introduced himself to Regina.

"I don't need to search my memories to know. The taste alone tells me everything. Just how wretched your lives have been."

Sashar's red lips curved upward.

"Hyeee! Ahhhhh!"

The man crouched in the corner—one of the three kidnappers—saw his two companions vanish in seconds and went pale, screaming belatedly. His unconscious partner already lay at his side.

"Uuuaaahhh!"

He scrambled to his feet and bolted for the main street. But before his feet touched the wide pavement, Sashar's black coat stretched downward, a physical thing.