Chapter 13.3

The image of the three squirrels huddled together in sleep, the parents cradling their baby between them, was unforgettable. The baby, seemingly overwhelmed by the abundance of love, had poked its tiny face out from the fluffy fur of its parents, its twitching nose so adorable that Livie had struggled to resist the urge to pet it.

Fearing they might disturb the sleeping family, Livie and Boris had carefully backed away from the tree hollow.

“We were lucky to see something so rare.”

Squirrels were usually quick to flee from predators, making it difficult to observe them up close. Seeing a family together was even more uncommon.

What Boris and Livie shared wasn’t just a memory; it was a shared experience. They had been in the same place, at the same time, witnessing the same thing and feeling the same emotions. The connection they formed in that moment had become something unshakable, no matter how much time passed.

“They were holding their baby so tightly.”

Like the baby squirrel, Livie burrowed deeper into Boris’s embrace.

“Yes, they were absolutely adorable.”

Boris played with Livie’s damp hair, twirling it around his fingers before letting it go.

Livie wasn’t the only one still wet. Boris’s hair, too, was damp, the strands falling heavily across his forehead. His already dark hair looked even darker, glistening with moisture.

Livie reached out and gently touched his hair. Boris closed his eyes, surrendering himself to her touch as if savoring it.

As she watched Boris, who had entrusted his face to her hands so meekly, Livie felt a surge of emotion welling up inside her. She couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was, but it was there nonetheless.

She couldn’t forget the awe she had felt upon seeing the squirrels nestled together in their tree hollow. A mother, a father, and their child, all held tightly in a loving embrace.

It struck her then—neither she nor Boris had experienced anything like that.

“Where are your parents?”

“I don’t know.”

When Livie had first met Boris, she had asked him that question. She regretted it immediately.

His eyes had looked as though he didn’t even understand what parents were. The only memory he had was of living in the Forest of Crows for as long as he could remember.

Livie had no mother, but Boris had never even met his parents. He had no memories of being held tightly in their arms.

As she gently caressed his hair, Livie thought of the male squirrel with the thick stripe. Though it was small and fragile from a human perspective, that squirrel would undoubtedly raise its fur and fight fiercely to protect its mate and baby if a predator appeared. Even if it meant sacrificing itself, it would fight with all its might.

In its embrace, the mother and baby squirrel had slept peacefully, completely trusting that the father would protect them.

And now, as Livie lay in Boris’s arms, she realized she wasn’t so different from those squirrels.

Everything felt calm and secure. The trust that he would protect her from any danger bubbled up like an endless spring.

Livie continued to run her fingers through his dark hair, stroking it gently. Boris, his eyes closed, looked utterly at peace as he surrendered himself to her touch.

“…”

Livie’s gaze traveled slowly over Boris’s face, from his forehead, framed by damp hair, to his thick eyebrows, his closed eyelids, his long lashes, his prominent nose, and finally, his well-shaped lips. As she took in every detail, she couldn’t help but marvel.

How can someone be this beautiful?

Words like “handsome” or “manly” couldn’t fully capture the essence of what made Boris so captivating. There was an inexplicable quality that seemed to flow through his face and entire being.

Whenever Livie caught glimpses of the boyishness that still lingered in him, she felt an odd mix of emotions. But when she recalled the dark wings that had once sprouted from his back, she felt as though he was drifting far beyond her reach.

He was a being different from her.

Though his true identity remained unclear, Livie sometimes wondered: What if he had a lifespan far longer than hers, or worse, an immortal body? What if, one day, he left her behind, spreading his two wings wide to soar into the skies? 

Whenever such thoughts crept into her mind, Livie tried desperately to ignore them. Yet, ever since she vowed to spend the rest of her life with him, she found it impossible to escape from such anxieties.

Boris was so strong, while she was so weak. He had given her everything, yet she felt she had nothing to offer him in return. What good was it to be the King’s niece or the daughter of a Princess? She had nearly been used for a political marriage. In rescuing her, Boris had even lost the chance to be granted a prosperous territory.

No matter how she looked at it, there was truly nothing she could give him. And yet, if there was one thing she could offer him…

The image of the squirrel family, huddled together and napping, kept circling in Livie’s mind. Perhaps it was because of that thought.

“Boris.”

At the unusual tone in her voice, Boris opened his eyes and tilted his head to meet hers. His damp eyes shimmered under the moonlight, giving them an almost mystical glow.

He said nothing, simply gazing at her. Livie hesitated for a long moment, carefully choosing her next words.

No matter how much she thought about it, there was only one thing she could give Boris.

“I want to have your child.”

“…”

His wide eyes fixed on her, unmoving. His pale complexion made him look almost like a wax figure.

Livie waited briefly for his response, but he remained frozen, as if he had forgotten how to speak.

He was so still that Livie began to wonder if he had even heard her. So she repeated herself.

“I want to have your child.”

This time, had he heard me? 

His expression remained unchanged. In the end, Livie lowered the hand that had been stroking his hair to rest it on his chest.

Thump, thump.

The rapid beating of his heart was unmistakable against her palm. But from that alone, she couldn’t discern what Boris was thinking.

Was it a yes? Or a no? Or perhaps my words had caught him completely off guard?

Could it be—no, surely not. But then again, maybe…

‘Does he dislike children?’

The sudden thought made Livie anxious. Come to think of it, Boris had never brought up the topic of children before. Even in moments when he passionately sought her out, he had never once mentioned anything about children.

A chill ran through Livie as her blood seemed to turn cold.

‘Was it just my own wishful thinking?’

Just because he wanted her didn’t mean he would necessarily love a child born between them.

There were certainly fathers and mothers who didn’t want children. In the village, Livie had seen women suffering from unwanted pregnancies. Some were even in despair because they couldn’t identify the fathers of their children. There were also men who abandoned their responsibilities after getting women pregnant, leaving them to fend for themselves.

In the end, it was always the women who became victims, simply because they bore the children. Men, on the other hand, fell into two categories: those who ignored the women they impregnated and those who reluctantly took responsibility.

Boris’s reaction was enough to remind Livie of such stories.

Wasn’t it natural for a married couple to eventually have children? To raise them together and live a normal life? But what if he didn’t want children…

What if I wanted a child, but he didn’t?

Livie looked at Boris with eyes full of uncertainty.

“Say something… anything.”

She propped herself up, her hand still resting on his chest. She could feel his heartbeat beneath her palm, but it was no longer steady. It was irregular now, pounding harder and harder. It felt like it might burst at any moment.

Livie felt the vibrations of his heartbeat resonate through her own body. Just as she was about to pull her hand away from his chest, Boris finally spoke.

“A child?”

His large hand pressed lightly over hers, returning it to his chest. Though the movement was gentle, it carried a weight that felt as though it could crush her.

“Bo-Boris…”

“You said you want to have my child—or rather, our child, Livie?”

His wide eyes bore into hers, his expression intense enough to make Livie flinch involuntarily.

“Uh? Y-yes.”

Livie mumbled her response. His reaction, far beyond anything she had expected, left her unsure of how to handle him.

“Are you serious?”

“Uh… yes.”

Livie forced herself to reply, her voice barely audible.

She didn’t know what kind of answer he wanted, but it was too late to take back her words.

Still, she couldn’t help but worry. What if he said no? What if he told her he wanted her but not children? Her mind spiraled with countless fears and doubts, painting grim scenarios.

Was I merely just someone he wanted to spend countless nights with? 

As her thoughts grew darker and more negative, Boris suddenly gripped her shoulders.

“Are you serious, Livie?”

“…”

This time, she couldn’t answer. The way he pressed her for a response, his tone almost desperate, made her feel an ache in her chest. Tears welled up in her eyes.