Chapter 108: Volume 1 Chapter 108: I’m Just Worried You Might Catch a Cold
If not for the upcoming battle where they'd still need him, Kal'tsit would have gladly let Scout and the others give Garde a beating.
They might not be able to win against Garde one-on-one, but together, they'd stand a chance.
How dare he just toss her aside like that!
The warmth from Garde quickly dissipated in the frigid air.
As much as Kal'tsit hated to admit it, staying close to Garde was the best way to keep warm in this freezing weather.
Adakrys were naturally warm-blooded, after all.
However, Kal'tsit's pride wouldn't allow her to ask Garde for help.
The fact that she was already huddled close to him in front of everyone was embarrassing enough.
No, this wasn't a matter of shame.
Kal'tsit didn't care about how others looked at her.
She approached it purely from a practical standpoint: the Adakrys's body was warm, so it was only logical to borrow Garde's warmth.
Though they had different perspectives on the situation, at this moment, Kal'tsit and Saria's thoughts aligned perfectly.
"Garde, the temperature is too low tonight in the hotlands. If Ms. Kal'tsit stays alone, she might catch a cold," Saria remarked.
"Do you need me to lend her a piece of clothing to wear?"
"Whose?"
Saria's eyes swept over her body, and then looked at Garde's windbreaker that was used as a skirt.
No matter whose clothing it was, someone would end up half-naked.
If it were just the three of them in the car, it might be okay, but Ascalon was huddled in a corner, and Misery and ACE were still in the driver's seat.
"You keep holding her," Saria said calmly.
"Uh, wouldn't that be a bit improper?"
"Isn't that what you wanted to do in the first place?"
Saria didn't want to bother with Garde anymore.
The crocodile man's arm held her firmly, with his rough hand gripping from the back of her neck down to her stomach, making any escape impossible.
"Well, since you're saying so, Saria, I suppose I have no choice. If Kal'tsit caught a cold, it'd surely interfere with the journey ahead," Garde said, grinning as he wrapped Kal'tsit into his warm embrace. At that moment, Garde noticed a slight change in Kal'tsit's expression.
"Oh, Kal'tsit, are you still awake?"
Kal'tsit stayed silent.
Even if she were awake, she would never admit it to Garde.
She didn't care what others thought of her, but she wasn't shameless.
Just the thought of being held by Garde, while he was also holding Saria, was enough to make her heart beat faster, though she wasn't sure if it was from embarrassment or anger.
In fact, Garde held Kal'tsit differently than he held Saria.
While holding Kal'tsit, he kept a polite distance, merely letting her lean slightly against him, careful not to let his arms touch any sensitive areas.
But with Saria, their embrace was closer.
Garde's thick tail even wrapped around Saria's waist, intertwining with her own auburn tail.
Saria didn't react much, merely casting Garde a resigned glance.
Since they were already a couple, this level of "interaction" was within Saria's tolerance.
She was even a bit worried, given her recent infection with Oripathy.
But if Garde stayed by her side like this, no matter what challenges lay ahead, she would face them without fear.
The night grew late. The trio, leaning on each other, drifted off to sleep once more.
Only Ascalon, curled up in the corner, opened her eyes after they fell asleep, glancing over at them.
'Could it be that Kal'tsit is being blackmailed by that crocodile man?'
Ascalon tightened her grip on her dagger, her eyes glinting.
'No, once we return, I have to tell Theresa about this. She needs to talk some sense into Kal'tsit! That guy is definitely not someone worth entrusting her future to!'
After a night's rest, the sun rose as usual.
Thanks to her strong Vouivre physique, Saria regained most of her mobility overnight. She was the first to stand up from Garde's embrace.
If they were at her place, she wouldn't mind staying snuggled up with Garde a bit longer.
As she thought of her home in Columbia—equipped with every kind of fitness equipment and device yet fitted only for her own personal needs—she began to wonder if it was time to get a larger bed once she returned.
But… was that moving too fast?
If she gave Garde his own room, would that feel too distant?
After all, they were already in a committed relationship.
Saria furrowed her brows, facing what felt like a serious dilemma.
Then a solution struck her: she could simply clear out Kristen's old room.
'Kristen hasn't stayed at my place in ages anyway, so emptying her room shouldn't be a problem.'
Kristen had been Saria's close friend since university and her co-founder at Rhine Lab, where Kristen now served as the head of operations.
But as the business expanded and research responsibilities increased, Saria had the vague feeling that Kristen had changed—or perhaps it was Saria herself who had changed.
Saria didn't know for sure.
But now, she had someone she could rely on.
She would still honor the promises she'd made long ago—to protect Kristen and Rhine Lab—but now she wouldn't have to bear it all alone.
Shortly after Saria woke, Kal'tsit opened her eyes as well.
She wouldn't admit that she had actually woken up a while ago. Garde's hold was strong, and unlike Saria, she couldn't slip free so easily. Besides, she suspected Garde was doing it on purpose.
"Garde."
She called his name, trying to keep her tone calm, but Garde didn't move an inch, which finally drove her to the edge of her patience.
"Let go!"
Kal'tsit's cold voice echoed through the vehicle, loud enough for everyone to hear. Only then did Garde, as if just waking up, respond.
"Oh, Kal'tsit, you're awake. How did you sleep?"
"Not well at all!"
"Oh, well, that's just how things are here in the hotlands—conditions are a bit rough. After a few days, you'll get used to it."
"You expect me to sleep on you for a few more days?!"
"I never said that."
Garde shook his head like a rattle, releasing his hand from Kal'tsit's waist without hesitation, showing not a trace of reluctance.
Looking at Kal'tsit, he broke into a wide grin.
"I was just worried you might catch a cold."
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