Chapter 233: Watching Over Qiong Xing
There were many things she wanted to say, but since Albe said nothing, it was probably true.
"...I see. So? You can actually protect Qiong Xing, right?"
"Eh, I don’t look that weak, do I? I’m a dragon, you know~"
The tone! The way he talks!
Katarina was about to say that’s exactly why she was worried.
"...Huh? Did you say dragon?"
"Haaah. Why do you just reveal your identity like that?"
"Isn’t it okay to say it?"
"No, why on earth did you think that was okay? He’s human. You’ve had your comrades killed and yet you think it’s fine?"
"But Qiong Xing said, since they’re important people, I should be polite and careful."
"..."
He actually introduced himself honestly because of that?
Albe could only sigh in exasperation, but Katarina grew even more worried.
Could such a fool really be trusted as Qiong Xing’s mates?
"Well, I guess it’s good that he trusts Qiong Xing that much... probably."
It was probably good, but why did it still make her more uneasy?
"I may be a fool, but I’ll never do anything to make Qiong Xing dislike me, so don’t worry."
"Yeah, you won’t, you won’t."
Wait... was it really okay to call himself a fool?
"More importantly, take care of Rui and Yue. This guy will wake them up right away."
Looking at him, perhaps because of how he held them, the twins hadn’t woken yet but were squirming in his arms.
Sarin quickly took them, holding them securely and they soon drifted back to sleep.
"Why can’t it be me?"
"Because you’re too restless, aren’t you?"
"Eh, I’m calm! I’m the dad, you know, dad."
"I’m never calling you that."
"Cari won’t call me that either. I wonder why?"
"Ww just don’t accept you."
"Then why not?"
"Shut up. You’ll waking them up."
Albe’s unusually firm tone surprised Sarin as he usually didn’t speak like that in front of him and Katarina.
Indeed, it was unreasonable to expect Albe to call him "dad."
"Uh, um..."
As he looking toward the voice, Sarin noticed Naz peeking shyly from the doorway.
"Ah."
He had completely forgotten.
He had apparently invited Naz to meet Qiong Xing, but he had forgotten to tell Qiong Xing.
As expected, a drowsy Qiong Xing had fallen asleep without noticing Naz waiting in the room.
"Sorry about that. While we’re at it, help me watch the kids until he wakes up, okay?"
Sarin then beckoned and handed over Yue, and Naz’s hands trembled slightly from nervousness.
"They’re so tiny! I-I’m scared!"
"You’ve held Lian before, haven’t you?"
"B-but... she’s smaller than Little Lian!"
Since Naz kept insisting he was scared to hold Yue, Sarin took Yue from him and handed over Lian instead.
Naz’s eyes widened and exclaiming, "She’s grown so big!"
"Of course, she is not going to shrunk" Sarin commented.
"Am-amazing! She’s talking!"
Though no one could understand exactly what she was saying, Little Lian happily clapped and lightly tapped Naz’s cheeks.
It probably didn’t hurt due to her tiny baby strength, but Katarina had no idea why Luan had chosen to do that.
Still, Naz seemed to enjoy it, so it was fine.
"Look, she’s enjoying it more than when it was me," Iseul observed.
"Serves you right," Albe muttered.
The two who would probably just end up arguing were left alone.
...
Katarina glanced next to him and noticed.
"What are you doing...?"
"A hat. Although we don’t mind, but if we’re going outside, I thought it’d be better to cover the twins ears. Don’t worry, I’ll make gloves for them later too."
Katarina wasn’t entirely sure what was okay and what to worry about.
So, she let Sarin who was skillfully knitting be.
It was the first time he realized Sarin had such a talent.
With so many people around, she wondered how it was that no one seemed to have a sense of teamwork or cooperation.
Everyone was doing what they could on their own, so nothing had gone wrong yet, but still...
"I’m going to check on Qiong Xing, so you all make sure to watch the kids properly."
Although a little uneasy, she figured it would be fine with Sarin there.
So she left the room and head to the next one.
Entering without knocking, he saw exactly what he expected, Qiong Xing collapsed on the bed and look utterly exhausted.
Concerned he might catch a cold, Katarina gently covered him with the blanket and Qiong Xing opened his eyes as if he’d noticed.
"...Katarina?"
"Ah, did I wake you? It’s okay, go back to sleep."
As she spoke softly, Katarina patted his head as if to lull him back to rest.
"...I’m... sorry... for... causing... trouble..."
Qiong Xing murmured and closed his eyes again.
Katarina then let out a quiet sigh.
"You’re such a fool. No one thinks this is a problem. We just want you to rely on us more."
Even if Qiong Xing couldn’t hear him, Katarina tucked the blanket up to his neck and quietly left the room.
...
Eventually, Qiong Xing stirred awake.
He didn’t know how much time had passed, but despite the blanket, he felt a chill.
His body craved sleep, yet his mind was restless.
He tried hard to fall back asleep but couldn’t.
After struggling several times, feeling a little guilty, he decided to contact Albe and have him come over.
"What’s wrong?"
Albe appeared not long after, looking concerned as he approached and peered at Qiong Xing’s face whose still lying down.
"I’m sorry."
Apologizing for calling him even though Albe had been working hard in his place, Qiong Xing was met with a reassuring smile.
"Well, don’t worry about it."
"Um... it’s kind of embarrassing to say, like a little kid... but, sleeping alone just... doesn’t make me feel settled..."
Since arriving in this world, Qiong Xing had met Leander early on and soon after began living with Cari and Elias, so he had rarely slept alone.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t sleep, but there was a subtle unease he couldn’t shake.