[AFYC] Chapter 51

Abel, fully aware of how he looked under the sun’s rays and how captivating his gaze could be, seized the moment as the sunlight poured in. He gently called out to draw attention, ready to let the sunlight reflect off him and make a striking impression, hoping to captivate with a glance that seemed like love at first sight.

“Shall I draw the curtains for you?”

“...What?”

Seo Ah squinted against the bright light and gestured towards the curtains. “You look more uncomfortable in the heat than I do.”

Since they boarded the train, she had been somewhat bothered by Abel’s habit of unbuttoning his shirt, one button at a time. It seemed as though if he unbuttoned one more, his entire chest would be exposed. She found it difficult to look at him and was unsure why no one else seemed to comment on it. Everyone seemed so nonchalant that she hesitated to ask him to button up. She wondered if it was normal for people here to dress so casually.

Given that he had undone his buttons because of the heat, she thought that drawing the curtains and lowering the temperature might make him button up again.

“The sunlight is a bit harsh for me as well...”

“....”

“Then I’ll just go ahead and close them.”

Seo Ah grasped the edge of the curtains bunched up at the back and pulled them forward, carefully ensuring Abel was completely engulfed in the shadow.

As Abel’s previously radiant appearance under the sunlight was gradually enveloped in darkness by Seo Ah’s precise movements, the wolves who had been observing the interaction couldn’t help but stifle their laughter, either by clenching their jaws or closing their eyes.

Blinking in disbelief as he was suddenly plunged into the shade, Abel noticed his companions silently laughing in the distance. The usually calm and composed Abel couldn’t help but sigh, frustrated. His face, usually brimming with confidence, now bore traces of irritation for the first time.

Seo Ah, who had so efficiently cast him into the shadows, avoided even glancing at his now-covered chest and instead seemed almost determined not to meet his gaze, focusing on the window as if embarrassed or too shy to look at him. Muttering to himself about how ladylike she was acting, Abel began rebuttoning his shirt, flashing a menacing smile at his snickering comrades as if to warn them that he might just kill them later.

Meanwhile, Seo Ah, who had partially lifted the curtain to peer at the passing scenery, noticed Abel buttoning his shirt and felt a wave of relief. It seemed her assumption that he had been too warm was correct. Feeling more at ease, she returned to gazing out the window, but then she heard a familiar laugh from afar.

It was a low, cool laugh, reminiscent of a cold breeze emerging from a deep cave—so distinctive that she knew it was his even without seeing him. His laughter didn’t just brush her eardrums; it resonated deep within her chest.

“Turn around once.”

She had genuinely thought he meant for her to turn around completely, which is why she had walked so cautiously. That low laughter continued to echo in her mind even after she had returned to her seat, like a lingering phantom sound, which must have amused him.

Seo Ah focused on the scenery outside the window as that low laugh filled the spacious train carriage, reminiscent of the previous night.

For the first time since she had arrived in this land, she saw an endless horizon stretching out before her. Sunlight poured onto the land, perfectly matching the word “earth”, while the strikingly blue sky felt overwhelmingly vast. Flocks of sheep grazed, dogs darted between them, and houses with unfamiliar designs could be seen here and there.

At some point, while she was silently watching the road to Luxen, the train began to slow down. Suddenly, a subdued tension spread through the carriage as people began to move around, and Abel, who had been sitting across from her, sprang to his feet.

When she turned her head in surprise, she saw a tall, well-built man walking past the high back of a chair. In the confined space, his physique seemed even larger than usual.

From her vantage point, she could see his sharp jawline, nose outline, and brow. As he ran a hand through his hair, Oscar made his way across the train with about a dozen men trailing behind him in a neat line. Those left behind bowed as he walked away.

It looked like he was heading somewhere—not just somewhere on the train, but as if he intended to get off entirely.

“Sir...!”

She wouldn’t have dared to call him if her heart hadn’t felt like it was about to drop. Despite the sudden attention of all the men staring at her, Seo Ah’s entire focus remained on him.

Oscar, who was about to enter the door, turned around.