Chapter 45 A Strange Feeling Began to Spread

Chapter 45 A Strange Feeling Began to Spread
"Haaa... it’s so warm, so comfortable..." Ruella murmured, looking up to bask in the sun’s warmth.

The sunlight streaming through the window near the sofa where Ruella was sitting warmed her body, banishing the chill from the previous night. A night when she had spent so much time chatting with Calix that she had forgotten to close the balcony door before going to sleep.

That was why she suddenly felt a slight fever when morning came.

Ruella sat with her legs folded up on the sofa, leaning to her right side so she could enjoy the sunlight more fully.

She sighed softly. "Has Calix left yet?" she wondered.

Even though her head felt heavier than usual, the time she had spent with Calix last night made her feel better.

"Yeah, a slight fever is no big deal. It’s worth it for the time with Calix," she murmured softly. "If things keep going like this, maybe I won’t have to leave this pack and live on my own."

At least for a little while, she could forget the discomfort in her head by thinking about the good things that might happen between her and Calix, namely falling in love.

Her hands rested on her lap, her fingers clasped weakly.

"If only every morning could be this peaceful..." she murmured softly, almost as if talking to herself.

She took a deep breath, savoring the warmth.

Knock. Knock.

Ruella opened her eyes slowly.

"Come in," she said.

The door opened, and Claire appeared from behind it. The girl’s face looked a little hesitant, as if she could not believe what she was about to say.

"My lady..." Claire stepped closer. "Someone wants to see you. You will be surprised when I mention his name, but you will be very happy."

Ruella frowned slightly. "Who?"

Claire paused for a moment, then answered softly, "Alpha Calix."

Ruella sat up straight immediately.

"Calix?" she repeated, clearly surprised.

His visit last night had already taken her by surprise, and this morning he was making another unexpected appearance that had Ruella excited.

Claire nodded. "Yes, milady. He said he would like to see you for a moment."

Ruella blinked a few times, trying to process it. Surprise immediately mingled with joy until the corners of her lips lifted into a smile.

"What are we waiting for, Claire? Please let him in," she said quickly, almost without thinking.

Claire smiled slightly at the change in her expression. "Very well, milady."

As soon as Claire left, Ruella hurriedly adjusted her posture. She pulled her hair back slightly, making sure it was not too messy, then gently wiped her face.

"I don’t look too sick, do I?" she said, scanning the room for a mirror.

Before she could check her bare face, devoid of any makeup, the door suddenly opened again.

And Calix appeared there.

Ruella unconsciously broke into a wide smile and froze in place.

"Good morning, Cal," she greeted him.

Calix stood in the doorway, pausing briefly at that expression. Then he gave a small nod.

"Good morning."

Calix stepped further into the room, his eyes sweeping every corner, and only then did he notice some small details he had not really paid attention to the night before. The walls in the room were bare. There were no new decorations, just the old paintings that had been there before.

Calix wondered, "Doesn’t she have anything to display? A family portrait, perhaps? Why isn’t there anything here?"

"Come here, sit here with me." Ruella shifted slightly, making room beside her.

"Thank you," said Calix as he approached and sat down.

There were a few seconds of silence, and Calix seemed busy scanning the room. Maybe he had found something worth looking into.

"Is there anything you want to say?"

Only then did Calix shift his focus to Ruella.

"Oh, right… I heard you have a fever."

Ruella nodded slowly. "A little. It’s no big deal."

Calix looked at her, studying her more closely. "I just came here to make sure of that."

Ruella frowned.

"Make sure?" she repeated softly. "Why?" she continued, staring at Calix. "Do you think I’m lying?"

Her tone sounded hurt, even the sparkle in her eyes that had been lit by joy now dimmed in disappointment.

Calix shook his head immediately. "No, that’s not what I meant."

"But it sounded like it," Ruella replied, her voice a little softer now.

Calix took a slow breath. "I was just thinking… I thought you might still be reluctant to eat with Rubina, so-"

Ruella fell silent.

"So I thought you might have chosen to stay in your room by making up that excuse," Calix continued.

Ruella stared at him for a few seconds. "I didn’t make up an excuse."

Then, without saying much, she reached for Calix’s hand and placed it on her neck.

"What do you think?" she said.

Calix gasped. Before he could react, his hand was already pressed against Ruella’s soft neck.

His body tensed instantly.

Once the initial shock subsided, Calix fell silent, completely still, feeling Ruella’s body temperature, which was clearly abnormal. Her body felt much warmer, she definitely had a fever.

"You should be lying down," Calix’s words hung in the air.

His eyes met Ruella’s. Beautiful blue eyes, so deep they resembled an endless, vast ocean.

Calix was transfixed.

For a moment, he forgot that his hand was still on Ruella’s neck, he forgot how to speak and even forgot to breathe properly.

Meanwhile, Ruella, who had initially wanted to prove a point, now fell silent as well because Calix’s eyes, a color so rare, were staring at her with such intensity. Those red eyes seemed to look straight into her heart.

Silence enveloped them for a few moments. Long enough to feel a strange tremor within themselves.

Long enough to make their hearts beat faster.

"Cal?" Ruella called out, the first to snap out of it.

Calix immediately pulled his hand away. They both stepped back slightly, almost at the same time.

"Uh..." Ruella cleared her throat softly. "So… I wasn’t lying."

"Yeah," Calix replied quickly, too quickly. "You really do have a fever."

He cleared his throat softly, trying to lighten the mood.

"Sorry for misjudging,"

Ruella nodded slightly. "It’s okay."

Silence enveloped them once more.

Awkward.

Calix stood up immediately.

"I have to leave now," he said, a bit hurriedly. "There’s work at headquarters."

Ruella looked at him, feeling a bit confused by his attitude.

"Oh… right. Of course."

Calix nodded. "J-just rest. Don’t push yourself."

"I understand, thank you."

"I’ll have Valdyr come over if necessary."

Ruella gave a faint smile. "I’m not that bad off, but thank you for worrying about me."

Calix didn’t answer, just nodded once more.

"In that case… I’m leaving."

"Okay. Be careful."

Calix immediately turned around, walking toward the door without looking back.

Ruella stared at the door for a moment, then a small smile appeared on her lips.

"He took the time to come see me even though he had to go to work." She murmured softly as she hugged her knees and chuckled softly.



Calix hurried away from Ruella’s room. Then, when he reached the stairs, he stopped in his tracks.

His hand touched his chest, pressing against his heart, which was beating faster than usual.

"What was that just now?" he murmured softly.

He exhaled deeply.

But then Ruella’s face, with her blue eyes, reappeared in his mind. Not only that, but the smile she always showed whenever they met also surfaced.

Calix closed his eyes briefly, trying to banish that image.

Failed.

He clicked his tongue softly.

Smack.

His hand slapped his own cheek.

"Focus," he muttered.

He took another breath, much deeper this time. Then Calix walked away toward his work.

"Don’t think about unnecessary things," he told himself, trying to stay strong.