Chapter 5: The Boy Who Learned “Beautiful”

“If… what I just said made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry…”

Hearing Osh apologize over and over again made Kebel’s chest ache. Just how had this child been raised, that an eleven-year-old was already this mature?

For some reason, his eyes stung, and Kebel swallowed hard. He wished he had read the original story more carefully before being transported here… With that lingering regret, he slowly parted his lips.

“Osh, I wasn’t uncomfortable. So don’t apologize so easily.”

“Kebel-nim…”

“Shh, that’s enough. Come here, let’s go into the garden.”

Instead of saying “it’s okay,” Kebel chose to smile. He put on the brightest smile he could, and he noticed Osh’s eyes tremble ever so slightly as they widened. It was such a subtle change that one might miss it without looking closely.

‘What? I thought he had no emotions. Wasn’t he supposed to be a psychopath…?’

As his doubts grew, Kebel found himself wanting to know more about Osh. Even knowing it could be dangerous, his curiosity made his heart beat faster.

“But, Kebel-nim.”

“Yeah?”

“Can I really go into your precious garden?”

“…”

For a moment, Kebel frowned without realizing it. He immediately understood what Osh meant. Even though he had been raised as a count’s heir, he seemed overly conscious of others’ opinions.

“I mean… what if it brings bad luck…”

Kebel could feel his anxiety. No matter how much Osh tried to hide it, to Kebel, who was not actually eleven, it was obvious. Just how had this child ended up like this?

If he had truly been born without emotions, maybe he wouldn’t act like this at all. It was clear that something in his upbringing had shaped him this way. And once Kebel realized that, he knew he couldn’t push him away anymore. Tightening his grip on Osh’s hand, he spoke.

“Don’t think like that, Osh.”

“…”

“Come on, let’s go in.”

With a gentle smile in his eyes, Kebel led Osh into the garden. Fortunately, Osh didn’t resist.

The garden gates opened. A dazzling view of flowers spread out before them, and a soft, fragrant scent filled the air. The gentle aroma seeped deep into Kebel’s lungs.

No matter how many times he came here, the garden always made him feel good, and a smile naturally formed on his face.

Still smiling faintly, Kebel pulled Osh toward a bench. Despite being the same age and size, Osh followed limply. Feeling a strange pang of sadness, Kebel asked brightly,

“How is it? Don’t you like it too?”

“Yes.”

But Osh’s response was lukewarm. Contrary to expectations, his expression was dull, as if he felt nothing. Just like when they first met, he simply blinked and scanned the garden with dry eyes. Kebel couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

“Do you really feel nothing looking at this garden?”

“It’s pretty.”

“…”

The words carried no emotion at all. Kebel pressed his lips together. It was the expected response, yet why did it feel so disappointing? He dragged the tip of his shoe across the ground.

Had he been wrong? Was there really no future for this child? As that vague disappointment weighed on him, Osh softly called out,

“Kebel-nim.”

Kebel looked up. Osh had somehow closed the distance between them and whispered softly, like a faint scent brushing past his nose.

“…You’re pretty.”

“…Huh?”

Kebel’s heart began to pound. Was he insane? How could his heart race because of Osh? He cursed himself inwardly.

Seriously, was this kid messing with him? Just earlier he said the garden was pretty so flatly, and now he was saying it so seriously. For a second, Kebel almost misunderstood it as being directed at him.

Flustered, heat rushed to his face, and Kebel took a small step back. Still unable to calm himself, he stood up. Feeling awkward under Osh’s gaze, he walked over to where the flowers were gathered.

‘Calm down. Don’t get swayed by that face.’

Letting out a deep breath, Kebel ran a hand through his hair. Then he plucked a flower. It was an unconscious action, he simply wanted to give it to Osh. But now that he had it, he felt embarrassed. Still, he couldn’t just stand there forever, so he walked back and held it out.

“Here.”

“…Huh?”

“It’s the first time I’ve had a guest in the garden. Just think of it as a gift.”

“…”

Despite Kebel’s embarrassment, Osh just stared at the flower without taking it. In the end, Kebel forcefully placed it in his hand, and only then did Osh blink rapidly.

“You said it was pretty. So take it.”

“…Thank you.”

Osh’s ears flushed red, as if they might burn at a touch. It was so fascinating that Kebel almost reached out, but stopped himself. At the same time, Osh took a step back. It was just a single step, yet it stirred something strange inside Kebel, something unpleasant, yet unexplainable.

“Why are you backing away?”

“I’m not running away.”

“Then? Don’t tell me-!”

At Kebel’s words, Osh’s grip tightened around the flower. The tension between them stretched taut like a pulled rubber band, and Osh stepped back again. His trembling eyes and flushed face made Kebel’s imagination run wild.

Drawn by an indescribable feeling, Kebel stepped closer, matching the distance Osh had created. Osh’s shoulders stiffened.

“I get that you like the flower, but I can’t give you the whole garden.”

“…What?”

Osh’s tense expression relaxed slightly. Had they been thinking completely different things? Kebel rubbed the back of his neck and blinked. Osh, who had been watching him closely, spoke.

“To be honest, I don’t really understand what it means for something to be pretty.”

“…That’s a lie.”

“But I think I’m starting to understand what people mean when they say something is.”

“…Huh?”

A small smile appeared on Osh’s face. Though they hadn’t known each other long, that smile carried many emotions. Unable to define them, Kebel bit his lower lip.

It was such a small, insignificant smile, yet Kebel felt completely captivated. The colorful background behind Osh seemed to fade into black and white, as if only Osh’s face was in focus.

His heart pounded. His breathing grew uneven. Why did he want to see that smile again? Despite telling himself not to care, a growing desire took hold of him.

“You can come play here every day.”

The words slipped out unconsciously. Startled, Kebel quickly covered his mouth, but it was too late. Osh’s face brightened.

“…Really?”

Osh asked again, as if confirming. His lips curved into a soft smile. That sudden smile made Kebel’s heart race uncontrollably. Instead of answering, he simply nodded.

“I’m really happy.”

Did Osh even realize what kind of expression he was making right now? What kind of eyes he was looking at him with? Probably not. That’s why he could smile so defenselessly.

Biting his lower lip, Kebel watched as Osh lifted the flower to his nose.

He looked like a painting, so beautiful it was hard to tell whether the flower or Osh himself was the subject. Kebel’s mouth fell open.

“Maybe… I’ll start to like this flower’s scent too.”

“…”

“Thank you, Kebel-nim.”

Osh’s shy whisper brushed against Kebel’s ear. Kebel finally admitted it, he couldn’t push Osh away.

Even if Osh didn’t change and the story followed its original path, it would be fine. He already knew the story, he could just run away when the time came.

And surely, Osh wouldn’t chase him or kill him, considering their bond.

Thinking that way, Kebel cleared his mind. He felt relieved, as if he had avoided a death flag. The thought that he no longer had to push Osh away made his chest tighten.

“Osh. From now on, call me Kebel.”

“I-I can’t possibly call you that…”

“I told you to, so it’s fine. Come on, say my name.”

But Osh kept his lips tightly shut, hesitating. Watching him, Kebel urged him again.

Only then did Osh finally speak.

“…Kebel.”

It was just his name, yet Kebel’s eyes stung. Warmth gathered in his gaze, and he smiled brightly, brighter than he ever had since coming to this world.

“Nice to meet you, Osh.”