Chapter 355: Family’s Support
They also began taking care of heavy tasks before he could even ask.
And then there were the nights.
Qiong Xing had always been the type to sleep soundly until morning once he fell asleep.
Yet lately, he kept waking up in the middle of the night.
Why?
He tilted his head in confusion.
Even when he managed to fall asleep again, he would wake up a few hours later.
Eventually, he thought that perhaps a short walk would help clear his head and tried slipping out of his room.
For some reason, however, someone always noticed and accompanied him.
He tried telling them that they should stay in bed because they must be tired, but...
"This is for our sake. We’re only doing it because it helps us feel at ease. You don’t need to worry about it."
That was what Elias and the others told him.
Even so, Qiong Xing felt guilty and eventually gave up on taking late-night walks.
Still, he continued waking up.
After giving it some thought, he started wandering around his room instead.
Then, almost as if drawn there, he found himself sitting down in a corner of the room.
For some reason, it made him feel calmer.
"...Why are you sleeping over there?"
"Um... it just feels comforting somehow."
Was it because just like in his previous life, he still preferred small enclosed spaces?
He had never really thought much about it before, but surprisingly, it made him feel much more at ease.
However, even if Qiong Xing felt calmer that way, it did not mean everyone else did.
The children complained that they felt uneasy and lonely when he was not beside them, so in the end, Qiong Xing always returned to bed.
As a result, the sleepless nights continued.
Lack of sleep gradually left faint dark circles beneath his eyes.
Then, while on the way to town to thank Katarina and the others...
Normally, Iseul would carry them close to town and they would walk the rest of the way.
For some reason, however, Qiong Xing found himself frozen in place, unable to climb down.
"Qiong Xing?"
"Um, well..."
Even though he understood perfectly well what he should do, he simply could not bring himself to get off Iseul’s back.
"Maybe the ride was uncomfortable and made you sick. Hey, why don’t we just go home today? We can visit them another time."
"Huh? It’s my fault? You’re feeling sick? S-Sorry, let’s head back right away. Hold on tight."
"N-No, that’s not it! It’s not your faul..."
Though he appreciated the concern, Iseul immediately took off at tremendous speed without any warning.
As a result, Qiong Xing ended up genuinely suffering from dragon sickness that felt very much like motion sickness.
The moment they returned home, Qiong Xing collapsed in a dizzy heap.
Iseul was promptly scolded by everyone for what he had done.
"...Fenrir."
"If you’ve realized it, then there is no need to hold back. Family is meant to support one another, is it not?"
"But..."
Qiong Xing had already noticed that everyone’s behavior had been unusual these past few days.
More accurately, everyone had been treating the unusually behaving Qiong Xing with extra care and kindness.
Feeling guilty that he had caused everyone to worry, he lowered his head.
Fenrisúlfr simply told him that he was loved that much and that he should accept their concern without hesitation.
Lately, Qiong Xing had been acting in ways that were clearly unlike himself.
His hands trembled and caused him to drop a pot.
He felt restless and ended up sleeping curled up in the corner of his room.
When he finally managed to go outside, he could not even bring himself to climb down from Iseul’s back.
The human heart truly was a difficult thing.
Logically, he knew everything was alright now.
Yet the pain he had suffered and the fear he had felt continued to influence his actions without him even realizing it.
"The reason you are loved so much is because you love them just as deeply. If that is the case, then what is wrong with relying on them? There are people who are saved by being relied upon. I am one of them. If there is anything I can do for you, simply say the word."
"...Thank you, Fenrir."
As Qiong Xing hugged Fenrisúlfr tightly in gratitude for pushing him forward, he hurried back toward the home where his beloved family was waiting.
...
The sound of his own voice slipping out made Qiong Xing’s face flush with embarrassment.
Still, the gentle hands touching him as if to reassure him that everything was alright brought him comfort rather than discomfort.
"Elias..."
"It’s alright. I’m here. Okay?"
"Yes."
The hand holding his made him feel safe.
Now, when he called out, there would always be someone to answer him.
After he realized that, it’s eased the anxiety that had once lingered inside him.
"Nura, take it slow."
"I know, but..."
"Hhk... ah..."
A strange sound escaped him when something suddenly pressed against him.
"S-sorry. I’m sorry."
Iseul looked close to tears as he asked if it hurt, but after being so carefully prepared, there was no pain, only a sense of pressure.
The sudden sensation had simply stolen his breath.
After taking a deep breath, Qiong Xing stretched out both arms toward the worried dragon.
"I was just surprised. It doesn’t hurt. I’m okay."
This was something Qiong Xing himself had asked for.
Unable to deal with the lingering anxiety in his heart on his own, he had turned to the people he trusted most: his family and his mates.
He wanted reassurance that there was nothing left to fear, that they would always remain by his side.
That was why Qiong Xing had been the one to ask them to hold him.
"I understand in my head that everything’s alright now. But..."
He wanted them to help erase the fear that still refused to disappear completely.
"If this helps you feel at ease, then I’ll do it as many times as you need."
