Breeding Season - Chapter 28
“When did you learn how to tie your hair?”
The moment she said it, Siren regretted it.
Why did she ask that?
“Hmm. I think it’s been a while.”
“Ah, I see.”
“What? Are you jealous?”
His jade-green eyes sparkled with amusement. As if he had found the perfect thing to tease her about, she quickly avoided his gaze. She was filled with regret for offering herself as prey.
Jealousy. It wasn’t like that at all. It wasn’t. She was just curious.
“I can do about seven other hairstyles besides that one. I used to tie it often.”
“How sweet.”
Siren carefully answered, hoping her words wouldn’t sound like she was being possessive, though it seemed like he was hearing exactly what he wanted to hear anyway.
“Don’t be like that. It’s just that you’re like a little sibling to me.”
“Little sibling…?”
“Yeah. I had a little sister. She was a girl, and she died young.”
See? She shouldn’t have asked. Siren’s face fell, and she looked like she was about to cry.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know… I didn’t know that.”
“Of course you didn’t. And in the South, death isn’t exactly something to mourn. It’s just something that happens when the time comes, so what’s there to be upset about?”
“Still…”
“In the South, there’s no time to mourn every single death.”
Then, could this dress also be her little sister’s?
Siren absentmindedly fiddled with her dress, quietly offering a prayer in her heart. She hoped her little sister had gone to a good place, but she also wished that her prayer could reach the poor soul.
“What was her name?”
“What was it… I think it was Nazla.”
It would have been nice if she could have met her.
It was such a shame that Nazla wasn’t here.
“Anyway, this is funny. You know how to get jealous?”
“I wasn’t jealous.”
“You’re lying.”
“No, I’m really not.”
“Let’s just say that’s true.”
Yasamin chuckled and lightly tapped her head before spinning around and walking away.
“I’ve got things to do, so feel free to rest.”
“Ah…”
“We’ll meet again in the evening.”
She really could be free.
Siren, who had been awkwardly standing there, finally made up her mind and began to move. Though her movements were still cautious.
‘I like it here.’
A breeze, she couldn’t tell where from, gently blew. The sunlight was just right, and it wasn’t too stifling.
‘This is the first space I’ve been in where there’s nothing I dislike. It’s so precious.’
Soon, she spotted a wooden rocking chair and sat down in it. It didn’t take long for sleepiness to wash over her.
The South. The land abandoned by the gods.
The buildings erected on the dry, cracked earth were all rough and imposing.
Especially the “Royal Palace,” which had the most ominous atmosphere among them all.
To fend off the attacks of the infected, high walls were erected, and guards were stationed. Due to the heat, no one could stand watch for too long, so shifts were rotated every few hours.
With little water to drink and bodies worn out, naturally, dissatisfaction was on the rise. Laughter or leisure had no place in the Southern palace.
“Ha! Finally…! Finally, we’ve succeeded.”
“Our long-held wish is being realized.”
But today was an exception. The people gathered in the conference room twisted their lips into sinister smiles as they glinted their eyes with malice.
They were all dressed in clothes dyed in different colors according to their affiliations, and just by looking at them, one could immediately tell which side they were from.
The Kalik clan, who worshipped the God of the Moon, wore white clothing.
The Aquafuran clan, who worshipped the Goddess of Water, wore blue clothing.
And lastly, the Nu clan, who worshipped the God of the Sun, wore red clothing.
In between the three colors, there was a woman dressed in gold, a color that didn’t belong to any of them.
Her name was Hiyes.
With silver hair and crimson red eyes, Hiyes was from the Nu clan, and she was a priestess who simultaneously served all the gods of the South.
“So, when will Yasamin arrive?”
At Hiyes’ question, the room went silent. Eltan, who had been reporting, rubbed his forehead wearily and answered.
“I’m not sure. I think he’ll come when he feels like it.”
They had just received the report that an infected creature had appeared in the area. Of course, no one in the room believed Yasamin had died.
Though someone in the room might be responsible for that incident, no one, not even the instigator, would wish for Yasamin’s death.
Yasamin was an immortal.
He was the ruler of the South, the master of the desert, and, above all, he was indestructible.
“He should be arriving soon. Once Yasamin arrives, the next steps will proceed.”
