Episode 349.2 |
(EP-349.2) Waking Up From a Dream #2
349 – Waking Up From a Long Dream #2
“Why am I a fool?”
“Well, if something is heavy, you can just put it down. But you never do. You carry it all on your back and shoulders, like a snail.”
“Is that so?”
“If you keep being so stubborn, then this time… I’ll really rely on you. And you won’t be able to shake me off.”
Sururuk-.
I felt Aira’s arms and legs wrap around my neck and thighs. For a moment, I wondered—was this how male spiders felt when they tapped on a female’s web?
Trapped, unable to escape?
What clung to my back was something far more terrifying… and far more beautiful.
The fact that she relied on me and that I alone was supporting her gave me a subtle sense of satisfaction.
“Fool.”
She whispered into my ear.
I decided to return the favor.
“So is Aira-nim.”
I felt her body tremble slightly against my back.
“… I'm a fool? Why?”
Was she expecting something? If there was ever a moment in my life to deliver a cool one-liner, this was it. So, I opened my mouth, but nothing came to mind.
My usually quick tongue felt sluggish.
Maybe it was because I was tired after carrying her around the room for several laps. In that moment, Aira brought her lips close to my ear and asked.
“Tell me… why am I a fool?”
“… Just because.”
Bite~.
A sharp sensation on my neck.
I was so caught off guard that I nearly jumped and let out an undignified shriek.
“Hiiiek…!”
Did Aira just bite me? That dignified, regal Aira—sunk her teeth into someone’s neck?
Unbelievable…
And painful!
* * *
Crash, bang!
A rather noisy commotion could be heard from the queen's room. Though it was unclear what was happening, the loud, dull sounds delivered a positive tone.
It was only then that Elga, the Lioness family's Young Lady, who had been waiting outside the queen’s door with her presence concealed, finally let out a small sigh of relief.
“It seems things have worked out for now.”
At her words, the snobbish Mirna Draco snorted, “Hmph.” She had been in a sour mood ever since the half-fairy entered the room.
Elga knew why.
So, she shot a sharp remark at Mirna, like a bee's sting.
“If you hate sharing so much, you should’ve just stayed out of it from the beginning. This is going to keep happening. Are you going to throw a fit every time?”
Did her words hit a nerve?
Mirna shot her a sidelong glance with those crimson eyes. Then, as if losing interest, her gaze drooped before she completely shut her eyes, hiding their glow.
“It’s even more frustrating if I can’t have him all to myself. And aren’t you feeling anxious too, Lady Lioness? You’re the one who insisted on eavesdropping.”
“I was just making sure we were on standby in case something happened, that’s all. It’s not like I was listening out of jealousy or anything.”
Mirna suddenly chuckled at Elga’s excuse.
“Lady Lioness, you really are terrible at lying. I suppose, in that sense, I do feel a tiny bit of female-like kinship with you.”
“…….”
The truth was, Elga also felt uncomfortable about the half-fairy being alone with the queen. The two of them fit together like pieces made for each other.
Watching them so seamlessly intertwined often made her wonder if there was even a place for anyone else.
‘But that’s only because Aira’s going through a tough time right now. The half-fairy loves me the most, after all.’
Elga reassured herself with her usual positive and assertive mindset. And she had proof.
Her firstborn, Leonoi.
Historically, the first wife to bear a child was often the most loved and held the position of the rightful lady of the house. No matter how hard the others tried, they could never outfly someone already soaring above them.
Feeling confident, Elga puffed up with pride. Then, Mirna spoke.
“Do you think you're ahead just because you're pregnant?”
“… What—did you read my mind? Don't go reading my thoughts without permission.”
“Even without reading your mind, Lady Lioness, it’s not difficult to deduce your straightforward way of thinking. Regardless, even if it seems like you’re ahead now, catching up won't take long.”
Like a villainous young lady straight out of a novel, Mirna covered her mouth with the back of her hand and let out a “hohoho” laugh. This annoying girl never laughed like that in front of the half-fairy.
“Hmph, say what you want. I’m still in first place.”
“No, your points took a big hit because of what happened in yesterday's dream. You wouldn’t say you don’t remember what happened at the Lioness estate, would you?”
Elga’s hair immediately stood on end.
“Hey! That was just a dream!”
“Regardless, a deduction is a deduction. Scoring must be ruthless, after all. By the way, these points can be used in various ways.”
According to Mirna, the accumulated points could be spent like money to purchase various rights and privileges—such as the right to a date with the half-fairy or spend the night together.
For someone from the notoriously cunning Draco family, it was actually rather reasonable, so Elga nodded in agreement.
Then, she noticed a sudden silence from inside the room.
The unnatural stillness prompted her to crack the door slightly open, and she saw the queen and the half-fairy fast asleep on the plush carpet.
“Guess they didn't get enough sleep.”
After moving them to their respective beds and letting them sleep a bit longer, Elga and Mirna remained in silence for a while. It was Mirna who broke the ice.
“There's really not much time left.”
“Yeah. But… I wonder if this really ends with just us becoming family.”
“What do you mean, Lady Lioness?”
“You saw it too, didn’t you? When he used that powerful magic to defeat the spider… for a moment, the world seemed to go dark, and I saw… that massive door, and the terrifying thing beyond it….”
Perhaps because of the intense magical explosion, Elga had glimpsed it.
The entity lurking deep within Aira’s consciousness.
That world must have been created based on Aira’s memories. If Aira had truly seen such a being, then as long as that thing existed in the world, peace and tranquility could never be guaranteed.
That was why Elga had wrapped herself in a blanket. Of course, the half-fairy seemed to think she was just scared because of Leonor.
In response, Mirna pressed a finger to her lips with a soft shh.
“Let’s keep that a secret for now.”
Edit by: faker