Chapter 22
Sheelune
“Haa… haa… haa…”
The four who had been suddenly pushed down were pale and gasping for breath.
They must have been terrified.
Well, of course they were.
“Now then, here we are. Lord Kian, please greet Lady Sheelune.”
“W–wait… my heart, I—”
“Are you all right, my lord?”
Lilith knelt down, peering up at him with concern.
You little…!
“It’s your fault! You fool!
How could you be so rough?! I thought I was going to die!”
“My deepest apologies.”
You think an apology fixes this, you idiot!?
He wanted to yell more, but the sound of his own voice echoed loudly off the canyon walls.
“Haa… haa… haa…”
Still, after shouting, he somehow managed to calm down a little.
“All right.”
“Lord Kian, please be careful not to raise your voice too loudly.
If it echoes, something unexpected might occur.”
“You tell me that now? Fool. Well… fine, I get it.”
From above, the river had looked like a gentle stream.
But up close, the current was swift.
The water was so clear and beautiful that it seemed shallow—yet the true depth was impossible to guess.
Every so often, fish darted by at a speed too fast for the eye to catch.
The trio from the other world, who had just moments ago been scared out of their wits, were now staring in awe.
What a beautiful river this was—something you’d never see in the city.
Meanwhile, Kian stood before the kneeling Lilith and faced the river as if declaring something to it.
“Dragon who governs the waters—Sheelune!
I am Kianarusa, First Prince of Atrana!
Now that I have reached my thirteenth year, I have come here to become the next king.
Swear your oath to the Lana Bloodline!
Pledge your loyalty to me!
Show yourself before me—Sheelune!”
Zaa… zaa… zaa…
Only the sound of flowing water echoed hollowly in reply.
“Nothing’s coming out, huh.”
“Be quiet! Stay silent!
Hey, Lilith—she really exists, right?”
Lilith let out a rare, long sigh, then stood up.
She bowed gracefully toward the river.
“It has been a long time, Lady Sheelune.
I have brought Prince Kianarusa before you.
Please, show yourself and hear his words.”
Splash!
A single rainbow-colored fish leapt from the water.
“Arrogant prince—you know not how to greet another.”
A clear, beautiful woman’s voice resounded through the air.
“Lady Sheelune, the prince has been raised and educated as heir to the throne.
Please forgive any lack in his manners.”
The water rippled gently, its roughness softening.
As sunlight pierced through the clouds and touched the river, the surface began to shine.
Fwoooosh…
From the empty water, a form rose up—a figure made of water itself, taking human shape.
Gradually, it transformed into a beautiful woman.
“Wow… so pretty…”
Ai couldn’t help but sigh in admiration at her beauty.
Her skin was pale and translucent; her long hair shimmered like flowing water; her dress was made of liquid itself.
She was the very image of a water spirit—a true incarnation of the Water Dragon.
Sheelune slowly lifted herself fully above the water’s surface and turned her gaze over them all.
Her transparent blue eyes carried a chilling calm.
But when her gaze met Lilith’s, her soft, well-shaped blue lips curved into a smile.
“It has been a long while, Lilith.
To think that the little one I once knew has grown so fine as to serve the prince himself.
How swiftly humans grow.
Sephyria must surely be pleased.”
“Yes,” Lilith replied, glancing at Kian with a faintly troubled look.
Naturally, Kian—having been completely ignored—was glaring at her in irritation.
“Lilith, stand aside.
Sheelune! I am Kianarusa, heir to the Lana Bloodline!”
“That’s enough.”
Sheelune cut off his words sharply.
“Lilith, you may use the hut behind you.
The river flooded recently from the rain, but I cleaned it knowing you would soon arrive.
Hohoho… and those adorable travelers from another world must be tired, no?
Rest well. You may use the river as you please.”
Splash!
The moment she finished speaking, Sheelune dissolved back into water and vanished.
“Thank you for your kindness,”
Lilith said, kneeling deeply and bowing her head to the river.
Beside her, Kian’s hands were trembling with anger and confusion.
Though the light still lingered, the sun was beginning to set.
Zarel promptly began preparing the hut for the night, and the three from another world silently followed him.
Only Kian and Lilith remained by the riverside.
“Did… did I make her angry?
Why did Sheelune ignore me?
I’m… I’m the prince! I’m going to be king!”
Tears streamed down Kian’s cheeks.
Lilith took out her handkerchief and gently wiped them away.
“I am terribly sorry, my lord.
It was my own shortcomings that caused you such distress.”
“Lilith.”
“Yes, my lord?”
“What did I do wrong? I thought I greeted her properly.
You’re lucky, you know… everyone likes you.
You can get along with anyone, without even trying.”
Startled, Lilith looked at his profile, then slowly shook her head and lowered her gaze.
Her chest tightened painfully, and for some reason, she felt terribly sad.
“Your Highness… Lord Kian, you are well liked.
When I see you happily speaking with everyone, I can’t help but feel envious.”
Her voice trembled as she tried to comfort him.
But her kindness only deepened his frustration.
He turned to glare at her, ready to snap back—but froze.
From Lilith’s mismatched eyes, tears were silently falling.
“Ah… forgive me. How unsightly of me. Please, forgive—”
The tears wouldn’t stop.
Just sitting by the river, everything she had locked deep inside began to flow out uncontrollably.
Kian, unsure what to do, hesitantly pulled her into his arms.
“Was it my fault? Am I the one to blame?
Lilith… forgive me. I’m sorry, Lilith.”
No, it’s not that—it’s not your fault…
But the words wouldn’t come. Only soft sobs escaped her.
They were both still just thirteen—two young souls burdened with trials far too heavy for their small shoulders.
The beautiful flowing river seemed to draw out their tears, and for a brief moment in time, Lilith let her heart be bare and wept openly.
