“Head of House Roteon, it’s been a while.”
“It really has. You never come when I invite you to my estate, so the only way I get to see you is by coming here myself.”
“I don’t like going to the Roteon estate—it’s too hot.”
“But the mansion is cool.”
“It’s the journey that’s hot. That’s why I don’t want to go.”
From the way they talked, it seemed like this family was also on good terms with us. The Roteon family head didn’t seem to be flirting but more like teasing Hale because it was amusing to see him reject her so bluntly.
I’d heard that the Four Dragon Families were all on relatively good terms, so that probably wasn’t wrong.
“Oh dear, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Gabi Rotern. I wish I had a daughter as cute and charming as you.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Oh! No, I just meant I hope we can meet more often.”
“She’s my daughter.”
At Gabi’s loaded comment, Hale reached out and blocked me from her view.
She narrowed her eyes at him.
“As if I didn’t know. She’s the spitting image of you. I’m just saying I’m jealous, since I only have sons.”
She turned to the two boys beside her, then looked back at me.
“These are my twin sons.”
“I’m Rizley.”
“I’m Erisen.”
They must’ve been fraternal twins because they looked nothing alike. But everything else about them was shockingly similar, from their tone of voice to the way they moved.
After greeting the Hwangryong family, Hale took my hand and turned around. He let out a sigh and bent down to meet my eye level.
“What is it?”
“…We have to meet someone I’d rather not.”
“The Heukryong family?”
“Senika, listen carefully. That family’s closer to snakes than dragons. They’re very cunning.”
It was the first time I’d ever heard Hale speak ill of another family so openly.
Could it be because they dislike humans? But this sounded more… personal. Like something deep-rooted.
“Hey, Hale.”
A sharp, sassy woman’s voice called out from behind him.
“That’s a fine little lesson you’re giving your daughter.”
Hale stiffened instantly, and the tension in his body was visible.
Slowly, he stood and turned around.
“…Vivian?”
“Why do you look so surprised? It’s not like I’m somewhere I don’t belong.”
The moment Hale turned, my eyes met a pair of crimson irises. A smile curved on lips that were just as red.
A woman with long, jet-black hair approached, her expression showing clear disapproval.
Reading the room, I figured this “Vivian” woman must’ve been the one Daddy was about to warn me about earlier.
“T-That’s…”
Of course. Hale wouldn’t be this flustered otherwise. He got caught talking behind her back, plain and simple.
“What did I ever do to you that makes you keep avoiding me?”
“…What are you talking about?”
Vivian folded her arms with an annoyed expression. I could now see why Hale said she was like a snake. There was something oddly slippery and seductive in her demeanor, like a snake’s pheromones.
It wasn’t unpleasant exactly but it was intimidating. I quickly looked away, pretending I hadn’t heard anything.
That’s when I noticed a boy about my age standing next to her. He had been staring at me this whole time, his gaze oddly intense.
Black hair and red eyes—just like Vivian’s. There was no mistaking he was from the Black Dragon family.
But his vibe felt more like…
“…A cat? Gasp!”
I meant to say that in my head, but it slipped out. I immediately clapped my hands over my mouth but the damage was done.
Luckily, the boy didn’t seem to hear me. He just kept staring—not with a hostile expression, but still.
“…Do you have something to say to me?”
“…”
“I said, do you have something to say? Why do you keep staring?”
“…”
No matter what I asked, he didn’t answer. I glanced at Hale for help.
But then—
“It’s not true!”
“Would you swear on your daughter?”
“Why are you bringing my daughter into this all of a sudden?”
“I heard exactly what you said, and now you’re trying to deny it.”
The argument between the two adults was escalating rapidly. I’d never seen Hale like this before.
Geez, Dad. Stop acting all pathetic—just admit it and apologize. Don’t you realize everyone’s watching you two?
I could see Theo and Vivian’s aides rushing over from nearby. They’d probably sort it out soon.
The real problem was this kid still staring at me like nothing else mattered…
“Hey.”
“…”
“I’m asking nicely. Why are you staring at me?”
“…”
I even put my hands on my hips to try to scare him a little, but he just blinked slowly instead of answering.
Ugh! He’s going to drive me crazy at this rate. I turned my head sharply, deciding to ignore him.
“…Ah.”
Just then, the boy finally opened his mouth but it was too noisy to hear what he said.
“What was that?”
I frowned, cupping a hand to my ear as I leaned in.
“Say it again. I didn’t catch that.”
“You’re small.”
I glared at him with a deep scowl.
He had said the one thing I hated most and yet he looked completely unfazed, like it wasn’t a big deal.
I clenched my fist.
“Hey! You wanna die?! What’s your name?!”
“…Senika?”
The adults, now done fighting, looked down at us with confused expressions.
I clung to Hale’s leg and pointed at the boy.
“Daddy! I don’t like him!”
“Huh? What happened?”
“He’s small too, but he called me small!”
“…”
“So annoying! Tell him to go home!”
Hale blinked a few times.
And just like that, I felt betrayed by the daddy I trusted most.
“Pfft!”
That laugh—he was definitely mocking me. Okay, maybe not mocking, but agreeing with that boy at the very least. I could tell without even asking.
I let go of Hale’s pant leg. As I turned away, I heard him scrambling to explain.
I covered my ears with both hands and walked off without looking back.
I could faintly hear him calling my name, but I pretended not to hear and made my way to the terrace.
The sky, once painted orange, had deepened into a dark navy. I wanted to lean against the railing and brood, but unfortunately…
“Ugh!”
…I was too short. I had to stretch just to touch the railing, so I gave up and sat on a nearby bench.
Hmph. Let them stew a little.
“It may be the south, but it gets chilly once the sun goes down.”
I jumped at the unfamiliar voice beside me. I wasn’t alone?
In the dim light, the face I saw didn’t exactly make me happy.
“What the—why did you follow me?”
“No reason.”
“Go away! I don’t wanna be near you.”
“You told everyone to have fun, remember?”
“….”
I did say that, but what does that have to do with sitting next to me?
He insulted me, and now he’s following me around? What kind of logic is that?
Guess I’ll pretend he’s invisible.
“You’re the one who called me a cat first.”
“….”
“I just responded in kind.”
Oh… right. I did say that.
“I didn’t come to blame you for that, though.”
“Then why did you come?”
“When I said you were small, I meant it as a compliment. Did it upset you?”
“That’s a compliment?!”
“If it wasn’t, I apologize.”
…Did he just… apologize? That doesn’t suit him at all.
Wait, did he seriously come all the way out here just to say sorry? If he was gonna apologize, maybe don’t say it in the first place?
Is this one of those “poison and antidote” situations?
I couldn’t read his intentions at all. Maybe this was why Hale said the Heikryong family was like snakes?
“…What’s with the apology all of a sudden?”
“My mother told me to apologize if I ever made someone feel bad.”
You mean the woman who was just bickering with my daddy?
She said that? Huh. So your mom and my daddy both say one thing and do another.
Still, I guess he’s been somewhat well-raised. Maybe what happened earlier was just a lack of social experience?
Considering what Eve taught me, that actually makes sense. The Heukryong family doesn’t associate with humans or other families much, so he probably hasn’t met many outsiders.
…Then again, same goes for me, right?
Hmm. Let’s shelve that thought for now and recall what Eve said earlier.
She’d warned me not to judge the Heukryong family too harshly at first because they could be a bit standoffish.
But this boy wasn’t nearly as hostile as I’d feared.
Maybe… he doesn’t know I’m half-human yet?
“Even if the other person’s human?”
I threw out a baited question—let’s see if he bites.
“Yeah.”
“But your family hates humans.”
“Hating them doesn’t mean we have to show it.”
“Your mom taught you that?”
“No. That’s just what I think.”
…Huh? What? He said that so naturally and confidently that I assumed it was something he was taught.
“My mother doesn’t just dislike humans. It’s more like hatred.”
“…And you? What do you think?”
“We live in the same world. That makes us part of the same community. Nothing more, nothing less.”
…Is this kid really my age? He looks like he might be three or four years older than me, and he talks so clearly and confidently.
Ugh, he’s making me look bad. I need to prove I’m smart too.
