“Ah, Sen.”
“Hm?”
“Come visit my house sometime.”
“You mean I’m allowed to?”
“Of course. My father would be happy to have you too.”
I wasn’t allowed to go out much yet so my world was still pretty small. But once I got a little older, I’d definitely visit!
I didn’t want to stay fenced in forever. I wanted to see more of the world.
I knew there was value in growing up safe and loved in a stable environment but if I wanted to do something truly meaningful, I’d have to be brave enough to walk through fire myself.
“I can’t go out right now. I hafta get bigger first!” (I have to get bigger first!)
“That’s fine. Growth happens fast.”
I agreed and nodded. I believed I would grow up quickly, too.
Wait a second… if I go visit Shia’s house, will I run into that shy boy from earlier?
“Hey, Shia… that kid from before—Leon—is he your brother?”
“No.”
“Then what is he…?”
Shirea’s face twisted into a scowl. She looked deeply displeased.
I immediately thought of how she spoke to him earlier—rough and blunt. I probably shouldn’t have brought him up.
“You don’t have to say if you don’t want to.”
“It’s not that.”
She paused, clearly searching for the right words.
“He’s just a useless male.”
Oof. That was… harsh.
She spoke with an intensity that made me feel awkward, even though I was just the bystander. Judging from the fact they came to the ball together, I assumed they were family.
But maybe this was normal? Siblings that actually get along are the rare ones, after all.
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t bother you when you visit.”
“Oh no! That’s not what I meant at all!”
“Then what? What do you want me to do?”
“I mean… can’t we all just hang out together?”
Her frown deepened. She even stood up and clenched her fists.
…Wow. She really, really didn’t like him, huh?
“Maybe it’s better if we meet at this estate instead of my house.”
“Do you hate Leon that much?”
“I just… don’t want to speak to someone that dense.”
There must be a reason Shirea disliked Leon this much. From our short conversation, she didn’t seem like the type to hate someone for no reason.
Even when she talked about him, her voice trembled slightly.
Whatever the cause was, it was a family issue so I couldn’t interfere. I wouldn’t be able to fix it, either.
But still… I felt like I could at least listen. Help her think things through. Be there, so her pain didn’t fester deeper.
So that’s what that cold, aloof front was hiding—a softer, hurting part of her.
I wanted to help keep that pain from growing worse because hating someone too long is like slowly eating away at yourself.
But before I could say anything, a familiar voice called out for me, cutting the moment short.
“Rita!”
As soon as I stepped out of the room, Rita scooped me up into a hug.
“You must’ve had a lot of tasty treats, huh, young lady?”
“Huh?”
“There are crumbs on your lips.”
Rita brushed them away with a teasing smile.
That was a little embarrassing. I hadn’t even realized I’d eaten so much because that’s how good the snacks were…
Honestly, if Rita banned sweets after this, I wouldn’t be able to complain. Not without protesting with all my strength, anyway.
“Where are we going?”
“Time for bed.”
“Already?”
Was it really that late? But I’ve only made one friend so far! It felt way too soon to end the day.
“Ritaaa…”
“Nope.”
“Just a little longer, pleeease?”
“Even if I agreed, your father was the one who gave the order.”
If it was from Hale, then I had to follow it. He was both my father and the head of our house—and I knew he made decisions with my best interest at heart. He was probably thinking about my growth and health.
When I remembered that, I couldn’t argue anymore.
So I closed my eyes as Rita carried me to my room, though my heart was still lingering in the sparkling ballroom behind us.
It’s okay. I’ll see everyone again tomorrow, so no need to feel sad!
***
Meanwhile…
As Senika exited the ballroom, a single searing gaze — not returned, only directed — locked onto its target.
“Hey.”
“…”
“Jaius Bayette.”
Only after hearing his full name did the boy finally turn his head. He was the heir of the Heukryong house. And the one glaring at him now was Shirea, the second child of the Cheongryong family.
Jaius barely spared her a glance before turning his attention back toward where Senika had disappeared.
The look on Shirea’s face darkened.
“You’re seriously annoying.”
“…”
“What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“Meaning?”
“Why are you following Senika around? What are you up to?”
Jaius didn’t answer. His silence was infuriating.
Shirea had been watching him ever since he started tailing Senika, worried that he might do something to that soft and white snow-rabbit of a girl. She had even followed them to the terrace.
But that Heukryong boy had locked the door and soundproofed the area with pheromones, so she couldn’t get in or hear a thing.
She couldn’t bring herself to ask what they talked about. Her pride wouldn’t allow it. So she settled for this: picking a fight.
“So you only speak when it suits you?”
“Your question isn’t worth answering.”
“So you admit you approached her with an ulterior motive.”
Jaius finally looked at her. Just one look made Shirea flinch.
His gaze was sharp—painfully so. He radiated a pressure far beyond his age. That was the aura of the next heir of the Heukryong house.
“Why do you even care?”
“Because I’m her friend. And friends don’t want to see their friend hurt.”
Any other dragon might’ve cowered in the face of that piercing stare but not Shirea.
Fear didn’t make her back down. She believed herself the rightful heir of the Cheongryong house and she wouldn’t be intimidated.
She clenched her fists and pushed on.
“Your family doesn’t just dislike humans, you despise them.”
“…”
“You were born and raised in that household. If you stay close to her, it’s only a matter of time before you hurt her.”
“…”
“So I’m thinking I should remove the threat now, before that happens.”
Jaius’s cold red eyes slowly swept across her face. It felt like a snake was slithering over her skin—unnerving and invasive.
Then, he smirked. It wasn’t friendly—it was mocking.
“You’re not a friend. You’re her nanny.”
“What?”
“Who gave you that right?”
“As her friend, of course—”
“Hmm. For a ‘friend,’ you’re acting awfully controlling.”
He wasn’t wrong and she knew it.
Normally, Shirea would never cross a line like this for someone else but with Senika, she felt different. She wanted to do anything for her.
Even I know I’m acting weird. This isn’t like me at all.
She didn’t love or hate humans but for some reason, this tiny and pale girl made her want to protect.
Maybe there was something about Senika she couldn’t explain, something that drew her in.
“Whether I stay by her side or not, that’s her choice, not yours. And—”
Jaius’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
Her eyes refocused on him and there it was. A new emotion, layered beneath the coldness: disdain.
“You’re annoying, too.”
His tone wasn’t angry. It was indifference, as if he no longer saw her as a person worth speaking to.
Shirea wanted to yell back: Who are you to look at me like that?
But before she could say anything, he was already walking away—fading into the distance like a vanishing shadow.
