TWLW 31

chapter 31

She giggled.

“I really don’t understand why I’m so popular with women.”

She laughed as she released the arms that had been hugging me.

I scratched the back of my neck and looked at Merina.

As the eldest daughter of the Ipin family and a Sword Master, she was a source of pride for the Beastkin Nation. It wasn’t surprising that anyone could be captivated by her charm.

I had heard that even in the Beastkin Nation, women didn’t have as much freedom as men.

Compared to human countries, women had more freedom to become bureaucrats or soldiers, but there were still barriers preventing them from rising to high-ranking positions.

Most ended up managing households or leading merchant groups, and women in bureaucracy often stagnated at middle ranks.

Yet Merina had entered the knighthood—a field difficult for women—and advanced to Sword Master, capable of leading an entire unit, not just a squad. It was easy to see why many admired her.

Her achievements as a role model for women were remarkable.

But why does my face feel red for some other reason?

In the glances around us, I could see envy, affection, jealousy, admiration, and longing all at once. It sent shivers down my spine.

Merina laughed as she watched me bow my head, embarrassed by everyone’s eyes.

“Unnie? Are you embarrassed?”
“A little… yes.”
“Hahaha! Unnie, have some confidence! You’ll have to get used to receiving this kind of attention eventually.”
“I doubt that will ever happen…”

I timidly countered her words. Merina, however, was astonished, saying there was no way that wouldn’t happen.

“No way! Unnie! You’re the light of our Beastkin! You’ll be a sensation in no time!”
“What…?”
“What do you mean what? Your fame is rising every day, and you could even reach the royal palace someday!”

Her words made my eyes widen, my lips trembling.

“W-What… the royal palace?!”

I had shouted so loudly that everyone else turned to look at us.

The glances that had been secretly observing us before now seemed bold, so I lowered my voice as much as I could, holding Merina’s hand and trembling.

“Th-the royal palace…?”
“Oh my. Unnie, aren’t you underestimating your abilities? What you can do is a crucial skill for us!”
“But it’s just…! It’s only useful for getting rid of ‘that’!”
“Exactly! We don’t have a skill like that! It’s incredibly important!”
“But we’re not even fighting witches or wizards!”

“Well, we do fight monsters. And some of them use magic sometimes, you know?”

Merina shrugged and took a sip of her strong coffee.

“And who knows? You never know when or where a magical attack might come from.”

Her words shocked me, and I stared blankly at her face.

I’m a witch… won’t I just die instantly?

It was already shocking enough to be in the Beastkin Nation, but the royal palace?! I rubbed my goosebumps as Merina looked at me with her eyes gently closed.

“You don’t need to be so tense, Unnie. Your guarantor is our brother.”

I pouted in response to Merina’s reassuring words.

“But if I make even the smallest mistake, I could end up dead instantly, Merina-nim.”
“Oh my. I didn’t know Unnie had thoughts of overthrowing the country?”
“Waaah! That’s not what I mean!”

Seeing my pout, Merina stopped teasing me, patted my back, and spoke gently.

“Unnie, unless you try to poison the king, you won’t get arrested. As long as you don’t commit a crime, you’re fine. After all, the Ipin family is behind you.”

She spoke leisurely, scooping pudding from a pretty glass with the spoon I had used.

“So, don’t worry. Just have some pudding—it’s delicious.”
“Merina-nim… if I eat this too…”
“Hey, think of it as zero calories! You’ve just eaten air. Are you really going to leave such a delicious treat untouched?”

Looking at the glossy surface of the pudding, my mouth watered.

Merina’s sweet words tempted me like a demon.

“Look at this. Such shiny, perfect pudding! Think of all the effort that went into making something this visually enticing!”

Right. Not eating delicious food in front of me would be disrespectful to the maker.

I rationalized and took the spoon from her mouth. The pudding melted smoothly, and I smiled happily for a moment.

Merina watched me fondly, hands supporting her chin, and murmured.

“You’re really cute. How can someone eat so adorably?”

I looked at her and finally asked a question that had been on my mind.

“Merina-nim.”
“Yes, Unnie. What is it?”
“Why do you call me ‘Unnie’?”

I asked sincerely. Physically, I was smaller than Merina, and in experience, I had far less than her.

Merina looked at me with her eyes delicately curved like a bow.

“If someone’s awesome, they’re ‘Unnie.’”
“Ah, I see.”

I nodded and politely ate the pudding she offered.

Merina gazed out at the darkening sky and murmured to herself.

“When will they arrive?”
“Hm? Who are you waiting for?”

I tilted my head, licking caramel syrup from my lips.

She smiled softly and shook her head.

“No, Unnie. Eat a little more. Later, we’ll have ice cream, so just a little now!”
“Yes!”

Ice cream too! Excited, I looked at the three pudding bowls in front of me and smiled happily. I was so joyful I felt like crying.

Earlier, the gazes of others had made me feel like my body was pierced with holes, but now, eating this felt like healing.

I wonder what flavor the ice cream will be.

I happily scooped another bite of pudding.

Bang!

Someone slammed open the door to the salon.

The guests on the first floor, as well as the staff and the salon owner, rushed out to look at the rude intruder.

“Oh my. What brings Lord Rudels here…?”
“To see Merina.”

Rudels spoke sharply, clearly displeased, his blue eyes flashing.

The owner felt a shiver of tension but kept smiling.

“Ah, hahaha. I see.”
“Is Merina on the second floor?”
“Yes, of course.”

Rudels nodded and began walking. Behind him, his aide Russel bowed apologetically to the owner and hurried after him.

As they disappeared up the stairs, the guests whispered excitedly, their eyes gleaming.

“My goodness! Prince Rudels Ipin!”
“Hohoho! Today, not only Merina-nim but also Lord Rudels is here! What a treat!”
“Indeed. How can such a handsome man not have a betrothed?”

The young ladies squealed with excitement.

“Sigh… I’d be happy even if it were just Merina-nim! But that tiny, squirrel-like woman intercepted him!”

One young lady looked at the stairs with tears in her eyes.

“Who is she, though? Her attire looks so shabby.”
“Indeed.”
“But why is he so urgently looking for Merina-nim?”
“Could it be… he’s here to see Merina-nim’s so-called lover?”
“Oh my! Could it be the infamous mother-in-law conflict?”

They gossiped furiously, blowing up an issue that didn’t exist.

Meanwhile, Rudels stomped around the second floor looking for Merina and Iriel. Russel felt embarrassed following his excited master.

Soon, Rudels spotted his registered mate clinging to Iriel like a leech. He clenched his teeth and walked toward them, each step radiating anger, leaving Russel swallowing in dismay.

“Merina Ipin.”

The terrifying voice made Iriel’s eyes widen in shock, while Merina remained calm, greeting her brother casually.

“Oh, brother.”

She hugged Iriel tightly, teasingly saying,

“What’s the matter? We’re on a date.”

Rudels genuinely wanted to throw Merina out the window.

For the first time, I realized just how fiery someone’s eyes could burn. Even his normally calm eyes were bloodshot from anger.

I trembled in fear, while Merina hugged me tightly, acting as if nothing were wrong.

“Brother, this is rude. My little sister is enjoying her date. Do you really need to come all the way here to interfere?”

Emphasizing “date,” Merina pouted.

“Date?”

Rudels looked at us in disbelief, his lips quivering.

Around us, people openly stared. I felt dazed and unable to speak, sensing only the mixture of anger and pity in his gaze.