#215

Side Story 3 – Caoirserus

An unexpected guest arrived around the middle of autumn. In the four months since their return to the mountains, they had settled well into their life here. It felt like they had found their place.

They had a routine. Waking up leisurely, feeding the ducks and chickens they had recently started raising, and then doing whatever they wished with Kiyen after breakfast. Each had taken up a hobby.

Kiyen had recently taken up painting. It started when he lightly sketched the blueprint of the cabin Cullen wanted on parchment, but the villagers discovered it and clamored for him to draw their portraits.

Though it sounds cliché, there was nothing Kiyen couldn’t do. After a few practice sessions, he began creating perfect paintings. Besides that, Kiyen would summon ancient flowers. Thanks to him, their home was gradually filled with flowers unseen anywhere else on the continent.

And Cullen began to read books. He hadn’t found them particularly interesting in the Imperial Palace, but here, where it was just the two of them, it was surprisingly enjoyable. Surrounded by the scent of the changing seasons and the sunlight, immersing himself in stories brought a sense of peace.

The once empty cabin slowly began to fill with books. For Cullen, who had never kept or collected anything, this experience itself was new.

They spent their time on their hobbies until lunchtime. Cullen read a book next to Kiyen as he painted. Kiyen often changed his subject based on his mood, and for the past month, he had been setting up near their small lake, where the Kiercharus Flowers were in full bloom.

“Cullen.”

Cullen, who had been reading while leaning against a tree, looked up. Kiyen was looking down at him. He was sitting in a chair that Cullen’s father had made. It was a chair that Cullen had repaired after years of creaking. Kiyen seemed to like it, and had used only that chair ever since.

“Yes.”

“What do you think?”

In response to Kiyen’s question, Cullen glanced at the painting. To Cullen, it seemed finished long ago, but Kiyen kept working on it, seemingly dissatisfied with something. More accurately, he spent more time looking at the scenery than at the painting itself.

“It’s perfect. Though I lack the discernment to judge art, being uncultured…”

Cullen said that and compared the scenery to the painting again. Whether it was possible because he wasn’t human, it was perfectly identical to the lakeside, as if he had brought it here. He had never seen a painting like it, even in the Imperial Palace.

“There seems to be nothing more to add.”

Kiyen looked at the painting for a long time after hearing Cullen’s words, then put down his brush.

“Something is lacking, but I don’t know why.”

If he had put down his brush, it meant he wouldn’t be painting anymore today. Cullen also closed his book. The most enjoyable thing was being with Kiyen, so he didn’t want to do anything else while Kiyen was there. Kiyen’s gaze shifted to the book.

“Are you almost done?”

“Yes. Only a few pages left.”

“We’ll need to get new books.”

With books, they both liked that they could read them together. Their favorite time was when they each shared what they liked after reading, as it clearly showed how much their tastes differed.

Cullen read anything without discrimination, but Kiyen detested love stories. The only ones he found remotely acceptable were stories from history based on reality. He was weary of fictional tales, saying his own life was enough.

“But there are no more readable books in the village.”

When they started developing a hobby for reading, they bought all the books from the village bookstore. Because of this, the bookstore owner was very fond of Kiyen and Cullen, but unfortunately, it seemed they wouldn’t need to visit anymore. What remained were duplicates or children’s fairy tales.

“It seems…”

As Kiyen fell into thought, Cullen heard a presence. Someone was looking for them from the direction of the cabin by the lake.

“Cullen, are you there?”

It was Hope’s voice. She periodically visited with Selem and her brother to pick up flowers and run errands for Cullen. Although they had become friendly with the villagers, it was easier for the two, who didn’t particularly want to meet people, to have her do it.

“It seems Hope has arrived. Shall we go?”

As he said that and turned, Kiyen, who would normally have followed without a word, squinted in the direction Hope was.

“…Kiyen-nim?”

“Why are you back already?”

Kiyen, uttering an inexplicable phrase, stood up abruptly. Watching Kiyen, who never hurried, stride forward, Cullen counted the days. They had agreed to visit once a week, so Hope wasn’t early.

“What do you mean by that?”

Then, Kiyen, who had been walking ahead, stopped abruptly and extended his hand to Cullen. Though he didn’t understand why, Cullen took his offered hand. Kiyen clasped their fingers and walked towards the cabin, staying close to Cullen’s side. Soon after arriving at the cabin, Cullen understood the reason for Kiyen’s strange behavior.

As they approached the cabin, they saw a boy in a cloak. His back was strangely familiar. Hope spotted Cullen first and, upon seeing him, asked with a bewildered expression.

“Cullen, this child is Cullen…”

As soon as he heard the name Cullen, the boy spun around. With his long blonde hair fluttering, Cullen blinked. He hadn’t recognized him at first because of the cloak, but it was clearly Cat.

“Cullen-nim!”

With an anguished cry, Cat rushed towards Cullen. He leaped like a quick squirrel and tried to embrace Cullen. More accurately, he tried to embrace him, but Kiyen intervened. Kiyen snatched Cat’s cloak and easily lifted him up.

“Why are you back so soon, Gold?”

Cat struggled and shouted at the name Kiyen had clearly called intentionally.

“I’m not Gold!”

“Just answer me.”

“I said I’m not Gold!”

Struggling with disgust, Cat pleaded with Cullen for help.

“Cullen-nim… please help me…”

His bright golden eyes instantly welled up with tears, turning blue. Cullen had thought this before, but Cat’s appearance reminded him of a young Kiyen, and seeing him like that, his heart instinctively softened. Cullen stopped Kiyen.

“Kiyen-nim, you shouldn’t lift the child like that.”

“That’s right, it’s child abuse!”

Cat asserted, using a phrase he must have learned somewhere. Hope and Selem’s brother, also looking concerned, cautiously said to Kiyen.

“Um, wouldn’t it be safer to put him down?”

Kiyen looked at Cat with a look of feigned innocence, then pursed his lips and put him down. Having agreed not to reveal their identities to others, Kiyen couldn’t retort that Cat was a Dragon in front of them.

Once on the ground, Cat didn’t give Kiyen a chance to grab him again and quickly ran to Cullen. Buried in Cullen’s embrace, he nuzzled his face and whined.

“I missed you!”

He looked as if they had been separated for years. It had been quite some time since they parted in the Central region. It might have been a brief moment for a Dragon, but Cat was a Young Dragon, so it might feel different. Cullen felt pity that children who still needed care were left alone there, so he silently stroked Cat’s head.

“We met him on the way up here, and he said he was Kiyen…-nim’s child?”

Selem’s brother asked cautiously. His name was Selen, and he was the one who had fallen for Kiyen at first sight and spent a large sum of one Luna. He had since repeatedly fallen for other people and then back for Kiyen, much to Cullen’s annoyance. Since Kiyen didn’t particularly like Selem visiting, they had distributed the visits evenly, and today was his turn.

“He is not my child.”

Kiyen denied it flatly. Hope, who was listening, raised a question.

“But didn’t you say before that you had a child with Cullen?”

“What?”

Selen asked, overly surprised. Cullen threw a cold remark at him.

“It’s none of your concern, Selen.”

Perhaps due to the memory of once confessing his love to Kiyen while drunk and getting his stomach punched by Cullen, Selen hastily nodded.

“Yes, that’s right.”

As Selen retreated, Cat stepped forward. Cat turned his head sharply and looked up at Kiyen, confidently asserting.

“You are my dad!”

“I have never had a disobedient son like you.”

At that, Cat pondered for a moment and asked.

“If I obey, will you make me your son?”

Kiyen refused outright.

“Of course not.”

“Cullen-nim…!”

Cat, with a face as if the world had collapsed, clung to him again. Hope looked confused by the situation unfolding before her eyes, then soon gave up trying to understand.

“Whatever family matters you have, I hope you resolve them. I brought the settlement money and the items you requested.”

At Hope’s words, Selen cautiously handed a leather pouch to Kiyen. His wish to get close to Kiyen somehow had paid off. Unable to stop Kiyen, who had Cat clinging to him, Cullen substituted a warning by gazing at Selen with cool, violet eyes. Selen then carefully placed the pouch he was about to hand to Kiyen on the ground.

“By the way, will you really not sell the Kiercharus Flowers?”

Hope, without tiring for two months, haggled before leaving. Flower matters were entirely Kiyen’s domain, so Cullen waited for Kiyen’s answer.

“The Kiercharus Flowers are too precious to be used for human amusement.”

Seeing Kiyen refuse flatly, Hope muttered a small complaint.

“My, you speak as if you aren’t human yourselves.”

Cat and Kiyen, who were indeed not human, fell silent. Cullen, also ambiguously outside that category, had nothing to say. Hope, not having asked the question seriously, quickly gave up.

“Just you wait. I’ll keep asking until you sell them. For today, I’ll be going. Have a good reunion with your family!”

Hope, leaving faster than usual, was overheard whispering to Selen, “When faced with a troublesome situation, the best answer is to leave quickly.” It was a wise decision.

“So, why exactly are you here, Gold?”

“Cullen-nim, Kiyen-nim keeps calling me Gold!”

Despite the passage of time, the child, who still looks like a cute and small boy, used his appearance to whimper. Watching her hold Cullen’s clothes with her small hands and speak sorrowfully made my heart waver repeatedly. Moreover, Cat also had debts. When he tried to leave the cabin, he had a history of leaving Cat alone while crying, so Cullen felt particularly sorry for Cat.

“Please call me by my proper name, Kien.””As Cullen sided with Cat, Kyen raised his golden eyes like a cat.”

“Are you siding with that little kid right now?” You are my lover, Cullen.”I am also a child of Kien!””I have never given birth to a dragon like you.” You are a dragon that was picked up.As Cullen watched the beautiful blonde beauty and the boy fighting, he felt a sense of confusion. I have thought this for a while, but Cat really resembles Kyen. When there was black and white, it wasn’t as confusing because I was mixed in with them, but now it felt like witnessing a scene where young Kien and grown-up Kien were fighting.

“Please call me Cat, Kien.””Kullen decided to mediate for now.” Kien looked at Cullen with an unjust expression. As soon as Cullen saw those eyes, he quickly said to Cat.

“And Cat, what is going on?” Why did you come back alone?”Cat suddenly stopped her tearful sobbing and buried her face in Cullen’s belly, saying.

“I came because I missed you so much, Cullen!” I wanted to see white and black as well, but since we couldn’t all leave at the same time, we decided on an order. Next time, White will come.”Kien, who was listening, asked with a look of disbelief.”

“Order?””Yes!””The cat quickly answered and then ran over to Kien, spreading its arms wide.”

“We competed to see who could use magic the best!” I won. Did I do well?The eyes that seemed to seek praise looked at Kien with longing. However, Kien ignored Cat’s earnest wish and said something else.

“Why is black the last one?””In an instant, Cat looked down at the ground with a sulky face.” Despite openly showing her disappointment, Cat replied to Kien’s words consistently.

“Black is better at swordplay than magic.””The face that was just excited now looked so downcast that it weighed on my heart.” Kullen hesitated and approached him, gently patting his head.

“Well done.”Then Cat’s face suddenly brightened. Cat, blushing to the point of having rosy cheeks, tugged at Cullen’s hem.

“Really?””Yes.” It’s a good dragon.”So, do we get an award?””I don’t know where he learned it, but since it was something that suited him, Cullen willingly decided to grant his request.”

What do you want?”Please hug me!””Cat spread its arms and whined.” Kyen shook his head at Cullen, but he couldn’t ignore the young Kyen, no, Cat, who was looking at him eagerly. Kullen slowly embraced Cat. The child was light enough to be held with one arm. Cat, who buried her face in Cullen’s nape, smelled like grass. It was a scent that suited the name.

“Have you had your meal?””No!””Since it’s lunchtime, it would be good to have a meal together first.”Kyen quickly followed Cullen as he entered the cabin holding the cat.

“Cats are like dragons; they don’t need to eat three meals a day.”As soon as Kien finished speaking, Cat shook her head vigorously.

I want to eat. I’m hungry. Shall we have lunch…?”Kien looked at her with a disdainful gaze again, but Cat bravely said that she was hungry.” It’s a fortunate thing. Kullen wanted to show Cat the improved cooking skills he had developed over the past few months. Kullen asked Kyen in a tone that indicated he would not accept any objections.

“Please put down the plate, Kien.”When Kien learned that Cullen does not compromise when he speaks like this, he eventually squinted and closed the cabin door.

The cabin where only the two of us used to stay has definitely become much noisier with one more person. Cat, who entered the cabin, was very excited to hear that there was a room built for them, and couldn’t hide her joy while looking at her room. Then, forgetting all about saying that he was hungry, he ran outside to find something to decorate the room. It seemed that Kien was about to pick the flowers he had grown.

While Cat was out, Cullen began to prepare the meal. Kyen set three place settings on the table according to Cullen’s instructions. I filled Cat and Kyen’s cups with the peach honey tea that Sellem made and served the omelet I made in the morning on a plate.

Since raising chickens, Cullen has been very satisfied with his recent meals as he can now use the eggs in his cooking. In particular, the omelet made today with onions, tomatoes, and pickled pork was the most successful one I’ve made in recent times.

“The dragon does not necessarily need to eat.” You’re only saying that because you’re indulging in my childishness. Rather, it will confuse the identity.”After Cullen put down the bread for the last time, Kien offered some advice.” As I made eye contact with Kien at the mention of identity, he continued to explain.

“Unlike me, even though white and black are together, it means that they might mingle with humans and mistakenly think that their habits are mine.” It will get confusing later. It probably won’t be a very good feeling. Confusing one’s identity before becoming an adult does not help, even if one is old enough.Kullen realized that Kyen was concerned about Cat in his own way. Moreover, the discussion about identity was also Kien’s personal experience. Kullen still remembered the image of Kien, who could not distinguish between himself and the bird, trapped in the palace. Now, having completely returned with the wings of a dragon, wasn’t there a time when Kien had wings adorned with feathers similar to those of a bird?

“If you say that directly, I will be happy.” The cat is still a young dragon, isn’t it?”I will soon become an adult.” It’s not a young age.”Come to think of it, the dragon said it would become an adult after a year.” It sounded quite unrealistic as it was a concept that didn’t resonate.

“Still, for now, it is the appearance of a young child, and in reality, they are just over six months old.””Animals become adults in one year.” Usually, it takes about 10 months to get close to adulthood. Do not judge based on human standards.”They are not human, but aren’t they similar enough?””Having spent some time without any friction or disputes, it felt strange to exchange differing opinions like this.” Kien stared at Cullen with a frowning face, as if he had a lot to say. Just as he was about to finish speaking, Cat returned home.

“I have arrived!”The cat was holding various tree fruits and flowers, including acorns, in its arms. In that short amount of time, whether I flew around the forest or not, the amount I was holding was considerable. The mentioned cheeks and tousled long blonde hair clearly indicated that she was in a very excited state. Thinking about the fact that children, who should be playing at their age, are guarding the central region made my heart heavy again.

“Have you returned?””Perhaps reflecting a feeling of pity, Cullen spoke in a gentle voice, as he would to Kyen.” Cat nodded with a very excited expression.

“Yes!” There were so many fruits!”Please leave it in the room.” Don’t forget to wash your hands.”Yes!””Cat was a well-behaved child.” Both white and black, when you think about it, were like that. Each person has unpredictable aspects, but this was gentle enough to be hard to find elsewhere.

Cat quickly followed Cullen’s words, placed the fruit in my newly created room, then took off the cloak and washed his hands in the bucket he had brought to the kitchen. It was water from the lake set aside for cooking, but Cullen did not point that out and simply patted his head.

Quickly finishing her preparations, Cat sat between Cullen and Kien. The child looked at the food in front of them and seemed to be filled with joy.

“Wow!” It’s very different from what I used to eat in the central region! There, I only grilled and ate tasteless monster meat, so I only ate flowers.”Saying that, Cat picked up the fork and knife.” The feeling of pity has increased.

“Please help yourself.””I will eat well!”The cat, chirping like a joyful bird, immediately picked up a knife and sliced the omelet. Kullen waited for him with a face full of hidden expectations. Kien was watching Cat and Cullen with his chin resting on his hand. Kien, who had been expressing dissatisfaction all along, was quiet for the first time.

The cat opened its small mouth wide and then put the omelet in all at once. Throughout the time Cat was munching on the omelet with a moonlit face, there was no change in her expression. Colleen asked the cat that had swallowed the food after chewing it thoroughly.

“How is it?”Kien also listened carefully. Cat tilted its head and looked at Cullen and the food, then smiled brightly.

“It’s delicious!”There was no deceit mixed in the bright voice. Kyen, who was waiting for Cat’s reaction, spoke aloud to himself.

“That can’t be.””Before I could even ask what that meant, Kien cut the omelet that was placed in front of me and swallowed it.” With a serious face, Kien said to Cat.

“Have you learned to lie after mingling with humans?”Kien’s fork pointed at the omelet.

“I wouldn’t call this delicious.””It seems that the one who learned to lie was Kyen.” Just a few days ago, I was happy to hear that my cooking skills had improved, and now I’m saying such things to Cat.

“What did you just say, Kien?”Then Kien flinched and stiffened. The fork quietly descended.

“…he said that your cooking is hard to be delicious.”Kien calmly repeated what I had said. Although he acted kindly, it was not enough to reverse Cullen’s displeasure.

“Did you not say that my cooking skills had definitely improved a week ago?””Compared to before, I have become a different person.””Kien was serious, and Cullen also judged that this was a compliment.”

“But why did you just say the same thing?””Your cooking is edible.”Kien spoke the truth while wearing an apologetic expression.

“But as I said before, loving you cannot change reality.”Then Kien pointed to the faint burn mark on the omelet.

“It’s hard to say that there is no burning smell.”Kyen quickly turned the arrow towards Cat.

“So if your sense of taste is normal, you couldn’t say this is delicious.” Are you betraying the pride of the dragon to look good in front of Cullen?”While Kien and Cullen continued their argument, Cat was chewing on food with her cheeks puffed up as if she was eating an omelet.” The cat, with sparkling eyes, shook its head after finishing the omelet.

“It’s true.” The dishes made by humans like Junon or Helen are always burnt. This hardly smells burnt, and the ingredients are normal.”Kien rubbed his chin with a sound of contemplation.” It was definitely a compliment, but I felt a slight sting as if I had been insulted. However, Cullen decided to be satisfied with the fact that he received a positive review.

“You are a good child.”Kullen stroked Cat’s head. Cat looked at Cullen with a face that couldn’t hide its joy.

“You’re beautiful!””The expression of being pretty suits Cat or Kien more than it suits me.””But Kien is mean.” Pretty but bad.The cat demonstrated improved vocabulary that had not been seen before. Kyen frowned at the remark about being mean.

“What kind of habit is that for your guardian?”As soon as Cat heard Kyen’s voice lower, she got up from her seat and went over to Cullen. Cat, who hugged his upper body tightly, said while hiding behind him.

“Mr. Cullen, Mr. Kien is trying to scold me.” You didn’t used to be like that in the past…”Kullen stared silently at Kyen.” Kien, facing his gaze directly, made the same sorrowful expression.

“Cullen, are you saying you would listen to that little dragon instead of me right now?””Originally, I would unconditionally side with Kien, but as I mentioned earlier, he kept becoming weaker towards Cat, who looks like a young Kien.” Moreover, Kien just ignored my cooking.

Although recognizing my skills is a fundamental quality for development, Cullen was really quite confident about the omelet he made today. At other times, he would say sweet words that could melt a heart, but Kien was particularly harsh when it came to my cooking. The dissatisfaction that had been building up for about four months slightly surfaced.

“At least the cat enjoys my cooking, doesn’t it?”After finishing his words, Cullen stood up while holding Cat in his arms. Cat quickly jumped into Cullen’s arms. Kien opened his eyes wide as if he had been betrayed.

“Since you have returned after a long time, I will show Cat around the area.” It would be better for Kien to find something else to eat on his own.”Kullen, wait a moment…!”Kien was rarely flustered. He seemed to be looking at Cullen like a surprised rabbit, as if he never thought Cullen would really get angry. Kullen gathered his strength as his heart was about to weaken and left the cabin.

Kullen began to walk around the cabin with Cat. Cat, who was following while holding Cullen’s hand, couldn’t hide her joy every time she saw a flower. As I quietly watched the cat play, I suddenly became curious about what Kien’s childhood was like. Looking back, Kien had never properly told the story from that time.

“The area near the cabin has become really beautiful.””Cat said that when they arrived at the lakeside where the Kearsharus flowers were swaying.” Perhaps because I had been running around excitedly for a while, I seemed more subdued than earlier.

“Mr. Kien has restored many flowers.”There are many flowers that you haven’t told us about. It would be nice if we could bloom such flowers abundantly in the central region. It’s too desolate there.”Cat was examining each flower one by one.”

“Is it something that cannot be created unless Mr. Kien tells us?””I cannot summon things that I do not know exactly.” Mr. Kien has lived for a very long time and knows all the flowers here, but I didn’t know until today. But now I will be able to do it! If only I knew the name… Still, I cannot summon the Kiarsharus flower. This flower only grows near clean lakes.The cat ran to the lake where the Kearsharus flowers bloomed and got trapped inside.

“I like the Kiarsharus flower the most.” What about Cullen?”I also like that flower the most.””Thinking of the flower called Cullen, Kyen smiled silently.” Seeing that scene, Cat laughed along.

“Mr. Cullen doesn’t look sad anymore!” The Guardian is the same. The flowers say that you two are happy.”Does it look like that?””Yes.” So it’s good.Then Cat brought its nose close to the swaying Kearsharus flower. As she smelled the fragrance, Cat continued speaking.

“Both Black and White will be very happy to see it.””I also want to see both of you.””Next time, White will come, so please wait a little!” Black will have to wait a little longer.Then Cat seemed to remember something and asked Cullen.

“If it’s okay, may I pick two flowers of the Kearsharus?” Black really wants to see this flower.”Kullen was troubled.” I thought I should ask Kien about that part. Even if I allowed it, I didn’t think Kien would say anything, but knowing that he particularly cherishes this flower made it difficult for me to decide on my own.

“I think I need to ask Mr. Kien.””Yes!” Since Kien likes flowers the most, if you say you don’t want them, I won’t take them either.Kullen chuckled at the considerate words. Cullen, bending down to match the cat’s eye level, looked at him and said.

“You two look very alike.””

“Really?””Yes.””I would like that.””At Cullen’s words that they resembled each other, Cat’s face gradually became gloomy.” It was an unexpected change in mood. The large golden eyes began to fill with tears, and Cullen quickly knelt down to meet his gaze.

“What is the matter?””Cat pouted her lips in thought, glancing at Cullen before speaking.”

“Unlike Kien, I am not brave.”Before hearing more of the explanation, Cat had tears welling up in her eyes. Before long, tears flowed down the small cheeks. Whether it was influenced by the child’s mood or not, the once sunny sky began to gradually cloud over.

“Why did you think that?””It’s been a while since I comforted a child.” Kullen rubbed Cat’s cheek with a puzzled expression. The cat quietly accepted his touch and continued to speak sadly.

“I am the best at using magic, but I am the worst at killing monsters.” Black or white can easily kill, but when I actually try to kill, I can’t do it.”There was a mix of sniffles.”

“However, Lord Kien easily deals with monsters without any trouble.” I don’t resemble Kien at all.”The crying cat corrected one in the meantime.”

“They look somewhat alike, though.””

The child who finally spoke the words held within sobbed as if pouring out all the accumulated sorrow. Not having expected Cat, who had stayed there of his own volition, to say such things, Cullen chastised himself belatedly.

As Kiyen had said, he was also a Dragon, and seeing how he had always calmly slain Demonic Beasts, Cullen supposed he had unconsciously thought it would be alright. Cullen’s expression darkened with the feeling that he had passed his own duties onto them.

“Cat, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to. No one is forcing you, and no one has the right to compel you.”

Cat shook his head.

“It’s not that I don’t want to, but I hate killing things. It was fine at first, but as the numbers increased…”

Cat trailed off. Seeing the child’s face full of melancholy, Cullen’s heart grew heavy.

What Cat was experiencing was not something with a clear answer. While Junon and Kihelene were taking responsibility for their own actions, the Young Dragons were staying there out of pure goodwill. Cullen worried not only for Cat but also for Black and White.

“Cat.”

Cullen gently took Cat’s hand. Cat blinked his wet eyelashes and looked at Cullen.

“That’s natural. It’s not your fault, Cat. Besides…”

Smiling softly, he wiped away the tears from Cat’s eyes.

“Kiyen dislikes killing living things very much too.”

Looking at it that way, the resemblance between Cat and Kiyen felt more profound. And at the same time, if Kiyen had been similar to Cat now, he could faintly picture how much he must have struggled while killing people.

“The Guardian too?”

Cat asked again, his face disbelieving. Tears still welled in Cat’s eyes, but his sobbing had stopped, as Cullen’s words had piqued his interest.

“Yes. He suffered greatly.”

“I didn’t know.”

“Everyone has aspects they don’t reveal. It wasn’t a good memory for Kiyen, so he wouldn’t have wanted to talk about it. So, Cat, you don’t have to worry about not resembling Kiyen. Both of you possess a nature that abhors unnecessary bloodshed.”

Those words seemed to calm Cat a little. Rubbing his cheek against Cullen’s hand that was wiping his eyes, Cat asked,

“Will Kiyen be disappointed if I come back?”

“Yes, he will be.”

Cat showed a hesitant expression. After hesitating greatly, the child finally shook his head.

“But if I come back, Black and White will have a hard time.”

“Can’t you all come back together?”

“It’s difficult for humans to deal with the Demonic Beasts there. They’ll get hurt a lot.”

As if having organized her thoughts after speaking aloud, Cat said with forced cheerfulness,

“Come to think of it, it’s fine! Kiyen said I’m similar to him, and that alone is enough for me.”

“No, it’s not fine. It’s not good to develop the habit of giving up so early in life.”

Cullen stood up and ruffled Cat’s hair. The golden hair scattered softly, without a single tangle. Cat placed his hands on his head with a bewildered look.

“Kiyen and I will discuss the matter of that place.”

“Ah, no!”

Cat grabbed Cullen’s sleeve with a desperate look.

“What if Kiyen gets disappointed…?”

Seeing his genuine concern, Cullen picked the child up. Patting the child’s back, Cullen whispered in his ear,

“Kiyen doesn’t get disappointed over things like that.”

“Really? It’s a promise.”

To Cat, who wanted a promise, Cullen quietly extended his pinky finger. Cat looked at the extended finger with confusion.

“What is this?”

“When humans make a promise, they link their pinky fingers like this. Not everyone does it, but I always did when I made a promise with someone precious to me.”

Cullen explained gently, as he would to Sasha. Cat looked at Cullen with wonder, then soon extended his finger. Linking his finger with the small, white one, Cullen said with sincerity,

“I promise.”

Once the promise was sealed with linked fingers, Cat finally seemed relieved, hugging Cullen’s neck tightly and burying his face. As he slowly stroked the child’s back, the dark clouds gradually receded. Under the sky that had brightened as if it had never been overcast, Cullen soothed Cat until he fell asleep.

Perhaps the long flight and the outburst of tears had drained his energy, as Cat fell into a deep sleep. Dragons didn’t need sleep, but perhaps his exhausted spirit desired it.

Cullen carefully carried the sleeping Cat back to the cabin, where Kiyen was waiting. Leaning against the cabin door, Kiyen spoke softly as soon as he saw Cullen return.

“Cat seems to have been crying.”

These words came out before he even looked at the child’s face.

“How did you know?”

“I knew when I saw the rain that was about to fall but didn’t.”

Kiyen, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, slowly straightened his posture. He walked over to Cullen and examined Cat’s sleeping face. He wondered what thoughts lay behind the expressionless face.

“What did you talk about?”

“It seems he found dealing with the Demonic Beasts in the central region to be overwhelming.”

At those words, Kiyen lowered his gaze. He raised a finger, intending to touch Cat, but slowly pulled it back.

“For now, it would be best to let him sleep in the room.”

Cullen asked Kiyen, who retreated without touching Cat,

“Cat would be happy if you treated him kindly. Aren’t you a kind person, Kiyen?”

Kiyen looked skeptical. Kiyen, who had been quietly gazing at Cat, opened his mouth.

“Cat will see many mortals die before me in the future. The time spent with them is short, so I can somehow forget them, but it’s different for you and me. It wouldn’t be good to witness the death of someone you depend on mentally. It’s better to remain merely an advisor than to become such a person.”

Kiyen’s logic bore a superficial resemblance to what Cullen had thought in the past. Cullen slowly opened the cabin door and said to him as he entered,

“But it’s better to have someone to depend on than to grow up without anyone.”

Cullen headed to Cat’s room and gently laid him on the bed. Then, he sat down beside Cat. Gazing at the sleeping child’s pale face, he continued,

“Besides, the child already looks up to you a great deal, Kiyen.”

“He will forget in time. Doesn’t Cat have other kin beside him?”

“Kin and guardians are distinctly different, Kiyen.”

Cullen said so and turned his gaze to Kiyen. He was leaning against the doorframe, watching them both. A faint shadow slanted across Kiyen’s face. Kiyen hesitated for a moment at Cullen’s retort, but then said calmly,

“I grew up alone, without the presence of a guardian. I didn’t need to lose anyone. This is easier for enduring the long years.”

Cullen carefully examined Kiyen’s face. The more he looked, the more he felt as if Kiyen had explained why he felt so concerned for Cat. It wasn’t just Cat. Whenever Cullen saw the Young Dragons, he kept seeing Kiyen, who had grown up alone and had to endure by himself.

Knowing that Kiyen’s past could never return, he seemed to have mistakenly thought that treating the children better might somehow compensate for Kiyen’s past.

Cullen slowly rose from the bed and approached Kiyen. Unlike Cullen, who had revealed his own wounds, Kiyen still had stories left untold. He didn’t want to force painful stories upon him. He just wanted him to know.

“What you’re saying, Kiyen, is similar to the logic I once used. I didn’t want to feel anything anymore, because I didn’t want to lose the people I loved. That was true even before I met you, and it remained true even after we drifted apart. And as you know…”

Cullen gently stroked Kiyen’s cheek.

“The outcome wasn’t very good. Perhaps if you were a being incapable of feeling, but both you and Cat feel emotions.”

Kiyen blinked his eyelashes. Cat, looking up at him by the lake, overlapped with his face.

“I don’t know how long I have left to live, and I don’t know how much life you’ve been granted, but if we had continued to fear such a future, we wouldn’t be together now. Even if I die, I want you to find solace in remembering our happy memories. I believe that’s better than not feeling pain by not feeling anything at all.”

Kiyen asked back in a subdued voice.

“But didn’t you grieve for the people of the past?”

“That was because I didn’t have beings like you or Ulli beside me. Not caring about anyone might seem like an easy way out at first glance, but even when I thought I wasn’t feeling sadness, I was sad. And Kiyen, Cat will have Black and White to protect him. Even if they lose me and you, they will have each other to comfort their pain…”

Cullen cupped Kiyen’s cheeks and pulled his face closer. Touching foreheads, he whispered,

“While we can, wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to make the children happy?”

At a distance where their eyelashes could touch, they gazed at each other. Kiyen’s blue-green eyes, unlike Cat’s, did not show tears, but just by looking into his eyes, Cullen felt the buried sorrow. He wanted to comfort and embrace him. And Cullen decided to follow what he desired.

Cullen moved closer, their foreheads still touching. He caught Kiyen’s unique scent. While he had been seeing Cat and Kiyen as overlapping figures all along, unlike the faint scent of grass from Cat, Kiyen exuded an elegant and gentle fragrance.

Gently stroking his soft cheek, his hand gradually moved down. Embracing his shoulders, Cullen lightly kissed his lips. Kiyen watched him, not even blinking. As he spoke of the end of life, an ineffable tenderness welled up. Despite loving him with all his might every moment, the thought that it wasn’t enough crept in.

“The reason I could gather the courage was also for this. I thought loving you like this would bring you more joy than preventing you from loving me. So that even if I die first, you can remember me and be happy.”

Kiyen, who had been listening to Cullen’s words all along, pulled him closer. His strong, firm arms wrapped tightly around Cullen’s waist.

“I will not let you go first, Cullen.”

Kiyen whispered in a voice devoid of any doubt.

“A world without you is meaningless to me. I have already experienced that hell. Even for just three years, I wanted to die so badly that it was unbearable, so don’t say such things.”

“But…”

“I have shared my Immortality with you. So, what you fear will not happen.”

Cullen knew he would live a different life, having gained divine power, but he hadn’t considered that far. Perhaps it was because the blessing of facing the end of life like Kiyen felt too undeserved.

“But I was originally human. No matter how long someone with divine power lives, they will die before you, a Dragon.”

Even if Kiyen had given up his immortality, the life he had been granted was an immeasurable span compared to his own. He tried not to think about the end, but once the words were spoken, anxiety arose. This was especially true given his past experience of trying to sever everything to avoid the future sorrow that awaited him.

But Kiyen said with a confident expression.

“Since it was created by splitting my Immortality, our lives will be connected in some way. Even if not, if you die, there is no reason for me to continue living.”

Kiyen winced slightly, as if even the mere possibility was painful. With eyes filled with sorrow, he pulled Cullen into his embrace. His arms squeezed Cullen’s back tightly. Listening only to each other’s breaths, they held each other like that for a while.

The sensation of skin touching skin gradually became clearer, and as their body temperatures slowly rose, their emotions heightened. Something churning inside rose to the back of their throats, about to spill out, when Cat stirred.

The intense sensation, on the verge of bursting, subsided for a moment. However, the heat that had risen in their bodies was difficult to quell easily, so Cullen tightened his arms around Kiyen and let out a small sigh. Kiyen also gently bit and released his neck. His large hand firmly stroked Cullen’s back.

After holding each other like that for a long time, with a sense of regret, Cullen released his arms as Cat’s stirring sounds gradually faded. Kiyen released him only after nibbling on his neck as if he didn’t want to part.

“We should exercise restraint while Cat is here.”

It was an unspoken word, but Kiyen seemed to understand perfectly.

“You’re torturing me.”

Cullen chuckled at the voice that sounded genuinely pained. The tightness in his chest felt a little lighter.

“I’ll consider it payment for insulting my cooking.”

“If Cat hadn’t come, none of this would have happened.”

Kiyen said so and briefly gazed at Cat lying on the bed. After a short silence, he said to Cullen,

“I understand what you’re saying. I’ll try. I’ve never done it before, so I won’t be as good as you.”

“For someone who claims that, you’ve always been popular with children, Kiyen.”

Despite being gruff with children, Kiyen had always captured their attention. To Cullen’s remark, Kiyen responded silently,

“That’s probably because of my looks.”

It was true. Kiyen hesitated and added,

“I have no experience caring for anyone. So, dealing with young ones is difficult…”

Kiyen turned his gaze to Cullen.

“If you weren’t here, it would have been difficult to be a good guardian. Even now, I’m not confident.”

Kiyen let out a hum, having given a compliment that could easily be embarrassing.

“How long is Cat staying here?”

“It’s not decided. Regarding that, it seems the children are finding it difficult to kill Demonic Beasts. More precisely, they seem to struggle with killing living things.”

Cullen gazed at the sleeping Cat with a troubled look.

“I’ll have to hear from Black and White, but Cat definitely seemed to struggle with that aspect.”

“I see.”

Kiyen, who had been silently watching Cat, nodded after a moment.

“I’ll think of a way. It will take some time.”

Before saying he understood, Cullen held Kiyen’s hand and implored,

“It must not be a method that will surprise me like last time.”

Although his voice sounded calm, Cullen was earnest. Kiyen nodded with a gentle expression.

“Now that you’ve told me you want me, I have no intention of doing such a thing behind your back. That’s why it’s taking more time.”

“I understand.”

“Until then, I’ll try to be an average guardian, following your words. Though I don’t know how.”

“We can figure that out together. It’s been a long time for me too, dealing with a child.”

Cullen rested his head on Kiyen’s shoulder and smiled.

“If we do it together, we’ll find a way.”

Cullen found it strange that he was now naturally saying things like this, when he had always solved problems alone. Kiyen must have felt the same.

Cullen made sure Cat could play like a child as much as possible during his stay. It wasn’t decided if Cat would stay permanently, but it seemed important to let him rest comfortably in whichever direction things went. And surprisingly, their cabin had many things for children to play with.

Cat loved the swing Cullen had made. He seemed to enjoy it as if he could fly through the sky without using his wings.

He also loved playing with animals, and perhaps because he resembled Kiyen so much, the animals weren’t particularly afraid of him. When Cullen was nearby, they didn’t approach him much, but as soon as Cullen stepped back, wild animals of all kinds comfortably stayed by Cat’s side.

Though it was a pity for Cat, Cullen took the opportunity to hunt a few rabbits. Fortunately, Kiyen had looked away at that moment, so Cullen was able to get through it without making Cat cry.

Just by adding one more member to their household, each day became livelier. Cullen often found himself looking towards the central region where Black and White were, thinking it would have been even more fun with them there.

After hearing Cat’s words, it became even harder to ignore. Separate from Kiyen’s promise to think of a solution, Cullen also continued to ponder during that time. Sometimes, he felt an impulsive urge to embark on a journey.

But the timing was too early. They had only rested for about half a year. Even that was barely over four months since returning to Mount Tesnia. They were just beginning to adapt to a peaceful daily life, and Cullen had judged that both he and Kiyen needed a certain amount of respite. Having fought their entire lives, he felt they deserved at least that much. Nevertheless, at times, he felt this wasn’t like himself.

As the worries continued, time flowed by quickly. Within a week, Cat had gained weight and was much brighter than before she arrived.

Today was the day Hope and Selem were visiting, so Cullen had returned with Cat after picking flowers since morning. The flowers that grew wild around their cabin were not just ornamental; many were good for use as herbs, providing great help to the village herbalist, not just for festivals or special occasions.

Before noon, Hope and Selem appeared. Though Cullen didn’t know what Hope had told her, Selem’s face was already flushed with excitement from the moment she arrived.

“Cullen!”

Selem, having put aside her brief infatuation with Cullen, now greeted him cheerfully. She waved her hand excitedly and ran ahead of Hope. As he had just returned with Cat, he was holding her. Cat particularly loved being carried by Kiyen or Cullen.

“I heard from Hope that an incredibly, incredibly beautiful child appeared. Is it Kiyen’s son?”

At that, Cat’s face lit up. Kiyen, who had just come out of the cabin, frowned upon hearing that.

“Cat……”

Cat’s eyes filled with growing anticipation. The child, unable to hide her excitement, looked back and forth between Cullen and Kiyen. Meanwhile, Selem peered at Cat and let out a shriek like a lark.

“Oh my, I’ve never seen such a beautiful child in my life! Her hair color and eye color are just like Kiyen’s? Hello, little one. What’s your name?”

To Selem’s question, Cat quickly replied.

“Cat!”

Hope, who had just walked up beside Selem, widened her eyes.

“That’s your name?”

“Yes. Cullen gave it to me. Isn’t it very pretty?”

Hope and Selem both looked at Cullen. Reading the gentle reproach in their eyes, Cullen calmly countered.

“It was Cat’s desired name.”

“How would a newborn know the meaning of her own name?”

She wasn’t a baby but a Young Dragon, and Cat had indeed wanted that name, but Cullen silently accepted the criticism as his due.

“Kiyen, are you alright with the child having a name like this?”

To Hope’s question, Cat again looked at Kiyen with expectant eyes. Kiyen, frowning and hesitating, replied with a faint sigh.

“She resembles me, so she’ll live well regardless of her name.”

Finally, joy bloomed across Cat’s face. Seeing her so happy that Cullen could even hear her heart pounding, he let out a soft chuckle. Cat nodded vigorously, agreeing with Kiyen.

“I’ll live well!”

“Of course, whose child is she?”

Hope said that, then suddenly seemed to realize something strange and looked back and forth between Cullen and Kiyen.

“……She’s your child, right? I haven’t made a mistake, have I? Like, from a previous wife…?”

Cullen let out a short cough at the unexpected question. Kiyen, however, smoothed over the situation without a hint of disturbance.

“She is my and Cullen’s child.”

“Wow, I see. How fascinating. Who among you……”

Selem rolled her eyes, observing Cullen and Kiyen. She seemed to have something she wanted to ask, but Cullen chose not to hear. Meanwhile, Kiyen asked Hope.

“Do I need to go down immediately?”

It was rare for Kiyen to speak first, so Hope looked at him with surprised eyes. Seemingly flustered, she quickly shook her head.

“No, not particularly.”

“I would appreciate it if you could spare me some time, as I have something to say.”

“Oh, of course. We’re partners, after all.”

Not having been forewarned, Cullen also looked at Kiyen with a puzzled expression.

“Before that, I will speak with Cullen first. If it’s alright, could you spend some time with Cat for a moment?”

Selem volunteered.

“I happened to bring a pie. Cat, would you like to try the pie I made together?”

Cat’s eyes lit up at the mention of pie. Before Cullen could even set her down, Cat jumped down on her own, running towards Selem without looking back. Like a beast lured by food.

“I’ll eat it!”

Selem smiled and took Cat inside the cabin. Following Hope’s nod to go ahead, Cullen began to walk with Kiyen. They headed towards the lake without a word.

The small lake, now fully settled as if it had been there forever, was calm today as well. The wind that blew stirred the Kiercharus Flowers before sweeping through Cullen’s hair.

Kiyen stood by the lake for a moment in silence. Cullen didn’t rush him, instead savoring the moment. The peculiar sentiment of the autumn breeze made his heart feel unsettled.

“To be honest, I don’t care what happens to the human world. I probably never will. Even if I dislike seeing life perish, I can’t protect everyone.”

He turned his gaze towards the calm voice. Kiyen was looking at the lake.

“But you are not like that. Sometimes, I felt your actions were futile……”

Kiyen slowly met his eyes. His gaze, looking down at Cullen, held the colors of autumn.

“Nevertheless, I like seeing you happy in the world you’ve created. I’ve learned things since we’ve been together. Perhaps I knew it before. While you don’t seek praise or accolades, you often have a peaceful expression after doing what you must.”

“If you mean before, are you referring to when you were traveling?”

Kiyen reached out his hand wordlessly. He gently stroked Cullen’s purplish-black hair and nodded slightly.

“It was when I resented you for helping people of your own accord. I still don’t particularly like it. But I also know you won’t ever leave troublesome beings as they are.”

Kiyen’s face, as he slowly laid out his thoughts, seemed as serene as the lake.

“Cat and the other Dragons were born from you. Without you, neither I nor the new Dragons would exist. Humans seem to understand it in a different sense, but……”

Kiyen glanced towards the cabin and chuckled.

“They are children who share your heart, so it’s perhaps natural that they volunteered to protect that place. And at the same time, they will suffer.”

“They also resemble you, Kiyen. They are strong like you, and at the same time, they have faith.”

“I have no faith.”

“If I were you, after enduring such a long time, I wouldn’t have tried to trust a human again.”

He meant it sincerely. Unlike himself, who had been ready to abandon humanity after mere decades of suffering, Kiyen had preserved himself through ages he couldn’t even imagine. He had been confused and hurt, but ultimately, he hadn’t gone mad like Belarus or Iris.

“That’s why I care about Cat and the children. Beyond the fact that they are at an age where they are precious and deserve care, I know that the children have that aspect of you. Realistically, they have no relation to us, but……”

Cullen also glanced at the cabin like Kiyen and smiled. In a different sense than the misunderstanding Hope and Selem had, the Young Dragons were like their children.

“Since they were given life because you and I existed, aren’t they our children?”

Kiyen’s eyebrows curved together, and his expression softened. He parted his thin lips for a long moment, then lowered the hand that had been stroking Cullen’s hair. His long arm brushed past the Kiercharus Flowers. He gently stroked the purple flower, which was sprouting new shoots along its stem.

“Do you know the meaning of Kiercharus?”

Cullen shook his head.

“I heard it’s an ancient language. The only ancient word I know is your name, so… I don’t know.”

At that, Kiyen’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. Kiyen, smiling amidst the purple flowers, felt like a vision. Cullen wondered if this moment might be a dream he was having in the past. Back then, Cullen had wanted to see this sight and had dragged him along, imagining Kiyen smiling more beautifully than the blooming flowers.

Following Kiyen, Cullen also stroked the flowers. As his touch moved, the purple light within the stamens spread like tiny dots and rose into the sky. Not having properly touched flowers before, Cullen hadn’t realized the lights flickering inside moved like this. Purple lights began to ascend into the blue sky, upside down.

“Kiercharus means devotion and miracle.”

Kiyen said that and looked directly at Cullen’s face. Cullen, who had been watching the lights scatter into the sky without descending, turned his gaze. On Kiyen’s golden irises, his own faint reflection and the spreading lights behind him were minutely captured.

“The reason Kiercharus only blooms by the lake is partly because they live with the lake’s help, but……”

Kiyen’s gaze drifted down to Cullen’s collarbone, where a large scar was visible.

“It is a plant that kills itself to save the lake when the lake is about to die from drying up or becoming polluted. Despite all living beings having an instinctual desire to live, the Kiercharus Flower is a life that uniquely possesses self-sacrifice.”

The moment he heard that, Cullen felt he understood what Kiyen was trying to say.

“Like you.”

Kiyen moved closer. The emotion in his gaze, looking down at Cullen, reached his heart.

“I have never seen a name that suits you as well as Kiercharus. And perhaps Kashyella knew that too. She……”

Kiyen smiled.

“She had drawn cute Kiercharus Flowers in the storage room. I discovered it while decorating this place with you this time. I was planning to tell you soon, but today felt like the right day.”

Cullen blinked at the unexpected story. Kiyen had said before that his mother wouldn’t have just given him his name, but he thought he would never know unless he met his mother again.

“It was Ella’s way. You are likely the only person in the world with a five-syllable name.”

Kiyen’s voice was filled with conviction. Cullen, murmuring Kiercharus to himself, tilted his head and looked around. The purple he possessed, the purple his mother had, was everywhere.

“I……”

His throat felt a little choked.

“I never even dared to think such a thing.”

“Didn’t you say that? You wished for me to find solace in happy memories even after you died. Of course, that won’t happen.”

Kiyen’s voice was firm, then slowly softened.

“Now that I think about it, Ella probably thought the same. That’s why I searched the storage room. There’s no other way to describe it but as a bold choice, typical of Ella.”

A ripple went through his heart. The feeling of discovering the unexpected meaning of his name was indescribable. It felt like receiving a gift he could never have imagined. A smile slowly formed on Cullen’s face.

“The reason I say this is simple. The you I have seen, perhaps influenced by that name, would want both humans and Young Dragons to be happy. I’ve thought of a way to achieve that. If we don’t necessarily have to kill the Demonic Beasts, we can erect a massive barrier around the passage. A place that no human can access, where only they can live, creating a segregated zone.”

At that, Cullen felt how much Kiyen had thought for him and Cat. Looking at Kiyen, who had clearly put thought into the proposal, Cullen considered it with him.

Nothing could be known before trying. Cullen didn’t know what outcome Kiyen’s proposed method would bring, but after much deliberation, he thought it was the most realistic option. That is, among the things that could be done with Magic.

“Is it possible?”

Before giving his confirmation, Cullen checked that first. If it required an excessive amount of Kiyen’s power, like last time, Cullen was sorry but intended to be selfish about it.

“We will need things to bind and maintain the barrier with Magic. If we use a similar principle to when the Larshiel Imperial Palace was created, then yes, it is possible.”

“You must not suffer any harm, Kiyen. If even the slightest, the tiniest bit of trouble befalls you, I……”

“Aren’t there three Dragons? Those children need someone to guide them. Other than that, they can handle everything themselves.”

Through those words, Cullen once again realized that Kiyen had accumulated his power alone, without anyone’s guidance. The goddess had called Kiyen the last Dragon, but Cullen thought of him as the first Dragon. The first Dragon who endured pain alone and ultimately proved himself.

“Then I agree.”

Cullen conceded. There was no reason not to follow what Kiyen had said. Despite receiving permission, Kiyen observed Cullen’s demeanor. After a brief hesitation, he spoke.

“But to do so, we must leave here for a while. It will take time to create the barrier, so we might have to be away for at least a year. That’s what worries me.”

Thinking that this was why Kiyen had been worried, Cullen chuckled.

“Is that what you were worried about?”

Kiyen looked puzzled by the sudden laughter.

“Yes. You said you wanted to return home, and you’ve only just settled here.”

“I did say that. That’s why I don’t mind leaving for a while.”

Kiyen still looked uncomprehending. Cullen laughed softly and took Kiyen’s hand.

“We now have a home, a place to return to, so we can just think of it as going on a trip. We’ve finished reading all the books we have, after all. We can say we’re going out to buy more books.”

Slowly, Kiyen’s eyes widened.

“What do you think, Kiyen?”

As if Cullen had pointed out something he hadn’t considered, Kiyen blinked. After a moment of silence, Kiyen’s face gradually became colored with a beautiful emotion. His lips curved gently beneath his eyes, which were creased as if melting. If one were to sculpt joy, it would be the Kiyen before him right now.

“Good.”

A short answer that conveyed everything Kiyen felt, and Cullen’s eyes also curved. Without knowing who moved first, they clasped hands.

“Let’s do that.”

A gaze as if seeing something wondrous fell upon his cheek. Cullen pulled Kiyen along and began to walk through the flowers. The sound of their collars brushing against the Kiercharus Flowers resonated pleasingly. Holding hands, then releasing them as if sensing each other, they turned towards the cabin. For now, they wanted to return to the cabin and tell Cat what Kiyen had said.

They were leaving for a rather serious matter, yet their hearts felt unusually light. Their chests even pounded as if anticipating something enjoyable. Cullen made another suggestion.

“We could see the sea on the way back.”

Kiyen, who had started walking ahead, responded.

“We could go to the sea you’ve never visited.”

“Or we could go near Dadin. Either way will be enjoyable.”

As he said that, Cullen realized why he was looking forward to this journey. It was because the one he would be with was his lover, and the only motivation guiding them was a gentle emotion devoid of coercion or anger.

Cullen was the one who mentioned they would be away for quite some time. He judged it would be better for him to bring it up, as there were things to coordinate with Hope.

“What? Already? You haven’t been back that long!”

Selem looked greatly surprised. Perhaps due to her affectionate nature, Selem had quickly grown fond of them and had been taking good care of Cullen and Kiyen as people.

“It would be more accurate to call you two travelers. You said you were going to settle down.”

Instead of surprise, Hope showed a hint of disappointment. Considering the meaning of settling down, that was understandable.

Surprisingly, many people live out their lives without leaving the place they were born. Traveling to nearby territories was considered a journey, so being away for such a long time was not common for ordinary people. There were unknown dangers lurking on the path, and the travel time alone was considerable.

“We will return eventually, so it will be alright. It won’t be more than a year at the latest.”

And something he thought of while talking with Kiyen: it wouldn’t be bad to invite Ulli on the way back. He was certain she would like Hope and Selem.

“What about the animals in the meantime?”

Selem was genuinely worried. Hope chimed in.

“And the flowers? Can’t only Kiyen take care of them?”

“Hope, that question you just asked was very worldly.”

Selem pointed out her humanity, but Hope didn’t mind. Cullen leaned back in his chair, exchanging glances with Kiyen.

“So, I’d like to make a deal.”

He spoke of a deal, not a contract.

“What is it?”

“While we are gone, you may gather the flowers as you wish. There are ways to pick them secretly, but I doubt you two would do such a thing, nor would you want to.”

As Cullen met his gaze with a quiet smile, Selem mumbled.

“My brother still feels the ache from when Cullen-nim hit him. Especially on rainy days…”

“Hey, how can that spot ache after being hit in the stomach?”

Even so, Hope glanced sideways.

“Well, I believe you. I was never taught to steal from others. Unless it’s to frame some clueless traveler. So, what’s the price?”

“As Selem worried, you will come here occasionally to care for the animals. You can keep them, too. And perhaps clean the cabin sometimes, so it’s not too lonely when we return.”

Hope’s expression turned uncomfortable as he heard the proposal.

“That’s too much of a loss for you, isn’t it? It’s one thing if the difference is small, but the profit is too great for the labor involved.”

“If you feel that bad, you can give Selem’s cooking or other necessities when you return.”

Hope rested his chin on his hand, looking back and forth between Cullen and Kiyen.

“Will you really come back?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. I promise.”

Then, Cat, who had been quietly held in Cullen’s arms without butting into the adults’ conversation, extended a finger instead.

“Yes!”

Kiyen tilted his head at the gesture of extending a pinky finger. As they smiled at the cute sight, Hope met Cat’s gaze and extended his own finger.

“Are you making the promise?”

“Yes. I promise. If I keep it, you’ll both be safe!”

Hope and Selem burst into laughter at Cat’s seemingly innocent promise. Hope, smiling faintly, finalized the deal.

“Okay. We’ll do that. Uh, then, you’re not going to let us pick Kiercharus Flowers, are you?”

Kiyen, who had been entrusted to Cullen, interjected then.

“Don’t make me repeat myself. No Kiercharus Flowers.”

Selem flinched at the words, which were more cold than firm, but Hope, as always, didn’t back down. He seemed to have a constitution that doubled his courage when faced with something he desired.

“At least tell us why. Not some inhumane reason like ‘because you’re human’.”

Cullen stepped in for that part.

“The Kiercharus Flower is a vital plant that maintains the lake. There’s no reason to pick the most beautiful flower in that location and sell it. This is something I only learned after meeting Kiyen.”

Hope blinked. He seemed to understand, but his face still showed regret, so Cullen offered a more important reason.

“Besides, that flower is a gift from my mother and my lover to me.”

He finished speaking and met Kiyen’s gaze. Kiyen’s eyes, which only looked at Cullen, curved softly. He added a brief remark.

“That’s why it’s also called the Cullen Flower as a nickname.”

Cat’s eyes widened as he looked up at Cullen. His face, which resembled Kiyen’s, let out an exclamation.

“It’s the Cullen Flower? It’s as beautiful as Cullen-nim!”

Selem, who had been quiet throughout the deal negotiation, asked a question close to a monologue.

“Cullen-nim, you’re that kind of person, aren’t you? The one who bore and raised… I’m sorry. I don’t know much about this.”

Selem seemed genuinely curious.

“That’s not very important. What’s important is that Kiyen and I cherish Cat.”

Cat’s face immediately turned red. He had seen the child’s various expressions before, but this was the first time he had expressed such flustered joy.

“Kiyen-nim too?”

Cat looked back and forth between them with an incredulous expression. The warmth of Cat, held in his arms, grew hotter. Kiyen gazed at Cat with eyes that seemed somewhat dry. The tense Cat gripped Cullen’s arm tightly. After a moment of silence, Kiyen spoke.

“The reason we’re leaving here for a while is for you and the children. If we didn’t care about you, there would be no need for such hardship.”

Cat’s pale cheeks flushed with color. Hope and Selem, who had been listening to the conversation, exchanged glances and indicated they would be leaving.

“Alright. The Kiercharus, or rather, the Cullen Flower, we won’t touch it.”

Hope said playfully. Kiyen smiled, but Cullen paused at the nickname. Seemingly satisfied with his reaction, Hope grinned and stood up.

“Have you decided when you’ll leave?”

“Now that it’s decided, it would be best to depart tomorrow.”

“Since you’re going, stay somewhere warm to avoid Tesnia’s winter.”

Selem also stood up, following Hope, and offered a small bundle she had brought.

“I brought this pie because I heard there’s a cute child, so you can enjoy it together. Please be careful and come back safely?”

Hope chimed in.

“The villagers will miss you two when you’re gone.”

“That’s right. Especially my brother, he’ll miss Kiyen-nim.”

The last piece of news was not particularly necessary.

“Thank you.”

Cullen, who received the bundle, gave it to Cat. Cat hugged the bundle tightly and his eyes widened.

“You should say thank you at times like these, Cat.”

“Thank you!”

Kiyen offered a different disciplinary approach.

“There’s no need to be grateful for something given willingly.”

It was a typical Kiyen remark. Though there was no particular content, the pleasant conversation continued, and Hope and Selem soon prepared to head back to the village. By the time the conversation ended, the sun was already setting.

Cullen declined their offer to see them off the next day and prepared dinner. While Cat went with Kiyen to the chickens to collect eggs, he placed a pot on the hearth and looked out the window for a moment.

The familiar scenery unfolded before him, a landscape he had grown accustomed to in less than half a year. In the yard were rocking chairs for Kiyen and Cullen, and beyond them, the pointed fir trees, and the flowers Kiyen had bloomed, beautifully framing the window.

Rubbing the wooden wall, which felt ancient, with his fingers, Cullen watched Cat and Kiyen return to the cabin. As Cat opened his mouth to say something, Kiyen leaned down. Seeing Cat spread his arms, it seemed he had asked to be held. A breeze from somewhere ruffled Kiyen’s hair. Watching the golden hair sway and then settle, Cullen replayed the realization he had come to in the past.

The destination Cullen had been searching for was right before his eyes.

Dinner was peaceful. Perhaps it was because they ate the bread Selem had given them, but Kiyen didn’t complain throughout the meal, and Cat ate everything with delight. The child loved the peach preserves Selem had made, and Kiyen used it as a method to put Cat to sleep, saying it was for a well-behaved Dragon.

After washing Cat and finishing their bath by the lake, they returned to find the cabin quiet. Only the candle in the candelabra flickered, dimly illuminating the room. He ran into Kiyen, who had just come out of Cat’s room.

“Did he fall asleep?”

“Yes.”

Kiyen answered curtly and glanced into the room.

“He sleeps so much it makes me wonder if he’s not human. I don’t remember this from my past.”

“Perhaps sleeping itself can be enjoyable.”

“If you die, you’ll sleep forever anyway.”

Then, as if realizing something, Kiyen corrected himself.

“Since I won’t die, your words might be right.”

Kiyen turned his gaze to Cullen. He slowly approached, scanning Cullen up and down. As always, Kiyen exuded the fresh scent of having just washed, along with the fragrance of pure lilies.

“The lake water must have been cold.”

Kiyen said, placing his hand on Cullen’s waist. His loosely fastened shirt was left undone, allowing Kiyen’s hand to easily slip inside. A warm heat spread, as if melting his cool skin. Just touching him instantly improved his mood.

“Why didn’t you take me with you?”

“It couldn’t be helped, as Cat wanted to be with Kiyen-nim.”

“You only seek me out at times like this. Yet you don’t listen to me when it’s important.”

Kiyen expressed his displeasure about Cat clinging to Cullen the entire time. Cullen, secretly thinking that Kiyen wasn’t much different from Cat at this moment, began to soothe him.

“If you treat me well from now on, I’ll follow you more.”

“As you said, if he resembles me, a family that is fixated on you is more realistic than on me.”

As Cullen burst into laughter, Kiyen pulled him into a tight embrace. His hand, which had come down, wrapped around the back of his knees, and in an instant, Kiyen lifted him. Cullen, startled by the sudden posture, grabbed Kiyen’s shoulder. He would probably never get used to this.

“Kiyen-nim?”

“I have somewhere to go. There’s something I want to show you in the warehouse.”

“What about walking there? I can walk perfectly fine.”

Kiyen’s eyes crinkled as he looked down at Cullen in response to his objection.

“Weren’t you the one who wanted to be carried back?”

“I never said that.”

“Then consider this a rehearsal. I plan to fly when I take Cat.”

As various words were exchanged, Kiyen stepped out the door. He was heading towards the warehouse located behind the cabin. Held by Kiyen in an awkward manner, Cullen briefly looked up at the night sky. The mountains, nearing winter, welcomed the night swiftly. The endlessly deep sky, the densely packed stars, and the round moon filled the world.

After walking for a few minutes with the sound of owls as background, they arrived at the warehouse. With just a nod of Kiyen’s chin, the door slid open.

The warehouse, wide open, was filled with small lights, just like in the Marquess of Grove’s territory. However, unlike then, they were tinged with purple. Just like the light that emanated from the Kiercharus Flower. It was mysterious and beautiful.

“Since we won’t be able to return for a while, I wanted to show you what I mentioned earlier.”

Kiyen entered, still holding Cullen. Cullen, half resigned, asked.

“What are you referring to?”

Kiyen placed a finger to his lips and made a shushing sound. His pink lips curved beautifully. As he gazed, mesmerized, at the smile that could only be described as beautiful, Kiyen slowly led him somewhere.

Kiyen walked past a bathtub placed in the corner and finally set Cullen down. Several thick blankets were piled softly on the floor. It was a cozy space that seemed suitable for sleeping. The lights followed Kiyen and illuminated the interior with a soft glow.

“Here.”

Kiyen gestured and sat on the blankets. As Cullen sat down to join him, Kiyen ran his finger along the wooden wall of the warehouse. The lights flowed and illuminated the area. Cullen lowered his head to see where Kiyen’s finger was tracing.

Their shoulders lightly touched. They were close enough to hear each other’s heartbeats. A sense of tension, excitement, and security rose simultaneously. In that state, Cullen looked ahead. Something was carved into the wooden wall.

“It’s Ella’s handwriting.”

Cullen’s eyes widened slightly. Following Kiyen’s tracing finger, he examined the wall and saw small marks that wouldn’t be visible unless one paid close attention. Ancient script and drawings carved with a knife.

“Kiercharus.”

Kiyen softly uttered the word. Cullen murmured the letters written below it.

“Kilen.”

Another set of letters was written. For a moment, Cullen turned his head to look at Kiyen. Kiyen smiled.

“It looks like your father’s handwriting.”

He examined the faded letters closely. Next to the word Kilen, there were characters that looked similar but read Cullen. He hadn’t expected to see traces of his parents, who only remained in his memory. His chest ached, as if it would break. It was not from sadness, but from joy. It felt like another gift, following the discovery of his name.

“Thank you.”

Cullen whispered, caressing the inscription.

“Did you like it?”

His voice lacked certainty. Cullen turned his head and met Kiyen’s eyes. Seeing the gaze filled with equal parts anticipation and fear, he smiled.

“I don’t think there could be a better gift in my life.”

Kiyen, finally relieved, smiled back. He placed his hand over Cullen’s as he touched the wall and whispered.

“The name you gave me means the same to me.”

“I think I understand how Kiyen-nim feels now.”

He turned his hand to meet Cullen’s palm. Slowly lowering his arm, Kiyen laid Cullen down on the blankets. Without breaking eye contact, they lay facing each other.

“Ierkiyen.”

After reciting his own name, Kiyen brushed back Cullen’s hair.

“No one but you could have come up with it.”

He chuckled as if recalling that time. Cullen pictured the Kiyen of the past, known only as a Dragon. Now, touching Kiyen, who had a form befitting his name, he suddenly remembered something.

“Kiyen-nim has a unique six-letter name, and I have five.”

That meant they were both unique beings in their own way.

“And we both deviated slightly from our respective species.”

A peaceful smile spread across Kiyen’s face. He touched foreheads and whispered.

“We’ll be a unique species in the world.”

Perhaps that was why Cullen was destined to love Kiyen from the start. For him, who had lost everyone and was left alone, to meet Kiyen, who had to be alone from birth, and become two. Here was the proposition proving that one could be not lonely, even without belonging to the same group.

“You always show me a world I never imagined.”

Kiyen murmured softly, rubbing his nose against Cullen’s. His large hand cupped Cullen’s cheek.

“It’s my repayment for the gift you gave me.”

Laughter erupted simultaneously. Kiyen, caressing Cullen with a loving touch, lowered his hand. The back of his hand slid down Cullen’s nape, then moved towards his chest. Kiyen’s lips first touched his collarbone. As his lips made contact, a ticklish sensation spread, and Cullen shifted his hips slightly.

“Kiyen……”

He hadn’t felt him like this since Cat arrived, so his body quickly heated up. The sensation slowly rising from below tinged the inside of his belly with a chill. A faint tremor enveloped his body. After desiring each other daily, and only managing a kiss after more than a week, arousal surged quickly, as expected.

“Just a little.”

Kiyen whispered pleadingly. His lips continued to caress his chest, and his hands stroked his lower back. His shirt, which had slipped down, hung precariously from his wrists.

Haa… Exhaling a small, heated breath, Cullen bit his lip and released it. He thought that since they would be with Cat from now on, they wouldn’t have another chance for a while. The thought of leaving this place tomorrow overlapped, stirring his heart. He wanted to commemorate today in some way.

“Then, I will do it for you.”

Cullen whispered, stroking Kiyen’s hair as his face was buried in his chest. Kiyen lifted his gaze.

“Do what?”

“I’ve always only received…”

When they made love, Kiyen always knew better how to satisfy him, so Cullen had never actively done anything for him. Even though he had yearned for him and rushed towards him, his lack of experience made it difficult to take the initiative. But now, with some experience gained, Cullen decided to do what he had wanted to do for Kiyen for a long time.

Though embarrassed, he had no intention of backing down from his decision. Cullen, half rising from his position, pushed Kiyen onto his back. Kiyen, who had been watching Cullen intently, drew a faint smile on his lips. With a look that seemed to say, ‘Go ahead,’ Cullen swallowed dryly. His arm resting on Kiyen’s chest trembled slightly.

Taking a deep breath, Cullen slowly moved down. Settling between Kiyen’s thighs, Cullen briefly admired Kiyen, who was looking down at him from his reclining position. His face was so beautiful that he was instantly aroused. Moistening his dry lips, Cullen lowered his head. With trembling hands, he parted Kiyen’s robe, and a blazing sight followed.

It had been a while since he had seen Kiyen’s naked body properly. The first time he saw it, he was blinded by lust and out of his mind, and since coming here, Kiyen had often desired him and penetrated him, so he hadn’t had many opportunities to see his entire body.

Kiyen’s body, faced with a clear mind, was sculpted like a statue, white and perfect, just as his faint memories suggested. The dense, firm muscles that looked soft, his broad shoulders, the subtly curved abs, and the hairless white skin captivated his eyes.

However, the most overwhelming sight was his penis, which he could never quite get used to. Kiyen’s body, aroused at his will, was already showing signs of excitement.

The enormous phallus, with a faint pinkish glow, had grown considerably in size. Even with Cullen’s large hands, capable of grasping most things, it was impossible to grasp Kiyen’s phallus entirely. And Cullen had personally experienced that this was not Kiyen’s maximum.

Taking a breath, Cullen slowly bent down. Gripping his thigh with his palm, he parted his lips and swallowed the tip of the phallus. The surface of the phallus that touched his lips was soft, but the texture was very hard. He couldn’t believe he swallowed this every day.

Just by holding the tip in his mouth, his mouth was stretched to its limit. In that state, he carefully extended his tongue and licked the tip of the glans, and Kiyen let out a low sigh, “Haa.” Glancing up slightly, he saw Kiyen’s eyes were tinged with gold. Meeting those brightly shining eyes, Cullen continued to swallow the phallus bit by bit. His lips felt like they would tear.

Without even getting half of it in, Cullen let out a suffocating sound, “Hoo.” It was difficult to breathe through his nose. His airway felt blocked from stretching his mouth to its limit. Trying to force it in somehow, Cullen moved his tongue clumsily.

It was already overwhelming just to hold the phallus in his mouth, and uncontained saliva began to flow. The saliva dripped down his chin and wet his throat. The wet sound that resulted echoed in the air. Unsure of how else to satisfy him, Cullen unconsciously furrowed his brow. Then, he looked up at Kiyen with a gaze that seemed to ask for something.

At that, Kiyen, who had been silently gazing at Cullen, moved. He half-raised his upper body and reached out an arm. As if he had been waiting, Kiyen’s hand gently grasped Cullen’s hair. He whispered.

“Since you want to eat it so badly…”

His golden eyes, now unusually deep, curved slightly.

“I’ll show you how to eat it.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Kiyen’s hand pressed down on Cullen. His mouth, stretched to its absolute limit, swallowed the phallus with a gulp. His breath was immediately taken away, and he felt a slight urge to vomit. As his body flinched and he tightened his grip on his thigh, Kiyen pressed down on his shoulder with his other hand.

“Hng, hmph…, Hoo, gak…!”

A groan escaped between his parted lips. Kiyen, restraining his instinct to flee, began to move, holding Cullen’s hair. His touch was gentle, but his strength was not. It was an overwhelming force that subdued him, as if showing him the fundamental difference.

“Ugh, ughh, hoo…!”

Having only just gotten used to kissing, he had no idea how to breathe while holding a phallus in his mouth. He naturally choked, his face turning red. He tried to breathe somehow, but as the speed of the phallus moving in and out of his mouth gradually increased, he forgot even that. His vision turned white.

“Ah, hoo…, Haa, hmph…!”

The sound of him gasping for air echoed. The saliva that had dripped down messily wet his face. He couldn’t collect himself. As he pressed his tongue down hard and the phallus lodged itself down to his throat, his body convulsed once. At the same time, a faint, fishy scent spread.

The moment he felt a stinging sensation at the tip of his lips, Kiyen pushed more than half of the phallus in. In that fleeting moment when his breath was cut off, Cullen felt a strange sensation akin to climax. Blue veins stood out on the back of his hand as he pushed against his thigh. As his throat constricted and squeezed the glans, Kiyen exhaled through his teeth. Following that, semen began to flow from the tip of the phallus.

The hot, slippery fluid forcefully struck the inside of his throat. Cullen coughed and shook his head, “Ngh,” as the stream of semen went down his esophagus. But Kiyen did not let him go at this moment.

Physiological tears flowed and wet his cheeks. Only after he had swallowed all the semen, to the point of gagging, did Kiyen slowly pull his hair and withdraw the phallus.

Breathing heavily, Cullen looked with dazed eyes. Semen and saliva, not fully swallowed, mixed and flowed down his chin. Kiyen, breathing deeply, “Haa,” pulled Cullen’s chin. His fingers stroked the torn edges of Cullen’s lips. As he felt the stinging sensation, his consciousness slowly returned.

“It’s too, Haa, big…”

Cullen, catching his breath with difficulty, overlapped his fingers with Kiyen’s. He felt the blood on them. Kiyen wiped away the semen and saliva on Cullen’s chin with his index finger. After lightly tidying his messy face, he then extended his tongue and licked the blood-stained lips.

“Your mouth is as narrow as your hole.”

At the small whisper, the back of his neck burned as if it couldn’t get any hotter. Pushed to the limit in a dizzying way, his body was strangely aroused. Without needing to check, he could feel that he had become hard. His hardened phallus ached.

“Still, nature is nature.”

As if noticing that, Kiyen slowly lowered his hand. He wrapped an arm around Cullen’s waist, sat him on top of him, and with his other hand, removed his lower garment. Kiyen, skillfully pulling the garment down to his thighs, lightly rubbed Cullen’s phallus with his hand.

“You always get excited just by swallowing.”

Cullen bit his lip at the remark referring to his erection without even being touched. The tip of his lips, not yet recovered, still stung. But even that sting became a strange pleasure. After all, for Cullen, pain was not a frightening sensation but a familiar one.

He parted his lips to make an excuse, but he had nothing to say. The fact that he had become erect by sucking Kiyen’s phallus did not change. As he flinched in shame, Kiyen continued to move his hand. He gently rubbed the phallus in front and massaged his buttocks with the hand that had been touching his waist. Kiyen squeezed and released his firm, elastic buttocks, which fit perfectly in one hand.

“Kiyen…”

He unconsciously called his name and hugged his neck. He needed more stimulation. He slightly twisted his waist against the palm stroking his front. The soft touch felt so good as it rubbed his phallus. He thought this was unlike him, but pleasure overwhelmed his reason.

“You’re not wet yet. You have to wait a little longer.”

Kiyen whispered tenderly, as if the act of holding and shaking his hair just moments ago was a lie. Despite becoming ferocious once he started, he was like this. Knowing this himself, he usually took his time to prepare Cullen before starting. But now, he was impatient. He didn’t have the leisure to wait for Kiyen to lick and thrust into him.

“I, Haa, I’m fine.”

“Do you forget how you cried last time when you begged like that?”

In his arousal, he had accepted the phallus without being sufficiently prepared, and his rear had been torn once. It was fortunate that he had healing abilities. After seeing blood that time, Kiyen no longer easily granted Cullen’s pleas.

As his desire grew, Cullen hugged his neck tightly and moved his waist. His narrow waist, compared to his broad upper body, couldn’t help but flinch. Kiyen grumbled, baring his teeth at his nape. After a long moment of apparent deliberation, he bared his teeth at his nape and whispered low.

“Fine. Since you swallowed mine, I’ll give you a reward. It will be a good memory before we leave.”

Kiyen said that and hugged Cullen tightly. It was a beast-like embrace, as if to prevent him from escaping. Though sensing something was wrong, Cullen tightened his arms around him. He desperately craved the pleasure Kiyen gave him, no matter what he did.

He realized something was wrong a few seconds later. At first, he thought Kiyen’s fingers were digging inside. But the thickness and length were different. It was thicker than Kiyen’s fingers, and very long. It was incomparable in thickness to his phallus, but he definitely felt it filling him up.

“Haa, ugh…”

Cullen, who had been shaking his hips in arousal, opened his eyes wide. Something was strange about what was being pushed in relentlessly. Moreover, the sensation, the sensation was peculiar.

“Kiyen, what is this…”

Cullen flinched and twisted his body slightly. As he turned his back, he saw something like a translucent vine burrowing between his legs. The vine, emitting a shining purple light, had sprung up from the ground. He hadn’t seen it at all when he first arrived.

“This method is faster to wet you inside.”

“Wait, it’s strange, Hng, Hhht!”

A groan escaped his lips as he tried to retort. The vine, wriggling and pushing in, pressed deep inside. As if it knew that spot, it immediately pressed his G-spot, and Cullen unconsciously tensed his lower body. As he squeezed the vine tightly, as if to constrict his phallus, strange things began to happen in succession. His insides began to get wet.

“Hng, Aah, Hahk, Hng…!”

The feeling was so strange. He shook his head and tried to push Kiyen away, but of course, it was useless. Kiyen’s arms, holding him tightly so he couldn’t escape, were hard. The vine then began to rummage inside. It gently pressed his G-spot and thrust in and out of his inner walls.

“Ah, Hahk, Hng, this, Ugh, Nngh, strange…, Haa, Hhik!”

A tickling sensation spread from his delicate insides. Feeling pleasure spread from his entire inner wall, Cullen tensed his feet. His lower body felt like it would fall out. It was ticklish and throbbing. After piercing his entire inner wall like that, the vine began to move in earnest. It retreated as if to pull out, then plunged back inside rapidly.

“Ugh, Haa, Haa, Hgh!”

Cullen threw his head back and convulsed. His back tensed, and his muscles became clearly defined. His sweat-drenched naked body glistened. Burying his fingernails into Kiyen’s shoulder, Cullen whimpered. He didn’t want to cry, but tears flowed uncontrollably.

“Kiyen, what is this, Hhht, really… Ah, Nngh!”

The vine tormented him from the inside in a different way than his phallus. It filled his hole like a snake, then repeatedly entered and exited. Each time, the G-spot was only lightly pressed, not properly crushed. Unlike the overwhelming pleasure Kiyen gave him, there was no bursting pleasure. But this, in its own way, drove him mad. The tantalizing sensation built up madly, making him anxious.

“Don’t flowers’ stems usually have a lot of water? It’s a toy made from the essence of Kielsharos, so don’t worry.”

As if to prove his words, every time the vine thrust inside, his inner walls became increasingly wet. It felt different from being moistened by plant oil or saliva. It felt like water was sloshing inside. And indeed, as the vine’s movements increased, his rear opening became slick and wet. His inner walls were so thoroughly loosened that he could easily accept Kiyen if he entered now.

“Kiyen, this… No, Hng, Haa, stop, Nngh, stop…!”

Tears welled up, feeling like the vine was digging into his very mind. The bizarre experience he had never encountered before gave him a strange feeling. It was strange and unsettling, yet excessively arousing. And Cullen became afraid of himself for getting excited by something like this. He felt unfamiliar with himself getting aroused by something other than Kiyen.

“Really?”

Kiyen touched Cullen’s phallus as if he didn’t believe him. His thumb slid and lightly touched Cullen’s glans, which was spewing transparent fluid. Kiyen whispered, as if chiding his front, which was now slickly wet.

“For someone who says that, you’re already leaking in front.”

He shook his head in denial. Despite the clear evidence, Cullen buried his face in his nape.

“No, Hhht, no, Ah, Haaak, Hng, Nngh!”

As if to punish him for lying, the vine thrashed inside him. As the speed increased, his thighs trembled. If he were to be thrust into just a little more, he felt like he would ejaculate. He truly did not want that.

“Please, Kiyen, Hng, Hoo, not this, Ah, Hhht, Kiyen’s…”

The vine, which had been moving as if to make him ejaculate, stopped. Cullen panted and trembled slightly. Kiyen, who had made him cry with just the thrusting inside him, whispered in his ear.

“What did you say?”

The retreated vine gently brushed only around the opening. The opening, wet and dripping fluid, quivered. Cullen, his voice hoarse from the interim, forgot his shame and pleaded.

“Please, insert Kiyen’s.”

He looked down with flushed eyes and implored. Kiyen stared intently at Cullen, who was sitting on top of him and looking down, then firmly gripped his waist. His body was lifted as if, and then, the thing he had longed for touched his opening.

Kiyen’s phallus, once moistened by Cullen’s saliva, was positioned in the center of the quivering opening. The glans settled into the slightly parted gap, thanks to the vine’s passage.

Just touching it sent a slight wave of pleasure. A shiver ran down his spine. As he pleaded with his eyes, looking at Kiyen, he moved without a word.

Thwack, the sound echoed loudly.

White light flashed before his eyes. As he was pierced straight through, Cullen threw his head back. A silent scream escaped his parted lips. He felt like he was being pierced to the crown of his head, and his buttocks tensed. Feeling intensely just from being pierced, Cullen immediately ejaculated. The amount of semen that flowed out from the infrequent intercourse was considerable.

Before he could even notice, Kiyen moved. It seemed he had also held back, as Kiyen, with his mouth shut, focused on thrusting. Holding his deeply indented waist with both hands, he continued his furious movements. As his phallus was thrust as if to reach the very end of his inner walls, a wet slapping sound echoed loudly. The sound of his testicles and buttocks colliding continued incessantly.

“Haa, Haa, Ugh, Hng, Hak…!”

He felt so much that even his moans couldn’t come out properly. His heart pounded as if it would burst. Every time Kiyen buried himself inside, Cullen’s buttocks trembled.

His inner walls eagerly swallowed Kiyen’s phallus, which was incomparable to the vine, and tightened around it. The clinging flesh, as if reluctant to let go, made wet sounds. His thoroughly moistened insides felt no pain from the strong friction, but rather pleasure.

“Hng, Nngh, I’m going to, Kiyen…!”

Despite climaxing the moment he was penetrated, Cullen soon felt like he was going to climax again. Kiyen shook his head and bit his nape.

“Not yet.”

“Hoo, Haa, I can’t, can’t hold on…!”

He tried to tense his front to hold back, but it was impossible. He wanted to go with Kiyen, but there was no way to stop it. Then, the vine that had been hovering around Cullen’s lower body crawled forward. It came up his abdomen, coiled around Cullen’s phallus from below, and pressed the tip of the glans.

“Hng, Ah…!”

As his phallus, on the verge of ejaculation, was blocked, tears welled up. As he tried to reach down to remove the vine, Kiyen stopped him. He pressed his body close, preventing anything from penetrating, and embraced Cullen, firmly restraining both his wrists. Kiyen thrust upwards with only the strength of his lower body. Water splashed from his wet insides with a slapping sound.

“No, no, Kiyen, Kiyen…!”

He felt like he was going crazy, wanting to climax. He twisted his body back and forth as if insane. The vine, without loosening its grip, pressed harder against Cullen’s phallus. Instinctively, Cullen tightened his rear to urge Kiyen to ejaculate. As he squeezed and bit with his tight rear, Kiyen let out a muffled groan through his teeth.

“Just a little, easy, almost… Haa, it’s done.”

“Ah, Haa, Hng, I want to, go, Nngh, Hng, Ah!”

Cullen finally cried and pleaded. His feet and hands trembled. He even felt like his head might explode. The more he squeezed to hasten Kiyen’s ejaculation, the more the pleasure he felt from behind doubled, and his eyes were half-rolled back due to the blocked expulsion. Soon, his body, feeling its limit, chose another method.

A sensation he had felt a few times in the past coursed through him. A strong pleasure, striking his lower abdomen and spine, flashed before his eyes, and Cullen soon felt a powerful climax. Along with a sensation of everything inside emptying, a tremor washed over him. Opening his mouth, Cullen trembled uncontrollably. Even though the vine was tightly wrapped around his glans, Cullen reached his climax without expelling anything.

Kiyen’s body also stiffened as his rear tightened as if to bite. A familiar change occurred in his body. His teeth and nails sharpened, faint scales appeared on his nape, and his phallus swelled. He felt like he was being choked to the throat, and his rear was filled to the point of tearing. The vine withdrew at the same time.

Soon after, the familiar sensation followed. Semen, more than enough to fill his inner walls, thoroughly moistened his insides. The slick sensation spread warmly, and Cullen, belatedly, ejaculated along with him. His body, having already climaxed once, trembled and convulsed from the successive two orgasms. Kiyen caught Cullen, who could not support himself and swayed.

Kiyen’s release lasted a long time, as usual. Finally finishing, Kiyen didn’t withdraw his penis but instead began to gnaw at the other side of Cullen’s neck, where he hadn’t left a mark. His sharpened nails dug sharply into Cullen’s back. Cullen, who had momentarily lost consciousness, flinched at the stimulation on his back and neck and lifted his eyelids.

“There’s still a long way until morning.”

The affectionate beast whispered.

“I won’t be able to make you cry for a while, so I should watch you a lot today.”

There was no way to stop it. The stimulation that flooded him at once was too strong, and he tried to push Kiyen away, but the vines interfered. The vines, which seemed to clearly follow Kiyen’s will, wrapped around Cullen’s wrists this time. Looking at Kiyen with longing eyes, unable to grasp what awaited him, Kiyen smiled prettily and kissed his forehead.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make you feel even more than you’re feeling now.”

The stimulation from just moments ago had been enough to drive him mad; enduring more was impossible.

“Kiyen, just a moment, haah, just a moment… let’s rest…”

Kiyen ignored Cullen, who was shaking his head, at least for this moment. The usual attentiveness to his mood was nowhere to be found; Kiyen began to move with lust.

Sunlight, streaming in long shafts through the crack in the warehouse door, touched the tops of his feet. Cullen slowly woke up to a sensation different from Kiyen’s warmth enveloping him.

He had fallen asleep as if he had fainted, for the first time in a while. His body, still heavy with sleep, felt languid. Wanting to sleep a little longer, Cullen burrowed into the embrace holding him. A low, rumbling laugh echoed from above.

“You can sleep more.”

The voice was like one looking at something cute. The drowsiness, which had been about to continue faintly, slowly dissipated at those words. He lifted his eyes to the voice, which seemed to have woken up long before him.

Kiyen’s chin came into view. The fingers gently stroking Cullen’s hair also entered his vision. Blinking his dry eyes, Cullen lifted his head a little higher. Kiyen was looking somewhere in the warehouse while touching him. By then, his sleep had completely vanished.

“What are you looking at?”

His voice, hoarse, barely escaped. It was unavoidable after crying out all night. He needed to question Kiyen about his strange Magic, but he was more curious about what Kiyen was looking at. Kiyen chuckled. With a gentle gesture, he half-turned Cullen, who was clinging to him, then Kiyen cupped Cullen’s chin. With a touch as if handling something delicate, unlike the rough morning, he changed Cullen’s direction.

“I was looking at that.”

At the end of his gaze was the painting Kiyen had been drawing. The landscape of a lake, beautifully rendered on a well-crafted fabric canvas, shone brilliantly under the sunlight that seeped into the warehouse. Staring at the painting, propped up at the warehouse entrance, Cullen asked,

“Did you feel like finishing it?”

Kiyen nodded slowly. The sensation of his long fingers rubbing Cullen’s face felt pleasant.

“Yes. I think I know what else to draw.”

Then Kiyen sat up, half-covering Cullen’s body. His beautiful golden hair, which had fallen over his face, tickled his cheek. Meeting Kiyen’s gentle gaze, he whispered languidly,

“You were the problem.”

“…Me?”

“It’s because you weren’t in it.”

Kiyen’s lips curved upwards.

“The Kiercharus Flower is meaningless without you.”

Kiyen’s fingers rubbed Cullen’s eyebrows.

“You were the one who showed me that, which I had forgotten…”

The fingers rubbing his eyebrows moved down to his lips.

“And that name itself is you.”

Kiyen, tracing the shape of his lips with his fingers, leaned closer. A smile slowly spread across Cullen’s face as well.

“I have one request.”

Kiyen asked, slowly approaching Cullen’s lips.

“What is it?”

“If you are going to draw me, you should include Kiyen-nim as well.”

Kiyen’s eyelashes fluttered at close range.

“Because I am not happy without Kiyen-nim. I wish the me in the painting were happy too.”

At the softly whispered words, Kiyen let out a low laugh. He paused for a moment, then descended right above Cullen’s lips.

“Alright.”

His lips lightly touched, then separated.

“That would be good.The lips that had touched with a ‘touch’ sound this time lingered a little longer. Kiyen gently bit Cullen’s lower lip, drawing it out, and slipped his hand behind Cullen’s waist. Despite being used so thoroughly all night, there was no particular pain. Only an intense pleasure, unforgettable for a while, was etched into his entire body. The moment Kiyen touched him, his heart began to beat faster with the sensations that immediately arose.

They had mingled their bodies to the point of satiety, yet a thirst arose as if they were addicted. Willingly responding to Kiyen, he parted his lips. As soon as he heard their panting breaths escaping thinly, Kiyen’s grip tightened.

But as if not tolerating any further idleness, a shout was heard from beyond the warehouse door.

“Wake up now…!”

With a whining tone, Cullen let out a low laugh and raised his arms. Kiyen glared at the doorway with a displeased expression as Cullen laughed, covering his eyes.

“What an inconvenient time to wake up.”

“Children wake up early, naturally.”

Cullen said so and sat up. Kiyen, still rubbing Cullen’s lower back with a lingering touch, swallowed a groan and pulled away. As he regained his senses and looked around, the blankets and clothes were a mess. Only Kiyen’s robe remained white and clean, as it always had.

“We probably shouldn’t let anyone in here for now.”

At Cullen’s words, Kiyen scanned the surroundings overtly.

“I have no intention of showing you the traces you left behind.”

“…You don’t need to point that out so explicitly.”

“I regret not using that method sooner if I had known you would like it so much.”

Kiyen, who had tormented Cullen in various ways using vines all night, looked quite satisfied. He stood up first and put on his robe.

“I’ll bring your clothes, so stay here. I’ll bring Cat inside.”

“I’ll ask you to do that.”

Kiyen nodded and was about to withdraw, but then suddenly leaned forward as if he had forgotten something. He reached out his hand and stroked the corner of Cullen’s mouth. The torn corner of his mouth had already healed, leaving no trace.

“No trace was left.”

A murmur, whether of disappointment or not, escaped him. Cullen, half-lying down, looked up at him.

“It seems you wished for a scar to remain.”

“I thought it would be nice if one remained for about a day.”

Kiyen, giving a pretty smile, left a short kiss on his lips and withdrew. Cullen understood what he meant somehow and just smiled. He too had often wished for the traces Kiyen left to remain on his body. While it was good to have the stamina to endure him, this aspect was strangely disappointing.

Hearing Kiyen speaking to Cat after leaving the warehouse, Cullen lay back down on the blanket. Though it felt a bit messy, the memories evoked by the traces on the blanket were satisfying.

Suddenly tilting his head back, he saw the drawings of his mother and father that he and Kiyen had examined the night before. Staring at the rather detailed drawing of the Kiercharus Flower and his name, Cullen reached out his hand. The indentation he felt with his fingertips pleased him.

After washing with the bathwater Kiyen had brought and getting dressed, Cat was ready to leave. He cast a spell on the acorns and flowers gathered in the room, then packed two pinecones to give to White and Black. The fact that he packed pinecones, of all things, made Cullen smile, finding it characteristic of a child his age.

He looked forward to how Black and White would decorate their room when they returned later. Thinking of them, his longing deepened.

By the time Cullen and Kiyen had also finished preparing, the sun was high in the sky. They didn’t have much luggage to pack. A modest amount of money, clothes to wear, and preserved rations were all they took. It was significantly less luggage than in the past. The things they didn’t take remained in their home.

Before leaving his room, Cullen glanced at the bookshelf. The books on the shelf, which still had plenty of space to fill, were neatly arranged.

Looking at them, Cullen envisioned a future where the space would be filled with books from all directions. What had been so difficult before was now drawn with surprising ease. It seemed the books would fill up the shelf in the not-too-distant future. Considering Kiyen used to sweep the village bookstore clean, they might even need to prepare several more shelves.

It was a strange feeling to fill a life that had only been emptied and shed with things. What had felt burdensome and like a weight had become the driving force that propelled Cullen forward. It made him feel alive and simultaneously gave him the courage to leave.

Because now he knew he had a home to return to anytime.

“Is it all done?”

Kiyen knocked on the door. Cullen turned to look at him, leaning against the doorframe. As always, he carried nothing but his robe.

“Yes. I believe so.”

After briefly looking around the room, Cullen stepped over the threshold.

“Kiyen-nim, did you pack everything you need?”

“I need nothing but you.”

Kiyen said so indifferently, then added as if it just occurred to him.

“There will be things to pack on the way back. It wouldn’t be bad to stop by my cave.”

Come to think of it, Kiyen had always said he wasn’t short on money. He had dismissed it at the time, but it seemed he had been serious.

“Are you talking about the legendary cave?”

“Yes. You’ll be surprised when you see it.”

Seeing Cullen’s curious expression, Kiyen brought a finger to his lips.

“It would be better to see it for yourself.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

As they exchanged conversation unbefitting those embarking on a long journey, the two left the cabin. Cat, with a flushed face, ran towards them with a speed that made it unclear if he was running or flying, his wings spread.

“Let’s go! Black and White will love it!”

“Yes, we’re departing.”

While stroking Cat’s hair, Kiyen unfurled his wings for the first time in a while. The wings, with their brilliant golden hue and elegantly grown scales, enveloped Cullen. Gazing at the radiant, sun-like light surrounding him, Cullen looked back one last time before leaving. Flowers fluttered in place, and the rocking chair in front of the cabin swayed with the wind.

As he watched the scene, Kiyen’s hand rested on his shoulder. Lifting his gaze, Kiyen was also looking at the cabin. He lowered his head and whispered in Cullen’s ear,

“When we return, I’ll give the children candy in exchange for weeding.”

He was clearly referring to the candy Ulli had gifted. Cullen placed his hand on Kiyen’s, and nodded, looking at the scene that would always await them. The landscape, which brought peace just by looking at it, would welcome them, unchanged from now, or rather, even more beautiful. Imagining that future, Cullen whispered inwardly.

I’m leaving now,

he thought.

―The End