Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 187

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 187
Whale’s gaze met mine.
I thought Whale would look away, but even as he blushed like autumn leaves, he never averted his eyes from me.
“I’m sorry. But… as I said, no matter how much I think about it, this is the only way for us to become family.”
Only then did I calm down.
“First of all, you shouldn’t be the one apologizing. There’s nothing to apologize for.”
How many precious things are you willing to stake for me—no, how many precious things are you risking?
‘I know White Whales are kind to other creatures, but I’ve never heard them called pushovers before?’
My thoughts scattered in confusion.
Get a grip.
True, since this rule applied only to family, there really was no other way for a complete stranger to become family.
“But does proposing like this actually make us family?”
“If you accept, the power will bind us together.”
“I see.”
I found myself viewing the situation with surprising composure.
…No, wait.
Now that I think about it, is marriage really the only way?
A way for strangers to become bound as family.
“…Actually, Whale. If we need to be bound as family, couldn’t there be another way besides marriage? What about… adoption?”
“I’ve never considered it.”
Whale pondered seriously for a moment, then shook his head slightly.
There were apparently no precedents of adoption being used this way.
Since over such a long time only we would have thought of this method, it seems impossible.
“How unfortunate.”
“Besides, Calypso. Even if we were to adopt, the person in question would need to wake up and approve it, but she hasn’t opened her eyes yet.”
I nodded in agreement at his calm rebuttal.
I had to admit it.
“Whale, honestly speaking, I don’t mind.”
“…”
“Whether I marry you or become your spouse, it doesn’t really matter to me. But… is divorce possible?”
“…No.”
Whale hesitated as he spoke.
“We only ever look at one mate for our entire lives…”
“Is that so? We’re different.”
In truth, I could simply close my eyes and accept his goodwill regardless of what happens to his life.
But how could I do that to someone who’s already stepped forward willing to sacrifice something precious for me?
“I’m truly grateful for what you’ve done for me. For proposing like this too. But Whale, you should know—we Orcas are actually Beastkin who don’t place much moral weight on such rational matters.”
In nature, Orcas were never monogamous. This was reflected in us Beastkin as well.
“I will become the Matriarch, and our Noble House is a place where the Matriarch can have as many husbands as she wishes. Our Orca Family Matriarch had many husbands too.”
“…”
“But your Orca Beastkin culture is quite different from ours, isn’t it?”
I wasn’t suggesting I’d recklessly take multiple husbands.
Still, this fact alone was enough to sour my mood.
Whale listened to my words in quiet composure.
“And no matter how urgent things are, that doesn’t mean mortgaging someone’s entire life. It seems like you wouldn’t bind yourself to someone you dislike in this manner either. Rather, I could….”
“I don’t dislike it.”
“What?”
“Why do you think I dislike it?”
“….”
Now it was my turn to fall silent.
“You’re the one who saved me and Levai.”
I blinked my eyes.
“…It’s possible to care for someone who saved your life, isn’t it?”
Something I couldn’t quite grasp rippled within those gray eyes.
“Why would you think it wasn’t…?”
His voice was soft, and contrary to it, his face was growing blurred—I felt a bit flustered.
Wait, is he crying? Surely not. Surely not!
Levai’s words echoed in my mind: ‘Whale is just large in build; he’s younger than he appears.’
I didn’t want to make a child cry!
“Calypso, I always thought I would die. The sharks pursuing us were relentless enough for that.”
My feelings became complicated.
Whale spoke with certainty of his own death, and in the previous iteration, it had indeed led to his demise.
So I was currently conversing with a child who should have died at this point.
“Perhaps that’s why sometimes my current life feels like a surplus.”
“That’s quite useless talk. What is a surplus life?”
“Yes. I thought you’d say something like that.”
A tender smile bloomed across Whale’s face.
“You’re not virtuous, yet you don’t abandon anyone either.”
Like a small flower blooming on an impassive face. Fresh and verdant.
“So, the life you saved me with… won’t you take me with you?”
“…This kid sounds like he’s grabbing the back of Levai’s neck.”
I’d seen Levai care for his younger brother with such affection, as if raising a child with exaggerated tenderness.
But me, just getting married outright?
‘Wait, if I say I’ll take him with me, isn’t he trying to get me to kill him?’
But as expected, no clear answer emerged.
After a long silence, I exhaled a sigh.
“You might regret your decision someday.”
What Whale had said about liking me. Yes, that could happen.
‘But it’s too difficult.’
I thought this feeling was something not far removed from that of a good friend.
“….”
I was working as a teacher at a kindergarten when a small child asked me to marry him—was this what it felt like to persuade someone in such a situation?
“I’m sorry, Whale. I’ve never loved anyone romantically in all my life.”
Not once in over sixty years.
“That’s fine. You’re my first.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
I grabbed Whale by the collar and pulled him close.
Our faces drew near, and I stared at Whale intently.
“Don’t expect love from me, Whale.”
This was for Whale’s sake.
After living for sixty-some years, I doubted I would suddenly discover emotions I’d never felt before.
“But I promise to make the time we spend together happy, and I’ll make you happy.”
I reached out and stroked Whale’s head. It was soft.
“One last question. Are you truly certain about me?”
Whale nodded slowly before my face.
“…Yes, I’m certain.”
…Those eyes shining with resolve.
Whether child or adult, I dislike such eyes.
Those who died for me wore such eyes until the very end.
Eyes like that meant persuasion was no longer possible.
…I never expected a marriage to happen so haphazardly. And to a groom, no less.
Later, when I regain my water powers, I should check if this can be undone.
“…Very well. I’ll do my best. What should I do now?”
“I’ll choose you, and our power will bind us together.”
“Alright.”
Soon a soft light resembling Whale’s own essence flowed from him and wrapped around my arm.
The moment I thought the shape wrapping around my fingers was like a ring, the light that had wound around my fingertips, the back of my hand, and my arm vanished.
“Is it done?”
“Um, yes….”
There was no mark on my hand. Or was there? I tried to examine it more closely, thinking something faint was inscribed there.
But given the time, I decided to check later.
“Calypso, let’s go. We have no time.”
“Oh…. Yes. But wait a moment.”
I reached out and untied the ribbon that had been holding my hair.
“Wear this for now, at least.”
I tied the blue ribbon around Whale’s hand. The jewel dangling from it swayed gently.
Whale tilted his head with a hesitant expression.
“What is this?”
“A betrothal gift.”
“…What?”
“Anyone who marries me has to become a live-in son-in-law without exception.”
“….”
“Well, half of that’s a joke, but you’ve made such a big decision, I thought I should give you something in return.”
I smiled softly.
“I’m sorry I don’t feel the same way.”
“….”
“Next time I’ll give you something better.”
With those words, I stood up from my seat. Whale was carefully fingering the ribbon I had given him.
“Levai once said something like this….”
“Hmm?”
“That, that something like this is a crime….”
“What are you suddenly talking about? Are you saying I’m a criminal?”
I tilted my head in confusion while taking Whale’s hand and quickly returning to the room where Father was.
“I’ve resolved the problem. We’ll start treatment right away.”
Upon hearing my words that all problems were solved, Levai looked extremely suspicious.
“Where exactly did the materials come from…?”
But given the circumstances, he couldn’t ask carelessly.
It seemed like he was quietly taking Whale aside to ask him something.
I turned my head after seeing Levai put his arm around Whale’s shoulder.
I asked Second Brother, who had approached in the meantime.
“Where did the Matriarch go?”
“I threw her in the next room.”
“I don’t see Third Brother—did you assign him to watch her?”
“Yeah.”
“He went willingly?”
“No, I threw him in there too.”
I paused for a moment.
“You won’t have anything to say even if Third Brother cuts you down later.”
“How sudden.”
I offered a moment of condolences to that Third Brother who had suddenly become a guard again through sheer force, then approached near the sofa.
Levai and Whale also seemed to have finished their brief conversation. Levai wore a very strange expression.
What on earth did Whale say to him?
“I’ll begin.”
Soon Whale clasped his hands together as if in prayer. It was a gesture he had never made before.
Immediately after, an explosive light poured forth from Whale. This too was a sight I had never seen before.
As if an entire ocean had been transplanted here, a vast sea spread throughout this room.
I couldn’t observe it leisurely like when I treated Tus. Even though a massive white whale I loved so dearly floated gently in the sea.
I only gazed at Father.
‘…When his eyes open, I won’t let him go.’
With such thoughts, I was gazing intently when I felt a faint warmth at my wrist.
His touch was cool against my skin.
I turned to see Ekion, his golden eyes fixed intently upon me.
“Calypso.”
“Hmm?”
Even amidst the chaos, I found myself listening to his words. It was strange—I was surprised at myself for doing so.
“Your hair ribbon. Where did it go?”
His cool hand traced gently across my wrist before grasping it softly.
Why was that?
For just a moment, it felt as though my wrist was bound tightly by rope.
No—as if a massive clawed foot had seized me.
“Your hair came undone.”
As Ekion spoke these words, he was not looking at me.
His gaze was directed toward Whale, eyes closed in prayer.
“…Why?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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