Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 264

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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 264
Since it was my own quarters and no one else was around, I willingly used the power of water.
“Instead of swearing a sea oath, I heard everything from Levai. You said the Matriarch has a complete plan.”
“That’s right.”
If Levai had explained the plan to Misa, there had to be a reason. I nodded instead of saying anything else.
“Then all the more reason the Matriarch should wear formal attire. As elaborate as possible.”
“…Hm?”
Misa was a rational person.
There had to be a reason for insisting on wearing uncomfortable clothes at this point.
Instead of saying anything, I waited for Misa’s next words.
“I heard that while the Matriarch attends the ceremony, others will infiltrate.”
“Right, but?”
“Then doesn’t the Matriarch need something to capture everyone’s attention even more?”
“I don’t understand. What does me wearing formal attire have to do with capturing attention?”
“Matriarch, you’re far too unaware of your own beauty.”
Though it bordered on shameless, her straightforward praise made me pause for a moment.
“I know I’m beautiful. But that has nothing to do with this, does it?”
“Why wouldn’t it? Matriarch, men are designed to have their attention stolen by beautiful women, regardless of the reason.”
Misa spread her hands.
“Seeing how you speak, it seems the Matriarch wasn’t aware of how all the men were looking at you and what they were thinking on the day of the succession ceremony.”
“I’m not that oblivious.”
“No. You don’t know. That’s probably why Levai didn’t even attempt to persuade you….”
Misa clasped her hands together and spoke.
“Matriarch, have I ever done anything that harmed you or caused you inconvenience, even once?”
“….”
No, she hadn’t.
“Could you listen to my opinion just this once?”
There was no need to be stubborn about it.
After all, I could use my power just fine even in high heels.
If it really became uncomfortable, I could always take them off.
“Fine, I understand.”
Color returned to Misa’s face.
In truth, since Misa had played a role like a mother to me in this life, I decided not to withdraw this opinion lightly.
* * *
“Misa. You sent me on purpose, didn’t you?”
That afternoon.
Since we decided to stay in this village for about a day for maintenance, I had time to spare.
Though small in scale, this village was well-developed, and among its features, the narrow path leading to the nearby fields was quite beautiful.
‘Lili would probably like a place like this.’
I smiled, recalling the female lead I had traveled with long ago. I wonder if she’s doing well somewhere safe by now?
The Snake family seemed to cherish her dearly.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
I wasn’t walking this narrow path alone.
If I turned to look beside me, Levai would be there, responding shamelessly.
This was the reward Levai wanted to receive—taking a walk together.
He’d also wanted a “picnic,” but the situation didn’t allow for it.
‘I brought along some simple food to make do with, though.’
I looked at the small basket dangling loosely in my hand. It was adorable.
Never did I think a day would come in my life when I’d be walking around carrying something so cute.
I walked in silence. When I reached the end of the path, my mouth fell open of its own accord.
“Oh….”
A vast meadow stretched out before us.
Beneath a brilliant blue sky that spread out like a painting, an endless field stretched far into the distance, as if touching the horizon.
‘What a sight.’
“Quite a sight, indeed.”
Levai also seemed moved, uttering the very words I’d been thinking.
“Not quite like the sea, but worth seeing. I like things like this.”
“You mean vast, expansive nature?”
“Something like that.”
The wind blew just pleasantly enough. It had been so long since I’d basked in such comforting, warm sunlight.
Just as I’d woken up in a good mood this morning, that same pleasant feeling seemed to resurface, and I smiled softly.
“This should count as something like a picnic, don’t you think?”
“….”
I swayed the basket gently back and forth.
“What do you want to do? Want to walk a bit more? Or should we sit here?”
“…If you don’t mind, let’s walk a little further.”
“Sounds good.”
We walked a bit further across the meadow and found a suitable spot to settle down.
It was beneath a willow tree standing alone and tall in the endlessly stretching field.
“It’s just like a fairy tale.”
“A painting, not a fairy tale?”
“Yes.”
Inside the basket was a cute cloth that could serve as a simple mat.
There were also picnic teacups, sandwiches as a light meal, and simple desserts.
All things Misa had prepared.
“When I was young, the fairy tales I read had pictures like this in them.”
Both fairy tales and animations, you know. They were stories from Earth.
Stories from when I was ‘Sieun.’
“How interesting. All the fairy tales of Aquasiadel must have nothing but the sea drawn in them….”
“That’s right.”
Earlier, didn’t I mention something like a picnic? Looking at it now, it’s just an outing.
‘I suppose I’ve fulfilled that wish properly.’
Feeling secretly pleased, I handed a sandwich to Levai and took a large bite of my own.
“Being here like this brings back a memory.”
“What memory might that be?”
“We promised to go somewhere fun once everything was over.”
Levai froze solid, sandwich still in hand. I noticed from the corner of my eye but pretended to look ahead.
“Once the war ends, should we go somewhere to have fun together?”
“Please don’t say such strange things. Use that time to review the strategic plans once more.”
“Why not? Once we win, we can go anywhere we want.”
….
“Mountains or fields. I quite like meadows too. And flower gardens.”
It was a day during the third cycle.
Around the time the war had just begun, one of those days when I was steeling my heart against the increasingly fierce battles.
We had that conversation then.
“How predictable. Surely the Matriarch intended to take all her retainers somewhere pleasant.”
“I suppose. I wasn’t entirely without such thoughts.”
I held a cup in one hand. The tea inside was pleasantly warm.
Like the warmth you once gave me.
“Back then, I was asking because I thought it would be just you and me.”
….
“Of course, you dismissed it as nonsense as always.”
A breeze passed between us for a moment. Beneath the swaying hair, Levai’s eyes wavered for an instant.
“…I remember.”
“Yes. I thought you’d remember everything. You’re clever, after all.”
I turned my head and closed my eyes gently.
“And if the war had ended peacefully as you said, perhaps we would all be here together.”
When I opened my eyes, the faces I had tried to forget were standing there, smiling brightly.
Some called out to me saying flowers had bloomed here. Others wrestled in the meadow like young beasts, testing their strength.
Far away, there was Camula, laughing heartily and refreshingly.
And there was Hauser, reluctantly joining in among his comrades and listening to their stories.
And perhaps, had things turned out this way, Levai would have been by my side then too.
Within my own mirage gradually crumbling to dust, I opened my eyes.
“Everyone expects me to take multiple husbands these days. I’ve never mentioned such a thing.”
….
The people Father brought were retainers who followed Aquasiadel and their soldiers.
Whether greeting me or seeing me afterward, they all spoke of similar matters.
They subtly praised their own sons or openly asked if I’d like to meet them once.
The third cycle was simply busy with war, but had it ended peacefully, I would have heard such talk then too.
I became newly aware of my position.
“Even Ekion says things like that. He says he’d be satisfied as long as he’s first.”
“….”
“Levai, I think there are things better left ungrasped than to spend a lifetime never receiving what you desire.”
“Some people hope to possess a jewel, while others find joy merely in gazing upon it.”
Levai’s voice carried a stubborn resolve.
“It seems you’ve heard the stories of countless families attempting marriage negotiations to welcome Whale as a member of their house. Yes, I too have been hearing such talk. Frankly, I’m already weary of it.”
“….”
“Soon, when the Dolphin family members return to Aquasiadel, they will likely tell me the same thing. Get married.”
“….”
“But since they’re all rational, they might even force me into a different marriage. Aren’t you afraid?”
Even the faint smile had vanished from his face—now it bore the cold visage of a calculating strategist.
That face which computed everything and judged with cold pragmatism.
“If I were to marry someone, we would inevitably have to concern ourselves with much politically, whether we like it or not.”
That was true.
Things could never be as they once were.
There is nothing quite like marriage for unifying multiple tribes. That’s why Atlant, Bellus, and Lirivel advised taking multiple husbands to prevent chaos.
Surprisingly, Father said that if I were to take one, I might as well take several.
Even you advised me multiple times. Whether rationally or emotionally, either way it would have been sincere.
“I hope you love me as much as I love you. So much you grow tired of it, so much you wonder if this is really okay. Then one day when the statute of limitations expires, I hope you forget it all and find happiness. That’s how I cherish you.”
But could such words have meaning for someone who had already transcended the past to chase after me, for someone I had loved in my previous life?
“If I place you in a different position, then there will be no turning back, no escape.”
“That’s fine with me.”
“….”
“Are you giving me a place where I can watch over you?”
We stared at each other for a long moment.
“This time, I’ll settle things properly with the Imperial Palace. I won’t create a world where there’s another ‘next time.'”
“….”
“When the war ends, you and I may no longer be able to see each other as we do now.”
A Matriarch must act as a Matriarch. Levai knew this better than anyone.
“But if you’re willing to accept that.”
Levai smiled.

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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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