Day and night were unclear. In the darkness, Rayan could not discern anything. He wondered how many days had passed, or if not even a day had passed yet, and time seemed to have stopped.
Ayla, who said she would come again, did not show her face. This was not an easy place to set foot in. Maybe she got tired of Rayan who didn’t bend his will and decided not to care anymore. Either way, it didn’t matter.
Rayan grabbed his bracelet. In the situation he was in now, this was his only comfort and reliance. The only regret was that it was so dark everywhere that it was impossible to see the color of the jewels.
In the stagnant darkness, Rayan thought of Erich. He had told him to rest for a few days and get better, so he wouldn’t be looking for him until then, but if he didn’t come after that, he would be looking for him, and that was what Rayan was worried about.
At first Erich would be angry, then he would be concerned. Then he would get tired of waiting without a promise, and when the time comes, he would eventually leave this place and return to his place.
“…”
It was clear that Rayan would slowly be forgotten.
Every time a negative thought overtook him, Rayan closed his eyes tightly and comforted his heart. It was a farewell that would come someday anyway. It’s just that it came a little early, but this was a pain he would have to go through at some point.
“Erich…”
Rayan sat down in the corner and called out Erich’s name. The call that would not reach the opponent fell in vain. Erich. Whispering his name again, Rayan blinked slowly and leaned his head against the wall.
His body, which had improved a lot, stretched out again right after he was locked up.
It might be because the energy Ayla had given him was being exhausted, or it might be because he had let go of all his resilience. Besides, this place without a single light wasn’t a very good environment. It was worse than the Black Sea.
Every time he exhaled sharply, his breath was hot.
Wouldn’t he die quickly at this rate? Until recently, death or exile didn’t seem so scary, but he really hated thinking that he wouldn’t be able to see Erich forever. And just because he was alive doesn’t mean he could see him, but still, he didn’t know; miracles are like an illusion that only gives hope without a promise, but sometimes they exist.
Rayan broke into a different thought. Whenever bad things happened, he mused on the pleasant and good memories in order to overcome them. In the past, he recalled his childhood, but Erich was present in all his memories now. Clearly and dazzlingly.
‘Can I touch this?’
When was it? Ever since he’d seen the starfish Rayan had pulled from the bottom, he’d made it a hobby to search for other sea creatures underwater and touch them or put them on his palm and look at them. That day was also such a day. Erhart had asked him, pointing with his hand at something floating in the sea.
‘It’s okay to touch it.’
Rayan looked at it and nodded, giving his permission. Erhart touched it without a moment’s doubt, and then he withdrew his hand and frowned. At that, Rayan laughed happily.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
‘Rayan. Are you going to be like this now.’
‘Tbe ofv wf rbwfatlcu rbeg, abb.’
‘That’s a long time ago. And it wasn’t too sour.’
Sglmt vfofcvfv tlwrfio klat j ibbx bo wliv lcvlucjalbc. Lwqt. Ejsjc rcbgafv ja tlw. Ktf rbegcfrr tjv yffc rb ragbcu atja la wjvf atf alq bo tlr abcuef alcuif. Sglmt rffwfv ab yf jc lvlba klat cb rfcrf bo ajraf. Lf vlvc’a ilxf rkffar jcv vlvc’a xcbk jybea rbegcfrr. Fcxcbklcuis, Sglmt yiegafv bea jr Ejsjc ibbxfv ja tlw klat j qlaslcu fzqgfrrlbc.
‘What is that expression? It’s unpleasant.’
‘Nothing.’
Rayan acted coy, and Erich looked at him for a long while before splashing water on him. Rayan, not afraid of this, swung his tail. Erich had to cough as the water washed over his face repeatedly.
“…I miss you.”
As Rayan pondered over the memories, he felt a strong desire to see him.
“Erich. What are you doing now? I am…”
I’m thinking of you.
His eyes burned, and he had to close them. Creak~ There was the sound of a heavy door opening. Rayan, who was sitting with his back turned, did not even check who was entering through the crack in the open door. If it was Ayla, he wouldn’t have the energy to argue, and no one else would even bother talking to him anyway.
“Do you still intend the same?”
He tried to ignore it, but the voice he heard moved him. His eyes were dazzled by the light from those who turned his head. Rayan had to squint his eyes a little. As his eyes barely adjusted to the light, he saw the King’s expression. She was looking down at Rayan with unreadable eyes.
“You really don’t want to stay locked up forever, do you?”
“… Mer.”
Rayan stopped short of speaking. He needed a moment to catch his breath.
“I don’t know why you are doing this.”
“…”
“You kept pretending you didn’t know me. You treated me worse than inanimate objects. It will all be over if you banish me with the intention of clearing the King of old shame. Why. Why the hell…”
He still couldn’t read any expression on Mer’s face.
“So that’s what you intend. It will take a little more time.”
Talking to the wall might be better than this. Rayan couldn’t adapt to her interest from the last time. It wasn’t even welcomed. Because it couldn’t have been based on her affection.
“King. I will never change my intention.”
“…”
“He is my only comfort and love.”
“A foolish thing.”
Mer, who dryly criticized him, turned her back.
The faint light passing through the gap disappeared and darkness came. He had barely gotten used to it, but it would take some time to get used to this black space again. It didn’t matter though. He confirmed that the color of the jewel did not change thanks to the light that penetrated for a moment, and that nothing had happened to Erich.
Clasping his wrists, Rayan laid down on his side.
Suddenly, he was short of breath. His whole body burned as if the calm heat was consuming him. In the midst of his terrifying pain, Rayan’s consciousness gradually faded.
* * *
Ayla was standing in front of the King’s palace. The guardian mermaids guarding the palace warned her to go back but Ayla shamelessly ignored them. As a guardian mermaid, she was far below the ranks, but she was the daughter of an elder. It meant that she could one day take over his place and become one of the elders, so a fair share of mermaids didn’t treat her carelessly. Rayan was the only one who treated her carefreely.
She sent a turtle each to Alle and Yuri. If she personally went, it would have been faster than the turtle, but there was the downside of having to leave Atisa for a while. It wasn’t that she would be troubled for bringing them, but something that might happen to Rayan’s safety while she was away for no reason.
Not only that, the mermaid had broken the taboo and came into contact with a human, and said that he even loved him. The elders were arguing that he should be punished more severely, even her father.
She couldn’t think of a letter to send, or a way to stop him. She needed to see Rayan, but even as the daughter of the first elder, it was impossible for her to frequently enter the prison, which was strictly off-limits to all.
In the midst of this madness, she had come to the King’s court for a reason.
She couldn’t be sure, but Mer seemed skeptical of Rayan’s punishment. Ayla could tell by looking. Even though it was a matter that could lead to his execution or permanent banishment, Mer put Rayan in prison. Of course, that was not a light sentence either, but it was lenient for breaking a centuries-old law.
So, if only she could persuade Mer.
“The Honor. Mer.”
Sensing the energy approaching from afar, Ayla immediately approached and bowed.
“If you have come to ask for mercy, step aside. I have already given enough.”
Mer kicked her out insensitively. She wouldn’t even come looking for her if she was going to be kicked out immediately. Ayla closed her eyes and asked, trying hard to ignore the fear that made her on the edge.
“I will keep an eye on Rayan so he doesn’t do anything stupid. King. The prison is too harsh for the young mermaid. Besides, Rayan hasn’t even fully healed yet. Please…”
She glanced at Mer, but the other didn’t seem to be listening. This was also expected, but when she saw her stubbornness, she was at a loss. Then what? Should she say that she would engrave the partner’s seal? Rayan couldn’t engrave, so it would be a one-sided thing, but it could be an excuse to get him out anyway.
Leaving aside everything else, she now knew that Rayan didn’t like her, and she didn’t like Rayan in that sense either. Even so, Ayla could not see the tragedy of the man who had been with her every day from the moment he was born until now.
Of course, it seemed like Mer would dismiss these words lightly.
Ayla took a deep breath. Before her hesitation outweighed the urge, she opened her mouth, but heard the sound of someone urgently looking for Mer. Ayla turned around to look, then hardened her expression. It was a prison guard.
“Mer. Simer…”
Even before the guard’s words were finished, her heart crashed at her feet.
Ayla left the place, forgetting that she was in front of the King, and headed straight for the prison.
In that darkness, in that solitude, how much must he have suffered? Besides, Rayan wasn’t feeling well. It was evident that he finally broke down. Even if she went, she couldn’t do anything because she couldn’t remove the barrier on her own, but Ayla rushed busily.
And, whether the guards stopped it or not, what Ayla found after pushing through recklessly,
“…”
It was Rayan with his eyes closed, surrounded by a round membrane.
Yessssss! I was right. He’s finally maturing 🥳
Oh, maybe Rayan is growing!
Thanks for the chapter 🌹
».. she couldn’t remove the barrier on his own..« on her own
Ooooh~ it’s happening. I wonder how long it will take. Months, years?
Thx for the ch ٩(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )و