His Breeding Obsession

Leverianz comes from a noble background and tends to be quite arrogant.

 

He may have formed an unprecedented bond with Chera over the years, leading a weakened clan, but his temper doesn’t go unchallenged.

 

His glare was contemptuous, as he clearly thought she was overstepping her bounds.

 “I don’t like it, now. To have my feelings judged by you.” 

At Leverianz’s frosty stare, Chera spoke in a cold voice.

 “I hope you’re not letting your unfulfilled memories of the past and your affection for Mirania lead you to make the wrong judgment.” “…” “I don’t like it when you talk down to me like this, but our witch people are with your bad people now.” 

Chera said in a slightly wistful, mocking tone.

 “I don’t want to put the future of the clan in the hands of a petulant child.” 

As Mirania listened to their conversation with intrigue, a sudden thought occurred to her.

 

‘If a rambunctious child is dangerous, then just how dangerous is Grecan?’

 

Based on what Chera had said, it couldn’t be worse.

 

The Grecan I’d seen in the palace had changed, but underneath, he was still the same bratty child.

 

And yet, here he stands, ruling over all the other races…

 

It’s even worse than Leverianz leading the Bat people.

 

While Mirania mulled over the ridiculousness of the situation and worried about the current times, the situation was organized.

 

Crossing her arms, Chera turned her head to the other side, and Leverianz shifted his gaze to Mirania.

 “I’m embarrassed to be seen like this.” “It’s kind of funny, though, how you two used to be so reticent, and now you’re talking so casually.” “Haha, it’s only because so much time has passed.” 

A light chuckle escaped Leverianz’s lips, and then his eyes softened.

 “You don’t look as if you’ve accepted Chera’s words.” 

Leverianz’s eyes narrowed at the small comment.

 “It would be a shame to walk away now, when the person I’ve been thinking about every day for a hundred years is here.” “…” “Something you said troubled me. Perhaps I won’t live long, and with the scar on my wing, my life will be much shorter than that of the previous leader.” “…” “So it’s okay if Mirania’s lifespan is shortened because then I’ll be following in your footsteps.” 

Never mind about longevity, Leverianz was as serious as ever.

 “I want you to be my bride, just for a short time, so that I can truly feel you. To hold you in my arms and die smothered in happiness. Look at me, Mirania.” “…” “A hundred years ago, I regretted all the time that I didn’t say these words to you.” 

A confession that took 100 years to make.

 

Leverianz looked both eager and relieved.

 

Mirania’s stony face broke into a smile.

 

A bitter look crossed Mirania’s beautiful form as she withdrew her hand from Leverianz’s grasp.

 

Instead of holding his hand, Mirania stroked the silky blonde hair.

 “I care about you, too.” “…” “I care enough to not want you to be sick, to want you to be happy. And I’m glad to see you again like this.” 

A tender-sounding voice.

 “I’m glad to hear that, but I can guess what the story behind it is.” 

Leverianz forced a smile.

 

Mirania nodded,

“But that is all.” “…” “I have no desire to spend the rest of my days with you. I should have told you that long ago, but I was too insensitive.” 

After listening expressionlessly, Leverianz let out a weak, ragged laugh.

 “You’re still sweet, but you’re just as determined as ever.” “You’ve changed, I haven’t changed.” 

The bluntness of Mirania’s retort was chilling.

 

For a brief moment, I pondered,

‘How can I answer Leverianz’s heart?’

 

Mirania concluded.

 

‘I don’t know what else to do. I have to be honest.’

 

It was easy to realize that what was making the situation difficult was my own unwillingness to hurt.

 

Hesitating would only make him more hopeful and hurt him.

 

Especially if he was being sincere.

 “My heart is sad.” “…” “Your touch feels good.” 

He bowed his head slightly, positioning himself for Mirania’s stroking.

 “I can see why that Grecan bastard wants to be petted so much.” “…” “It’s so warm, and it makes me happy just the way it is, which makes me hate that bastard Grecan even more for keeping it all to himself.” 

After a few minutes of this, during which he took a long breath, Leverianz shook his head, looking more relaxed.

 “I see where you’re coming from, Mirania, I completely understand, and I’ll leave it at that.” 

Releasing his hands neatly, Leverianz muttered playfully.

 “I have pride, too, and I don’t want to propose to a girl who doesn’t like me over and over again.” “Wasn’t what you just did a repeat…” 

Chera grumbled disgruntled, but Leverianz ignored her with a grin.

 “Grecan is…” “…” 

He paused, as if he’d said the name unconsciously, and then let out a weak laugh.

 “You’ve been talking about him a lot today.” “…” “I haven’t consciously brought it up in a long time.” 

Leverianz glanced down at the open ring box, then snapped the lid shut.

 

A bitter voice slipped out quietly.

 “Well, I’m sure he’s had a hard time, but it’s not like I don’t know that, because who hasn’t had a hard time after Mirania disappeared like that?” “…” “We all dealt with our grief in our own ways. I, for one, clung to the protection of the clan. I heard Malandor went black after his altercation with Grecan, so that must have been an evasion, and Grecan…” “…” “He has nothing, except to destroy.” 

Mirania thought of Malandor and Grecan. 

 

‘Destroy. What an apt description.’

 “Unlike me, who had the sanctuary of a clan, he didn’t have a love for the wolves, he only had Milania. Aside from hating him to death, I can’t help but feel sorry for him.” 

Leverianz’s voice trailed off, calm.

 “So, Mirania, don’t go to him.” 

Mirania, who had been listening carefully, raised a question mark in her eyes.

 

Weren’t pity and staying away opposites?

 “He’s a bastard who knows nothing but destruction, and you shouldn’t think of the old Grecan. Apart from pity, let’s be clear about that, he hasn’t exactly been doing well, has he?” 

Leverianz frowned when Mirania didn’t say anything.

 “You’re not thinking of going back, are you?” 

Mirania didn’t have an answer right away. She hadn’t really thought about what happened afterward.

 

I just wanted to know what was going on, and I wanted to make sure the witches were okay, so I came all the way here.

 

Chera said,

“Stay here.” 

Leverianz replied,

“It’s time you came back to the witches, Mirania, you want to be with your clan.”  “I don’t know what the rest of your time will be like, but it will be a day to laugh. I’m offering this to you out of pure love, with no other meaning.” 

Mirania glanced back and forth between Chera and Leverianz, who gave her a look of acceptance.

 

Sensing her distress, Leverianz reached for her hand on the desk.

 

It was at that moment…

 “That’s very moving.” “…Ow!” 

Vanessa suddenly screamed. Everyone’s eyes snapped to the window.

 

Sitting on the window sill was Grecan. His black clothes made him seem to blend into the darkness.

 

Until he opened his mouth, the three of them, who hadn’t sensed the slightest hint of his presence, stiffened.

 “Wow, that’s impressive.” 

Grecan pursed his lips, his face expressionless.

 

Saying it twice sounded like mockery.

 “If you’re done, you don’t mind if I take you home, do you?  “…” “Mirania.” 

How long had he been there?

 

The common question echoed in her frozen mind.

 

Mirania felt as bad as she had when she’d opened her eyes again to Grecan’s arbitrary behavior.

 

She hated his rudeness, his expressionless face, hated his dark eyes that glazed over like something sinister.

 

‘Look at that, he’s so arrogant.’

 

Grecan glared at Mirania, who said nothing.

 

Sensing the rejection in her eyes, he pressed his lips into a straight line. He pursed his lips, then closed them again as a thought occurred to him.

 “What are you thinking, are you upset.”

 

 

Just as he was about to say it, Grecan held out his hand to her.

 

As if to say,

‘Take it.’

 “Come here, Mirania.” “…” “Not there, but here.” “…” “Here, by my side.” 

Grecan’s voice was dry, without pitch, but no one here thought his words could reach the depths of his heart.

 

His dark eyes were fluttering slightly as if he were holding back an emotion.

 

Mirania could only stare at his hand. Her inaction, her lack of response, made Grecan’s face contort as if he were about to cry.

 “Why are you here?” 

The harshness in her voice was meant to be a reprimand, and he snapped back.

 “Don’t talk down to me, Mirania.” “…”  “I’ve had enough. Ever since I heard the noise about the bride.” 

He’d been following her all along.

 

Mirania glared at him, and Grecan’s eyes flickered. His lips twitched in a pout.