“Ah…”
It was an unexpected answer, and I didn’t know how to react. Even though it wasn’t my fault, I couldn’t help but feel somehow responsible—as if, because of being half-human, some part of the blame still fell on me.
Eve must’ve noticed the stiffness in my face. She quickly added, “I only told you so you won’t be caught off guard when you meet the Heukryong clan someday. That’s all—there’s no other reason.”
“Mm, okay…”
I believed her.
Eve wasn’t saying this to criticize me for being half-human. She was just trying to prepare me. Even so, I couldn’t help but feel guilty.
In my past life, I’d been fully human—and in this life, I was still half. I’d always known that humans… are selfish creatures.
***
“My lord, it’s Eve.”
“Come in.”
Eve opened the heavy and gold-decorated door with ease and stepped into Hale’s office. He set down his pen and welcomed her.
“It’s been a while.”
“If you hadn’t assigned me to Lady Senika’s pheromone lessons, we might not see each other for another fifty years.”
“I get it, I’m grateful. So stop rubbing it in.”
Hale smiled faintly and moved to sit on the sofa in the center of the room rather than behind his desk. Eve followed suit.
“How’s Senika doing?”
Hale didn’t waste time with small talk—he went straight to the point.
“You mentioned her growth had slowed recently, right?”
“According to the growth records Rita showed me, there’s been a clear decline in her rate of development.”
“I think I figured out why after checking her pheromones.”
Eve raised one hand.
A sphere of pheromone energy formed above her palm—darker than darkness itself. It wasn’t the light sky-blue color that represented Eve’s own pheromones.
Hale frowned and gave her a look, demanding an explanation.
“These are the young lady’s pheromones.”
“…”
“They’re black. That color would never come from a Baekryong.”
“…Are you saying she’s a Heukryong?”
“No. Despite the color, the energy itself is unmistakably that of a Baekryong.”
Eve couldn’t explain why Senika’s pheromones were black. She had never encountered anything like this before.
“My guess is that her slowed growth is due to this pheromone being unable to purify itself within her human body.”
“Is there a way to fix it?”
“Right now, I can’t say. I’ll do my best to find a solution, but… we may need help from Heukryong clan.”
At the mention of involving the Heukryong clan, Hale’s expression darkened immediately. Eve stopped there. She knew the history between Hale and the Heukryong clan’s head, Vivian.
After a long silence, Hale slowly blinked and nodded.
“…All right.”
“The good news is, she’ll likely grow normally until around the human age of fifteen. It’s the process of maturing into her full form that might be difficult.”
“Whether or not to ask the Heukryong’s for help… we’ll decide that based on her condition when the time comes.”
“I’ll support whatever you decide, my lord.”
“I’m glad I have you. You’re reassuring.”
Hale said it with a bright tone—so different from the dark expression he wore a moment ago.
However, the light atmosphere didn’t last long. Silence settled over the room again. Eve, who normally left without a word once business was done, hesitated this time.
She had grown up alongside Hale since he became heir. She knew his softer side. Senika wasn’t just any heir— She was the daughter of Hale’s late wife.
She had every reason to believe Hale was more on edge than usual. Eve decided to break the silence.
“My lord.”
Hale, who had been staring into space, turned his gaze toward her.
She continued immediately. “May I ask you something?”
“Since it’s you, I’ll allow it.”
Eve smiled faintly at his quick return to his usual self.
“Anyway, you’d ask even if I said no.”
“You know me too well.”
“So, what is it?”
Even though he already knew the reason for her question, Hale didn’t draw out the prelude.
“Why me, of all people?”
“I already told you—you’re dependable.”
“…”
“And no one’s more qualified than you.”
‘Qualified,’ huh…
Eve tilted her head slightly. Hale’s answer didn’t fully make sense to her. Seeing that, he elaborated.
“Hm… You’ve been away from the estate too long, so maybe you haven’t heard. Let me explain.”
Hale crossed his legs and grew serious.
“I’ve heard that some elders who never liked me are plotting rebellion.”
“…Ah.”
“If I heard about it, that probably means they’ve already planted spies near me.”
“It must be the faction led by Elder Richt.”
“There are likely more than just them. That’s why I can’t entrust my daughter to just anyone.”
Now Eve understood why Hale had called her the most qualified. There was no way she could be a spy—she had been raised to serve only Hale.
It was a well-known fact in House Evienne. Eve’s family had always stood by the family head’s side. Though the bond between the two dragons began without their consent, it had grown into something unspoken and strong.
They didn’t show it outwardly, but they leaned on each other—deeply.
“I didn’t realize you trusted me this much, my lord.”
“Well, now you know.”
Their tone had lightened considerably.
“Oh, Eve—Senika’s condition stays between us. No one else can know.”
It was the second time Eve had seen Hale care so deeply about someone. She had witnessed the moment he lost the person he loved most. She had seen him at his lowest. And so, she felt a greater sense of responsibility now.
“Hale.”
She had also felt guilt—guilt for not doing more back then. Now, she silently vowed to protect him, and everything he held dear, no matter what.
“If that’s what you’re worried about, you can rest easy.”
“I’ll leave it to you.”
Eve simply nodded in reply to Hale’s voice, which was laced with longing. Pheromone lessons were held either three times a week or once every two days.
Which meant…
***
Today was a day without lessons.
It’s so boring. I’m so bored I was going to lose it. After rolling around the room for a while, I made up my mind. It was time to explore the garden.
“No, you may not.”
“Heeeng, whyyy!”
Rita refused. She said I couldn’t go in without the Lord’s permission.
“But I’m his daughter!”
“I’m sorry, but it’s still a no.”
I was the daughter of the head of this house, but I was still a powerless child. Since she even brought up Hale’s name, it meant arguing further was pointless.
Which meant there was only one solution: If I wanted to make my boring life more fun and get into the garden—
“Right now?”
“Yup! I gotta see Daddy!”
I demanded to go to Hale’s office, even if it meant throwing a bit of a tantrum. Knowing full well why I wanted to go, Rita reluctantly nodded.
She probably wanted to let me go too, but couldn’t defy Hale’s orders. So off we went. They said he was in the middle of work, but that didn’t matter to me.
I already knew how much he adored me.
Knock knock—
I opened the door and stepped inside alone.
Hale looked surprised—his eyes widened slightly.
“Senika?”
“Daddy!”
I ran toward him. He scooped me up naturally and fixed my messy bangs.
“What brings you here?”
“I came to ask for permission!”
“Permission? There’s nothing in this mansion you’re not allowed to do.”
That’s what I thought too! But apparently…
I grabbed Hale’s much larger hand. He raised one eyebrow.
“I wanna go to the garden!”
“…The garden?”
“Yeah! I’m stuck in my room all the time—it’s boring.”
I saw his gentle expression harden.
Why? Why wasn’t I allowed in the garden? Was something hidden there? Wait a second… Could it be… an heirloom buried there? Passed down for generations?
“Rita said I need your permission.”
“…”
“Can I go? Please?”
He didn’t answer. He just looked down, silently listening. I waved a hand in front of his eyes and only then did his gaze shift back to me.
“…I’m the one who forbade it.”
“Why?”
“I’ll tell you when you’re older.”
“Hmmm…”
That confirmed it. He definitely buried a family treasure out there. He must be saving it for when I start the heir training.
I pouted and nodded.
No point on asking more if I’d find out later anyway.
“Senika.”
“Yeah?”
“What do you want to do in the garden?”
“I wanna decorate it! Make it pretty!”
“Is that so?”
He fell into thought again, then quickly gathered himself and smiled.
“Go ahead.”
“Really?”
“Senika, there’s almost nothing you can’t do in this mansion. Do whatever you like.”
I knew Hale was on my side, but hearing it like that made it feel even more real.
“Yay!”
“But not today. It’s been left alone for a while—it’s probably messy. I’ll have someone clean it up first.”
“Daddy’s the best!”
Yup. Being the beloved daughter of a gentle, powerful man?
Best thing ever.
