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Episode 264.2

They had such interesting lectures in Introduction to Fairy Studies?

I could only shake my head in regret.

“I didn’t have much time to attend lectures. But isn’t that about elves? I’m a half-fairy of the nymph lineage. Aren’t nymphs just as prudish?”

Unlike the slender, model-like beauty of elves, the nymph fairy lineage generally appeared as adolescent girls.

Their interests revolved around sweet, delicious desserts, pretty jewels, and ornaments. It was fair to say they still had a childlike innocence.

Those nymphs engage in free love?

Mirna continued.

“It’s said that a long time ago, in mythic times, there was a period when nymphs were not as small as they are now. A time where nymphs were big and voluptuous.”

Big and voluptuous nymphs?

I couldn’t quite imagine it. Seeing my furrowed brows, Mirna added a word to help me understand.

“There were countless nymphs with clumsy, ample bodies like Lady Lioness. In deep forests, sacred valleys, rivers, and ponds, most were ruled by nymphs.”

“Ah.”

“In old stories, there are fairies who seduce adventurers and heroes, right? Those are all about nymphs. They’re very naughty beings.”

“No way.”

Mirna shook her head at my denial.

“It’s the truth depicted in the ancient murals of nymphs in the Angmar royal tomb. Nymphs were a race that is sexually corrupt by nature. So, the Gwangyeong God cursed them.”

According to Mirna, the reason nymphs took on a childish appearance was a curse from god in response to their promiscuous and freewheeling lifestyle.

As a result, nymphs became fairies of innocence, far removed from romance or love.

I found it hard to believe, but in a world where many strange things happen, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.

“So, it wouldn’t be surprising if Sir Theo, who has the blood of these peculiar nymphs, was promiscuous and unprincipled.”

“……”

That’s harsh.

But it’s true, so I couldn’t argue.

But I wasn’t that promiscuous, am I? Compared to Kasim, I thought I was pretty tame for someone with the Casanova job…

Then Mirna said as if comforting me.

“But I understand. The promiscuity of long-lived races is like an instinct. Fairies live for long ages. For them, love is but a brief, fleeting moment of summer, like a cicada’s cry.”

A cicada’s cry…. 

“Even after many years, Sir Theo, you will remain as you are now. Even if the flame of my life burns out someday, you will continue living for much longer than the time we spent together.”

Mirna’s words painted a series of images in my mind. Being a fairy meant living a long life, and as a half-fairy, my time flowed differently from everyone else’s.

As Mirna said, I would survive longer than anyone.

In a world where they had vanished, I would be left alone… The thought made me feel a profound sense of loneliness, even though it hadn’t happened yet.

In truth, I vaguely knew. 

That my time was different from others. 

I was just ignoring it.

“Sir Theo, can you reconsider what it means to become a family? Watching your family’s death…”

Seueuk-.

Mirna gazed at the dungeon’s night sky. After a long period of contemplation, she finally spoke.

“Being left alone is more painful than one might think.”

This was something only Mirna could say. Though I hadn’t intended for us to have such a serious conversation, I found myself deep in thought. 

Knowing we would inevitably part one day, could I love Mirna as if this fleeting summer moment would last forever?

What was love and affection, anyway?

Then, like a bolt of lightning, a thought struck me.

“The possibilities of magic are endless. If we developed magic for youth and life, wouldn’t it be possible to live together for a long time?”

Mirna burst into laughter at my suggestion.

“What a childish idea. It’s already been proven impossible. Even Solomon couldn’t achieve immortality. He, too, couldn’t defy death.”

She was right.

I suddenly remembered that Solomon fell into the path of emptiness and demons because of this very reason. He, too, had fallen in his quest to resurrect the life of his beloved nymph and achieve immortality.

In hindsight, it made sense. 

If a cherished family member had died, and if I had the chance and power to reverse it, wouldn’t I do the same? Although Solomon failed, Balan had said that I surpassed his potential. Perhaps my outcome would be different.

If it were me…, maybe more….

While I was deep in thought, Mirna stretched leisurely.

“So, Sir Theo. What’s the real story you want to tell?”

“The real story…? If you mean what I’ve already said so far….”

“No need to pretend. I can read your thoughts by now. It’s definitely about a woman, right? Since Queen Tarantera has been quiet recently, if there’s a problem, it must be with Lady Lioness.”

I felt a sharp pang in my chest, as if a crab had pinched my heart. I hadn’t expected Mirna to hit the mark so accurately.

As I broke into a cold sweat, like someone caught at the scene of a crime, Mirna snorted.

“I’m not a fool. I know well enough that Sir Theo’s heart isn’t solely directed at me. Though perhaps the largest part of it is.”

“That’s not true. My heart for Mirna-nim is very big…”

As I stumbled over my words trying to explain, Mirna laughed softly. At the same time, something made a strange sound and nestled into her arms.

━Kyuiing.

Mirna held the soft creature close, gently stroking its squirming body, and finally said with a light attitude.

“But I am both Mirna and Mir-Narmi. Sharing is something I’ve been accustomed to since childhood. So─”

─It’s okay.

Mirna’s face, as she said this serenely, shone under the starlight.

Even knowing that these stars weren’t real.

Even knowing that this was just a midsummer night’s dream, one that would fade away and leave me far behind someday.

I began to understand why long-lived fairies listened to the cicada’s song.