Chapter 197 Laveua (3)
[Ragia, who gave herself to the Blood Dagger Clan, sleeps here.]
Nicole read the letters written on the beast tooth that was the gravestone and thought this was an apt place to talk about serious matters. She then saw Laveua, who was sitting next to the tooth with her lips sticking out.
“My parents do not like me. It has been a week, and they don’t seem pleased to see me…”
It seemed that the fact Blood Dagger and Mev had gone into a meeting right after they came back had saddened Laveua. However, what Laveua said was not true. Nicole patted Yazaa’s fur as she spoke.
“That’s not true. I remember when you were born, and your parents seemed so happy. I have never seen Blood Dagger smile so brightly before. He has so many agendas, as he is your father but also everyone else’s.”
“I know that…”
Nicole nodded inwardly at Laveua’s admittance.
“However, Father likes Yoora more than anyone else and spends so much time with her. He goes hunting with her and talks with her often.”
“It’s not that. While he does spend time with Yoora, it’s not because he likes her more.”
Nicole realized her guess had been right and was at a loss about how to explain Yoora’s situation to Laveua. The fairy spoke before Nicole did.
“Other Green Skins told me that Father would have had Yoora as his daughter if I had not been born.”
“That’s not true…!”
It seemed that young Green Skins had spoken out of line when they thought Laveua was not nearby.
“How can you know when you don’t have a father?”
“That’s…”
Nicole could not continue her words at Laveua’s unexpected remark. It was true that Nicole did not know much about paternal love. However, Nicole slowly remembered how much care Blood Dagger had given Laveua. She thought about when Blood Dagger lifted up Laveua for the first time. He had smiled so widely that she had been secretly jealous.
Nicole thought Blood Dagger looked at Laveua differently compared to other Green Skins. She then saw Laveua stare at her in astonishment, like she realized her mistake.
“I am sorry, Nicole, I did not mean… I made a mistake.”
Nicole smiled at Laveua.
“I know, it’s all right. While I can only guess, I can confirm that Blood Dagger loves you.”
“…Really?”
“It is true. The reason he spends time with Yoora is not that she is Yoora, but because she is a smart and noble Green Skin.”
“But she is human…”
“He has accepted humans as Green Skins! That is the Blood Dagger’s norm! Baek Ahyeon is also a Green Skin.”
“I…see…”
“Yoora has proven herself as a Green Skin, and if you also do so after you become three, you can also go along with your parents.”
“Prove?”
“Yes.”
Nicole let out a deep breath as she realized that Laveua seemed to take in what she was saying.
“How do I do that?”
“I…don’t know. I believe that time will help matters. First, you have to grow, train hard, and play much. You have to show Blood Dagger that you’re smart and strong!”
Nicole grabbed Laveua’s hand, and they both smiled. She tugged the fairy’s arm as the meeting may have finished by now.
“Then, let’s go back to Blood Dagger.”
“Yes!”
It seemed that Nicole had made a correct guess, as Green Skins were coming out from Blood Dagger’s tent. Laveua’s smile brightened as she realized that it was her turn. Nicole saw that Blood Dagger was coming out from the tent with Kim Yoora, and they were talking.
“You worked hard.”
“It was nothing.”
Nicole had been about to wave her hand when she saw Laveua’s eyes burn. She saw that Blood Dagger was patting Kim Yoora’s head, and Yoora was looking down with a flushed face. While Nicole normally would have cheered her on, she thought now was bad timing. Even she could see that there was affection there.
Laveua’s face was growing cold again.
“I want to go.”
“No, Laveua. You can be with him now!”
“Mother will call me to eat soon anyway.”
Laveua was looking at Kim Yoora like she wanted to eat her up. Nicole nodded as she thought she would need to set up a meeting between the two. As Laveua was young, she would feel better after a meal with Blood Dagger and Mev. Nicole sighed as she thought she would not be able to draw more flags today as she chased after Laveua.
**
“What are you thinking, leader?”
“I was just thinking.”
Mev spoke to me as I lowered myself to the bed after a brief meeting. We had been busy chasing after the Spider Clan. While we had produced results, I could not reach the clan master yet.
We had caught the mage using explosive magic, and he had been found in one of Hunting Dog Clan’s lairs. Kim Yoora had found the location using Jang Ye Ri’s information. We had locked the mage up underground with Park Hyeri.
Kim Yoora seemed smarter than I had first thought, and I personally wanted to have her on as one of the core members. I was feeling Ragia’s empty space more than ever. While clan members followed Gark well, Ragia had handled each Green Skin more delicately.
Mev was fighting along with me, and Hakajin and Jung Hayeon were working too hard because we had so much going on. However, I thought Kim Yoora would fill the gap after some time.
“Leader!”
Mev came rushing at me as I was thinking about the future.
“What?”
She rubbed her head on my chest, and it seemed she had missed spending time with me. I hugged her as I sat up, as I wanted to spend time with Mev and my daughter together. We had a lot to talk about.
“Where is Laveua?”
“She seems to be with Nicole. I was about to call her to eat.”
“I am grateful to Nicole.”
“She seems to be taking care of Laveua well.”
Mev nodded with a bright smile as she seemed to have wanted to spend time with Laveua. She was not a strict mother as she was not used to scolding or raising a child. I had also been absent, and while I had spent much time with her as a baby, I had to go outside of the clan often from when she began to speak.
Also, I did not want to give her special treatment, as there were too many Green Skins here without parents. I thought it would disrupt the peace among the Green Skins. The fact that I was not a good father made me feel bitter.
“I will go then.”
Mev went out to get Laveua, and thinking about my daughter again made me smile. I was happy about her but surprised at how fast she grew. Also, my daughter was smarter and had more magic as she had Mev’s blood. I thought she got my personality.
She was quiet in front of me, but I had heard about her antics. I thought I should not let her go on like this, as everyone else in the clan was giving her special the treatment I was not giving to her.
I thought I should talk about this to Black Spear, and Laveua came with Mev then.
“Daddy!”
I could see Laveua come at me like Mev did and saw that she was looking at me with teary eyes. I thought I had been too indifferent towards her.