Help! I'm in Another World and the Dragon Man Want Me To Get Pregnant!
Chapter 145: Side Story: Morin in the Republic of Mara (Part 9)

Chapter 145: Side Story: Morin in the Republic of Mara (Part 9)

"He’s still just a kid," Noel said.

"I told him to sleep with me, and he said no."

"Well, of course. He’s not going to hold someone who’s throwing themselves away. It’s too much of a hassle, and it wouldn’t feel good, either."

"...I don’t think it’s that I’ll take anyone."

Morin had wanted Malvis to be the one.

That was why he came to Noel in the first place.

Noel made a subtle face, then glared at him.

"Being someone’s substitute is the worst feeling."

"Noel, you seem kind, though..."

"Too bad. I’m not that kind, especially not to someone like you. If you’re going to make a move on me, the price will be a bit high."

"...How much?"

"Do you want me to make you feel like you need to be punished to fix your messed-up desires?"

Noel’s eyes glinted with mischief, and Morin turned pale, shaking his head.

Noel’s smile widened in response.

Noel was kind, in his own way.

No matter what, he had listened to Morin’s complaints and offered him some advice.

"Even you would be fine," Morin said quietly.

"’Would be fine’ isn’t good enough. Morin, I don’t recommend going after someone else’s property. Even if it’s a replacement, it won’t mean anything. You need to take it one step at a time and figure out what’s truly important to you."

One step at a time.

The words made Morin’s chest ache.

But there was one thing that he had to sort out first.

He might get scolded, but he couldn’t move forward unless he did this.

Morin stood up, thanked Noel, and then headed straight to the castle.

When he asked for an introduction, Qi Yu arrived immediately.

He tilted his head at Morin but said nothing about it.

"What’s going on, Morin?" Qi Yu asked.

"Please. Take me to the Golden Dragon’s castle," Morin requested earnestly.

"The Golden Dragon? You mean Lysander’s place?" Qi Yu asked, looking troubled.

He could see Qi Yu’s hesitation.

Morin knew Qi Yu understood the circumstances that led him here.

Still, this was important to him.

It was crucial for his future.

"Please!" Morin pleaded, bowing as low as he could.

If it wasn’t enough, he’d fall to his knees.

Qi Yu looked troubled for a moment but then gave a wry smile and nodded.

Now, in the Golden Dragon Territory, Morin found himself in a reception room.

Qi Yu was beside him.

He had arranged for him to meet with Uncle Gabriel and Uncle Lysander.

Before long, the two men arrived.

Gabriel smiled awkwardly, and Lysander looked concerned.

In front of them, Morin bowed his head deeply.

"I’m sorry!" Morin exclaimed.

"Morin..."

"I’m sorry! I... I still can’t get over with Uncle Gabriel, but... I know I’ve done something wrong. I understand that I need to sort everything out, or else I won’t know what to do, and that’s why..."

One step at a time, he had to sort things out.

And if he was going to do that, he needed to finish this first.

He couldn’t just end it with a scolding.

He couldn’t let it end that way.

But then, a wave of sadness hit him.

Gabriel had a gentle, troubled expression, and Lysander wore a concerned look.

When he saw those eyes, Morin felt a familiar urge to lean on them.

He still felt like he could be forgiven.

Even though he came here to move past all of this.

"Gabriel, if it’s too much, ending it cleanly is a kindness, too."

A calm voice interrupted his thoughts.

He turned to see Qi Yu looking at Gabriel from beside him.

"At a time like this, you shouldn’t be giving a face that’s ready to accept him. If you’re indecisive, this child won’t be able to move forward. You know well the consequences of angering Xinghuu, so accept this child’s feelings, even if it means enduring it."

It was a harsh statement, but a kind one at the same time.

Morin couldn’t lift his head.

He was too embarrassed from crying to do so.

A large, gentle hand, one that he loved dearly, touched his shoulder.

"Morin, I can’t return your feelings."

The words pierced him, and his chest tightened.

He couldn’t breathe.

But it was pain he knew.

It was the pain he had been prepared for.

Morin lifted his head.

Gabriel’s eyes were serious, and there was no sweetness in them.

Even with his face a mess from crying, Morin was able to smile.

"I love Lysander. I want to cherish him. That’s why I can’t return your feelings."

"...I understand."

Something dropped inside him, and though it still lingered, it wasn’t as suffocating as before.

Qi Yu accompanied him back to the Twilight Castle.

And once there, Morin clung to Qi Yu and cried a lot.

Qi Yu gently stroked his back and said, "You did well."

By the time Morin stopped crying, the outside world had grown dark, and he was exhausted from his tears.

Still, he felt lighter.

There was not a trace of hope left, but the pain in his chest had disappeared.

At the castle gates, he saw Malvis waiting for him.

Malvis spotted him and walked straight toward him.

It took a little courage to face him.

He had caused so much trouble and worry.

Malvis had done so much for him, but Morin hadn’t been able to repay it.

But if he ran away now, he would never be able to face him again.

So, he wouldn’t run.

"I heard from Mother. Are you alright?" Malvis asked.

"Mm, I’m fine on my side," Morin replied.

"Good. In that case, let’s go home."

Let’s go home.

Those words made him feel happy.

Morin smiled from the bottom of his heart and stood beside Malvis.

For the first time since coming here, he felt like he could truly smile.

He thought he would start looking for something.

Something he could do, something that would make others happy, someone important to him.

Finally, he had taken the first step forward.