Help! I'm in Another World and the Dragon Man Want Me To Get Pregnant!
Chapter 146: Side Story: Morin in the Republic of Mara (Part 10)

Chapter 146: Side Story: Morin in the Republic of Mara (Part 10)

Lately, Morin had been helping out Nabe.

He was in charge of organizing documents, collecting rent, managing the collected money, tending the garden, and patrolling the apartment complex.

Surprisingly, he found it all quite enjoyable.

Through rent collections, garden work, and checking up on the property, he began to grow closer with the residents.

Since most of them lived alone, Morin had become something of a local favorite.

"You really are a good kid, Morin. Very capable," Nabe said with a satisfied smile.

Morin had compiled a report covering projected maintenance expenses, contractor options, cost estimates, and reputation comparisons.

Nabe looked it over, clearly pleased.

Morin rather liked being praised by him.

Nabe was strict and had a sharp tongue when it came to work, but when Morin did well, he didn’t hold back on the compliments.

Most importantly, when Nabe trusted him, he entrusted him with serious responsibilities—like this maintenance project.

"This is an exterior wall restoration, so it needs to be done thoroughly. Let’s go with this contractor. They’re a bit pricey, but proper maintenance builds value. We need someone reliable to handle it."

Nabe handed him a file with the selected contractor’s information—it was one of the ones Morin had personally visited and spoken to, and it had left the best impression.

"Contact them and arrange a proper meeting to discuss the details and get a formal quote. Let them know that’s what we’re looking for."

"Understood," Morin replied.

He decided he’d go as early as tomorrow, smiling as he made up his mind.

"Still," Nabe continued, "Morin, once you get more experience, I think you could even contribute to national affairs."

"Huh?"

Morin had been happily checking his calendar with the documents in hand when the unexpected comment caught him off guard.

He looked up at Nabe in surprise.

"What? Why that face?"

"It’s just... no one’s ever said something like that to me before. I’ve always been the spoiled youngest kid in my family, I’m never involved in politics or administration."

"I wouldn’t have trusted you before," Nabe said frankly. "You were emotionally unstable, irresponsible, and coddled."

Oof. That hit a little hard.

But he couldn’t argue, so Morin just smiled awkwardly.

"Now, though, you’re quite reliable. You take responsibility for your work. You’ve always been smart and kind—it just needed time. If you keep at it, you could very well take part in managing the nation."

"Something that big... I don’t think I could handle it."

"Not to worry. The scale may differ, but the fundamentals are the same. Do your research carefully, talk with the relevant people, evaluate the options. It’s the king who makes decisions, but it’s the retainers who prepare the choices. You’ve been supporting very well."

It had been a while since he’d been praised like this, and Morin smiled bashfully.

Just then, a knock echoed through the room, and Malvis peeked his head in.

He looks like just come back from work.

When his eyes met Morin’s, he gave a complicated expression.

Lately, Malvis had been doing that a lot.

Even when he was close by, he wore a troubled smile.

If Morin gave him space thinking it was what he wanted, Malvis would look hurt.

When Morin chatted with others, Malvis seemed bothered, but when asked about it, he’d say nothing.

The whole thing was... weird.

"You’re back, Malvis," Nabe greeted.

"Yes, I’ve returned, Nabe," Malvis replied, stepping inside and settling into the sofa.

Morin brewed some tea and placed it on the table.

Then he brought out the financiers he’d been saving to share with Malvis—plain, cocoa, and a more unusual pumpkin flavor.

He’d recently realized Malvis had a fondness for baked sweets.

Nabe, on the other hand, preferred soft, jiggly desserts like pudding or bavarois—an unexpectedly cute side of him.

His eyes sparkled when his favorites were lined up in front of him.

Malvis, sipping tea and nibbling on a financier, smiled with a soft, kind expression.

Morin quite liked seeing that look of him.

"Say, Morin," Nabe suddenly spoke.

"Yes?" Morin replied.

"I’m thinking of hosting a garden party here soon. Would you be willing to make some cakes and baked treats for the event?"

"Huh?"

The request took Morin completely by surprise.

A garden party?

"It’s something we do occasionally. I would invite all the residents over for drinks and socializing. Since many of them live alone, it’s a nice opportunity to connect with each other. And now that you’re here, it’s a good time to introduce you officially."

So this was basically a welcome party for Morin.

Just thinking about it made him squirm a little—part happiness, part embarrassment.

Still, he was glad.

"What do you think, Morin?"

"I’ll do it!"

"Good, that’s the spirit," Nabe laughed warmly.

Morin couldn’t help but smile too, he was getting excited just thinking about it.

But only Malvis seemed a little downcast.

That night, Morin found himself heading to Malvis’s room.

He didn’t really want to leave things as they were.

He hesitated a few times, but finally knocked the door.

"Morin?" Malvis opened the door, looking puzzled.

Morin looked up, then casually stuck his foot in the doorway.

"Huh? What is it?"

"Let’s talk."

"Talk about what?"

"You know what."

Malvis averted his gaze, clearly unsure.

With Morin’s foot in the doorway, he couldn’t close the door anyway—so eventually, he let him in.

Morin gNabed around the neatly kept room before sitting down on the sofa.

"Hey, Malvis."

"What?"

"Do you... not like me anymore?"

"What?" Malvis’s violet eyes widened in shock, as if Morin had just said something completely unexpected.

But from Morin’s perspective, that was the only explanation that made sense.

It had all started back when Malvis abruptly ran off into town like he was trying to get away from him—and ended up getting into trouble with some evil people.

Ever since that day, there’d been a distance between them.

A wall.

Malvis acted normal, but every time Morin tried to get close to him, something always stopped it.

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