Help! I'm in Another World and the Dragon Man Want Me To Get Pregnant!
Chapter 147: Side Story: Morin in the Republic of Mara (Part 11)

Chapter 147: Side Story: Morin in the Republic of Mara (Part 11)

So Morin figured he must’ve become a burden for him.

Maybe Malvis was just being polite, but deep down, he didn’t want him around anymore.

Malvis stepped closer and looked Morin straight in the eyes.

That intensity... it had been a while since Morin had seen it.

"Why would you think that? There’s no way I could ever hate you."

"Then why do you keep avoiding me?"

"I’m not—"

"Then why do you look so troubled around me? Why do you act like you’re running away?"

Malvis hesitated.

His expression turned pained and conflicted.

It was written all over his face.

Seeing it made Morin feel even worse.

Maybe he really was a burden.

Maybe Malvis had simply had enough of his mood swings and selfishness.

And if that was the case, Morin had no excuse.

"...I’m sorry. I’m just making things worse, aren’t I?"

"Morin—"

"It’s okay. Let’s just... keep things like before."

Morin forced a smile and stood up.

Because honestly, he hated that expression—conflicted and full of pain.

He didn’t want to see it anymore.

His chest ached.

Sadness welled up inside him.

He wanted Malvis to smile, but if his presence only caused discomfort, then maybe it was better if he stayed away.

That thought was almost unbearable.

"Just forget it, okay?"

"Morin, wait!"

"Good night."

"Morin!"

He turned his back and walked away, trying not to look at Malvis’s face.

But then, unexpectedly, Malvis pulled him into a tight hug from behind.

That strength... it brought a strange sense of comfort.

The warmth against his back felt good—soothing, yet complicated.

He didn’t know if he was allowed to stay here.

But all he wanted... was to stay.

"I’m sorry. This is my problem. It’s not your fault, Morin. It’s me."

"That’s not true..."

"No—it is. I just need a little more time. Please... just a little longer."

Malvis’s voice was soft with emotion.

His arms wrapped tighter, as if trying to stop Morin from slipping away.

Morin couldn’t see his face, but he could feel how desperate he was.

Would it be wrong to say he was happy?

Because in that moment, it felt like Malvis needed him.

And even if it was just for now... Morin wanted to believe it.

"Okay. When you’re ready to talk... just talk to me, alright?"

"Yeah. I promise."

"Okay."

The warmth of Malvis’s hands lingered as they slowly let go.

Morin could’ve sworn he felt fingertips graze his shoulder—maybe he was imagining it, but just for now, he let himself believe it.

Without looking back at Malvis’s face, Morin quietly stepped out of the room.

He had a feeling Malvis didn’t want him to see whatever expression was there.

Now busy with the preparations for Nabe’s party, Morin was surrounded by the sweet scent of desserts.

His body practically radiated sugar—he’d made madeleines, financiers, cupcakes, and even pudding and gateau chocolat.

All of it was meant to be served at the party.

"That’s... a lot," Malvis said, half-impressed, half-incredulous, occasionally wrinkling his nose at the overpowering aroma.

Still, he stuck around, and that alone made Morin feel a little more at ease—like something was slowly returning to normal.

"Everyone in the apartment’s invited, after all. But I’m having fun."

"I want your simmered dish again," Malvis said out of nowhere.

Morin blinked his eyes in surprise.

Lately, whenever Morin buried himself in baking or got caught up in Nabe’s affairs, Malvis had taken to casually—and a little grumpily—requesting meals.

That’s when Morin realized just how weak he was to Malvis’s requests.

He had basically fulfilled 100% of them.

"I’ll make it tonight."

"Meat and potatoes."

"So specific!"

"Because I want it," Malvis said, entirely too innocently.

Faced with that look, Morin couldn’t bring himself to argue.

He turned his head away and muttered, "Fine."

Malvis was hard to read.

He was always busy, gone most of the day, and then suddenly he’d show up out of nowhere, pull Morin into a warm embrace, and whisper things like "my adorable little dragon" in a teasing, syrupy voice that never failed to make Morin jump.

Morin knew Malvis was messing with him.

The moment Morin blushed and slipped out of his arms, Malvis would burst out laughing, practically holding his stomach.

It was infuriating.

And yet—Morin could never bring himself to hate him.

In fact, when Malvis didn’t tease him like that, it felt... empty.

It made Morin worry—was he sick?

Was something wrong?

Strangely, Malvis only acted that way around others.

When it was just the two of them, he kept his distance.

Morin wanted to get closer, but Malvis always seemed to put up a wall.

He didn’t know what to do about their relationship anymore.

Still, the party was lively.

Held in the rooftop garden, it was colorful and vibrant, just like the people who lived in the building.

Morin was formally introduced to the other residents again, but most of them already knew who he was.

"Morin, you’re looking good tonight! Should I make a move while I can?"

Noel, ever the flirt, grinned and raised a glass of wine, brushing a hand suggestively across Morin’s lower back.

Morin flinched and leapt back.

"Too cute."

"Noel, come on!"

"You look like a strawberry when you’re mad, little kitten."

"I’ve got enough of that kind of attention, thanks!"

"Sure, sure."

That guy definitely thought of him as a toy.

But strangely enough, Morin couldn’t really bring himself to hate him.

That was just Noel.

"Ah, Morin. Good evening."

"Oh—Wenner!"

The person approaching was Wenner—who lived on the fourth floor.

He was married, and beside him stood his partner: a beautiful person with light blue hair, holding a small child in his arms.

"Good evening to you too, Morin," said Ash, Wenner’s partner. "We heard you made tonight’s desserts, so we wanted to thank you in person."

"They’re wonderful," Ash added. "And this little one seems to love your pudding."

The child nestled in Ash’s arms—of course, their child—gave a little squeak of delight.