At the End of the Hidden Greenery - Chapter 214

While Jiwoo was distractedly browsing, she ended up buying a lot of small items. The accessories, in particular, had a different charm compared to the forest’s usual style, making them perfect for gifts. Picking out presents for the husbands waiting at home was a small joy in itself.

The scent of grilled shrimp wafted from somewhere, and Jiwoo decided to buy some as well. Sitting on the beach, she happily ate the golden-brown shrimp, sharing them with others, while gazing out at the sea. 

Even the trees, rising like hills in the distance, seemed to be facing this way.

“You seem to be enjoying yourself.”

“Ah, Solmih.”

After spending some time like that, Jiwoo joined Solmih, who had been looking around the shops first. Looking at what he had bought, it seemed he had only picked up practical items that could be useful on their way back.

Jiwoo playfully asked. 

“Don’t you have anything for me?”

“I’ll show you later.”

As expected, the thorough man hadn’t forgotten about gifts either. Solmih gently kissed the back of Jiwoo’s hand, greeting her lightly. Standing up straight, he then pretended to speak in a more serious tone.

“Lancet, Arven.”

At his call, both Lancet and Arven jumped in surprise. Arven even dropped the shrimp he had been holding.

“You two, come with me for a moment.”

Lancet and Arven, unable to come up with any excuses, reluctantly followed Solmih.

Left alone with Skiass, Jiwoo quietly asked. Her curiosity surpassed any sense of embarrassment.

“Do you think Solmih knows what we’ve been doing?”

“…Solmih knows everything.”

It seemed that they’d been caught.

Hopefully it goes smoothly.

***

While walking with Skiass, Jiwoo spotted the most familiar face among the beach tribe members.

“What are you selling here?”

It was Petar.

Petar, looking quite dapper as usual, had set up a small empty stall and, after seeing Jiwoo approach, greeted her.

“Oh, I’m selling something nice as well.”

Skiass shot him a glare.

“You… are you really about to say something like that again, about selling yourself?”

“Oh no, I know this person is married. I wouldn’t make such an offer. I do have some sense, you know.”

Luckily, it seemed like he was selling sensible things.

Before Jiwoo could ask, Petar looked at her and asked first.

“Not interested in pets?”

“Pets?”

She had never really considered having one, but hearing the word brought something to mind.

The fox and wolf-like Raelan she had briefly seen in a dream.

She had thought it was a mammal at first, but with bells of lily-of-the-valley hanging from its tail, it didn’t seem to fit. In El Ragneil, Raelan was considered a sacred being, almost like a tree. So, she doubted that something like Raelan would be a pet…

But the idea of animals that connect with people was fascinating.

“Do you have something like that?”

“Of course.”

Petar placed both hands under his face, forming a flower shape.

“Why don’t you take one and raise it? I’m sure it’ll do well.”

“….”

Was he being serious?

The beach… was full of people whose reactions were impossible to predict.

Jiwoo was frozen, unsure how to respond.

“Seo Jiwoo!”

Someone called her name, and she quickly turned her head in the direction of the voice.

When Jiwoo’s eyes met his, the person approaching with an unbelievably charming, mischievous smile was…

“Kaman?”

It was Kaman. For a moment, Jiwoo thought she was looking at one of the sea tribe members. After all, Kaman had shed the heavy clothing he wore when he arrived and was now dressed like the people here.

Now it made sense why he had asked for more money. It seemed like Kaman had been buying only these kinds of items here.

“So, what do you think?”

“Beautiful… and so stylish.”

As Jiwoo leaned into Kaman’s arns, Kaman held her tightly. He then looked over his shoulder and sneered.

Jiwoo heard the sound of Petar clicking his tongue behind them. 

These men were still competing with each other…

If Enci had been here, it might have been different, but since Jiwoo had once mentioned that she liked someone’s appearance, it seemed like Kaman was dressed up like this as a response to the sea tribe.

These people had a tendency to try to solve issues like this with their bodies.

“By the way, a pet?”

It seemed that Kaman had overheard their conversation as he had joined them.

Kaman laughed brightly, as if he found the word ‘pet’ to be a funny joke.

“Did they get their medications? You know, something like rabies? I’m not sure about the behavior, it seems a bit suspicious.”

“Seo Jiwoo, I only live on the dewdrops kissed by moonlight, so my body is pure and clean.”

“A mongrel, huh? Must be healthy, then.”

Petar, who had been listening the whole time, ignored Kaman and spoke directly to Jiwoo with a worried look.

“Jiwoo, a mongrel doesn’t suit you. You know that, right?”

“…Kaman.”

Jiwoo shot a quick glance at Petar, thinking the word ‘mongrel’ might have been a bit too harsh. Petar, as if he didn’t even care to respond, crossed his arms and shrugged it off.

In fact, Lancet and Arven were usually the ones who got riled up by the sea tribe’s provocations, and Skiass wasn’t great at responding, often going silent. 

Normally, Jiwoo would get caught in the middle of a clash with Petar, but surprisingly, Kaman handled it well. Even when Petar threw out harsh words, Kaman remained unfazed, and Petar seemed a bit thrown off, pressing his lips together.

“But wouldn’t a mongrel be better than a rabid dog?”

Petar then threw out another remark as if he had just thought of it.

“Isn’t that right? I saw a rabid dog around here.”

Huh? Who’s the rabid dog?

If they were talking about loyal dogs, there was definitely someone who fit that image, and Jiwoo could think of a person immediately. She honestly thought all her husbands were adorable, like puppies. Though, of course, that was a bit of a bias…

But as for a ‘rabid dog,’ Jiwoo couldn’t immediately think of anyone.

“So… what are you selling?”

Before Jiwoo could even ask what Petar was referring to, Skias spoke up first, probably trying to prevent any more time wasted in this silent competition.

He stepped in between them, blocking the gap.

“…”

But Petar just turned his head arrogantly, pretending he hadn’t heard.