บททั้งหมดของ The Song of Us: บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 18

That night, Selene dismissed all her other attendants and only let Fenric stay in her bedchamber. They talked through the night. They spoke from midnight to dawn, until the last candle on the table went out and the sound of birdsong came from outside the window.Selene told Fenric all about her rebirth, them being in a storybook, and about severing pacts. She told him everything, including her plan to become the next head of the family and her ambition to become the greatest beast tamer the world had ever known."Well? Will you still follow me?" Selene asked.Fenric looked at her. Though he had not had a wink of sleep the entire night, his posture remained upright as he sat on the chair."Once I've made a decision, I won't go back on it," he said solemnly.Selene thought that was an interesting reply. She couldn't help but ask with a smile, "Aren't you afraid of death?"His gaze was unwavering as he replied, "I wasn't afraid of death in the past. But ever since I met you… I've be

Vanessa's expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly composed herself. Turning to stare straight into Selene's eyes, she asked, "Yes, but didn't you already refuse?"She didn't admit to Selene's accusation, yet her reaction had betrayed her."In that case, if I were to kill Zirion in the dungeon, you wouldn't blame me, would you? Keeping such a disobedient guard by your side is a recipe for disaster," Selene said, gauging Vanessa's reaction.Panic was practically written all over Vanessa's face as she replied, "Zirion is my personal guard. Even if he has done something wrong, it is I who should punish him. How could you take matters into your own hands?"Her voice rose due to her riled-up emotions. She drew glances from those who were nearby. Upon noticing, she hastily lowered her tone."Please don't harm him, Selene. I know you're angry. I won't utter one word of complaint should you wish to punish me. But please don't kill him. Since you dislike him so much, I promise I'

Selene and Fenric rested at an inn for the night. At dawn the next morning, they hurried to the gates of Farning Abbey on Mt. Canmir."Are you here to confess or to pray for blessings?" asked a man at the gates.Selene shook her head and replied, "Neither. We're here to look for someone.""To look for someone?""Yes. Does Iris live here?"The man's relaxed gaze grew guarded, and he even took a step back. "You came looking for her? Then, I'm afraid your trip was in vain. You may leave now."With that, he started to shut the gates."Wait!" Selene cried out in confusion, hurrying to stop him. "What do you mean by this?"The man opened the gates only a crack and looked at her through the narrow slit. "This is not my decision. It is hers. She refuses to see anyone."Selene had expected such a situation. She quickly rummaged through her bag for something. "I have a token. If she sees it, she'll agree to meet me."Back when Iris and Selene were close, Iris had given her an emerald p

When Selene heard those words, she only found them laughable from the depths of her heart."Do you think I'd still believe you?" Selene asked mockingly.The memory of Zirion demanding that she use him in her dungeon flashed before her mind's eye. She had still been thinking whether she could believe him when news of his escape reached her. How could she ever believe a man like that?"The emerald pendant is with me," Zirion said."What?" Selene instantly turned around.Zirion leaned in closer, his face stopping no more than a finger's breadth from hers. She could feel his damp, heated breath on her face. At such proximity, she could clearly see the scar over his left eye. Though it was not deep, it ran long. The scar looked fresh and poorly tended to.When Zirion realized she had noticed, he turned his head and showed her the right side of his face. He explained, "I didn't steal it. I… took it back from the man who was following you."Though Selene had no interest in asking about