His Breeding Obsession

A sigh escaped Mirania’s lips, her chest feeling as tight as it had earlier, her mind racing.

 “The red flower… is that why?” “…” “I don’t understand how this happened, I didn’t think it was possible.” 

The red flower was the only thing that could have caused this.

 

The accursed thing had brought her back to life when she should have died, and her thoughts turned to the cursed red flower.

 

Her mind became somewhat impatient, and she grew more agitated.

 “Where are you going?” 

Mirania pulled back the covers and slid her feet under the bed, and Grecan grabbed her hand.

 “What else are you going to do.” 

Mirania narrowed her eyes, looking down at her slightly sore hand.

 “Grecan.” 

At the soft voice, Grecan blinked and tilted his head.

 

‘I have a feeling it’s been some time, though.’

 

She casually reached out and stroked his dark hair. Just as she had done with the younger Grecan, when he sought praise.

 

Gone completely, and even if it was a wary look if this was the first time they’d met, there was still a bit of the younger Grecan in him, and he closed his eyes and rumbled in his throat.

 

A sign of being in a good mood.

 

Reassured, Mirania began in earnest to ‘soothe Grecan the full-grown wolf’.

 “Will you help me, for I must finish my work?” “Your work?” “Find out exactly what happened, and if it’s unfinished, finish it.” 

Grecan, who had been enjoying Mirania’s touch, blinked.

 “In other words, you want to die.” “…” “Why?”

He asked bluntly. 

 

Bewildered by the veil-like coldness of his voice, Mirania failed to respond.

 “Why do you want to die so badly?” 

He sounded like a disgruntled child. Mirania felt herself relax.

 “Because it’s the way of the world.” “That’s sophistry. It may be the way of the world, but no living thing wants to die.” 

At his stern words, Mirania snapped back.

 “Not me.” “That’s…” 

Grecan trailed off. She looked at him questioningly.

 

‘What are you trying to say?’

 “Are you tired?” 

An unexpected question.

 “What?” “That’s the only reason you don’t want to live anymore. You’re tired. That’s why you have no desire for life, right?” 

Grecan spoke with a harshness that made Mirania stiffen.

 

His mouth quirked up at her expression.

 “And that’s because I hurt Mirania… so many times, is that it?” “…” “Because I let you… die… so many times?” 

Grecan’s eyes flickered.

 

Mirania pressed a finger to her brow, both surprised and confused.

 “…How do you know that?” 

The matter of her several past lives was something only Mirania could remember.

 

Grecan answered bluntly,

“It all came back to me after the storm. Do you want me to elaborate?” “No, thank you. It’s not important right now.” 

Grecan remained silent.

 

Mirania pulled the covers aside and sat up, glancing at him.

 

Seeing his face like that made her feel worse.

 “I forgot all about that when I stayed with you, so if you’re thinking it’s because of you, don’t.” “…” “I am a being who must follow the laws of nature.” 

The pressure on her hand increased. Mirania was not worried, if this was the Grecan she knew, he would eventually back down.

 

Just as she thought, Grecan’s grip loosened.

 

Mirania carefully pulled her hand away from him and pushed herself to her feet. She wondered if the others were safe.

 

‘I wonder if Malandor is still on the borders of the Witch Forest.’ 

 

She should be dead, but here she was, alive.

 

How it would be in a witch castle, where a new High Witch was born when the previous one died, she had no idea.

 

‘Mm-hmm. I suppose I’ll just have to see for myself, and if I can afford it, I’ll have to see Leverianz and Alice.’

 

 

Shush, she turned to walk past Grecan. He grabbed her by the wrist.

 “…?” 

Grecan slowly rose to his feet.

 

Mirania took a step back, startled by the dark shadow that enveloped her.

 

‘When did he get so tall?’

He’d always been tall, but he seemed to be a head taller than before.

 

If one stands behind Grecan, not a hair of one’s self would be visible. 

 

It’s amazing.

 

Grecan took a step closer. Mirania took a step back, stunned at her reaction.

 

‘Why would I?’

 

Grecan put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. She tried to resist, but her legs gave out before she could.

 

It didn’t seem like much of a force, but it was a terrifying one.

 

Grecan looked down at Mirania as he forced her to sit up in bed. His face darkened further as shadows formed under his deep-set eyes.

 “What the hell do you think you’re doing…” 

Just as she was about to snap at him, his tightly closed mouth opened.

 “Are you trying to abandon me again?” “What nonsense. Why would I abandon you?” 

Despite the denial, Grecan shook his head once, firmly.

 “No. You’re abandoning me because I don’t matter to you, nothing matters to Mirania, and all that matters to you is the Witch Castle, the peace of the continent, and…” 

Grecan’s dark eyes turned cold for a moment.

 “For your eternal rest.” 

If Leverianz or Malandor had said this, I might not have been surprised.

 

But it was Grecan, and Mirania’s reaction was somewhat stiff.

 “I’ll lay anything you want at your feet.” 

The sound enveloped her ears. Milania listened to the voice without realizing it. Not knowing what he would say.

 “Bear my child.” 

Doubt flashed in her golden eyes.

 “What did I just hear? 

Grecan’s words were beyond comprehension.

 

One look into his dark eyes and Mirania realized he wasn’t joking.

 

Her immediate attempt to get up was thwarted by the force of his grip.

 

Crazy and out of control fits the situation perfectly.

 

Stunned, Mirania managed to keep her voice calm.

 “Calm down, Grecan.” 

Despite her efforts, Grecan’s expression didn’t change, and he spouted the polite insanity.

 “They say a woman with a child cannot run away.” 

Mirania’s lips parted.

 

‘Seriously, now.’

 

The corners of her normally calm eyes crinkled. Looking pitiful, but actually indifferent, Grecan muttered.

 “If I can hold Mirania, I’m willing to do anything.” 

‘The silencing spell.’

 

She snapped her fingers like a thunderbolt. Her effort to cast a spell on Grecan was wasted as he flicked her hand away.

 

Mirania’s eyes widened,

‘You can block it so easily?’

 

Brushing off her shoulder, Grecan looked at her stunned expression and smiled sweetly.

 “Time has passed, Mirania.” 

She realized that her magic hadn’t even landed a single blow on Grecan.

 

Shocked, Mirania could only stare at Grecan as he opened the door.

 

Their eyes met. His eyes, now more serious with maturity, softened.

 “There’s no point in trying to leave, Mirania, in your weakened state, you won’t be able to do it alone.” 

For a man who spoke of nonsense, he sounded incredibly sweet.

 

Mirania’s eyes widened in disbelief.

 “Heh, are you crazy?” 

The harsh words spilled out of her mouth. Grecan, who should have been self-restrained, smirked.

 “I miss that tone of voice. You’re only saying that because you’re comfortable with me.” 

Stunned, she gulped.

 “I love you, Mirania. Just wait patiently, and don’t do anything stupid.” 

The low, calm voice was not like him, not like the Grecan she knew.

 

‘How did he get to this point?’

 

Just to be sure, she walked over to the closed door and tried the doorknob.

 

It didn’t budge. Mirania pursed her lips in disbelief.

 “The ghosts will be singing.” 

She wrestled with the doorknob for a while, but the door wouldn’t budge, so she returned to bed, exhausted and withered.

 

Despite having been asleep for so long, the shock of her ordeal hadn’t worn off, and she quickly drifted off to sleep.