Chapter 500: Cotton Candy
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 500: Cotton Candy
“Alright, that should do it.”
“Th-thank you, Shakara.”
Kim Yoora slowly turned to look in the mirror.
“Hmm. I think it turned out well.”
“R-really?”
“Yes.”
Something was definitely different. She had, of course, encountered makeup as she grew up, but due to the underdeveloped cosmetic skills of the Green Skins, there was a limit to what she could do herself. It was all just powdering her face or staining her lips a little red with berries. But now, she could tell that something had changed.
‘It’s like…’
It was as if she looked like one of the women who were always around the Chieftain. For instance, she looked very similar to Lady Choi Eunju, Lady Choi Seulgi, Lady Baek Ahyeon, and Lady Jang Ye Ri. It was surely no illusion that she now resembled the many human women who visited the tribe.
She wasn't sure what suited her better, but one thing was certain: this was a look that Blood Dagger would probably like more.
‘Because I heard he likes humans.’
Considering the women he kept close, it seemed less like a rumor and more like a fact. It was a sacrilegious thought, but it felt as if she were already in his embrace. That was how much she thought she resembled the Chieftain’s women.
“H-how do you know how to do this so well?”
“This much is basic. Should we try a different style of clothing, too?”
“Huh? Yes…”
What came into view was clothing worn by humans, a style of dress she only vaguely remembered wearing since she was very young. It felt a bit uncomfortable, but it also seemed to suit her so well that she found herself grateful for her human appearance.
“You really look like a human girl.”
“W-will he like it?”
“That, I don’t know. But thinking about the women around him, I doubt he’ll think badly of it. Right? And a look like this, shown only once in a while, can feel more special than what he sees every day. I thought it would be fine to try at least once. In fact, it seems Lady Mev has been getting her makeup done like a human ever since she turned into a fairy…”
“L-Lady Mev?”
“Ah. The skills of the goblin sisters in your clan are quite amazing… You didn't know?”
“Huh? No… M-maybe…”
She had never heard such news. It felt like she had discovered the secret to the fair skin of the Green Skins’ mother. After hearing this, her mood lifted even more. If even Lady Mev wore this kind of makeup, she thought, then it was a foregone conclusion that Lord Blood Dagger would like it.
“You’re beaming.”
“D-don’t tease me.”
“This is as far as I can help you. Anyway, good luck.”
“Y-yes!”
A great deal of time had already passed. The clothes were uncomfortable, and the shoes were awkward, but she felt she could do anything to look good for him. She dearly missed the feeling of her bare feet on the ground, but the sensation of being a little taller was definitely nice.
Aside from Lady Mev and Lady Baek Ahyeon, most of the women around him were tall, so adding a bit to her height was certainly not a bad choice.
The fluttering skirt made her nervous, but when she remembered that it was the same kind of clothing Lady Choi Seulgi wore, she could endure it.
“Kim Yoora?”
“Yoora?”
“Yoora’s dressed like a human!”
“Yoora! Where are you going?”
Seeing the surrounding Green Skins react with surprise at her appearance was enough to make her smile to herself. She began walking briskly and, before she knew it, had arrived in front of Blood Dagger’s tent. Just as she was wondering what to say, a familiar face came into view.
“Oh my. Yoora?”
“Ah… Lady Choi Eunju.”
“Ahh. You have a date with him today, don’t you?”
“Ah! W-well, it’s not so much a date as…”
“You don’t have to deny it. He seemed to be getting ready since this morning, too. Anyway, have fun today. Your coming-of-age ceremony is soon, after all.”
“Ah…”
The thought that the Chieftain had also prepared for this naturally made her feel giddy. The conversation outside must have carried into the tent, because soon, Blood Dagger himself emerged.
“If you were busy, we could have moved the time. I hope I didn’t set the date too hastily.”
“Ch-Chieftain. N-no! Not at all.”
He looked the same as always.
“You look pretty.”
“Ah… Ah! Th-thank you!”
‘He said I’m pretty.’
Making the Chieftain wait was a huge mistake, but thinking of it as time spent to hear those words, she couldn’t help but feel happy. She had secretly hoped he would notice her slightly different appearance, but she had never imagined he would react so immediately.
“Then let’s go.”
“Wh-where to…”
She hadn’t been told their destination.
But the scenery that came into view after a little while was a place that could be called familiar, if anything.
“Ah…”
It was a place she couldn’t possibly forget. Much had changed, but if her hazy memories were correct, this was it.
‘Ah…’
It was the place she had lived when she was very, very young. Back then, it had been a small village.
The small village where she had lived with her mother and father. It was where she had lived before her parents were killed by slavers and she was forced to live in the underground of Somorah. A small village whose name she couldn’t even remember. She was half in doubt, but the surrounding natural landscape confirmed that this was indeed the place she had once lived.
“H-here is…”
The small village that had rested against a large boulder had now grown to a size that could be called a small city. The absurd transformation left Kim Yoora speechless for a moment.
She was certain she had never told the Chieftain she used to live here. It was a story from when she was too young, so the name of the place had faded from her memory. And though it was technically her birthplace, she now considered the Brother’s Land her home. She only remembered mentioning a few of the village’s features from time to time when talking about the past. She had never thought she would be able to visit this place again.
“H-how…”
“Looks like I guessed right. Haha.”
“H-how?”
“I was half-sure myself, but I was able to look up the cities near Somorah. When I searched for villages that had been attacked by slavers in the past, I found that the place you described was nearby.”
“Ah…”
The small village from her memory was gone.
In its place stood a large, bustling city.
“We were told you would be coming, Lord Blood Dagger. Please, make yourself comfortable…”
“Thank you.”
“N-not at all. If, if there is anything you find inconvenient…”
“I will call for you then.”
“Yes. Thank you. I hope you have a pleasant trip.”
“My thanks.”
The wooden palisade from her faint memories had become a thick stone wall, and the village men who used to stand guard had been replaced by soldiers armed with weapons and shields.
“Let’s go inside.”
“Yes. Yes, Chieftain.”
Instead of the women who always worried about tomorrow, a lively marketplace came into view. Instead of the men who would sometimes enter the village and cause trouble, Green Skins mingled with humans.
“F-for Blood Dagger!”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor!”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor. I’d appreciate it if you told them there’s no need for formal greetings here.”
“We follow the Great Chieftain’s will!”
Perhaps not expecting to see the Chieftain in such a small city, every Green Skin who encountered him offered a greeting. The village women, who had never seen the face of the Green Skins’ Great Chieftain, were trying to hawk their wares to a Demon they’d never seen before. He must have chosen not to inform the entire city to avoid causing a commotion. That was the kind of Green Skin the Chieftain was.
“Hey! Young lady over there! Traveling with your husband?”
“Huh? What?”
“Hey, young Demon man! Come over here and try some of this.”
Since he’d even hidden his tail under his cloak, they would never imagine he was the husband of their queen.
“Our city isn’t large, but we have plenty to see and eat.”
“Ah…”
“Is this your first time in Lionel?”
“Ah… yes.”
‘Was that its name…?’
She seemed to recall it was something similar.
“I’ll give you a discount to celebrate your first visit.”
“Ah… ah…”
“We’ll take one.”
“Good choice, young Demon man. My, you’re so handsome, and you’ve got yourself a fine, sweet wife… There are so many people traveling with Green Skins these days… I couldn’t have imagined it in the old days… A lot of people still look at it strangely, but I’m actually all for it…”
“Haha.”
“I-it’s not like that, ma’am.”
“Hurry and try it. Other cities sell cotton candy, but the cotton candy sold in Lionel is the best. It’s much tastier here than the kind they sell in Garia. It’s very popular with the Green Skins who visit the city, too.”
“I see.”
“Spread the word to your friends about the delicious cotton candy in Lionel. I gave you an extra-large helping.”
“Understood. I will be sure to mention it to those around me.”
She had heard rumors about which cities had the best food. Just because they were Green Skins didn’t mean they didn’t enjoy good cuisine. Especially recently, as their interests had broadened, things like the shaved ice sold in the North or the special chocolate from the East were slowly gaining popularity among Green Skins.
Of course, she had never heard of Lionel’s cotton candy. But seeing the Green Skins who had been subtly watching them already lining up, she had a feeling this place would become the most popular spot in town from today onward.
The Great Chieftain of the Green Skins himself had passed by, after all.
“Woooooah! This cotton candy is delicious!”
“So delicious!”
“Spread the word of Lionel’s cotton candy!!”
“My, the green folk are full of energy today. How nice.”
A faint smile touched her lips as she already heard their booming voices.
“Aren’t you having any, Chieftain?”
“I’m fine.”
“Ah… okay.”
With its cotton-like texture as big as her face, it didn’t feel like she was eating anything, but one thing was certain: it was incredibly sweet. The sweetness that melted and spread in her mouth seemed to explain why humans were so interested in food.
“Is it good?”
“Yes… I-it’s very sweet. This is my first time… The texture is strange, too… and…”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
The people on the street were very kind. As she walked, she noticed gazes constantly falling upon them. There were women who glanced at the Chieftain from time to time, and merchants who called out to her, calling her a beautiful young lady.
‘How do we look?’
Recalling the words ‘a fine, sweet wife,’ her face naturally flushed red. They probably looked like a young married couple traveling through the city. It was hard to tell if the cotton candy in her hand was sweet or if this very moment was. As the crowd grew thicker, the sensation in her hand made it even harder to think straight.
“Be careful not to get separated.”
“Y-yes!! Yes!!!”
The loud reply escaped her before she could stop it. That was how flustered she was. Her face turned as red as a berry, and her breathing grew ragged. Her heart was pounding wildly, and she found it hard to comprehend the situation.
‘It’s… it’s like a dream.’
She had never imagined she could experience such a luxury. She was beginning to understand why so many couples talked together, walked together, and ate together.
Simply being in the same place, just the two of them, felt good.
Her heart raced, and she felt an urge to hide somewhere.
She worried her hand might be damp with sweat, but she didn’t want to let go.
She worried he might hear her heart pounding, but she wanted to get even closer.
“Ah… uh…”
Her body trembled with nervousness, but it was a pleasant tension she wished would last for a long time.
A breeze blew past, and the voices of the people around them faded into a murmur. Amidst the jumble of voices, Blood Dagger’s was the only one that struck her ear with perfect clarity. They were surrounded by a huge crowd, but it felt as if… as if it were just the two of them.
It felt just like the cotton candy in her hand.
“I hear this place is also popular for its plays.”
“P-plays?”
“Yes. There’s a small theater, and it seems even Green Skins come to watch sometimes.”
“Ah…”
“If you don’t like the idea…”
“No! No! I want to see one, too! Chieftain!”
“I’m glad you like it.”