In truth, Zena was just as capable.

But Nina knew she valued her freedom and didn’t want to bind her with responsibility. So she never brought it up.

Of course, if Mona refused, she wouldn’t force her either.

"Lady Nina... you’re leaving?" Mona asked, her voice tinged with reluctance.

"I’m willing to help you," she added quickly, "but I’m too weak... and I don’t have enough experience. I’m afraid I won’t do well."

Nina smiled gently. "Your ability isn’t the problem. You need to trust yourself. As for strength, you can build it over time—it’s not urgent. I’ll leave some powerful beastmen behind to assist you."

She took out several power crystals and handed them to Mona. "These will help you improve your strength. Keep them safe. From now on, I’ll entrust the Barbarian City to you."

Then she gave her several items for protection. "Take these as well. Make sure you keep yourself safe."

Mona accepted everything with both hands, her expression solemn and resolute. "Lady Nina, I won’t let you down. I’ll take good care of the Barbarian City."

She would shape it into the city Nina envisioned.

"I believe in you," Nina said.

Then she turned to Hedi, Mona’s friend. "Hedi, support Mona well. Work together to manage the city."

"Yes, City Lord," Hedi replied respectfully.

Nina’s gaze shifted to Zena. "What about you? What are your plans?"

Zena reached out and held Nina’s hand, reluctant to let go. "Nina... you’re really leaving?"

She had thought about going with her.

But she knew Nina had important matters to attend to and feared she would only slow her down. In the end, she let the thought go.

"I have to," Nina said softly. "Once things are settled, I’ll come back when I can."

Zena sighed lightly. "Alright... I’ll stay in the Barbarian City for a while longer. Your reconstruction work isn’t fully finished—I want to see it through. And after that... maybe I’ll travel, see more of the world."

She didn’t quite trust leaving those projects to others, and truthfully, she enjoyed the work.

When Nina returned one day, she still wanted to be of help.

As for wandering the world... it no longer held the same urgency it once had.

"Alright," Nina said. "Just don’t overwork yourself."

She handed Zena a few items as well. "Take these. And take care of yourself."

"I will." Zena carefully put them away. "When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Then I’ll come see you off."

"Okay."

After saying their farewells, Zena and the others departed.

Outside Nina’s door, Idir stood silently. In his hands, he held a set of garments woven from his shed scales.

She was leaving. And he... would have to leave as well.

The moment Nina opened the door, she found Idir standing just outside.

"Idir? Were you looking for me?"

"I... brought you something."

He held it out with both hands—a garment woven from his shed scales. "This is clothing I made from my shed skin. It’s for you. I’m not sure if it fits perfectly, please try it on first. If it doesn’t, I’ll fix it right away."

Nina looked at the shimmering fabric, her brows drawing together slightly.

She remembered—serpent males gave their shed skin only to their mates.

"I’m sorry... I can’t accept this," she said gently. "Idir, your shed skin should be given to the female you consider your partner."

How could she take something meant for a mate?

And truthfully... she didn’t understand him. He had chosen to draw a line between them, yet he kept doing things that blurred it.

Idir’s fingers tightened around the garment.

But you are the one I love.

There would never be anyone else.

He stepped forward again, offering it to her, his voice low and almost pleading. "Nina... please, take it."

This might be the last thing he could ever give her. And he had nothing more precious.

Nina took a small step back. "I’m sorry, Idir."

She couldn’t accept it. Not like this.

His hand slowly fell.

"...I understand."

In the end, he still couldn’t give it to her.

Nina felt a flicker of awkwardness as she moved past him and left.

Idir stood there for a moment, then quietly put the garment away and returned to his room, his steps heavy, his expression distant.

***

That afternoon, everyone was busy preparing for departure.

The children played nearby, laughter drifting through the air.

From a short distance away, Idir watched Nina for a long, lingering moment—his gaze filled with quiet attachment—before finally forcing himself to look away.

When no one was paying attention, he slipped into her room and left the garment inside.

Then he stepped out into the courtyard and found Momo.

"Momo, come here. I need to talk to you."

Momo glanced at him and immediately looked away. He didn’t want to go. He didn’t like this big, mean snake who always scolded him.

Idir’s expression hardened. "Come here."

The other children flinched at his tone. Momo’s father... sounded so fierce today.

Aside from the period when he’d lost control, Idir had usually been gentle with them.

But now...

Momo stepped back instead. Idir’s patience snapped. He reached out and grabbed him with his hands.

Momo struggled in his grip. "Bad snake! Let me go! I don’t want to talk to you!"

Some of the males nearby noticed, but since Idir was Momo’s biological father and had been close to Nina recently, they said nothing and continued working.

Idir looked at the other children. "I need to speak with him. If your mother asks, tell her I took him."

His gaze flickered briefly to Momo.

The curse was inherited. If he carried it... then so would the child. And when it erupted, it wouldn’t just harm him—it would bring danger to those around him.

Momo... couldn’t stay by Nina’s side either.

He lowered his eyes.

She had so many children. Losing one... perhaps it wouldn’t hurt her that much.

Idir lifted his gaze toward where Nina was, guilt flooding his eyes.

Nina... I’m sorry.

The children stood there, uneasy, not daring to speak.

After a moment, the eldest hesitated, then said, "Uncle Idir... let Momo go. He said he doesn’t want to talk to you."

Linny stepped forward too. "You can’t bully him. If you do, I’ll tell Mother."

Idir frowned. "Don’t tell your mother. I really do need to talk to him. You don’t need to worry—I won’t hurt him."

Momo was his and Nina’s child. How could he harm him? At most... he would discipline him if he misbehaved.

The children watched Idir anxiously, silently hoping he would let Momo go.

Idir let out a quiet breath. Then, one last time, he looked back—his gaze lingering on Nina in the distance, filled with quiet attachment.

He turned... And without another word, he took Momo and left swiftly.

Nina... goodbye.

The children stared after him, unease creeping into their hearts.

Linny tugged at the eldest. Big Brother... should we tell Mother?

The eldest hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Let’s go find her—quickly.

He was worried. Even though his own father didn’t hit him often, Linny got scolded—and struck—more than enough.

And today... Idir had looked especially frightening. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

The others nodded too, and all of them hurried off together.

At that moment, Nina was sorting through supplies when the children rushed up to her.

The eldest tugged at her skirt. "Mother—Uncle Idir took Momo away."

Nina lowered her gaze, frowning slightly. "He took him? Where did he take him?"

Why would Idir suddenly take Momo away? He had never been particularly close to the child.

The eldest shook his head. "We don’t know. He said he wanted to talk to him... and then took him away."

Didi chimed in, tugging her sleeve. "Mother, shouldn’t you go get him? Uncle Idir looked really scary today—we’re afraid he’ll hit Momo."

Linny fluttered up onto her shoulder. "Mother, go save him! He’ll definitely get beaten!"

Whenever his own father looked like that, he always got hit. Momo would too.

Nina’s brows knit together. "You’re saying he looked fierce today?"

Something felt off. Very off.

She quickly checked Momo’s position and her expression changed. Idir... was taking him farther away.

A chill ran through her entire body. "I’m going to get him."

She didn’t know what Idir intended, but from what she knew of him, he wouldn’t harm the child.

Still... She wouldn’t allow Momo to be wronged.

And she certainly wouldn’t allow him to be taken away without permission.

Nina gathered the children and brought them to Sal. "Sal, watch them for me. Idir took Momo—I need to go after them."

Even if it was Idir, she couldn’t leave the others unattended now.

Before, she had felt safe letting them play freely within the residence, but now, she realized someone should always be watching.

Odian’s expression sharpened. "What? He took Momo away?"

What was that snake planning? Why take the child?

Sal and the others were equally surprised.

Idir had never been particularly affectionate toward Momo—why now?

Still... he was the child’s biological father. He shouldn’t harm him.

"...The children said he took him to talk, but that he looked very fierce," Nina explained.

The more they heard, the stranger it sounded.

Sal gathered the children into his arms. "Don’t worry. I’ll take care of them."

"Thank you." Nina then turned to Kith. "Kith, I’m leaving the household to you. I’ll bring Momo back."

For some reason, an uneasy feeling lingered in her chest.

"Go. I’ll handle things here," Kith reassured.

Nina nodded, then turned. "Odian, Aviel, you’re coming with me."

They could fly, so they were faster and better suited for pursuit.

Both men nodded.

Nina glanced once more at Momo’s location. Then, without hesitation, she set off, Odian and Aviel following close behind.