Chapter 182
It wasn’t too hot, the flora was diverse, and it rained frequently.
As people naturally gathered, a market had formed.
About three years ago, the South had also begun using currency, which further invigorated the marketplace.
And where people gathered, conflicts inevitably arose. It wasn’t as if she could personally intervene in every fight.
Nor could the proud warriors of Yasamin patrol the streets to break up every dispute.
Thus, just as she had selected the Guardians, she had also created the Outer City Security Force. The captain was one of the warriors—not an elite one, but just a rank below them.
It had been a reasonable decision, all things considered.
Seeing how smoothly things had been running so far.
“Have you been well, Your Majesty?”
“We saw each other just a week ago. Go on.”
“Yes! Here is today’s report. There were ten cases of theft, five instances of pickpocketing, seven minor altercations, one major crime, and three murders!”
…Right. To be honest, for incidents that happened within just a single week, the severity was rather alarming.
But even this was a significant decrease.
It was proof that people had learned to exercise some restraint.
Compared to the past, one could say things had indeed become more peaceful.
“You’ve worked hard. The security force must have been busy.”
“Yes, that’s correct. But it seems the people have at least learned that disturbing the peace lands them in prison—and that they’ll go hungry there!”
“That’s where it all begins.”
It was still unfortunate that the harshest punishment was simply going hungry, but there was no helping it. The fact that their awareness had risen even this much was already something.
In the past, people used to think ‘Then I’ll just die.’ Or ‘I’ll kill you and die too.’ Such brutal and self-destructive thoughts had been rampant.
I just need to give it more time. The effort I put in will bring change.
As a gesture of encouragement, Siren handed the security captain a small bundle of snacks. Then, for a brief moment of fresh air, she decided to take a walk.
Chirp, tweet, chirp, tweet.
Birds sang in the castle garden.
Such a thing would have been unthinkable before. That birds capable of singing so beautifully could live in the scorching South.
A small bird, hidden among the branches, raised its voice in song.
And within her, Aquafuran whispered its knowledge. That was a song of courtship.
Soon, it will lay eggs. The hatchlings will be born, they will grow, and one day, they too will sing their songs of courtship.
Thus, the cycle of nature would continue.
Life would flourish just as she had wished it to.
“Darling, how far are you planning to go?”
As she idly wandered along the path, someone gently wrapped an arm around her waist.
She didn’t even need to turn to know who it was.
Who else would speak to her in such a blunt tone?
“When did you get here?”
“A while ago.”
“Are you done preparing to leave for Idoros?”
“More or less.”
Yasamin buried his nose against the nape of her neck. His hair tickled her skin. Siren let out a small chuckle and stroked his head, enjoying the sensation.
“You’re a father now, and yet you still act so spoiled.”
“I don’t do it in front of the kids.”
Yasamin was, truly, a good father.
Whenever they were together as a family, she could see how hard he tried to focus entirely on the idea of family. It was endearing.
And at the same time, I can tell he always craves more love.
The love one received from family and the love shared between husband and wife were different things.
And Yasamin needed both.
“I missed you. And starting tomorrow, I’ll miss you even more.”
With a quiet sigh, Yasamin spoke softly. Only then did Siren turn to face him. She wrapped her arms around her husband, pressing a few light kisses to his lips.
“Go ahead first and be careful. I’ll bring the kids and join you in a month.”
“…Alright.”
“Oh, honestly. The kids are already six years old, and yet you still struggle so much with just a month apart from me.”
“I don’t care. I’ll struggle with it for the rest of my life.”
His childish sulking was adorable.
They say that after love fades, a married couple stays together out of duty or loyalty. She wasn’t sure, but she had heard such things before.
That kind of saying doesn’t apply to Yasamin.
He still loved her deeply.
Like a man in the throes of love in his early twenties—unable to live without her, desperate to never be apart, incapable of even glancing at anyone else.
A man who believed his world was complete as long as she was in it.
And Siren didn’t dislike that part of him.
Yes, he was childish in a way. But what could she do when it only made him seem even more endearing?
“How am I supposed to fall asleep without you?”
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