Chapter 19
“And what was that thing you mentioned before? Cake? I want to try the food you eat with your tea.”
“I was planning on having cookies today, so there’s no cake.”
“That’s fine too.”
The prince was always eager to try something new. He was the complete opposite of Iko, who had always avoided new experiences, especially those that seemed adventurous.
“Let’s have tea together and eat some cookies, okay?”
Drinking tea together wasn’t part of Iko’s plan, so she hesitated. But she was reluctant to miss this opportunity. After all, she might become the first witch in history to witness a merfolk transformation firsthand.
“Alright.”
Iko finally agreed, albeit with some difficulty.
Kashmir smiled widely. He then swam away from the island and dove into the water. Moments later, he burst through the surface in the form of a massive orca.
“How does it feel to see another side of a merfolk?”
Kashmir swam slowly toward Iko. The water surged up, soaking her up to her waist, but Iko didn’t mind.
“I’m so amazed, I don’t even know what to say. This isn’t mentioned in any of Dalibaya’s books.”
“That’s because it’s not something we usually show to others.”
Kashmir wanted to make it clear that he was doing something special for Iko.
Iko moved closer to the water to get a better look at him. Unlike a typical orca, his back had a few scales. She was about to reach out and touch his back when Kashmir suddenly opened his mouth wide toward her.
Wooong!
Startled, Iko nearly stumbled as she tried to step back, barely managing to regain her balance. Her frightened expression made Kashmir laugh mischievously.
“You can touch it. I won’t bite.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“I’m serious. Or would you like a ride on my back?”
Kashmir flipped over, revealing his black-and-white belly. Seeing how pleased Iko was, he suddenly felt excited and wanted to do more for her.
“Come on, hop on.”
Kashmir flapped his black fins, urging Iko to get on his belly. Iko shook her head and backed away.
“I can’t swim.”
“Don’t worry. Even if you fall, I’ll save you before you can swallow a drop of water.”
“No.”
“Come on. It’ll be fun.”
Kashmir was boasting about being the fastest swimmer among his siblings when a strange sound rumbled in the distance. He froze, unfamiliar with the noise.
“We have a visitor,” Iko said calmly, recognizing the sound immediately.
She wasn’t alarmed. She left the water and went into the house, then came out and climbed into a small boat. Iko began rowing toward a handle on the fishbowl wall to open the sluice gate.
Riding on my back would have been faster. Kashmir felt a strange sinking feeling as he watched her insist on rowing by herself.
Still, the idea of someone coming to visit sparked his curiosity. It had been three months since he’d come to the witch’s house, and not a single visitor had appeared during that time.
“Could it be someone dangerous?”
Kashmir swam alongside the small boat, asking.
“Bolo isn’t dangerous.”
“Who’s Bolo?”
Instead of answering, Iko turned the handle. Kashmir, intrigued about who Bolo might be, dove underwater to hide.
“Dalibaya! Dalibaya!”
Bolo’s urgent voice echoed as he swam frantically toward the small boat Iko was in.
“Dalibaya! I heard an unbelievable story, a horrible one that you’ve died!”
It seemed Bolo had heard the news somewhere and had come rushing in shock.
Iko sighed deeply. The time had come to tell him, for the eleventh time, that his friend had passed away two years ago.
“Bolo,” Iko called out, and Bolo began to cry even harder.
“Iko! It’s a lie, right? Dalibaya couldn’t have died!”
He desperately wanted Iko to tell him it wasn’t true. But unfortunately, Iko shook her head.
“It’s true, Bolo. Dalibaya died two years ago. And this is the eleventh time I’m telling you.”
Bolo gaped in shock, then clenched his mouth shut as tears streamed down his face.
“How could that happen? How? What caused her death?”
“As you know, Dalibaya was very old, so….”
Just as she was about to say that Dalibaya had passed away from old age, something large approached Bolo.
Bolo, who had been crying loudly, realized that the large shape beside him was an orca. He froze, mouth agape, as he stared at it.
After about five seconds, he finally processed the situation and screamed.
“Dalibaya was eaten by an orca!”
It was a huge misunderstanding, but Iko didn’t have time to correct him. Bolo darted through the closing gate with lightning speed. Iko called out, trying to tell him it wasn’t true, but her words were in vain.
“Hey.”
Kashmir swam up beside the rocking boat. When Iko turned to the voice, she found herself staring into the angry eyes of the orca.
“You said your master was just away temporarily.”
Kashmir’s voice carried a chilling edge.
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