Little Pink Starfish

Nyne had likely never seen someone like Iyu before. It was common enough for a commoner to become a warrior priest, but it was rare for a common-born warrior priest to be promoted to the point of freely passing through the First Tower Gate. Especially since the warrior priests who guarded Nyne were chosen with utmost care, Iyu thought he might be the first commoner Nyne had ever interacted with directly.

Having grown up freely as a child, Iyu considered himself far better than the uptight warrior priests. Being “far better” meant that he was willing to overlook a small bit of rebellion from his master. Besides, the inside of the Grand Temple was so tightly secured that even wandering around a little wouldn’t lead to trouble. Even if it did, Iyu was confident he could protect Nyne without allowing so much as a scratch on his body.

Nyne paced his chamber several times, hesitating, then finally made a decision. In a low voice, he told Iyu the place he wanted to go. It wasn’t anything difficult, so Iyu responded with a long, broad smile of agreement. Nyne asked with a doubtful look:

“You’re sure we can go unnoticed?”

“Of course. The others are slow-witted, and Priest Sein Ka is absent today. If you permit it, I humbly ask your leave, Sha.”

Iyu spread his arms as if offering to carry him, asking for permission. When Nyne gave a small nod, Iyu respectfully lifted him into his arms and moved with muted steps. Since he knew the security of the Holy of Holies thoroughly, there was no risk of running into anyone. With a single bend and stretch of his knees, Iyu leapt over the tall wall surrounding the sanctuary.

It must have been Nyne’s first time sneaking out like this, as Iyu could hear his heart racing. His hands clutched Iyu’s arms tightly. Though it was an irreverent thought, strangely, it reminded Iyu of a little sibling who no longer existed in this world. They only shared black hair in common, yet…

Patrolling the sanctuary typically took about an hour. The time was tight, so Iyu dashed swiftly across the dimly lit Grand Temple. His speed was nothing like the sluggish palanquin bearers—fast and tireless.

After several minutes, he arrived at the Lotus Hall. Even at night, it was as bright as midday, with soft music and fragrant incense spreading in all directions. Slaves, drenched in sweat, fanned or carried rare foods and jewels. High priests, under the pretense of prayer meetings, came and went, building networks through the Leshas who were scions of influential houses.

Because it housed the Leshas, the Lotus Hall also had strict security—but nothing like the sanctuary. So Iyu was able to bring Nyne to his desired destination with ease.

Unlike the other quarters, full of laughter and music, Gwen’s quarters were quiet. Aside from a few lanterns, it wasn’t brightly lit. The only sound was the chirping of insects. After confirming no one was watching, Iyu set Nyne down.

Unexpectedly, Nyne just stood at the entrance, staring blankly ahead with an unreadable gaze. It wasn’t jealousy, anger, or burning envy—it was a sad, sorrowful look that was hard to understand. Just as he seemed about to turn and leave, soft footsteps sounded, and Lan Gwen appeared from the shadows.

Holding a lantern, the beautiful Lesha wore an exotic gown with wide sleeves and deep colors. He wasn’t startled in the least by Nyne’s appearance. Instead, he smiled gently at him.

To Iyu, Lesha Lan Gwen was deeply suspicious and unpleasant. A foreigner with strange behavior who, oddly enough, always drew Nyne’s attention and curiosity.

There was a reason Lu was particularly jealous and wary of Gwen. Every time Gwen did something odd, Nyne’s eyes sparkled with rare interest. Iyu thought he understood why.

In this tightly restricted land, where humans were offered as sacrifices and one lived under the constant gaze of dozens of watchers, someone like Gwen—who broke the mold—was rare. Nyne, perhaps without even realizing it, seemed to be drawn to such people. Like Luna, who dared speak impudently to the Sha, or someone like Iyu, who shared stories from outside.

Or maybe… someone even more “outside” than all of them—a true foreigner.

“Lord Nyne.”

Gwen gathered his flowing sleeves modestly and slowly approached. He looked like he’d just risen from bed—his hair tousled, his voice drowsy. Nyne stared at him, then said coldly:

“Did I ever permit you to use my name?”

“My apologies. Shall I not use it, then?”

Nyne didn’t answer, only quietly examined Gwen. His gaze was tangled with many emotions, complex and unreadable. But eventually, it cooled completely. After a soft sigh, he spoke.

“…If you don’t want to die, leave the Lotus Hall on your own two feet right now.”

His voice was ice-cold. Iyu stood silently like someone invisible, trying to guess Nyne’s true intent. Was it that he simply couldn’t forgive Sha Amon calling Gwen to the Holy of Holies? That he couldn’t overlook such an impudent Lesha?

But…

Something felt off. Iyu tilted his head.

It looked like a typical jealous confrontation, like a wife catching her husband’s mistress—but somehow, something deeper seemed hidden. Despite the death threat, there was no real killing intent or rage in Nyne’s gaze.

“Lord Nyne.”

Gwen smiled gently, not at all offended by the sudden threat. With his pink hair and eyes, he looked like a flower.

“Regarding the other day… I understand your emotions were hurt. However… you know well that you have no proper reason to expel me from the Lotus Hall, don’t you? That must be why you’ve come here secretly in the middle of the night.”

At Gwen’s reply, Iyu whistled silently in his mind. As he’d thought—this guy’s definitely crazy. He smiles sweetly like a normal person, then casually says something to get under your skin or blow everything up. There was a reason Nyne, raised like a hothouse flower under the priests’ devoted care, always lost in arguments with Gwen.

As expected, Nyne’s breath grew slightly heavier, as if incensed. Gwen said softly, his voice so sweet it made Iyu’s skin crawl.

“There’s no need to worry. I can take care of myself.”

It almost sounded like sarcasm. Yet, strangely, Iyu felt it was sincere. But not Nyne. He trembled slightly and turned away coldly, biting his lip hard in obvious frustration.

“Let’s go back, Iyu.”

“Yes, Sha.”

Iyu, standing at a distance, approached Nyne and glanced briefly at Gwen. Something had been bothering him. His finely trained senses, honed beyond normal human limits, picked up things like an animal would—including scent. Oddly enough, today Gwen smelled faintly of blood…

There’s definitely something fishy here. I’ll have to keep a close eye on him. As Iyu made this judgment, his eyes gleamed sharply for a brief moment. He was just about to lift Nyne into his arms again when Gwen called out.

“Lord Nyne.”

Nyne, already in Iyu’s arms, turned his head. Gwen’s smile faded as he spoke:

“A Lesha is a servant who serves the Sha. Please don’t forget that…”

Seriously, provoking him to the end? Iyu clicked his tongue at the audacity. Nyne’s hand gripped his shoulder tightly. Then, Nyne replied icily:

“You, of all people, should reflect on what it truly means for a servant to serve the Sha.”