Chapter 6

Third-person narrative for the final chapter.

In the kingdom of the beastmen, the nobles generally receive home education.

It is considered good to learn in an environment suitable for each individual, and teachers also choose students similar to their own kind.

Therefore, Muriyan also learned everything from a private tutor at home.

After meeting Lud for an arranged meeting, she frequented the castle's library to research 'Fated Mates' and became greatly interested in the unseen magical books.

Originally, Muriyan was praised by her tutor for her exceptional magical skills, and despite being a beastman with superior physical abilities, she was exceptionally skilled in magic.

Thus, Muriyan chose the path of becoming a mage and aimed for the Elven Kingdom, the forefront of magical research.

She received a recommendation letter from her tutor in advance and joined the magic academy, where mages gather.

At the magic academy, the main focus is on magical research, but most of the mages who belong to it work in assistant positions.

Muriyan also worked as an assistant to support herself, with the dream of eventually developing her own magic.

Muriyan was assigned to the magic research department, where half of the members are elves.

As a beastman mage, Muriyan was a rarity and received a lot of attention.

Moreover, the scandal of the next king losing his 'Fated Mate' and the subsequent change in the royal succession had sent shockwaves through the Elven Kingdom, making Muriyan stand out even more.

Of course, her colleagues had no idea that Muriyan herself was the 'Fated Mate' that the former crown prince had lost.

It was about half a year later when they found out.

Muriyan, who had quickly adapted and become serious, casually said, "It was me," causing her colleagues to be shocked.

"Is that true? You were the crown prince's 'Fated Mate'?"

"Yes. As reported in the newspapers. For more details, you can read them."

"..."

The young elf, Elector, stood there with his mouth agape.

With his platinum hair flowing straight, but half-up and braided at the front, he had youthful green eyes and was a beautiful elf.

Elector was the most talented person in the laboratory and had been guiding Muriyan as a senior.

Thanks to Elector's recognition, they quickly became close.

"I want to hear the details from you... Is it okay to delve deeper?"

"...No, it's fine."

Looking back at Elector, who was gauging her reaction, Muriyan gently shook her head and decided to speak.

"Do you know about the 'Fated Mates' of the dragon people?"

Starting from there, she recounted her struggles after discovering that the arrogant crown prince was her 'Fated Mate.'

Elector and the other colleagues stopped their work to listen.

As befitting magical researchers, a discussion began on whether 'Fated Mates' were a form of magic, and it even extended to whether it was divine magic and whether it could be handled by mortals.

For now, the question of whether it reached the realm of the gods was put aside.

"So, the dragon prince, who lost his 'Fated Mate,' was abandoned by the beast god and lost his royal status..."

"Well, it's not Muriyan's fault. In the end, she just refused to be his mate. The change in the throne was also the responsibility of those above."

"Muriyan made a great decision. She's truly someone who can take action and travel to another country alone."

Elector and the colleagues were impressed.

Despite their youthful appearances, some of them were nearly 100 years old and spoke in a formal manner.

The colleagues praised and comforted Muriyan for standing up on her own.

Having never received such a reaction from her family, Muriyan was surprised but smiled happily.

Elector quietly watched Muriyan's smile with a secretly passionate gaze.

After another half a year, Muriyan was thriving in the laboratory, freely utilizing her talents as an assistant.

The loneliness of nearly two years spent trying to sever her 'Fated Mate' bond seemed like a lie, and her relationships at work were good. The dormitory with a cafeteria made her life comfortable, and she was enjoying a peaceful time away from the kingdom of the beastmen.

With less tension, Muriyan often unconsciously swayed her long tail from side to side.

No one said anything, but watching her tail was a small break for Elector and the others.

Today, Muriyan was reading a research report given to her by Elector, swaying her white tail leisurely.

A gentle breeze blew in from the window, making her pure white hair flutter and touch the cat ears on her head. The white cat ears twitched.

Elector, captivated by this, reached out and moved the hair that tickled her cat ears with his fingertips.

"Meow!"

"!!"

His fingertips accidentally touched her cat ears, causing Muriyan to jump in surprise.

Elector, who hadn't expected such a sound, was also surprised and blushed. Some of the others who saw this were also shocked.

Holding her cat ears, Muriyan looked up with a red face, as if to say, "What are you doing?"

Even considering she was a beastman, he shouldn't have touched her without permission, especially a former noble lady.

"S-Sorry! Your hair was tickling... I couldn't help it!"

After fumbling for an excuse, Elector paused for a moment and then said:

"...As an apology, would you like to have tea at a popular shop?"

"...Alright, I'll accept it as an apology."

Though slightly pouting, Muriyan accepted the invitation for tea.

Elector, trying to hide his joy, nodded.

The others, pretending not to look, clenched their fists and cheered him on.

They knew Elector was attracted to Muriyan, his junior, and had been waiting for things to progress.

Thus, they finally went for tea together, and the atmosphere was secretly celebratory.

Even just going for tea.

"Beastmen's ears and tails shouldn't be touched without permission. If the other person is hostile, they might bite your finger off."

"Sorry... Is there anything else I should be careful about?"

Showing a remorseful expression, Elector regained his composure and asked with a smile.

"As a beastman, as long as it doesn't go against the kingdom's etiquette, I think it's fine. What about elves?"

"Elves?"

"I heard elves are too noble and cold, but that's not true, right? Was there a reason or trigger for that perception?"

Elves are known as beautiful and noble fairies, but they are also said to be cold, which Muriyan learned from her tutor.

Therefore, she was surprised to have become so close to her colleagues.

"Cold? Ah... That's just indifference to others. They are kind to those they trust. Isn't that natural?"

"That's true. Knowing I'm recognized as a comrade makes me happy."

Muriyan smiled, and her tail swayed gracefully in a good mood.

Seeing this, Elector also turned away, looking embarrassed.

"Are elves cold? Did you think we were cold?"

"No, I was surprised by how normal the treatment was from the first day."

"I see... Cold, huh."

Elector smiled wryly at her honest confession but, after receiving the report back from Muriyan, he looked down at it and muttered in a detached tone.

○●○●○

In the kingdom of the beastmen, in a detached palace of the castle.

The room where the former crown prince, Lud, is recuperating.

He can barely eat and is weakening, but due to his strong dragon heritage, he won't die even without food or water for a week.

His once breathtakingly beautiful face now lies frail on the bed.

Two birds perched on the small window of Lud's room.

The bird on the right remained still, but the bird on the left chirped and its eyes glowed.

Reacting to the sound, Lud turned his gaze and widened his eyes.

The light emitted by the bird projected an image.

The woman he had called for over a year, even in his dreams and delirium, was projected.

"Muriyan..."

Just the image. Only her face was shown, and although she seemed to be speaking, no sound reached him.

Lud, trying to get closer to the image of Muriyan, fell off the bed.

"..."

The Muriyan in the light smiled. She was laughing at something.

It was the first time Lud had seen Muriyan smile.

"...Muriyan..."

Calling her in a weak voice, he shed a tear.

There seemed to be people around her, but they were blurry and not clearly visible.

Still, it was clear that she was surrounded and having fun.

"...Ah... Ah..." He reached out with a voice that couldn't form words, but the light showing Muriyan suddenly disappeared.

"Ah!! Muriyan! One more time! One more time!! Please! Show me my Muriyan again!!"

Why the bird showed Muriyan didn't matter at that moment.

Desperate to burn the image into his memory, he knelt on the floor and pleaded.

However, the bird on the left, which had shown Muriyan, disappeared.

The bird on the right remained, motionless.

"Ah! Muriyan! Why! I'm suffering so much! Laughing without showing me your face...! Why are you having fun! Muriyan! Ahh!!"

Tears streaming down his face, he pounded the floor.

Gripping his chest tightly, he lay on the floor.

After watching Lud sob for a long time, the bird flew away.

○●○●○

The image the bird brought back was shown in a certain magic research laboratory in the Elven Kingdom.

"This is worse than I thought."

The young elf with a monocle sighed.

"Is it true that dragon people weaken and die when they lose their 'mate'?"

"...He doesn't seem close to dying yet."

Elector spoke coldly.

"That's cruel. Showing the happy image of his former 'mate' and watching his reaction..."

"Isn't it the fault of the beastmen kingdom for being so weak?"

"Didn't you suggest it in the first place?"

The human man was exasperated, but the two elves laughed.

"It's good to have interesting data. The dragon person still has lingering feelings for his former 'mate' and is suffering."

The elf with the monocle wrote in his report.

"Truly. As selfish as I've heard. Even if he didn't realize she was his 'mate,' he treated her coldly like a tyrant. Now, to suddenly yearn for her... I can't forgive it."

Sensing the anger and leaking magic from Elector, the others backed away.

"Don't be jealous. The connection of 'mates' has already been severed by the gods."

"The mere fact that she was his 'mate' drives me mad."

The calm young elf with the monocle frowned at Elector's angry expression.

"Moreover, he's still clinging to the past."

He glared at the image. Even without sound, it was clear he was calling for Muriyan.

"If his former 'mate' was still clinging to the past, Muriyan wouldn't have taken my hand."

The beautiful fairy was terrifyingly cold and cruel.

"Ultimately, it's jealousy."

"Elector, you've been so tense since Muriyan came."

The two elves laughed again.

"Ah, I wonder when Muriyan will realize. The love elves have for their mates is as heavy as a dragon's 'mate' bond."

The human man shrugged and smiled wryly.

Then, a knock sounded, and everyone quickly made the bird disappear and returned to their positions.

Muriyan entered with a tray of coffee for everyone.

"Thank you" and "You're welcome" were exchanged warmly.

"Elector, remember the promise to borrow the kitchen? Can I do it soon?"

"Huh? Oh, sure. Even today is fine."

Elector, who had promised to lend his kitchen to Muriyan, who wanted to learn cooking, nodded enthusiastically.

"Really? I'll take you up on that and come over today."

"...Sure!"

Elector nodded with a full smile, and Muriyan, slightly taken aback by his reaction, swayed her tail happily.

Seeing this, the colleagues tried to hide their grinning faces.

Muriyan and Elector gradually grew closer, deepening their interactions—

"Will you take my hand, Muriyan?"

After six years of meeting, Muriyan said yes to Elector's proposal.

At the inter-species wedding, the Elven secret ritual for eternal life and longevity was performed, binding them together.

Their lifespans were now connected, and they would be together until death.

Only Muriyan's youngest brother attended the ceremony.

Muriyan, after some hesitation, sent an invitation to her youngest brother Tyler and told the rest that they were welcome to come if they wished.

However, her parents and older brother, feeling they had no face to show, sent their blessings and allowed Tyler to attend.

Even after 100 years, Muriyan and Elector were known as a loving and devoted magical couple.

The current crown prince of the beastmen kingdom visited Muriyan, hoping to recognize his 'mate' if one existed, as he had lost his status like the former crown prince.

Surprised by the humble crown prince, despite his high abilities as a dragon, Muriyan smiled and told him that if his mate existed, things would work out. However, this sparked Elector's jealousy, leading to a minor conflict, which is another story.

The love elves have for their mates is heavy.

So heavy that they created a spell to be together forever until the end of their lives—

Muriyan smiled, finding it both inevitable and not entirely unpleasant.

The End

In this story, the elves are not just indifferent but cruel.

Elector, showing the heartbroken former crown prince a happy Muriyan, is a somewhat devious fairy.

However, this was a one-time thing.

He vowed never to show it again, and the former crown prince waited, staring at the small window, hoping he would return.

After much consideration, since Muriyan and Lud's connection was severed, it was better for them to remain unaware of each other's futures, and Muriyan did not actively seek to know.

The daily fantasy [romance] ranking has been number one since yesterday!

With over 500 likes and 5000 bookmarks, I'm very happy!

Thank you! (((o(｀・ω・´)o)))

I'm glad I posted it!

I love 'mates' stories, and this time I challenged the type where the bond is dissolved!

This is the second part of the series about noble ladies breaking their current situations on their own!

Thank you for reading to the end!

2024/02/05