"Nina..."

Idir stood rigid, guilt written plainly across his face.

Nina’s expression was calm, but there was a weight to it now, a quiet gravity that made his chest tighten.

"Idir, maybe your intentions weren’t bad," she said calmly, "but you had no right to take Momo away without asking. You knew about the curse—you could have talked to me, we could have figured out a solution together. Instead, you made the decision for both of us."

Her voice softened, but the disappointment in it cut deeper than anger.

"Did you ever think about how I would feel if I lost him?"

Idir’s throat tightened.

"I’m sorry," he said hoarsely. "I shouldn’t have taken him without telling you. I... I thought you wouldn’t agree. And I was afraid... that if you knew about the curse, you might reject him. So I didn’t say anything. That was my fault."

He had always been alone. Acting on his own, deciding on his own. He hadn’t thought about how it would affect her. Hadn’t thought about her feelings at all.

And that... was his greatest mistake.

Nina let out a faint sigh. She could almost see it—the kind of past that would shape someone into this. That quiet fear of being rejected. That instinct to handle everything alone.

It reminded her of herself, once.

"Idir... I understand why you did it," she said, her tone easing slightly. "But that doesn’t make it right."

"I know," he said quickly, his voice urgent. "I really know I was wrong."

He took a cautious step closer, eyes filled with something fragile, almost pleading.

"Can you forgive me... just this once?"

His voice dropped. "I... I still want to stay by your side."

There was a tremor in his words now. "Nina, please don’t send me away. However you want to punish me, I’ll accept it."

If the curse could be removed, then he didn’t want to leave anymore.

He wanted to stay.

Wanted to belong.

Wanted... to be one of her mates.

Regret gnawed at him. If only he had spoken that morning—if only he had told her how he felt—maybe things would be different now.

Maybe he wouldn’t be standing here, begging for a chance he might have already lost.

What was I thinking back then...?

He clenched his fists slightly. He had missed his moment. And now... She was angry with him.

Did he still have a chance?

Before Nina could respond, a small voice piped up from her arms.

Momo lifted his head, cheeks still damp, eyes blazing with indignation.

"Mother, don’t forgive him! You have to punish him properly—for me!"

He puffed up with righteous fury. He had been terrified earlier—truly terrified. This bad snake deserved it.

He shot Idir a glare.

You’re finished. Mother will definitely take my side.

Idir’s jaw tightened.

You little brat...

Of all times to speak—was this really when he had to make things worse for his own father?

Nina looked down at Momo, and a faint smile tugged at her lips.

The anger she had been holding onto softened, washed away by the child’s indignation.

She tapped his little head lightly. "Alright then—how does Momo want to punish him?"

The child must have been truly upset today.

Momo thought for a moment, then declared with great seriousness: "Mother, use that ghost-crying vine to whip him properly! And then let the others beat him a few more times! And make him kneel on lots and lots of durians—more than all the other fathers!"

Idir’s eyelid twitched.

...Is this really my own son?

That little brat was ruthless.

He had seen Nina’s ghost-crying vine before—it was no joke. As for durians, he had never encountered them, but judging by the name alone, they couldn’t be anything pleasant.

Yes, taking the child today had been wrong.

But had he really deserved this?

Nina herself was a little taken aback. Just how angry was Momo?

She glanced at Idir and sighed inwardly. This father-son relationship... might be beyond saving.

Nearby, Odian and Aviel silently gave Momo an approving look.

Well done.

That was exactly how the punishment should be.

They had long wanted an excuse to beat that snake a few more times anyway.

Nina cleared her throat softly and turned to Idir. "Do you have any objections to Momo’s proposed punishment?"

It did sound a bit excessive... But Idir’s actions this time truly deserved consequences.

If he wanted to stay, then he would have to accept them.

Idir shook his head immediately. "No objections."

Then, more cautiously, he asked, "Does that mean... you can forgive me? That I can stay?"

As long as she allowed it, he would accept anything.

Nina gave a small nod. "Yes."

Then she turned to Odian, patting his shoulder lightly. "Let’s head back."

At once, Odian lifted her into his arms and took to the air, flying back toward the Barbarian City. Aviel followed alongside.

Behind them, relief surged through Idir. As long as she forgave him, that was enough.

Without hesitation, he followed them back.

They returned to the residence, where the other mates were already waiting.

"Nina and Momo are back!"

Relief spread across their faces the moment they saw the child safely returned.

But when their gazes shifted past her—to Idir following behind—their expressions hardened instantly.

Why is that damned snake back too?

"Yes, he’s back," Nina said calmly.

The children swarmed around them at once.

"Mother! Momo, you’re back!"

Nina tried to set Momo down so he could go play, but he refused, clinging tightly to her wrist.

She understood—he had been frightened. So she didn’t force him. Instead, she let him stay curled around her arm, quiet and unwilling to let go.

Odian stepped forward. "Nina, can I borrow the ghost-crying vine?"

Nina glanced at Idir, then handed it over without a word before moving toward Kith to help with things inside.

Odian took the vine and looked at Idir. "Out to the courtyard. Time to take your punishment."

Idir gave a small nod and walked outside.

Moments later—

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The sharp sound of lashes echoed through the courtyard. The children gathered nearby, wide-eyed with curiosity.

Shushu tugged at the eldest. "Big Brother... why is Momo’s father being punished?"

The eldest thought for a moment. "He must have bullied Momo. That’s why Mother punished him."

Linny frowned, glancing toward Momo. "Did Momo get hit too? He’s not even coming to play with us."

His brows knitted in concern.

Next time his own bad father hit him... he’d complain to Mother too—and have her use that vine on him.

Second tilted his head. "Maybe... we should go comfort him?"

The others nodded, and together they ran over to Nina.

Nina gathered them into her arms. "What’s this? Why are you all here?"

"We came to keep Momo company!"

Linny fluttered over and held out a piece of candy. "Momo, did your father hit you? It’s okay—here, have some candy."

The others eagerly offered their own sweets, trying to cheer him up.

Momo shook his head. "No... he didn’t hit me. But he tried to take me away."

His little face scrunched up with indignation as he began loudly recounting everything that had happened.

By the time he finished, the children were bristling with outrage.

"That bad snake is the worst!"