Lamia girl stirred, her eyes blinking softly. Then, with a cracked voice full of guilt, she whispered—

  “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you.”

  Her words sliced through the chaos like a blade through silence.

  Iyak and Aurelia both went still, the teasing gone from their faces.

  Iyak crouched beside her, his voice surprisingly gentle.

  “You… can talk? That’s a new surprise. Just—no more biting, okay? I’m not edible.”

  From the side, Aurelia rolled her eyes and smirked.

  “She has a mouth, genius. Why wouldn’t she talk?

  Then again, this is the first time I’ve seen a talking Lamia. Usually, they hiss and slither, not hold conversations.”

  Iyak shot her a mocking smile.

  “And if you don’t know anything, maybe don’t act like you do. Oversmarting doesn’t suit you. Not with that head.”

  Their bickering started heating up again until the Lamia girl sat up, brushing her long, silver hair aside and calmly spoke.

  “My name is Lioris. Daughter of the Lamia King. I am… half-human, half-Lamia. That’s why I can talk.”

  Iyak’s eyebrows rose as a mischievous grin crawled onto his face.

  “Well, well… that’s interesting. Makes me wonder how exactly someone becomes half of each…”

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  Before he could go further, Aurelia bonked him on the head with her palm—hard.

  **“Ow! What was that for?!” Iyak groaned, rubbing the bump.

  Aurelia crossed her arms.

  “Now I know. You’re not just stupid. You’re a certified creep too. That was for your… thoughts, you hopeless pervert.”

  Lioris giggled softly, watching them with bright, curious eyes.

  “You two are funny. It’s not that complicated. My mother… was human.”

  Iyak looked at her serpent lower body, still coiled on the ground, then raised an eyebrow.

  “With all due respect… I’m just saying—logistically, I have questions.”

  Aurelia turned red, yanked Iyak by the arm, and dragged him a few steps back.

  “Are you brain-dead? Who asks that kind of thing so casually?! No filter at all!”

  Iyak, deep in thought, mumbled,

  “I just want to understand… There are so many theories now in my mind…”

  Aurelia gave a sheepish smile to Lioris, who sat watching them like someone watching a play with no idea what genre it was.

  “Just… ignore him for now. I’ll let him ask his 200 weird questions later.”

  They returned to Lioris, who looked both confused and amused.

  Aurelia cleared her throat, striking a heroic pose.

  “He may be an idiot, but I’m Aurelia! Hero of the Realms! Vanquisher of darkness! Slay—”

  “Blah, blah, blah,” Iyak cut in, arms folded, “Keep going, you forgot ‘talker of endless nonsense.’”

  Lioris smiled again, her fangs showing slightly in an innocent grin.

  “I don’t mind Master’s questions. You both saved me. I would’ve died back there if you hadn’t helped.”

  Iyak looked around as if checking if the gods were listening, then stood tall and tapped his chest.

  “Did you hear that?! I am the Master!”

  Lioris gave a small nod.

  Confidence exploded in Iyak’s body. He pointed straight at Aurelia.

  “Ha! See that? I’m her master. You're just the side character who yells all the time.”

  “Master of what, exactly? Bad ideas and worse timing?” Aurelia shot back.

  “Master of everything you’re jealous of,” he winked.

  Aurelia opened her mouth to retort, but Lioris’s voice gently interrupted.

  “I lived in Moonshade Forest. It’s a sacred place… where monsters of all kinds live together peacefully, under the watch of the Red Dragon.”

  The air shifted. The tension returned.

  Aurelia’s playful tone dropped into something quiet and reverent.

  “Moonshade… That forest is legend. No one goes near it. And the Red Dragon… she’s the guardian of balance.”

  Iyak scratched his head.

  “So… like a monster city with a dragon mayor?”

  They both ignored him.

  Lioris looked down, sadness creeping into her tone.

  “One day, a group of Elves attacked us. We didn’t even have time to prepare. My people fought bravely, but… we were overwhelmed. My father carried me out himself. He saved me… but I lost everything.”

  Aurelia knelt beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

  “I’m sorry… that must’ve been terrifying.”

  Lioris nodded, silent tears glistening in her golden eyes.

  Iyak, for once, didn’t say anything. He just stood there… quietly.