CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30 - A PERFECTLY NORMAL MORNING.

The dawn in the forest came gently.

A hush lay over the new village, the trees whispering in the breeze, fireflies finally dimming as the faintest chorus of birdsong began.

Inside Kael’s two-storied house, where roots had bent themselves into polished beams and sunlight pooled through wide windows, a bed of woven bark and soft moss lay warm and quiet.

Kael stirred.

Dull golden light spilled across his face, and for the first time in a long while, his lashes flickered open at dawn. His brow furrowed faintly, as though the fact itself offended him.

"...Strange," he murmured, his voice husky from sleep. "Since when do I wake before the sun finishes stretching?"

He didn’t remember his past, but in the eleven days he could remember, he recalled waking up only when the sun was high in the sky.

Kael turned his head slightly, searching for some disturbance, some noise, or some misplaced presence that had stolen his slumber.

But there was nothing—no danger, no intruder, not even a whisper of unease.

Only weight.

A soft, warm weight.

He tilted his chin down, and the corner of his mouth tugged upward.

Rue was sprawled across his left arm, tail puffed into his chest like a living scarf, her little mouth open just enough to let out an occasional snore that came with the faintest whistle.

Rina had curled neatly on his right, her small hands gripping his sleeve like an anchor, her breathing slow and even, her ears twitching now and then.

Kael let out a low chuckle. "Ah, so that’s why."

They’d insisted last night that they wanted their own room—stubborn, bouncing with excitement about their "big bed" and "window seat."

Yet, when night truly fell, they had crept right back to his side, claiming that they wanted to spend the first night in this house with him.

Now they clung to him like vines to a trunk.

"Mm," Kael sighed contentedly, sinking back into the moss pillows. "I suppose pillows don’t usually giggle in their sleep. But perhaps I’ve been using the wrong kind."

He closed his eyes again, not because sleep pulled at him, but because their peaceful faces demanded stillness.

Minutes passed.

The sky beyond the window began to warm from pale gray to gold, and the first ray of sunlight pushed through, slanting across the floorboards until it reached his bed.

The golden strip crept upward... touching Rue’s tail first, then Rina’s cheek.

Both twins stirred.

Rue let out a little grumble and kicked her foot against Kael’s side, while Rina’s brows furrowed as though the warmth was dragging her from dreams she didn’t want to leave.

Kael smirked, wiggling a finger lazily.

The vine curtains along the human-sized window shivered, then slithered closed, swallowing the light in a soft shade of green.

The warmth faded.

Rue and Rina sighed in unison, sinking back into their comfortable nest—Rue snuggling deeper into his chest, Rina clutching tighter at his sleeve.

Kael’s smile softened. "Much better."

Just then, the wooden door slid open with a gentle shhhk.

Evethra stepped in, poised and composed as ever.

She carried herself with quiet grace, a hand resting lightly on her skirt as she bowed her head.

Her lips parted, ready to murmur the morning words—"Master, it is time to rise"—but her crimson eyes lifted and froze.

There was Kael, already awake, golden eyes glinting faintly in the dim light. On either side of him, Rue and Rina slumbered soundly, tangled around him like tiny fox-shaped guardians.

Kael met Evethra’s gaze. His expression was mischievous yet wordless.

He tilted his head a fraction and gave the smallest shake.

Evethra blinked, then her lips curved in a knowing smile.

She pressed her hands together, dipped her head silently, and, without uttering a word, slid the door closed once more.

The soft shhhk of wood meeting wood lingered in the quiet room.

Kael exhaled, amused, glancing back at the fox twins. "You see, even the sun and my maid have learned—they can wait. So, sleep all you want today."

With that, he sank deeper into the pillow, eyes half-closed, content to let the morning slip past while Rue and Rina dreamed against him.

...........................

An hour later.

By now, the village was awake.

From the roof of his two-story home, Kael sat cross-legged, his black hair shifting gently in the breeze, golden eyes lazily following the movements below.

Demihumans stretched their stiff limbs from a night’s sleep, families clustered in small groups, and children darted barefoot over mossy roots.

Some, however, were slipping into the tree line, glancing around sheepishly as they disappeared into the woods.

It was clear what they were going to do. As weak as they were, their bodies couldn’t digest all the food they ate.

They needed to remove the waste.

Kael’s smile faded. His gaze lingered on the treeline, his expression thoughtful, then faintly displeased.

"...This won’t do."

His tone was soft but edged with decision.

Though beasts wouldn’t dare come near—not with his presence saturating the forest—he knew there were limits.

If the people went too far, they’d risk safety. If they stayed too close...

His eyes narrowed faintly at the thought of what the ground around the village would become in weeks.

The image was unhygienic at best and dangerous at worst.

Worse still, he’d noticed something yesterday.

He had seen how the gourds of water were passed hand to hand, guarded like treasure. They’d brought what they could, but the waterskins they had were nearly empty.

Water. Sanitation. Basic survival.

Even miracles like bending trees into homes couldn’t replace those.

"This needs serious contemplation," Kael hummed.

It was then that a soft fwshhh cut through his thoughts.

The beat of wings.

He tilted his head slightly, and sure enough, Selene ascended from the ground, probably wanting to sit up here.

Her silver-white hair caught the sun, her wings folding neatly as she alighted on the roof.

When she saw that someone was already there, for a second, her movement paused, but then her sandals tapped lightly against the wood as she settled beside him, tilting her head with birdlike curiosity, though still reserved.

"I wasn’t expecting anyone here this early," she said gently, her silver eyes glimmering. "Aren’t you going to freshen yourself?"

Kael gave a light chuckle, shaking his head. "I don’t need to."

She blinked, now perched on the edge of the roof with her hands on her knees. "What do you mean?"

Kael leaned back, staring at the sky. "Unlike normal people, my food digests completely. So, I don’t need to do what would seem natural for others."

"Oh," Selene raised a brow. "Must be convenient."

Kael turned to her, and seeing how she looked at him, he could tell that she was jealous of that ability, so he chuckled. "I believe that anyone strong enough can do the same thing. So don’t worry; once you grow stronger, you will be able to do it as well."

Just the mention of growing stronger made Selene’s eyes brighten, as she could still remember how Kael had said that she could grow stronger, unlike what she had believed for years.

However, despite everything, she didn’t ask when he would help her awaken whatever power he was talking about.

Kael had already done more than she could ask, so she wasn’t shameless enough to ask for more.

Kael, as if reading her like a book, smiled before he spoke.

"On the note of freshening up, why don’t I show you something I created?" Kael asked with that mischievous smile of his.

Before Selene could respond, his fingers snapped.

A sudden rush of air swirled around her, cool and sweet, threaded with the sharp purity of mountain springs.

It coiled like a living thing, laced with droplets of water so fine she couldn’t see them, only feel them brush across her skin in tingling waves.

Her feathers ruffled, her hair lifted, and for a heartbeat, she was caught in a cyclone of cleansing wind.

Then it was gone.

Selene blinked rapidly, stunned.

She raised a hand to her cheek—smooth, refreshed, as though she had bathed in crystal waters. Her feathers gleamed. Her hair fell soft and clean around her shoulders.

Yet, she was dry.

Her eyes widened, silver irises shimmering with awe. "...It feels like I’ve just... come out of the bath. But—how?"

Kael smirked, leaning back on his hands as if he’d done nothing at all. "Trade secret."

Selene stared for a long moment before a soft laugh escaped her, rare and genuine.

She shook her head. "You make impossible things seem like parlor tricks."

Kael’s smile curved. "That’s the fun of it."

Silence lingered, broken only by the distant chatter of the village. Then Selene’s gaze shifted, studying his profile as he looked back toward the clearing. "So... what are you really doing up here?"

"Watching," Kael replied smoothly. His voice was calm, but his golden eyes sharpened with quiet weight.

Selene tilted her head again. "Watching what, exactly?"

Kael raised a hand and gestured toward the woods. "Them, slipping away. They think they’re being discreet. But soon, if this keeps up, the forest edge will stink. Worse—water. They’ve barely any left. By tomorrow, they’ll be rationing drops."

Selene followed his gaze, her lips pressing together.

He went on, his tone even but edged with dry humor.

"I gave them homes last night. But a home without water and... facilities..." He waved a hand vaguely. "Let’s just say, the romance dies quickly when the floor turns into a latrine."

Selene blinked, then let out a quiet laugh she tried—and failed—to smother behind her hand. Composure regained, she rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

"Mm. Much simpler problems than I imagined you brooding over."

Kael raised a brow. "Simple, is it? Then humor me."

She nodded, wings twitching slightly in thought. "The water—there’s a spring not far—half a morning’s walk. I can take you once Lyra, Rue, and Rina return. It could supply the village if we direct it properly."

Kael inclined his head slightly, approving. "Good. What about the other problem?"

Selene tapped her chin, replying, "Humans use something practical. Pits, lined and covered, with waste carried away or broken down. It’s crude, but it works. With your power, though... You could shape it. Make it clean and efficient. Even turn it into something better."

Kael tilted his head, golden eyes glinting with interest. "Better, hm? Go on, Selene. I do love it when someone brings me solutions instead of problems."

Selene smiled faintly, silver eyes alight as she leaned a little closer, telling him everything she knew about humans.

After all, she had learned about humans when she was in her clan, as humans were the main enemies demihumans prepared themselves for.

Kael, on the other hand, was only now realizing how much he cared about cleanliness.