92 -Differences

  When the laughter finally died down, Nexha was still on the ground, trying to catch his breath. He stared at the eggs shimmering under the sunlight, his mind working to process this new information.

  — Wait… are they really yours? — he asked, his voice carrying a tone of disbelief.

  — Yes — Nalu answered with a serene smile, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

  Lilay crouched beside the eggs, observing them with fascination but not daring to touch them, as if they were too precious.

  — They’re beautiful… — he murmured, his eyes shining with curiosity.

  Zhaelor leaned in to get a better look, analyzing the eggs with interest.

  — They’re sturdy… they’ll hatch into strong little ones.

  Krahs, who had been silently watching, crossed his arms and looked at Nalu with a mix of curiosity and something that seemed… like relief?

  — Well… you finally got what you wanted. Congratulations, sea wolf.

  Nalu chuckled softly.

  — Took a while, but yes.

  Nexha finally got up, crossing his arms. Something about him was still tense, as if he couldn’t accept this scene so easily.

  — So… who’s the father?

  The question came out more directly than he intended, but Nalu’s response came without hesitation.

  — Ah, it was just a momentary passion with a male from a species that doesn’t raise their offspring with the female.

  Silence fell over the group like a heavy wave.

  Nexha blinked, confused.

  — You… what?

  Nalu tilted her head, still calm.

  — It was a one-night thing, Nexha. I wanted to have children, and I found someone suitable for it. He went his way, and now I have the eggs.

  There was something about the way she said it so naturally that made a knot form in Nexha’s stomach. His chest grew hot with frustration and anger.

  — You’re joking, right?! You’re going to raise them alone?!

  This time, Nalu raised an eyebrow.

  — Yes. Why does that bother you so much?

  — What do you mean?! You just laid two eggs into the world and don’t even know if their father is alive or dead?!

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  — I know he’s alive — she corrected, rolling her eyes slightly.

  — That’s not the point!

  Lilay and Zhaelor exchanged glances, feeling the tension rise between the two. Krahs let out a long sigh, already anticipating where this conversation was going.

  Nexha gestured with his hands, his impatience bubbling inside him.

  — How can you just decide that on your own?! Children should have both a mother and a father, shouldn’t they?

  Nalu sighed, crossing her arms, her tone now more patient.

  — Nexha, you’re reacting like this is something absurd. But actually, it’s a lot more common than you think.

  He frowned, his jaw tightening.

  — What do you mean?!

  — There are many species that don’t raise their young with a partner. Some leave their eggs hidden so they hatch on their own…

  Lilay, who was about to raise his hand to ask something, was discreetly stopped by Krahs, who gently lowered his arm before he could interrupt.

  Nalu continued.

  — … and there are even species where the males are the ones responsible for raising them. For my species, this isn’t strange at all.

  Nexha felt his heart pound. Her argument made sense… but that wasn’t what was truly bothering him.

  He clenched his fists.

  — But… what if they ask about their father in the future? What will you say?

  Nalu gave a small smile.

  — The truth. That he was someone who helped me have them and then went his way. That doesn’t mean the hatchlings will grow up without a family. They’ll have me… and you all.

  Nexha opened his mouth to argue but shut it again.

  He looked at the eggs, then back at Nalu. She didn’t seem hesitant or regretful.

  On the contrary… she seemed firm in her decision.

  But how could she be so calm about this?

  — Do you really think this is normal? — his voice came out quieter, but still filled with frustration.

  — For me, yes.

  — But…!

  He felt a heavy hand rest on his shoulder and turned to see Krahs beside him.

  — Nexha — his voice was calm but firm. — You come from a species that forms pairs to raise their young together. I understand why this feels strange to you. It’s your instinct telling you something is wrong.

  Nexha felt his chest tighten.

  So that’s why he was so upset? Or was it something deeper?

  He knew that in his past life, his mother had raised him and his siblings alone. It felt like a part of himself had resurfaced.

  Nalu looked at him now with a more understanding gaze.

  — I should have realized this would be hard for you to accept — she said, her voice softer.

  He looked away.

  — I… just didn’t expect this…

  The tension finally seemed to ease, when a loud sound broke the silence:

  — Grrrrr…

  Lilay hugged his own stomach, which was growling desperately.

  — Okay, okay, as long as Nalu takes care of them, I don’t see a problem. But can we eat now?! Nexha, all that food you made is getting cold!

  The tension in Nexha’s body loosened a little. He took a deep breath, running a hand over his face.

  — Forget it. Eat whatever you want. I’ll be back later.

  And he walked away, still feeling his heart racing, but now without so much anger.

  The feelings about himself and his siblings were stronger than he expected. At that moment, all he wanted was to cry a little from missing them.

  Everyone watched him go, but no one stopped him.

  Zhaelor crossed his arms.

  — He just needs time to understand.

  — I know — Nalu murmured, watching her younger brother disappear into the cabin. — I think I overwhelmed him a bit.

  Krahs chuckled, relaxing his shoulders.

  — That’s true… but he’s smart. He’ll accept it in time.

  The atmosphere began to relax.

  Zhaelor turned to Lilay.

  — So, what’s for dinner?

  Lilay, already impatient, raised his arms as if he had just won a battle.

  — Fried fish!

  Nalu laughed.

  — Sounds good. Let’s eat, then.

  And as the conversation returned to its lively tone, Nexha sat alone in the old nest, staring at the wall.

  He missed his old family.

  Even though he had a new one, the longing still consumed him.

  Small, pearl-like tears formed in his eyes.

  At that moment, he thought he was alone—

  But someone approached.

  A shiver ran down his spine as a beautiful mermaid appeared, her hair, skin, and scales as white as snow.

  Her completely dark eyes reflected tiny points of light, making them look like a starry sky.

  Her delicate lips parted just slightly, barely revealing her teeth, as her voice rang like delicate wind chimes in a gentle breeze.

  — Why do you cry, little star?