Tamed or Captured

Jackal’s face lit up with a smile as he gently caressed the baby’s cheek with his index finger.

His blue eyes trembled with excitement and wonder as he looked at his daughter.

Seeing him unable to take his eyes off the baby, Asha spoke lovingly.

 “You know? There’s a flower fragrance coming from Melissa. It’s the scent of hyacinth.”

Hearing this, Jackal realized that his daughter who had inherited the blood of a butterfly possessed the spirit of a flower.

And to think that the scent of hyacinth came from his own lineage…

Although he wasn’t a butterfly and couldn’t smell that fragrance, he pressed his nose against the baby’s body and took a deep breath.

The newborn baby smelled like the sea, but warm and comforting.

Surprised by this sight, Asha suddenly asked.

 “Jackal, are you alright? Come to think of it, you have a pollen allergy…”

Upon hearing her words, Jackal also realized this fact, and his eyes widened.

In the past, just being with Karaf had caused him to sneeze and runny nose, but now he was perfectly fine.

 “I think I’m fine. Ever since I met the flower boy in the palace, I haven’t been affected even when there are flowers around.”

Asha was surprised. 

 It seemed that when Karaf broke the curse and blossomed, Jackal’s pollen allergy disappeared as well.

For him, the pollen allergy was nothing less than a ‘curse’ that prevented him from being close to his beloved child, born from a butterfly.

Could it be that God was moved? 

It seemed that his curse had been broken as well.

Jackal, red-faced and slightly droopy-eyed, hugged Asha.

Then he whispered softly in her ear as he patted her on the back.

 “You’ve worked so hard… Thank you for giving me hope…”

Asha was moved to tears by her words and pressed her nose against his body, overwhelmed with emotions.

The two held each other, their bodies damp with sweat, for a long time.

The midwife observed them happily from behind, while Sonya wiped away her tears once again.

* * * * *

To alleviate Asha’s postpartum struggles, Jackal always carried the newborn baby on his back.

Whether it was because the baby resembled Asha or not, as soon as the baby made contact with Jackal’s back, even while crying, the baby would magically calm down and fall asleep.

Asha’s eyes widened in fascination at this remarkable sight.

Jackal turned his back to her with a proud expression on his face.

Melissa was wrapped tightly in a white cloth like a backpack on his large back.

She really did look like a small ‘doll’ on his back.

He looked back with wonder and pride on his face and murmured.

 “Our baby is truly gentle.”

Asha couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Jackal seemed to be easily moved by anything related to the baby lately.

 “There must be a sleeping spell cast on your back.”

With her mouth slightly open like a triangle, Melissa was fast asleep and Asha was looking at her lovingly while gently kissing her plump cheek.

Melissa had inherited Asha’s golden hair and Jackal’s blue eyes.

Throughout the day, Jackal would carry the baby, dressed in a onesie adorned with bees, either on his back or in his arms like a bag. Perhaps due to their shared lineage, he had an incredible sensitivity to the baby’s emotions and well-being.

Every time Melissa cried, Jackal would look at her and she would immediately stop crying and she would look back at him curiously. It seemed as if they were communicating telepathically as members of the same clan, but Asha couldn’t quite comprehend it.

 “What did you just say?”

 “I sang her a song.”

 “A song? I want to hear it too!”

When Asha’s eyes sparkled as she looked at him, Jackal blushed and shyly began to sing a lullaby.

It was a simple lullaby, but with his deep, melodic voice, it was very pleasant to listen to.

As Asha closed her eyes and enjoyed the melody, Jackal looked at her and said softly.

 “You must be very tired. I’ll put you to sleep too.”

He suddenly picked her up, like a princess, and headed for the bed.

Asha, who had been on the brink of falling asleep, was awakened by his actions.

However, Jackal gently laid her down, tucked her in the blanket, and lovingly tried to put her to sleep.

Asha felt that she shouldn’t disturb him, so she closed her eyes and tried to force herself to sleep. Yet, eventually, she found it impossible and spoke up first.

 “……Jackal.”

 “Yes?”

Curious, Jackal, who was humming a lullaby, looked at her.

Suddenly, Asha blushed in embarrassment.

 “There’s another way to fall asleep….”

 “What is it?”

Asha hesitated for a moment before doing so.

She raised her index finger and pricked Jackal’s body.

 “……!”

Instantly understanding her words, Jackal’s eyes widened and he quickly lifted the blanket.

Then, with a burst of energy, he forcibly removed his clothes.

Asha swallowed as she watched his well-defined muscles move passionately.

Then Jackal looked at her seriously.

 “I’ll put you to sleep until tomorrow morning.”

 “What? You don’t have to go that far….”

 “It’s okay. You can sleep until noon. I’ll take care of Melissa.”

Asha closed her eyes in embarrassment.

Clearly, this was the most effective way to sleep.

After work, she always fell asleep from exhaustion, but he wasn’t exhausted at all…

* * * * *

Jackal was the village chief, so he had a lot of work to do.

However, he was extremely devoted to parenting, to the point that he would run home even while working at the mere mention of his honeybee.

Fortunately, Jackal had a lot of stamina and did not tire easily.

People from all corners of the village frequently sought him out at any hour to catch a glimpse of their beloved honeybee. The other clan chiefs also understood his unique circumstances and respected his dedication.

Being the cherished descendant of the esteemed Kelpie Clan, Honeybee held a special place in the hearts of the villagers.

During his childhood, Jackal had spent very little time with his father, who was the head of the clan. His father would be away for months on various missions, to the point that Jackal sometimes forgot his father’s face.

He never wanted to be that kind of father.

Baby Honeybee, Melissa, would burst with delight as her father transformed into a horse, giggling and playfully tugging at his mane.

As Melissa’s hands grew stronger, she occasionally tugged on her mane a little roughly. However, Jackal would simply lie on her side, gently placing his face next to hers, ensuring her safety even in his horse form.

He was more careful when he was in his horse form, fearing that his daughter might get hurt if he moved.

He was a true daughter-fool dad.

Asha lay next to him, feeling the fullness of happiness as she caressed the baby and him at the same time.

The water spirit, the wind spirit, and the flower spirit harmonized within their home.

They were the most extraordinary family in the entire Etzheim Empire.

* * * * *

After the cold winter fades away and the anticipation of spring, with its blooming flowers, fills the air, the lush greenery of summer arrives in a blink of an eye.

In the span of a few years, time seemed to fly by, and now it was the season when the sprouts that had emerged on a spring day were growing vigorously.

Inside a house, the wooden hallway resounded with the thumping sound of someone running.

Jackal, working in his workshop, glanced up and turned his attention towards the entrance.

Standing proudly by the door was Melissa, now five years old, with her hand on her waist.

 “Daddy, are you busy right now?”

 “No.”

Then, Melissa began stomping her feet, as if revving an engine.

Observing her playful antics, Jackal set aside his tools and stood up from his seat.

He bent his knees and stretched out his arms wide, his voice filled with unwavering determination.

 “Come.”

 “……Kraaah!”

Melissa ran towards him as if she were a ferocious beast, no, like a wild horse, galloping towards him.

Her uncombed golden hair fluttered and swayed like a lion’s mane.

Jackal lifted her and spun her around three times, like a breathtaking acrobatic display.

However, by chance, Asha happened to pass by the hallway and caught sight of them. Her eyes widened, and she screamed out loud.

 “Honey!”

While Jackal was joyfully spinning Melissa, his palm on her stomach like kneading pizza dough, they both suddenly froze for a moment.

Happily extending her arms and legs, twirling in the air, Melissa also turned her attention towards the doorway.

It was evident that they were father and daughter, and even their facial expressions were identical.

Asha asked, raising an eyebrow.

 “What are you two doing right now?”

Jackal responded calmly, in contrast to his dynamic, muscular posture.

 “I was playing with Mel.”

 “Did I see it wrong? It looked like you were spinning her in the air like a disc.”

 “……”

Silence fell upon Jackal, but Melissa mischievously spoke up from above him.

 “Mel was flying in the sky! Just like a butterfly.”

 “My daughter is truly amazing. You already know how to fly.”

As Asha’s gaze grew more intense, Jackal subtly avoided her eyes.

Whenever his attention was elsewhere, Jackal would play with Melissa in a way that gave him a slap on the back.

Fearless even at her young age, Melissa enjoyed playing dangerous games on her father’s back. Jackal would spin her wildly in the air, showcasing extraordinary tricks until the child grew tired.

Thanks to that, Asha’s heart drops several times a day.

Although she never doubted Jackal, she still found it too dangerous.

Asha let out a sigh.

 “…But you must absolutely not teach her how to ride a horse without my knowledge, understood? Mel is still young and has short legs. She’s not ready to ride a horse yet.”

 “Of course. I won’t teach her until she can stay on my back without falling.”

Jackal replied, gently brushing his daughter’s golden hair that resembled a lion’s mane, his eyes filled with affection.

Although they couldn’t ride a horse together just yet, Jackal would often lie on the floor and let Melissa ride on his back.

It was his way of familiarizing her with riding, even if it wasn’t on a real horse. But in truth, playing with Melissa was more important to him.

Melissa’s face fell with disappointment as if she really wanted to learn horseback riding. However, her dimpled cheeks soon transformed into an adorable smile as she looked at her parents.

 “Mel, go wash your face and brush your teeth. Remember, the first thing you should do when you wake up is not exercise but washing. Your hair is all messy too.”

 “Mel is a lion, so it’s okay…”

 “Melissa.”

As Asha interrupted firmly without blinking, Melissa obediently complied.

 “Alright! I got it! I’ll go wash up quickly!”

Melissa groaned and left the room, brimming with energy even in the morning.

Asha and Jackal watched her retreating figure with affectionate eyes before letting out a sigh.

When she was born, Melissa used to be a quiet and well-behaved baby, but they couldn’t pinpoint when she had transformed into such an energetic child, resembling a wild horse.

However, even though Melissa turned five this year, she had yet to exhibit the traits of the Kelpies.

She, of course, possessed the boundless stamina of a wild horse, a stronger skeletal structure than average children, and was growing rapidly. However, the most significant “transformation” was still to come.

Asha asked Jackal cautiously.

 “Jackal, she has Kelpie blood, will she be able to transform into a horse no matter what?”

 “Yes.”

 “At what age were you able to transform into a horse?”

 “I was around four years old. But I was clumsy in the transition between human and horse. There were times when I spent the whole day in horse form.”

The Kelpies, renowned for their shape-shifting abilities, would be born in human form and typically experience their first transformation into a horse around the age of five or six.

Especially for children with aggressive and active tendencies, tended to transform earlier, and Jackal was also on the faster side of transforming.

 “Should we tell our daughter about it now?”

Asha’s question made Jackal look worried.