Page 22 of I Married A Syllen

“If I interpreted her words right, it would roughly translate as strands of sunlight. I’m assuming it is a reference to my blonde hair,” I said timidly, while absent-mindedly fiddling with one of my locks.

“I see,” Ludwig said, sounding displeased.

“The Syllens often give pet names to others based on their appearance, actions, or personality,” Mares explained with a smile. “The pet name can change from one moment to the next. Kayog is Birdman. I’m Torokso.”

“The horned brother!” I exclaimed with a chuckle.

“Correct,” Mares said, amused, as he tapped his index finger on the side of his right antler.

As we spoke, the vines forming a decorative pattern over Nym’s chest—while also hiding her nipples—unraveled, exposing the dark brown little nub. She no sooner did that than the Kalrin’s mouth greedily latched on it as she began to feed.

My jaw dropped, while Ludwig audibly gasped. The Syllens looked amused by our collective shock. No wonder the Kalrin tried to expose my boob earlier. It had reason to believe that, as a female with breasts, I could feed her.

“Wait… The Kalrins are not Syllen babies, right?” I asked hesitantly, feeling stupid even as the question crossed my lips.

As one, the three of them burst out laughing.

“No. They’re caretakers of the land,” Taelen said in an indulgent tone.

“We care for them, and in exchange, they care for the land that hosts and feeds us,” Drannor added, before eating some of the same leaves that Taelen had previously consumed.

“That’s nice,” Peter said, annoyed to have so little attention directed at him. “What about me? You didn’t give me a nickname?”

“I did,” Taelen said in a neutral tone.

A wave of relief washed over me when he didn’t go further. Every fiber of my being screamed that it wouldn’t be cute or flattering. But naturally, the fool couldn’t leave well enough alone.

“Well then, what is it?” the Professor insisted.

“It’s Doopelok Moniuk,” Taelen deadpanned.

Drannor—who had been drinking some water from one of the buckets with his palmed hand as a cup—nearly choked upon hearing those words before chuckling. Nym snorted with a shit-eating grin. And my dumbass failed to silence the shocked gasp that escaped me. To make matters worse, I instinctively covered my mouth with my hand, as if I was the one who had spoken such cutting words.

Ludwig narrowed his eyes with suspicion, his gaze flicking in turn between the Syllens and me. Both Mares and Kayog were observing the scene with curiosity, although the Temern seemed empathetically amused by whatever he was perceiving from the natives.

“What did he say?” Ludwig asked me.

I instantly felt myself dying inside. Why was he asking me? Why not ask the Syllens who spoke in incredibly good Universal?

My mind raced as I desperately looked for a way to avoid translating what he said.

“I’m… I’m not sure,” I said lamely.

“Yes, you are,” Ludwig countered sternly before repeating the question in a slightly menacing way. “What did he say?”

I swallowed hard. “I believe it has to do with their dislike of the garden’s design.”

“For fuck’s sake, just spit it out! What did he say?” Ludwig snapped.

Seeing the Syllens stiffen, and especially Taelen cast the kind of look that spelled trouble towards the professor, prompted me to answer. In light of the gentle way they handled the Kalrin, my gut told me they were the super protective type. And Ludwig becoming aggressive towards a woman wouldn’t go down well with them.

“It generally means a not very smart person,” I blurted out.

“What?!” Ludwig sputtered, outraged.

“No, Shevraya,” Nym said with a taunting expression, talking to me although her amber eyes remained glued on the professor. “That’s not what Taelen said. Speak the true translation. You understand us well-enough to know it.”

To my shock, Taelen’s skirt slightly parted. He stood at an angle that hid the goods as he began to pee in one of the buckets. Right on cue, Ludwig gasped, looking scandalized. With almost supernatural control, Taelen stopped after a few seconds, only to repeat it with the second bucket.