**Episode 10**
Her clothes had naturally slipped off during her transformation into a rabbit and were now tossed somewhere on the bed. On top of that, the sheet she’d been clinging to when she threw herself into Caissa’s arms had slipped off too, leaving only her long hair draped over her bare skin.
“Ah…! P-Please don’t look!”
Sharie was far too embarrassed to even lift her head.
She hastily reached for the thin sheet, trying to pull it up to cover herself.
But it was pointless—Caissa was lying on top of it, making it impossible to move.
With a sheet that barely covered her chest and lower half, she was left exposed.
“W-Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?!”
She knew it wasn’t fair to blame him, but her shame made her lash out.
“I thought you wanted to show me. That’s what married couples do, after all.”
She hadn’t expected that answer. His tone was so casual, so matter-of-fact, that she was momentarily speechless.
“T-That’s not true. I didn’t want to show you… not this body…”
Her voice trembled, a hint of tears threatening to spill.
Not only did she lack a tail, even in human form her body was so thin it was hard to believe she was of the rabbit tribe at all.
Neglected meals had left her limbs gaunt like twigs. Not once in her life had she ever wanted to show this unattractive body to anyone.
“But I do want to see it.”
Caissa moved closer, shrinking the distance between them.
His silver hair spilled like a veil over her slender body, and beneath it, her pale skin seemed almost translucent.
As his eyes drifted to her bright red earlobes, which she had failed to hide, he licked his lips.
“I’d like to show mine to you as well.”
Reflexively, Sharie’s gaze dropped to his robe-covered body.
The snake tribe wore layers of heavy outerwear that usually obscured their figures, but Caissa was different.
His broad chest and strong build showed through regardless of how thickly he dressed.
Not to mention, the first night they met, he’d casually taken off his outerwear before bed, leaving her stunned.
The image of his sculpted torso flickered in her mind again.
A muscular body like that of a war god—like a statue carved by divine hands.
No, I can’t be thinking about this…
Her cheeks burned, and she shook her head wildly to banish the thoughts.
“Sharie. Do you remember?”
Caissa still spoke with that teasing lilt, like a wicked magician tempting a child with candy.
“You accepted me that first night, when I asked to become husband and wife. And married couples… they’re meant to be close, with no secrets between them.”
She recalled hearing that snakes have long tongues—maybe that’s why he spoke so smoothly?
She’d never believed tongue length had anything to do with eloquence, but his words were entrancing.
If she wasn’t careful, she’d end up agreeing to whatever he said.
A sense of urgency jolted through her.
“L-Later!”
Sharie, unable to think straight, shoved a hand toward him.
Caissa’s golden eyes sparkled with expectation as she hesitated… and finally mumbled:
“I’ll… show you later.”
It was a desperate attempt to dodge the immediate crisis.
Before she could regret her words, Caissa smiled brightly.
“You’ve promised now.”
And just like that, she had no way to take it back.
It felt like she had willingly stepped into a trap.
“I’ve summoned a servant to bring your robe. I’ll step out so you can change in peace.”
With that, Caissa rose from the bed and turned his back.
This is… probably fine?
Despite a lingering sense of unease, covering herself came first. Sharie quickly put on the robe Caissa had handed her.
Only then did she remember her original question. This whole ordeal had made her forget.
She parted her lips to ask again—but hesitated.
Maybe he didn’t see it… because it was dark.
The odds were low, but not zero.
The only light sources in the room were the fireplace and a small bedside lantern—both dim enough not to disturb sleep.
Let’s not stir up trouble.
Maybe it was for the best.
He hadn’t noticed the one thing that would mark her as an object of scorn—being born without a tail.
She knew she’d have to tell him eventually.
But just the thought of him looking at her with cold eyes—like her brother Liber once had—terrified her.
Even if this peace felt like walking on thin ice, she wanted to keep it.
Cowardly as it was… she wasn’t ready to be hated by him.
“It’s late. Shall we lie down together?”
As soon as she lay beside him, Caissa slid toward her, his large body curling into her arms once again.
“It’s unusually cold tonight.”
He’d said the same thing yesterday. And the day before that.
“So… would it be alright if I held you just a little closer?”
Despite using the same excuse for days, Caissa’s golden eyes sparkled innocently, like a lamb.
When she nodded, she felt his firm arm wrap gently around her waist.
“Um…”
She could feel his heartbeat thudding against her own through the thin fabric.
Hesitantly, Sharie whispered, “Isn’t this… a bit too close?”
“You’ve never been married before, so you may not know—but this is perfectly normal between a husband and wife.”
They were both new to marriage, yet Caissa seemed to have a very clear idea of what a couple should be.
But despite all this closeness, their relationship hadn’t progressed.
The wedding had been some time ago.
Yet, aside from a kiss on their wedding day, Caissa had never once tried to go further.
He simply clung to her like a child seeking warmth.
She was starting to wonder if he saw her as nothing more than a sleeping pillow.
“You seem dissatisfied.”
Caissa leaned back, sensing something in her expression.
“If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll move away.”
As he started to retreat, he paused.
Sharie’s hand had reached out—completely by instinct—and landed squarely on his bare chest beneath the robe.
“I—I didn’t mean…”
Her fingers trembled against his skin as she realized where they were resting.
And then something changed.
Caissa’s mouth twitched upward.
Sharie, with both hands now placed gently on his solid chest, looked up and murmured earnestly,
“It’s… warm.”
Trying to suppress a smile, Caissa looked down at her.
Did she think his chest was made of clay? Her small hands kneaded his muscles like a child playing with a toy.
It was unbearably adorable. He wanted to swallow her whole.
He’d known from the first night.
She was more expressive than she let on—and clearly liked his face and body more than she admitted.
“Sharie.”
She probably didn’t even realize what she was doing.
“No matter how much I like you… that’s a bit embarrassing.”
When he spoke gently, Sharie snapped out of her daze and realized she was fondling his bare chest.
Her wide pink eyes regained focus—and she froze like a statue.
“If you wanted to touch my chest, you should’ve just asked. I’d have let you anytime.”
“N-No! That’s not what I meant—!”
Her voice cracked as she scrambled away, face burning bright red.
It was such a tempting sight, he had to physically restrain himself from biting her.
“I’m really sorry… Aah!”
Thud!
While frantically apologizing, she tumbled off the bed with a loud crash.
The soft carpet helped, but the marble floor underneath was merciless.
She winced and grabbed her sore bottom, tears welling in her eyes.
“Ouch…”
She couldn’t have known that this small accident would soon cause a major uproar across the entire Barhad Palace.
The Difference Between Healing Magic and Divine Power
Healing magic and divine power are fundamentally different.
Magical healing relies far less on the caster’s ability and more on the patient’s own regenerative strength.
Its effects are gradual, and it’s usually paired with natural remedies—herbs, pressure, or rest.
Divine power, however, heals injuries instantly.
It works quickly but weakens the body’s natural healing ability.
Its success depends entirely on the priest’s level of divine power.
Which is why there was no need to explain how powerful Leiger must be—he had awakened his divine strength just three months ago and was already a high-ranking priest.
With exceptional talent, stunning looks, and divine strength to match, his meteoric rise was no surprise.
Which made it even harder to believe what he was now being asked:
“So… you want me to take a look at your… butthole?”
TO BE CONTINUED…….
