Chapter 40
“Hide that you’re a beastfolk…?”
Did I hear him right?
My heart pounded wildly as Konig’s calm golden eyes locked onto mine.
“He knew… that I’m a beastfolk?”
Since when? How?
I wanted to ask a thousand questions, but my lips refused to move.
“He never showed a hint until now. Why is he suddenly bringing it up? Why…?”
It felt like invisible hands were squeezing my throat.
Memories flashed through me—every silly trick I’d done just to survive.
Did I look like a joke to him this whole time? Was he keeping me around just for entertainment?
Shame burned through me. I couldn’t raise my head. I wanted to run.
And then—
Knock, knock.
“Duke Konig, it’s Gerard.”
“I told you to wait outside.”
“I know, but… it’s urgent.”
“…Come in.”
Gerard entered, looking unusually tense. If he dared interrupt at this moment, it had to be serious.
“Lord Astrahan has made a proposal.”
His voice was low, but to my sharp ears, every word was clear.
A deal?
It must have been about the bargain I made with him. I had destroyed the object controlling his mind—now it was time for him to pay his side.
The office fell into a suffocating silence.
Finally, Gerard spoke again.
“He’s offering the list of spies planted in Black Dragon Fortress.”
“In exchange for his release?”
“Yes.”
Konig leaned back, thoughtful. It wasn’t a bad deal. He couldn’t simply kill Erjin, and keeping him prisoner only drained resources and drew suspicion from the palace.
“How many spies?”
“Twelve. All placed by Astrahan.”
“…Quite a number.”
“It may be wise to hear him out, my lord.”
Konig nodded once. “Fine. Release the cat. Put Lia Viper back on him as guard.”
“Yes, my lord.”
With a bow, Gerard left.
And just like that, the heavy silence returned.
I don’t even remember how I left the office after that—my thoughts were a tangled mess.
All that lingered in my ears was Konig’s flat voice:
“We’ll finish this conversation tonight.”
That night, even past midnight, Konig didn’t return to the bedroom.
I lay curled on my bed, staring at the dark sky outside.
“What will happen to me now?”
Now that my secret was out, would I be thrown out of the fortress?
Or worse, used as a bargaining chip with the Empire, like Erjin?
Just the thought made me sick.
“All I wanted was a simple, peaceful life.”
I rolled over, pressing my face into my tail.
Then—footsteps. Steady, heavy. They stopped at my door.
Konig.
I quickly curled up tighter, burying myself in my fur. Pretending to be asleep.
The door opened slowly.
A faint, sharp scent pricked my nose.
Blood…
Not his—it was a mix of many others. He must have spent the night hunting down spies using Erjin’s list.
“Haah…”
A long sigh filled the quiet room.
Was it anger… or relief? I couldn’t tell.
Then—
“…Cherry.”
His shadow fell over me. Warm breath brushed my fur.
…!
Did he know I was awake?
Konig’s instincts were sharp—too sharp.
But I squeezed my eyes shut tighter. I wasn’t ready. Not yet.
Not ready to face his words.
His gaze lingered, heavy as stone.
Then—
“Sleep well, Cherry.”
His large hand rested gently over me.
After some time, his breathing grew steady.
I slowly cracked my eyes open.
Moonlight streamed through the window, painting his face right in front of mine.
Our noses were almost touching.
Wh-when did he get this close?!
I gently pushed at his cheek with my tiny paw. Still not used to this.
But there was something else I had to do tonight.
Erjin Astrahan.
This might be my last night in the fortress, but I needed to finish things with him.
Now that his mind was fully freed, maybe he remembered something useful.
Slipping from the bed, I padded quietly through the corridors.
It wasn’t difficult—I’d done this before.
The guest room he’d stayed in was ruined, so he must have been moved elsewhere.
I was passing another door when I sensed it—faint, but certain.
“Over here.”
He noticed me first. Of course he did.
Inside, a lantern glowed faintly. He had expected me.
I crept forward—then slipped.
“Chuut…!”
Even squirrels fall from trees sometimes.
But before I could hit the floor, a warm hand caught me.
“I’ve got you.”
His voice was calm, reassuring.
When I opened my eyes, I was resting in Erjin’s palm.
His golden hair fell loose around his pale face. He’d grown thinner, but his beauty hadn’t dimmed.
If Konig was all sharp edges, Erjin was soft lines, a gentle elegance. His golden hair shimmered when he moved, and his eyes curved sweetly when he smiled.
“I left for a short while, and my room turned into a disaster. No doubt the work of this fortress’s master—he doesn’t know kindness or courtesy.”
So… he thought Konig did it. He had no idea I was the culprit.
“Chuuut…”
Sorry about that.
I looked away in guilt.
“But you kept your promise. The last control object was that pocket watch, wasn’t it?”
His eyes flicked toward the shattered watch on the table.
(Actually, it had been the mirror… but there was no need to explain.)
I glanced at his face, worried it might have been some treasured heirloom.
But he looked calm. Relieved, even.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief—until his words froze me.
“It was a birthday gift.”
“Chut?!”
A birthday gift?
Who in the world would give someone that cursed thing for their birthday?!
A psycho would~