Chapter 46
“You two met by chance. Even if Mr. Jjikjjik doesn’t like it, we’ve set up a Cinderella-style plot for dramatic effect. Mr. Jjikjjik is from the back-alley beastfolk, and he was about to get hurt when Lord Wishid saved him.”
The next day, inside the carriage, Caymon’s briefing began.
He laid out a detailed backstory, insisting that Wishid and I needed to appear as a perfect couple.
“Lord Wishid, by the way, you’re not planning to call her Jjikjjik in front of others, are you?”
“Isn’t Jjikjjik cute? Sounds like a pet name.”
“It is cute, but it sounds more like something you’d call a pet, not a lover. It would be better to choose an alias.”
God… I’d grown so used to being called Jjikjjik that I’d forgotten how weird it actually was.
Still reeling from the realization, I caught Wishid staring at me before he spoke.
“How about Luna?”
“Luna? That’s a good name. It doesn’t sound too human or too beastfolk—it’s nicely ambiguous and suits her.”
No, excuse me? That’s absolutely a human name…
Unaware that he’d just dropped a real-name bomb, Caymon moved right along.
“Mr. Jjikjjik—no, from now on I’ll call you Lady Luna. Just in case I accidentally use your real name.”
I nodded, and Caymon continued.
“No matter what happens, you must not show fear. It’s fine to pretend you’re scared, but even if you really are, don’t show it. Lady Luna is Lord Wishid’s first and only lover. Now, repeat it to yourself.”
I closed my eyes and murmured.
I am Wishid’s lover. I am Wishid’s lover. I am Wishid’s lover…
“Lord Wishid, your role is just as important. You must be overprotective of Lady Luna, using the excuse that she’s physically weak. If anyone causes her trouble, you must retaliate—double.”
“Got it.”
“I’m worried about you, Lord Wishid.”
When Wishid responded indifferently, Caymon sighed softly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll act disgustingly devoted.”
“Given your naturally cold personality, even small gestures will seem dramatic.”
Caymon checked their location out the window, then turned back to me.
“Lady Luna, I should tell you this now—Gruel will be your bodyguard. Even if something dangerous happens, you’ll be fine. Gruel is incredibly capable. He’ll be nearby at all times, even if unseen, so don’t worry.”
Oh, that’s a relief.
I was about to face Wishid’s enemies, so pretending I wasn’t afraid would be a lie. I mean, I’m just a powerless rat, after all.
“We’re almost there.”
Soon after, the carriage came to a stop.
Caymon got out first and opened the door.
“Jjikjjik, stay sharp. This isn’t a quiet place like the Erquil estate.”
Wishid chuckled softly and lifted me out of the carriage.
The sunlight surrounded me as I stepped down, and I swallowed dryly.
“Duke Erquil, it’s been a while.”
As soon as I stepped down, one of the attendants who had been standing in a neat line approached. His clothes were made of ridiculously fine fabric.
He was probably not just any servant but someone like the head attendant.
Well, it would be an insult to send a low-ranking servant to greet a duke.
“It’s been two years, hasn’t it?”
“Luna.”
“Sorry?”
I was examining the man when my vision suddenly darkened. I flinched but then realized Wishid had stepped in front of me, blocking my view.
What is this now?
“Duke, my name isn’t Luna, it’s—”
“What did I say would happen if I caught you looking at other guys?”
…Was that directed at me?
I slowly turned my head.
Wishid was looking down at me, the corner of his mouth curled up into a dangerous smile. It looked intimidating—but I knew better.
He was enjoying himself.
“Huh? Aren’t you going to answer? Do you want me to kill them all?”
“…Jji—”
‘…No.’
“Right. Luna only needs to look at me, right?”
Ugh, gross.
The fruit I had eaten that morning felt like it was crawling back up. I scratched at my arm, suddenly covered in goosebumps, as Wishid turned to the head attendant.
“What are you staring at?”
“P-Pardon?”
“Why are you looking at my woman without permission?”
Ugh, my ears. They’re rotting.
I realized then that no matter how sweet a voice is, what it says matters more.
“Jjiiiii…”
‘Please, just stop already…’
I tugged at Wishid’s sleeve and whispered.
“Oh, sorry, Luna. You must be tired. Let’s go to your room. Show us the way.”
The difference in his tone when speaking to me versus the attendant was huge.
“Y-Yes, of course.”
The flustered head attendant finally collected himself.
“I’ll take you straight to the palace.”
As expected of someone who worked in the royal palace—he adapted quickly.
Behind me, I caught Caymon giving me a proud thumbs-up.
‘Ugh. This is all his fault, isn’t it?’
I had a strong feeling Caymon was the one who taught Wishid all those bizarre lines.
The place the attendant led us to was a “small palace.” Though “small” was relative—by normal standards, it was absurdly large for just one person.
“This is it, Your Grace. I’ll now share the schedule for the tournament.”
Summing up what he said: there would be a light banquet today, and the main tournament would begin tomorrow.
“I shall now take my leave.”
“Wait.”
Wishid stopped the attendant.
“Don’t let anyone near the palace. Luna doesn’t like noise. No maids or servants either—Luna doesn’t like them.”
Wow, using me as an excuse now?
I gave Wishid a look, but he just raised an eyebrow smugly.
His eyes said, What are you gonna do about it?
“Yes. Understood.”
The attendant no longer stuttered. Again, he adapted impressively fast—must be the palace experience.
“Shall I prepare a meal suitable for Lady Luna?”
“I’ll take care of that. Who are you to concern yourself with Luna?”
Anyone overhearing that might seriously misunderstand.
The attendant bowed hurriedly.
“Of course not. I wouldn’t dare, Your Grace.”
“So what you’re saying is Luna isn’t attractive enough to catch your eye?”
“That’s not what I meant at all, Your Grace! Lady Luna is far beyond the reach of someone as lowly as myself. You two make a perfect couple.”
Even while saying that, the attendant barely glanced at me.
“So you’re saying Luna has a cruel and ruthless personality?”
Come on, give the poor guy a break.
He was caught no matter what he said. His face had gone ghost-white.
Wishid was clearly enjoying this.
His voice was low, but his face was practically glowing with amusement.
What surprised me was his level of self-awareness.
So he does know he has a nasty personality.
Wishid laughed at the trembling attendant, then abruptly stopped smiling.
“What? You’re saying I should let him go because you want to rest? Luna, you’re so kind.”
Huh? I didn’t say a word though?
Wishid suddenly stroked my hair and then spoke to the attendant.
“Luna and I need to rest, so you can leave. If you make another mistake like this, I won’t be so forgiving next time.”
“Y-Yes! Thank you, Your Grace!”
The attendant scurried out of the palace.
Wishid stood by the window, giggling as he watched him go. Honestly, he was a menace.
I saw Caymon entering the palace with our luggage. Wishid sprawled on the couch and asked,
“Well? Satisfied?”
“You acted well. You definitely read the book I gave you.”
“I was honestly annoyed about those cheesy lines, but once I started, it was kind of fun. Watching him panic was hilarious.”
Now that I thought about it, Wishid had been reading a book lately. I’d been shocked at the time because I’d never seen him read anything that wasn’t paperwork.
To think that book had trained him…
When I found that book, I vowed to shred it to bits with my teeth.
“By the way, there’s another banquet today, right?”
“Yeah. Another boring, tedious event.”
The wrinkle in his brow was full of irritation. For Wishid, who rarely did things he disliked, his participation must have been mandatory.
“But hey, with Jjikjjik there this time, it might be less boring.”
“That attendant’s loose lips probably already spread the news all over the palace. You’ll need to make a bold entrance tonight—something unforgettable.”
Now that I knew Caymon was the one who gave Wishid that book, I couldn’t help but feel nervous hearing those words.
Please, God, just don’t let it be something weird…
