CHAPTER 37
“What’s going on, Ferus?”
— “Long time no see, Jenne. Have you been well?”
“Long time? I just got back home a week ago.”
— “Really? I thought it had been at least a month. It’s been so lonely without you.”
Even at Jaina’s cold tone, Ferus shamelessly replied without a care in the world.
At Ferus’s words, fire flared in Theoris’s eyes. The black dragon flapped its wings silently, visibly displeased.
Jaina glanced at Theoris and the black dragon, brought her finger to her lips, and whispered again, “Shhh.”
— “Jenne?”
“Can you not flirt with a married woman?”
— “Flirt? What’s that?”
“It’s a thing. Anyway, why did you call? Just get to the point.”
— “You don’t have to be so cold.”
“If you don’t have anything to say, hang up. Mana isn’t free, you know.”
— “Alright, then I’ll get to the point. I’ll send someone to your room tonight. Follow them. I’ll mark them with something you’ll recognize.”
The corner of the desk Theoris was gripping shattered with a sharp crack, like a brittle cookie. The black dragon flapped its wings and tail with a silent cry.
“He’s going to find out about Ferus at this rate.”
Thinking she couldn’t continue talking to Ferus in front of Theoris, Jaina tried to leave the office.
But just as she opened the door, Theoris grabbed her wrist. Forcing a smile, he mouthed, “It’s fine.”
His lips smiled, but his eyes definitely didn’t.
— “Jenne, there’s no one next to you, right?”
Geez, his intuition is scary good.
“Just cotton candy.”
— “Cotton candy? You mean that monster you’re raising? I heard about it from Asins. Bring it too. I want to see what it looks like.”
“My cotton candy doesn’t like going outside.”
— “That’s a shame. But it’s alright. I prefer you over a monster anyway.”
Crrk—
The doorknob in Theoris’s hand separated from the door. The sturdy metal crumpled like paper.
“Ferus, sorry, but tonight might be difficult. It’s too sudden. Sneaking out in the middle of the night behind my husband’s back isn’t exactly easy—you understand that too, right?”
— “That’s not really my concern.”
“If sneaking out gets me in trouble with Theoris, will you take responsibility?”
She was trying to negotiate, but Ferus answered immediately, without a hint of hesitation.
— “Yes.”
His bright, carefree answer filled Jaina with a sudden sense of unease.
But Ferus, oblivious to Theoris listening in, continued:
— “If Jaina divorces my brother, I’ll take full responsibility and marry her myself.”
Crunch—
Crash!
Madness flickered in Theoris’s eyes.
The entire building shook as if from an earthquake, in sync with his trembling fist. Broken glass scattered across the floor. The documents Theoris had been reading just moments ago danced in the air, caught in the gust of wind.
“At this rate, he’ll really destroy the whole house.”
Theoris strode toward Jaina, looking like he might smash the communication crystal around her neck. Jaina quickly decided to end the dreadful conversation.
“Alright, got it.”
— “I’ll be waiting.”
Ferus said brightly. Jaina waited for the gem’s glow to vanish.
— “Oh, right! Jenne, I forgot something.”
“…What is it?”
A bad feeling crept in again. She just knew Ferus would say something else to provoke Theoris. She wanted nothing more than to end the call herself.
— Mwah.
With a brief kiss sound, the crystal’s glow faded. The call ended.
Theoris, now glaring at the communication crystal with cold eyes, slammed the wall hard. The once smooth wall cracked with a loud sound and then collapsed entirely.
“…Theoris, if you were going to destroy something, you should’ve broken the door. Doors are easier to fix than walls.”
Jaina said with an awkward smile. Theoris, grinding his teeth while staring at the air, finally came to his senses.
“Ah… I’m sorry for startling you, Jaina.”
“It’s okay. You broke my door when you came into my room that one time, remember? I’m not that surprised.”
And she meant it. What surprised her more was that even in his rage, Theoris still perfectly controlled the pressure of his grip on her wrist.
“Rawr!”
Finally able to cry, the black dragon clung to Jaina’s shoulder.
“Sorry, Blackie. Can you wait over there for a bit?”
The dragon was important too, but calming down Theoris was the priority now. While Jaina placed the black dragon on a chair, Theoris began to clear the broken marble pieces.
“Theoris. You heard what Ferus said earlier, right?”
“It’s not allowed.”
“Wait, Theoris, at least listen to me first.”
“Okay.”
“…You’re not really going to listen, are you?”
After a brief pause, Theoris nodded hesitantly.
“Well, at least he’s honest.”
“Theoris, I told you before. We have no choice but to play along with Ferus for now.”
“I don’t like that he calls you by a pet name, or that you two are meeting alone.”
“Don’t you trust me?”
“It’s not that. I’m just… worried that something might happen to you…”
“Is that really all?”
Theoris’s silver eyes, filled with emotion, wavered. Avoiding Jaina’s gaze, he murmured:
“A little…”
“A little?”
“…I’m worried. It’s not that I don’t trust you… but if you were to ever develop feelings for Ferus…”
“My god. How can a man be this cute?”
Jaina cupped his face and kissed him. Watching his startled, flickering eyes, she smiled gently.
“Theoris, I prefer black hair over blond.”
“…”
“I prefer the Grand Duke of the North over the Crown Prince.”
“…”
“And like I said, I’ve never seen a man more handsome than you. With a husband like this, do you think I’d look at anyone else?”
Theoris shook his head, face red.
Apparently unsatisfied with just a short kiss, he kissed her again. Jaina wanted to enjoy the sweet moment too, but pushed him away firmly.
“Not now. I have to prepare to meet Ferus.”
At her firm tone, Theoris pouted and blinked slowly.
“That look won’t work either. No means no.”
From the moment Ferus contacted her, Jaina had already thought through what she would do.
She had no intention of going to see Ferus alone. Following an unknown person in the middle of the night? Even a three-year-old wouldn’t do that.
“I’ll need help from Asins and Theoris for this plan…”
While Jaina was deep in thought, Theoris leaned in again. His innocent gaze had turned into something more predatory.
“Jaina, saying you’re preparing to meet another man in front of your husband…
Do you think I’ll just let you go?”
“Uh, Theoris, that’s… I mean…”
“Do you think I’ll just let you leave?”
Before she could offer an excuse, his hot breath silenced her. As the sweet taste filled her senses, Jaina closed her eyes and surrendered to him.
“Well, there’s still plenty of time. I can take it slow and get ready later…”
“Lord Asins! Are you done yet?”
“Not yet. Didn’t I say this wasn’t a simple spell?”
“Please, do it as fast as you can.”
“If you two hadn’t dawdled, we wouldn’t be rushing like this…”
Jaina winked playfully at Asins, who was drawing a magic circle with a look of utter annoyance, then checked her packed bag once again.
“Did I forget anything?”
She had asked Homel to help, so nothing should be missing.
Now it was all up to Asins.
“Done.”
Though he’d said it would take over an hour, the grumbling Asins finished in just 30 minutes.
“Thank you! You really are the best.”
“Of course. I am the Archmage of the Tower, after all.”
You said it wasn’t a simple spell just a moment ago…
With everything ready, Jaina finally dismissed Asins and Homel and collapsed onto her bed for a brief rest.
Cotton Candy leapt into her arms, its fluffy fur flying everywhere. It pressed its head against her, asking to be petted.
Jaina couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“Aww, you wanted some cuddles?”
“Kyuu~”
Jaina stroked it gently. Cotton Candy purred in delight and closed its eyes.
“They should be arriving soon…”
Ferus never specified exactly when the person would come.
She stared blankly out the window. The moon looked particularly pale tonight. Its soft glow reminded her of Theoris’s eyes, and she smiled.
“Kyuu!”
At Cotton Candy’s cry, Jaina turned her head.
“What’s wrong?”
“Kyu! Kkyu.”
Cotton Candy flailed its tiny limbs, pointing in a direction.
In the moonlight, Jaina saw the figure of someone in a black robe.
“That must be them.”
Jaina waved toward the figure. The robed person flinched, then quickly leaped toward her window.
A flash of red hair fluttered under the robe. He landed stably on the windowsill, and Jaina clapped in admiration.
“Shhh.”
The robed man grabbed her wrist and covered her mouth. Jaina blinked slowly and nodded. At her signal, the man let go.
Cotton Candy puffed up and raised its ears and tail in protest.
“It’s okay, Cotton Candy.”
Jaina whispered softly and calmed it down.
The robed man bowed lightly in greeting and spoke in a low voice.
“I’ve come to escort you.”
