Chapter 8
“Your Highness! How is your body—gasp—!”
Their lord, who had disappeared leaving behind pools of blood, had returned.
Hastily trying to check his condition, Kin suddenly inhaled sharply without realizing it as a strong floral scent rushed into his nose.
With every step Killis took, a dizzying rose fragrance filled the room. Yet he himself seemed completely unaffected.
“…You’ve returned carrying quite a sweet scent that doesn’t suit you.”
At Kin’s cautious remark, a sharp glint flashed across Killis’s golden eyes.
“Why are you smelling me without permission?”
“But, Your Highness, the entire palace already smells like roses.”
“…Ah, roses. I wondered what it was.”
Muttering vaguely, Killis gave a small nod. Even that slight movement scattered a pleasant rose scent into the air.
It was all because Lusellin had thoroughly applied rose oil all over Mangdeok—no, Killis’s entire body. Everywhere he went, it felt like a flower garden.
If Kin dared to say he smelled the black rabbit’s pheromones, Killis had every intention of throwing him straight out the window.
Of course, he didn’t bother saying that aloud.
If his only aide got scared and ran away, it would just be troublesome.
“You’ve cut your hair quite short in just a day. Your wounds are almost healed too… Where exactly have you been?”
Carefully examining Killis, Kin lightly touched the scars scattered across his body, his expression full of disbelief.
Some wounds hadn’t healed properly due to rough treatment, but none were life-threatening.
“Did it never occur to you that I might’ve treated myself?”
“Haha, Your Highness, you’re notoriously clumsy. There’s no way you handled it yourself. It’s a bit sloppy, but still far better than anything you’d do.”
“…I hear hawk meat tastes quite good these days.”
At Killis’s chilling remark, Kin froze instantly.
All his life, Kin had taken pride in belonging to one of the largest hawk species. Never once had he felt fear.
But just now, he did. The fear of being eaten by someone else—how terrifying it was…!
Of course, most of Killis’s remarks were jokes, but they often contained just enough truth to keep one on edge.
“…You’re joking, right?”
“I’m always serious.”
At Killis’s easygoing reply, Kin promptly shut his mouth.
If he said one more word, he might really end up between his master’s sharp teeth.
“…More importantly, where were you for the past two days? That day, outside knights came all the way here, and rumors spread that you’d gone missing. I spent all my time dealing with that.”
After finishing treating the last wound, Kin finally spoke what he’d been holding back.
Killis’s long eyes curved slowly into a crescent.
“…Hmm.”
Suddenly, Lusellin came to mind—scrubbing his bare body mercilessly with her small, pale hands in the bath.
And then, with a satisfied expression, slathering oil all over his face and stomach without restraint…
It was the clumsy touch of a sheltered lady who had clearly never bathed someone before.
Because of that, the warmth of her inexperienced hands still lingered, burning across his body.
More than anything—
“Mangdeok, this is rose oil. Let’s at least put this on. It’s not as good as reptile oil, but… it smells nice for days once you apply it.”
Just as she said, the rose scent soaked deep into him—so strong it almost felt like he was still in the bath with her.
For some reason, Killis’s pale ears slowly turned red.
“…What a pervert’s house.”
“…Pardon?”
“Mind your business.”
“No, Your Highness, you can’t just say something like that and tell me not to—”
Ignoring Kin, Killis loosened his black cravat and turned toward the window he had entered through.
The half-open door was wide enough for a small animal to slip through.
“Kin, did you catch him?”
“If you hadn’t deliberately gotten stabbed, we would have.”
“Oh? So it’s my fault we failed?”
At Killis’s amused smile, Kin quickly bowed his head.
“…It’s entirely my mistake.”
Even as he talked back, he knew when to yield. It was almost amusing.
“That’s enough. There will be more chances.”
“More importantly, Your Highness, I believe you owe me an explanation for your hair.”
Kin grabbed Killis before he could leave, refusing to back down.
“What’s there to ask? You already know.”
“…So you stayed at Duke Ervel’s estate last night.”
Killis gave no answer.
Silence was confirmation.
Kin sighed.
Killis had a peculiar trait—his hair length changed depending on his mood and condition. It grew longer when he felt unwell or in a bad mood, and shortened when he recovered.
Just two days ago, his hair had reached past his waist.
Now it was short again.
His recovery played a part, but more than anything, it meant his mood had improved drastically.
“Kin, how many people in Rubidium would save a dying snake?”
“…None. You can’t expect salvation for snakes in this empire.”
Killis smiled softly.
“And yet Lusellin did. Just like back then…”
“She’s still incredible.”
His voice was filled with admiration.
“His Majesty will soon set your wedding date. Please endure until then. What if you’re caught visiting the lady like this?”
“Then what should I do…?”
Sensing something ominous, Kin trembled.
“…What do you mean ‘what should you do’?”
“What if I’ve already been caught?”
“…Please no.”
“Fortunately, Lusellin doesn’t seem to remember. It was too late at night.”
Unlike Killis, who looked slightly regretful, Kin’s heart pounded.
“…Is this because of that red wolf?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Killis cut him off coldly.
“Do you think I’d care about something that insignificant?”
“…No, sir.”
“The only reason that wolf is still alive is because he’s Lusellin’s playmate.”
His golden eyes gleamed dangerously.
“Kin, there’s only one thing you need to know.”
He leaned in and whispered—
“I’ve imprinted on Lusellin.”
“…What?!”
Killis stepped back with a smile.
“So I’ll have to see her again soon. I’d rather not die young.”
“…May I ask how such a thing even happened?”
“Not telling. You’re not Lusellin.”
“…Yes, sir…”
“Lack of enthusiasm.”
“YES, SIR!”
Killis left the room.
“I’ll head to the Ervel estate once I finish work.”
“Your Highness, if you get caught, it’s over! His Majesty will be furious!”
“Then I won’t get caught.”
“Unless they’re particularly strong, the scent of pureblood wolf blood in that necklace will weaken them. Then you’ll be able to kill it.”
Dean pointed at the necklace and explained before leaving.
To kill the life I had saved with my own hands…
It was cruel and ironic.
Giving it a name only made it harder.
But regardless of how I felt, I had to kill Mangdeok.
Partly because I didn’t want to become a snake’s mate—
But more importantly, because I was already the Crown Prince’s fiancée.
If the imperial family found out I had become the mate of another being—especially not even a proper shapeshifter but an animal—
They could accuse my family of mocking the imperial house.
The House of Ervel had never once been stained with disgrace.
I couldn’t be the one to ruin it.
The only saving grace was that the wedding date hadn’t been finalized yet… though rumors said it would happen within the year.
So before that—
No matter what—
I had to erase the mark Mangdeok left on me.
As quickly as possible.
Without anyone finding out.
