WBRS 25

Chapter 25

Walking a little further, a waiting carriage came into view. The black carriage bore the majestic golden dragon emblem of the Fernando Imperial Family.

The coachman noticed us and bowed deeply before opening the carriage door.

“By the way, Kilis, shouldn’t you be returning to the party?”

It wasn’t really my place to say this… but Kilis was the main character of today’s birthday celebration. Wouldn’t it be better for him to stay?

“Parties are more fun when the host isn’t present. I’ll just slip away like your attentive lady-in-waiting.”

“…You knew?”

“It’s unlikely that my personal attendant would be busy. I chose a considerate attendant, so I should live up to that expectation.”

Realizing he had already known everything, I took Kilis’s hand and boarded the carriage, letting out a small, resigned laugh.

Both Din and Kilis saw right through me in an instant—it seemed I truly had no talent for lying.

Maybe I should just live honestly from now on…

“I should’ve said it earlier, but I’m late. Kilis, happy birthday.”

“Whatever is heard last tends to be remembered the most. Thank you for the congratulations.”

Perhaps because he had been overwhelmed all day, Kilis accepted my belated congratulations with a gentle smile that didn’t seem to mind at all.

The carriage was smooth—despite traveling over rough roads, there was no shaking inside. It made the interior strangely quiet, but not awkward.

It simply felt unreal that I was sharing the same space, breathing the same air as my long-curious fiancé.

“Ruceline, are you busy tomorrow?”

“Hmm, I have morning prayers at the temple.”

Tomorrow was the day I regularly visited the temple. I went once every two weeks, and tomorrow happened to be that day.

“I’d like to accompany you. May I come pick you up?”

“Of course… Ah, but my father will be with me.”

“That works out well. I was planning to meet him anyway.”

Kilis’s expression softened as if it truly suited him.

…Maybe I shouldn’t mention that my father absolutely despises snakes. He still doesn’t know Kilis is a serpent.

“Oh, right. This. I’ve been carrying it in case I ever met you.”

Remembering something I had almost forgotten, I took out a handkerchief from my pocket and handed it to him. It was the one Mangdeogi had left in the carriage with the pouch that disappeared earlier.

“You… didn’t throw this away?”

Kilis froze the moment he saw it in my hands. His golden eyes stopped moving entirely, clearly shocked.

“It seemed too precious to throw away. I thought I should return it.”

“…Ruceline, you really are the only person who would carry something given by a snake.”

A faint, reluctant laugh slipped from him.

He wasn’t wrong—people said carrying something related to snakes brought misfortune, though it was only superstition.

“By the way, what does this drawing mean?”

“What do you think it looks like?”

At his question, I fell silent.

Judging from his tone, it seemed he had drawn it himself… but it probably wasn’t a good idea to say, “It doesn’t look like something a human drew.”

“…Kind of looks like a snake’s tongue.”

“I thought so. Kin is going to be surprised again.”

Kin? Who was that?

As I tilted my head in confusion, the carriage came to a stop.

“Your Highness, Lady. We have arrived at the Erbel ducal residence.”

At the coachman’s voice, Kilis stood up with a pleased expression.

I took his hand as I stepped down, and the maids waiting in front of the mansion widened their eyes in shock.

I could even hear faint gasps of admiration among them.

“Thank you for bringing me.”

“Ruceline.”

It was time to part ways now that we had arrived. The crown prince must be busy, so I didn’t intend to keep him long.

Just as I turned away, Kilis called my name.

When I looked back, he was already walking toward me. He leaned down close to my ear.

Startled by the sudden closeness, I stiffened as his low voice brushed against my ear.

“Will your window be open tonight?”

So that’s what this was about…

“…Probably. Otherwise my fiancé might not survive.”

“That’s good. See you later.”

Kilis chuckled softly at my answer, clearly satisfied.

Feeling his lingering gaze, I turned and walked into the mansion.

Only after I entered did I hear the carriage leave.

“Lady…!”

The moment he was gone, the maids who had been watching from afar rushed toward me.

“Is that really His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Oh my, he really does look like a dragon! I’ve never seen such a handsome man…”

“From afar you two looked so perfect together! I had to blink just to make sure I wasn’t imagining it!”

“Our lady has finally met her match! I’m so happy!”

More excited than I was, they chattered endlessly as we passed through the lobby. From afar, the butler approached quickly and bowed.

“Lady, the Duke wishes to see you.”

Oh? Father is home?

He had been so busy lately that I hadn’t seen him in a while.

“Alright, I’ll go.”

Reluctantly, the maids let me go, still full of curiosity.

I headed to my father’s office and knocked lightly.

A voice invited me in, and I immediately turned the handle.

My father stood facing a large window.

When I closed the door, he turned toward me. Beneath his jet-black hair, his deep ocean-like eyes held an unreadable gaze.

“Father, you called for me?”

“I heard the Crown Prince made a public appearance today. And he even came here.”

It seemed he had seen everything from the window. I hadn’t realized he was in his office because the lights were off… good thing I hadn’t spoken too long with Kilis.

“Yes, that’s right.”

After my brief answer, he was silent for a moment.

Then, in a lower, calmer voice, he asked:

“That engagement was arranged when you were very young. Now that you’ve met him, what do you think?”

“I don’t know him well yet… but he seems kind. He took good care of me.”

“I see. That’s enough.”

My father gave a short reply and fell silent again, as if the conversation was over.

…That’s it? That’s all?

It felt a little too brief. Surely that wasn’t all he wanted to say.

But his expression made it clear he wouldn’t say more even if I asked. If he intended to, he would’ve done so already.

It seemed best to leave it at that today.

“You have temple prayers tomorrow. Go to bed early. And you’ve been sleeping with your window open lately, haven’t you? Cold air isn’t good for you.”

Ugh. So even Father had heard about the window…

Everyone was making such a fuss over something so small! And I still needed to leave it open tonight…

“Yes, good night.”

Back in my room, I once again left the window slightly open.

I’d rather deal with a few lectures than see my fiancé’s forehead swollen!

Thankfully, Mangdeogi was small enough that only a narrow gap was needed. No one would notice.

“This should be enough for you to get in, right?”

I was so tired from the day’s surprises that my eyes quickly grew heavy.

After changing into my night clothes and lying down, I fell asleep almost instantly.

Creeeak.

Creeeeak…

“…Hmm.”

A strange sound reached my half-asleep mind. I wasn’t usually a light sleeper, but whenever I heard the window, my senses sharpened.

Creeeak.

My eyes snapped open.

The world was still completely dark, and my eyelids felt heavy with exhaustion.

I pulled the blanket over my head and tried to fall back asleep.

Creeeak…

“…Wait. Why is there a sound?”

Something felt wrong.

Mangdeogi should’ve been able to enter through that gap easily. No need to make noise…

“Don’t tell me… an assassin?”

Realizing there was no reason for Mangdeogi to make noise, I frowned sharply and slowly sat up.

The security that had been breached by snakes and wolves on a regular basis… had it now been breached by an assassin too?

“Knife… where is it—ah, here.”

A dagger Din had recently given me was under my pillow. I instinctively grabbed it and stood up.

It was time to show the world the terror of a rabbit.