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Chapter 17
The absence of Sundubu felt enormous. Even though the palace was now bustling with maids and servants, it still felt empty.
El decided to wait for Sundubu to return safely. In the meantime, she obtained a library access pass.
Actually, she had wanted to check the Imperial Document Office, but it was off-limits to anyone below a third-rank official. Even if she built connections, access to the Document Office was impossible unless one was a high-ranking official.
El’s worry deepened. She knew the future of the empire. But if Sundubu really was the prince, as El suspected, could he run away from the battlefield?
El didn’t care what happened to Sahad or Renne, but Schuert might.
El didn’t know how cruel the emperor could be as a father; she could only guess from his demeanor. One possibility was that, as a member of the royal family, he might not turn his back on his people. Of course, preventing war as much as possible was the best outcome.
And what about El? She couldn’t leave Sundubu behind, not after becoming so attached. She believed Sundubu would feel the same; otherwise, he wouldn’t have stayed by her side or endured Copari’s beatings.
He also wouldn’t have ignored whatever Raynard did—but Sundubu didn’t.
Perhaps he might follow her if she wanted to run, but that wouldn’t be the best choice.
“…Ugh.”
“El, are you okay?”
“I messed up. I really messed up this time.”
El nervously ran her hands through her hair. She had wanted a simple life, but somehow she had gotten entangled with a prince.
“What is it?”
“…Lari, what if… Sundubu…”
At that moment, a servant rushed in frantically.
“Raela-sama! Sundubu has returned!”
“What!”
El threw the book she had been reading and ran without looking back.
Although Sundubu had promised to return safely, whatever had happened in the underground prison had left his white fur soaked in blood.
Seeing him like that, El screamed as if she might faint and hugged him tightly. Her dress became stained red as well.
The knight, showing no pity for Sundubu, turned away once the handover was complete, and El cried.
“What… what am I going to do… Sundubu…”
Though half-closed, his eyes lacked strength. Still, when he saw El crying violently, he gently licked the back of her hand, as if telling her not to cry.
“Ugh…”
“Doctor! I’ll fetch the doctor immediately!”
Lari ran off in a flurry. El composed herself and decided to move Sundubu to a comfortable place—her own bedroom. She ignored the gasps of the maids.
“There’s still a lot of blood…”
“Shall I bring something to clean it?”
“Please.”
“Yes.”
Sundubu’s breathing was rough. Yet he didn’t stop nuzzling or licking her hand, perhaps sensing her worry.
For a moment, El wondered if her theory had been wrong. Otherwise, no dog would have been treated this way.
“…Sundubu.”
Should she ask? Ask if he was really her husband?
It didn’t matter if Sundubu was truly a dog—or even if he was actually human. His essence would have always been the same.
The doctor refused to treat Sundubu, claiming he treated human illnesses, not dogs. El was outraged.
“If this dog is not treated, even if I die, will you still refuse?”
“That remains to be seen.”
“You are not a real doctor.”
“Excuse me?”
“Leave this palace immediately.”
“Your Highness! You cannot expel a doctor simply for refusing to treat a dog! Every doctor would act the same!”
“You came to the palace to treat me. Yet you refused even though I said I might die? ‘That remains to be seen?’ By then, it will be too late.”
“…Why would Your Highness die just because a dog is ill? I don’t understand.”
“Leave.”
The doctor packed up and left. El issued a new proclamation: any doctor willing to treat even a dog would be acceptable; if not, any doctor in urgent need of money would do.
With no doctor available, El treated Sundubu herself. After cleaning the blood, she found none of the wounds were severe enough to require stitching—just small scratches. Due to the wounds, he had a high fever, so she gave him human medicine (there was no canine medicine), which seemed to work. Sundubu fell asleep, muttering in his dreams.
As night fell, El sent all the maids away. Lari had volunteered to stay but was politely dismissed, worried that Sundubu might transform back into human form.
El watched as the sun set and darkness fully fell.
“Ah…”
Sundubu transformed. El’s theory had been correct. She felt a rush of exhaustion at the confirmation but remained remarkably calm, perhaps because she had prepared herself mentally. Sundubu, feverish, didn’t realize his secret had been discovered. El decided to wait until he told her himself.
“Don’t be in pain, Sund… no, Schuert.”
She gently stroked his sweat-soaked platinum hair, murmuring repeatedly.
At sunrise, Sundubu reverted to his dog form. El studied him with a complex expression.
This was truly a fantasy. Luckily, he wasn’t a full monster. Though not treated well in the empire, his dog form was at least cute. If he couldn’t be respected, being cute was the next best thing.
“Whine…”
Sundubu opened his eyes, startled to meet El’s gaze. El smiled faintly, pretending nothing had happened.
“Did you sleep well, Sundubu?”
“…Wang.”
“I just woke up too.”
“…Wang.”
“Let’s see… your fever has gone down.”
“….”
“Time for breakfast?”
“….”
“I’ll have them bring some soup. Wait a moment.”
Initially hesitant, Sundubu eventually sighed in relief. El stifled a laugh and opened the door.
“Shall I bring water?”
“No, just bring the soup and ointment for Sundubu first.”
“Yes.”
Yesterday, Sundubu had been too weak to notice El’s care. Thankfully, his recovery was quick, and he was now somewhat aware.
Though he hesitated, Sundubu tried to leave the bed, but El wouldn’t allow it.
Soon, Lari brought Sundubu’s soup and El’s breakfast. El fed him carefully, spoonful by spoonful. Sundubu’s eyes rolled in protest, but eventually, he ate and took his medicine—ground into powder and mixed with water. He accepted it obediently.
“One well-behaved dog,” admired one of the maids.
“Hehe, isn’t he?”
After feeding Sundubu and changing the blood-stained sheets, El had a light breakfast. Lari was overjoyed that El, who had skipped meals until Sundubu returned, finally ate.
Exhaustion hit, and El felt sleep creeping in. Lari insisted she rest, promising to care for Sundubu. El complied, sleeping in the adjacent room while Sundubu occupied her bed.
Sundubu’s wounds healed gradually, and peaceful days returned. Although not fully recovered, he could move around.
Among the nobles, Raela remained the “hot girl.” Her bold behavior at the Second Prince’s birthday banquet, her dress, and the shocking tale of El’s dog surviving against all odds spread like wildfire. Rumors—true and false—circulated widely, even reaching the Sahad Kingdom, tarnishing El’s reputation.
The amusing part? The dog that had injured a royal was now free, and El was officially recognized as receiving the emperor’s favor. Invitations to the palace doubled. El, of course, had never properly opened one. Attendance wasn’t mandatory, and curiosity about her answer remained unanswered.
“Sundubu.”
“…Wang!”
Sundubu now followed El even more closely, sticking by her side all morning. El took extra care of him, and no one in Baekhap Palace dared to treat him poorly.
“Is it okay to run now?”
“…Wang!”
During a stroll in the palace garden and a brief tea break, Sundubu suddenly began barking frantically. Thinking it was play, El laughed, but when he continued to bark, her gaze followed him.
Lari, sensing something, told El to wait while she approached the bushes…
