🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 23
She paused for a moment.
“What is it?”
“That not even for a single moment can you be apart from me. You agreed to that too.”
If she answered now, there would be no turning back. So she started thinking.
Would this answer cause her future self any suffering?
“No. Think carefully. The charm is only meant to suppress the madness. Once the curse is lifted, it ends, right?”
So that means, once the curse is broken, it’s fine to part ways.
Having reached that conclusion, Kali nodded vigorously. Yes. I definitely agreed, after all.
“Do we need to make another contract or something? No, let’s make a contract again!”
“Shall we do that then?”
“Really? I just said it casually.”
“It seems you might eat and run later, so a contract might be necessary.”
“That’s my line, though! Fine, let’s make the contract!”
They decided to just add an extra clause to the contract they had written last time. Leonhardt agreed that creating a new one would be too much hassle.
First, they went to Kali’s bedroom. She took the contract from the drawer and headed to Leonhardt’s office.
“By the way, Leon, what exactly do I have to do to be ‘with you’?”
“It’s literal. Whatever you do, you have to be with me.”
“You mean… even when bathing or going to the bathroom…?”
“Of course.”
He answered immediately with a mischievous look. Kali was shocked and hit his shoulder with the contract paper.
“Are you crazy?”
“We’re married, why would that be crazy?”
“You’ve never thought of us as married before.”
“Ah, so stubborn.”
He laughed teasingly and opened the office door. Placing Kali on the sofa, he took out his contract and returned with a pen.
He carefully added details across two pages. Kali mouthed along at the incomprehensible characters.
‘I don’t know the letters. I’m not even sure if it’s written correctly…’
But now it felt awkward to admit she didn’t know the letters. The timing seemed too late.
“Here. Be careful not to lose this.”
“Of course. There’s no way I’ll lose it.”
“Then, Kali.”
He rolled up the contract so it would be easier for her to carry and even tied it with a ribbon before handing it to her.
“It starts today. Do you want to come with me, or should I come to you?”
“Do what…?”
“We’ll sleep together tonight.”
“That… starts today?”
“Of course. I’ve been lonely all these days without you.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
Her lips pouted automatically. Somehow, it seemed the master had separation anxiety.
“Then put some clothes on.”
“It’s uncomfortable. I won’t.”
“I’m uncomfortable too! There’s no compromise on this.”
“That’s unfair.”
“The unfair one is you, Leon. Exhibitionist, are you?”
Seeing her adamant refusal, he finally nodded thoughtfully.
Victory. Kali secretly grinned in satisfaction.
“Fine. I’m small and can’t move well, so you come to me.”
“Hmm… should we just combine bedrooms? Married couples don’t usually have separate rooms.”
“Oh, sure. Without even thinking we’re a couple!”
Leonhardt twirled Kali’s tail with his finger. Having given up completely, she let him do as he pleased.
He stroked her fluffy fur, fiddled with it, and pressed it gently. After a brief silence, he spoke again.
“When the curse is lifted and you become human, you said you’d want to leave here.”
It was written in the contract as well.
Kali looked at him as if to ask why. Their gazes met in the dim light.
“Still haven’t changed your mind?”
“No. Of course not.”
Kali answered without hesitation. But after answering, she slightly regretted not answering differently.
She had clearly grown attached. She wasn’t the type to be cruel to someone she cared for.
At first, she had planned to leave without looking back once the curse was broken.
‘See, you never know what will happen in life.’
She hadn’t intended to stay. Surviving and living was the goal, so when she became human, she would find her own path.
But she would glance back once. Out of longing.
And Leonhardt would finally find the woman he truly loved after being freed from the curse.
‘What kind of woman will Leon fall for?’
She couldn’t imagine the face of the woman who would stand beside him. Even if she was capricious, mischievous, and a little sadistic, she was sometimes kind and gentle. And, her face and body were…
‘What am I thinking? Focus.’
Suddenly, she noticed the man in front of her was unusually quiet. She lifted her head. He stared straight at her, lips closed in a line.
“Um… Leon?”
“….”
“If someone asks a question, they should answer…”
“How cold. My little squirrel said she’d leave me without affection.”
The fleeting trace of bitterness disappeared, replaced with his usual playful smile.
Kali rubbed her eyes. Surely, some unusual emotion had shown for a moment.
“Alright, the contract is done. I’ll take you back to your room.”
“I can go alone…”
“If we go now, we’ll arrive by dinner.”
“Are you ignoring me just because my legs are short? Don’t ignore me!”
Kali held the contract tightly and shouted. Laughing loudly, he picked her up.
Sitting in Leonhardt’s palm, Kali looked back. She somehow wanted to gauge his expression.
‘He seemed a little regretful.’
Had she imagined it?
His reaction unsettled her.
“Don’t run away tonight. I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth.”
“…That’s terrifying. Ugh.”
“I’m telling you not to run.”
It would have taken her several tens of minutes to walk alone, but in his palm, they arrived quickly.
He took the contract and placed it back in the drawer where she had kept it.
“I could’ve done it myself…”
“How were you going to put it in? Throw it?”
“No. I was going to toss it.”
“Hmph… I should have left it. Let’s see how badly you throw.”
“Why would I watch that?”
“To mock you.”
“Ugh!”
This time she kicked his palm, yet still couldn’t hurt him.
“Come visit if you’re bored.”
“I’m not bored!”
Leonhardt waved and left the bedroom. Once the door closed, Kali collapsed onto the bed.
Blinking, she rolled over and lay flat.
“That person has grown attached to me too, huh?”
Still, she couldn’t remain in this mansion. Although she was in squirrel form, it would be problematic when she returned to human form.
Thanks to the witch’s curse, they were married. Once human, their status as husband and wife would be confirmed, and Kali would become a proper duchess.
‘Can Leon and I really live as a couple?’
Neither of them could.
Above all, Kali had no intention of occupying Leonhardt’s wife’s position unnecessarily. Having suffered from the curse, it was right to leave the forced connection behind.
‘That’s right…’
Yet a nagging unease remained.
‘Why?’
But she couldn’t find an answer. Kali decided not to dwell on it any further.
A pleasant breeze tickled her cheeks. Her fiery red hair, like the blazing sun, swayed with it.
The girl hummed an unknown song with her eyes closed. The stars watching her giggled.
Stop singing. You can’t sing.
Yeah. It’s hard to listen to. Stop.
“Shut up. I sing well.”
She paused humming and glared at the sky, but the stars’ voices only grew louder.
Ignoring them, she resumed humming and eventually lay down in the field.
The stars shone brighter above her.
“You know… when will he come again?”
Soon. If you saw him.
“I did. He won’t forget me and will come again.”
But don’t trust it too much.
The stars’ voices grew faint. She stared at the sky, puzzled.
He’s ominous.
Kali jumped up and pointed angrily at the stars.
“Shut up! Say that one more time and see what happens!”
We just…
We told you clearly.
The stars’ voices faded. Eventually, they spoke no more.
She wanted to say something but closed her mouth after a few motions. With a sigh, she rose.
He should come today, right? He promised. Should she go? And if he’s not there… what then?
Her heart was torn between expectation and hesitation. She didn’t know what to do. Then, she heard the stars’ voices again.
He’s here. Seems like he’s here.
Her head shot up, her expression brightening like a flower blooming in spring.
She didn’t hesitate any longer. She ran toward the person she was waiting for.
Kali’s eyes slowly opened.
A dim room greeted her. She raised herself with her sleepy face.
“A dream…”
It was the dream of the red-haired girl from last time.
Blinking, she rubbed her hand across her face and casually turned to the left.
There was Leonhardt. His face glowed even in the dark. She looked down.
“…!”
He had ignored her!
Sleeping with his shirt completely off. Kali clenched her hands.
She lifted her bottom and approached him, swinging her fist at his muscular arm.
But her soft fist had no effect on the solid muscle. It was like hitting a rock with bare hands.
‘Ouch. It hurts! Wait… this isn’t muscle, it’s stone, isn’t it?’
