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Chapter 15
Even though it was a sudden call late at night, not one person complained or questioned it.
“There’s been a report of a monster mimicking a human.”
As soon as Erno said that, people all around the room gasped.
They weren’t dealing with some made-up monster from a story or a wild beast. The monsters of the North were so horrifying that it wouldn’t be wrong to say they were physical forms of the worst nightmares imaginable.
A heavy silence instantly fell over the room. Everyone understood the meaning behind “a monster pretending to be human,” so no one dared to speak carelessly.
But even in the face of such terrifying news—like a nightmare whispering in his ear—Erno stayed calm and showed no fear.
Seeing him like that, the people who had been filled with dread now looked at him with respect. He was the sharpest sword and strongest shield that protected this land, and their eyes sparkled with admiration like stars in the night.
“For now, raise the alert level by one step. For the front lines and the base where the rumor first started, raise it by two steps. Send Huginn and Muninn to gather detailed reports and sightings. Any special updates should be sent to me directly.”
“We’ll send out search teams right away.”
“Good. But since we still don’t have much information, remember—if you do run into something, don’t act recklessly.”
Only then did some relief return to the people’s faces.
As long as he’s here, this land is safe. Our families, our friends, and we ourselves will be okay.
They truly believed that.
With that, the meeting ended. Everyone left to do their assigned tasks. Among them, Akila followed behind Erno.
“Your Grace, is Lady Bi all right? I heard you drank too much earlier.”
“Rumors spread fast. It’s none of your concern.”
“How could I not worry? It’s your wedding night. You should head back. If the groom doesn’t even enter the bridal room on the first night, people will find it suspicious.”
Only then did Erno remember—it was officially their wedding night.
But he didn’t think it was important, so he frowned with annoyance and looked away.
“…Surely you’re not thinking of leaving your bride alone, right?”
“And if I am?”
Erno responded like he truly didn’t see the problem. Akila was speechless for a moment.
Erno walked past him calmly, but Akila quickly caught up, confused and frustrated.
“You’re leaving a sick woman alone?”
“There’s no need for me to be there. I can send a maid.”
“Oh, I’m sure the maids will take excellent care of a duchess abandoned on her wedding night.”
The two men locked eyes.
“If what Her Highness needs is the lady of Fenril and a duchess, then treat her as one.”
“Akila, you’ve gotten a lot more talkative.”
He used to only say what was necessary to save his strength, Erno thought, remembering the old days.
Back when they suffered together in the snowfields, Akila had been quieter than anyone. Now he talked too much.
Whose fault do you think that is?! Akila wanted to yell, practically jumping in place from frustration. Only then did Erno let out a short laugh and ease his expression.
He knew. He knew that Akila’s “nagging” was really concern for him.
Akila wasn’t just a longtime friend. In this castle, where there were no real adults to guide him, Akila was the only one who could risk his life to speak the truth to Erno.
“You’re right. Thanks.”
Finally, Erno turned back and headed toward the bridal chamber where Diana must be sleeping.
Meanwhile…
You think someone like you deserves to be happy?
The last face Diana ever wanted to see again suddenly sneered at her from right in front of her. It was Helyana. The moment Diana saw her, she realized—it was a dream.
You ruined our family’s happiness! How dare you show your face!
And what about us? Who ruined the happiness of me and my mother? The words burned in her throat, but she couldn’t speak.
Baroness Lapin’s hand had appeared behind her and clamped over her mouth. The sharp nails dug into her skin. But worse than the pain was the fact that—even in her dreams—she couldn’t escape these people.
This is a nightmare…
You should’ve died there! Just die already! If you had any conscience, you’d die for our sake!
With a weak cry, Diana bolted upright. It had been a terrible dream.
Looking around, she saw that she was not in the cold little shed next to the kitchen where she usually slept.
There was a fireplace with thick logs burning warmly, heavy velvet curtains, and a soft bed big enough for three people.
There was only one place she knew that was this comfortable and luxurious.
“…I must be out of my mind…”
Diana’s face turned pale. No wonder she had such a bad dream—she had slept in Baroness Lapin’s bedroom! She would’ve rather slept on a criminal’s grave!
Panicking, she jumped out of bed and quickly began straightening the sheets like nothing had happened.
Should I spray perfume too? The thought popped into her mind and she began looking around for a vanity.
Wait… was this really the baroness’s room?
The question briefly crossed her mind—but the lingering alcohol, the heat rising in her body again, and the bad dream all blurred her thoughts. The question vanished as quickly as it came.
She heard footsteps from the hallway—or actually, it was just snow falling from a branch in the yard. But in her panicked state, it sounded like the baroness storming toward her in fury.
Diana flinched and looked around for a place to hide. Her eyes fell on a large, familiar-looking clothes chest, and without hesitation, she climbed in.
That chest had been her bed—and the only space allowed to her—in the Lapin estate.
The small, dark space felt oddly comforting. Her heart, which had been racing, slowly calmed down.
Once she relaxed, drowsiness hit her hard. She placed her hands over her chest and began dozing off when—
What’s that?
This time, it wasn’t just her imagination. She heard a sound outside the chest.
Still half-dazed from the alcohol, she gently pushed the lid open.
Oh my god!
She quickly covered her mouth to stifle a scream. She saw… legs. A person’s legs.
Don’t look. Don’t look out!
But one hand was on the lid and the other on her mouth—her eyes betrayed her and slowly turned toward the noise.
The lid that had been pressing on her head lifted easily, and bright light poured in from above.
She winced at the sudden brightness and lowered her head. But then she heard a clearly annoyed voice.
“Bi. What on earth are you doing in there?”
It was Erno Larsson Fenril.
Her husband. The Lord of Fenril. Standing right in front of her… in a robe.
Diana completely forgot she was supposed to say something. She just stared blankly at him.
Wow… humans can be this beautiful? Oddly, that was the only thought in her mind.
His black hair, like crow feathers, was wet—he must’ve just bathed.
Even under the robe, his body showed perfect balance and harmony. Just by the shape, you could tell it was the definition of the word perfect.
The robe’s belt was loosely tied, so his chest was partly exposed. Each breath he took made it rise and fall.
Diana was totally mesmerized as she watched a water droplet slide from his hair, down his neck, past his chest, and lower…
But the emotion in her eyes wasn’t just admiration.
His chest was covered in terrible scars.
She couldn’t even begin to imagine what he had been through. But she was sure of one thing—the rest of his body, hidden under the robe, probably looked the same.
“Done staring?”
His cold, emotionless voice finally snapped her out of it.
“So, what’s your opinion?”
He ran his wet hand through his hair, and his sleeve slid down to reveal his arm. Just like his chest, his arm was full of scars. It looked like a broken statue that someone had tried to glue back together.
