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Chapter 6
Did predator beast usually like flower scents?
For herbivores, it was only natural to love the smell of grass and blossoms—but predators? Pera hadn’t known they were just as sensitive to fragrance.
She decided she should jot that down in her notes later. Another curious little discovery.
Her eyes sparkled with interest, and the child, noticing her expression, tilted his head.
“Where’s Ray?”
“Sir Ray is preparing breakfast. Shall we go see him in the kitchen?”
“Mm-hm!”
Each time Theo nodded, his round ears flapped adorably. Pera’s face melted as she stared at the gesture, on the verge of squealing from the cuteness.
After washing his face clean, she led him into the kitchen. There, Ray was already seated neatly at the table, everything prepared.
The table—usually bare—now displayed an array of dishes so elegant, Pera wondered if such fine tableware had always existed in her house.
Ray flicked his ear in irritation as the two strolled in leisurely.
“You’re late.”
“It’s not Pera’s fault—it’s ‘cause I was washing nicely!”
Ray’s sharp glare was directed at Pera, but Theo bounced off the floor and rushed to defend her.
Born into royalty, Theo was a child who even the Emperor—his father—struggled to manage. That such a boy would lower himself to speak up for someone else’s sake was rare indeed. Even more shocking was that he had obediently washed without throwing a tantrum.
“You… washed?”
“Mm!”
Ray’s eyes widened. The boy nodded proudly again.
Smiling, Pera reached out and stroked Theo’s soft, pale cheek.
This human really is fearless…
Even if he was still a child, he was a prince. Yet she handled him as though he were some neighbor’s kitten. And judging from Theo’s twitching round ears, he seemed to actually enjoy it.
The two had become inseparable overnight, a sight so ridiculous that Ray could only shake his head.
Theo had always hated water. Even the simplest wash drained the servants dry. Ray, who had watched him from birth, knew this better than anyone.
And yet, here he was, smiling shyly, boasting that he had “washed nicely.”
It was a charming little act, almost too adorable.
Of course, Pera, who couldn’t read beast temperament to save her life, simply melted at his sweet smile and affectionate tone, utterly fooled.
Ray chose not to say anything more. He knew Theo’s whims never lasted. So long as the boy got along with this human woman for a few days, that was enough.
Breakfast turned out to be the best Pera had eaten in years—better than any festival feast.
Completely taken in by the man’s unexpected talent, she spent the entire meal pouring compliments over him.
Ray endured it in silence, looking more exasperated with every passing moment.
After the meal, it was time for wound care. In her small clinic, Pera laid out disinfectants and bandages in neat rows before calling out:
“Sir Ray! This way, please.”
Without a word, Ray strode over and sat, his long legs folding smoothly. Even seated, his physique radiated power—broad shoulders, solid muscle, pale skin beneath silver hair. Scars marred his body, but even those seemed to suit him.
Pera swallowed unconsciously. He was the very picture of her “ideal physique.” Without hesitation, she unwrapped the bandages. Fortunately, nothing had burst overnight.
Humming to herself, she dabbed antiseptic on his wounds.
“Would you stop humming?”
“Eh? Me?”
“Who else? What kind of pervert hums a song while looking at wounds?”
He had a way of saying things that made even ordinary words sting. Pera’s lips sealed tight.
Finally, blessed silence fell. Ray closed his eyes, letting himself relax into the treatment.
But then—
“Anyway, how did you end up with wounds like this? Was it magic? Or… are there groups targeting the prince?”
Her last words fell to a whisper—Theo was still outside in the yard.
Ray’s reply was curt.
“Just an accident.”
“An… accident?”
“Yes. Just an accident.”
Pera blinked in disbelief. An accident? What kind of “accident” reduced a royal carriage to splinters and left such injuries?
If he were just some cat beast, she would’ve exploded at him. But Ray was a snow leopard. Pera knew enough to keep her mouth shut; one wrong word, and he might decide to “accidentally” shred her too.
“…I see. Then—there won’t be any more accidents? Especially not inside the village?”
Ray merely shrugged. His shoulders shifted, pulling at the stitched wound.
Pera almost pressed the disinfectant harder out of spite. Almost. But no matter how infuriating, he was still a patient. She couldn’t let herself treat him with malice.
So instead, she tested his recovery. Gripping the stitched skin on either side, she pulled firmly.
“—Urgh!”
Even Ray, who hadn’t flinched once before, let out a short groan. His ice-blue eyes chilled instantly.
Pera cleared her throat, putting on her most professional face.
“Ah, that was on purpose. You have to endure this much pressure, or the stitches won’t hold. It’s a basic check.”
Without fear, she ignored his murderous stare and repeated the test on another wound.
Each time, Ray bit back another sound of pain. And each time, Pera felt strangely satisfied.
Meanwhile, Timi Village was in an uproar.
Word had spread: last night there had been an accident outside the forest, and the very people involved were now staying in the village.
Not even the harvest festivals had stirred such a fuss. The gentle snow-rabbit folk hadn’t hosted outsiders in decades.
Curiosity buzzed from morning on. Long ears twitched nonstop as villagers whispered.
The children were especially thrilled. Another child—an outsider child—was here.
They bounded toward Pera’s little clinic, ears bouncing, until her yard overflowed with rabbit kits.
“What’s your name?”
“Wow, your tail’s so long!”
“Where are you from?”
“I picked this carrot—want some?”
“Your ears are round! Can you even hear properly?”
“Dummy! Pera hears just fine, remember? Ears don’t matter!”
They crowded around, peppering Theo with questions. At first, he sat quietly, listening. But soon, his lips curled, and with a growl in his throat, he shot to his feet and bolted inside.
The sight of all those rabbit children hopping before him had been too much. His mouth watered.
A tiger cub, surrounded by prey… no matter how much of a prince he was, some instincts were harder to smother than others.
