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chapter 30
“Well, that’s how it is.”
“Wait… what does that mean…?”
But before I could finish speaking, the eavesdropping-prevention screen disappeared at Merina’s gesture, and I had no choice but to stay silent.
“Now, now. Don’t overthink it! Here, take this, sister.”
Merina tucked her flowing hair behind her ear and handed me a small box.
“A gift? You really didn’t have to—”
“This is a small token of thanks for helping me. And I think you’re really going to need it.”
Merina said this mischievously, urging me to open the gift quickly. Some bystanders squinted their eyes in astonishment and even leaned back slightly at the sight of her gift.
“Wow… a gift…”
“To your lover… showering with gifts…!”
“That should’ve been me…!”
Some whispered in envy, others in resentment, as they watched us. Even though we were almost two meters away, the glares felt sharper than a cold wind.
“Perfume…?”
Inside the box was a transparent bottle filled with pink perfume. There was no label on it. Merina held her chin with both hands and spoke softly.
“It’s a perfume that erases scents.”
“Huh? My… scent?”
I panicked, bringing it to my clothes and sniffing anxiously. Merina laughed softly and leaned close to whisper in my ear.
“Not just any scent—it’s perfume that erases the smell of a specific race.”
Hearing that, my face instantly turned pale. I had forgotten, for a moment, the physical abilities of beastkin. Not only are beastkin’s physical abilities far superior, but their senses are also heightened to animal-like levels.
Seeing my face turn ghostly, Merina grinned with her red lips and said:
“Don’t worry. My scent will cover it, so yours won’t be noticeable.”
She winked with one eye. Around us, gasps could be heard—not of shock, but of envy.
With a mischievous grin, she encouraged me to try it. Following her suggestion, I opened the perfume cap. A cheerful sound came as the liquid inside swished.
‘It barely has any scent.’
Curious, I brought it to my nose and observed it. Then I sprayed some on my wrist, spreading it evenly over the back of my neck and under my ears.
I sniffed my wrist again, just to check if the scent from the perfume would be noticeable—but still, there was no smell. Merina watched me with a smile broad enough to show her teeth.
“Use it well. Our family doesn’t have it often either, so it’s rare.”
“Thank you! I’ll use it properly!”
“No need. Hey, do you want to try this? It’s called Zahertorte, and it’s quite a treat.”
She handed me a piece of cake that looked like chocolate cake, eyes sparkling.
I’d heard Merina was a wolf beastkin, but her behavior was more like that of a playful puppy.
‘If she had a tail, it probably would’ve spun like a windmill.’
Ignoring that thought, I began devouring another piece of cake with my fork. Even though today I was sure I would gain weight just eating this, my tongue was happy and my brain dulled from sugar, making rational thought impossible.
Meanwhile, Rudels, having showered and changed, walked down the corridor. He kept sniffing his hands.
‘No matter how much soap I use, I can’t get rid of the smell of blood.’
He frowned, glaring at his still faintly fishy hands. The trouble began when he had caught the guy barehanded after the man tried to commit suicide—he hadn’t even worn gloves.
“Damn it.”
He clenched his fist with one corner of his mouth lifted. If he was to meet Iriel today, he had to erase the scent of blood first. If she detected it, she would surely see him with a mix of worry and fear.
Not realizing that he was thinking by beastkin standards, Rudels kept shaking his hands. Behind him, a fluttering sound was heard.
“Lord Rudels! There you are!”
Rudels lowered his raised corner of the mouth and turned with a neutral expression. It was a pigeon beastkin, mainly used for communication. The pigeon folded its wings and perched comfortably on his arm.
“What is it?”
“I bring a message from Lady Merina.”
“A message?”
Rudels looked puzzled.
“She said to tell you that you should go get some fresh air with the newly appointed healer.”
“What?”
Rudels chuckled weakly at his sibling’s sudden notice and asked again:
“Without saying where?”
“Yes… but judging from the direction of the carriage, it seemed to head toward Passion Street…”
Rudels felt his blood pressure rise. If they went to Passion Street, they were almost certainly headed for that fancy salon.
‘That’s the place I had my eye on!’
That salon sold cakes and exotic desserts from different countries, and he had noticed it to cheer Iriel up when she was in a bad mood. He rubbed his throbbing head and spoke to the pigeon.
“Understood. Thank you.”
“No problem, Lord Rudels. Then I will go now.”
With a nod, the pigeon flapped its wings and flew out through the open window. Rudels clenched both fists, determined: he would get revenge. Merina and that guy would feel the full brunt of it, and he would make sure they got drenched with cold water. Shivering, he shouted to Rucel following him.
“Rucel! Let’s go outside!”
Rucel, who had just finished handling a corpse and reporting, squinted at the sudden command.
“Uh… outside? Now?”
“Immediately!”
Fueled by jealousy, Rudels saw nothing else. The thought of punishing the sibling who had stolen his bucket list consumed his mind.
And, unfortunately for Rucel, he had to handle his master’s whims. Rucel, thinking most of his dark circles were thanks to Rudels, obediently followed the orders.
“Yes, Lord Rudels.”
With a calm expression, Rucel followed the heir of Ifin Ga, walking slowly.
‘It must be because of the healer.’
They say male jealousy is scary, but this was beyond scary—more like childish. Rucel resolved not to act like that.
Meanwhile, while enjoying desserts with Merina at the salon, a man approached us.
“Greetings, Lady Merina.”
“Hmm? And who might you be?”
Merina sipped her tea without a glance. Ignored, the man hesitated for a moment, then smiled and continued.
“I am Perriten Cullen, eldest son of the Red Jackal Cullen family.”
“Ah. But what brings you here?”
Merina covered her mouth with the fan she had brought, looking at him like a prim young lady.
“I met the most beautiful lady of the Ifin family, the pillar of this country among sword masters protecting the beastkin nation, and I couldn’t just stay silent.”
He showered Merina with smooth praise, trying to impress her. But Merina gave him a bored, expressionless look.
“So?”
“So, since meeting like this is fate, if you don’t mind—”
“Sorry, I already have plans today.”
Merina cut him off and suddenly sat next to me. The surrounding people gasped softly, and Perriten’s eyes widened at her sudden action. Merina linked her arm with mine and said proudly, lips glinting:
“Today is a date with my sister.”
Perriten blushed, jaw trembling, unable to speak. I glanced at his expression and the heated stares around us, forcing a wry smile. I had already given up explaining.
No matter what I said, people would believe only Merina’s words and our actions.
Merina gently dabbed the cream off my face with a napkin and spoke sweetly:
“Oh my. My sister even has cream adorably smeared like this? What would others think? I’m feeling a little jealous.”
‘Stop! That’s enough!’
Perriten, flustered by what looked like a romantic act, quickly bowed 90 degrees.
“I-I apologize! Have a pleasant time!”
Then he hurriedly left the salon. Others giggled as they watched, and the women looked at us enviously. I was genuinely curious why Merina’s charm spread even among women.
Seeing my gaze, Merina folded the napkin neatly on the table and spoke proudly:
“Hehe. I’m naturally this popular, sister.”
“I… think I understand that well enough.”
As I stammered, Merina hugged me tightly.
“But maybe because I’m far more popular with women than men, my mother often worries, thinking I might be looking for a wife instead of a husband.”
