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Chapter 12
“Gone.”
The voices of Luceline and the woman who seemed to be her friend gradually faded away from the carriage, until they disappeared completely.
The carriage had stopped slightly away from the busy street, so there weren’t many people passing by.
As even the sounds around them faded into silence, Kilis—wearing the disguise of Mangdeok—began to slowly move inside the sack.
Through the holes in the sack, the faint scent of Luceline’s pheromones drifted in.
“…Sweet.”
Luceline’s sweet pheromones stimulated not only his sense of smell but all his senses.
In a hazy feeling as if his mind was melting, Kilis slowly pushed himself out of the sack.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—Luceline had poked small breathing holes all over the sack, so it was not difficult to peek outside.
Crawling out, Kilis lifted his head and looked at the peaceful scenery outside the carriage, lost in thought for a moment.
‘I need to get out.’
Of course, he couldn’t leave like this. Even if he somehow did, he wouldn’t be able to move around freely.
There was only one solution: he had to take human form.
‘But if I do, the driver will see me.’
Of course, if the driver had an “unfortunate accident of being bitten to death by a bad-tempered snake,” then it wouldn’t matter if he was exposed. After all, the dead tell no tales.
Besides, humans often die “by accident” or “due to bad luck,” so no one would find it strange.
However, Kilis did not want to cause trouble for those connected to Erbelga. He wanted to avoid anything that would make Luceline sad.
Still, he needed to get out of here…
Whether as a snake or a human, the moment he opened the carriage door, the driver would almost certainly notice.
And this fact… he knew very well—
‘Kinn wouldn’t fail to realize it.’
Just as his thoughts ended, a familiar presence was felt outside.
“Excuse me.”
A man wearing a neatly pressed suit and a gray round-brimmed hat pulled low over his face approached the driver.
Although his appearance was not threatening, his large build made the driver press himself nervously against the edge of the seat.
“What is it?”
The man bowed politely.
“I am from the Batiss of the bird tribe. While flying earlier, I seem to have dropped my precious watch on top of your carriage. If it is not too much trouble, may I take a look?”
“Oh, that earlier….”
Fortunately, the driver seemed to remember the bird that had been following the carriage earlier, and quickly relaxed.
Thinking it was nothing serious, his expression brightened.
“Of course. However, as you can see, the carriage is high, so it may take some time to search.”
He pointed toward the high roof.
“I will gladly wait.”
The man smiled kindly and stepped back.
Under the shadow of his hat, his gently curved lips looked pleasant.
Although his face was not clearly visible, the driver, knowing that birdfolk were often noble and proud, did not think much of it and brought out a small ladder.
“….”
Once the driver climbed up and disappeared onto the roof of the carriage, the man’s smile quickly faded.
Kinn immediately moved toward the carriage door.
With a soft sound, the gold handle of the door turned in his gloved hand.
Inside the luxurious carriage, a white serpent sat upright on the soft sofa, meeting Kinn’s gaze.
“Your Highness, what are you doing there? Please come into my sleeve.”
As if he had been waiting for him, yet hiding in the corner, Kinn felt both relief and frustration.
“Your Highness, I wore a soft shirt for you. It will be comfortable. Now, please come.”
He lifted his hat slightly and urged him with an open sleeve.
Ssshhh.
Even if a snake had expressions, how many could it have?
Still, Kinn could tell immediately.
‘He’s disgusted.’
As expected, Kilis stared sharply at the inside of the sleeve with clear disdain.
Soft and comfortable or whatever—it was all useless nonsense in his eyes.
“The driver will return soon. Even if you dislike it, you have no choice. Who told you to sneak out like—”
While Kinn kept talking, Kilis sighed heavily and finally slipped into his sleeve.
Kinn quickly closed the carriage door and returned to his position just as the driver came down.
The driver looked slightly disappointed; he had not found the watch.
“Sir, I’m sorry, but I could not find your watch. I searched thoroughly on the carriage roof, but there was nothing.”
“Oh dear… then I must have dropped it on the way.”
Kinn sighed dramatically.
“I suppose I should retrace my steps.”
He handed the driver a pouch of gold coins.
The driver, shocked by the amount, quickly looked up—but Kinn had already disappeared.
In a quiet alley filled with cold air, a pale white serpent slipped out from Kinn’s sleeve.
A soft white glow lit up the dark alley.
“Tch. A sleeve, of all things.”
After returning to human form, Kilis clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
Kinn, seeing his lord safe, felt relief—but also frustration.
“You know, Your Highness… what were you thinking going out with Lady Luceline like that? You said you’d just see her face and come back! I almost had a heart attack!”
Kinn clutched his chest, still shaken.
“It’s your old age. Probably a heart condition.”
Kilis replied casually, as if joking. But he looked completely serious.
“…If I hadn’t come, what would you have done? That was reckless.”
“There was no need. My bird always finds its owner.”
Kilis straightened his clothes and patted Kinn on the back.
If Kinn had not come, Kilis would likely have simply walked out of the carriage in any form he pleased.
And if there were witnesses… he would have eliminated them.
Kinn sighed again.
“If you keep staying so close to Lady Luceline, you’ll be discovered. I will not cover for you anymore.”
“Shut up. It’s not like I can see her for a while anyway.”
He had sneaked out against Kinn’s strict warnings.
Although the bonding pain had not yet fully started, Kilis’s feelings were different.
He wanted to see Luceline. He wanted to show her he was safe.
Kinn spoke urgently.
“Your Highness, your birthday is coming soon. And before His Majesty finds out, you must return immediately.”
Kilis frowned and turned away.
“Luceline told me not to disappear without saying anything.”
“Your Highness, that’s not the issue—”
But seeing Kilis’s dangerous expression, Kinn stepped back.
“…You seem to want something. What is it?”
Kilis looked him over sharply, then smiled.
“I need to leave a trace. So she doesn’t think I just disappeared.”
“But Lady Luceline thinks you are just a normal snake. Any trace would only make her suspicious.”
Kilis smiled lightly.
“Doesn’t matter. She already knows I’m not normal.”
“…I’m not even surprised anymore.”
Ignoring Kinn’s sigh, Kilis pointed at something in his jacket pocket.
“Take out that paper.”
“That is not paper. It’s a handkerchief. A royal gift from His Majesty.”
“A handkerchief is fine.”
Before Kinn could stop him, Kilis snatched it.
“NOOOO!”
A sudden tug-of-war began in the dark alley.
“This is His Majesty’s gift!”
“Who cares.”
“If you lose it, he will be furious!”
“I’ll just use your feathers instead. That works too.”
“…!”
At that, Kinn froze.
“…You’re joking, right?”
“I am always serious.”
Kinn slowly released his grip.
A blood-written message on feathers… if Luceline saw that, it would be a disaster.
“…I give up.”
Finally, Kinn let go.
Kilis smirked, satisfied.
He now had something to leave behind for Luceline.
