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Chapter 21
“Honestly speaking, I thought Your Highness would be a monster.”
Now that I’d learned he wasn’t, I confessed my thoughts with a relieved expression. Though, admittedly, I was shocked by something else instead.
At my blunt words, Killis looked at me with interest.
“A monster… what kind?”
“Um, like… having only one arm, or no face, something like that…”
As I mumbled, his golden eyes curved with amusement.
I never thought I’d end up telling him this, but somehow it all came out.
“Good thing I have everything, then. What about now?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m a snake. Isn’t that worse than a monster?”
Despite the uncertainty in his voice, he didn’t look intimidated at all. If anything, he seemed to be enjoying this conversation.
Watching that strange expression, I unconsciously let out a stiff breath.
If I say the wrong thing here, won’t I be thrown straight into a dungeon for insulting royalty? …Wait, is this some advanced psychological tactic to break down my guard?!
While seriously 고민ing my answer for the sake of my fragile, peaceful life, something important I had momentarily forgotten came to mind.
“Wait, then when you imprinted on me in your snake form… you knew everything?”
“Yeah.”
“You—!”
The sharp words that almost slipped out were barely stopped by my reason.
Realizing I’d almost made a fatal mistake, I shut my mouth with all my might.
Whether he noticed my effort or not, he burst into laughter.
“Are we speaking casually now? If you want, you can. I like it.”
“That will never happen.”
“Alright, do as you wish, Lucelin.”
For some reason, Killis readily accommodated me.
So he knew I was the daughter of House Erbel all along. That’s why he imprinted so comfortably! After all, we’re engaged anyway!
Grinding my teeth, I recalled all the trouble I’d gone through trying to remove the imprint.
I even brought pheromone remover today in case it got exposed!
“Lucelin, as you know, I suffer from imprinting pain, so I’d like to see you often for a while.”
Before I knew it, Killis had approached me again. He took my hand and placed it against his cheek.
Startled into stroking him, I froze.
What nonsense is this sly snake about to say now…?
“…I never wanted the imprint. And you know engagement and imprinting are separate!”
Thinking about all the stress I’d endured, I didn’t feel like complying with him.
Pouting slightly, I pulled my hand away.
At that, a very artificial gloom settled over Killis’s pitiful-looking face.
“Well, imprinting between us is only natural. We must show the unity of the imperial family to the people.”
“Th-that may be true, but… it was one-sided! I didn’t even know Mangdeok was a beastman!”
Just then, I realized our distance had grown even closer than before.
When did he get this close? I got distracted by his face…!
“I didn’t deceive you on purpose. I just didn’t have the chance to explain.”
Lowering his voice, Killis bent down to meet my eyes.
No chance? That’s nonsense. I know it is…
In that slightly lowered gaze, conflicting emotions mixed as we examined each other.
“So take me in again, like before.”
“…The one I took in was Mangdeok, not a fraud.”
After everything I’d been through, I wasn’t about to give in easily.
I confirmed he wasn’t a monster. I also learned he was a perfectly… yes, too perfectly fine “snake.”
And I had almost killed him.
If he hadn’t dodged properly back then, I would have become a criminal guilty of killing royalty.
Unbothered by my complicated feelings, the shameless snake tilted his head.
“But I might die without you. Of course, if that would ease your anger, I wouldn’t mind… but would you really be okay without me?”
“That’s—!”
…Wait, why is this snake casually blaming me?
“Of course I wouldn’t be okay.”
How could I be fine if my fiancé suddenly died? Especially if it was my fault?
As I answered sullenly, Killis smiled smoothly, as if he’d been waiting.
What is that abyss-like smile? Did I say something wrong?
“Lucelin, take responsibility for me. This is all your doing.”
His low voice shifted all the blame onto me, sounding almost pleased.
“What are you talking about?”
Who caused all this mess by pretending not to know?!
I glared at him fiercely, but his golden eyes softened warmly.
“Because that day, you saved me.”
“I just couldn’t ignore a dying life.”
Even at my cold reply, his expression didn’t change.
“You even stroked my head back then. Wasn’t that a proposal?”
As if recalling it, Killis placed a hand over his white hair and mimicked the motion, locking eyes with me.
He looked almost as if I had abandoned him.
Truly, befitting a cunning white snake—everything he did was sly and shameless.
“At least he was cute as a snake… now he’s just an insufferably shameless beast…!”
“That’s not true!”
“It is.”
As I firmly denied it, his golden eyes flashed.
“So you’re saying you didn’t seduce me first?”
“…What?”
“Yes. I’m just a pitiful white snake who fell for the black rabbit’s overwhelming temptation.”
Smiling as if he bore no responsibility at all, he turned his head casually.
I could only gape at him in disbelief.
This snake is impossible…
“Why didn’t you reveal your identity? Do you know how much I suffered because of the imprint?”
“…As you know, the imperial family is quite rigid. Especially the Emperor.”
Referring to his father like a stranger, Killis’s expression hardened.
He clearly had his reasons, but there was no time to ask.
“Your Highness, Lady, it’s time to head to the banquet hall.”
Right then, Kin called from outside.
Killis instantly smoothed his expression and extended his hand.
It was my first escort from a fiancé who felt both unfamiliar and strangely familiar. I accepted it.
“Lucelin, you have no idea how much I wanted to hold this hand.”
His large hand wrapped around mine as if to swallow it.
If I’d known my Mangdeok would turn out to be such a grown man, I would never have taken him into the bath.
“…Your Highness. This has been bothering me… may I ask something?”
“Anything.”
Encouraged, I cautiously asked what had been on my mind.
“Back then… in the bath… did you see?”
“…No.”
Wasn’t that pause a bit too long?
I was sure he had opened his eyes at some point while I was applying oil…
“Really?”
“…Kin is waiting. Let’s go.”
Turning his gaze away, Killis started walking.
Since he was holding my hand, I had no choice but to follow.
If I hadn’t noticed his reddened ears, I might have believed him.
Walking beside him, I muttered quietly:
“Perverted snake.”
“That’s unfair… would it clear my name if I showed you the same?”
Killis chuckled softly, still looking ahead.
