Episode 128

“That’s not allowed.”

“Why not?”

“The monster is quite aggressive.”

Yurian, concerned, moved behind Yvonne. The beast trapped in something like a cage had a bizarre appearance. Its mane resembled wool, and it had horns like a goat. It stood on two legs, but they looked strangely like a deer’s. Its front limbs had long claws, and its body was massive.

“It looks pretty calm right now.”

Yurian didn’t believe it. Monsters were always wild creatures that wanted to devour people. And yet, from the moment Yvonne had arrived, while they had growled from within the corridor, none had slammed against their cages.

Even the one before them now was like that. Though it growled through the muzzle, it showed no signs of aggression like usual.

“Don’t get too close.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s dangerous.”

Yurian reached out and lowered Yvonne’s hand as she tried to extend it toward the creature. Something felt off about her. It looked as if the magic within her body was faintly leaking out. He stared closely at her, a dazedness softening her features.

“You seem tired. That’s probably why your judgment is a little cloudy.”

“I’m only tired because of you, Yurian.”

“Yes, that’s true. So let’s go back.”

“Wait a moment.”

Yvonne grabbed the hand Yurian was using to pull her away, flashing a small smile. The gesture made him freeze for a second. His heart was pounding, and she squeezed his hand tighter, almost like she was telling him to calm down.

“Are you sure it’s really dangerous?”

“Yes.”

Yvonne gestured toward the monster with her free hand.

Grrrr…

Yurian turned sharply to look. The monster, as if understanding her motion, sat calmly.

“…How…?”

“Maybe it’s smarter than you thought? Or is it because you hit it every day?”

“Ah…”

Now that he thought about it, there were stories of some monsters being clever. Yurian took her other hand in his and said,

“I’m too uneasy… I can’t let this go on.”

“You’re a coward, Yurian.”

“Yes. Yvonne makes me that way.”

“Alright then. Let’s go back.”

“Yes.”

Yurian lightly rested his head on her shoulder before pulling away. Yvonne liked when he showed her this side of himself.

“Are there any smaller, calmer ones?”

“Yvonne…”

“Let’s just see one and then go.”

“…Alright.”

With a sigh of unease, Yurian took her hand again and led her toward the section for the low-tier monsters.

This time, they headed down the north corridor. Yvonne naturally nestled into his arms again, and Yurian held her without hesitation—as though it were second nature.

Just before they entered a room, Yvonne realized something.

“I could’ve walked there on my own.”

“You’re the one who leaned into me.”

“Oh, right.”

She didn’t know why she had done it, but being in his arms had started to feel comfortable… even familiar.

“You can put me down now.”

“Yes.”

Yurian smiled brightly as he gently set her down. Despite the damp, underground feel of the place, his smile made it feel like they were standing in sunlight.

“Are the small ones gentle?”

“Yes. You can even touch them.”

“I see.”

With a flutter of anticipation in her chest, Yvonne followed him into the room he led.

Seeing her expression, Yurian felt a quiet joy. She didn’t hesitate or show suspicion, no matter where he brought her. It made him feel as though she trusted him completely.

Thinking so, he smiled again and flipped on the lights. The sudden brightness made them both blink, but what appeared inside were cages holding small creatures.

“Wow…”

Yvonne looked around curiously. In the hallway leading to the center, most of the monsters were actually quite large—larger than a human—but she hadn’t noticed.

What she could see now were only ones the size of puppies or regular dogs. Some were no bigger than her palm.

“I thought these would suit Yvonne better.”

Yurian brought over one of the small cages.

“Mew!”

Inside was a slime.

“Oh, it looks slippery.”

“Yes, it’s a slime after all.”

Slimes were low-tier monsters. They caused no harm—just wobbled around. Yurian opened the small cage and took out the slime to hand to Yvonne.

“Is it okay to touch it?”

“Yes.”

“Mew! Mew!”

The slime squirmed in Yvonne’s hand, sliding around as if asking to be petted. She was taken aback for a moment by the strange, squishy sensation.

“It’s… cute.”

But it was. The bluish, semi-transparent slime wrapped around her palm affectionately. She gently stroked it as if petting it.

“It’s kind of strange.”

“What is?”

“Even if it’s low-tier, it’s still a monster. I’ve never seen one so friendly with people.”

“Well, it has eyes.”

“Oh, that’s right. This one does have eyes, huh.”

At her words, Yurian let go of his suspicions. Monsters could have eyes. Then it made sense that the slime could see the Yvonne he saw now.

“Mew! Mew!”

“Haha… adorable.”

Her radiant platinum hair cascaded over her shoulders. She wore earrings—ones not gifted by Yurian, but rather forced upon her by Emperor Hildebrandt. Yet even those plain earrings suited her perfectly.

And though her body bore no jewels, she sparkled like one. Like a chandelier scattering sunlight in every direction.

“Let’s put it back now.”

“Why?”

Yurian felt annoyed by how fond she was of the slime. He wished she’d treat him that way too.

“I think you’ve been enchanted by a monster.”

“Mew!”

“Oh, really…”

Yvonne watched the slime slowly squish about in her palm. Yurian thought, If she looked at me like that, this entire ducal estate would’ve already been hers.

“Yvonne.”

“Yes?”

“Please don’t make me jealous of a slime.”

“Yurian, are you seriously jealous of a slime right now?”

“Yes.”

Yvonne laughed at his shameless answer and reached out to stroke his hair.

“Good grief.”

“More…”

“What?”

“Pet me more, please.”

Yurian, holding the slime in one hand, lowered his head to make it easier for her to stroke. With a helpless smile, Yvonne gently patted his head with both hands.

“The monster I’ve tamed is quite the handful.”

“That monster, once you have it, you can never let it go.”

“That sounds… dangerous.”

Yurian looked at Yvonne deeply. He wanted to kiss her—but she turned her head away just in time.

“Shall we head back now?”

“Yes.”

He’d been so focused on her that he had forgotten to stay alert.

With Yurian, everything felt easier to Yvonne. And the same was true for him. To him, she felt like the first peaceful place in his entire life.

And so, they headed back to the main residence.

* * *

“You’re late.”

What greeted them at the main residence was an unwelcome guest.

“Your Majesty.”

“Ah…”

Yvonne was shocked to see that the one waiting for her was Hildebrandt. Standing near him was Francis, his eyes blindfolded.

“You dare deceive me?”

“Dad, I—”

Yvonne let go of Yurian’s hand. Though confused, he instinctively stepped in front of her, worried for her safety.

“Your Majesty, please hear me out.”

“What for? I hear you’ve gotten yourself a fiancée, and yet here you are, playing around with my daughter?”

“That’s not true, Your Majesty.”

Though Hildebrandt was smiling, it looked as if nothing would satisfy him unless he cut off Yurian’s arm. And behind him, Yvonne was trembling.

“Dad, what are you doing here?”

“What?”

“You never cared about me.”

“…What?”

Hildebrandt was so shocked it was like he’d been struck in the head—he repeated himself without realizing. The hellish time he had gone through trying to figure out where she was came rushing back to him, suffocating him.

“Dad… why did it take you so long to come find me?”

Yvonne was shaking, but tried to act like she wasn’t. Then, gently pushing Yurian aside, she stepped forward and spoke to the emperor.

“Why did it take you half a year?”

“…Yvonne, what are you talking about? You’re the one who ran from me.”

The Emperor was not in his right mind. He had only just barely pulled himself together to come see her. He was still drowning in drink, and often cast hallucinations on himself just to see her again.

“I thought you’d come for me right away.”

“…”

“So why did it take six months? I was right, wasn’t I? You didn’t want to find me, did you?”

Yvonne spoke brazenly, catching Hildebrandt off guard. Yurian, for his part, was ready—if things went badly, he would kill the Emperor, even if it meant war.

He had no intention of letting Yvonne be in danger.

“Yvonne.”

“Yurian, let me go.”

But Yurian showed no signs of moving, shielding her behind his back.

“What is this situation?”

The Emperor, now visibly angry, began to activate his power.