The man had black hair with patches of white, making it clear which species he belonged to at a glance. His overly pronounced facial features and shirt that seemed deliberately tight gave off an oppressive and sleazy impression.
Raymond’s voice, tinged with amusement, came from right next to me.
“This is Zeb Horse from the Horse family, who sent you a marriage proposal.”
“What?”
Sent what?
My face contorted as I failed to maintain my composure.
Zeb Horse. The head of the family that leads the Zebra territory, who inherited the position in his mid-twenties.
Yes, a zebra. Not a sheep, but a zebra.
‘A sheep should marry a sheep, not a zebra!’
I had heard of occasional marriages across species due to love, but I was meeting this man for the first time today.
“Why a sudden marriage proposal?”
Being known for my notorious temper, there was no need to maintain a good image. I didn’t hide my displeasure as I asked, and the response came from across the table.
“Do you not like me?”
“No.”
There was no need to elaborate. As I answered firmly, a crack appeared in the man’s previously smug smile.
“Haha, you’re honest. That’s just one of the many charms of Lady Morton.”
His oily tone, expression, and face were repulsive.
How could a person be so buttery? Just sitting across from him made me uncomfortable.
“It seems there’s some deal between the two of you. Did you promise to receive something from the Zebra territory?”
Usually, such sudden marriages were based on deals. Whatever they agreed on, I had no intention of letting it go easily.
I had a crucial mission: to take care of Ed until he goes to the Louvre and to marry a kind and gentle sheep to lead a happy and peaceful life!
At my question, Zeb Horse and Raymond exchanged glances. Raymond was the first to speak.
“As you know, our sheep territory lacks skilled magicians.”
“Conversely, the Zebra territory has excellent magicians.”
Zeb, leaning back in his chair, continued the explanation. His arrogant eyes looking down at me made it clear what kind of deal it was.
‘So they promised support from magicians.’
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this world runs on the power of magicians.
From everyday magical items to the military power protecting each territory, everything relied on magicians.
Territories with powerful magicians had higher standings on the continent, and their inhabitants enjoyed safer and more convenient lives.
While capable magicians often came from carnivorous species, there were strong magicians among herbivores as well.
Precisely in the Zebra and Kangaroo territories.
“We’re on a different level from those money-grubbing kangaroos. If Lady Morton marries me, I promise to lend our strength to the sheep territory as long as we maintain our marriage.”
If it were just an exchange between families, I would have refused outright, but this was essential for the sheep territory.
His smirk widened, perhaps thinking I couldn’t easily refuse such a deal.
“Too bad, I don’t want to. No zebra help for us, then.”
But I had no reason to sacrifice myself for the sheep territory I had only known for a few months. I wouldn’t let myself be sold off.
“Ha, you… No, you must be very embarrassed. Haha. Knowing this, we already finalized the deal. You are to leave for the Zebra territory in three months, so prepare yourself.”
Barely holding back his usual harsh tone, Raymond spoke with a contemptuous smirk.
‘Three months?’
That meant I had to leave almost immediately after sending Ed off.
What to do? Should I flip the table here?
As I pondered seriously, a commotion erupted outside.
“How dare this brat sit here!”
“Aah!”
Everyone turned their heads towards the source of the noise.
‘Ed?’
I was sure I heard Ed’s voice. He stayed nearby instead of far from the parlor!
Raymond and Zeb Horse quickly lost interest, deeming it unimportant.
“Now, instead of those arrogant kangaroos, the Zebras will help us, so don’t worry….”
I had no reason to keep listening to their unnecessary words.
I sprang up from my chair and left the parlor after leaving one last remark.
“If you’re so grateful, you should marry him, brother. You two suit each other well.”
I heard muffled shouting behind the closed door but ignored it and hurriedly walked towards where the noise came from. It was outside the window, so it should be nearby.
Tap, tap, my footsteps echoed in the quiet corridor as I ran faster.
***
Meanwhile, Ed, who had been chased outside, was loitering near the main building, waiting for Remi to come out. Being of the same species as the despised Remi, the servants’ gazes weren’t kind to him either. Thus, he deliberately walked in less populated areas.
“Sit down, Remi. This is an important guest, so show proper manners,” came the voice of the head of the house, who was Remi’s brother. With his keen hearing, Ed followed the voice and saw the terrace outside the parlor. His small ears perked up.
‘I’d get in trouble for eavesdropping.’
Remi’s scathing image briefly flashed before his eyes. However, he had learned one crucial truth from life on the streets: knowing something is always better than knowing nothing. So he hid under the terrace.
It wasn’t because Remi was the only adult he could rely on and he didn’t want to be far from her. Definitely not.
“Why a sudden marriage proposal?” Remi’s sharp voice rang out. Ed’s round eyes widened. As he continued to listen, it became clear that the Morton family and the Horse family had made some sort of deal, and as part of that deal, Remi was required.
‘So she’ll be going to the Zebra territory in three months.’
What would happen to him then? For someone who had wandered the streets, having a place to stay was crucial. Not to mention the regular meals and the delicious desserts he had never imagined before.
He would likely be kicked out if she didn’t take him with her.
‘Will she take me with her?’
Ed, hugging his legs and half-burying his face, fell into deep thought. His lips unintentionally pouted from the anxiety.
“Hey, kid! What are you doing sitting here?” Suddenly, a rough hand grabbed his arm, forcefully pulling him up.
“Ow!”
The man, glaring fiercely with seemingly gentle eyes, delivered a hard flick to Ed’s forehead.
“Are you sticking to your master? Do you think that savage lady will appreciate it? Idiot.”
Holding his head where he had been hit, Ed listened as the man mocked him with a derisive voice.
“After spending a few days here, haven’t you realized? She only pretends to care while tormenting you. Didn’t you feel it? Maybe you’re too young to understand.”
Ed, indignant at the man’s scornful gaze and words, opened his small mouth.
“No! Lady Remi isn’t….”
“What? Are you seriously defending her?”
“Lady Remi isn’t….”
Honestly, she’s bad, but…
‘But she never pretended to care while tormenting me!’
Even though he couldn’t bring himself to say that she was much better than the others in this house, Ed clamped his mouth shut. Even as a child, he knew that speaking out in this situation would only bring more ridicule.
Though she often said harsh things, avoided him, and maintained a distance, she had forbidden him to smile yesterday when he unknowingly smiled while enjoying a delicious meat pie.
“How dare you show your fangs in front of your master? If you smile again, I’ll grind those nasty fangs down, so you’d better keep them hidden.”
Hidden behind the curtains, Remi had given the warning with a scary face. Since then, Ed had to eat the meat pie while covering his mouth.
Recalling yesterday’s incident, Ed unconsciously pursed his lips. Just as he was about to retort, he heard labored breathing coming closer.
‘Remi?’
Given the importance of the guest and the marriage discussion, he thought it would take longer.
Remi was running towards him, hastily holding up her dress. Seeing her usually slow self running so hard, the man’s face turned pale.
‘He was just bad-mouthing her a moment ago.’
Why insult someone if you’re so afraid of getting caught? What a foolish sheep.
“H-how dare you make me run?”
Breathing heavily, Remi scanned the area and spoke in a high-pitched voice.
“I-I’m sorry!”
Bowing deeply in apology, the man looked pitiful, and Remi, with a look that asked ‘what’s wrong with him?’ turned and snapped at Ed.
“Come here quickly! We’re leaving.”
As she turned and walked away, her legs were trembling.
She must be exhausted from running, Ed thought, remembering her morning warning. He followed her from a distance.
As they walked, the man who had proposed to Remi was leaving the main building, looking troubled as the head of the house saw him off.
‘Is that zebra a magician?’
Woosh-
At that moment, Ed felt a faint surge of mana within him. But unaware of it, he just hurried to follow Remi.
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