I Received the Beast Male Lead as a Birthday Present

Episode 12

“I already know that you have problems with your family. You don’t have to tell me the details, but if you could just tell me what the issue is…”

“Sorry, CeCe”

Eren interrupted my words with a quiet yet firm voice. There was no emotion to be found on his expressionless face.

“No matter who you are, I can’t talk about that.”

I looked at Eren with my lips sealed tightly. I had anticipated that it might turn out this way when I decided to ask him.

However, even though I had expected it, his refusal still stung.

“If that’s your answer, there’s nothing I can do.”

I sighed and got up from my seat. For a brief moment, I felt like a fool for allowing myself to hope.

“I’ll leave first today. You can send the medicine to the mansion later.”

“CeCe.”

“Don’t call me by my nickname.”

I regretted the words I had just spoken. They seemed immature even to my own ears.

“I’m not a kindergartener. Don’t call me by my nickname.”

I turned my back to Eren, feeling embarrassed.

It seemed that Eren also understood that I was in a bad mood, as he didn’t try to stop me.

“Be careful.”

Somehow, a feeble farewell message reached me from behind. I didn’t respond and quickly left Eren’s house.

* * *

After Cynthia left.

Eren, left alone in the reception room, looked around with a cold expression.

“Everything in there belongs to me, so get out, Bertholdt.”

As his words came to an end, the bedroom door unexpectedly swung open, revealing Bertholdt.

“I guess you’re not just my brother by name. You’ve got a keen eye.”

Bertholdt stood in front of Eren, muttering sarcastically.

“What are you here for?”

Eren’s sharp question made Bertholdt shrug his shoulders.

“I was curious if my brother is still alive and well. From what I can see, there was no need to worry.”

The term ‘brother’ held no meaning, as the two had almost nothing in common. Bertholdt’s entire being was dark, as if he had absorbed all the world’s darkness from head to toe. The only part of him that showed color was his golden eyes. In contrast, Eren’s hair gleamed in the sunlight with its reddish-brown hue, and his green eyes felt as fresh as a summer forest.

The only commonality between them was their shared last name, “Reiner,” and the fact that both were shifters.

The topic of their conversation was Cynthia Evergreen.

“Is the woman I just met Cynthia Evergreen?”

When Cynthia’s name left Bertholdt’s lips, Eren’s expression instantly contorted.

“Don’t show any interest in CeCe.”

“How can I not show interest? She’s a girl that my precious little brother seems to adore.”

Bertholdt’s sharp fangs were revealed as he grinned, a smile more akin to a predator than a human.

“I ran into her earlier, but she didn’t recognize me. I guess she’s really good at erasing memories, probably because she doesn’t want anyone to know her brother.”

“If you’re going to spout nonsense, then leave.”

Eren stood up from his seat, showing his complete indifference. However, Bertholdt continued, undeterred.

Bertholdt’s smile remained predatory, more so than a human’s.

“You’re telling me not to be interested, but you’re the one who cares about her, aren’t you?”

Eren’s piercing words shook Bertholdt for a moment.

“That girl seems to be with a wolf. Did you know?”

Bertholdt asked sharply as he wiped the smile off his face.

Eren kept silent, his pupils narrowing as he looked at Bertholdt.

“Judging by your reaction, it seems you already knew.”

Bertholdt had approached Eren closely, and as the distance between them diminished, Eren’s pupils constricted further.

“Come to think of it, I can smell that bastard’s scent on you too.”

“Step aside.”

With Eren’s younger brother in front of him, ready to pounce at any moment, Bertholdt chuckled softly.

He grabbed Eren’s shoulder with one hand and muttered softly.

“Wherever it is, make sure you do your best not to let it be taken from you this time.”

* * *

On the way back home in the carriage, I decided to change my mood and took out the bracelet I bought at Everglow to try it on.

“Mikael might like it too.”

I glanced at the gift box neatly placed on the seat.

I had picked it impulsively, but I still hoped that Mikael would like it.

I wondered what Mikael was doing right now.

Since I hadn’t been alone for this long, I was very curious about what he might be up to.

‘What is he doing right now, I wonder?’

I glanced briefly towards the window.

Despite not being too worried, I couldn’t help but wonder what he might be doing. After all, people are unpredictable.

‘As soon as I arrive, I should visit Mikael.’

I made a mental note and closed my eyes.

* * *

Meanwhile, at the same time.
Contrary to Cynthia’s worries, Michael was spending his time more quietly than ever.

There was nothing else to do besides being quiet.

‘…Why hasn’t he come yet?’

Michael muttered silently, glancing at the door.

He sat quietly, already waiting for Cynthia to appear for several hours.

‘Normally, she would have shown up by this time.’

Until now, there was never a need to wait, as she had always been the one to come first.

However, for some reason today, there was no sign of her even after noon had passed.

‘Could something busy have come up?’

Michael, with his chin resting on his front paws, glanced at the door.

Occasionally, when he heard footsteps outside, his ears perked up, and he stood alert.

However, upon realizing that it wasn’t Cynthia, he quickly resumed the sagging posture, repeating the process.

How much time passed like that?
Around the time he was growing tired of waiting, a small commotion began outside the banquet hall.

“Hail!”

“We greet the leader!”
The knights guarding the door shouted with determined voices.

Startled by the noise, Michael lifted his head.

‘…If they’re mentioning the leader, could it be referring to the Duke?’

At that moment, the knight’s voice continued.

“What’s going on in the western annex, Your Grace?”

“I have something to check briefly. Since I’ll be guarding here, take a break for a while.”

“Yes! Then, we’ll excuse ourselves.”

As the footsteps of the knights seemed to gradually fade away, the sound of the banquet hall door creaked open.

Soon after, through the opening, a familiar face appeared.

‘As expected, it is the Duke.’

Michael cast a wary gaze at Elliot, who was approaching.

Black hair, as if soaked in ink, and deep navy eyes resembling the abyss.

Add to that an overwhelming aura that dominated the surroundings.

It was truly a figure reminiscent of his father, Duke Evergreen.

“Seeing you up close like this is a first.”

Suddenly, Elliot, who had approached right up to the bars, stared at Michael with an expressionless face.

As befitting the heir to the dukedom, even his gaze exuded a chilly sense of dominance.

‘…What brings the Duke’s son here?’

Michael looked at Elliot without lowering his guard.

Then, as if Elliot had read his mind, he spoke first.

“I see you’re curious about why I’m here.”

“……!”

Michael, visibly taken aback, flinched.

Elliot looked at him and spoke nonchalantly, “I heard Cynthia went out today. If I didn’t come now, it seemed like there wouldn’t be another chance for us to have a private conversation.”

‘…No wonder he’s late. So, he went out.’

The news of Cynthia going out caused a momentary pause.

At the following words, Michael narrowed his eyes.

‘Having a private conversation. Could it be… something he wants to discuss with me?’
Michael glanced around, wondering if there was anyone else besides him.

However, no matter how much he looked around the banquet hall, there was no sign of anyone else.

‘…The lady, the Duke’s son, and now, having conversations with animals. Is it a hobby for everyone here?’

While Michael inwardly felt bemused, Elliot’s voice continued.

“You don’t need to look at me like I’m some strange person. I’m telling you this because you’re also a supernatural being.”

‘…What?’

The moment he heard those words, Michael froze.

It felt like someone had poured cold water over him, and his whole body turned icy.

‘…How did he know that I’m a supernatural being?’

Unless someone was also a supernatural being, it was impossible to visually distinguish a transformed one.

Certainly, that should be the case.

“Not being a supernatural being myself, it seems you’re curious how I knew about your identity.”

“…!”

Michael, instantly seen through by Elliot, growled threateningly and bared his teeth.

Whether he roared or not, Elliot continued with an indifferent expression.

“I have a subordinate who is a supernatural being. He noticed your identity just by the scent.”

Unexpected information made Michael momentarily forget his growling.

The fact that there was a supernatural being among his subordinates was surprising enough, but revealing such an important fact with such a nonchalant expression was astonishing in many ways.

“I think the explanation is sufficient. Let’s get to the main point.”

Elliot, flicking his hair with one hand, looked at Michael with a cold gaze.

Michael, inwardly tense, met Elliot’s gaze.

Finally, Elliot spoke with a more serious expression than usual.

“I won’t inquire about who you are and where you come from. Instead, I’d appreciate it if you could continue to pretend to be an ordinary beast in front of my sister.”

“…!”