MHS | Chapter 30

Chapter 30

The emperor furrowed his brows as he stood in the barren, snowy wasteland on the opposite side of the North.

The snow was falling so heavily that it was hard to see anything ahead.

“What’s going on? This isn’t a place where a divine beast should be.”

“We definitely sensed the power of the divine beast here, but suddenly, it disappeared.”

“…That’s strange.”

The Emperor clicked his tongue in frustration. He needed to capture the divine beast quickly. If someone else made a contract with it, things would get complicated.

“Is Isabel locked up in the palace?”

“Yes, just as you ordered.”

“Any unusual activity in the North?”

The priest thought back to the North. The garden there was exceptionally well-maintained, almost as if it was an ecosystem where animals could thrive.

“…They even brought in a leopard for treatment, but it’s nowhere to be seen. It’s clear they’re hiding something in the North.”

“They still haven’t fully sworn loyalty to me.”

The Emperor was enraged.

Those rebellious blue eyes staring at him continued to bother him.

“Keep a close watch on Cedric. The energy in that forest was strange. Were there any trees with divine power?”

“We didn’t have time to thoroughly search the forest.”

It seemed the emperor would have to send people back to the North. He didn’t like leaving loose ends.

“Send people to the North immediately, and make sure no one notices.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t let the Grand Duke find out. If you value your life.”

The priest nodded and quickly disappeared.

The emperor couldn’t stop thinking about how Claire had changed after he’d been to the North. What could have turned his previously docile daughter into someone so different?

“Such a temper.”

Isabel had been taking out her anger on him. The emperor glanced up at the sky, where the snow showed no sign of stopping, and mounted his horse with a sharp look.

“It will take time to return. We need to hurry.”

If she ran away again, it might be impossible to find her. Isabel wasn’t the type to stay quietly in the palace when he wasn’t there.

The emperor recalled the way she had looked at Cedric at the Grand Duke’s residence, and the ridiculous things she had said. It was clear what she was planning.

If something happened to Claire, Isabel wouldn’t miss the opportunity.

The emperor turned his horse toward the palace, intent on returning quickly.

---

I was stuck lying in bed.

I blinked and looked toward Zeno for help.

“Zeno, I need to go to the forest…”

“Grrrr…” (No way. Master told me to watch you closely.)

“But I’m your master.”

“Woof!” (Oh, now you say that, after handing me over to someone else.)

Zeno turned his head away as if sulking. I sat up in bed and waved my hand.

“But ever since my father came, I’ve been feeling uneasy. I’m worried about the animals, too.”

“Woof, woof.” (Don’t worry. I already checked on them. Just rest.)

“Still, there might be more trees with divine power.”

I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling about Isabel being dragged away. She didn’t seem like the type to just follow orders quietly.

“Woof.” (Actually, I do know of another place with trees that have divine power.)

“What? You should have told me sooner! Let’s go right now.”

“Grrrr.” (You’re going to get me in trouble again.)

“Can’t you sense where they are? We’ll just find them quickly and come back. It’ll help the North.”

“Grrrr…” (Fine, just this once.)

I nodded eagerly.

Zeno grabbed the leash in his mouth and handed it to me. I put it on and quickly got out of bed.

“Woof, woof.” (Just find the tree and come back, okay?)

“Of course, of course!”

The moment I stepped outside with Zeno, I felt so refreshed. Staying cooped up in the room had been suffocating. I should’ve just waited a little longer to talk to Cedric.

He really acts like a doting fool.

Grumbling, I headed toward the front door with Zeno.

Luckily, the butler and the others were momentarily distracted.

“Your Grace, you mustn’t!”

The butler shouted when he finally noticed me. But I had already grabbed the door handle and swung it open wide.

“I’ll just be quick! Just to the garden! I mean, the forest—woah!”

A freezing gust of wind and snow hit me square in the face and body, making it impossible to breathe.

Gasping, the butler and I quickly shut the door together. My hair, blown by the wind, was now frozen in place.

I looked at the butler, who was also covered in snow thanks to me. The maids rushed over, brushing the snow off my body and wrapping a blanket around me.

“…I must be crazy.”

“Grrr.” (I think so too.)

Isabel must have finally gone mad. Using her powers like this? Did she not care what happened to her anymore?

Zeno shook himself off, sending snow flying everywhere.

Inside the Grand Duke’s residence, which we had briefly opened, a white snow party had begun.

“Darling? What in the world is…?”

I locked eyes with Cedric, who was standing at the top of the stairs, staring at the mess.

“Are you okay? You must’ve been shocked! Haha, I didn’t expect the snow to celebrate us so enthusiastically.”

…What nonsense am I even saying?

“Hehe.”

In moments like this, smiling was definitely the best option.

---

I soaked in the warm water and changed into new clothes. Zeno, looking rather grumpy, was dripping wet, likely from being scrubbed thoroughly. Feeling guilty, I grabbed a towel and began drying him off.

“Whimper, whine.” (I’m cold, master.)

“I’ll dry you off quickly. Come here.”

As I wiped Zeno’s fur and squeezed out the water, he stayed still, letting me tend to him.

“Whineee.” (This is warm.)

He snuggled closer to me, gently wagging his tail. Shaking my head, amused, I continued drying him. His wagging tail made him look adorable, like a typical happy dog. After watching me for a while, Zeno suddenly shook himself, spraying water everywhere.

“Hey! You got water all over me. How could you shake off like that all of a sudden?”

Now I had to change my clothes again. Zeno, completely unbothered, plopped his head onto my lap. His large size and thick fur made it tough to dry him, and the water splattered all over the floor, leaving more work for me.

“Your fur is so thick. It’s taking forever to dry,” I muttered, wiping him down. Zeno slowly blinked at me.

I turned my head, thinking out loud.

“You know, this would be easier if—”

“Ah!”

Suddenly, Zeno turned into a human, and I slapped him in surprise.

“…That’s a bit harsh.”

“Why did you transform all of a sudden?!” I exclaimed, startled. And worse, he wasn’t wearing any proper clothes. I turned my head away quickly, thrusting the towel at him.

“Change back into a wolf before someone sees! Are you crazy?”

Lately, Zeno had been acting more rebellious. His large hand grasped mine.

“No. You’re the reason I’m soaked.”

Bang!

“…Can I even ask what’s going on here? My lady?”

“Y-Your Grace?”

Of all times, why did he have to show up now? He must have misunderstood everything. I hurriedly waved my hands in denial.

“This—this is a misunderstanding!”

The tension in my voice made me stutter, leading to even more confusion.

Cedric’s eyebrows shot up, and in a low voice, gritting his teeth, he said, “Did you just say ‘misunderstanding’?”

“No, I mean it’s a misunderstanding!”

Zeno smirked and pulled me closer to him. My eyes widened in shock.

As he wrapped his arm around my waist, I instinctively slapped his cheek again.

Smack!

“…Zeno!”

Why was he acting up now? I needed to clear up this misunderstanding! After all, I just wanted some peace. Zeno, looking hurt, dropped his shoulders sadly.

“Master… why do you always…”

Zeno spoke with a wounded expression, his shoulders slumping.

---

“Now, why don’t you explain? It seems like you have quite a bit to say, don’t you?”

I nodded quietly.

Sitting on the sofa, I swallowed nervously. It felt like I was stuck in an awkward three-way confrontation, and seeing Cedric’s stern face made it even harder to speak.

“So, this is all just a misunderstanding.”

“I think we can see things for what they are,” Zeno teased.

“Can you be quiet?” I snapped, stepping on his foot and glaring at him. Just when I thought the tension was easing, he was making it worse.

Zeno pouted as he pressed an ice pack against his cheek. Clearly, things had escalated.

“First of all, about what happened earlier—I had to go to the forest. I was anxious, so I acted hastily….”

I decided to come clean. Hiding anything from Cedric would only lead to more lies.

Cedric, however, seemed unfazed by my explanation, keeping his sharp gaze on Zeno. Tall, muscular, and lounging confidently—Zeno wasn’t helping the situation. I nudged him with my foot, but he didn’t budge.

“Leave the poor wolf alone and explain properly. Also, I believe you’re sitting in the wrong spot.”

Cedric’s voice softened as he glanced at the space beside him.

I immediately stood up and sat next to him on the sofa. Only then did his expression relax.