#20

ChiChi, feverish and delirious, looked pitiful at a glance. It seemed that her small body might not survive the day. As Zerakiel urged her repeatedly with his eyes, Melina reluctantly opened her mouth.

“It would be good to cover her with a pheromone shield to protect her from the mist, but…”

“That will do?”

Zerakiel pressed her. Melina hesitated, unable to agree immediately, but continued, unable to withstand his piercing gaze.

“But you’ve only just arrived here, so your body will surely be strained.”

“Are you worried about me now?”

Zerakiel asked sarcastically, making Melina’s lips quiver.

Indeed, the heir to the Jabisi wouldn’t be struggling with something like this. What puzzled her was why he was so intent on taking care of ChiChi.

She was just an abandoned beastman, one who might remain frail her entire life even though she was only now beginning her transformation into a human.

The reason for his unusual dedication to such a beastman was unknown. It couldn’t just be because of ChiChi’s unique pheromone, as the Jabisi family was already a distinguished lineage without such factors.

It was absurd to consider the combination of a black lion and a white weasel.

‘Isn’t the young master supposed to be indifferent to worldly matters?’

Melina was at a loss as to what to do about Zerakiel’s behavior, which was so contrary to his rumored detachment. As ChiChi hadn’t yet fully matured, the pheromone restrictions would be more severe here in Hebel.

But if she continued to block him and something happened to ChiChi, Melina couldn’t guarantee her own life. Judging by his crazed eyes, he would be the first to blame and kill her.

On the other hand, if she let him help ChiChi and something happened to Zerakiel, it would also be a shortcut to death, as Lord Jakari of the Jabisi family was present.

‘This is why I hate beasts…’

As she was tearing her hair out in frustration, Ivan chimed in foolishly.

“Don’t worry about our young master, Melina. He’s tougher than you think, so even if he goes through some hardships… ahem.”

Of course, he couldn’t finish his sentence and quickly shut his mouth. If he had said another word, his lips would probably have been cut off.

Melina almost wished they would cut his lips, as Ivan, the most talkative among the lion beastmen, was so noisy that she couldn’t concentrate when he was around.

“Then, please take care of it.”

Melina bowed her head respectfully. It seemed futile to stop him when he was determined to proceed.

She only hoped that ChiChi’s transformation into a human would go smoothly. After providing some basic first aid, she and Ivan returned to their respective rooms.

The room soon fell silent. Zerakiel was staring intently at ChiChi when she suddenly flailed her front paws in the air.

Zerakiel instinctively reached out his hand, as if she were desperately searching for something to hold onto.

ChiChi grabbed his finger and fell back asleep, her small, cotton-like paw holding on tightly as if afraid he might escape.

Even in her confused state, her grip was surprisingly strong. Zerakiel unknowingly relaxed and let out a chuckle.

Noticing her shivering from the cold, he covered her with a blanket and sat down beside her.

The closer the distance, the more effective the pheromone shield would be in Hebel.

Normally, distance wouldn’t matter, but in Hebel, it was better to be cautious.

Zerakiel’s pheromones spread widely from the center of the bed.

The space shielded from the mist was filled with his energy. As Melina had said, the pheromone shield made ChiChi’s breathing more stable.

ChiChi’s body was small and warm. Her fragile frame seemed unfamiliar, as if it could break with a little pressure.

At that moment, a sweet pheromone scent wafted around her. Naturally, Zerakiel’s eyes relaxed.

“It smells delicious.”

As ChiChi’s pheromones grew stronger, Zerakiel felt his body become drowsy, similar to the sensation he had experienced when she bit him.

The pheromones were so pleasant and relaxing that they made his entire body feel comfortably relaxed.

He had never encountered such pheromones before in his life.

In fact, Zerakiel’s pheromones were among the most sensitive and seductive types, even within the closed-type pheromones.

These powerful pheromones also had a significant rebound effect, making him more sensitive and repelled by other pheromones than most.

It was common for him to find other pheromones unpleasant; the mere proximity or scent of them often irritated him, meaning few could enter his close proximity.

Wrapping his body in a pheromone shield to block out surrounding pheromones was part of Zerakiel’s daily routine.

Yet, ChiChi’s pheromones were not unpleasant. This was an unfamiliar sensation for Zerakiel, who sometimes even found his own pheromones distasteful.

He swallowed as he felt an unknown thirst. The stronger ChiChi’s pheromones became, the more his thirst seemed to deepen.

“This might be dangerous.”

Zerakiel sighed softly, bringing his free hand to his mouth. The pheromone shield sealed the space, making the scent even more intense.

ChiChi’s pheromones continued to grow stronger with time. Facing this unexpected challenge, Zerakiel tensed his body.

But in the end, he couldn’t resist the drowsiness and began to nod off beside ChiChi.

* * *

Hot.

No, cold.

After battling a wave of heat, I reached out for warmth in the sudden chill, grabbing onto something warm nearby and snuggling close.

But the warmth kept slipping away, which annoyed me.

“Why are you running away…?”

At my grumbling, the warmth shivered. I clung tightly to it, preventing it from escaping.

“Are you awake…?”

A sweet voice resonated in my ears. Upon hearing the familiar voice, I lifted my head to find myself staring into golden eyes.

“!”

“Hello?”

Zerakiel greeted me with a smile, his gaze slightly off-center as if he found it awkward to look at me directly.

I stared at him blankly. He seemed smaller than usual.

His face, which always seemed enormous, now felt almost the same size as mine. Blinking in confusion, Zerakiel spoke.

“I think it would be best if you let go.”

“Huh…?”

“You’ve transformed into a human.”

“Oh!”

Realizing that I had a voice, I looked down at my hands in shock. The long fingers were undoubtedly human.

“Wow!”

I really became a human!

Goodbye to the sorrowful years spent as a weasel, unable to communicate. Now I’m a proper beastman with a human form!

As I internally danced with joy, I suddenly felt a chill, as if I was completely exposed.

It occurred to me that the first transformation into a human often left one naked.

‘No way…’

I stiffened, slowly glancing down. Hidden under the blanket, I was indeed unclothed.

“Gah!”

“Melina went to get clothes.”

“…”

“Just so you don’t get the wrong idea, I was only here because you wouldn’t let go.”

Zerakiel’s explanation echoed in my head.

So, I’m clinging to Zerakiel right now, completely naked?

Even though I had the appearance of a child, this was still incredibly embarrassing.

A shiver ran from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. Blushing furiously, I quickly pulled back and wrapped myself tightly in the blanket.

“D-don’t look.”

“Alright, I didn’t see anything.”

“Liar!”

“Yeah, I’m lying.”

Zerakiel murmured languidly, brushing his hair back.