#37

Of course, Zerakiel is a rare kind of slightly crazy, out of his mind, and not quite sane. But at least he never bared his fangs at me.

Besides, having a black lion as a protector is quite reassuring, isn’t it?

Finding such a strong safeguard until I can manage my pheromones stably was no easy task.

‘So what if it’s marriage?’

Considering how quickly Bianco showed his true colors and became unbearable, receiving a noble title must hold significant meaning.

After all, even the female lead Ella didn’t receive the Page surname.

Is there any reason to miss this opportunity? It’s hard to escape from Zerakiel now that we’ve imprinted anyway!

So, I decided to accept Zerakiel’s proposal without dragging it out any longer. I asked Ayla.

“Where’s Zerakiel?”

“He should be at the training ground by now.”

“Really? Would he mind if I went to see him?”

I asked because I was worried he might not like being interrupted during training. Ayla blinked and replied.

“Mind? I think everyone will be happy.”

Everyone?

Does Zerakiel have multiple personalities or something?

But this question was answered the moment I arrived at the training ground.

“Oh.”

I stared blankly at the many lions sprawled on the ground. They were all lying down, looking utterly exhausted as if they had been beaten together.

How tough must it have been for them to revert to their original forms and pant like that?

“Chichi?”

At that moment, Zerakiel, sensing Chichi’s pheromones, turned his head. Unlike the lions sprawled around, he didn’t have a single drop of sweat on him.

I had heard they were sparring. Why was only one side beaten up?

Anyone would think he was the judge.

I quietly tried to figure out the reason behind this absurd scene.

‘Since coming back from Hebel, Lord Zerakiel has been using training as an excuse to beat up the lions.’

‘…Why?’

‘Who knows? Whatever displeases him again… The person who never used to spar is now pretending to spar but is actually assaulting them, so the lions in the training ground never stop groaning.’

So the strange cries I heard every day were coming from the training ground?

‘So everyone would be grateful if you went to see him, Chichi. You’re the only one in Jabisi Castle who can pull Lord Zerakiel out of there.’

In the end, the point was that if I went to the training ground, the lions would be happy. Not Zerakiel.

‘Is he doing this because I haven’t given him an answer yet?’

Somehow, it felt like something Zerakiel would do, and I broke into a cold sweat.

‘What should I do with this crazy lion?’

Before I knew it, Zerakiel, who had already sheathed his sword, approached me.

“What brings you here?”

Zerakiel’s expression was as lazy as usual. It was hard to believe he had just wreaked havoc on a group of lions.

If I hadn’t seen the lions sprawled out behind him, I would have thought Ayla was exaggerating.

I mumbled, unable to take my eyes off the lions lying on the training ground.

“I have something to say.”

“If you have something to say.”

“I came to give you an answer…”

Should I say it here?

As I looked at him with a troubled face, Zerakiel brushed his hand against his lips. His expression seemed a bit excited at the mention of an answer.

After all, this was a terrible place to give an answer to a proposal. Doing it in a flower garden would be better than in a lion field…

“Let’s talk outside.”

It seemed Zerakiel had the same thought. As soon as he suggested going out, the tails of the lions behind him simultaneously stood up.

Seeing the lions doing a joyful tail dance, I felt as if an earthquake was happening in my eyes.

What exactly am I looking at?

It was absurd that I had created such a scene, but to them, I was no less than a hero.

Zerakiel ordered Ayla.

“You handle them here.”

“Yes.”

Then he took off his dusty gloves and grabbed my hand. His action was so confident that I quietly looked down at his bare hand. His familiar warmth transmitted through his hand.

“Let’s go.”

Zerakiel led me to a quiet place as if urging me.

As if responding to the enthusiastic farewell from the lions, Zerakiel stopped in a flower garden filled with blooming roses. We were in a real flower garden.

“So, the answer?”

Zerakiel asked quietly. Seeing him get straight to the point, it seemed he was quite anxious.

Was beating up the lions in the training ground really out of spite?

I fiddled with a rose and mumbled.

“Well, um… Let’s do it.”

“What? I can’t hear you well.”

“…Let’s get married.”

It was embarrassing to answer, so my voice naturally mumbled. I hoped he would understand even if I said it roughly.

Zerakiel seemed not to have understood, furrowing his brows before suddenly grabbing my cheeks to fix my gaze.

“Say it again.”

“If you’re this close, I…”

“What about you?”

I’m too embarrassed.

Unable to say that, my lips just moved silently. But it seemed he wouldn’t let go until I answered.

Alright, embarrassment is temporary!

I grabbed Zerakiel’s wrists with a resolute face. After a deep breath, I shouted loudly enough to echo in the flower garden.

“Let’s get married!”

“…”

“Let’s get married, damn it!”

As I shouted boldly, Zerakiel’s mouth gaped open. I, too, was surprised at how loud my voice was.

After a moment, his shoulders started to shake, and then he suddenly burst into laughter.

“Haha!”

“W-what?”

Is there a man who laughs when someone proposes marriage?

Forgetting my embarrassment, I glared at Zerakiel at his absurd reaction.

I’m specially accepting him as my husband, and this is his response?

“You really…”

Zerakiel couldn’t finish his sentence, repeatedly taking deep breaths. After finally regaining his composure, he said.

“You’re really fun.”

“…”

“So I can’t take my eyes off you.”

Zerakiel smiled lazily as he said that. His sparkling golden eyes were full of curiosity.

With my cheeks still held, his face was too close.

This, this is a bit dangerous.

I tried to back away from the smiling Zerakiel, retreating with a clumsy posture. As my body moved away, Zerakiel tilted his head.

“What are you doing?”

“Step back a bit.”

“No.”

“Then don’t smile like that.”

I’m scared I might fall for you!

My heart fluttered for no reason at his harmless smile. It wasn’t just because he said I was fun.

This was somewhat inevitable. How could anyone withstand a handsome person smiling intentionally?

While I was trying to calm my fluttering heart alone.

“Chichi.”

“…”

“Your face is red.”

At his innocent remark while tilting his head, my hand moved involuntarily.

“No, it’s not!”

“Ugh.”

“Ah!”

Zerakiel stepped back, having been hit in the jaw without realizing it. I was just as surprised, not expecting him to get hit.

“Why didn’t you dodge?!”

“What am I supposed to say when you ask why I didn’t dodge after hitting me?”

Zerakiel chuckled as he rubbed his jaw, seemingly finding it ridiculous.

Even though I knew it was nonsense, I couldn’t stop my flustered mouth from rambling.

“You could have dodged!”

Someone who could take down a group of lions couldn’t possibly be unable to block the fluffy fist of a white weasel.

I knew it was absurd, but I was so flustered that I just said anything. Zerakiel, seeing this, gave an even more absurd answer.

“Why would I dodge?”

“…”

“I don’t plan to miss anything you give me.”