#58

In the first place, it wasn’t even Zerakiel I should be mad at. The truth was, it was no different from yelling at my foolish, naive past self. With a pained expression, I muttered,

“Not being able to rely on the one person you should depend on the most… that’s just too sad.”

“…”

“If you’re going to see me as a mere observer, then forget about marrying me! I’d rather be a pet! This messed-up house…!”

As I turned around, shouting in frustration, Zerakiel suddenly pulled me into his arms.

“Don’t go.”

“…”

“I was wrong.”

His voice trembled, a stark contrast to the usual calm and composed demeanor he always maintained. His body, uncharacteristically stiff, echoed with the sound of his pounding heart.

It was a completely different reaction from the always peaceful Zerakiel. He buried his face in my shoulder and whispered,

“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“But you did hurt me.”

“I’m sorry.”

His voice, small and weak, like someone who had no defense left, made it clear that he had nothing more to say in his own defense.

Seeing him so deflated, my anger slowly subsided as well. I remained in his embrace and spoke quietly,

“I had planned to freeload without a guilty conscience, but now I feel too bad to do that.”

No need to give such a tragic backstory to the villain, after all.

Yeah. I was letting myself get too affected by Zerakiel. He reminded me too much of my former self.

That’s why I couldn’t leave him alone. I didn’t want to let this boy grow into the villain he was destined to become.

“I’m sure the gods won’t be mad if I save at least one person like you.”

After all, it must be that same god who sent me here. So my actions must also be part of the divine will, right?

As I stubbornly convinced myself, I reaffirmed my decision.

“What are you talking about?”

Zerakiel, back to his usual expression, asked with a puzzled look. Well, of course, he wouldn’t understand what I was talking about, not knowing the original story.

“Anyway!”

I slipped out of his arms and tightly intertwined my fingers with his. Holding his hand firmly, as if I’d never let go, I declared,

“I’m not going in there alone.”

“…”

“And judging by that look, you’re scared to go in by yourself. So, I’ll go with you.”

“You’re the one who’s scared.”

“Why do you always have to be so contrary?!”

“Heh.”

Zerakiel chuckled as if amused by my reaction. Even though he had been trembling just a moment ago, his smile was… strangely beautiful.

With a smile on his face, he bit his lip as if trying to suppress his laughter, but little bursts of amusement kept escaping.

“Pfft.”

“Don’t laugh.”

“Kuh… ahem.”

“Forget it, why am I even talking to you.”

Seeing Zerakiel laughing brightly, even revealing his fangs, I felt my energy drain away. He continued to giggle as he followed behind me.

We had walked far enough that the door was no longer in sight when I suddenly stopped, realizing something. After standing still for a while, Zerakiel asked,

“What are you doing?”

“I don’t know the way.”

“…”

“Where are we?”

Zerakiel looked at me with a baffled expression. It was no wonder he looked so confused—after confidently leading the way, I now admitted that I didn’t know where we were going.

I awkwardly stood next to him, clearing my throat, and Zerakiel said,

“I figured something was off when you started leading us the wrong way.”

“If you knew, why didn’t you say anything?”

“I was curious to see how far you’d go.”

You little…

I shot Zerakiel a resentful glare. The fact that he knew and still let me wander around made me furious.

His face gradually returned to its usual lazy expression, a stark contrast to the stiff and cold look he had earlier. This relaxed, indifferent look suited him much better.

Realizing how far we still had to go, my legs suddenly felt heavy. After walking a fair bit, my calves started to ache.

As I rubbed my thighs, Zerakiel asked,

“Your legs hurt?”

“If I say yes, will you carry me?”

When I asked with a cheeky tone, Zerakiel simply shrugged. A moment later, he scooped me up in his arms like a princess.

“What are you doing?!”

“Isn’t this what you meant when you asked?”

“No, it’s not!”

As I struggled to get down, he held me securely and said,

“Stay still. This is faster. If I have to match your pace, we won’t arrive until nightfall. Are all weasels as slow as you?”

“…Maybe you’re just fast because you’re a lion?”

“You can’t compare me to ordinary lions.”

Aren’t you proud.

I glared at him and nestled deeper into his arms, adjusting my position to get more comfortable.

Zerakiel seemed to flinch for a moment before muttering softly,

“Don’t get too close.”

“I don’t want to.”

I smirked and deliberately tightened my hold around his neck, teasing him.

I’m a weasel who enjoys doing what I’m told not to!

A short sigh escaped above my head before disappearing.

“Are you fearless, or am I just not scary?”

With that, Zerakiel leapt into the air, retracing the path I had mistakenly taken at a swift pace.

I clung to his neck as I watched the scenery fly by. The sun was beginning to set.

* * *

The news of Zerakiel and Cersia’s marriage had reached the northern Hyena Clan, the Page family.

Hiscleif quietly observed Jabis Castle, which he was visiting for the first time. While the harsh winter had just started to ease in the north, the southern region had pleasant weather.

Seeing the castle surrounded by flowers reminded him of Cersia, who used to play in flower fields.

A small white creature, rolling in the petals on her first day in Hebel. If she were a herbivore beast, she might have tried to eat the flowers.

“Pfft.”

Hiscleif burst into laughter as he recalled the memory of playing on the ground with her.

It was probably the first time he had laughed like that in Hebel.

Hiscleif usually felt heavy-hearted whenever he visited Hebel. It wasn’t just because of the region’s characteristics.

 

‘I must never lose to that arrogant black lion. We must uncover the secret behind their strength.’

 

His father, Devon, always grew uneasy whenever he encountered the head of the Jabis family. He was particularly obsessed with Jabis’s power.

Though the Page family and Jabis were old rivals, this was a peaceful era.

Hiscleif didn’t care much about which family was stronger. But to his father, it mattered deeply, so Hiscleif had simply worked to become stronger, as his father wished.

At that moment, Rudy, who was standing beside him, admired the castle’s exterior.

“It’s more imposing than I thought. They call it Black Night Castle, and it really is so dark that it looks eerie.”

True to its name, when night fell, the castle became so black it was almost invisible.

The stark contrast with the Page family’s northern castle visually emphasized just how different the two families were.

As Hiscleif silently stared at the castle, Rudy continued,

“I never thought he’d actually marry that weasel. I was sure he was keeping her around to eat her.”

“Indeed.”

Hiscleif thought of Cersia and Zerakiel, the main characters of today’s event. His father had already told him about the marriage as they left Hebel.

 

‘There’s something suspicious. The Jabis family isn’t one to take in a weasel as their mistress.’

 

His father suspected that Cersia was hiding some secret.

It was certainly an odd combination. Many other families were speculating as well.

After all, becoming the mistress of Jabis was a role doomed to hardship. Even the current head’s wife, Rachel, had eventually fled because she couldn’t endure it.

It was hard to believe that the small weasel would be able to handle that position.

So while he was excited to see her again, there was also an undeniable feeling of concern.

Originally, Devon was supposed to attend in person, but he hadn’t come along this time.

 

‘I have urgent business to attend to, so you’ll go in my place. I might be gone for a while.’

‘Where are you going?’

‘You don’t need to know that. Just keep a close eye on that weasel. See if there’s anything unusual.’

 

His father often dealt in secrets, so it wasn’t all that surprising. Plus, Devon despised Jabis and likely didn’t want to attend such an event.

As Hiscleif stepped out of the carriage, he noticed several people in priestly robes exiting the carriage ahead of him.