Chapter 45
“Just one thing…”
Her hand was still covering her mouth as she managed to move her lips.
Her face was probably half-cooked red by now. She wanted to turn her head away but couldn’t.
“Can I… ask you something?”
“Of course. My little squirrel— no… not anymore, I suppose.”
“…”
“If it’s my Kali, you can always ask me anything.”
Kali swallowed hard.
It was the question she had wanted to ask the most—yet the one she had wanted to avoid the most.
Now, finally, she asked it.
Now that she was no longer a squirrel, but human.
“Leon… do you, by any chance…”
“…”
“Like me?”
It wasn’t an easy question to ask.
At that moment, Leonhardt froze. The strands of Kali’s red hair slipped from between his fingers.
He lowered his gaze and pressed his lips together. For the first time, he avoided her eyes—and the usual smile on his face was gone.
At first, she thought maybe he wasn’t serious again. But when she looked closer, his eyes were trembling.
Kali narrowed her eyes, studying him.
Ah. I see now.
Leonhardt scratched the back of his head. Slowly, the corners of Kali’s lips began to rise.
That man… he’s embarrassed.
He turned away, looking out the window—unable to meet her gaze properly. It was the very picture of a bashful man.
Goodness. Is this real? He’s actually shy.
Leonhardt, of all people, being shy. She would’ve thought he’d made a dozen women cry by now.
He’d been so skilled at flirting that she’d assumed he was a bit of a playboy.
“Kali.”
His voice trembled slightly as he called her name. Kali noticed it—and tried hard to keep her rising smile under control.
“Y-yes?”
Somehow, she felt his nervousness spreading to her. Her throat suddenly felt dry; she wanted to gulp down cold water.
Leonhardt, still facing the window, turned back toward her. He scratched his neck and gave a faint chuckle.
Then, his eyes locked onto hers—silent but intense.
“Kali. You still don’t get it?”
“W-what do you mean?”
“You’ve turned human now.”
“That…”
Her mouth opened—then closed again, unable to form words.
What does that mean…?
Her mind raced for a moment—until it suddenly clicked. Her eyes widened as she drew in a sharp breath.
“Ah.”
“So you finally realized? Took you long enough.”
His gentle voice murmured the words as Leonhardt took her wrist and pulled her close.
She fell into his arms, eyes squeezing shut. His arms tightened around her waist.
The way to break the curse… that was…
Love.
Leonhardt’s genuine, heartfelt love. That was it.
This man… truly loves me, as a woman…
His warm voice brushed against her ear.
“Kali. Now that you know… give me your answer.”
Oh no. Her face must have been bright red by now. Kali swallowed hard.
“Promise me you’ll never run away from my side.”
At first, she’d planned to leave the mansion once the curse was broken.
But that had been assuming their relationship was only friendship.
He hadn’t given an overly dramatic confession—but his words told her enough.
If I became human because of his love… then he must really mean it.
Kali lowered her gaze—but all she could see was his chest, since his arms were wrapped tightly around her.
And honestly…
It was already too late.
There was no escaping those arms that held her so firmly.
If I’d wanted to run, I should’ve done it long ago.
After hesitating, she reached up and wrapped her arms around him. Leonhardt let out a soft, pleased laugh.
“Alright. I won’t go.”
At her answer, Leonhardt’s lips curved upward.
His golden eyes gleamed—filled with the satisfaction of a man who’d just gotten the answer he wanted.
“Kali. You promised.”
After all his persistence, he finally got his wish.
His smile deepened.
“Yes. I promise.”
And then—he held her close.
Having received the answer he wanted, he looked perfectly content.
A few days later.
Kali stood in shock, staring at a large room completely filled with dresses and jewelry.
“This is…”
How much would all of this even cost?
The room was packed full—and yet, there was still more spilling out into the hallway.
Leonhardt stood beside her, smiling calmly as he draped an arm over her shoulder.
“Um…”
Still dazed by the sight, she finally managed to speak.
“Leon. I’m just curious about something.”
“Hmm? Go ahead, ask anything.”
“What… is all this?”
“Hm? A gift.”
“A… gift?”
“A gift to celebrate you becoming human.”
As a member of the prestigious Spencer family—a founding noble house—he obviously had both wealth and status. She’d known that much. But she hadn’t expected him to buy this much.
“Isn’t this… a bit excessive?”
“Of course not.”
He smiled brightly.
“It’s for you. How could it be a waste?”
Kali was speechless. She could only stare blankly at the mountain of dresses before her.
Leonhardt stepped behind her—one arm draping around her neck, the other around her waist. He pulled her gently into his arms.
“Now, Kali. Choose one.”
His languid voice flowed like velvet—impossible to resist.
Kali rolled her dark eyes, letting out a small sigh. Memories of her days as a squirrel—when she’d just let him do whatever he pleased—came back to her.
He used to touch me whenever he wanted… wherever he wanted.
This time, she decided to just let him do as he wished again—whether that meant giving her things or touching her.
After all, she knew how he truly felt now.
Honestly, two or three dresses would’ve been more than enough…
With a soft chuckle, she picked the nearest pale yellow dress.
“This one. I like the color—it’s cute.”
“Hmm… yes. It’ll suit you well. But that’s not enough. Next?”
“Are you planning to return all the ones I don’t pick?”
“No.”
“Eh? Then why ask me to choose?”
Feeling a strange unease, she turned toward him. Their eyes met, and Leonhardt’s eyes curved into a teasing crescent.
“The one you’ll change into right now.”
“O-oh… alright then. You pick it for me, Leon. You have better taste than I do anyway.”
“Shall I?”
As if waiting for that, Leonhardt immediately moved. Finally, the man who had been clinging to her from behind like an octopus let go.
But why do I suddenly feel… empty?
His warmth, pressed against her back, had been oddly comforting. Kali found herself touching her neck awkwardly.
“Kali’s hair is like the sun itself.”
“Uh… yes.”
His words flowed like water—softly brushing against her heart as always. But now that she knew he meant them sincerely, they flustered her more than before.
Before, she could just laugh them off. Now, she couldn’t. She kept replaying them in her head.
“This dress will suit you best.”
The one he chose was a pale beige, almost white. Kali examined it up close and nodded.
“Then I’ll wear this one.”
“Jane, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Kali moved to the adjoining room. With Jane’s help, she changed into the dress, then turned to the mirror.
Hmm. It does look good. Better than the one I picked.
Jane then began arranging her long, wavy hair. Her curls required careful handling.
After brushing it thoroughly, Jane styled it into a neat half-updo.
“My lady, how does this look?”
“I love it. Thank you, Jane.”
“I’ll be serving you more often again—more than Levi from now on.”
“I see. Levi will be disappointed.”
“Hehe. Indeed, he’s been sulking lately.”
“Now that you mention it… I haven’t seen Levi around lately.”
“That’s because…”
Jane paused, looking troubled—unsure how to phrase it.
Kali tilted her head, watching her through the mirror.
“What’s wrong?”
“His Grace… issued an order.”
“Huh? Leon did?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“I see. I’ll talk to him about it.”
From that, Kali could easily guess the reason—jealousy.
Even that boy gets jealous, huh.
After finishing up, she left the room—and immediately found Leonhardt waiting outside, leaning against the wall.
“Leon? Why are you out here?”
“…”
“Leon?”
“Ah. I was waiting.”
“You look dazed. Is something wrong?”
Kali waved a hand in front of his face.
He seemed absentminded at first—but now she realized he was staring rather intently. Startled, she quickly averted her eyes.
“Kali.”
He sighed as he said her name. She looked up at him silently.
“This won’t do.”
He muttered under his breath, lowering his head and covering his face with one hand. She even heard him click his tongue softly.
“This is bad.”
“W-what’s wrong? Do I look weird or something? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“No. Quite the opposite.”
“Opposite…?”
Realization dawned—and Kali’s face turned crimson.
“W-what are you saying…”
“Kali, do you know?”
Leonhardt lifted his head slightly. Through his fingers, she saw the raw, possessive look in his eyes.
“The feeling of wanting to lock you away… so no one else can see you.”
“Uh… th-that’s…”
“I mean it.”
“…”
“You’re too beautiful. I only want you to be seen by me.”
He spoke softly, almost under his breath—but she heard every word clearly.
Flustered, Kali bit her lip, eyes darting nervously—before she finally reached out and grabbed his wrist.
