Chapter 47
The man with the deep, pleasant voice took Kali’s fallen wrist and pulled her into his arms. Because of that, Kali’s face was buried in his bare chest.
One bad thing about turning back into a human—
a man’s bare chest was far too dangerous for her. She could feel everything vividly, and didn’t know where to look.
“Good girl.”
His hand touched her head. The gentle, stroking motion was endlessly tender.
It was the same as when she’d been a squirrel.
Just as she was struggling to figure out what to do with her hands, Leonhardt grabbed her wrist and placed it on his waist.
W-what? My hand’s touching his skin!
Kali’s body went stiff with tension. Once her arm was around his waist, she couldn’t move a muscle.
She turned her eyes away from the firm muscles before her and toward Leonhardt’s face.
Even asleep, the beautiful man didn’t have a single flaw.
Seriously… he looks perfect.
As she looked at him, curiosity made her hand move.
Those eyelashes were longer than a woman’s, his nose sharp enough to cut, his entire face too unreal to exist.
Now that they were at the same eye level, she couldn’t stop staring. She wanted to touch him again.
But why is he sleeping here? Is he really asleep?
She waved her hand in front of his face. No response. Definitely asleep.
Kali lifted her upper body carefully.
When she’d been a squirrel, this might have been fine—but now that she was human, sharing a bed with him felt awkward.
It’s like… we’re trying to act like a married couple or something…
Her gaze kept drifting toward his bare chest. She squeezed her eyes shut and turned away.
What are you thinking? Stop it, you pervert!
Kali moved stealthily to slip out of bed—
but suddenly, something like a snake wrapped around her waist and pulled her back.
“Ah…!”
Before she could struggle, his arm yanked her backward, pressing her against his chest.
His body was firm and warm against her back. Kali swallowed hard.
“Kali.”
That deep, rough voice jabbed right into her heart.
She could feel his hot breath on the nape of her neck.
It felt like his lips might touch her any moment. Kali squeezed her eyes shut.
“…Where do you think you’re going?”
“I-I just…”
“Running away?”
“I…”
Kali’s eyes shot open, and she turned to look at him. His eyes were still closed. Was this… sleep-talking?
She tried to twist away, but his arm only tightened.
Somehow, their positions flipped, and now they were facing each other.
“No, Kali. You can’t run.”
His soft murmur was followed by his golden eyes slowly opening. They gleamed for an instant under his lashes.
The arm around her waist tightened, and the other hand traced slowly up her shoulder.
Each touch made Kali’s body flinch.
“W-why are you here?”
He was clearly awake now. Kali grabbed his strong arm with both hands.
But even with both hands, she couldn’t stop him.
“Why?”
Leonhardt’s eyes deepened. His lips curved in a slow, amused smile.
“Kali. I’m seducing you.”
His hand rose to her face, radiating heat.
His thumb brushed across her lips. Kali swallowed again.
His golden eyes darkened further.
“Now, hurry,”
His thumb glided along her lips, tracing their curve.
“Fall for my temptation.”
Oh no. This is bad.
Just after turning human again, the mighty Duke Leonhardt Spencer had started seducing her.
Why is this happening…?
It seemed she couldn’t escape him after all.
Everything was ruined—her plans, her composure, all gone.
As her mind started to drift, Kali suddenly bit down hard on the finger that was teasing her lips.
“…Ah.”
Leonhardt blinked slowly. Kali quickly scrambled back, pressing herself against the wall.
She pulled her knees up, trying to get as far away as possible.
“I-I’m not falling for it!”
“Really?”
Still lying down, he smiled lazily and stretched out his hand.
“Kali. Come here.”
“I said I won’t!”
“You bit me. It hurts.”
He shook his right hand gently. It must have hurt more now that she was human.
“Why are you here anyway?”
Kali resisted his inviting tone.
She remembered falling asleep in her own room. After that—nothing. She’d assumed, now that she was human, they’d sleep separately.
I wasn’t ready for this! And he didn’t even warn me!
Leonhardt tilted his head, watching her quietly. Kali couldn’t find anywhere safe to rest her gaze.
Her hand brushed the bed for just a moment—enough for him to grab it.
“Ah!”
The moment he caught her wrist, he pulled her in.
Kali was back in his arms before she could resist.
“W-wait! You can’t just—!”
“You promised we wouldn’t be apart, remember? Hm? Kali.”
“W-we’re sleeping like this tomorrow too? And the day after?”
“Of course.”
Heat flickered faintly in his golden eyes. The closer he got, the more clearly she could feel it.
He chuckled lowly, tucking her hair gently behind her ear.
Even though his gaze burned like a starving beast’s, his gestures were tender, almost careful.
“Just because you’re human now doesn’t mean anything’s changed.”
“That’s not…”
“You don’t like it? If you don’t want to, say so. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“…”
It wasn’t that she disliked his touch—she was just shy, and unused to it.
If he asked whether she hated it, the answer would be no. Maybe it was because he was Leonhardt.
“…No.”
She muttered softly, looking down. He obviously heard, but still smiled teasingly.
“Hmm? What was that? Speak up, Kali.”
So mean. He was still as mischievous as ever. Kali hesitated, then lifted her head.
“I said… I don’t hate it. How could I hate you, Leon?”
For an instant, Leonhardt’s golden eyes gleamed with delight. His lips curved into a slow, meaningful smile.
“In that case…”
His voice was almost too cheerful.
“…Can I do this and that?”
“Th-this and that what?!”
“We’re married, remember? You haven’t forgotten, have you?”
“N-no…”
“You were still a squirrel, so we skipped the wedding night.”
Wedding night.
Kali’s black eyes trembled wildly. Her face turned crimson as she dropped her gaze.
Leonhardt laughed quietly and pulled her wrist again. She stumbled forward, collapsing onto his chest.
“Ah…!”
“Go to sleep. The wedding night isn’t tonight.”
“T-then…”
“If you don’t, I might not be able to hold back.”
His playful tone made Kali freeze like a statue and clamp her eyes shut.
She couldn’t tell where his jokes ended and the truth began.
His soft laugh brushed her ear.
He was clearly teasing her—but somehow, she felt oddly safe.
“Kali. You’re not sleeping anywhere else. From now on, you stay here, in my room.”
“That’s ridiculous—”
“We’re husband and wife.”
She peeked at him through half-closed eyes, then quickly looked away. He was smiling, amused and content. The sight made her heart pound.
I can’t help it. I… I’ve fallen for him.
She had to admit it now.
Somewhere along the way, she’d grown attached to him.
And when a man that handsome tried to seduce you—how could anyone resist?
There’s no way anyone could say no to him.
Still, she was too embarrassed to say it out loud. So tonight…
Just this much…
Kali gathered her courage, moved closer, and nestled into his chest.
Her forehead brushed against him as she tightly closed her eyes.
After a pause, she wrapped her arms shyly around his waist.
Ahhh…! This is the first time I’ve ever touched a man’s bare body! Well, not directly, but still…
Her hair brushed against his chest, making him exhale quietly above her head.
She wanted to see his reaction, but couldn’t bring herself to look.
“I thought I’d never see you do something this cute again.”
His drowsy voice carried a hint of happiness.
His fingers slipped into her red curls, stroking the soft strands before tracing her ear with his thumb.
“Ah—! Wh-what are you doing…!”
“Finally, you looked up.”
“L-Leon… stop it!”
“When will my little squirrel ever get used to this?”
“I’m not a squirrel anymore…”
“In my eyes, you’ll always be my cute squirrel.”
He brought a lock of her hair to his lips. His golden eyes glowed in the dark, focused entirely on her.
Her face burned hotter. Trembling, she curled up and lowered her head.
“Do I have to hear things like this every night we sleep together?”
Oh no. The room was so quiet, her heartbeat sounded deafening.
Leonhardt gently stroked her back—
like a goodnight pat.
The steady rhythm of his touch was impossibly gentle. Her eyelids began to droop.
“Hey… Leon.”
She called him softly through a yawn. He didn’t reply, though she knew he was listening.
“You don’t… prefer me as a squirrel, right…?”
Her words came out slowly. Leonhardt chuckled under his breath, amused.
She glanced up at him—but sleep was already overtaking her.
“Don’t worry,” he murmured.
His hand never stopped its soothing motion.
“Kali, I love you no matter what you are.”
His sweet voice filled the room.
Kali’s lips curved faintly upward.
