Chapter 48
A few days later.
After lunch, Kali was taking a stroll through the garden. Beside her walked Jane.
‘It’d be nice if Levi were here too.’
Her younger-brother-like companion, Levi, she only saw occasionally—because of Leonhart’s jealousy.
He had warned her strictly that she must not be around other men.
In the end, Kali had to give in. There was no winning against Leonhart’s stubbornness.
“Jane, I didn’t realize the sunlight was this warm today!”
Kali spread her arms wide and twirled in place.
Her lemon-colored dress suited her red hair beautifully. Today, Jane had styled her hair in a half-up look, giving her a neat and elegant air.
Kali, who looked so cheerful, was breathtakingly beautiful. Jane smiled softly.
“It makes me happy too when you’re in such a good mood, my lady.”
“I can’t tell you how glad I am to be able to look down at flowers like this again.”
“But even when you were a squirrel, you were adorable,” Jane said with a small laugh.
Kali’s lips puffed out for a moment, then she gave in with a chuckle.
“It was a good memory, that one.”
Truthfully, she wanted to call it horrific, but there were some fond moments too.
After all, thanks to her cute squirrel form, there were people who adored her.
Unlike the original story, squirrel-Kali had been welcomed at the Grand Duke’s mansion.
“Ah, Jane. But… look over there.”
“Yes, my lady?”
“That carriage…”
They had stopped in front of the sunflowers when Kali pointed toward a carriage entering the estate. Jane turned her head that way too.
“That crest looks familiar…”
It wasn’t the Spencer family’s insignia.
Which family was it again?
“That’s Count Rayfons’ carriage.”
“Rayfons… Oh.”
Kendrick.
Leonhart’s friend.
Kali clapped her fist into her palm.
“Leon’s busy right now, so I’ll go greet him.”
“My lady, this will be the first guest you receive in your human form.”
“Oh! You’re right. I hope I can do it properly…”
Though Lady Femming had been teaching her etiquette, this was her first real test. Kali felt herself growing nervous.
‘But it’s just Kendrick! We’re on familiar terms—no need to be nervous.’
…No, wait. Not friends, exactly.
Still, nothing to be awkward about.
She trotted toward the mansion gates.
The carriage stopped by the stables, and the door opened. Out came a familiar, easygoing face.
“Ugh, my backside’s sore… Oh?”
“Hello.”
When their eyes met, Kali immediately greeted him.
Kendrick froze, eyes wide, mouth slightly open.
‘What’s wrong with him?’
Tilting her head, Kali smiled softly.
“You should’ve sent word ahead.”
“Wh-what? Ah, yes! Sorry—ha ha! I’m just used to dropping by unannounced…”
Kali walked toward the mansion. Kendrick followed behind her, looking as though he’d been enchanted by a fox spirit.
“Um, Kendrick. Leon’s a bit busy today.”
“O-oh… is that so. Of all times for me to show up…”
“I thought if you spent some time with me, he might come out by then.”
“Th-that’s fine by me! Ha ha! Although…”
The butler opened the door. As Kali stepped inside, she glanced back.
Kendrick was grinning so hard it almost split his face.
‘Why’s he smiling like that?’
‘Ah, right… this is the first time he’s seeing me as a human.’
Kendrick couldn’t stop talking.
“To think such a beauty was living in the Grand Duke’s estate! What an honor, ha ha!”
On their way to the drawing room, Kali turned and playfully tapped his shoulder.
“Oh my, compliments like that always feel nice!”
“Haha! Of course—anytime you want… huh?”
Something in her tone made him pause—it sounded oddly familiar, reminding him of someone.
Once Kendrick sat on the sofa, Kali took a seat across from him.
“It’s me.”
“Eh? I—sorry, what?”
“Kali.”
“Huh??”
He looked utterly shocked, eyes about to pop out. Kali giggled.
“L-Lady Kali?”
“Yup.”
“Good heavens…”
“You’re too surprised. You just said I was beautiful earlier!”
“W-wow… I meant it! I can’t believe Lady Kali’s true form is this beautiful…”
Kendrick’s jaw didn’t close for quite some time. The compliments began to feel excessive.
It was flattering, sure, but also a little embarrassing.
Just then, the maid brought in tea. Kendrick kept sneaking glances at her.
‘Well, can’t blame him. I still find it strange myself—I keep staring at the mirror too.’
She brushed her red hair back over her shoulder. When their eyes met, Kendrick quickly looked away.
“Ahem… still, it’s a bit of a shame.”
“Don’t tell me—you preferred me as a squirrel, too?”
“You were cute! That fluffy tail…”
“That part of my life is over,” she said firmly, grabbing a pumpkin cookie the chef had specially made.
Crunchy, sweet, and spiced—delicious. She munched happily.
‘I can eat cookies with just one hand now!’
The smallest things made her happy these days. Truly, being a squirrel hadn’t been easy—like living in a land of giants.
Kendrick leaned back. “So Lady Kali’s return means Leonhart finally realized he’s in love, then?”
He was still marveling. Who would’ve thought the proud Leonhart Spencer would fall for a woman—especially the cursed bride he once despised.
“Uh, maybe… No, wait, yes. Yes, that must be it.”
“Wow… can’t believe that guy ended up with such a stunning wife. I’m jealous.”
“That line makes you sound like an old man.”
“Haha! But…”
Kendrick rubbed his chin, tilting his head.
“Red hair, huh…”
“What about it?”
“It’s just… a color you rarely see in the Empire. Oh—I mean it as a compliment! It reminds me of the sunset. Beautiful.”
A color rarely seen in the Empire.
Kali paused. Leonhart had black hair, Kendrick brown. Most in the Grand Duke’s household had similar hues.
Only she and Levi had red hair.
‘Could that also be related to the Asteri clan?’
Her expression turned thoughtful, and Kendrick quickly waved his hands.
“Ah, sorry! I didn’t mean anything strange by it.”
“It’s fine. It is a unique color, I guess.”
She absentmindedly twirled a lock of her hair. Beautiful and vivid—but unusual.
Just then, the drawing room door burst open.
Leonhart strode in, face set in displeasure.
“Why are you two alone?”
He immediately sat right beside Kali, slipping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer.
Startled, Kali found herself leaning into him.
“Kali. Never be alone with another man again. Got it?”
“But… Kendrick’s your friend. So he’s my friend too…”
“No. My adorable squirrel doesn’t get to charm anyone else.”
“……”
Across from them, Kendrick pretended to gag—only to stop instantly when Leonhart shot him a death glare.
“Oh, that reminds me.”
Kali, her head resting quietly on Leonhart’s shoulder, spoke up.
It was a very embarrassing position, but she couldn’t move—his hand held her firmly in place. If she straightened up, he’d only pull her back again.
“Leon, I think we should go back to the Morai Forest.”
“Morai Forest? Why?”
They had planned to visit the mansion thought to have belonged to the Asteri clan—but she’d been overwhelmed by past visions before even reaching it.
‘Though… that might be what helped me turn human again.’
Leonhart gazed down at her affectionately, brushing her red hair with his fingers.
“Alright.”
“Oh? Should I be hearing this?” Kendrick asked.
“You’re the one who’s been researching the Asteri, aren’t you?” Leonhart replied curtly.
“Come to think of it, there were monsters in Morai Forest, weren’t there?”
“Monsters? Wait—did they cross over from the Poisoned Forest? But the northern wall hasn’t fallen…”
“Most likely, yes—they came from there.”
Kali’s posture grew increasingly uncomfortable. She poked Leonhart’s shoulder lightly—asking him to let go.
He misunderstood completely. Instead, he pressed down, guiding her to rest her head on his thigh.
‘Is he serious?! In front of a guest?’
Too flustered to speak, she gave his thigh a light smack. Leonhart just laughed in amusement, the sound rumbling in his chest.
Meanwhile, Kendrick didn’t know where to look. His eyes darted everywhere—ceiling, walls, floor. Anywhere but the couple.
Leonhart, new to love, was nothing if not intense.
“Kali says there’s an old Asteri mansion in the Morai Forest,” Leonhart continued.
“Oh… then Lady Kali really might be one of the Asteri?” Kendrick asked.
“Well, we’re not sure yet. We’ll have to see the mansion first,” Kali answered.
Leonhart used the moment to issue an order.
“Kendrick. Look into the Morai Forest.”
“The Morai Forest? You’re sending me there now?”
“Yes. And don’t come back to the mansion until you’ve finished.”
“Wh—what?! I just got here and you’re kicking me out?”
“Exactly.”
This time, Leonhart’s arm slid around Kali’s waist—smooth and natural, as if that was where it belonged.
“I need to take my wife on a date.”
“W-wife?”
“She is.”
Leonhart tilted his head until it gently bumped against hers.
“Kali, you haven’t forgotten, have you? We’re married.”
“W-well, yes, but…”
“Then, begone, third wheel.”
Lifting Kali to her feet, Leonhart waved lazily at his speechless friend.
“I won’t be seeing you off.”
“That’s too cruel! I barely got to talk to Lady Kali—”
Bang!
Leonhart clicked his tongue and shut the drawing room door in his face.
Kali couldn’t help feeling a bit sorry for Kendrick.
As she glanced back toward the door, her chin was suddenly caught.
“Where are you looking?”
Leonhart’s low voice carried a teasing warning, a small smile curving his lips.
“You should be looking at me, my little squirrel.”
That smile was so sultry that Kali completely forgot how to turn her head away.
