Chapter 7
The shocking wedding was over in the blink of an eye.
The Grand Duke, whom she thought wouldn’t show up, appeared well-dressed — with a mischievous look on his face.
“That man… it felt like he came late on purpose.”
Kali narrowed her eyes and kept waiting for the man who didn’t come.
“He didn’t look that skinny, come to think of it.”
Though lean, up close he was unmistakably a man. The firm muscles beneath his clothes were proof enough.
And not only that. Beneath his beautiful face, his languid gaze gave him a decadent aura.
Enough to easily steal someone’s attention.
“Hah! What am I doing. Get a grip. This isn’t the time to admire a man.”
Since it was supposedly their wedding night, a newlywed chamber had been prepared.
She sat alone on the huge bed. Leonhardt was nowhere in sight.
“Ugh… I’m bored. I’m tired. Sleepy. Ughhh… I just want to sleep…”
Eventually, she toppled over. After rolling side to side, she lay flat on her back, facing the tall ceiling.
It felt much higher than the one in her own room. No matter how she stretched out her little hands, she couldn’t reach it.
“Well, of course. What am I supposed to do with such short arms?”
The room was silent.
Waiting like a bride for her groom gave her an odd feeling. It didn’t quite feel like being abandoned.
But still…
“What must he be feeling?”
What must it feel like to be cursed into marrying a woman whose identity is unclear?
Especially if that woman isn’t even human, but a squirrel.
“Ah, forget it. Not like it’s any of my business.”
Trying to understand others was a luxury she didn’t have. She had enough problems of her own — she couldn’t stay a cute squirrel forever.
Kali didn’t want to keep waiting for Leonhardt. She decided to just sleep.
“Whether he comes or not.”
Yawning, she closed her eyes. Sleep overcame her quickly.
Not long after, the bedroom door opened quietly.
Leonhardt, now in his nightclothes, spotted a small white ball on the bed.
A squirrel curled up, sleeping deeply.
“…You’ve got to be kidding me. Already asleep?”
Her tiny body rose and fell with her breathing. Arms crossed, Leonhardt raised a brow as he looked down at her.
When he leaned closer, his shirt — with four buttons undone — revealed a glimpse of his chest.
“Hey. Cursed bride.”
But the sleeping squirrel didn’t stir.
Straightening up again, he debated with himself. Maybe he should just leave. Still, he had at least shown up out of courtesy.
In the end, he chose to sit beside her. The bed dipped, but she didn’t wake.
With his left index finger, he poked her back.
“Wake up.”
“…”
“Hey. Cursed bride.”
“…”
As if to say don’t bother me, she swatted her tiny paw. The gesture made him chuckle.
He poked her again. This time she wriggled like a worm. Leonhardt’s lips curved upward.
“This is… kind of fun.”
He hadn’t meant to tease her. After all, teasing required some level of interest, and he had none.
Leonhardt had no intention of caring about Kali. He’d only agreed to this farce of a marriage because the witch demanded it. His plan was simple: lock her away in the mansion and wait until she died.
Yet here he was. He had even dressed properly for the wedding.
“I really must have gone mad.”
When he first saw the little white squirrel on the floor… he had felt a twinge of curiosity.
What could she have done to end up cursed into being his bride? It was just idle curiosity, nothing more.
“How long are you going to sleep?”
The squirrel rolled over onto her back, revealing a pale blue belly. White fur with a sky-blue underside.
Leonhardt’s eyes narrowed.
So even little animals like this were alive. He poked her belly this time. She swatted him again with her tiny arm.
“…Pathetic.”
So why did he feel more and more tempted to tease her?
The sadistic streak in him was starting to wake.
“Mmm… stop it…”
At that, Leonhardt’s eyes widened.
“It can talk?”
His golden eyes curved, amusement flickering. His sadistic side had just been switched on.
She really was cursed. A squirrel’s body but speaking in a woman’s voice — and a pleasant one at that.
Suddenly restless, Leonhardt decided to play along with this ridiculous “marriage” for a while. He would amuse himself with Kali.
“Wake up.”
“No more… can’t eat anymore…”
“I said wake up.”
“Can’t… eat any more…”
Kali frowned and smacked her lips, pretending to chew something. Leonhardt ignored it and grabbed her tiny body between two fingers, shaking her.
“Wake up, you glutton.”
“Mmm…?”
At last, Kali opened her eyes.
…And in front of her, a mini donut topped with frosting floated in the air.
Like a video game, she hopped across donuts like stepping stones, biting into one happily.
At first, the donuts ran away from her. But then they began flying straight toward her, and she ate them with glee.
But when she grew too full and collapsed, the donuts wouldn’t stop chasing her.
“No! Stop! I can’t eat anymore! I don’t want to!”
She had eaten so many she was sick of them, yet they kept coming at her.
“…Me.”
“No more… mmph… can’t eat…”
“Wake up.”
“Ugh…”
Her body kept shaking until she finally opened her eyes. The shaking stopped.
Rubbing her eyes, Kali found herself staring into a pair of golden eyes up close.
Blink. Blink.
Realizing who it was, she jumped back in shock.
“Eek!”
It was Leonhardt Spencer.
She bolted backward like a shot, tumbling right off the bed.
“Ah! Ow, ow ow…”
“What are you doing?”
With a sigh, the man reached down, grabbed her easily, and plopped her back on the bed.
Kali stayed face-down on the white sheets, dazed.
“What’s going on? Why is Leonhardt here when I just woke up?”
Peeking up, she met his calm, observing gaze.
“You’ve got some nerve. Couldn’t even stay awake?”
“S-sorry. I relaxed too much and dozed off.”
“The cursed bride can speak human, I see.”
“Well, of course. Did you think just because I look like a squirrel I’d speak in squeaks?”
“Yes.”
He answered without hesitation.
Kali glared and sat up properly. Being small was bad enough, but sitting only emphasized how tiny she was compared to him.
Now she had the chance to really look at him. Earlier, things had moved too quickly.
“Yep… gorgeous. Whether it’s the main lead or a side character, good looks are a must.”
Her gaze drifted downward to his chest. Four buttons undone, revealing his toned muscles.
Her eyes widened.
“See? I knew he had muscles under there. But seriously, why is he walking around half-open like that? Some kind of exhibitionist?”
Tilting her head in puzzlement, she suddenly toppled backward when his finger poked her forehead.
“What are you looking at.”
“…Seriously? You’re the one showing it off!”
“Not at all. But the cursed bride turns out to be quite the lecher, huh. Who knew.”
“When was I ever! Even if you begged me, I wouldn’t look. Nothing to see anyway!”
She turned her head sharply, sulking, arms and legs crossed. He chuckled at the sight of her round back.
His fingertip lightly scratched her back, making her squirm like a pretzel.
“Wh-what are you doing. That tickles! Ahaha!”
“Want me to show you?”
“N-no thanks…!”
“If the cursed bride wants to see, I’ll show you. Hm? I don’t mind.”
“Let go! Hahaha—stop that!”
His long fingers tickled not just her back but her belly too. He was skilled at it, making her thrash about helplessly.
Still, Kali peeked at him, only to catch him grinning while tugging at his shirt hem.
“You said you wouldn’t look, but your eyes are glued right here.”
“They are not…!”
She bit his finger and scrambled upright, panting. Then she glared fiercely at him.
“Geez! That tickles too much! And stop calling me ‘cursed bride’ already! That’s not my name!”
“You never told me your name. Tell me, and I’ll use it.”
“It’s Kali. Kali Helaise.”
At her words, Leonhardt’s expression froze briefly. The name felt familiar somehow.
But he quickly recovered, smiling down at her.
“Alright, Kali.”
“Don’t you think you’re being a bit much? I nearly died from laughing!”
“But you didn’t. So you’re fine.”
“…”
“You look like you’ve got something to say.”
There were many things she wanted to ask. But she couldn’t ask them all. She picked the one that mattered most.
“This marriage… is it really okay to hold it in such a simple way? Noble weddings aren’t normally like this.”
“That’s a very good question. Cursed bri—no, Kali.”
Her name sounded oddly unfamiliar coming from his mouth. She had expected something else.
Like squirrel, or cursed squirrel.
“Normally, yes. But my predecessor changed the tradition.”
Kali studied her new husband’s profile.
“Why. Are you already thinking of divorce? That would be a bit arrogant, don’t you think.”
