Chapter 43
“Your Highness… you’re here. Today… huh.”
The aide approached Leonhardt as if he had been waiting for him, only to be startled. A woman was in his arms.
The red-haired woman was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life.
But Leonhardt wasn’t wearing anything on top. It seemed he had given his shirt to the woman.
“Aide.”
His low, chilling voice carried an eerie tone. Startled, Eins lifted his head and froze, staring straight ahead.
“What are you looking at? Turn around and go to the office immediately.”
“Ah, yes.”
He quickly ran toward the office.
Meanwhile, Karly’s face had turned so red it looked like it might burst. The shirt, long enough to cover her arms, thankfully hid most of her face.
“Uh… um…”
“Hm? Karly, what is it?”
“F-first… can we… go in somewhere…?”
“That’s exactly what I was planning.”
Leonhardt’s smile deepened slightly.
“I don’t want to see you with nothing on.”
“Th-then you shouldn’t look either. Look away.”
“Hmm?”
He deliberately lowered his head with a teasing smile. Karly, who had momentarily lowered her arms, quickly raised them again when their golden eyes met.
Ah… I feel like I’m going to die from embarrassment.
She didn’t understand why the transformation had to happen now. She had long wished for this curse to be lifted, but not like this.
More importantly… do I even have any clothes to wear?
The thought crossed her mind, and she cautiously spoke.
“Do I… have anything to wear?”
“No.”
“Eh?”
Too surprised, she lowered her hands. Leonhardt, entering the mansion, gave a faint, unsettling smile.
“Of course not.”
“Ah, ah, ah…”
“Don’t worry. For now, the only clothes we have are maid uniforms, so I’ll have someone bring one for you.”
“Th-that… fine. That’s okay. But… where are we going now?”
All the servants went silent in shock. It was understandable—the Grand Duke rarely showed interest in women, yet here he was, carrying one gently into the house.
And she wasn’t wearing anything. Naturally, everyone had no choice but to bow their heads and remain silent.
“Bring the maid who attended to the Grand Duchess.”
“Jane, right? Understood.”
The observant head maid bowed and went to find Jane.
Karly couldn’t hear anything. She only wanted to get somewhere quickly. Luckily, Leonhardt’s oversized shirt covered her enough that she wasn’t completely exposed.
What crime did I commit…
There was no time to rejoice at becoming human. She felt like she might die of embarrassment.
Just then, Karly heard the sound of a door opening. She shivered as Leonhardt’s arm rested on her shoulders.
Finally, she felt the soft touch of a bed behind her. As soon as she lay down, she pulled the blanket over her head.
“Karly. Are you that embarrassed?”
Only her beautiful red hair was visible above the blanket. Leonhardt sat beside her and stroked it.
“Of course I’m embarrassed! Ugh… what is this…”
Her squirrel habits remained, so she curled up tightly, burying her face.
She could feel Leonhardt touching her hair, but she didn’t stop him. She didn’t even notice when he placed a kiss on the tips of her hair.
“Leon… how… did I become human again? What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Then how did I become human?”
“Hmm… I just thought about it, that’s all.”
“What kind of thought?”
“If you’re curious, you should show me your face.”
“….”
“Karly. You have to show me your face before I talk. Otherwise, I won’t say anything.”
Karly shivered.
Coward… that leaves me no choice but to look.
She wanted to know how she became human. Even if it was a sort of coercion, she couldn’t resist.
Karly slowly lifted her head. Leonhardt wasn’t on her right, so she had to turn around.
“Karly. You’re good.”
His soothing tone made her lips move slightly. Then she had an idea and cautiously reached out her hand.
“What do you want?”
“A mirror.”
“A mirror? Why?”
“I haven’t seen my own face yet. You should show me first.”
“Hmm? Oh…”
Reluctantly answering, Leonhardt placed his left hand on top of her outstretched right hand. Karly flinched slightly.
Leonhardt naturally intertwined his fingers with hers. Their hands fit together perfectly, looking like one.
“I want to see it first.”
“Ha… let go of my hand.”
“Why? Oh… is this embarrassing too?”
“Then just let go already, okay…?”
“No. Karly, I already said I’m not letting you go.”
“But that’s different from this…”
Karly could see his softening gaze, though she couldn’t see it directly.
Leonhardt’s eyes then moved to their joined hands. Even in the dimly lit room, she seemed to glow.
Her human hands were small but delicate and beautiful.
“The same goes for me, Karly. Just so you know.”
Leonhardt slowly leaned down. His red lips pressed onto her white hand like a seal.
Karly felt the spot his lips touched burn intensely, as if it were seared by hot iron.
“Th-that…”
She gripped the blanket tightly, her hands trembling.
Was he always like this? He’s supposed to be cold and selfish! This is so… romantic!
Karly, unaccustomed to such intimacy, trembled.
“Karly.”
Hearing her name whispered so sweetly made her want to lift the blanket and meet his golden eyes.
No. Focus. That’s the temptation of a siren!
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Jane’s voice came from outside.
“Your Highness. Did you call?”
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Jane entered. Karly wanted to greet her properly but didn’t move, still embarrassed.
Jane glanced at the woman on the bed and then at Leonhardt, lowering her head.
The Grand Duke… with a woman…
Jane, ever perceptive, realized the red-haired woman resembled the one Leonhardt had been cherishing recently.
Ah, Karly has returned to human form.
“She’s the Grand Duchess’ attendant?”
“Yes. My name is Jane.”
“Bring a maid uniform that fits Karly, and contact Madame Anna. She’ll need many clothes.”
Leonhardt got up from the bed. As it shifted under him, Karly blinked, almost lifting her head to peek.
Leonhardt leaned forward and tucked her hair behind her ear, whispering.
“Don’t forget, Karly. You must show me your face first before I’ll tell you anything.”
It sounded like a devilish whisper.
Once the door closed and Leonhardt left, Karly spoke in a tiny voice.
“Jane… has Leonhardt left?”
“Yes. His Highness has already gone.”
“Ah… okay. Do we have a mirror?”
“Yes. I’ll bring it to you.”
Karly slowly emerged from under the blanket.
Jane quickly retrieved a hand mirror. Once the door closed, she held it out, and Karly froze in awe.
“…My lady?”
The woman sitting on the bed was breathtaking. Perhaps the most beautiful in the North, or even the Empire.
Her red hair glowed like a blazing sunset, her skin was milky white, her eyes sparkled like stars, and her lips were like ripe cherries.
“Uh… Jane, hello. How have you been?”
“…Ah, yes. It’s good that you’ve returned.”
“Indeed. Haha.”
After a brief pause to admire Karly’s beauty, Jane handed her the mirror.
“First, as His Highness ordered, I’ll bring you a maid uniform. May I check your size briefly?”
“Ah, yes.”
Karly hesitated but got off the bed.
This was the first time she truly felt the ground beneath her feet. She could gauge her height.
Her human form wasn’t particularly small.
What… I’m taller than I thought?
Her height as Seo Ah-rin had been around 152cm, but Karly Herace seemed to be around 160cm.
Her face flushed with excitement for a moment. She allowed Jane to do her work and picked up the mirror.
“Wow…”
Karly was mesmerized by her reflection. She turned her head, made different expressions, and experimented with her movements.
Her body and expressions were entirely hers.
Oh my. It’s really me… The humble girl has grown into this?
It was unbelievable, but also wonderfully satisfying.
“My lady. Please wait a moment. I’ll also bring other things.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Karly climbed back onto the bed, pulling the blanket over her head.
Not only was Karly more beautiful than she expected, but above all…
I really… became human again. The curse is lifted.
