Chapter 37
That night, after Laria had fallen asleep, Xenox quietly slipped out of the bedroom and began roaming the mansion.
He searched quite a wide area, but found nothing of value.
No matter how thoroughly he scoured the corners, not a single strand of white fur appeared.
Unless Laria had hidden Hayang extremely well, it might mean the fox wasn’t here at all.
As Xenox wandered through the darkness until late into the night, he suddenly froze.
Could it be that Laria had nothing to do with Hayang in the first place?
A buried unease surged up in his chest.
The only reason he had come this far was because he had sensed the power of a fox orb from her.
He had even used the excuse of a contractual engagement to entangle himself with her—but if this clue he’d finally found turned out to be worthless…
Before his thoughts could deepen further, Xenox shook them off.
There was still time before dawn; it was better spent searching one more place than standing around thinking.
The black wolf melted once more into the shadows.
A few days had passed since Xenox had transformed into a wolf pup.
Even though quite some time had gone by, he still hadn’t returned to his original form.
By now, Laria was beginning to feel genuinely worried.
What if he never turns back?
His ducal duties must have piled up by now, and surely chaos had broken out back at the Craseum estate…
But unlike anxious Laria, Xenox seemed utterly unconcerned.
He acted as though it was only a matter of time before he reverted, and his laid-back demeanor even managed to calm Laria for a while.
“Shall we go out for a bit today?”
Drowsy from lack of proper sleep, Xenox lifted his head sluggishly.
“Since we don’t know when you’ll return to your original form, we should buy a few things you’ll need in the meantime.”
“That sounds fine.”
With his approval, Laria made a brief list of what she needed to shop for.
I’ll have to buy a new brush too.
After eating both breakfast and lunch in her bedroom, she told a servant that she would be taking a nap.
“You’re going to sleep now, my lady?”
“I couldn’t sleep last night.”
“Shall I bring you a tea that’s good for rest?”
“No need. I’m tired enough to sleep soundly as I am. Please wake me for supper.”
Since she often used naps as an excuse for secret outings, the servant didn’t grow suspicious.
Still, he seemed like he had something to say.
“Um… my lady, the master wishes to—”
“Can it wait until later?”
“Ah, forgive me. I’ll draw the curtains for you.”
He pulled the curtains closed to block out the sun, then left.
As soon as the door was shut, Laria locked it and pulled a travel cloak from deep inside her wardrobe.
She gathered up some jewels, then finally opened her pouch.
Xenox looked at both her and the pouch with a displeased expression.
“……”
With a sigh, he resigned himself and climbed into the pouch on his own.
His little body slid inside, leaving only his head poking out, and Laria nearly squealed.
Oh, he’s too cute!
Seeing her delight, Xenox softened his sour look.
“Are we sneaking out?”
“My family worries too much.”
If she tried to go out openly, they would insist on sending guards along—such a bother.
After all, when she had disappeared for half a year, her family believed she’d been kidnapped.
Well… technically, I was.
And the very kidnapper was right here in front of her.
I must never let them find out.
They already disliked Xenox; if they discovered that he was the reason she’d gone missing, it would spell her doom.
The mere thought sent a chill down her spine, and her shoulders trembled.
“Shall we set out then?”
Cradling Xenox in her arms, Laria cast a teleportation spell.
In an instant they arrived in a back alley of the bustling district, and Xenox’s eyes widened.
“Was teleportation always this fast?”
“Isn’t it normally?”
“When I was in the North, I tried it a few times, but it was so slow I could have taken a nap in the middle of it.”
Come to think of it, Laria had never actually watched another person use teleportation magic before.
Thanks to Sienna, she knew she had a knack for offensive spells…
But could it be that she also had talent in teleportation?
Am I secretly pretty amazing?
She was glad she didn’t say that aloud—imagine how embarrassing it would be if another mage overheard and laughed at her.
“The speed varies depending on the mage. The one you used must’ve been unskilled.”
Xenox nearly pointed out that the mage in question had been one of the North’s most renowned, but thought better of it.
“Shall we head to the shops first?”
Leaving the alley, Laria walked lightly toward the marketplace.
She normally didn’t enjoy shopping and rarely came here, but today she planned to browse thoroughly.
He’ll look adorable with a ribbon. Should I buy him little dog clothes too?
Excited at the thought of dressing Xenox up, she hadn’t bothered to ask his opinion.
On the way to the pet supply store, a sign with a jewel on it caught her eye.
Peeking through the window, she saw display cases sparkling with gems in every color.
Laria halted abruptly, and Xenox poked his head from the pouch.
“Shall I buy one for you?”
“You don’t have any money.”
“……”
A strange feeling washed over Xenox.
Never in his life had he thought he’d experience being penniless.
Well, technically, his fortune was intact—but he couldn’t use it like this.
He silently vowed that once he regained his human form, he would buy out that entire jewelry store.
Pulling herself away, Laria began gathering supplies for Xenox.
She even slipped a ribbon hairpin into the pile without his noticing.
By the time she left the shop, her arms were full of bags.
So this is why Xenox always returned from outings loaded with things.
Lately, she found herself sympathizing with him more and more.
“Send the bill to the Craseum estate later.”
“It wasn’t much. Just think of it as a gift.”
Again, that unfamiliar look crossed his face—like a wolf receiving a present for the very first time.
“You must be tired of being cooped up. Shall we walk a bit?”
“It would be safer somewhere quiet.”
Since she looked like she was mumbling to herself, passersby gave her odd glances.
Xenox tucked his head back into the pouch.
Once they left the busy streets, they reached a quieter road.
As they strolled through an alley, a man came from the opposite side—despite wearing plain clothes, he was unmistakably accompanied by knights.
He looks familiar…
Staring at his face, Laria’s eyes flew wide.
Why is the Crown Prince here?
What were the chances of bumping into him on a city street?
He seemed to have dyed his hair and eyes, but she recognized him instantly.
Perhaps she had stared too hard, for Ishuel’s gaze met hers.
She quickly averted her eyes, but the knights at his back strode toward her.
“State your identity.”
“She’s just a passerby.”
Ishuel stopped them.
But still standing protectively, the knights glared at her.
“She may have approached on purpose. We must check.”
Her hood made her look suspicious.
With an exasperated sigh, Ishuel scolded them.
“Will you interrogate the entire city?”
“You, I mean, young master—you must remember that your life is precious.”
As the knights argued with their prince right in front of her, Laria inwardly groaned.
Why in front of me of all places…
Afraid a scene might break out, she threw back her hood.
Ishuel fell silent, blinking.
“Lady Laria Rohan?”
“May the Supreme Light watch over Frandel. Laria Rohan greets His Highness the Crown Prince.”
She bowed formally.
Clearly startled by the unexpected encounter, Ishuel stammered before nodding.
“To think I would meet Lady Rohan here—what a curious coincidence.”
“May I ask why Your Highness is here…?”
“Ah, I’m on a discreet outing.”
“An outing?”
“Simply staying inside the palace won’t teach me how the world truly works.”
It was admirable in its way, but Laria thought it all seemed rather sloppy.
At the very least, he could have worn a cloak like hers.
She swallowed her criticism.
“…Your Highness, may we know who this is?”
The knights probed about her identity.
Smiling, Ishuel introduced her:
“The Grand Duke of Craseum’s fiancée-to-be.”
The words dropped like a bomb.
The knights froze, then began whispering among themselves.
The fiancée of that monster…
If she was to marry the Grand Duke, who knew what wicked things that innocent face might hide?
Their suspicion toward her only deepened.
Just then, the pouch twitched.
Xenox tried to crawl out, but Laria pressed his head down firmly in warning.
Annoyed, he thumped the pouch with his tail.
Fortunately, Ishuel intervened, scolding the knights and offering Laria an apology.
Then his eyes lingered on her.
“By the way, Lady Rohan… have you seen Xenox recently?”
At the sound of that name, cold sweat trickled down her back.
“I’ve tried contacting him again and again, but he ignores every message. Perhaps I’ll have to visit his estate in person.”
“M-may I ask why you are searching for him…?”
After a pause of hesitation, Ishuel finally replied:
“It has to do with Hayang.”
