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## **Chapter 85**
Ibelina looked slightly tired, perhaps from being bothered by so many people.
As Arsen approached her, the crowd hurriedly made way.
“Ibelina.”
“Ah… Arsen.”
He naturally wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“Shall we go rest on the terrace for a moment?”
“Yes… I think I should.”
She hadn’t even been at the party long, yet she already felt exhausted.
Just then, her eyes caught sight of the head of a household whose family had sent her a marriage proposal.
It had been the lord’s son who sent the letter, but it was obvious the family head must have encouraged it from the side.
Deliberately meeting his gaze, Ibelina wrapped her hand around Arsen’s waist.
When she even smiled brightly, the man cleared his throat and quickly looked away.
It seemed his conscience was pricking him for urging someone to propose to a married woman.
Arsen and Ibelina stayed close together as they headed for the terrace.
Watching their backs, people whispered among themselves.
“From the looks of it, their relationship doesn’t seem like an act.”
“Exactly. They look so close—why did rumors spread that it was all pretend?”
The guests tilted their heads in confusion.
As people began wondering about the source of the rumor, Countess Rikel, who had been nearby, cleared her throat and slipped into the group.
The center of every rumor always involved Countess Rikel.
Naturally.
She loved creating gossip more than anything.
Since she always spoke as if she’d merely “heard something,” she cleverly avoided being labeled the instigator.
Feigning ignorance, Countess Rikel began weaving yet another rumor.
It was the only way she knew how to relieve stress.
—
On the terrace, Ibelina carefully sat down on a chair prepared for resting.
With its soft cushions, it was extremely comfortable.
Arsen placed a hand on her shoulder and asked,
“Are your feet alright?”
“I can manage.”
“But we’re alone here. Take off your shoes and rest comfortably.”
“Mm… then excuse me.”
Honestly, the heels had been bothering her.
She bent forward to remove her shoes, but Arsen was faster—he knelt down in front of her.
“I’ll do it for you.”
“I can do it myself!”
“Isn’t it uncomfortable to bend over?”
Arsen gently held her ankle.
His feather-light touch made Ibelina flinch instinctively.
Soon, he carefully slipped the shoe off, and she let out a shallow sigh.
Her cramped feet finally felt free.
He removed the other shoe as well, set them aside, and placed a cushion beneath her feet.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll bring something for you to drink.”
“Alright.”
Arsen kissed her cheek lightly before leaving the terrace.
He didn’t forget to draw the curtain as a sign someone was inside.
Ibelina stared blankly at the star-filled night sky.
A cool breeze blew, scattering her hair.
“Maybe we should stay a little longer before going back…”
She glanced behind her.
Since they had come all the way to the party, it might be better to at least dance one song before leaving.
Humming softly, she waited for Arsen to return.
As she swung her legs lightly, she heard the terrace door open.
Turning her head, she saw Arsen entering with two glasses of champagne.
He approached and handed one to her.
“Thank you.”
Arsen dropped down beside her.
She carefully took a sip.
The sparkling fizz tingled on her tongue.
After a few more sips, she spoke.
“It’s too early to leave… Shall we dance at least one song before we go?”
“I’d like that. But don’t overdo it. It would be terrible if you collapsed.”
“Alright.”
Smiling softly, Ibelina sipped the rest of her champagne.
Since there wasn’t much, it disappeared quickly.
Her stiff legs felt looser now, and she shifted slightly to put her shoes back on.
Arsen noticed instantly, stood up first, and brought them over.
“I can put them on myself…”
“I want to do it.”
She murmured awkwardly, but Arsen spoke casually.
Once she had her shoes on, she stood.
Arsen offered his arm, and Ibelina carefully linked hers with his.
As they entered the hall, the music changed at just the right moment.
Arsen extended his hand.
“Then… shall we dance?”
“Yes.”
Smiling, Ibelina took his hand.
They moved smoothly into the crowd.
Each time she twirled, her dress spread out beautifully before settling again.
Before long, the music stopped.
The dancers exchanged greetings and stepped back.
Immediately, the hosts of the party—Marquis and Marchioness Morey—came forward.
The Marchioness smiled brightly.
“Thank you all for attending tonight. To show my gratitude, I’d like to present something fascinating.”
At the word *fascinating*, the guests murmured.
The Marchioness clapped her hands to gather attention.
When all eyes returned to her, she smiled in satisfaction.
“What I’m going to show you is… a rare magical beast!”
At the mention of a magical beast, the murmuring grew louder.
Ibelina widened her eyes and whispered to Arsen.
“Arsen, are magical beasts and monsters different?”
“They’re similar, but not quite. Magical beasts can be tamed. Monsters cannot. But both are dangerous.”
“I see…”
“And magical beasts tend to be more beautiful in appearance. Some people even collect them. I never expected to see one here.”
The Marchioness gestured to the side.
Servants dragged in something large, covered with black cloth.
A faint rattling sound came from inside.
People instinctively stepped back.
Smiling, the Marchioness said,
“Under this cloth is the magical beast. There is absolutely no danger. The lock is unbreakable, the cage bars are tight, and it cannot escape. It’s even shackled, so please don’t worry.”
Even so, the guests still looked fearful.
Unbothered, the Marchioness grabbed the cloth.
“Then, I shall show you!”
With all her strength, she yanked it away.
The cloth fell, revealing the beast inside the cage.
It was a fox-shaped magical beast—**a Foxy**—with fur of an enchanting color.
Its coat shimmered like an aurora, multiple hues blending together.
The guests gasped softly, stepping closer.
“The fur is so beautiful…”
“Yes… I thought it would look terrifying, but it’s actually cute too.”
The Marchioness smiled proudly.
Bringing the Foxy here had been the right choice.
It was still untamed and dangerous, but with locks and shackles, there was no risk.
Then—
A man staggered forward.
His flushed face showed he was drunk.
The Marquis hurriedly blocked him.
“It’s dangerous. You shouldn’t come closer.”
“Are you looking down on me? A beast like that is nothing to me!”
“You’ve had too much to drink. You should go back—”
“Move!”
The drunk man hiccuped and shoved the Marquis hard.
Caught off guard, the Marquis fell aside.
The Marchioness rushed to help him up.
While she was distracted, the man strode toward the cage.
The closer he came, the more agitated the Foxy became, baring its teeth with a growl.
The guests were too frightened to intervene and began backing away.
The man glared at it—then kicked the cage.
The Foxy snapped.
It leapt wildly, slamming its head against the entrance.
The Marchioness tried desperately to calm it, but it was impossible without taming.
Cold sweat poured down her back.
Clenching her lips, she shouted,
“Everyone, get out of the hall immediately!”
The moment she spoke—
The supposedly unbreakable lock shattered into pieces.
Screams erupted as people fled.
The Foxy burst free.
Its first target was the man who had kicked the cage.
Drool dripped from its jaws.
The man collapsed onto the floor, unable to even run.
His drunkenness vanished, his face pale white.
The Foxy lunged at him with its mouth wide open.
“Aaaagh!”
The man screamed, curling into himself.
But seconds passed—
No pain came.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
Someone was standing in front of him.
It was Ibelina.
She shouted,
“Get out of here, now!”
But the man only sat there blankly.
In the end, Arsen grabbed him by the back of the neck and threw him aside.
Knights rushed in, wrapping chains around the Foxy.
But it thrashed violently, knocking knights down as they screamed.
Arsen whispered to Ibelina,
“It shows no sign of calming down. We have no choice but to kill it. If it escapes, even more people could die.”
“…Yes.”
“I’ll draw its attention. Cover the rear.”
Though her heart felt heavy, Ibelina nodded.
Arsen quickly pulled a sword from the waist of a fallen knight.
The blade began to hum and vibrate.
He had infused it with aura.
Then, with a powerful leap—
Arsen charged straight at the Foxy.
