The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

Laria, unaware that her tail had popped out, couldn’t take her eyes off Zenox’s chest.

“Are you still not asleep?”

“Ooh!”

Laria, who was startled, jumped up as if she had been electrocuted. She reacted so dramatically that Zenox, in turn, seemed startled.

Laria belatedly defended herself:

“I didn’t know if someone was in the corridor, so I got surprised.”

After speaking, she felt her tail, which had sagged behind.

Fortunately, she was wearing thick clothes, so it wasn’t too noticeable. If her ears had popped out, it would have been really embarrassing.

As she murmured while retracting her tail, Zenox, who had been silently watching Laria, spoke up:

“Would you like to take a short walk?”

Although it was a sudden suggestion, Laria nodded without thinking.

She had wanted to talk more with Zenox, especially since they hadn’t had much conversation earlier. Tomorrow morning, she had to leave early, making it even more regrettable.

“I want to see the garden.”

“If you’re going outside, it’s better to wear more layers.”

Laria immediately went into the room and put on a thick coat.

In her haste, she had come out with just enough clothes on, but Zenox had changed into different attire while she was gone, giving her a look that suggested he wasn’t pleased with her choice of clothing.

Going back into the room, he came out with his hands full of things: an oil lamp, an umbrella, a thick scarf, and a large fur hat that could cover the entire head.

Laria received the scarf and hat he offered. Not knowing how to wear them, she mumbled, and he personally wrapped the scarf around her.

With the hat on, only her eyes were exposed.

Ironically, Zenox was wearing only a light coat.

“Aren’t you cold?”

“It’s summer.”

…Even though it’s snowing outside?

It seemed that Laria and Zenox had quite different standards for what they considered summer.

Come to think of it, even in the past, Zenox lived with just a shirt during winter.

Laria, fiddling with the scarf, turned her gaze to the window. Against the backdrop of the dark night, white snowflakes were fluttering like flower petals.

While she was enchanted by the scene, Zenox opened his mouth:

“Snow continues in the North until early summer. When midsummer arrives, the snow melts, and the grass grows.”

In the approaching summer, the days get longer, and the snow finally stops completely. The snow-covered plains transform into meadows, and flowers bloom everywhere. Grand summer festivals are held, and noble social gatherings become lively.

While people from other regions misunderstand the North as barren land, the reality was different.

It was an area where it constantly snowed, but it was well maintained, and crops grew even in winter, allowing a certain degree of self-sufficiency.

Due to indoor activities being prevalent, cultural and artistic activities were also flourishing, not inferior to the capital.

The only inconvenience was the time when snowstorms occurred.

“When a snowstorm comes, everyone hangs up shutters, locks themselves in, and spends time at home. It becomes an official holiday.”

Zenox spoke of the North as a completely different world. Like a curious fox, Laria’s eyes sparkled continuously.

More than anything, conversing with Zenox about everyday matters was enjoyable.

Today, immediately after meeting, they talked about brainwashing spels.

It felt like they had returned to the time before parting with Zenox.

“…”

Zenox’s voice, which had been explaining for a while, suddenly stopped.

For a moment, the two walked in the corridor in silence.

There were many things they wanted to say, but it was difficult to decide where to start.

It was Zenox who broke the prolonged silence.

“Are you well-prepared for the duel?”

“I’ve practiced a lot.”

There was no need for preparation, but Laria clung even more to magic to forget Zenox. 

However, she couldn’t completely shake him out of her mind.

Hearing just one piece of news and rushing all the way here.

‘Come to think of it….’

Remembering what she had forgotten, Laria stopped in her tracks. Zenox, who had also stopped, looked down at her.

“You deposited a large sum into my account.”

Upon seeing an unfamiliar amount in her account, Laria was surprised.

Zenox, whether he forgot or not, answered after a brief silence.

“I thought you already knew.”

“How can I quietly overlook that amount?”

Zenox avoided eye contact.

“I visited a jewelry store, and they said everything was free. Do you know how shocked I was?”

“That’s… I couldn’t buy you jewels when I turned into a wolf form, so I felt bad.”

She wondered if it was because of that incident, and it turned out to be true.

Laria, feeling absurd, didn’t say anything. Zenox explained himself:

“Since I agreed to give you each gem during the contract period…”

How could one be the same as all?

‘Zenox, are you a fanatic?’

If he had fallen for a really bad person, he would have already been completely stripped and labeled a beggar Grand Duke.

“Take all the interest as well.”

Zenox remained silent, but a sense of disappointment was palpable.

It was because during the days she was Whitie, he would act sulky like that when talking to other people about him.

“Do you hate it that much, receiving something from me?”

For now, the timing wasn’t right.

Because she found out after they broke up.

Laria didn’t want to owe anything to Zenox, so she didn’t want to receive anything.

Originally, she had intended to receive the mine after the breakup, but not anymore.

Anyway, after returning the fox orb, Laria won’t be able to handle magic, so she won’t need jewels either…

“It’s because I feel burdened.”

Zenox seemed unconvinced.

Fundamentally, Laria and Zenox’s economic views were too different. The unfamiliar amount Laria saw for the first time in her life was merely a nominal value to Zenox.

If Zenox were to say it’s not a burden, Laria would feel a bit disappointed. Perhaps it would seem like she’s meeting him expecting compensation.

Although she had desired a diamond mine, it was just momentarily.

As their meetings continued, the mine became less important.

After a long silence, Zenox mumbled without energy, 

“I just wanted to do it… Can’t I?”

Laria blinked.

‘What does that mean?’

Her mind became complicated because she couldn’t accept that statement simply.

Come to think of it, even in the past Zenox gave all sorts of things as gifts to Whitie. Over a hundred toys, blankets, cribs, and more… 

Later, Whitie’s room was bursting with Zenox’s belongings.

It wasn’t until much later that Zenox realized how precious Whitie was to him.

Zenox was that bad at expressing emotions.

The back of Laria’s neck suddenly felt hot. Her heart was pounding so fast that her ears felt stuffy.

While she was trying to calm down, Zenox reached out. Gently sweeping away the strands of hair that flowed down her forehead and cheek, he stared at her silently. 

“Do you have a fever?”

Her face was red. Zenox brought his face close and matched eyes with her.

Meeting his concerned gaze, Laria could only manage a faint smile with pursed lips. 

“…Is there something you want instead of money or jewels?”

For a moment, golden eyes sparkled.

Even if she said she wanted the sun, he seemed ready to embrace it. 

“During the duel, please buy me just one flower.” 

Zenox’s expression became subtle.

Why a flower, whether one is enough, why it has to be just one…

All his thoughts were read by Laria. 

“It doesn’t matter what kind; just one flower will do.” 

When Laria nailed it, Zenox suddenly became serious.

Then, as if belatedly realizing, his eyes gradually widened. 

“Can I come?” 

Zenox knew that Laria had sent out duel invitations.

The royal family, Solike, and even Tigur were invited, but Zenox was the only one who didn’t receive an invitation.

He felt jealous of those who were invited. 

“Will you come?” 

“Of course.” 

Laria smiled at his determination.

Zenox, who had been staring at her with a transfixed gaze, couldn’t even blink. It seemed like it had been a long time since he had seen Laria’s smile, and he didn’t want to miss even the smallest movement.

Zenox, who was watching her as if fascinated, noticed that Laria was hesitating about something.

“People here don’t know that we’ve broken up.” 

Zenox’s chest tightened.

Was she asking for a formal declaration of their breakup?

If people found out that they had broken up, would people just stand by quietly?

At the imperial palace reception, everyone was looking at Laria.

If one gathered those annoying guys, there would surely be at least twenty carriages.

Just thinking about it made his fingertips stiffen, and his mouth dried up from anxiety.

But once the trust relationship was broken first, he didn’t even have the right to hold on to the excuse of the contract anymore. 

“We don’t necessarily have to continue the contract, but…” 

“…?” 

“I haven’t been able to release Your Excellency from brainwashing yet, and I think we’ll have to meet again in the future for various issues.”

She has never been so nervous in her life.

Zenox silently listened to Laria’s words without making a sound. 

“Anyway, we might meet when we’ve officially broken up, and my parents won’t like it.” 

“…?” 

“So, what I mean is…” 

After hesitating for a while, Laria spoke instead of Zenox.

“Shall we start dating again?”