The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

Marquis Hashir’s lips trembled slightly.

He asked with a forced calmness, as if scrutinizing:

“What are you talking about now?”

“I’m just sensitive to the smell of blood.”

Except for Marquis Hashir, no one could even guess what Zenox was trying to say. Staring at the Marquis’s hands, Zenox muttered to himself:

“If you get a lot of blood on your hands, you learn to tolerate the smell.”

“…I’ll excuse myself now.”

The Marquis abruptly cut off the conversation as if he didn’t want to deal with a crazy man. Then, he drove a wedge, hoping that Laria might change the subject.

“Then, we’ll send the date for the sparring.”

Having achieved his goal, Marquis Hashir left without hesitation. Sienna, who was standing by his side, hurriedly followed.

As the Marquis and his daughter disappeared, the ominous atmosphere that had been lingering slightly lifted.

“The cunning fox cub…”

Herdin muttered, seeming displeased, as he glanced at Zenox with a sour expression.

“…Did you perhaps help?”

“I don’t know what you mean by saying I helped.”

When Zenox responded ambiguously, Herdin furrowed his brows with an unpleasant look.

Right next to him, a deep sigh was heard. 

Theodore, who had been silent for a while, covered his face with his palms.

“Because of me, Laria…”

Laria gently shook her head at his self-blame.

“It’s not because of father.”

“Laria, please say you won’t participate in the contest.”

Semela, who was wrapping her arms around Theodore’s shoulders, finally spoke in a stern voice.

“I believe in myself. Even though you may not all be aware…”

She hadn’t used magic at home since there was no need for it. She wasn’t the type to boast about her abilities either, so her family wouldn’t know about her skills.

“I know.”

Semela replied, and Laria was surprised to hear that.

“I had a rough idea… Since when you made the antidote on the spot.”

Even Semela, who wasn’t a sorcerer, knew that someone who could make antidotes was rare.

The still gloomy Theodore murmured:

“But still… I don’t want to see you struggle.”

“I won’t struggle. I’m confident I’ll win easily.”

Everyone blinked in surprise at her confident statement. Herdin sighed, realizing it was hopeless to persuade her.

At least within the Rohan family, no one could break Laria’s determination.

“If you need anything, just let me know. I can even make poison for you…”

…You’re teaching me something really nice.

However, she knew that in Herdin’s eyes, it was concern and encouragement, so she simply nodded.

Theodore and Semela, seeing Laria’s unwavering determination, eventually had to accept her decision.

“I should take a break. Let’s vacate the seats for a moment.”

Since Theodore wasn’t feeling well, Semela got up first.

Laria’s words made the two of them pause.

“Will you tell me later?”

Laria was asking about the relationship between Marquis Hashir and Theodore.

Semela, who had been silent for a moment, replied:

“Yes, I promise.”

Even after the Count and his wife left, Herdin didn’t leave Laria and Zenox’s side. It seemed like he intended to continue monitoring them on behalf of his parents.

At that moment, two people approached Herdin stealthily.

“Lord Herdin!”

“…I’ll step aside for a moment.”

Herdin sneered at the lowly parliamentarians who had called him. Then, he quickly disappeared, avoiding the people who called him.

Laria thought they would never leave them alone, but it was unexpected.

“Finally, we’re alone.”

Laria asked a question she had been curious about for a while.

“What was that about the smell of blood earlier?”

“I mentioned it because I could smell blood from Marquis Hashir.”

After spending time on the battlefield, the smell of blood became very familiar to him. No matter how much you washed, there was a distinct, persistent odor.

‘They say that blood is often used in forbidden magic.’

Could Marquis Hashir be the one who used forbidden spells in the auction house?

Laria looked around and whispered to Zenox’s ear.

“It’s just a guess, but… Marquis Hashir might be involved in forbidden magic.”

“Why do you think so?”

“I had a feeling he was similar to the suspicious man I saw at the auction house.”

Zenox didn’t have the same intuition as her, but he couldn’t ignore the unsettling feeling.

“We should investigate the Marquis.”

“I’ll look into it separately.”

Perhaps they could find clues by following Marquis Hashir.

“But the Emperor seems to be late.”

“I heard it was because the princess isn’t feeling well.”

“Oh, by the way, what happened to the engagement announcement?”

Since they went out separately with Ishel earlier, did they discuss it?

Zenox lowered his gaze in response to Laria’s question.

“I mentioned it, but… I can’t be sure.”

He had suggested delaying the engagement announcement, but it was possible that Ishel might suddenly make an official announcement.

‘Should I make him unconscious with a sleeping potion?’

She even thought of such an extreme measure as Herdin did.

In the midst of her contemplation, the dance floor filled with music. The center of the hall emptied, and then young men and women filled the space.

Since dance was the highlight of the party, everyone seemed to be focused on it.

Laria looked at it as if she were entranced, and Zenox extended his hand.

“Shall we dance a song?”

“…With me?”

She hadn’t expected this.

“It’s natural for a couple to dance together.”

Many people were watching them with expectant faces, Zenox whispered. It was a valid point, but…

‘I’m seriously clumsy.’

How clumsy? Clumsy enough to have a tearful story.

Laria, who had once lived as a fox, stayed in the library of the Krassium mansion.

The Krassium Mansion was filled with all kinds of rare books. As a curious fox, Laria mostly read books that couldn’t be found in the market.

While doing so, she stumbled upon a certain book. It was a book containing the secret to transforming from a fox to a human!

To return to the human form, there were two conditions. First, perform a trick, and then strongly wish to return as a human. Excited at the thought of finally being able to return home, Laria was thrilled.

However, there was one big problem…

‘I can’t do any tricks.’

Rolled dozens of times by herself, found dozens of times in corners. Laria challenged herself hundreds of times before Zenox called a vet with a serious face.

In the end, the victory went to the beastman, but… it was a sad story because the secret was fake, and she couldn’t return in her human form.

“Um… I can’t dance, you know?”

“Haven’t you learned?”

“Well, I’ve learned. I’m a noble, after all…”

Was there ever a time when Laria lacked confidence like this in front of Zenox?

“My tutor told me never to dance. If I don’t want to break my partner’s foot…”

Thinking that she had said enough, she expected Zenox to give up.

However, Zenox didn’t retract the hand he had extended.

“An incompetent tutor you had. If you had been with me, it would have been different.”

“…Your confidence is impressive.”

“I’m good at everything I do with my body.”

Zenox didn’t give up, and she eventually took his outstretched hand.

Her small, delicate hand clasped over his large, calloused palm. Through their joined hands, the warmth of their different body temperatures flowed.

Laria felt a little chilly, and Zenox’s hand was warm. Perhaps because of the pleasant warmth, her tension eased a bit.

To the accompaniment of cheerful violin music, the two of them started to move together.

As expected, it had been a long time since she had danced, and her body didn’t follow smoothly.

Even a wooden doll might have moved less stiffly than her.

“I think I’m stepping on your feet.”

“Step on them.”

Zenox responded nonchalantly, and Laria allowed herself to step on his foot unintentionally.

Whenever Laria hesitated or made a mistake, he smoothly continued with the next step. To others, it seemed like seamless movements that didn’t reveal any oddities.

‘I thought you were only good at using a sword.’

You dance well. Are you really good at everything related to using your body?

Even though she was a mess, she was able to keep up to some extent.

Laria stepped on his foot a few times, but Zenox didn’t even flinch an eyebrow. Rather, he continued walking with Laria’s foot on top of his.

As their joined hands separated and spun around, the hem of the dress spread out like a hollyhock.

Laria was so engrossed that she couldn’t hear the admiration from those around her.

She tried to hold his hand again, but his arm wrapped around her waist.

Startled, Laria raised her head suddenly.

Zenox’s face was so close, as if his lips were about to touch hers. His bright, sparkling yellow eyes were fixed on Laria. His face was so close that she could see her own reflection in his pupils.

“Now that I think about it, we never really defined it.”

Without a single breath out of place, Zenox held her waist firmly and whispered:

“As a couple, how far is it okay to go?”