The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

To start with, Laria didn’t escape from the mansion.

It was because she belatedly regained her senses due to Zenox’s words.

If she were to leave the mansion in her baby fox form, she would quickly be caught by others or chased by hungry beasts.

Even if she managed to safely reunite with her family, she doubted if they would believe she was Laria. 

‘Of course, part of it was because I was worried about Zenox.’

His face when he told her to leave in the morning still lingered in her mind. 

‘I was a fool for blindly believing in rumors.’

During her stay at the Krassium mansion, Zenox had never acted threateningly towards Laria. On the contrary, he had tried to give her more.

She felt ashamed of having been swept away by rumors like everyone else.

The incident of Laria’s escape was completely ignored, as if it had never happened. 

However, Zenox had developed one habit. He came to check on Laria more frequently, not as surveillance but to ensure she hadn’t left. When he found her in good health, he sighed with relief, brushing it off as just passing by. 

‘That was kind of cute.’

When Laria smiled softly, Rodit grinned. 

“Miss?”

“Oh, sorry.” 

She had forgotten about Rodit next to her while reminiscing about the past.

Laria remembered the question Rodit had asked earlier. 

‘He asked if I was afraid of the Grand Duke.’

When she first heard Zenox’s name, she had been scared, but now, she wasn’t.

She knew he was affectionate by nature. 

“Don’t you think he’s cute?”

Rodit’s face twisted in a way that showed he couldn’t understand Laria at all. 

“Miss, your taste… seems unique.”

Unable to say anything bad, Rodit gave the best response he could.

Laria didn’t bother to persuade Rodit further. She figured it was enough that she knew Zenox was secretly adorable. 

“Still, if it’s the Grand Duke, I think he’ll protect you. He’s the strongest on the continent.” 

Of course, Miss is strong too… Rodit added hesitantly.

Laria and Rodit chatted about various topics as they wandered around the mansion.

After carefully checking for any traces of curse magic and finding none, Laria headed straight for the entrance. She intended to leave now since she didn’t know when Zenox would return. 

“Are you leaving already?” 

There was disappointment in Verdo’s voice as he came to see her off. 

“I’ll visit again when His Excellency is here.” 

“Yes… Please do…”

Verdo, who couldn’t let go of his lingering feelings, sounded somewhat melancholic.

Laria inwardly chuckled, wondering why he was so eager to welcome her. 

‘Why are you welcoming me so warmly?’

He had been the first to greet her even when she was Whitie, so maybe he was just a warm-hearted person.

After bidding farewell to Verdo, Laria left the Krassium Grand Duke’s mansion. 

“Are you going straight home?” 

“Hmm…”

Laria hesitated at Rodit’s question.

She had come out to meet Zenox, so it felt like a waste to return home like this.

But no one knew where Zenox was… 

‘I’m worried.’

She was also concerned about the attackers who had suddenly appeared earlier.

As a normal aristocratic young lady, Laria had never experienced such a situation before.

However, Zenox seemed to have anticipated the attack and had sent his knights to her.

‘I hope Zenox is okay.’

Could it be that something happened?

She desperately tried to think about where Zenox might have gone. She didn’t know his usual whereabouts.

He had mostly stayed in the mansion, and she hadn’t seen him elsewhere…

But then, the long-forgotten place suddenly came to mind.

‘He couldn’t be there, could he?’

Although the possibility was slim, she still wanted to check it out.

Acting on impulse, Laria made a decision. 

“Wait a moment. Please arrange a carriage.”

As the carriage stopped on the street, Laria called Rodit and the knights. 

“I’m sorry, but can you help me find out where His Excellency is?” 

“Huh? Is something important happening…?” 

When Laria made a serious face and asked, the knights became serious as well. 

“I’m just worried.”

Everyone’s faces were filled with question marks. 

“Worried…?” 

“You never know. He might have been attacked like me earlier.”

Rodit just gaped.

The only person worried about the Grand Duke would be Miss Laria…

The knights’ reactions weren’t much different from Rodit’s. Rather, they were concerned about the attackers who had encountered Zenox, but they didn’t voice it out. 

“But we must protect the young lady…” 

Tigur added timidly, though it probably wasn’t necessary. 

“I’ll speak to His Excellency. Rodit, you should go home first.” 

“Huh? Miss, let’s go together!” 

“I’ll be back soon.”

She planned to use teleportation magic to return. 

‘Bringing Rodit along would double the cost of the gem.’ 

Rodit just grinned and then clenched his fist. 

“I’ll definitely become stronger! So you have no choice but to take me with you!” 

I don’t leave you behind because you’re weak…

Even if Rodit did become stronger one day, it seemed like a waste of the gem to bring him along. 

“Don’t tell anyone about what happened today, especially not the family.” 

It wasn’t too late to tell them after finding out who had sent the assassins.

After hesitating, Rodit nodded his head.

Laria immediately cast the teleportation spell. In an instant, the scenery changed, and instead of the carriage interior, lush green trees greeted her.

Stepping on soft grass, Laria slowly raised her head. She could see the wide sky through the greenery, dressed in its green clothes, matching the season.

The sound of rustling leaves in the wind and the cries of birds were just as she remembered.

She hadn’t been here in a long time.

The last time was when she had successfully undergone full anthropomorphism and was kidnapped by Zenox for the first time.

She had come this far because she couldn’t think of any other places Zenox might go. 

‘Maybe I should start gathering people like Zenox does.’ 

With that thought in mind, Laria walked aimlessly.

As she walked naturally, following wherever her feet took her, she spotted a small lake hidden among the trees.

However, someone had arrived at the lakeside before her.

The man was sitting there, gazing at the lake.

Confirming the man’s face from a distance, Laria stopped in her tracks.

Even though the distance was quite far, it seemed like he sensed her presence as he slowly turned his head. 

“…” 

The wind that blew from a distance rustled the forest. The sound of leaves brushing against each other echoed like rain. The breeze that passed between them gently ruffled the surface of the lake.

In the ever-changing landscape, the two of them didn’t take their eyes off each other.

They didn’t exchange words, but Laria thought that Zenox, too, would have recalled the same memory as her.

This place was where she had first met Zenox. 

‘I never expected him to be here.’ 

She was the one who took the first step towards him, unlike back then.

He still hadn’t averted his gaze from her. 

“What brings you here?” 

“I occasionally visit because it’s close to my house. And what about Your Excellency?”

Zenox, who had been silent for a moment, turned his gaze towards the lakeside. 

“I come when I have a lot on my mind.” 

Laria was curious about what he was thinking, but she didn’t ask.

For some reason, Zenox seemed uncomfortable just standing there. Perhaps he had been in that state since the banquet.

She examined him thoroughly to see if he showed any signs of distress, but he didn’t seem physically unwell.

“I came to visit you at the Krassium mansion today.” 

“…Our paths have crossed.” 

“But I’m glad we met like this.” 

Laria stood side by side with Zenox. 

“I was worried that you might have been attacked too.” 

Zenox asked with a noticeably stiff expression:

“Were you attacked?” 

“Well, yes, but no one was hurt.” 

She was about to explain that they had subdued the attackers too easily, but when she saw Zenox’s expression, she couldn’t say anything.

He had a terrifyingly stern expression, unlike his usual self.

Zenox’s chest swelled up and then deflated repeatedly.

His pupils dilated, and veins popped up on the back of his hand.

It seemed like he couldn’t control his emotions. 

“Your Excellency.” 

At Laria’s call, his shoulders twitched.

Zenox took a slow breath as if taking a deep breath. After his pupils returned to normal and a considerable amount of time passed, he finally spoke. 

“It’s all because of me.”

He mumbled with a voice that seemed like it would die down soon. 

“You’ll be in danger if you’re by my side.” 

“…” 

Zenox clenched his fist, which looked like it would extinguish soon.

“It’s right to break off the engagement… but I can’t.”