Chapter 68

How could I not? It’s the thirsty one who digs the well.*

[*T/N: Saying that means the one who needs or wants something the most should be the one to take action.]

“El, is it suffocating living here?”

As I’ve said before, even a house as big as a resort can feel stifling. I carefully asked the question, but El immediately shook his head.

“Then… is the food not to your liking lately? Should I change the menu?”

Another shake.

I went down the list, asking about anything that might be the issue, but all I got were head shakes.

I had no idea what the reason could be, and that was the most frustrating part.

‘Maybe I should stop here.’

That thought in mind, I decided to throw in one last teasing comment.

“Could it be… our El is sick of his big sister?”

“……!”

El’s eyes widened like lanterns. Then those round eyes welled up with tears, which began falling to the floor like raindrops.

“Wh-what? El?”

El, crying this pitifully?

He was always full of charm, sometimes even comforting me. I’d only ever seen that side of him, so I was completely taken aback. Panicking, I reached out to hug him.

“I-it was a joke. I’m sorry.”

But El slipped between my hands and ran off without even looking back. I scrambled awkwardly after him.

Of all times—there was a knock, and the door opened.

El seemed to take it as a stroke of luck and darted toward the opening. I, still not fully upright, got my legs tangled and could only call out desperately.

“El, wait—!”

“Whoops.”

There was a dull thud, followed by the sight of tanned skin like freshly baked bread peeking through the slightly open door.

I winced, sensing something unpleasant coming, and just as expected—Austin, who now strolled around in shirts like this place was his own home, came in holding El by the scruff.

“Trying to run away, were you?”

“Hisss!”

El lashed out with all four paws, claws fully extended, but there was no way he could reach Austin while dangling like that. Poor thing.

Worried that someone—very likely El—would get hurt if this went on, I quickly took him from Austin.

El didn’t melt into my arms like usual and was visibly uncomfortable, but he must’ve decided I was better than Austin because he stopped struggling.

“Thank you for bringing him back.”

After confirming El had calmed down, I gave Austin a polite nod. A smug expression crossed his face.

“This much? I’d do it anytime.”

But when I followed up, his face stiffened.

“By the way, how did you know where my room is? I’d expect someone of your status to know better than to barge into private quarters uninvited.”

“How did I know where your room is, huh?”

He echoed my question, then walked right past me and plopped down on the sofa—without waiting to be invited.

I was already fed up with his pushiness when he added, shamelessly: “Pour me some tea.”

“…Did your palace attendants not serve you tea on time or something? I’ll have them disciplined.”

“That’s not it.”

“Then why go out of your way to come here…?”

“Must you make me say it out loud?”

A bad feeling washed over me. Whatever he was about to say—I had a feeling it would give me goosebumps.

“No need. You really don’t have to—”

“It’s because I want to drink tea with the woman I’m courting.”

“…….”

I tried to stop him, but Austin was faster. He smiled sweetly, unaffected by the pained expression on my face.

“It’s cold, Lady Minuelle.”

Then freeze to death, why don’t you!

With the mood soured, I half-heartedly brewed some tea, which he accepted with a smile as if nothing had happened. Then he asked: “I heard you like handsome men.”

“Is there anyone who doesn’t like beautiful or handsome things?”

“True. Then what do you think of me? Aren’t I decent, objectively speaking?”

The moment he asked that, I realized something: the reason Ramande’s face always twisted whenever he saw me admiring myself in the mirror.

‘Sorry, my friend.’

My own expression must’ve been just as sour now. Austin, sensing it, offered a sheepish smile.

“I’m not showing off. I’m just curious why you’re so indifferent.”

“Haa.”  I let out a short sigh.

Apparently, my preference for handsome men had spread across the entire empire—maybe even across the desert to Chitrum.

But I, Minuelle Karnian, have been reborn! After Esadien, I no longer fall for looks alone!

Of course, Austin couldn’t possibly know my inner monologue. He just waited eagerly for my answer, eyes sparkling with hope.

“Objectively speaking, Your Highness is indeed good-looking.”

That was when it happened. El, who had been calm ever since being caught, suddenly growled and extended his claws again—as if remembering the trauma of being seized by Austin.

“Grrr!”

“Whoa, you startled me.”

Austin and I were both dressed lightly, and El’s claws tore through the fabric and grazed my skin. Most of it was just scratching, but in one spot, a tiny bead of blood welled up like a red ink drop on pale blue cloth.

El froze, staring at it in horror.

“It’s okay, El. It doesn’t hurt at all. Really, I’m fine.”

I meant it. But El seemed utterly shocked at the fact that he had hurt me. His blue eyes flicked between the tiny wound and my face, filling with tears again.

‘Once the dam breaks, it’s impossible to shut tight, huh?’

I couldn’t bear to see those pretty eyes cry again. Regardless of Austin’s presence, I gently rocked El and whispered in his ear: “Why are you crying again, hmm? Who made my baby feel so sad? Was it me?”

“Meow…”

El shook his head again, then quickly stood on my shoulder and—facing Austin—licked my cheek pointedly.

Austin, observing the scene, scoffed as if it were all very amusing.

“Jealousy from loving your master too much? Cute. I like animals too, you know.”

He was obviously trying to use that as a shared interest. I immediately shut him down.

“Oh, sure.”

Didn’t ask. Don’t care.

“…….”

“…….”

Thankfully, that worked, and a brief silence followed.

But Austin wasn’t one to give up easily. Just when I thought I could relax, he struck again.

“Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you go outside.”

“…I’m not fond of outdoor activities.”

“I see. As empress, you’d manage internal affairs splendidly. I might fall for you all over again.”

“…….”

I don’t want to be empress! Never wanted it!

I was so exhausted—his relentless flirting, the absurd proposal, and just being in this twisted situation.

I must’ve reached my limit, because I blurted out under my breath: “Woof, woof…”

“What did you just say?”

Austin’s brow arched.

‘At this point, might as well deny everything!’

Wearing my best clueless smile, perfected from social season training, I replied: “Hmm? I didn’t say anything.”

“Really. Then…”

He tapped his lips, then reached a hand out toward me.

“As an apology for barking nonsense, go on a date with me.”

He did hear it.

But since I’d denied it once, there was no way I could take it back without looking like a fool. I ignored his hand and spoke flatly: “I refuse.”

“There comes a time when a suitor’s pride should be considered, you know. I am a prince.”

“Okay, next refusal.”

“Actually, your Grand Duchess mother has already approved.”

I hadn’t expected that at all. Shocked, I leapt from my seat and nearly screamed.

“What?!”

My mother knew how fed up I was with Austin. So why?

But judging from his smug face, it didn’t seem like a lie.

He stood slowly, mirroring my movement, and once again extended his hand.

“There should be a carriage waiting outside by now. Let’s go together.”

* * *

The fire spirit, Gabbie, much preferred Esadien over Ramande.

Ramande, for his part, could never bring himself to like Gabbie. He’d seen too much of Minuelle’s suffering.

His bitterness came through now and then, and he often treated Gabbie dismissively—but the main reason Gabbie liked Esadien more was simple.

—Hey, you. You’ve got a strange energy about you.

—Me?

—Yeah. Kind of like my friend’s, but a little… hmm…

Gabbie tilted his head side to side like a person searching for the right word, and finally finished.

—You smell… pitiful.

Pitiful? Esadien was startled, assuming it meant something like body odor. He sniffed his arms and torso, but having bathed recently, all he could smell was his bath salts.

‘Nothing weird. Then why say that?’

Esadien was a deeply pampered “cat,” groomed to perfection with not a single clump of fur.

Somewhat reassured, he looked at Gabbie, who laughed heartily. Flames flickered inside his open mouth like a flicking tongue.

—I meant your aura. I can’t smell physical things. I’m not a wind spirit.

Gabbie spun excitedly around Esadien, who sat upright and composed.

The way he moved and his small size made him seem more like a child than a powerful spirit—but Esadien was wise enough not to show it.

—Still, you were born human. Why are you in a beast’s body?

—I’m not entirely sure. I suspect it’s a side effect of the drug.

—Minuelle knows?

Whenever this topic came up, Esadien fell silent. He quietly shook his head.

—I don’t fully understand how humans work, but that Minuelle… she’s intense.

‘Even the spirit knows.’

Normally she was as sweet as cotton candy, but when angry, Minuelle showed no mercy.

Sometimes, the memory of her throwing a glove at him when he was with Lapheche still sent chills down Esadien’s spine.

If the spirit picked up on that… just what had happened between them?

Minuelle was a terrifyingly headstrong person. Of course, he found that side of her lovable too—but it worried him now and then.