A mysterious explosion occurred, and Rune, who had jumped down from a tree, headed straight for the rear garden without hesitation. Ash, who had shaken off Restin, also ran in the direction of the rear garden.
“The fire can be quickly contained, please evacuate to the main building!”
Ahin, who was running against the crowd of evacuees, felt his stomach churn. The cause was Rune, who was running diligently beside him. Ahin’s eyes darkened as he observed the impatient expression on Rune’s face.
“Sir Manionts, what do you think we’ll find if we go this way?”
Rune, thinking it was obvious when Ahin had figured out Ash’s presence, replied irritably.
“Do you really not know? The rabbit, obviously.”
“Then why are you going where the rabbit is?”
“Because, of course, I’m worried, ugh!”
Caught off guard, Rune was kicked in the side and fell, unfortunately, into a pond.
“…Are you insane?”
Stunned, Rune brushed his drooping curly hair back from his forehead. Unbothered, Ahin looked down at him, half-submerged in the water.
“Cool your head in there.”
“What? What nonsense in this situation—”
“You’re not the one who should be worried.”
Ahin passed by the pond, his voice devoid of any playful tone. The eyes revealed between his parted silver hair were of a kind Rune had never seen before.
Rune had no memory of Ahin ever displaying his emotions so plainly. At least, not since his father had died.
Sitting idly by the pond, Rune soon let out a hollow laugh. It seemed that, without realizing it, he had crossed a line he shouldn’t have.
* * *
The rear garden was nearly deserted, aside from the personnel extinguishing the flames. Ahin, running while scanning the surroundings, spotted a few people in a standoff.
He stopped, clenching and unclenching his fists. Among them were Aven Rabian, her bodyguard knight, and—
‘Vivi.’
A hot, stuffy wind, heated by the fire, blew past.
Ahin raised his gaze from her silver dress to her fluttering white hair. From a distance, she could be mistaken for a noblewoman.
In that short time, she had somehow acquired the dress, and her hair was neatly arranged. It was baffling, yet he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Standing under the moon, her slender figure seemed like it would disappear at any moment.
Even though they were together every day. Every moment Ahin wasn’t around, Vivi grew at a pace he couldn’t catch up with.
“Do something!”
Aven shouted at the hesitating bodyguard knight. As the knight raised his sword, Vivi lifted her hand as if she was about to use her pheromones.
Ahin, moving as if in a trance, quickened his pace.
The day Ahin had transformed into his true form, Vivi had used her pheromones on him, and then reverted to her rabbit form. That single thought dominated his mind.
Just as Vivi focused her pheromones into her hand, her eyes widened in surprise. A large hand appeared from behind and wrapped around her hand.
The gathered pheromones scattered, dissipating as if they had evaporated in an instant.
“Don’t.”
A voice came from behind, only loud enough for Vivi to hear.
“Don’t use your pheromones.”
The cool decorations on Ahin’s jacket and buttons brushed against Vivi’s exposed back. In disbelief, she sharply turned her head.
“Ahin…?”
Ahin’s cheeks were flushed, likely from all the running he had been doing.
“How did you find me?”
He looked down at Vivi, who blinked in confusion. His voice, calling her name rather than communicating with silent gestures, filled the void inside her.
Ahin’s grip tightened around Vivi’s hand. The fulfillment reflected in his eyes was clear as he muttered.
“I think, after all, I want you to be human.”
Even though he had always sung praises about preferring her as a rabbit. Vivi bit her lip, swallowing the retort that almost slipped out.
As she had expected, Ahin’s face showed he was very angry, and that frightened her. Vivi, her mouth opening and closing like a fish, silently stared straight ahead.
Just enduring the feeling of his touch was already overwhelming. Above her head, she could feel his breath, and the fabric brushing against the bare skin exposed by her low-cut dress heightened her sensitivity.
Ahin’s rough hand, which had been wrapped around the back of her hand, slowly intertwined with her fingers. Vivi, silently screaming inside, glared furiously at the poor bodyguard.
Meanwhile, Ahin, who had let out a long, relieved sigh, began to find the situation strange. Vivi, who was unusually quiet, seemed to be holding her breath, completely still.
When she caught his gaze, her face scrunched up like a hamster, and she remained focused straight ahead without saying a word.
Following her line of sight, Ahin turned to look at the standing bodyguard. And then, to Aven Rabian standing behind him. Realizing the situation, Ahin gave a crooked smirk.
‘They were planning to take her.’
Ahin stepped forward, blocking their view of Vivi completely. Her small figure disappeared behind his large frame.
“You should put your sword away.”
Before you lose a hand. Aven’s and the bodyguard’s faces turned pale as they interpreted Ahin’s unspoken threat.
“Who goes there?”
At that moment, an employee came around the banquet hall, shouting. Coughing from the lingering smoke, he waved his hand and called out again.
“The fire hasn’t been fully contained yet; you need to evacuate to the main building, hick!”
The guard, spotting Ash belatedly, quickly retreated in shock.
Realizing further confrontation was pointless, Aven glanced at Ahin with narrow eyes.
‘What kind of relationship is this?’
Ahin’s protective stance toward Vivi far surpassed the level of guarding a mere rabbit. The only thing clear was that the hostility Ahin had shown Aven at the banquet had been sparked by Vivi.
“Vivi.”
Startled, Vivi, who had slightly poked her head out at Aven’s call, bumped her nose into Ahin’s back. Ahin had shifted his body to prevent her from moving.
‘Ugh.’
Feeling like her nose had been broken, Vivi pushed against Ahin’s back with her fist. She then felt as if her fist had been shattered from the impact.
“You should know, you’re all I have left.”
Leaving those ominous words, Aven turned and headed toward the main building. Her bodyguard, having sheathed his sword, dutifully followed her.
“What does that even…”
“Not now.”
As Vivi unconsciously took a step forward, Ahin’s arm blocked her. It was about time they, too, evacuated to the main building.
A loud crash sounded as the statue collapsed into the flames, sending thick smoke billowing outward.
* * *
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