Chapter 67: Just You Wait, You Stray Cat

“How could I not go crazy over it?”

Xavier murmured in a low voice as he scanned me with a subtle gaze.

“Ah…”

Looking around, I realized that we were alone in the hallway. Xavier removed the right hand he had draped over my shoulder earlier.

“Do you know something?”

His long fingers brushed against the nape of my neck. With his other hand, he held mine, bringing his face close to my temple.

“When I touch you like this, your scent becomes even stronger.”

The heat of the man, already flushed, seeped into me, and the warm breath passing through his lips began to spread across my face.

Xavier, as if intoxicated, couldn’t control himself as he massaged the tender skin of my neck, inhaling my scent with his nose. Eventually, his face lowered to my collarbone, where he pressed his nose and took a deep breath.

“Xavier, this is the hallway… Uh.”

The hand that had been wandering around the back of my neck gently slid down, pressing softly near my ribs. I couldn’t help but let out a strange sound at his bold touch.

“Shall we go back to the room?”

The voice of the already aroused man flowed into my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

“…Yes.”

In the past, I would have pushed him away immediately, but now I was wavering. No, I didn’t want to push him away this time.

I didn’t want to reject this man who desired me, the man I loved.

Right now, I felt like I could muster the courage.

“Your Grace!”

Just as his hand, which had been caressing my shoulder, was about to wrap firmly around my waist, someone appeared at the end of the hallway. It was one of our servants.

Xavier quickly half-hid me behind his back. Leaning against him, I took a deep breath to erase the flustered expression from my face. Watching the servant running toward us, Xavier muttered under his breath.

“Melvin must have sent someone again. I really need to send that guy off to the temple.”

“Your Grace, the Pope is doing this on purpose, isn’t he?”

“Of course.”

The servant, panting heavily, escorted us to the dining hall.

Thankfully, he didn’t seem to notice anything unusual about us, bowing his head and diligently performing his duties.

Both of us felt slightly embarrassed, our faces a little flushed. Even walking beside me, Xavier still hadn’t cooled down, as the tips of his ears remained red.

Following behind the servant, I started to find the situation a bit amusing. I stifled a laugh and cleared my throat before asking.

“By the way, aren’t you really curious?”

“About what?”

“About Lulu’s identity. Who could he possibly be for the people of the Beast Kingdom to be so tense around him?”

“For starters, he’s a man, so don’t hug him recklessly.”

“Hmm.”

I looked at Xavier with a mischievous gaze.

“You do know who he is, don’t you? Now that we’re alone, you can tell me, right?”

Xavier paused for a moment before lowering his head and speaking in a hushed tone.

“It’s a secret that I know, you understand?”

“Of course.”

After glancing around, Xavier leaned in and whispered so softly it was almost inaudible.

“He’s the Crown Prince. Lucas Lacuni Moirai, the Crown Prince of the Beast Kingdom.”

“What?!”

A strange sound escaped my throat.

Ah, now even the sub-male lead is involved.

This is a disaster.

＊

“Your Highness, if you keep behaving this way, please assign another guard.”

Eaglin stood before Crown Prince Lucas with a cold expression.

Crown Prince Lucas Lacuni Moirai.

With platinum blonde, tousled hair that looked as if it had been spun from golden threads by the Goddess Maha herself, a small, fair face with a sharp nose, slightly dimpled red lips, and dark circles under his jet-black eyes that only enhanced his charm, Lucas was a striking figure. His mischievous black eyes darted here and there, capable of captivating anyone who dared to meet them.

‘Of course, that’s only if he stays still.’

Lucas was a man who possessed both extreme cuteness and masculinity, but his actions and appearance were miles apart. He inherited the raccoon’s restless nature and couldn’t sit still for even a moment.

Eaglin, the sharp-eyed eagle knight, glared at the Crown Prince, who exuded an overwhelming presence, waiting for his response.

Lucas, who had been digging his ear with his pinky finger, sprawled out on the sofa in the reception room prepared for the Beast Kingdom’s delegation.

“You fly around so well. It’s not even that hard for you, so why complain?”

“Why did you discard the necklace elsewhere? Do you know how much trouble—no, how much I suffered trying to find it?”

“I know, I know very well. I suffered too.”

But at least there was a reward. I met the Saintess.

His lips curled into a wide grin, his cheekbones practically soaring. Dangling the black obsidian pendant around his neck, he casually remarked.

“By the way, can’t we stop doing this?”

“If Your Highness stays quietly by my side, General Tiger has strictly forbidden me from allowing otherwise.”

“Ah, my guard and aide are so rigid and inflexible. Can’t I get a replacement?”

Lying on the sofa, Lucas drummed his belly dramatically, protesting noisily.

Did he boil and eat all his dignity as the Crown Prince? Eaglin sighed, pressing her temples as her head throbbed.

‘I’d like to replace him too.’ It’s a sentiment that had been stuck in her throat like a thorn for years. But it wasn’t something she could do as she pleased. Reality was harsh.

“No one else wants to do it.”

“Do what?”

“Be Your Highness’ aide and guard.”

“……”

“Who would want to serve someone who disappears east one moment and west the next? Only I can handle it.”

“Your feathers are impressive. Could you close those bright yellow eyes? They’re terrifying.”

“Would you like me to transform into a beast? I can face you fair and square. I’d be more than happy to sink my claws into that plump raccoon belly of yours.”

Hah. Lucas was at a loss for words, stunned by her calm expression.

“Am I really the Crown Prince? How dare a mere aide threaten me?”

“The late king granted me special immunity.”

Was she bragging about that? Lucas stared blankly at his aide before waving his hand dismissively.

“Tch, fine. From now on, I’ll stay where you can see me.”

“Please, do that.”

As Lucas turned his back to lie down again, Eaglin quickly added.

“By the way, Your Highness, there’s a message from Moirai.”

The mention of Moirai made Lucas’ back stiffen.

“Really?”

He sat up properly on the sofa, his platinum hair swaying as it fell over his forehead. The unruly Crown Prince had suddenly transformed into a dignified ruler.

“Why? Did the conservatives rise up? Are they pressuring us to make peace with the Empire?”

Lucas, who led the extremist faction advocating for war with the Brillante Empire, faced opposition from the conservative nobles of Moirai, who were against the war. The conservatives argued that they must serve the Empire to survive, especially because of the Empire’s control over holy power.

“No, it’s not that. The investigation results have come in. The national treasury’s holy power reserves are running dangerously low.”

“So it’s come to that.”

Lucas’ lips tightened at Eaglin’s report. The smile had already vanished.

“How long do they think we can last?”

“There’s only enough to distribute to the citizens for this winter. After this year…”

“Next year, everyone will turn into beasts and greet each other on the ground.”

“Yes.”

Eaglin bit her lip with a pained expression.

The arrival of the Saintess was both a blessing and a curse for Moirai. While her presence offered hope to break the curse, the total amount of holy power distributed by the priests had decreased, causing suffering for those who couldn’t meet the Saintess directly.

For generations, the Brillante Empire had used the Saintess to oppress and control Moirai. The history of Moirai was one of constant struggle against the Empire.

The veins on Lucas’ clenched fist stood out. Witnessing this, Eaglin asked with frustration.

“As in the past, the Brillante Empire will use the supply of holy power as leverage to torment us again, won’t they, Your Highness?”

“No, this time will be different. The Saintess isn’t in the hands of the Imperial family but with the Duke.”

“Ah…”

“We have a chance too.”

Lucas’ dark eyes gleamed as he smirked wickedly.

Eaglin felt a chill run down her spine at her master’s crazed smile. Watching Lucas flop back onto the sofa, she cautiously asked.

“Will you skip your meal?”

“Yes, go eat.”

“But you must be hungry.”

“I don’t think I can eat. You met the Saintess too, didn’t you? You know what I mean?”

“Yes. Her scent is quite strong.”

Even though they were both  women, the Saintess’ scent was enchanting. It was a fragrance that captivated any beastman.

Lucas was no exception.

When he had fled from the cave in the Everlasting Snow Mountains, Lucas had seen the massive golden pillar of holy power from afar. Imagine the thrilling sensation running down his spine at that moment!

When he returned to the camp, though he couldn’t reveal himself due to the fierce stray cat’s interference, the Saintess’ scent, which shook his heart to its core, lingered in the air.

He had followed her, knowing she was the Saintess, but the moment he saw her eyes through the bushes, he had fallen for her.

This was a blessing from the Goddess Maha.

Ah, even now, the sweet scent of the Saintess lingered at the tip of his nose.

Lucas’ lips curled into a sly grin. There was something else that carried a similar kind of scent. At least, for him.

“Oh, after your meal, bring me something that cats go crazy for.”

“Cats?”

“Yes, ask the feline beastmen. You know, the stuff they love. And bring some holy power absorbers too.”

“Understood. But what do you need those for all of a sudden?”

I need to get rid of an annoying pest.

“It’s for something.”

Lucas’ mischievous grin deepened.

Now, it’s time to get revenge on that pesky stray cat.