Chapter 168
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 168
A leash… No, that "submission."
Actually, let’s call it an "oath."
Does it grow stronger as time passes?
Is his heart deepening to an uncontrollable degree, forcing him to say such things to me?
Or is it simply because it’s been a while since we last saw each other?
“……”
The breeze blowing through the window just had to be so mild.
The scent of flowers carried by the season was so sweet and gentle.
And perhaps it was because Klaus was just staring at me, as if every word he’d just uttered was the absolute truth.
“……”
I asked him, “Are you feeling very ill?”
“…Ha.”
Klaus let out a hollow laugh at my question.
“Is that really the reaction you’re going with right now?”
“Well, think about it. It’s been a month since we last saw each other. Are you even aware of that?”
It was true.
It had been nearly a month since we last met.
The Imperial Family hadn't officially announced the arrival of the Lupinus Kingdom’s delegation, so I could only guess through the grapevine that diplomatic negotiations were underway.
Because of that, I’d occasionally worried if Klaus was even alive or if his health was holding up.
‘I tried to sneak a peek using Kim Ddong-byul, but there must be some kind of restriction on the male leads because it wouldn't budge.’
Klaus, who had been glaring at me with narrowed eyes, let out a low sigh.
“Those mages managed to temporarily extend my lifespan somehow. But even that’s reached its limit, which is why I’m here.”
“Ah, I see.”
The mages of the Summer Continent were more impressive than I thought.
However, Klaus’s face, shadowed by the moonlight, was undeniably gaunt.
He murmured with a sigh, looking like a man who had been completely drained of energy.
“How did I end up leashed to a girl like this and suffering so much?”
“What? ‘A girl like this’?”
“Am I wrong? I finally tell you how I truly feel, and that’s the kind of reaction I get.”
“Truly feel?”
“Yeah.”
“……”
Truly…
Somewhere in my body.
To be more specific, somewhere near my heart.
I felt Klaus’s voice settle there, carrying a certain weight.
Like the transition of seasons—early spring or early summer—clinging to the branches of a tree. It was unrefined, perhaps even a bit crude.
And that was exactly why it pierced my heart so rawly.
Not quite knowing what to make of this feeling, I answered Klaus, who was still staring intently at me.
“I wasn't being sarcastic.”
“Then what?”
“I asked because your complexion looks like a ghost’s.”
“Ha. I actually put effort into my appearance before coming here, and this is the shit I get.”
“Could you please stop swearing?”
“Ah, damn it. I didn't used to, but I started after beating those mages one by one.”
“You beat up the mages?!”
“Yeah. They kept saying things that pissed me off.”
“Wow…”
I was genuinely impressed by Klaus’s audacity.
Mages from the Summer Continent were supposed to be highly esteemed figures, yet he beat them up even though he was a prince?
‘They were probably royal mages, too.’
What a guy. I guess a "Hidden" Male Lead is a "Hidden" Male Lead for a reason.
I felt a surge of relief that his leash was in my hands. At the very least, he couldn't lay a finger on me.
“Hey, you’re thinking about how lucky you are to have the ‘Wolf’s Submission’ right now, aren't you?”
“Gasp. You’re reading my mind now? Did you pick up telepathy too?”
In just the one month we haven't seen each other?
“Your emotions are… No, never mind. We’ll talk about that later.”
Klaus frowned and scratched his head vigorously.
“I will never harm you as long as I live. Do you think I’m just saying that because you hold the leash of the Great Wolf King?”
“I get that, but…”
I tilted my head slightly.
“Didn't your subordinates return to the Lupinus Kingdom to find a sacred relic that can break this submission?”
“That’s right.”
“Then they must have brought it. If so, this oath is over now, isn't it?”
“Not exactly.”
“What do you mean, ‘not exactly’?”
“The old man sent the mages, but unfortunately, there’s such a thing as Royal Law.”
He furrowed his brows.
“That relic is precious, so in order to bring it to another country, there are things I need to do back in the kingdom first.”
Klaus intentionally left out the details, but I understood.
‘It must be what Grandfather mentioned before.’
In the Lupinus Kingdom, the King does not appoint a successor.
Instead, the King’s numerous princes and princesses literally engage in "one-on-one combat" with their lives on the line.
The final victor.
In other words, the strongest person becomes the successor. That was their system.
Of course, Grandfather hadn't explained it in such detail; it was information I’d gathered through The Milk Bread.
Regardless, Klaus said he could only return to the Brillant Empire with the relic after he had been established as the successor.
‘Come to think of it…’
After reaching the ending, The Milk Bread showed what happened to the other male leads who weren't chosen.
I had seen Klaus only once in The Milk Bread.
Perhaps that was why he remained so vivid in my memory.
In the side story I read back then, Klaus becomes the King of the Lupinus Kingdom.
‘But maybe it was because he went blind in one eye…’
Klaus couldn't let go of his intense hatred for the Frezier family, and as a result, the Lupinus Kingdom refused to trade with the Spring Continent "forever" and implemented an isolationist policy.
And it ended with a sad comment saying he didn't live a healthy life and died young.
‘But it’s different now.’
Klaus was loved by many maids as the cute and adorable "Klausie" (though Klaus had a sour expression the whole time), and most importantly, both of his eyes were perfectly fine.
Even now, though he didn't give me the details, wasn't he staying at the Imperial Palace?
‘Thinking about it, Emperor Alexander is the only one profiting.’
How thrilled he must be to have an influential prince from the Lupinus Kingdom fall right into his lap.
I felt a bit petty.
“Hey. Saving your life was my doing, so shouldn't you at least acknowledge the Freziers a bit?”
At my sudden remark, Klaus was silent for a moment before asking, “Are you jealous?”
“Stop talking nonsense! Your subordinates came and the Imperial Family is getting all the benefits! The ones who saved you! And got hurt! Were the Freziers! My subordinates! What did the Imperial Family…! Even do…!”
Just in case, I lowered my voice for the last part.
Yes, I was still a wimp.
“And here I thought you were jealous of something else.”
“What?”
“I keep forgetting that your thought process is a bit different from normal people. You’re absolutely obsessed with money. I’d forgotten.”
“Do you realize that sometimes when you talk, it sounds like you’re trying to turn me into the incarnation of greed?”
“The lineage of the Great Wolf King cannot lie… Ow! You’re hitting me again, even after all this time!”
Still, hitting him after a while felt somewhat refreshing.
Whether it was because my expression looked genuinely relieved, or because he still couldn't retaliate due to that damn restriction.
Klaus just huffed and puffed with an annoyed look before finally calming down and speaking.
“The old man brought a settlement agreement stating they’ll compensate you for everything you want, so why don't you stop worrying about that?”
“His Majesty the King? Personally? Really?”
“Since when was he ‘His Majesty the King’ to you…”
Klaus shook his head as if he found me appalling and continued.
“We won't be able to see each other for a while. Once the mages finish a few treatments, I have to leave again.”
“Huh? Why?”
“I told you earlier, I have to go get the relic. Honestly, how am I supposed to leave this dimwit behind…”
“…Every time I see you, I occasionally—no, frequently—feel a surge of murderous intent. You jerk, Klaus.”
I felt it occasionally, but perhaps because that oath was a magic similar to a lover’s bond.
Klaus would sometimes treat me like a fiancée or a lover, albeit very rarely.
Whether it was worrying about me or insulting me to my face.
‘Though it also feels like he’s just dealing with a slow child.’
That was why Klaus had ended up with a few bruises on his back, but well, he brought that on himself, didn't he?
Klaus let out a chuckle. Just a moment ago, he seemed to be seething because of me as we bickered about who was better.
His heart was like the ever-changing weather of a mountain; it seemed his mood had cleared up again.
I had no idea what part of my words had amused him.
‘Does he actually like being insulted?’
My brief thought was interrupted.
Klaus Rocheva suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace. I held my breath for a moment before speaking.
“Hey, listen.”
“Yeah.”
“I was used to this when you were transformed into a dog, you know?”
“I’m a wolf, not a dog.”
“Anyway, it was fine when you were transformed into something small and cute, but it’s a bit much when you’re like this.”
Klaus lifted his head.
“Why?”
I was speechless at his expression, which looked genuinely confused.
“We’re under an oath. Is even this much awkward?”
“It’s going to be broken soon anyway, isn't it?”
“Then let’s not break it.”
“What?”
Did I hear that right? As I stared at him with wide eyes, Klaus lightly rubbed the space between my brows.
“It’s a joke. You look like you’re about to faint.”
Klaus pulled me back into his arms. This time, the hug felt a bit more forceful.
In other words, it felt like my body was about to be crushed. I could hardly breathe.
But through much experience, I knew. This wasn't an action Klaus took out of ulterior motives, but a sort of "recharge."
If I tried to push him away now, his eyes would slowly start to glaze over. At the same time, he would start trudging around like a zombie who had lost all energy.
Knowing that all too well, I just stayed still.
“Ah, right.”
How much time had passed? Klaus lifted his head and asked.
“I came to ask what you’re going to wear to that Crown Prince’s triumph banquet.”
“You saw it earlier, didn't you? I’m wearing that dress.”
“I told you not to wear that!”
“Why? Do you have any idea how much that cost?”
“The others are all expensive too! Or just wait. I’ll send you a separate dress…”
“How many days do you think are left before you send a new dress? There’s no time for fittings and all that. And besides.”
I asked, unable to understand at all.
“What’s wrong with that dress?”
“It doesn't look like it belongs to me!”
“…?”
Klaus started to pull me by the hand but then hesitated.
“Damn it.”
Scratching the back of his head as if something was bothering him, he suddenly hoisted me up onto his back.
Before I could even be surprised, Klaus strode over to the dress and growled.
“Hey. Where on this is there a mark that says we’re a pair?”
“…What mark?”
“My hair color! Or my eye color! You should have considered things like that!”
The beige dress I had chosen, embroidered with gold thread, certainly didn't seem to have the slightest connection to Klaus.
But even so.
“Why on earth should I wear a dress that has a connection to you?”
“What?”
Klaus tried to whip his head around to look at me, but let out a short groan as his neck made a loud crack.
“I mean, you have to dance with me, so we should at least match that much. Isn't that the etiquette of the Spring Continent?”
“When did you ever ask me to dance?”
“What?”
“I mean, a guy who hasn't even asked me yet is making a fuss about wearing this dress or that dress.”
Anyone listening would think I was having an affair.
However, my bewilderment didn't seem to have any effect on Klaus.
He even set me down from his back and stared at me with eyes full of shock.