The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

Laria looked up quietly at the tea house sign.

She had to go in, but she hesitated for a while because she didn’t want to.

It was because she was on her way to meet a matchmaking partner whose face she didn’t even know yet.

“Haah…”

She woke up to find a match set overnight.

And it was by the order of the Crown Prince.

‘Why me?’

Laria’s family was extremely ordinary.

They weren’t a powerful family, nor were they overflowing with wealth.

Even if she was chosen because she was of the fox clan, it would be full of contradictions.

‘I haven’t even heard who the other party is.’

She didn’t even know what kind of person he was, his status or age.

She had never imagined such a chaotic match.

‘I hope he’s a decent man.’

Hoping that the Crown Prince still had some conscience, Laria checked the time.

Realizing she couldn’t delay any longer, a sigh naturally escaped her lips. She slowly opened the door, revealing a dimly lit interior.

‘Why choose such a dark place for an arranged meeting?’

Feeling like the protagonist of a horror play, Laria slowly approached the stage.

A man with jet-black hair sat in a corner.

His face wasn’t clearly visible because of the dim lighting, but she noticed armor worn only on one hand.

The empty tea house was eerily quiet, as if isolated from the outside world.

The sound of her footsteps seemed so loud that it was embarrassing.

Even though he must’ve noticed her, the man didn’t move, turning his head towards the window.

It seemed as if he was protesting, not wanting to be there.

‘I feel the same.’

Maybe it’s a good thing. If neither was interested, they could just have a brief conversation and leave.

But… why did he feel so familiar?

Laria, who was internally complaining, greeted him first.

“Hello.”

The man, who had been as still as a statue, slowly turned his head.

Slowly, his face came into view.

The sunlight from the window highlighted the contrast on his face.

Underneath the jet-black hair were intense golden eyes, as if capturing the midday sun, a prominent nose bridge resembling the highest mountain range, moderately thick lips, and a firm yet sleek jawline.

He was an incredibly handsome man, possibly the most handsome she had ever seen in her life.

“…”

Laria turned pale with surprise.

She wasn’t shocked because her matchmaking partner was extremely handsome.

‘It’s Zenox Krassium…!’

The man in front of her was the one who had kidnapped her three years ago.

* * *

Beastmen, beings with mixed blood of beasts and humans.

Once they were cursed and stigmatized, but now, after long wars and turmoil, they have become members of society in place of humans.

In the past, beastmen could transform completely into beasts.

Nowadays, they usually appeared human, with only partial features like ears or tails showing.

But Laria had never once had ears or a tail.

“Why don’t they appear?”

Laria sat down haphazardly in a meadow.

She was so preoccupied that she didn’t even notice the dew staining the hem of her dress.

‘I’m upset.’

The Coun Rohan family Laria belonged to had a white fox as an ancestor.

She grew tired of the murmurs from relatives and others whenever there was a fox clan event.

She didn’t ask for much; she’d be content with either ears or a tail, just one of the two of them.

For a moment, she stood blankly when a wind blew from afar.

The sound of leaves rustling resembled the sound of rain.

Her thoughts seemed to be swept away by the calming sound, and her heart gradually settled.

It felt worthwhile to have purposely left home and come to the forest.

Laria, who had been looking up at the sky, stood up.

“Let’s try it one more time.”

She took a deep breath and focused.

The energy that had been spread throughout her body gathered at her heart.

Then, as if chasing its tail, the wind spiraled upward like a dragon.

The strong wind tousled Laria’s pure white hair as it passed. Laria reflexively closed her eyes tightly, and only after the wind had completely settled did she slowly open them.

‘What’s this?’

She felt a slight itch on her head.

After a moment’s hesitation, Laria quickly touched her head.

She felt soft, fluffy white fur and pointed ears.

The fox ears she had so desired.

‘It… It’s a success…!’

She couldn’t help but smile.

“Kyu kyu!”

Kyu…?

What’s that, an animal cry?

Startled, Laria quickly glanced around.

Her viewpoint was distinctly lower, and trees that used to be around the same height now looked incredibly tall.

Laria looked down at her hands.

White fur… and pink jelly-like paw pads.

‘Have I fully transformed into an animal?’

“Kyaa!”

She yelled in surprise.

No one in the current generation could perfectly transform into an animal.

Just having ears or a tail was considered amazing, but a full transformation was unheard of.

Panicking, Laria touched her face and then stopped.

Without a mirror, she decided to go to the lakeside to see her reflection.

After running for a while, Laria started walking as she became tired. Her legs were short, so walking wasn’t easy.

After wandering the forest for some time, Laria found a quiet lakeside.

It was a place open on all sides, a perfect spot to lay a mat and picnic.

Approaching the water’s edge, Laria saw her reflection and was taken aback.

Though she felt small, she looked just like a baby fox. She seemed about three months old.

Her parents would have laughed and said she looked cute in this form. Her older brother would definitely have teased her.

Was there a spell to transform back to an adult from an animal form?

Lost in thought, Laria realized a significant amount of time had passed.

She had to return soon or everyone would be worried.

‘But why isn’t the transformation reversing?’

She should’ve returned to her human form by now.

Laria tried to recite the spell to revert to her human form.

But only the cry of a baby fox came out.

Covering her face with both paws, Laria let out a silent scream.

‘Oh my, what do I do?’

How could she go home in this state?

To get back to where she parked her carriage, it would be half a day’s run in this small body.

Laria sat down, lost in her worries.

Then, suddenly, the sunlight shining on her was replaced by a shadow.

A hand unexpectedly grabbed Laria by the scruff of her neck.

“Kyuu!”

Although she let out a sharp cry in reflex, the large hand didn’t let her go.

“…Little fox.”

The man lifted Laria and met her eyes.

His sharp eyes glowed gold, radiant like the sun.

“Have you lost your mother?”

‘My mom’s fine! You crazy guy!’

Laria glared at the man fiercely.

He observed Laria for a moment, then opened his coat and tucked her inside.

‘A kidnapper! Mom! Dad!’

No matter how much she cried out, only the fox’s yip could be heard.

And so, her life with the kidnapper began.

Unaware that they would meet again as arranged partners.