The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

Laria recalled the events from a few years ago.

‘I was kidnapped and we lived together for half a year…’

That memory remained the most intense moment of her life.

Fortunately, the man before her seemed completely unaware that she had been that baby fox.

Thinking about it, it was obvious.

In this era, there were no beastmen who could completely transform.

Not to mention, it was a secret only she knew, even her parents were unaware.

‘I never thought I’d meet the one I faced off against.’

She was so surprised that she froze for a while, sensing a sharp gaze upon her.

Regaining her senses, Laria promptly took a seat opposite him.

Knowing his name, and even having lived together, she broke into a cold sweat trying to pretend she didn’t know him.

With all her might, Laria started a conversation as if she was speaking to a stranger.

“Excuse me… You are here for the arranged meeting, right?”

He slowly nodded his head.

Upon closer examination, he seemed more worn out than before.

Still handsome, but he seemed to have lost weight…

His complexion was dark, resembling someone who had suffered or been seriously ill.

Laria, trying to calm her racing heart, continued the act calmly.

“I came in a hurry and didn’t hear your name. Could you tell me?”

The man, who had been sitting slightly askew, opened his mouth.

“Zenox Krassium.”

The voice that came out was deep, as if it would resonate through the ground.

It was different from her memory, unfamiliar.

Caught in that voice, Laria pretended to be surprised a beat late.

In the Empire, only one family bore the surname Krassium.

A rare breed with the blood of black wolves, the only family to inherit the title of Grand Duke.

And the head of that house was Zenox Krassium.

He was so famous that almost anyone would have heard rumors about him.

Most of them were not very flattering.

Laria recalled some of the rumors about Zenox.

‘He eats beastmen.‘

‘He roams the battlefield unable to contain his urge to kill.‘

‘He’s so temperamental that he kills anyone he doesn’t like.‘

Wolf clan members belonged to the top-tier carnivores, and many born with that lineage had immense strength.

Furthermore, Zenox had inherited these features most intensely. It was said that among all the beastmen of this generation, his wolf blood was the purest.

Laria thought some of these might just be baseless rumors.

‘I’ve seen it myself.’

The Zenox she observed during their six months of forced cohabitation was quite different from the rumors.

But now, Laria had to act like a beastman who knew nothing of his true nature.

How should she act normally towards Zenox Krassium as her arranged partner? If she acted too indifferent, she might be suspected.

After much thought, Laria replied, slightly hunching her shoulders as if scared.

“…I’m Laria Rohan.”

Silence fell between them as Laria introduced herself.

‘What can I reject him?’

She wanted to leave as soon as possible before any unnecessary incident occurred.

It seemed she wasn’t the only one with that thought, as Zenox opened his mouth.

“I’m not thinking of marriage yet.”

He looked annoyed, his expression fierce and rough.

The man before her resembled the Zenox she first met in the forest.

Laria, who had been staring at Zenox, nodded her head.

“That’s a relief. I had no intention of getting married either.”

Laria sneaked a glance at the clock on the wall.

Less than 10 minutes had passed since she entered the shop.

“But since the Crown Prince has ordered it, should we at least have tea and then part?”

At the mention of the Crown Prince, Zenox, who had been frowning, reluctantly nodded.

Laria raised her hand and called the waiter who was waiting from afar.

“One cup of black tea and one milk tea, please.”

“Which type of tea leaves would you like?”

“Both Earl Grey, and lots of milk in the milk tea.”

Not long after placing the order, tea was set in front of them.

After taking a sip of the milk tea, Laria screamed inwardly.

It was so hot that her tongue reflexively jutted out. She set down the tea cup and waited for the milk tea to cool.

Laria wasn’t good at handling hot things.

‘The temperature of the milk was perfectly matched by Zenox.’

As she reminisced for a moment, Zenox opened a large bag.

He then presented a piece of paper to Laria.

Seeing it, Laria’s hand trembled.

A drop of milk tea from the tea cup she held dropped onto the table.

Looking for a white fox

-Name: Whitie

-Characteristics: White fur, inside of ears and paws are pink.
      Body length is 18 lit.
      Tail is long and bushy.

★ Important note: small and cute.
              Might be mistaken for a doll.

Giving me a missing flyer for myself.

‘This flyer… I get it in the mail once a month.’

Zenox regularly sent flyers to every household in the capital.

It was also posted everywhere, so every citizen knew that Zenox’s pet fox had run away.

Of course, no one believed that the fox was Zenox’s pet. Most people thought he was looking so hard because the white fox was a potent elixir.

It was all due to a bad perception of Zenox.

Reading the flyer, Laria’s eyes nearly popped out when she saw the reward.

[Reward: 10 billion pesos.]

It’s gone up again!

The amount he was offering was enough to buy several mansions in the capital.

This too had been increasing annually, reflecting inflation.

‘How much has he spent so far? Would he give me this if I came forward?’

Although it was a regrettable amount, she couldn’t risk her life for 10 billion pesos.

Luckily, Zenox had no idea that the fox he was looking for was sitting right in front of him.

After looking away from the flyer, Laria, trying to hide her surprise, blurted out:

“Um… so, you had a fox?”

Zenox’s tense face softened a bit.

He opened his mouth for the first time.

“I’ve heard you’re of the white fox lineage.”

So, he gave me the flyer because I’m of the fox lineage.

When Laria lightly responded “Yes,“ in agreement, Zenox muttered as if speaking to himself.

“Just like Whitie.”

No, it’s been so long since I heard that name.

Laria had been called Whitie for a whole six months.

It was all because of Zenox.

Unaware of Laria’s changing expression, Zenox continued speaking:

“If you happen to see Whitie, please let me know.”

His intense gaze was a bit frightening.

You’d think after three years of not finding her, he’d assume she was dead, but there was a reason he was still looking.

She was sure that if Zenox found out her identity, he wouldn’t leave her be.

‘I have to hide it until the end.’

Laria calmly set down her tea cup and nodded.

“If Your Excellency continues this effort, you might find her soon.”

Offering a bland consolation, Zenox murmured lowly:

“…I must.”

The tone suggested he might do something drastic if he didn’t find her.

Laria touched the surface of the tea cup.

The tea had cooled quite a bit, so she planned to drink up quickly and leave.

Just as she was about to pick up her tea cup again, the door to the tea house opened and someone entered.

Thinking it was another customer, the man quickly walked toward them.

In an excited voice, the man exclaimed:

“Your Excellency! They say they’ve found Whitie!”

Laria blinked.

…But Whitie is right here?