The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

Frozen in place, Laria couldn’t even open her mouth.

‘Solike, this money-grubber!’

So this is what he meant by covering the loss.

It was clear he took a huge bribe from Zenox and sold out her information. It also explained why he asked if they were on good terms.

Quickly pulling down her hood, although trying to hide was futile now.

“Ten days? The request came to me just three days ago.”

As Laria clung to her hood, trying to act like someone else, Zenox chuckled.

“Guess you didn’t get my letter.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Your tail is showing.”

Though she thought it was impossible, Laria reflexively felt under her waist. Not missing a beat, Zenox reached out and with a flick of his finger, the hood fell off.

It was a vain attempt to hold it down.

Startled, Laria’s eyes widened. Her lake-blue eyes trembled as if a stone had been cast into a calm lake.

“So have you thought it over? I think ten days is plenty.”

There was indeed no tail. He’d lied too naturally, got completely fooled.

Laria shut her mouth tightly and averted her gaze.

A considerable amount of time had passed, but Laria still found it hard to face Zenox directly.

Why was it, she thought long and hard…

‘I didn’t want to show Zenox my weak side.’

Rather, it was Zenox who had shown his vulnerability. It was Laria, a young fox back then, who took care of a mentally fragile Zenox.

-You’re like a fearless fox.

Indeed, Laria feared nothing.

But on the day the mansion caught fire, Laria suffered severe burns. Nearly losing her life, she struggled with trauma for a long time. For a while, she couldn’t even be near a candle, spending nights in darkness.

Recently though, she thought she had almost overcome it. Candles didn’t bother her anymore, and she carried lamps around.

She hadn’t realized she was still haunted by a past she thought she’d shaken off.

She always comforted Zenox, but facing the reverse scenario made her feel embarrassed and confused.

Avoidance wasn’t a solution forever, but facing him now felt awkward.

Laria once again put on the hood nervously and sneaked a peek at Zenox. Having decided to brazenly step out now that things had come to this point, she said, 

“I’ll cancel this request.”

Zenox swallowed a bitter laugh, cradling his jaw as if troubled. 

“Then you won’t be able to take any requests for a while.” 

“…Why?” 

“Because I’ll keep putting you as my top priority.” 

Regardless of the cost. Laria’s face crumpled at the straightforward addition. 

‘Why is he being so spiteful today?’ 

Normally, she would have backed off…

Wondering if she had offended Zenox, Laria nibbled on her lip as she reflected upon it. 

‘Did I act too suspiciously?’ 

She did behave suspiciously at the Krassium mansion, but it was insufficient to deduce she was the fox just based on that.

A fox completely transforming into a human in this era. Such a case hadn’t occurred for hundreds of years. It was more plausible to say a snake transformed into a rabbit.

Even Laria couldn’t transform into a fox since then. At most, it was partial transformation where ears or a tail would pop out. 

‘Above all, I’ve never gone missing.’ 

During the time she lived as a fox, nobody knew Laria disappeared, except for her family. It became a non-event in everyone’s memory. 

‘Ignoring the contact might have been the problem.’ 

But this time, proceeding with the request seemed better. It was her fault for ignoring the contact for ten days, and Zenox wouldn’t give up easily. 

Above all, if she didn’t compensate for Solike’s loss, a terrifying price would be paid. 

“Shall we proceed with the request right away?” 

“Have you had breakfast?” 

Laria blinked at his irrelevant remark. 

“I ate roughly.” 

She had picked up a few grapes out of laziness, that was all.

Zenox, who tsked briefly, called a staff member. As this place also served light meals, he ordered soft cream soup, egg dish, and salad.

A cup of milk tea and black tea were ordered as well. 

“Didn’t you have a meal?” 

“I couldn’t eat. Let’s eat and go.” 

If the client says so, she had to follow.

Zenox gestured her to sit down. Laria casually took a seat opposite him. Somehow, sitting opposite each other felt like turning back to old times.

Soon, plates were lined up on the table. All were Laria’s favorite dishes. 

“I think I ordered too much, shall we eat together?” 

Laria tried to refuse Zenox’s offer.

“We won’t have time for lunch as the schedule is quite tight.” 

If it weren’t for the added comment.

Without a word, Laria picked up a spoon. Seeing the food and smelling it, hunger surged. 

‘It’s a bit much to leave it.’ 

As she spooned a bite of cream soup, the soft and warm sensation spread throughout her mouth. 

Unexpectedly, it was a taste that opened her eyes. Following it, she took a bite of the fluffy scrambled eggs. It was delicious enough to make her want to share the recipe with Count Rohan’s chef. 

“Try this too,” Zenox pushed a plate towards Laria. 

She was coaxed into trying this and that, and Laria’s cheeks swelled up like a fox holding meat.

Zenox only sipped black tea, watching Laria. 

“Why aren’t you eating?” Laria, who realized she was busily eating alone, asked. 

“I’m not that hungry.”

When she sent a look asking why he ordered so much then, Zenox just shrugged.

“I was hungry before ordering.”

Such are rich people.

As someone who needed to save every penny to buy gems, Laria found his behavior incomprehensible. 

“Isn’t it stuffy?” 

Zenox pointed at Laria’s hood. Fearing he might take it off again, Laria held down the hood with her hand that wasn’t holding a fork. 

“It’s fine.” 

When she was acting cautious like a wary fox, Zenox chuckled. 

“I won’t take it off, so eat comfortably.” 

Although the nuance felt a bit…

As Laria’s fork movement slowed down, Zenox’s eyes narrowed while watching her.

Somehow, it reminded her of the old times. Even during the fox days, Zenox was obsessed with meal times. If she ate even a little less than usual, he’d act as if the sky would fall. 

-Is the milk bad?

-She drank five sips less. Call the doctor now.

There are days when one wants to eat more, and days when one wants to eat less. But Zenox couldn’t understand why Laria would leave food.

She felt so frustrated as she couldn’t speak out being in her fox form. 

“Are you done eating? There’s still some left.” 

“I’m full.” 

As Zenox tried to order dessert, Laria shook her head. She had already overeaten compared to usual.

Zenox seemed disappointed as he stared at the menu before replying affirmatively.

After a satisfying meal, the two left the tea house. 

“I heard you requested an escort, where are we going?” 

“We’re going shopping.” 

So, needing an escort was an excuse. 

‘Well, who would threaten the physically strongest wolf clan?’ 

Zenox’s goal must have been just to summon her. But since she had taken the deposit, she would do her duty as an escort. Today, she would be a hired mercenary, not Laria Rohan. 

Laria slowed her pace a bit to follow behind Zenox.

At the same time the pace of Zenox also slowed down.

As Laria walked more slowly, Zenox looked back.

“Do your feet hurt?”

“No. You can’t stand next to an escort.”

Zenox’s eyebrows raised slightly.

Laria smiled as if she didn’t notice his look.

“I should do it right since I got paid.”

Zenox, who had been looking at Laria blankly, nodded as if to match the pace.

“Well, the commission fee was quite expensive.”

“…Should I give it back?”

“So I want you to escort me a little closer.”

Zenox’s eyes curved.

“How can it be a proper escort if you walk so far apart?”

They were only a few steps apart.

Laria looked at him incredulously, but Zenox didn’t blink an eye.

Standing side by side, Zenox only then seemed satisfied and took a step. The two entered the bustling shopping street.

When Zenox said shopping was his purpose, Laria assumed he came out to buy his own stuff. But the place he headed towards was a street filled with women’s clothing stores.

‘Why come here? Is it a gift for someone?’

Laria was giggling inwardly when Zenox resolved her curiosity.

“I am going to pick a gift for my fiance.”

“Ah, a fiance.”

Laria paused as she mindlessly nodded.

Fiance… is it me?