The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

Is he going to pick her gift?

While Laria was blinking in surprise, Zenox closed the distance in one breath.

“I feel like I haven’t been able to do it all along, so I want to be good to you from now on.”

Zenox’s lips curled up.

“Otherwise, there’s no reason to avoid contact for ten days.”

Despite the laughter, there was a strange pressure.

But why does it feel more like a tantrum?

‘Did he get upset?’

Laria remembered Zenox feeling left out when she was a fox and didn’t play with him because she was tired.

“It’s not like that. I was just a bit busy.”

She made excuses, as she couldn’t say it was embarrassing to see his face.

She had been really busy a few days ago with Sienna’s request.

As Zenox looked slightly doubtful, she hurriedly added:

“I will be free now.”

“If I can’t reach you again… can I do as I please?”

It’s not coming to the house, is it?

Laria shivered at the thought of Herdin and Zenox facing each other.

“I will definitely contact you even if I’m busy.”

Only after hearing her firm answer did his expression relax.

Zenox, who was still close to her, flicked the hood with his finger.

“Isn’t it time to take it off?”

“I’m acting secretly around here.”

Zenox was the first person besides Solike to know that Laria received requests from the store and acted on them.

Now that Zenox knew, it didn’t matter if she took it off…

“I want to do it properly since I got paid.”

When Laria added that she wanted to separate work from personal matters, Zenox didn’t insist on her taking off the hood anymore.

“I understand. Then, what should I call you?”

“Call me Liri.”

Laria recycled what she had said to Sienna.

Liri, Zenox mumbled as if rolling it on his tongue.

Somehow when it was called by him, it felt like a pet name used between lovers.

It didn’t feel that way when Sienna said it…

Is it because his voice is nice.

“Let’s go then, Liri.”

Zenox, who took the first step, stopped in front of a notably flashy clothing store. Even Laria, who had no interest in clothes, knew it was a famous clothing store.

As Zenox tried to enter, Laria stopped.

“I will wait outside.”

Declaring she wouldn’t follow, Zenox replied with a very serious face:

“What if I get attacked inside the store?”

“…Inside the store?”

Who would dare, to Zenox?

It seemed like that person would run away on his own.

With a trembled face, Laria looked at Zenox, but felt a gaze from somewhere and turned her head.

But there was no one there.

Looking at puzzled Laria, Zenox lowered his eyes.

“Actually, it seems like someone has been following me for a while.”

He whispered in a lower voice.

“I am scared that they might have bad intentions…”

Who would dare harm Zenox.

He came home soaked in blood before, which scared her, but it turned out to be someone else’s blood.

She knew that, but was weak to Zenox’s plaintive expression.

It felt like she had to protect him just like in the past.

“Shall we go in together for now?”

“It’s really fortunate to have a reliable escort.”

You should just say it.

Laria glanced at Zenox for a moment, then straightened her head. As they entered the clothing store, the employee standing by the door opened it for them.

“Welcome!”

Well-dressed employees lined up and greeted them in chorus.

Laria looked around the spacious interior.

True to the fame of the clothing store, there were no customers.

‘Is the business not doing well?’

She had heard that reservations were full for months.

While Laria was puzzled, a woman with a gold name tag stepped forward.

“I’ve been waiting, Your Excellency the Grand Duke.”

She greeted respectfully.

“I will do my utmost not to disappoint.”

She was smiling but couldn’t completely hide the tension.

The fear induced by the name of Grand Duke Krassium must be great. Despite being a customer, it was courteous not to show any dislike towards him.

She discovered Laria a bit late and widened her eyes.

Laria, wearing a robe and pulling the hood, was suspicious, yet she didn’t lose her polite tone.

“Is this person with you?”

“I’m an escort.”

Laria answered on their behalf.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the store manager and the staff standing behind subtly changed.

Why would someone need to escort Zenox? Their expressions seemed to wonder.

Fortunately, the manager didn’t inquire further and immediately began to assist.

“Do you have a product in mind?”

“I’d like to see a dress as a gift for my fiance.”

“Oh, I’ve heard the news. Congratulations on your engagement.”

Only then, a soft smile curled on Zenox’s lips.

“Thank you.”

Seeing his smile, the manager’s face blanked.

Zenox was a rare handsome man, but his imposing aura overshadowed his good looks. However, with the lightened mood, Zenox’s face was captivating enough to capture hearts.

Had a fashion designer been present, they would have gained a lifetime’s worth of inspiration.

“Our ready-made clothes in this section…”

As the manager stuttered an explanation, Zenox waved his hand to stop her.

“We will look around for a bit, no need for assistance.”

With only Laria in his care, he headed towards the dress racks.

The racks full of various dresses were more glamorous than Laria’s wardrobe.

Scanning through the dresses, Zenox picked out a cerulean blue dress.

“Liri, would my fiance like this?”

Zenox was keeping Laria’s words about separating business from personal matters.

Although it didn’t hold much significance.

“It’s pretty, but it looks heavy. She might not wear it.”

It seemed too extravagant, suitable only for a party.

Looking at the dress, Zenox sighed slightly disappointed.

“It seems too plain for my fiance.”

Too plain…?

The only more extravagant ones seemed to be the wedding dresses.

Unlike the bewildered Laria, the manager sincerely apologized.

“I’m really sorry. It seems we were unprepared. If you could describe your fiance’s appearance, I’d do my best to recommend something.”

Zenox answered as if he had been waiting.

“My fiance has silvery hair that shines white in the sunlight, and eyes the color of a sunny day lake.”

Her skin is whiter than snowflakes and blah blah…

His description was close to bragging, the manager’s eyes wavered.

The staff standing behind began to whisper very softly, unable to maintain their composure.

Was the Grand Duke of Krassium a romantic?

I don’t know, but his fiance is Count’s daughter Lady Rohan, right?

She must be incredibly beautiful.

Witnessing the situation, Laria’s face turned bright red.

‘Is this revenge for ignoring his messages?’

She could find no other explanation for Zenox’s behavior.

As the manager nodded and listened, she eventually began writing with paper and pen.

By the time she filled a page, she finally stopped the pen.

“I’ll pass this onto the owner.”

Would the owner run away upon receiving these specifications?

Zenox obviously seemed like a difficult customer.

Having finished the order, Zenox, with Laria, headed to another racks.

“We can’t go back empty-handed.”

He pointed at a dress that looked expensive even at a glance.

“What do you think, Liri?”

“It’s nice…”

Laria half-heartedly agreed, fearing what he might do if turned down again.

As Zenox touched the dress, a staff swiftly brought it out.

“This one?”

“It seems nice.”

With every nod from Laria, more dresses piled on the staff’s arms.

Isn’t it time to stop shopping?

‘He hasn’t changed a bit.’

Back when she was Whitie, Zenox had a shopping addiction.

Dozens of fur combs, hundreds of toys.

That was the amount he bought during Laria’s mere half-year stay.

Later, it was said that whenever a new pet product was launched, it was sent directly to the Krassium mansion.

“If this continues, you might end up buying the whole store.”

Upon hearing Laria’s sarcastic comment, Zenox hesitated.

“That doesn’t seem like a bad idea.”

His murmuring sent shivers down her spine.

Zenox might actually buy the store.

‘Rather give me that money…’

She was confident she’d spend it thriftily.

Worrying about where Zenox might spring to next, she felt a hot gaze from behind.

A man wearing a big hat was standing outside the window.

His gaze was firmly on Zenox.

He really had a stalker.