“Is there a problem?”

Wasn’t he a dragon Therianthrope?!

His extraordinary aura made me naturally assume that he was a dragon Therianthrope…?!

‘A great black dragon Therianthrope wasn’t he…!’

Disappointed, I awkwardly smiled and responded, “It’s nothing.”

Arwin, seemingly amused for some reason, added in a secretive whisper.

“By the way, I am a Black Mamba Therianthrope. A snake possessing a very potent venom.”

‘Bl, Black Mamba…?’

A Black Mamba that devours everything…?

He would have seemed a bit scary if he just said he was a venomous snake, but calling himself a Black Mamba somehow felt familiar….

I took Arwin’s offered hand and nodded composedly. Black Mamba, I see.

“I will lead you to the gate. Please follow me.”

Arwin spoke, seemingly suppressing a laugh. Although I don’t know why, I must have appeared amusing in his eyes. Well, it’s better than appearing menacing.

“Yes, then…….”

As I was about to follow Arwin, I realized with a start that I had been nestled in Grayan’s arms all this time.

‘Oh no! I’ve gone mad!’

As I hastily stepped away from him, Grayan looked somewhat regretful.

What? What’s there to regret…?! I took a step back from Grayan and stole a glance at him.

Grayan stared at his empty hand for a moment, still looking regretful, then said,

“You smell nice… It’s a bit, no, very disappointing. If you keep avoiding me like this… it hurts a bit.”

No… Stop making such easily misunderstood statements! You man who charms as easily as breathing!

Cautiously eyeing Grayan, I hurried after Arwin. Grayan followed closely behind me, and I warned him as I subtly avoided him.

“Um, don’t come too close.”

“Just a while ago, you were much closer…”

“That was, that was…!”

While arguing with Grayan, the scenery had changed without me noticing.

We had arrived at the gate.

“Your Highness! It’s been a while!”

“Your Highness, you’ve arrived.”

The two wizards guarding the gate greeted Grayan. One cheerfully, the other very courteously.

From their greetings alone, the personality of the two wizards was quite obvious. They both looked aghast as they noticed me.

Both clearly disliked me.

“…Hello, Princess Gloria.”

“We meet again, Princess Gloria.”

…It seemed these two also knew Gloria. Gosh, there will likely be several more situations like this in the future.

‘I’m tired just thinking about it….’

“Let’s activate the gate now. Are you ready, Duchess?”

“Ah, yes!”

At Arwin’s question, I quickly nodded and replied. At this, the two wizards widened their eyes, alternately looking at me and Arwin. Wondering what they were surprised at,

“Duchess…?”

“Can we call you that…?”

Apparently, they were confused about the title. That reminds me, they both referred to me as ‘Princess Gloria’… Gloria probably insisted on being referred to in that way.

‘Typical Gloria.’

Gloria took great pride in being part of the Ainstern royal family. But now that she was married to a Therianthrope and called by the Therianthrope family name, her high pride probably didn’t allow it.

‘Judging by their reactions, Gloria probably made the same request to Arwin….’

When we bumped into each other in the hallway earlier, Arwin had asked,

‘Should I start calling you Duchess Salisbury?’

With a composed smile on his face.