‘What if the Grand Duchess really dislikes animals?’

Even if she likes animals to some extent, at most, it would be cats or dogs. It’s unlikely that an exceptional aristocratic lady would like a jokjebi.

If Hadel’s bride, who suddenly came to the capital, pointed at me with a fan.

[Um, what’s this smelly creature? Get rid of it right away. It’s not fitting for Your Highness to raise such a creature!] If I shout like this, wouldn’t Hadel have no choice but to kick me out of the castle?

No, even if I insist, he might be able to prevent me from being kicked out.

[Having a beast wandering inside the castle is unacceptable! If you really want to raise it, do it outside the castle!]

It was a very naturally made request. Didn’t the butler claim that he should raise me as if I were a dog, filling my bowl with dog food and putting a leash on me?

‘Just imagining it is depressing.’

But living in Hadel’s room as if I were the master, suddenly imagining living outside the castle made me feel like I was going to cry.

As I was lowering my head in depression, Hadel spoke in a blunt tone.

“I have no intention of marrying a woman chosen by the royal family.”

Hadel’s words made the subordinates frown.

“But in the North, there are noble families suitable to become the Grand Duchess…”

Considering that even commoners are scarce in the North, it was natural that there were no high-born ladies enough to become Hadel’s wife. Crushing their concerns, Hadel calmly declared.

“And I am planning to get married soon.”

“W-What!”

Marriage!

It was the first time I heard such a story. The sound of subordinates murmuring in confusion reached my ears.

“Who?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is it the butler?”

Even though it seemed that they would not have such a conversation in front of Hadel, I keenly felt how flustered they were.

And I was also flustered. Forgetting the cold, I stuck my face out of the shirt.

‘No, who are you getting married to? You only had time to be with me, where did you find time to date?’

When our eyes met, instead of answering, Hadel smiled wryly.

‘Don’t laugh, answer!’

Normally, I would have been captivated by Hadel’s rare smile, but today, my heart just felt stuffy. It was when I stared at Hadel with hawk eyes.

‘Ugh, it’s cold.’

Somewhere, a cold chill brushed against my nose. No matter how cold the weather was, I couldn’t feel the cold energy as long as I was nestled in Hadel’s arms.

‘What is this? Is it snowing?’

Thinking so, I turned my head, but I saw something strange in my line of sight.

Woo-woo-woo.

How should I describe this crying sound?

It was definitely a ferocious beast like a wolf or a tiger, but its eyes were blue, and its body was unnaturally pale, as if it were frozen. White mist-like cold air flowed out from its mouth.

‘This must be the monster Hadel mentioned!’

It was the first time I saw such a monster. There was no such creature in the battles I had fought against monsters!

“Monster!”

“Where did it come from, exactly?”

“Prepare for defense!”

Those who noticed the appearance of the monster drew their swords. I held onto Hadel’s shirt tightly, feeling tense.

‘We are inside the castle walls. How did the monster get in?’
The cold felt threatening, but from the monster that Hadel was walking calmly alongside, there was no indication of any fierce intent. It meant that it wasn’t the type to attack swiftly or agilely, posing a direct threat.

‘It seems like it can’t jump over the castle walls.’

Did someone open the castle gate?

Various thoughts flooded my mind. Hadel held me and pulled me out of his shirt.

‘Oops, it’s cold!’

Even when clinging to Hadel, I felt the cold, but as I came out of Hadel, my body shivered involuntarily. After placing me on the ground, Hadel pushed my back.

“Marian, run this way. If you run straight, you’ll reach the castle.”

“Kkyu-kkyu!”

Hadel, what about you?

Hadel, who surprisingly understood my crying sound accurately, formed a faint smile again. Without saying a word, I could also understand Hadel’s feelings. It meant he was staying here.

‘This fool.’

I might start disliking Hadel’s smiling soon.

Afraid that I might attract more of Hadel’s attention by wandering around, I stepped back. Perhaps thinking that I had completely fled, Hadel also drew his sword and stared straight at the monsters.

“Drive the monsters toward my direction!”

At that command, I turned blue.

‘Drive the monsters toward you?’