It was a pity that he couldn’t transform into a beastman because his illness was so difficult to diagnose.
It was still a pity, but it still didn’t make sense.
A black wolf with golden eyes.
In the beastmen empire, gold symbolized nobility, and black symbolized purity.
It was said that one of the two Drodians, the divine beasts that assisted the goddess, also had golden eyes and black fur.
Above all, the Duke's true form was that of a divine beast itself.
It was difficult to even imagine how such a large body could be squeezed into a human form.
It was still a pity, but it still didn’t make sense.
Seeing him transform into a beastmen, was as good as being cured. Even if he didn’t intend to deceive her from the beginning, it was clear that he had intentionally claimed to be the owner of the fox and dragged Sepia here in the form of a fox a little while ago.
“So what are you trying to say?”
With those cold words, Etensel knelt at her feet.
“Your Majesty is my benefactor. I can’t change unless because Your Majesty.”
A boyish face clung to Sepia.
‘I cured your illness?’
Sepia looked down at Etensel with a confused expression.
He was holding onto the hem of her evening dress like a lifeline.
She wanted to shake Etensel off, but she couldn’t.
His eyes were so sorrowful.
“What does that mean?”
She had been planning to ask without knowing the context.
However, just that made Etensel’s eyes fill with hope.
“Even after becoming an adult, I couldn’t turn into a beastman. They say it’s a very rare disease that’s hard to find a precedent for. My mother tried everything to cure me, but it was no use.”
Etensel had been boasting to his grieving family that he would definitely get better someday.
However, Etensel was the one who distrusted hope more than anyone else. Although he maintained a cheerful personality on the outside, he thought that there was no cure for an incurable disease.
That’s why he was even more curious about the human Empress.
However, it wasn’t like that from the beginning.
He was more indifferent than anyone else when he heard that a human had become the Empress of the Beastkin empire. What caught Etensel’s attention was the human Empress’s actions.
She was recognized as the mother of the empire despite the discrimination of being a foreigner.
All by herself.
Etensel was fed up with the life of an animal.
Countess Kurds loved her youngest son, but she was secretly ashamed of the fact that Etensel could not transform into a beast.
The lady did not show it, but Etensel already knew her heart.
At that point, Sepia’s ability, which was acknowledged by everyone alone, gave Etensel new hope.
“I wanted to see what kind of person you were. That’s why I secretly rode in my brother’s carriage to work. On the last day when I appeared in the garden in the body of a fox, I succeeded in transforming.”
The longing for the Empress soon became a miracle.
Etensel was saying.
“The Empress is the star of Ishtar, and she cured my illness.”
Ishtar.
Sepia was shaken by the name of the fate that led her to the land of beasts.
However, fate is personal.
Even a brilliant star does not grant wishes just by looking at it.
Sepia shook her head.
“It is something to celebrate that you succeeded in transforming, but I do not have such an ability. It must have been just a coincidence.”
Now Sepia could understand to some extent why he had done this, but she had to correct the misunderstanding.
However, despite this denial, Etensel’s belief had already hardened.
“No. It would have been impossible without the Empress.”
Her face was firm.
Looking at his clear, unwavering gaze, she didn’t have the confidence to believe that she had not cured him. Let’s say she had cured the second son’s illness without him knowing.
But the question still remained.
“What do you mean, you can’t change if it’s not me? I clearly heard that you were cured.”
“...I thought that was the case.”
Etensel bit his lower lip as if in pain.
Then he continued his confession.
That night, while wandering around the garden looking for a fox, he returned and transformed back into his original form.
Seeing Etensel unable to return to his original form, the Marquis of Kruds was heartbroken.
Etensel worried and worried again as a fox.
Perhaps the Empress’s power had an expiration date.
“I apologize for pretending to be a fox. However, I had no choice because I wanted to confirm the truth without anyone finding out.”
Sepia fell silent when he heard that he had sneaked into the Empress’s palace at dawn for this purpose.
“And my guess has become reality. I have successfully changed through contact with the Empress.”
He lowered his head with a bitter smile.
Sepia looked at her hands. As she looked at Etensel, she felt as if the feeling she had when she stroked his head when he was a fox was coming back to her.
Soon, Etensel began to plead with her.
“Please. If it weren’t for you, Empress, I would have to live my whole life as a fox. Please don’t ignore me.”
Those earnest eyes shook Sepia’s heart.
‘It would be okay to touch a fox, right?’
Because the beast didn’t feel any resistance.
It was fortunate or not.
Sepia, who had been hesitating, let out a sigh.
“...How much contact is sufficient?”
Etensel’s face brightened as if he had encountered a miracle at the vague permission.
“First, I need to experiment to see how long a single contact can last. And it could also vary depending on the area and area of contact, so that part as well.”
He spoke as if he had been waiting for it to happen. Sepia let out another sigh at Etensel’s reaction, which seemed to have expected this to happen, and set a condition.
“Let me make this one thing clear. I will only touch you when you are a fox.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“...If you understand, then get up.”
Etensel got up from his seat as if nothing had happened.
He had been kneeling on the ground for a long time, but his face was still smiling brightly as if he was happy about something.
After a while, he calmed down his expression and said in a serious tone,
“I will definitely repay this favor.”
Sepia looked at Etensel with complicated eyes. She still had a hard time believing that she could cure rare diseases, but after seeing his earnestness for herself, it was hard to just deny it.
“So what are you trying to say?”
With those cold words, Etensel knelt at her feet.
“Your Majesty is my benefactor. I can’t change unless because Your Majesty.”
A boyish face clung to Sepia.
‘I cured your illness?’
Sepia looked down at Etensel with a confused expression.
He was holding onto the hem of her evening dress like a lifeline.
She wanted to shake Etensel off, but she couldn’t.
His eyes were so sorrowful.
“What does that mean?”
She had been planning to ask without knowing the context.
However, just that made Etensel’s eyes fill with hope.
“Even after becoming an adult, I couldn’t turn into a beastman. They say it’s a very rare disease that’s hard to find a precedent for. My mother tried everything to cure me, but it was no use.”
Etensel had been boasting to his grieving family that he would definitely get better someday.
However, Etensel was the one who distrusted hope more than anyone else. Although he maintained a cheerful personality on the outside, he thought that there was no cure for an incurable disease.
That’s why he was even more curious about the human Empress.
However, it wasn’t like that from the beginning.
He was more indifferent than anyone else when he heard that a human had become the Empress of the Beastkin empire. What caught Etensel’s attention was the human Empress’s actions.
She was recognized as the mother of the empire despite the discrimination of being a foreigner.
All by herself.
Etensel was fed up with the life of an animal.
Countess Kurds loved her youngest son, but she was secretly ashamed of the fact that Etensel could not transform into a beast.
The lady did not show it, but Etensel already knew her heart.
At that point, Sepia’s ability, which was acknowledged by everyone alone, gave Etensel new hope.
“I wanted to see what kind of person you were. That’s why I secretly rode in my brother’s carriage to work. On the last day when I appeared in the garden in the body of a fox, I succeeded in transforming.”
The longing for the Empress soon became a miracle.
Etensel was saying.
“The Empress is the star of Ishtar, and she cured my illness.”
Ishtar.
Sepia was shaken by the name of the fate that led her to the land of beasts.
However, fate is personal.
Even a brilliant star does not grant wishes just by looking at it.
Sepia shook her head.
“It is something to celebrate that you succeeded in transforming, but I do not have such an ability. It must have been just a coincidence.”
Now Sepia could understand to some extent why he had done this, but she had to correct the misunderstanding.
However, despite this denial, Etensel’s belief had already hardened.
“No. It would have been impossible without the Empress.”
Her face was firm.
Looking at his clear, unwavering gaze, she didn’t have the confidence to believe that she had not cured him. Let’s say she had cured the second son’s illness without him knowing.
But the question still remained.
“What do you mean, you can’t change if it’s not me? I clearly heard that you were cured.”
“...I thought that was the case.”
Etensel bit his lower lip as if in pain.
Then he continued his confession.
That night, while wandering around the garden looking for a fox, he returned and transformed back into his original form.
Seeing Etensel unable to return to his original form, the Marquis of Kruds was heartbroken.
Etensel worried and worried again as a fox.
Perhaps the Empress’s power had an expiration date.
“I apologize for pretending to be a fox. However, I had no choice because I wanted to confirm the truth without anyone finding out.”
Sepia fell silent when he heard that he had sneaked into the Empress’s palace at dawn for this purpose.
“And my guess has become reality. I have successfully changed through contact with the Empress.”
He lowered his head with a bitter smile.
Sepia looked at her hands. As she looked at Etensel, she felt as if the feeling she had when she stroked his head when he was a fox was coming back to her.
Soon, Etensel began to plead with her.
“Please. If it weren’t for you, Empress, I would have to live my whole life as a fox. Please don’t ignore me.”
Those earnest eyes shook Sepia’s heart.
‘It would be okay to touch a fox, right?’
Because the beast didn’t feel any resistance.
It was fortunate or not.
Sepia, who had been hesitating, let out a sigh.
“...How much contact is sufficient?”
Etensel’s face brightened as if he had encountered a miracle at the vague permission.
“First, I need to experiment to see how long a single contact can last. And it could also vary depending on the area and area of contact, so that part as well.”
He spoke as if he had been waiting for it to happen. Sepia let out another sigh at Etensel’s reaction, which seemed to have expected this to happen, and set a condition.
“Let me make this one thing clear. I will only touch you when you are a fox.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“...If you understand, then get up.”
Etensel got up from his seat as if nothing had happened.
He had been kneeling on the ground for a long time, but his face was still smiling brightly as if he was happy about something.
After a while, he calmed down his expression and said in a serious tone,
“I will definitely repay this favor.”
Sepia looked at Etensel with complicated eyes. She still had a hard time believing that she could cure rare diseases, but after seeing his earnestness for herself, it was hard to just deny it.
“You don’t have to repay the favor. Just try to find another way besides contacting me. I will also learn about the disease.”
Above all, she felt a little relieved when she realized that the excessive interest that day was due to longing. Her expression relaxed significantly. Etensel, who confirmed this, awkwardly stepped back from trying to hold her hand. It was because he remembered Sepia’s words earlier.
“I will definitely do that. Thank you very much.”
“I am not forgiving you for deceiving me. Remember that I am taking you because you are also my people.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
It was almost dawn. Sepia said goodbye.
“I will send a message to the Kruds family later. So, make sure you return before the sun rises. If you meet the palace maid in robes, you might be misunderstood.”
With that, Sepia turned around. Etensel stayed there for a long time, where she had disappeared.
“...In fact, it is not admiration, Your Majesty.”
He followed the footsteps the Empress had left behind with his eyes. At first, it was admiration. However, that feeling changed to love. The first time Etensel encountered the Empress was through the rumors surrounding her. It is said that her cold, sea-blue eyes would freeze anyone who looked at them. Was it true that her blood was blue?
In fact, he heard that she was made of steel, which is why she could handle so many tasks. Admiration and curiosity led Etensel to the Empress’s palace. The Empress he actually met was completely different from the rumors. Her cold eyes were actually the warmest blue. The Empress was a lovely woman who showed mercy even to beasts. He fell in love at first sight.
After a half-day meeting, Etensel returned to the mansion. He regretted going to see the Empress.
'I want to change.'
He had long since given up on turning into a beast. However, meeting the Empress made him yearn again. He wanted to talk to her. He wanted to look her in the eye, hold her hand, and hug her. He wanted to look like a perfect male in the eyes of the Empress. But she would see him as nothing more or less than a fox. Of course. Etensel could not change. For a very long time, he resented himself for being born with an incurable disease. He vowed never to visit the Empress again. However, the next day, and the day after that, Etensel headed to the Empress's garden. Every night, he regretted it again, but he could not stop. The size of his heart and despair grew proportionally.
'This is the last time.'
In order not to be eaten to the bottom, he had to stop meeting her. On the day he prepared himself mentally and went to meet the Empress, Etensel encountered her lover. Etensel, who had lived his whole life in the form of a beast, had an ability that others did not know. It was the ability to read the true nature of beasts.
Even though it maintained its human form, Etensel could see into the true form of the beastmen.
A black wolf with golden eyes.
In the beastmen empire, gold symbolized nobility, and black symbolized purity.
It was said that one of the two Drodians, the divine beasts that assisted the goddess, also had golden eyes and black fur.
Above all, the Duke's true form was that of a divine beast itself.
It was difficult to even imagine how such a large body could be squeezed into a human form.
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