A Snake’s Life Ch 109

Chapter 109

I nodded blankly at Aiden’s words.

I thought the master liked me quite a lot… but I didn’t know it was that kind of liking! I shouldn’t have just glossed over it because he liked me—I should’ve asked…

And I never agreed to this? And now he says we’re getting married? Is that really okay?

“No, more importantly, is it really okay for him to marry me?”

“Isn’t it?”

“What, you don’t think it’s fine?”

Aiden and Kir responded nonchalantly. Had they become more open-minded about these things while I was asleep for a year? Aiden lowered his eyes and spoke in a slightly pensive tone.

“There’s no one else I could imagine being by his side but you… I was happy… Was I wrong?”

“No… I mean, I like it too…”

Aiden looked at me with sparkling eyes. Was it just my imagination, or did that look feel like silent pressure? I shook my head, trying to snap out of it. I had to assess the situation first.

“I… I’m going to see the master!”

Ignoring the farewells behind me, I ran as fast as I could to find Zerpell. I completely dismissed Casa’s remark about going slower so I wouldn’t fall.

With a stiff face, I dashed forward.

We’re getting married? I burst into the office, and there were Zerpell and Ian, looking at me with dispassionate expressions.

There were others holding documents in the middle of the room, but my eyes locked only on Zerpell.

“Master! Are you marrying me?!”

My shout rang loudly through the office. Only the sound of my heavy breathing filled the silence afterward. Ian, who had been blinking in a daze, glanced at Zerpell, then very naturally slipped out of the office.

He collected another assistant who was standing there, looking equally dumbfounded. I walked over to Zerpell and slammed my hands on the desk.

Zerpell spoke with a look of confusion. His aura was chilly. Even though I was the one who slammed the desk, I found myself stepping back.

“…I thought you agreed?”

“I— I never heard that!!”

But it was an important matter. For a moment, we just stared at each other. Then Zerpell’s golden eyes curved gently. He smiled faintly as he spoke.

“Ah, you must not have heard because you were asleep.”

And then he casually murmured,

“So… do you dislike it?”

I let out a choked sound and took a step back. He looked up at me like a pitiful cat caught in the rain… and I couldn’t bring myself to say no.

I pouted slightly as I answered.

“No… It’s just… I thought I might be a burden to you…”

Zerpell’s expression brightened as he replied,

“If I like it, then it doesn’t matter, right?”

“Uh…”

I scratched my head. But I didn’t like the idea of anyone else being beside Zerpell either… Fine. Honestly, it felt like this was bound to happen. Neither he nor I ever intended to keep anyone else by our side.

Just as I was about to confidently shout Yes!, Zerpell smiled and said,

“I’m glad.”

“Huh?”

Zerpell stood from his chair and brushed back my hair with his hand. Then he pulled me into his embrace.

His hands moved as if gauging something around my body. Though I was the snake, it felt like he had become the snake, coiling around me. It gave me chills and tickled me at the same time. I burst out laughing and told him to stop.

“Mm. It fits perfectly.”

Then he lightly kissed my forehead. After that, he gently stroked the area around my lips with his fingers. Feeling the lingering mood, I leaned in, thinking I’d offer him a kiss—but he blocked me with his big hand.

Startled, I opened my eyes wide, and seeing my expression, he chuckled and moved his hand, then touched my lips with his finger.

“We’ll save this for later.”

“When’s later?”

“On our wedding day.”

“When’s that?”

I ended up asking in a slightly whiny tone, as if I were disappointed. Embarrassed, my face turned red.

Still, since it’s my wedding, I should at least know the date.

“The day after tomorrow.”

“Huh?”

“It’s the day after tomorrow.”

I gaped at him, and his answer didn’t change.

“W-What would you have done if I hadn’t transformed back into a human today…?”

He would’ve had to marry a small white wriggling snake. And he’s the emperor of a whole nation.

Sure, my snake form is cute… but it lacks charm. And I almost got married just waking up like this. I was so dumbfounded that I couldn’t even laugh.

Well… he must’ve really wanted to have the wedding… My face flushed crimson before I realized it, and I covered it with my palm.

I can’t live because of you. Really.

So… everyone knew except me? No wonder their reactions were all oddly strange. It all made sense now.

“Good thing you transformed before the ceremony.”

Even when I laughed hollowly, Zerpell smiled as if he was pleased. I held back my urge to pinch and shake his cheek.

“Well…”

I had no will left to resist.

Marriage… I thought it was something far off, but because my one year was essentially erased, the future came rushing in. And I ended up agreeing without even knowing it, so now I was completely stuck with the wedding.

I shouted bravely.

“Fine, I’ll do it! Anyway, the master doesn’t have anyone else to marry but me!”

“Of course. Even if you’d said no, we would’ve ended up married anyway.”

“Yeah, that’s… huh?”

Zerpell just smiled at me. And just like that, the wedding was officially confirmed, and from that moment on, everything got hectic.

Especially since I had transformed back into a human, I had to prepare different clothes, and that made things busier.

When I saw the small veil that had been prepared, I wondered in disbelief… Would I have worn this as a snake…? With that ridiculous thought, the preparations continued smoothly.

And no one thought it was strange.

No fuss, just celebration. The commoners cheered, saying the empire would grow even stronger, and only the nobles were left bitter.

They said some nobles were displeased. Turns out, they had hoped to marry off their daughters to Zerpell and secure political ties.

No way that would ever happen. As long as I’m alive, I’d never allow it.

“The day after tomorrow” came quickly, and the day arrived in a flash. As the countdown began, anxiety took over and I nervously bit at my nails.

A feeling of resignation that this was really happening and the unease of wondering if everything would be okay.

The attendants tried to soothe me, telling me to relax my face, but I just couldn’t smile brightly. I wondered if this was what marriage depression felt like…

With a grumpy face, I turned to the side. Unlike me, who had mountains of worries, Zerpell seemed to be in a fantastic mood, even humming a tune.

“You seem happy.”

“Wouldn’t I be? From today on, you’ll belong solely to me.”

“…”

Can’t argue with that, really…

Zerpell looked dashing in his formal attire. Then he suddenly handed me a bouquet.

It was a bunch of small, colorful flowers. It was something he’d prepared, and I shouldn’t say this, but…

“These flowers don’t really suit a bridal bouquet.”

It looked like a bunch of wildflowers someone had picked from a field. At my comment, Zerpell gave a faint smile.

“It’s a bouquet from the palace.”

“Huh… who gave it to you?”

Was it Aiden? I didn’t think much of it.

“My mother.”

I stopped in my tracks and looked up at him. He looked unfazed. So my course of action was clear.

“I see… I should thank her.”

“…”

His mother… I’d only ever seen her once. Actually, not even met her—just seen her. Her face was blurry in my memory now. I wondered if she was peacefully living in some small palace within the imperial castle, now that both emperor and empress were gone.

…Maybe I should go visit her sometime.

I felt I had been too indifferent. But if she cared enough to prepare a bouquet for her son’s wedding, maybe I could get along with her.

I resolved to go pay my respects after the wedding. I wasn’t sure if Zerpell would go along with it, but I could just drag him if he refused.

The warm scent of the flowers drifted into my nose, and all the unease that had been brewing quietly subsided. Holding the bouquet in one hand, I walked toward the place where the ceremony would be held.

Even before stepping outside, the cheers hurt my ears. People were chanting Zerpell’s and my name over and over again.

It was the first time the castle had been opened to commoners—an unprecedented event that would surely be talked about for years to come. So many had come that not everyone could even enter.

My tension, which I had barely managed to suppress, flared up again at the sound of the crowd.

Who would’ve imagined that I would have such a grand wedding?

“Shuiren. Are you nervous?”

“Wh-what do you mean, am I not supposed to be?”

Zerpell chuckled and held out his hand. A gloved hand.

“I’m with you, aren’t I? You can’t go anywhere alone now. If you go, you have to take me with you. Wherever, whenever—you have to be with me.”

I stared up at Zerpell blankly. His golden eyes gleamed like they would imprison me forever.

Was I still anxious? Despite his confident voice and smile, his eyes were pleading for me to say something in return. And in those eyes that swore never to let me go, I saw only myself. Like a fool.

“Of course. You married me and thought you’d leave me alone?? I hate being alone too.”

Now, I couldn’t even imagine myself without Zerpell. He smiled gently. I looked at his outstretched hand, but instead of placing mine on top, I grabbed his wrist and tugged.

“What are you doing? Aren’t we going?”

“Come to think of it… did I ever say it?”

“Say what?”

As I tried to pull him along, Zerpell whispered.

But instead of answering, he pulled me into his arms. Curious, I tried to lift my head, but he held me too tightly to move.

His breath and soft laughter brushed against my ear.

“That I love you.”

“…!”

And then he looked at me with eyes that blazed like the midday sun.

“You’ll tell me one day too, right?”

“…”

“Let’s go.”

After stirring my heart, he gave me a beautiful smile, and I had no words. I let myself be led by his hand. And just then, the doors opened wide, and brilliant sunlight greeted me.

A thunderous cheer followed, and countless people below welcomed us.

– End of A Snake’s Life Epilogue –