A Snake’s Life Ch 15

Chapter 15

Zerpell, who had been in the distance, knelt down as I approached. When he extended his hand, I quickly climbed up. I naturally slithered up his arm and wrapped myself around his neck. Last time, I was just the right size to fit in one hand, but now I could even wrap around his arm. It had become a hobby to wind myself around Zerpell’s neck like a scarf.

I’ve grown as much as time has passed! And the view’s great, and he even carries me. What’s not to love?

Zerpell didn’t seem to mind, either, often letting me wrap around his neck on my own. Every time I slinked my way up, he chuckled through his teeth, as if it tickled. Then he would adjust his posture so I could settle in comfortably. Once I was in place, he stroked my face and asked how I was.

“Has anything happened?”

Of course not! Have you been eating well? I’m bored. Ian definitely said he was past the critical stage, but he still showed no signs of having free time. I rubbed my face against Zerpell’s neck. If I were a cat, I’d be purring by now.

“But this is…”

Zerpell spoke, looking at my tail. Wrapped around it was the obsidian brooch I had received earlier. A gift. I held the brooch out in front of his eyes. As he looked at it with a puzzled expression, I kept extending it toward him, insisting he take it. When Zerpell opened his hand, I dropped it into his palm. My eyes sparkled as I eagerly watched his reaction.

What do you think? Pretty great, right?? It was hard work bringing it here.

Though I had dragged it along out of sheer willpower, if I hadn’t run into him on the way to the office, I probably would have handed it off to Casa already. He looked at the brooch for a moment, then spoke to Casa. For reference, I had a special pouch just for tributes. Once Zerpell realized I received offerings, he had Casa put them all in that pouch.

“Did you make Shuiren bring this to me?”

I set it aside on purpose!

Before saying anything about the gift, he unfairly blamed Casa. I was the one who had refused her attempt to carry it. But Casa didn’t offer any excuse and simply bowed her head, saying she was sorry. She handed the pouch of tributes received today to him. Zerpell, clueless to my intentions, tried to return the brooch to the pouch. I quickly blocked him with my tail. I had gone out of my way to personally bring it to him!

I jabbed his cheek relentlessly with my tail, pouting and glaring at him. Then I pointed at the brooch and then at him, alternating between the two. Only then did he seem to guess what I meant and pinned the brooch to his clothes.

“Does it look alright?”

Of course! It suits you perfectly. I thought of you the moment I saw it.

I looked at the brooch, now sitting nicely on his tie, with a proud expression. Watching his handsome face, I couldn’t help but smile like a doting mother. He seemed to like it too, gently touching the brooch with his fingers before scratching my neck and thanking me.

Zerpell now seemed to know all the spots I liked. His touch was no ordinary touch. Whenever he stroked me, my body would go all limp. The warmth of his hands relaxed me, and since I had been out collecting tributes, drowsiness overtook me. When I yawned wide, he chuckled softly. His hand gently cupped my face, then he turned my head and kissed my cheek. I flinched in surprise. Ever since that last kiss, kisses had become quite casual. I guess that means I’m that cute to him.

But I am a dignified pet. A kiss like this? Just casual physical affection now! Despite my resolve, my body still twitched, and my tail wagged uncontrollably. Snakes express emotions with their tails too, I guess…

Zerpell also saw my wagging tail. He chuckled as if he found me adorable. Even when I smacked him with my tail in annoyance, his laughter didn’t stop.

“Thank you. This is the most precious gift of my life. I’ll treasure it forever.”

That was some generous praise. I couldn’t hide the smile that crept up on my lips from happiness at his words.

A man was walking down a long corridor. Along that hallway hung paintings by famous artists and displayed treasures of all kinds and rarities. He followed the corridor and stopped in front of a certain door. When he knocked, a maid inside opened it for him.

Unlike the stillness outside, the moment he entered, there was a clatter of breaking things and the sound of a woman breathing heavily in anger. The fury was sharp enough to pierce the eardrums. Inside, the room was complete chaos. As he entered, she calmed her breath and slumped onto the sofa, but her trembling hands revealed that her anger had yet to subside.

“Your Majesty the Empress. Please remain calm.”

“Do I look like I can calm down right now!! Why him, of all people! Why is he helping that boy! Things would’ve been fine if he’d just stayed holed up in his estate!”

“It was unexpected that Duke Bert would support His Highness. But this is all the more reason to stay composed.”

“This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Wasn’t he the one who stopped Aiden from being named crown prince before, citing his frail health? That house never has anyone I like. What kind of sweet talk did he use to lure him in?”

She had barely driven the ever-opposing duke back to his estate, only for her efforts to be undone by Zerpell. She ground her teeth in frustration. She now realized Zerpell’s frequent outings were for this very reason. Though she had been monitoring his movements, she had underestimated him—this was the result of her complacency. The empress took a sip of tea to cool her anger. Her posture as she lifted the teacup was graceful. But the surrounding disorder clashed with her elegance, creating an unsettling dissonance. The maids hurried to clean up the mess and also served tea to the pope seated nearby.

“Your Majesty, please calm yourself. The day we’ve long awaited is nearly upon us.”

“Yes. He’ll fall soon enough, no matter how much he struggles.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty. The rain ritual is not far off. And we know better than anyone that there’s no way it will rain. When that happens, he’ll fall on his own. All we must do is wait.”

At those words, the empress brightened and laughed aloud. Then, her eyes sparkled as she asked the pope the question that weighed most heavily on her mind.

“Is Aiden truly getting better?”

“Of course. He’s practically fully recovered now.”

“That’s a relief.”

She smiled sweetly as if she had regained her composure. It was a warm and beautiful smile, one that didn’t at all match the destruction she had just caused. The pope also smiled in response. Together, their mismatched laughter created a bizarre melody.

“You brought the item, I assume?”

The empress asked as she continued laughing, her eyes gleaming. Before she even finished speaking, the pope handed her the item. The vial he gave her contained a dark red liquid that sloshed inside.

“I went all out this time. Just in case, it’s better to be sure. I prepared triple the usual amount.”

“You have done well.”

She shook the vial slightly, and the liquid rippled accordingly. The maids, pretending not to hear their conversation, held their breath. Sunlight poured through the windows in the long corridor, but it did not reach the room they had entered. Shadows loomed there instead.

A maid handed a vial of medicine to a woman. The woman poured the medicine into a bowl and carried it to the study. She quietly opened the door to find Aiden diligently engaged in his lesson. Though he was grimacing, likely due to the difficulty, he clung to the book, trying hard to understand. The scholar turned around at the sound of the door, and the woman greeted him with a nod before walking over to Aiden.

“Your Highness, let’s stop here for today. Please review this by tomorrow.”

The scholar packed up his books and left the study. Whether Aiden heard him or not, he continued to stare into his book with his nose practically buried in it.

“Prince Aiden, it’s time for your medicine.”

“Huh?”

It was only when the nurse approached that Aiden noticed her. He closed his book, took the bowl she offered, and drank from it. Then, he quickly popped the candy she handed him into his mouth. His natural, unthinking movements showed that this had become a routine. Aiden shivered as the bitter taste of the medicine settled in and asked,

“This is… from Mother, right?”

“How did you know?”

“Uh… this one just feels different. The taste is way too bitter…”

“Her Majesty the Empress personally prepared it. You must drink it all.”

“Tch…”

Aiden pouted and grumbled, but the nurse was firm. She asked how the lessons were going and whether he was having trouble understanding. Given that the lessons had only just begun, she expected it to be difficult.

“Mm… It is hard, but it’s fun! I hope I can start swordsmanship training soon too.”

“Then you really must keep taking your medicine without fail. Her Majesty even sent extra this time.”

“Wasn’t it hard to get?”

“You’re working so hard, Your Highness. That’s why Her Majesty is doing her best too. So you must drink it all.”

The nurse spoke firmly. Aiden stuck out his tongue at the memory of the bitter taste, but with resolve to learn swordsmanship, he nodded and agreed. Then he opened his book again and resumed his studies with enthusiasm.

The nurse smiled with satisfaction as she watched Aiden’s burning academic passion. She felt proud, as though this progress was all thanks to her. Now that Zerpell had returned to the palace, Aiden needed to recover quickly and secure his position as the top heir to the throne. Unfortunately, His Majesty had returned victorious from war, gaining the people’s support, and now the nobles were treading carefully. Fortunately, the Emperor and Empress were keeping him in check, but it was best to nip any dangerous buds in the bud.

It would’ve been better if he had just died on the battlefield. She hoped Aiden would present a more dignified appearance, but that was her selfish wish. From now on, she resolved to stay sharp and support him properly.

She, too, had received the standard noble education. She sat beside Aiden and helped him with his studies, pointing out difficult parts and providing explanations.

‘May His Highness ascend to the position of Crown Prince swiftly.’

‘I need to get better soon so I can learn swordsmanship from my brother.’

Though they shared the same space, their thoughts couldn’t have been more different.