A Snake’s Life Ch 16

Chapter 16

It was a rare leisurely afternoon spent with my master. Tomorrow was finally the rain ritual. My master had been so busy all this time… and now it would finally be over. Most of the preparations were complete, and only the final review remained. Zerpell was reviewing documents, and I was wrapped around his neck.

I could feel the gentle breeze blowing through the window and his warmth. With a knock, the door opened, and Cedric entered with a troubled expression and spoke to Zerpell.

“Her Majesty the Empress Consort has arrived.”

At those words, I felt Zerpell’s Adam’s apple bob. The peaceful day was suddenly shattered. At Zerpell’s reaction, I lifted my head as well. The Empress Consort? He quietly set down the documents, and a woman entered. I knew instantly. That she was Zerpell’s mother. Her black hair flowing in the air made it obvious they were mother and son.

It was the first time I had seen his mother. It had been over three months since I started sticking close to him, and I had never seen her once. Ever since it was confirmed that he wasn’t the Empress’s son, she had never shown up. I even once wondered if she had perhaps passed away.

She was dressed too plainly to be an Empress Consort. The only accessory she wore was a hair ornament, and even that looked faded as if it were old. She came to the office alone, without even a single maid in attendance. She didn’t look like the mother of the Crown Prince at all. Without even a word of greeting to Zerpell, she walked gracefully to the sofa and sat down.

I was sure of it. This was 100% a complicated story. My master’s demeanor was strange too…

In the end, only Zerpell, his mother, and I remained in the office. Ian came in briefly to serve her a cup of tea, and that was it. Zerpell didn’t even think of moving to the sofa, remaining seated in his chair, while the Empress Consort silently sipped her tea. The stillness made me restless. As the tea reached about half, the Empress Consort, gazing at the calm surface of the tea in her cup, finally spoke.

“Have you been well?”

The words were so dry it was hard to believe she was addressing her own son. But Zerpell didn’t even blink at her tone. Their calm reactions made me roll my eyes, struggling to understand what was going on.

“What brings you here, Mother?”

“I just came to see your face, if nothing else.”

“Is that so.”

At Zerpell’s words, the Empress Consort responded indifferently. Listening to her words, it would seem she had come to check in on him. But a brief silence made it clear that wasn’t the whole reason for her visit. Another silence followed. Zerpell pretended to be reading documents, but his pupils weren’t moving—I knew he wasn’t actually reading. I shrank at the heavy atmosphere. My mouth went dry from the tension, and I flicked my tongue.

My nap time…

It was hard to sleep in this kind of atmosphere. Since it had come to this, I decided to take a good look at my master’s mother and stuck my head out. But Zerpell pushed my head down. I tried to nudge his hand away with my head, but he didn’t budge. I squirmed and twisted, trying to get out of his palm, but he had me tightly pinned. As she watched my antics, she let out a very faint laugh. At that sound, Zerpell’s hand twitched slightly. It was a laugh so soft, it wouldn’t have been audible if the room hadn’t been so quiet.

At that sound, he clenched his fist with force. The veins on the back of his hand revealed just how much strength he was using. It was clear he would leave nail marks on his palm. I bumped his hand lightly with my head.

What’s wrong??

I looked at him worriedly. He wasn’t his usual self. His shaking pupils told the story. My eyes met Zerpell’s directly. Only then did he release the tension in his hand. I seized the opportunity to nuzzle my face into him. I didn’t know the full details, but my master looked anxious—and sad. Even though she was his mother, I didn’t like her. For Zerpell to show such behavior, there must be a reason.

She covered her mouth with one hand and laughed again, then folded her hands neatly and said,

“The Divine Messenger is quite a charming one.”

At those words, her eyes met mine. She looked at me kindly. I could tell who Zerpell inherited his eyes from. It was the same look he gave me when he gazed at me with warmth. She turned her gaze back to her tea and wiped the spot where her lips had touched the cup.

“Tomorrow is finally the day. I’ve been hearing about your progress from within the palace. They say you’ve punished many nobles. His Majesty had no choice but to take your side, given the conclusive evidence. I also heard that Duke Bert sided with you. Truly… you’ve grown into a fine man.”

She paused for a moment. Then, perhaps feeling parched, she took a sip of tea. Her lips moved slightly, as if debating whether to continue. After a long silence, Zerpell spoke first. As if trying to soothe himself, he continued to stroke my face.

“Is that what you came to say?”

She looked down at her empty teacup, bit her lip slightly, and said,

“I do not regret sending you to the battlefield. And if the same situation arose again, I would make the same decision.”

“You need not worry. I was too young then to understand your intentions. I now understand your decision.”

The clinking sound of the teacup spoke for the Empress Consort’s heart. The serious mood between them made me shrink. She sent him to the battlefield? I had assumed the Emperor or the Empress had done that. But she had also been involved? There was a reason behind Zerpell’s strange mood.

“Is that so…”

As her lips parted again, Zerpell cut in.

“I no longer have expectations.”

I buried my head in his neck, trying to comfort him. More than anything, I saw him clench his fist again as he said those words. At his remark, she stood up.

As she reached for the door to leave, she turned back, lifted the hem of her dress slightly, and bowed to Zerpell. She bowed neither too deeply nor too lightly. Her demeanor made it impossible to guess her intent. It wasn’t a respectful bow to the Crown Prince, nor was it a casual bow from a mother to her son.

“I truly hope the rain ritual is a success.”

She hesitated briefly, but once she finished speaking, she opened the door and left. As soon as she left, Zerpell slumped into his chair as if all his energy had drained away. Ian, who must have been waiting outside, opened the door right after she left. But seeing Zerpell’s condition, he seemed to think it best to give him some time, so he simply cleared the empty teacup and left again.

Zerpell remained in that position for a long time, hiding his face with his arms and leaning back in the chair. I had never seen him so dispirited. I wished I could speak, but I was a snake who couldn’t talk right now. I wrapped myself around his neck and tapped his head with my tail. Then he moved his arm aside. Our eyes met directly, and I looked at him with concern. Feeling awkward, I looked away, but I continued to pat him with my tail.

That’s just how life is. Hang in there.

He let out a sigh-like laugh and stood up. He walked to the window, reached out toward the sun, and clenched his hand into a fist.

“I will succeed in that stupid rain ritual.”

To me, it sounded like he was saying he would catch the sun. He spoke as he gazed into the distance. Determination shone in his eyes, but to me, he looked like he might crumble at any moment. He turned to face me and said,

“Let’s survive together. Without dying…”

Of course! I have no intention of dying! If you don’t live, I won’t either! So you can’t die. If you die, who’ll take care of me? You’re absolutely not going to die. Don’t worry…

Even though I didn’t fully understand the situation, there was one thing I could do. I nuzzled his cheek enthusiastically and flicked my tongue to lick him. I clowned around to make him laugh. Eventually, he smiled weakly. Seeing that made me smile too.

Phew. Feeling a little better now?

As if seeking warmth, he held my body in both hands and buried his face in me. I was wrapped around his neck like a scarf, and now he was literally treating me like one. It felt like our roles had reversed—he leaned his face against my scales and nuzzled me. I tried to pull away out of mild annoyance, but seeing how different he was from usual, I decided to let it slide and accepted his neediness.

“Shuiren, stay with me always.”

But the hot breath and movement of his lips on my scales gave me chills. I thought I was used to his warmth by now, but the heat from his breath was something else entirely. The places he touched felt hot. It was a strange sensation.

Hey! Stop that!! Where are you rubbing your lips?

Trying to shake off the strange feeling, I wriggled my entire body and rubbed my scales around his neck. My actions must have looked cute, as Zerpell burst out laughing.

This guy has no idea it’s because of him. Well, as long as he’s feeling better, I guess it’s fine.

Though I was a bit disgruntled, seeing how cheerful he looked, I felt proud—as if I had fulfilled my duty as his companion animal for today.