A Snake’s Life Ch 10

Chapter 10

 

Master!!! That lady is a really bad person! I mean, she treated me so terribly.

As Zerpell appeared, I crawled over to his feet and clung to him. To express my grievance, I turned my wounded body to show him. He frowned at the scratches on my body and glared at them. Aiden tried to speak but, seemingly frightened by Zerpell’s gaze, clung tightly to the nanny’s hem and hid behind her.

He knelt on one knee and held out his hand to me, and I quickly climbed onto it. In a voice chillingly low, Zerpell spoke.

“How should I understand this situation……? Can you explain it to me?”

“Your Highness……. What brings you here?”

“Well……. What does that have to do with you? Now, how about answering my question?”

A suffocating silence followed. Zerpell, seemingly pained by the wounds on my body, carefully touched the injured spots. Reassured by his warmth, I relaxed and leaned against his chest. His heartbeat was very slow.

She flinched under his fierce gaze. But she insisted she was also wronged and began explaining what had just happened. There was a tiny puncture in her hand, and the bleeding had already stopped.

“That snake bit me.”

Her shameless words left me speechless. She completely cut out the context and framed the story in her favor.

Wow~ She’s blaming me just because I can’t talk?

He looked at her hand with the small wound, then glanced at me. I met his gaze as if to say I had done nothing wrong. I did feel a bit guilty since I had caused the wound, but considering the circumstances, I believed I wasn’t at fault. You were the one who poked the sleeping lion. As he gazed at me intently, I shook my head. Still, the two fang marks hinted that I was the culprit. He flicked my head lightly with his finger.

I punished her because she insulted you. Well, maybe it was also a bit personal…… I grumbled internally, expressing my frustration.

“I doubt you bit her without reason……. And these injuries—who caused them? Shuiren couldn’t have come all this way alone.”

Yes, that’s the way!

He seemed to be scolding me with his actions, but his words criticized her. I smugly looked at her and flicked my tongue at her. The nanny glared at me, knowing I was mocking her, but it didn’t matter.

Sensing the gaze, I turned to find Zerpell staring at me intently. Feeling caught, I looked away, thinking I was about to be scolded again. But his gaze was somewhat different. When I sneaked a look, he was staring at me strangely. As if affectionately?

His sudden shift in attitude made me tilt my head. It was a look I wasn’t used to from him. He couldn’t possibly know I had bitten for his sake, so I didn’t understand the reason. Feeling awkward under his gaze, I lowered my head. Then Aiden, watching his expression, explained how I had ended up there.

“Well… I saw the snake on my way to meet Brother……. I think those wounds came from when it fell.”

“Fell?”

The gaze that followed was sharp, but I ignored it. As Zerpell’s brows furrowed, Aiden hurriedly continued.

“I went to the palace to apologize to Brother, but I think it slipped and fell from above.”

Though Aiden was defending me, Zerpell let out a small sigh. He must have realized it wasn’t an accident. I was also displeased about that. This wouldn’t have happened if you had taken me with you in the first place.

“You came to my palace?”

“Yes…… I wanted to apologize for something. I’m really sorry about before. I was just… flustered…… It’s not that I don’t like Brother or anything!”

Zerpell looked at Aiden, who fiddled with his hands and avoided eye contact. Aiden kept his head down, unable to look up. Zerpell remained silent. Frustrated by his silence, I poked his chest with my tail.

The kid wants to make up with you. Say something, anything.

Finally, Zerpell spoke.

“That incident…… I don’t care. You said you disappeared, yet you came to my palace.”

“Oh, yes! I didn’t really get to talk with Brother properly last time. I also wanted to hear about the outside world……. And I heard you’re very skilled with the sword……. I was hoping you could teach me…….”

Aiden spoke with an eager expression. Zerpell glanced over Aiden’s body. Looking at his wrist and frame that seemed like they’d collapse just from holding a wooden sword, he said:

“……First, work on building your stamina. You don’t seem capable of even holding a sword with those wrists. His Majesty was very worried when you disappeared. At least show your face to him. And don’t vanish without a word again. It’s a burden to those around you.”

Why did it feel like those last words were aimed at me? Aiden’s gloomy expression disappeared as he smiled brightly at Zerpell. His eyes shone with determination to build his strength. He nodded firmly.

Yes, you look better when you smile. Don’t you think so too? That lady hates how close you seem to Zerpell……

She was now looking at Zerpell with irreverent eyes. Just a moment ago, she had made it clear she didn’t like him, so she wouldn’t be pleased to see Aiden getting along with him. Zerpell seemed fully aware of this but ignored it completely. He didn’t even spare her a glance. Perhaps realizing that lingering would only make things worse, she tried to lead Aiden away.

“Your Highness. We’ll take our leave now.”

“But… I want to stay a bit longer……”

“You need to show your face to His Majesty.”

Though Aiden wanted to talk more with Zerpell, the nanny brought up the emperor and subtly pushed him away. Aiden kept looking back regretfully, and since I liked the kid, I wagged my tail gently to say goodbye.

Once they were out of sight, Zerpell grabbed my head with two fingers and shook it up and down.

“Shuiren. You’ve been causing trouble, so you need to be scolded.”

Ugh…… Trouble? I just wanted to go on a walk!

I slapped his hand with my tail to express my dissatisfaction, but he didn’t even react, as if it merely tickled. Once Aiden and the nanny were gone, Ian spoke.

“Your Highness. It’s time we return.”

“Ah. Right.”

Zerpell’s black hair fluttered in the wind. Let’s go. I’m tired. All I wanted was a little walk, but I ended up getting caught, crashing to the ground—it’s been a long day. The cushion is the safest place.

Aiden stared endlessly at Zerpell’s retreating figure. He could tell that the nanny beside him was seething with anger. She had always been like this. Not just her, but everyone around him hated Zerpell. Even though they knew he was at the battlefield, no one ever told Aiden about him. With everyone around him acting like that, there was no way Aiden wouldn’t notice.

He even knew that both his mother and father disliked his brother.

Aiden cherished the nanny who always looked after him and the kind people around him. Even though he had only met him once, he liked his brother too. That’s why he couldn’t help showing mixed feelings.

At first, Aiden hadn’t cared much about Zerpell. It was odd to feel close to someone you’d never met. Aiden, with his weak body, often lay bored in bed. One day, he happened to overhear the servants talking about Zerpell’s tales of glory. Stories of consecutive victories in war, brilliant strategies, and swordsmanship skills no different from the heroes in his picture books. It was only natural for Aiden to grow fond of him.

To the servants, war was a thrilling topic, but speaking about Zerpell was forbidden. Especially after his reputation improved from his war achievements. The Empress and the nanny specifically ordered that no one speak to Aiden about Zerpell. Instead, they bombarded him with negative stories. Most war stories were centered on Zerpell’s feats. As a result, Aiden had to secretly eavesdrop to hear more.

He didn’t nod along to the nanny’s stories with a blank look anymore. He had developed admiration for Zerpell. He tried to argue against the things the Empress and nanny said, but it was no use. So, sneaking around to listen to tales of Zerpell became a hobby. His small body made it easy to hide.

Then, one day, he overheard news that Zerpell was returning. The war had finally ended. Aiden couldn’t hide his excitement and asked the nanny casually.

“Um…… They say Brother is coming back…… Is it true?”

The nanny furrowed her brows.

“Who told you such nonsense, Your Highness?”

“It’s not true……?”

“There’s no way that could be true.”

The nanny’s face looked extremely anxious as she spoke. Aiden was discouraged by her firm words. However, the rumors did not disappear, and eventually, the trumpet of victory in the war sounded. The people were delighted that the war was over, but things were delicate in the imperial palace. Zerpell returned to the palace on horseback with his troops. Since it was a cold winter, Aiden had caught a fever and hadn’t yet heard the news. The nanny had strictly kept his mouth shut. When Aiden finally found out, he became frantic. He went on a hunger strike, demanding to see Zerpell.

“Your Highness… You’re already sick, how can you refuse food as well? You need to eat well to recover quickly.”

“No! I won’t eat!”

Aiden, lying in bed, pulled the blanket over himself to hide his body.

“What should this nanny do to make you eat?”

Aiden peeked out with sparkling eyes.

“I… Brother…”

“I told you that’s not allowed.”

The nanny spoke firmly, and the sulking Aiden pushed back just as stubbornly. In the end, it was the nanny who raised the white flag. Determined to get better quickly, Aiden diligently took his medicine and ate his meals, and finally, the day came when he could see Zerpell. He was so excited that he hurried the nanny, and before long, Zerpell arrived. Though his expression was stiff and cold, Aiden saw him as stoic and cool. Aiden chattered on endlessly. At that moment, a maid beside them poured tea into a teacup. It was a tea that Aiden frequently enjoyed.

“I-it’s my favorite tea. Please try some!”

Aiden looked up at him with sparkling eyes.

“…Alright.”

When Zerpell drank the tea, the atmosphere changed dramatically. Sensing poison, Zerpell instinctively executed the maid. It was a natural reaction born of the belief that if he didn’t strike first, he would be attacked. But the surrounding people were thrown into chaos. Naturally, Aiden was no exception.

Witnessing death for the first time, Aiden couldn’t help but tremble and ran away in retreat. Poison was later found in the maid’s room, but the accusations toward Zerpell didn’t stop. Though he had run away out of fear at the time, something felt off. The maid was in the wrong, yet everyone around him condemned Zerpell. He couldn’t win against the voice of the majority, and naturally, his own voice grew smaller.

This time was the same. Aiden was silently led away by the nanny.

I returned once again to the cozy cushion. I realized again the truth that the world outside the blanket is dangerous. The soft texture made my body relax, and drowsiness overcame me. It had been a hard day.

“Your Majesty. Let me do it.”

“No. I will do it.”

In the end, Ian stood by with the medicine in hand. Zerpell carefully dabbed the medicine-soaked cotton on my wound as if handling a fragile piece of porcelain. The medicine stung as it touched the wound. It hurts—be gentle. But since he applied it so seriously, I couldn’t even move and just stayed still despite the pain.

“Hm.”

Letting out a small sigh like he was admiring his own work, he handed the cotton to Ian. Naturally, he tried to pat me, but the medicine had gotten on his hand. He tapped his head lightly with a finger.

“Don’t disappear without a word. And… don’t go picking fights with people in this little body.”

Tch. I stood up for you, you know.

Ian cleaned up the medicine. With a somewhat hesitant look, he casually spoke.

“Your Majesty. I say this out of concern. For the sake of the throne, you may inevitably clash with Lord Aiden. Acting kindly like today…”

Zerpell glanced at Ian and replied,

“I know. But what fault does a child have? It’s the adults who made mistakes. That child is no different from me.”

Yeah. He’s really kind and gentle.

I nodded in agreement. Feeling proud of Zerpell’s thoughts, I poked him with my tail. He must have felt it, because he looked at me. Then he stared deeply into my eyes for a long time. Surprised by his reaction, I shifted my eyes away, dodging his gaze.

What’s with him since earlier…?

“It’s just… your eyes resemble Shuiren’s.”

Huh. Me?

I didn’t understand why he suddenly brought up my story and looked at him with a puzzled face. Zerpell gave a faint laugh between his teeth. At his laugh, I tilted my head more and more to the side.

Then Zerpell ran his finger along my body, carefully avoiding the wounds. It tickled, so I twisted my body to escape.

“Thank you. You bit the nanny to take my side, didn’t you?”

Realizing he was praising me, I proudly puffed out my chest. That’s right! I beamed and showed off my wounds as if they were badges of honor. Zerpell, finding the sight cute, stroked me, not minding that medicine might still be on his hands.

This is the reward for all my past good deeds.

“I’ll have to find a way to keep you from getting hurt in the future.”

Zerpell muttered softly, then gestured Ian over and whispered into his ear. Ian looked quite surprised and seemed like he had something to say, but after glancing at me, he just nodded with a resigned expression. Curious about what they were talking about, I leaned my head forward and peeked, but it seemed they had no intention of letting me hear it. They kept whispering quietly to each other, even though no one else was listening.

Hey, why are you whispering? Let me hear too!!