A Snake’s Life Ch 39

Chapter 39

 

The room had returned to its original state as if time had been reversed. The corpses, bloodstains, and shattered ornaments had all disappeared. Only the changed ornaments indicated that something had happened. Ian seemed worried about us not coming out and was bustling around nervously. When we finally emerged, Ian and Cedric rushed over. Apparently, even to their eyes, Zerpell’s condition had seemed odd, and they expressed concern as he came out of the bathroom.

“Your Highness…….”

“Are you all right?”

Before Ian could speak, Cedric stepped in first. Cedric’s brows were slightly furrowed. Zerpell, who had momentarily paused at their appearance, let out a dry chuckle.

“……I was lacking, and it made even you worry. I’m fine, so don’t concern yourselves.”

A faint smile formed at Zerpell’s lips. He looked refreshed. They widened their eyes in disbelief at his words. Ian even gaped. Still in Zerpell’s arms, I rolled my eyes nervously, hoping he’d finally put me down…

“Achoo. Sniff.”

I didn’t want to ruin the good mood, but I couldn’t hold back a small sneeze. My body was trembling since I was wet. All eyes turned to me. Ian, who had been staring blankly at Zerpell’s words, snapped to attention and rushed over with the prepared towel and clothes.

“Do you have clothes to change into?”

“Right here. But… why are you still dressed…”

“Ah…….”

Right. We had been so cautious not to touch him that we hadn’t even thought of undressing him. Zerpell gave a faint smile as he looked at his wet clothes. Without a word, he reached out and took the towel.

After seating me on the bed, Zerpell tried drying me off with the towel, but it was difficult because of the wet clothes. They felt sticky and uncomfortable, and just as I moved to take them off, I glanced at Zerpell instinctively. My fingers fidgeted automatically. I gently tugged on his collar and whispered as quietly as I could near his ear. It’d be so embarrassing if someone heard.

“Can I… take these off?”

At my words, he let out a soft laugh as if he found me cute. You told me not to undress in front of others last time?? Zerpell stopped laughing and looked toward Ian.

“Ian. Is the medicine for Shuiren’s wounds ready?”

“Yes. It’s on the table.”

“I see.”

Zerpell’s hand reached toward me and removed the necklace from around my neck. It was the red diamond necklace he had gifted me, telling me to always keep it close. It matched my eyes well, and without even thinking, I wore it all the time as a cherished item.

Come to think of it, didn’t the necklace glow earlier? I looked at it and said,

“Master. That necklace glowed and deflected the sword earlier—what was that?”

“Good thing it activated properly. If it hadn’t…….”

The hand holding the necklace clenched so tightly that veins popped out. He then passed the necklace to Ian.

“Reinforce it and bring it back by tomorrow morning.”

“Y-Your Highness. Then, I……”

“I’m asking you to handle it by tomorrow.”

Zerpell spoke firmly. Ian looked as if the world had ended as he received the necklace. His hands were trembling. Why?? What’s going on?? Cedric patted Ian on the back, seemingly offering encouragement. Ian’s dark circles looked a bit darker, but maybe I was imagining things. I jabbed Zerpell repeatedly.

“Reinforce what?”

To me, the necklace seemed perfectly fine. I’d taken such good care of it, wearing it carefully to avoid even a scratch. Could it have gotten scratched when I fell earlier? I had no clue what “reinforce” meant otherwise. Zerpell kindly explained.

“That necklace is imbued with magic. It protected you from danger just now thanks to that.”

“What’s that got to do with Ian?”

I already knew from the orb visions that magic existed in this world, but I didn’t see what connection that had to Ian. He was a secretary, wasn’t he? Ian cleared up my confusion.

“I have a bit of magical knowledge.”

“Wow…… that’s amazing.”

Fascinated by the magic, I looked at Ian with sparkling eyes. He shrugged his shoulders proudly, but when he met Zerpell’s sharp gaze from behind, he flinched. Taking the hint, Ian stepped back.

“Then I’ll be going now. I’ll… do my best by tomorrow…….”

Ian accepted reality and left the room gloomily. Cedric politely stepped back to follow him. I glanced around and noticed someone missing.

“But where’s Casa?”

Casa was nowhere to be seen.

“He was injured, so I sent him to the infirmary. Don’t worry. He’ll return to his duties tomorrow.”

“That’s… a relief. Was he badly hurt? I saw the dagger graze his shoulder, but he was staggering strangely…….”

“He’ll be fine. He’s sturdy enough to handle it. Then, have a good night…….”

Cedric left after saying something subtly strange, leaving behind a faint sense of unease. But first, I had to get out of my damp clothes. I dried off and changed into soft, dry clothes. Zerpell was tending to the wound on my leg. It had been fine when others were around, but now that it was just the two of us, I became self-conscious. That was definitely a confession earlier… right? When he finished treating me, Zerpell’s gaze lifted upward. I flinched and turned my head to the side.

“Shuiren.”

“Y-yeah?”

“So. Did it hurt while I was treating you?”

“It was okay.”

I had been so deep in thought I didn’t hear what Zerpell said and answered a beat too late. The wound stung, but whenever I flinched, Zerpell would gently apply the medicine even more carefully. His kindness was evident. That made me sigh all the more. I glanced at him. He’s handsome, capable, rich. He’s my master, but isn’t he basically the perfect husband candidate? I let out a deep sigh. Why does he like me?

That’s when I noticed that Zerpell was still wearing his wet clothes. I had already changed, but his clothes were still dripping. What if he caught a cold?

“Master. You should take your clothes off too.”

I naturally thought he must be cold and uncomfortable in the wet clothes, so I reached to unbutton his shirt. A heated gaze from above made me flinch. My hand stopped mid-motion. Ah, right. This was right after his confession. I realized how my actions might be perceived.

As I pulled my hand away, Zerpell removed his own clothes and put on his nightwear. During that time, I sat with my back turned, knees drawn up. Until now, I hadn’t thought anything of it, but suddenly it felt wrong to look. Then I remembered—there was only one bed.

Wait… I’m sharing a bed with my master! After everything that just happened, sharing a bed?? My mind was in chaos. I needed time to sort things out. I didn’t know where else I could sleep, but surely there was a guest room or something?

“It’s been a rough day. Right? You should get warm and rest too, Master. I… I think I’ll sleep somewhere else tonight. That’s okay… right?”

I rolled my eyes around, suggesting it to Zerpell. He looked displeased, letting out a soft sigh. That sigh made my breath catch. Seeing right through me, Zerpell spoke in the gentlest tone he could muster, as if to reassure me.

“Is it because of the confession?”

He said confession outright. My mouth dropped open. Hearing it so plainly made it hit hard. I had half-hoped maybe it wasn’t real… but now it was confirmed. I waved my hands frantically.

“Uh? Uh… well… sharing a bed is just a bit…”

I scratched my cheek awkwardly and laughed.

“It’s not that I wanted to do anything right away.”

Well, of course! What were you even planning to do to me??

“So don’t be so tense. I won’t do anything until you allow it.”

He gently stroked my back, which had been stiffly upright from tension. My body flinched the moment his hand touched me. I subtly avoided his gaze.

I want to sleep separately! How could I possibly sleep in this situation with you? What kind of trial is this for me… Why on earth do you even like me… I’m anxious. I am!

Once the tension wore off, I started to get angry at Zerpell, who had made my thoughts all tangled. In the meantime, he seemed to have finished laying out the bedding and held my shoulder, guiding me onto the bed. Naturally, he and I lay facing each other.

“Let’s sleep.”

He said it casually and then closed his eyes. My hand trembled at his shameless attitude. The steady sound of breathing told me he had fallen asleep. He fell asleep so quickly. Ugh. I felt stupid for even worrying. What could I possibly do with a kid? Even so, I unconsciously touched my lips. The kiss just now came to mind, and I kicked the blanket. It wasn’t my first kiss, but… it was the first time I’d been the one receiving it! Hearing the rustling, I looked over to check if Zerpell had woken up.

“Phew… Thank goodness he didn’t wake up.”

I quietly punched the pillow. Damn it. What the hell is happening. Is this place just open-minded about that stuff? Are same-sex relationships common here?? But he’s going to be the emperor, right? Doesn’t he have to care about things like heirs? I clutched my head, writhing in anguish.

Thump. I buried my head into the pillow. Looking to the side, I saw Zerpell sleeping soundly.

“I’m struggling because of you, and you sleep so well. Just great… You had a rough day, so sleep tight.”

Many things from the night came to mind. I sighed inwardly and gently stroked his hair. His lips slightly relaxed. I had been shaken up by the assassination attempt, and his confession made me restless. The assassination… it had to be either the empress or the pope. Other than those two, no one else came to mind. Just as I tried to think about the assassination attempt, Zerpell’s confession came to mind. Well, I didn’t hate it… I waved my hand in the air, brushing the thought away.

“…Let’s just sleep. This kind of thing needs a good night’s rest before thinking clearly again.”

Blankly staring at the ceiling, I wriggled my body deeper into the blanket. I forced my eyes shut. Zerpell’s image in the bathroom flashed in my mind, and I hurried to erase it. To banish the image, I started counting sheep. One sheep… two sheep… three sheep.

Zerpell rose when he heard the soft, peaceful breathing beside him.

“Like you said… why did I keep it bottled up? Now that I’ve let it out, it doesn’t feel like much… No, that’s not it…”

It must have been easier to let go because Shuiren was there. Zerpell stared endlessly at Shuiren’s face. He remembered when Shuiren had held his face and spoken to him. Even with his eyes closed, Shuiren’s gentle voice was vivid. That promise to always be on his side, even if everyone else left.

Zerpell let out a small chuckle. It was because he remembered Shuiren’s face turning bright red. It had been an impulsive act, but far from regret, he was satisfied. Shuiren’s smile, shining like the moon that lights up the darkness, stirred emotions in Zerpell he could hardly suppress.

He had wanted to take it slow, saying there was plenty of time, but seeing that smile made him want to have Shuiren sooner. He wanted to make him completely his own. Those eyes that looked only at him with such blind devotion.

When he heard Shuiren say he didn’t hate it, he felt a surge of ecstasy. Shuiren would never know how hard he had to try to restrain the desire that boiled up in that moment. Zerpell knew Shuiren was flustered by his confession. But he had no intention of taking it back. From what he could tell, Shuiren seemed to have some feelings for him too. He was just unsure for some reason. All that was left was for him to accept it quickly and come into his arms. He hoped Shuiren would acknowledge his feelings soon and fall into his embrace.

“You’re sleeping well.”

Zerpell sat up and looked down at Shuiren, sleeping soundly. His red eyes were now hidden beneath his eyelids. Zerpell gently touched Shuiren’s eyelids. Shuiren, who always followed him so blindly, would gaze at him with those red eyes, call his name, and fall into his arms. There had been countless times when he wanted to hold his face and kiss those red eyes.

Shuiren stirred Zerpell’s reason and awakened his desire. Did Shuiren know? That the reason he endlessly brushed his hair from behind was because he couldn’t kiss his eyes or lips. So instead, he would secretly press a kiss to his soft hair. Zerpell swept up Shuiren’s hair. Taking advantage of his deep sleep, he brought Shuiren’s hand to his lips and pressed a kiss into his palm.

He would never forget the radiant smile he had seen when Shuiren said he would stay by his side and support only him. In that moment, emotions called love and desire had swirled inside him. They say the first time is the hardest. Now, when he saw those eyes looking only at him, it became harder to control his feelings. He wanted to grab Shuiren’s chin as he shyly lowered his head and kiss him. His love for Shuiren made him want to protect his pure self, but another part of him wanted to leave his own scent on him.

Shuiren was sleepily mouthing words, deep in slumber. A small part of Zerpell hoped he wouldn’t sleep. It was his selfish desire to wish Shuiren would be kept awake, fluttering from his confession. Still, seeing him sleep so peacefully felt like proof that he was comfortable around him.

“I hope time passes quickly…”

Would he be able to wait until Shuiren came of age? Talk about the banquet kept coming up. The date was the only question; it was already certain to be held. He wanted to make Shuiren his before anyone else laid eyes on him. That fear swept over him. If… really, if at that banquet someone managed to steal his gaze…

“You’re the one who said you’d stay by my side no matter what. Shuiren… now you can never go to anyone else.”

In the dark of night, Zerpell softly whispered into Shuiren’s ear. Then he wrapped his arms tightly around him and drifted off to sleep.