A Snake’s Life Ch 57

Chapter 57

 

Why now… of all times… at this very moment!

Zerpell’s aura was no joke. The air was so cold it felt like my hair stood on end. I understood, though. I’d be shocked too if someone I liked was caught with a naked man!

Cedric’s eyes were round with shock as well. His lips slowly parted in disbelief. I turned my stiff head with a creak, like a broken robot, and then dropped it with a thud.

First things first—I had to deal with the situation in front of me. I must’ve tied the cloth with too much force in my tension, because Kir said it hurt, but my mind didn’t register it. A chilling murderous aura pricked at my spine. Kir must’ve felt it too, as he turned to glance to the side.

“What’s up with that guy?”

He spoke with such shamelessness and composure. Kasa, who had been next to him, took a step back. And at the same time, Zerpell moved. Thump. His heavy footsteps echoed.

‘What do I do…’

In an attempt to salvage the situation, I quickly ran up and clung to Zerpell’s waist. I lifted my face, sparkling my eyes as I spoke as sweetly as possible.

“Master, did you come to get me?”

“……”

No response. Please… just let this go… Zerpell’s stiff lips showed no sign of softening. I pointed to Kir with my hand, trying to avoid further misunderstanding.

“This person is Kir, and…”

“I know.”

Thank goodness… I sighed inwardly and started rambling an explanation.

“Huh?? Uh… then, that’s good… I asked him to try transforming since he said he could turn into a human. That’s why I…”

“Shuiren.”

“Huh?”

“I said I already know.”

“……”

His firm tone cut off my babbling. Then, Zerpell gently stroked my head with his hand. But for some reason, that made me even more nervous…

“Dangerous.”

Kir uttered just one word and returned to his snake form. I let out a bewildered laugh.

Then why didn’t you go back sooner?! I was so dumbfounded that I couldn’t speak. In his original form, Kir slithered away leisurely through the folds of clothing. That old geezer… I’ll kill you someday. I cursed him furiously in my heart, grinding my teeth.

Zerpell’s gaze quietly followed Kir as he disappeared.

“Sigh…”

It was a deep, long sigh. I looked up at Zerpell. He had his hand over his face, and his chest heaved with heavy breaths. He was breathing in and out deeply, like he was trying to suppress boiling anger. I licked my dry lips, watching his mood.

After wiping his face, his expression was devoid of any emotion. No anger, no affection—just an empty look. I could tell—this was serious. I tried to smile, forcing my lips upward, but I could feel them trembling.

His low voice, rough enough to scrape the floor, revealed how tightly he was restraining his rage.

“We’re going back.”

“……”

I looked behind me at Cedric, silently pleading for him to save me… but he only gave me an awkward smile in response.

“Escort Aiden to the palace, and get rid of that snake.”

He emphasized that snake with extra venom. I clamped my mouth shut and turned my head left and right. No one was going to save me. Without a word, Zerpell took my hand and pulled me along. I dragged my feet and resisted, but it was useless.

“Um, Master…?”

“Silence.”

“Yes, sir.”

That was the last thing he said before dragging me to the room. I was pulled along by his strength, crying inside. Normally, he would adjust his strength appropriately, but not this time—he didn’t seem to have the composure. His grip on my wrist hurt.

“Master… that hurts…”

When I whimpered, he glanced at me and immediately loosened his grip. For some reason, I felt relieved. Though I could feel anger radiating from his back, the gentle way he now held my hand was warm.

As soon as we arrived at the room, Zerpell ordered the knights.

“Open it. And don’t let anyone in until I come out.”

The knights flinched. They looked at each other, clearly confused. They had no idea what was going on. Cedric looked at me with pity just before the door closed.

Once inside, Zerpell let go of my hand. I gently rotated my sore wrist. Zerpell, without hesitation, yanked off his tie. Feeling awkward, I carefully knelt on the bed. Silence lingered. I nervously licked my parched lips. Then I began to speak hesitantly.

“Master… about earlier…”

But my words must have brought back unpleasant memories, because Zerpell clicked his tongue and scowled. He flung his outer coat, which landed on the chair.

His abrupt gesture made me flinch. I was so tense I couldn’t even make excuses. I just swallowed hard. Zerpell roughly ran a hand through his hair. I lowered my head, trying to gauge his mood.

‘I mean, okay, the position was kind of awkward, sure. But he’s the one who confessed! I haven’t even accepted it yet! Why do I have to be the one tiptoeing around like this??’

Lost in this revelation, I stared blankly at the floor, and suddenly got angry. Thinking about it just made me more frustrated!

While I was silently fuming over the injustice, the bed suddenly sank beside me. I looked up to find Zerpell leaning in with a relaxed posture, one hand braced next to me. Wh-What the…? I stiffened with tension as his face drew closer.

‘This… seems dangerous…’

Sensing the peril, I subtly leaned away. But his hand caught my chin, foiling the escape. He gently stroked my cheek. His golden eyes shimmered with desire. My heart twisted alongside that gaze.

His heated stare was familiar. He often looked at me like that. It always left me feeling unsettled…

Since the day he confessed, Zerpell had made subtle, seductive gestures toward me. But when I didn’t quite give in, he didn’t push further. Our kiss that day had been the only one. Even when I fled, flustered, he hadn’t chased me.

But now he seemed ready to cross the line he had drawn. As his face inched closer, my heart pounded foolishly. Calm down, heart… Just as I began to panic, his low voice broke the silence.

“I told you before. I won’t forgive anyone who sees your body.”

“Y-Yeah, you did.”

“But I never mentioned the reverse. You shouldn’t be looking at other men’s bodies either, right? Hmm?”

Zerpell spoke with a softness that sounded like coaxing. But his eyes gleamed with cold light.

“This beautiful body shouldn’t be shown to anyone else, and those beautiful eyes shouldn’t take in the body of another.”

Zerpell whispered softly beside my ear, caging me between his arms. Every breath against my skin made me flinch.

“Today was an accident…”

Shhh. Zerpell cut me off, unwilling to hear excuses. He urged me to agree.

“Your answer?”

“Y-Yeah. Okay…”

“It was your first time, right?”

“…Of course.”

My delayed answer made Zerpell’s eyes narrow. My ex-girlfriend crossed my mind.

“It was my first! I swear!”

One wrong word and I was doomed. But I wasn’t lying. It really was the first time in this life. Zerpell’s once-soft voice dropped again to a dark pitch. I wiped the sweat off my palm onto the bedsheet.

“Shuiren… could it be…”

“No! It’s only ever been you!!”

Seeing Zerpell’s suspicious expression, I hastily pulled my head back and waved my hands wildly.

“Good. As long as it’s only me.”

Relieved, I shut my eyes tight. Then peeked through my fingers and saw him smile like the radiant sun. My breath caught. That smile passed like sunlight gliding across the sky.

Zerpell pulled me tightly into his arms and buried his face in my neck, chuckling softly. I remembered that dazzling smile from moments ago and hid my blushing face in my hands. How could I not fall for him like this…? I covered my cheeks, now bright red.

Nothing exactly happened… but I was glad it didn’t end badly… Just as I was feeling relieved, Zerpell whispered as if to mock my peace.

“Shuiren. Let me correct myself. I said I wasn’t going to do anything for now, but I take it back.”

“W-What are you taking back? What are you going to do??”

“Again, I’ll say this… if you don’t want to, you may refuse.”

When he lowered his hand, what I saw was his face drawing closer. His flushed lips approached mine, and though my eyes trembled in shock, they naturally drifted shut.

Zerpell’s lips pressed against mine. My hands, unsure where to go, clutched at his collar. His lips curled softly as they touched mine. Gently, teasingly, he nibbled and glided over them.

‘Let’s admit it.’

Since his sudden confession, I had done a lot of thinking.

Honestly, I didn’t hate the way he treated me. Even though the confession came from a man, it didn’t feel wrong. I also felt something for Zerpell. But I kept slamming on the brakes, unconsciously.

Because he was a man, because he was the crown prince, because of our age difference. Still, I found myself being drawn to him.

If someone asked, “Why do you like Zerpell?” I’d just say, “Because I do.” His gentle eye-smiles, his teasing touches, the strong support he gave, the occasional glimpses of cuteness… none of it was unpleasant.

More than anything, the way he reached for my hand and said he needed me—made me feel like someone special. Maybe we had been slowly coloring each other all along.

I had just been making excuses, ignoring my racing heart. I mean, seriously, who wouldn’t fall for that?

Every time we kissed, my tightly closed lips parted—just a little, ever so slightly.