A Snake’s Life Ch 61

Chapter 61

 

Ian held back his urge to lash out bitterly, suppressing the growing frustration that made the world feel hollow. He didn’t like the scene before him, but he reminded himself of the bonus he had received from Zerpell.

A few days prior, Ian had sent Zerpell to Shuiren, hoping the time would not go to waste. It was a casual suggestion, made with the mindset that if Zerpell couldn’t focus on work, he might as well be away while Ian finished things himself.

Just as Ian was about to carry a stack of documents he had sorted into his room, he witnessed Zerpell grabbing Shuiren’s wrist. Even from a distance, Zerpell’s aura was chilling.

Still, Ian wasn’t too concerned. He never imagined Zerpell would truly be angry with Shuiren. However, as time dragged on and the two didn’t emerge from the room even long after mealtime, concern began to grow.

Ian paced near the door and addressed the guards standing watch.

“Has His Highness not come out yet?”

“No… He only left the message that no one should enter until he comes out.”

The guard responded, and Casa, standing nearby, commented to Ian, who seemed unsure whether to knock.

“I think you’re worrying over nothing.”

Casa’s nonchalant expression was not befitting of someone who had been present at the scene. Still, Ian’s duty was to assist Zerpell. The clock indicated it was well past the time for a meal, and there had been no movement from inside the room.

‘Knowing Shuiren’s temperament, he would never skip a meal.’

This thought ignited a strange sense of duty in Ian. With newfound resolve, he took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The sharp sound echoed. No answer. He knocked once more.

Then a sudden scream followed by a dull thud came from inside. Soon after, Shuiren’s voice called for them to come in.

“Your Highness. Pardon the intrusion…”

Ian regretted not listening to Casa’s words. It truly had been needless worry. The door opened halfway, then halted.

“I-Ian. Why? Do you need something?”

“Who said you could come in? I clearly instructed no one to enter until I came out. Did the guard not convey the message?”

The two were sitting apart on the bed. Their positions weren’t inappropriate, but Shuiren’s moist eyes, flushed cheeks, and their both visibly swollen lips were more than telling in Ian’s view.

Shuiren awkwardly smiled and rubbed the back of his neck, while Zerpell scowled with clear displeasure. Ian, frozen like a statue, struggled to keep a composed face.

All the time he had spent listening to Zerpell’s romantic woes felt foolish now. Ian collected himself and bowed his head.

“…My apologies. How would you like your meal today?”

Zerpell looked toward the window. Night had fallen.

“It’s dark already. Shuiren, shall we go eat? What would you prefer?”

“Huh? O-of course, we should eat.”

Shuiren glanced sideways at Ian and nodded repeatedly.

From that day onward, anyone unaware of their relationship in the palace would have seemed the strange one. Everyone kept silent, but it was clear Zerpell had special feelings for Shuiren. They simply refrained from commenting, as servants often did.

Ian had long thought this day would come. He had already discussed it with His Highness and, if their hearts were aligned, was prepared to support his lord’s happiness. That said, witnessing a couple’s public displays of affection remained exhausting.

Currently, Shuiren was seated on Zerpell’s lap, stamping approved documents with visible enthusiasm. Ian was staring directly at them, unaware that the documents he held were crumpling under his grip.

Each time Ian entered, Zerpell looked at him as if he were a bothersome guest. Ian resisted the urge to say, ‘Your Highness, aren’t you supposed to be working?’ Now, even opening the door made his hand flinch.

He placed the documents on the desk and addressed Zerpell. Yesterday, Zerpell had spent so long learning to make a bouquet from Aiden for Shuiren that he had dismissed the designer. Ian had just heard from a servant that the designer had returned and came to inform Zerpell.

“The designer has arrived.”

“The clothes are here?”

“Yes, I’ve guided them to the parlor.”

“Let’s go quickly!”

“Understood. Let’s go now.”

Zerpell looked fondly at Shuiren, who clung to his neck. Ian suddenly felt a chill in his side.

Upon entering the parlor, they found clothes on display—far too many. Ian had chosen only one design from the catalog after much deliberation with Zerpell.

Why were there so many outfits? But… they didn’t feel unfamiliar. On closer inspection, they were the designs that had been rejected earlier. Don’t tell me… he ordered all of them? I tilted my head. Zerpell evaluated the outfits as if nothing was unusual and even looked pleased, a slight smile playing on his lips. I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.

There was no need for so many… When would I even wear them all…? I thought of the clothes gathering dust in the dressing room.

Unlike everyday clothes, bespoke garments were adorned with elaborate embroidery and made in a single, unique piece by the designer. It was a way for nobles to flaunt their wealth. That meant these clothes came with astronomical price tags.

Seeing how they were made to my measurements, they were essentially already paid for.

I tugged at Zerpell’s collar and said,

“My lord… isn’t this a bit much? It’s not like there’s a ball every night—it’s just one day. This is way too much.”

“It’s a reasonable amount. And extras are necessary.”

Ten extras is reasonable?

“Still, this many…”

“The ball does not last a single day. I suppose I failed to mention it. The festivities span three days.”

“Three days??”

Did I underestimate the social gathering…? What kind of wasteful extravagance is this? I thought it would be over in one day! Just imagining three days of facing noble faces exhausted me. Wouldn’t it be better to just end it in one day? What are we even supposed to do after seeing the same people again?

“Didn’t Your Highness mention this to Shuiren?”

Ian, standing behind, joined the conversation. When he saw my surprised face, he added an explanation.

“To be precise, it was originally five days. His Highness reduced it to three. While it spans three days, not all require full attendance. The first and last are most important. Still… attending two out of three is effectively full participation. The first day gathers all nobles. The second day is optional. The last day, those who couldn’t attend earlier gather again. On the final day at the palace, it’s customary for nobles to find marriage partners. That day is filled with music and dance, with everyone switching partners repeatedly. It’s an important occasion for nobles to find their match. However… that likely doesn’t concern you, Shuiren.”

The part that struck me most from Ian’s explanation was the dancing. Dance? Like a waltz? But I had never once taken dance lessons with Zerpell.

“My lord. Now that I think about it, I’ve never danced before. How will I manage on the last day? Won’t I step on someone’s foot?”

My only experience was a folk dance in elementary school. I recalled scenes from films where couples twirled in graceful circles. Whatever I said must have rubbed Zerpell the wrong way, as his brows furrowed.

“Who said you’d be dancing with someone else?”

His overreaction made me glance at Ian, who had already stepped back, unwilling to get involved.

“No… Ian just…”

Zerpell glared daggers at Ian for his careless words.

“I do not enjoy sharing what is mine.”

He firmly cut me off.

“I see… dancing, huh. Then you should learn. But you will dance with me. With no one else but me.”

I blinked at him. It wasn’t as if I had any desire to dance with someone else. Ian had merely said dancing would happen on the final day, and I had asked about it.

Zerpell gripped my arm, locking eyes with me and demanding an answer with his intense gaze. I stared back blankly, then smiled brightly and responded to his words.

“Well, I wouldn’t want to dance with anyone but you either, my lord.”

With those words, the designer, who had been quietly standing by, finally moved. A master of reading the room, he had stayed silent until it was his time to step forward, then approached to present the clothes. These were tailored based on measurements taken previously, and today’s session was for trying them on and making fine adjustments.

Since expert hands were needed for precise alterations, Zerpell stepped back. When a servant tried to hand him his own outfit, he refused and instead watched me with unwavering eyes as I was being attended to. Though the attendants’ gazes trembled, their hands did not—they skillfully dressed me.

“Is there anything uncomfortable?”

“It’s fine.”

I looked at my reflection in the full-length mirror before me. Not bad. I turned to show Zerpell.

“My lord, how do I look? Does it suit me?”

“Beautiful.”

“…R-Really?”

His earnest compliment made me flustered, and I averted my gaze.

The designer examined my outfit carefully, inspecting for creases, looseness, or tightness, and adjusted details with pins where necessary. I had to keep my arms raised for quite some time, which made my shoulders ache. That wasn’t the only outfit—I had to repeat this multiple times.

At last, all the fittings were done. Exhausted, I collapsed into a chair, massaging my stiff shoulders and rolling them out. Zerpell stepped up behind me without a word and placed his hands on my shoulders, pressing down gently. He hit the exact sore spots, sending a wave of relief through my body.

“You’ve done well. Is this where it hurts?”

“My lord, you should try your outfit too.”

“I can do it later.”

Behind him, I saw the servant’s flustered expression. It seemed they were waiting… Still, I surrendered myself to the relief of my muscles relaxing. Zerpell massaged me with just the right pressure—neither too strong nor too light. I whispered small requests, and he obliged, indulging my whims.

“Your hands are always the best, my lord.”

My whole body felt pleasantly melted.