II.

Chapter 15

Irene’s eyes suddenly flew open. Her body felt so refreshed that she woke on her own, and as she briefly wondered how long it had been since she’d felt this well, she let out a long, drawn-out yawn.

“Nyaaang.” [Hwaaahm!]

When had she reverted to her true form? At the sound of her own cry reaching her ears, Irene simply blinked—until the events of the night before came rushing back.

“Nyyaang!” [Ahht!]

Startled, she bolted upright and looked around. It seemed last night had not been a dream after all. Scolding herself for still being in this unfamiliar room, she stretched.

She extended her front paws forward and arched her back.

“Nyaang, nyaaang.” [Let’s hurry home.]

Without properly surveying her surroundings, she made to leap off the bed. But before she could spring nimbly away, a massive paw pressed down on her tail.

“Nyang?” [What—?]

“Kreung.” [Where do you think you’re going?]

“Nya, nyang?” [K-Knox?]

“Keung, keureung.” [Surely you weren’t trying to run away?]

“Nya, aang?” [N-No, I wasn’t.]

“Kreung.” [Then sleep more.]

“Nyyaang.” [I’m done sleeping…]

“Kreung?” [Oh?]

Irene trembled as she looked at the black panther, far larger than herself. He was much more threatening than in his human form. Her body shook involuntarily. It was an instinctive reaction, born from feeling the difference in their standing deep in her very bones.

“Kreung.” [Why are you trembling?]

Knox narrowed his eyes at the sight of the snow-white cat trembling. Then he pulled her in with his paw and held her close with his entire body. He licked the sleep from her eyes and groomed her fur.

“Nya, nyang?” [I-I can do it myself!]

“Kreung.” [Stay still.]

Irene felt strange as his rough tongue lapped at her body. It was not an unpleasant sensation—it was simply unfamiliar. Even the stray cats that passed by had never done this to her.

Beastkin and animals were entirely different species.

She thought of her mother, whose face was now barely a memory. Irene stared quietly at the black panther meticulously licking every inch of her body.

“Nyaang, nyaaang.” [That’s enough now.]

“Kreung.” [Alright.]

Knox, having licked his female to his heart’s content, wagged his tail in good spirits. He was thoroughly satisfied with the sight of the female tucked snugly in his embrace.

“Nyaang, nyaaang.” [Well then, I’ll be going now.]

“Kreung?” [What did you say?]

Irene wanted to go home. Even though he was a male who treated her well, he was a panther and clearly seemed to be a noble. Since she had to live in human society despite being a beastkin, she found his noble status overwhelming.

She was grateful that he had safely seen her through her heat, and she appreciated his kindness in trying to take care of her, but she did not think this was a bond that would continue. That felt both a little regrettable and a little sad. But a noble was out of the question.

Hadn’t the fruit shop owner said as much?

“I’m telling you this because I’m worried. Even if nobles come sniffing around, you must never follow them. You’re beautiful, Irene, so some immature young nobles are bound to cling to you. But never forget, it’s always the commoners who end up losing.”

Irene herself thought the shopkeeper’s words rang true.

“Nyaang, nyaaang!” [Thank you so much!]

Still, she thought she ought to at least say goodbye, and so after giving her thanks, she sprang lightly off the bed. Padding softly toward the window, Irene felt a little disappointed.

Couldn’t he at least return her farewell? Why wasn’t he saying anything at all?

With a dejected expression, she lightly hopped onto the windowsill. Just as she was about to slip her flexible body through the slightly open gap in the window, the scruff of her neck was seized.

No—bitten.

“Nyaaang!” [Wh-What is this?]

Knox, wearing an incredulous and dumbfounded look, held the scruff of her neck firmly in his mouth. Of course, he did not bare his teeth, so there was no risk of hurting her. Irene dangled in the air, kicking her paws wildly, but it was no use.

Knox returned to the bed, tucked her into his embrace, and curled his body around her.

“Kreureung.” [Sleep more. Then we eat.]

“Nyaang?” [Eat?]

He covered the face of the adorably mewling white cat with his paw. Knox was truly baffled and hurt. How could she try to leave with such a refreshed look on her face? Having had no intention of letting her go from the very start, Knox studied the female’s demeanor.

Was she doing this on purpose, or was she sincere?

But the female was genuinely intent on leaving. When she had leaped onto the windowsill without a shred of hesitation, he had been so angry he nearly raised his voice. Yet he could not startle the female.

What good would it do to frighten a cat not even the size of a single mouthful? What was more, she was his female.

Irene felt her heart pounding and the firmness of his paw pads. Compared to her own soft pads, his appearance brimmed with a wildness that made her earlier disappointment fade away.

She herself could not quite grasp her current feelings. But he had told her to sleep more. Perhaps it would be alright to sleep just a little longer.

On the large bed, the black panther and the white cat pressed their bodies against each other and fell back asleep just like that.