Chapter 12.1
In the carriage returning to the imperial palace, Elena held the cute rabbit doll that the wolf emperor had won for her.
‘It gets cuter the more I look at it.’
Elena found herself unconsciously playing with the doll’s paws, enjoying its soft, squishy texture and fur that felt as smooth as a real rabbit’s.
“It’s lovely, though not as lovely as you.”
Elena’s face flushed as she recalled the emperor’s words when he had presented her with the rabbit doll.
‘The emperor seems to be in such a good mood.’
With her heart pounding and the emperor’s smiling face repeatedly appearing in her mind, Elena’s face grew even hotter, prompting her to bury her face in the rabbit’s head.
‘Is it because she’s a rabbit? Everything she does is adorable.’
Lucael could hardly take his eyes off his rabbit. The corners of his mouth remained upturned. After a moment’s deliberation about whether a rabbit therianthrope would appreciate receiving a rabbit doll or find it offensive, Lucael had decided to give her the gift. Contrary to his anxious thoughts about possibly earning her displeasure, Elena had been delighted to receive the rabbit doll.
‘She mentioned being a rare snow rabbit. Is that why she has this silver hair?’
Lucael gently stroked her soft, slightly wavy hair. When Elena peeked out with her adorable face and their eyes met, he smiled warmly and spoke.
“Eli, how was our first date?”
“It was wonderful.”
“I’m glad. Would you like to go out together more often?”
“I’d love to!”
“That makes me happy. I’m truly grateful that you’re so pleased.”
The subtle scent emanating from the approaching wolf emperor—which Elena had initially found threatening and frightening—now strangely felt pleasant to her. She even found herself wanting to keep inhaling it.
‘I’m not some pervert!’
The thought made her face flush again, and she buried her face in the top of the doll’s head.
‘What could she be thinking? If only I could read my rabbit’s mind.’
Feeling a touch of regret, Lucael couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Eli.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty?”
“Oh, no! Lu!”
As she raised her head and met his eyes, the panicked rabbit frantically waved her hands, causing Lucael to burst into laughter.
“Wh-why are you l-laughing like that?!”
‘So my adorable rabbit can get angry too.’
Seeing Elena with her brows furrowed and voice strained, Lucael found her utterly endearing. With a faint smile on his lips, he caressed her cheek and spoke.
“I’m not teasing you. How could I possibly tease someone I love? I’m simply laughing because you’re so adorable. Please don’t misunderstand. My Eli.”
Taking her hand in his large one, Lucael kissed the back of it while gazing into her eyes with his obsidian-like orbs. Elena felt as though she might be pulled into those dark eyes, causing her body to tremble involuntarily.
“Eli? Why are you trembling?”
“It’s nothing. The date was truly enjoyable.”
“I’m glad. What did you enjoy the most?”
“Hmm… the golden meadow and the dessert cafe.”
“I see. From now on, those two places will be our essential destinations.”
“Thank you.”
“Rather than ‘thank you,’ I’d prefer to hear ‘I appreciate it.'”
Elena smiled brightly at Lucael’s smiling remark and hugged the rabbit doll tighter.
‘He’s so incredibly kind. At first, I thought it might be an act, but no one could keep up such kindness continuously. From what I know, carnivorous therianthropes aren’t supposed to have much patience.’
Elena glanced sideways and, upon meeting Lucael’s smiling gaze, awkwardly smiled back before burying her face in the doll’s head again.
‘Ah, why did I make such a promise?’
Lucael was beginning to see the bottom of his patience. Though it was too late to regret, continuing to endure like this felt unbearable. It was like being thirsty but unable to drink water.
‘Well, thanks to my adorable rabbit, I’m having these new experiences.’
The only reason he could maintain his composure was because he could enjoy those secret nighttime activities. Without them, Lucael might have already forcefully devoured the rabbit that belonged to him. Even if she feared or resented him, she was already his. Above all, Lucael felt he had done more than enough.
Most importantly, he was being kind to her—something he had never done for anyone before.
In truth, Lucael himself was somewhat surprised. He hadn’t known he possessed such patience.
A brief chuckle escaped him as he crossed his arms, leaned back against the seat, and gazed intently at Elena, who still had her face buried in the rabbit doll.
‘She must be having trouble breathing.’
Lucael reached out and gently placed his hand on Elena’s back, as she showed no signs of lifting her head.
“Eek!”
“I’m sorry for startling you. I was worried about whether you could breathe.”
“I-I’m fine! Really. Hic! Hic!”
Finding even her hiccupping adorable, Lucael stroked her back while gazing into her beautiful red eyes.
“Hold your breath and swallow once.”
Lucael’s lips twitched into a smile as he watched her nod and follow his instructions with the most adorable expression possible.
“Ah! It stopped! That’s amazing!”
“Haha, I’m glad. My adorable Eli.”
Elena felt her body grow hot once more as she felt his lips touch her cheek. No, perhaps this time was even hotter. And the intense pounding in her chest felt as though it might burst through.
‘I don’t know! Really!’
As Elena lowered her head deeply, Lucael detected the pheromones emanating from her and smiled, revealing a glimpse of his teeth.
‘Someday, this adorable rabbit will be crying in my arms. I hope that day isn’t too far off.’
Licking his lips, the emperor continued to admire his cute rabbit until the carriage arrived at the imperial palace.
……
“Welcome back, Your Majesty.”
Upon entering his office, Lucael was quite displeased to see Rihan looking exceptionally happy.
“You seem to have had some good news.”
“Hahaha! Yes!”
“You’re too loud.”
“I apologize.”
With quick steps, Lucael headed not to his desk but to the sofa, where he reclined in a comfortable position.
“Did you enjoy your time with Her Majesty the Empress?”
“Ah.”
Rihan was relieved to see Lucael nodding with a satisfied smile.
“Rihan.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What kind of gift would my Empress like?”
“Hmm… perhaps jewelry?”
“Not something so common.”
“Ahem! In that case, it might be quickest to ask Her Majesty directly about what she likes.”
“……”
“Oh, I understand! I-I’ll look into it!”
“My ears hurt.”
Meeting Lucael’s gaze, sharper than a blade, Rihan bowed his head in apology.
“Find out as quickly as possible.”
“Understood.”
Lucael stared at the ceiling. Thinking of his adorable rabbit, who responded to his touch even while sleeping, he felt himself becoming stiff below.
“Huff.”
“Is something wrong?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Yes.”
Rihan observed Lucael, who covered his face with his arm and exhaled repeatedly.
‘What’s wrong with him?’
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