The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 1.1

Rosette was in a very good mood today. It was her fifth birthday and the first day she had gone outside.

Despite spring approaching, Rosette waddled like a toddler just learning to walk, bundled up thickly in winter-worthy layers.

Although walking was difficult, Rosette was simply delighted to be outside, constantly smiling.

People selling and bargaining at the market, the black mane of a horse swaying with each step, the river just beginning to thaw and rippling gently whenever the wind blew.

These ordinary outdoor scenes were enough to captivate Rosette’s heart, as she had never seen any of them before.

“Rosette, don’t go too far ahead. It’s dangerous.”

“Yes!”

Countess Sarhen, Rosette’s mother, worriedly cautioned her. However, she couldn’t openly stop or hold Rosette back. Her daughter had never been outside before due to a chronic illness. Seeing how happy she was at scenery that could be viewed anytime made Rosette both lovable and pitiful.

‘She’s so happy about this…’

Thinking she should bring her out more often to see the sights, Rosette ran forward before she could be stopped. Urgent screams erupted from the maids ahead.

“Look! Something cute!”

“Lady Rosette!”

“My lady, it’s dangerous!”

Despite the maids’ protests, Rosette diligently moved her plump arms and legs and climbed onto the bridge. The arch-shaped marble bridge connecting the market and the imperial palace gleamed white in the sunlight.

Under the arched bridge, baby ducklings that had just hatched were desperately swimming after their mother duck on the river. It was natural for Rosette to be captivated by the baby ducklings with their soft-looking yellow feathers. Rosette stretched her neck between the railings and intently watched the ducks. And then she really fell in. Not just her head, but her whole body.

“Huh?”

“Kyaaaa!”

“My lady-!”

“Rosette-!”

The gap between the railings was wide enough for an adult to slip a leg through, but sufficient for a child’s body to fall completely through.

Splash, Rosette’s small body cut through the air before sinking into the water. The soft, thick cotton clothes that had protected her from the cold became heavy weights as they soaked up the water.

Startled by the sudden intrusion, a duck flapped its wings and flew away. The silhouettes of people gathering and murmuring were visible as whitish blurs above the water. The more Rosette struggled, the deeper she sank. Then, someone grabbed her body.

“My lady!”

“Huh.”

Rosette woke up at someone’s voice. Her eyes, which seemed covered by a thin membrane, blinked and gradually focused. The maid Becky looking at her with kind and worried brown eyes, and the familiar scenery behind her. Only then did Rosette realize she had been dreaming.

“Becky…”

“What kind of dream were you having so noisily, my lady? Was it a nightmare?”

“Well, was it a nightmare…?”

It was the day my life changed.

Rosette muttered this while looking to the side. Evan was snoring away next to her.

And also the day I met this fellow.

The corners of Rosette’s lips turned up slightly as she looked at Evan.

At a glance, Evan resembled a wolf. A large, sleek body and a protruding snout. However, looking at his large frame that enveloped Rosette with room to spare, and the sparkling light that circled around him, one could quickly tell he was closer to a “divine beast” than a wolf.

“Evan, you rascal. Time to wake up.”

“Grrrr…”

As if saying not to disturb him, Evan licked his dry nose with his tongue and burrowed into the blanket. The warm bedding filled with goose down, the high-temperature furball that had nestled completely against her side, the still-dark interior. It was just the mood for one more nap. Rosette looked at Becky with a pitiful expression.

“Just 5 more minutes…”

“No, my lady. We need to start preparing now to avoid being late.”

“But it’s my birthday today. Please?”

“It’s your birthday, so you need to look your prettiest.”

If it had been the usual Becky, she would have given in with a “just 5 minutes,” but today was a special day, so she firmly refused. Rosette looked at Becky glumly. Her drooping shoulders looked pitiful, but Becky had steeled her heart and swiftly pulled away the goose down blanket covering Rosette.

“Kyaa!”

The early morning breeze seeped through her chemise. Rosette let out a short scream and hugged Evan. Evan, seemingly just as displeased, made a “woong” sound and burrowed into Rosette’s embrace. The sight of him tapping his tail in dissatisfaction was quite entertaining. Becky sighed. How could these two be so alike?

“Becky, how could you be so cruel?”

“Yesterday’s lady said this was acceptable because you wouldn’t get up otherwise.”

Becky said firmly while skillfully beginning to undo the buttons of Rosette’s chemise. Rosette reluctantly put on her slippers and patted Evan’s bottom. Taking that as his cue, Evan yawned widely and stretched.

“Evan, get up. I need to wash now.”

“Should we wash Evan, too? It’s been a while since his last bath.”

Evan opened his eyes wide as if he’d heard something unthinkable, then immediately jumped out of bed and scratched at the door. His gestures seemed desperate, as if begging to be let out. Rosette and Becky looked at him incredulously. All he could do with front paws much larger than a human hand was scratch at the door.

“Grrrr, grr, grr!”

“For a count family’s divine beast, who would have thought he’d hate bathing so much.”

Rosette muttered with bleary eyes. Just then, the door opened and maids carrying a bathtub and hot water entered one after another. Evan seized the opportunity and quickly slipped outside.

“Kyaa! Evan!”

A maid who almost spilled water let out a short scream as she saw Evan rushing out. Becky said exasperatedly.

“I was just thinking of giving him a bath, and he escapes like that.”

“Understandable.”

The maids giggled as they placed the bathtub three steps away from the bed, then alternately poured hot and cold water to adjust the temperature. Rose petals freshly picked from the greenhouse floated delicately on the water once the temperature was right. After rose water was added, the entire room was filled with the scent of roses. It was truly time to get up now. Rosette sighed and accepted her fate.

***

“Miss, it’s all done. You can open your eyes now.”

At Becky’s words, Rosette gently lifted her eyelashes. The Rosette in the mirror was looking at her with a tired expression. Her eighteenth birthday. It wouldn’t have been strange to wear heavy makeup, but since she wasn’t fond of putting things on her face, she had only lightly applied rouge to her pale cheeks. Instead of focusing on her face, the maids had paid attention to her hair. Her pink hair, curled with a curling iron, was more curly than usual, but they had delicately braided the sides and half-tied it to give a mature impression. Becky, who had spread out the lace-trimmed elbow part with a flourish, helped adjust her appearance.

“You look so beautiful!”

“Thank you.”

Rosette smiled brightly and lightly greeted the maids. In truth, Rosette didn’t particularly enjoy dressing up. Many pretty things were heavy and uncomfortable. Rosette, who had been weak since childhood, found such things burdensome. Still, today was a special day, and she was aware of the hard work that had gone on for six long hours. Thinking that she should buy them expensive desserts later, Rosette rose from her seat. At that moment, there was a knock from outside.

“Rosette? Are you in there?”

“Is that you, Stefan? Come in.”

At Rosette’s gesture, one of the maids rushed out to open the door. Soon after, Stefan, dressed in uniform, entered the room.

“Rosette! You look so beautiful.”

“Anyone would look that way after the time it took.”

Despite her pointed remark, Stefan just smiled. Stefan, who was complimenting Rosette, looked just as splendid as any nobleman. The maids were sneaking glances at him.

“You two talk. I’ll come up and let you know when the banquet preparations are complete.”

“Yes, thank you, Becky.”

“It’s nothing.”

Tap. The door closed, and Rosette and Stefan shared a strange look.