The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 2.11

Rosette sighed deeply. She had known something like this would happen eventually. Evan’s appearance could rival that of a prince of a nation. His clear features and bright smile. His hair, which had recently looked like it had been gnawed by mice, had grown a bit and looked even more handsome. It was rather strange that no one had made a move on him until now.

Those free-spirited noblewomen would want to have some fun with him. Rosette thought, scanning Evan’s appearance, which remained confident despite his shabby clothes.

“Evan, you shouldn’t follow someone just because they offer to buy you something.”

“I know. But really, we just agreed to have dinner.”

“They say there’s no such thing when free food comes without a price. Remember what Xana said?”

The memory of Roxana wailing in a letter after joining a magic club when she went for a free meal was vivid. She complained about why she had to learn magic tricks when she was born a mage. Thanks to being trapped in the club for three years, Roxana learned the trick of pulling all sorts of things out of a hat.

“Alright. If I can’t go with you, Rosette, then I won’t eat there either.”

“Good boy.”

Rosette thought that today they should really splurge on a delicious meal, even if it was a bit extravagant. That way, he wouldn’t be tempted by anyone’s offers.

“Then let’s go tell her we can’t eat with her.”

Rosette said as she got up.

Evan opened the door and walked out confidently. Unlike Rosette, who still didn’t know her way around well, Evan had the talent of remembering a route after taking it just once.

“Is it here?”

“Yes.”

Evan nodded as they reached the first-class room door. When Evan knocked, the sound of slippers dragging across the floor came from inside.

“Evaniuuum, why are you so late?”

Rosette slightly frowned at the distinctive, sticky voice that dragged out the words.

“Madame, I came to apologize that I won’t be able to join you for dinner.”

Rosette’s eyes widened at Evan’s unexpectedly proper speech. Did Evan know such etiquette? Or had he learned it since boarding the ship?

“Whyyy? What’s wrong?”

A disappointed voice replied.

“I promised to have dinner with my sister.”

“Sister? I thought… It would be much more fun to eat with me.”

“But…”

“Hmm? Hmmmm? Let’s eat togetherrr.”

Unable to stand it any longer, Rosette gently pushed Evan aside and stepped forward.

“Hello, I’m Rose, Evanium’s sister.”

At the sudden appearance, Yvonne’s eyes widened. Rosette was equally flustered.

She hadn’t noticed because Evan had been blocking her view, but Yvonne was wearing only a thin nightgown with a shawl draped over it. The light cream-colored nightgown revealed Yvonne’s figure explicitly. This shattered the flimsy deduction that Yvonne was truly a kind person who simply wanted to treat Evan to a meal. Yvonne was dressed in a clearly seductive manner. At the sudden appearance of this intruder, Yvonne raised her eyebrows.

“Hmm, sister?”

“Yes, I’m his sister. My brother has been causing you trouble.”

Yvonne looked Rosette up and down.

“Please, sister? Really.”

Yvonne sneered, twisting one corner of her mouth. Rosette fell right into the obvious provocation.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said, darling. You might think you’re hiding it well, but to my experienced eyes, it’s obvious. You look like some noble young lady, and this one was probably a servant or attendant. You fell in love and ran away together, right?”

Yvonne declared triumphantly. It was strangely disarming, but Rosette responded with composure.

“They say people only see what they’re accustomed to seeing. I’d like to tell you that our relationship doesn’t fit your narrow perspective.”

Normally, she would have ignored it or responded more indirectly, but perhaps because she was angry, her words came out bluntly. At Rosette’s words, Yvonne’s pale cheeks flushed with rage.

“People accustomed to seeing? What are you implying?”

Yvonne stepped forward, looking ready to slap her. Evan stepped between them and gave Yvonne a cold look.

“That’s enough, Madame.”

Both Rosette and Yvonne looked at Evan with surprised expressions at his dry tone. Who knew Evan could get angry like this?

“You little brats! Do you know who I am?”

“I don’t know who you are, but I can tell you’re a rude person.”

When Rosette stood her ground, Yvonne bit her lip.

“You’ll regret this… impudent… little…”

Evan quickly covered Rosette’s ears to block the harsh curse words. He covered them so well that she couldn’t properly hear what was being said right in front of her.

“Madame, you should watch your mouth. Snakes are coming from your lips, poisoning your life.”

“Let’s go, Rosette.” Evan turned his head while still holding Rosette’s ears. This caused Rosette to turn and walk like a puppet being controlled.

“Evanium, let go now.”

“Ah, sorry.”

Evan hastily removed his hands from her ears. Rosette scrutinized Evan suspiciously.

“What is it, Rose?”

His eyes were innocent and clear. He didn’t look like someone hiding anything. But…

‘Madame, you should watch your mouth. Snakes are coming from your lips, poisoning your life.’

Rosette recalled what Evan had just said to Yvonne. Somehow, it gave her a strange sense of déjà vu. Where had she read those words before? It was shocking that Evan knew something she herself couldn’t remember well. Evan, blinking innocently, suddenly seemed unfamiliar to her.

So what was Evan’s true identity?

He had behaved no differently toward her than when he was her dog, but when talking to others, Evan was a completely different person. Rosette suddenly felt afraid.

“Rose, what’s wrong?”

“Evanium, tell me honestly.”

“Huh? What is it?”

“You…”

She hesitated, not knowing how to phrase her question, when a loud growling sound interrupted them. It was coming from both Evan and Rosette’s stomachs.

“Can we talk after eating? I’m hungry…”

Evan said with a face like a puppy that hadn’t eaten for two days. The tension from moments ago completely disappeared. In its place, a helpless smile bloomed.

“Alright, let’s go eat.”

Evan hopped up and down excitedly. Rosette, finding it ridiculous, said she would go ahead and started walking. Because of this, she didn’t see Evan’s expression when he stopped jumping.

***

“Arrrgh!”

Rosette thrashed about frivolously on the bed. Evan, who was brushing his teeth, looked at her and said.

“Rosette, Sarhen would faint if she saw you.”

“But it’s so frustrating! Evan, aren’t you upset?”

Rosette sat up abruptly, hugging a pillow as she asked. Evan shrugged with toothpaste foam still in his mouth.

“Well, what can we do?”

Yvonne’s threats weren’t empty. Evan was fired from his job the very next day. Even other companies that had coveted Evan’s strength were reluctant to hire him. It turned out that Yvonne was a Viscountess who had become suddenly wealthy when a peridot mine was discovered in her rural village. Until then, her marital relationship had been decent, but after making a fortune, her husband began seeing other women. When Yvonne confronted him, he shouted back that she should also feel free to see whomever she wanted. This was all according to what Levit had told them.

“What do you mean? What can we do?!”