Chapter 93
Shuvelia stirred with a faint moan.
The sound of her heart, which had been beating as though about to burst, gradually stabilized.
“Is Shuvelia alright, Lady Olivia?”
“Yes. She has regained stability for now. She just needs to rest.”
“Ah, that’s a relief.”
Karden swept back his disheveled bangs with a deep sigh.
He ordered his knights to safely escort Olivia home.
Olivia shook her head, declining.
“It’s fine, Your Grace.”
“No. You’ve helped Shuvelia, so it’s only right that we escort you home. Please return safely.”
“Oh… Thank you.”
Olivia bowed her head. Karden didn’t notice her small ears turning slightly red.
As Olivia left the alley escorted by knights, Karden picked up Shuvelia in his arms and stood.
Karden’s gaze turned to Berdin, who was silently standing by.
His eyes were continuously fixed on Shuvelia.
Though it was a gentle gaze full of concern, Karden felt an unpleasant sensation that twisted his insides.
Why is that fellow worried about Shuvelia?
Since when has he known Shuvelia?
Suppressing his displeasure, Karden asked Berdin in a cold tone.
“Thank you for providing the antidote, Duke Alred. Thanks to you, we overcame a major crisis.”
“Not at all, Your Grace. I’m glad I could be of help.”
Karden’s gaze briefly turned to Shuvelia in his arms.
Her breathing had become comfortable.
Berdin spoke with a serious expression.
“Who do you think is behind the thugs who attacked Miss Shuvelia?”
Karden felt anger rising as he thought about the thugs who tried to kidnap Shuvelia.
How dare they attempt to harm Shuvelia in the middle of the capital.
He intended to chase them to the ends of hell if necessary to find out who was behind this.
“My men are pursuing the thugs, so we’ll have answers soon. They have nowhere to escape in the capital.”
“I hope those thugs are found quickly. House Alred will actively cooperate as well.”
Karden observed Berdin with a cold gaze.
What is this man’s ulterior motive?
“I appreciate your house’s cooperation. But, were you previously acquainted with Shuvelia?”
“Yes. We met briefly at the Royal Library before.”
Berdin answered calmly.
Karden frowned deeply, finding his answer unsatisfactory.
“Strange. If you only met briefly, how did you know Shuvelia was a shapeshifter?”
Berdin smiled, appearing momentarily flustered.
“Our family runs a shapeshifter shelter. It’s a place where we help and treat various shapeshifters. I’ve also heard rumors about the companion fox shapeshifter most cherished by the kingdom’s guardian sword who protects the north.”
Berdin’s gaze briefly turned to Shuvelia in Karden’s arms.
A sharp light appeared and disappeared in his gentle golden eyes.
“Seeing how Your Grace cherishes Miss Shuvelia, I realized those rumors were true.”
Karden remained silent as he listened to Berdin’s explanation.
The Duke’s words sounded plausible, but it bothered him that Berdin had recognized Shuvelia as a shapeshifter based merely on rumors and intuition, and immediately provided an antidote.
Only someone with magical power on Karden’s level could notice that Shuvelia was a shapeshifter with powers different from humans. Or perhaps another shapeshifter.
Karden tightened his grip on Shuvelia.
He wanted to question Duke Berdin further, but he couldn’t leave Shuvelia out in the open like this.
“I see. Duke Alred, take care.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I wish Miss Shuvelia a speedy recovery.”
Berdin bowed gracefully and turned around.
Knights from the Duke’s house who had been waiting in the alley escorted Berdin.
Karden glared at Berdin’s retreating figure until the end.
When Karden carried Shuvelia out of the alley, a carriage rushed over and came to a stop.
Owen jumped down urgently from the driver’s seat.
“Your Grace, is Shushu alright?”
“She’s stable after taking the antidote. Let’s return to the villa.”
Only then did Owen breathe a sigh of relief and open the carriage door.
“That’s a relief. Please put Shushu in the carriage.”
Karden laid Shushu comfortably on the wide carriage seat.
After covering her with a blanket, he was about to close the carriage door when he called Owen.
“Lord Owen, do you know anything about Duke Alred?”
“I’ve seen Duke Berdin when I was in the Royal Knights, but is there something wrong?”
“That man knows Shuvelia. He immediately recognized her as a shapeshifter despite her hidden identity.”
Karden’s expression revealed his strong wariness toward Berdin without concealment.
Owen was momentarily confused but quickly grasped the situation and spoke calmly.
“From what I know, Duke Alred runs a shapeshifter shelter. I think he might have recognized Shushu as a shapeshifter because of his close relationship with shapeshifters.”
Karden thought Owen’s explanation was reasonable.
But recalling Berdin’s gaze toward Shuvelia, he felt a strong sense of displeasure rising.
“Strange. The House of Alred I knew was not one to engage in altruistic charitable acts.”
Owen nodded in understanding.
“Indeed. The previous Duke Quiden Alred was known for pursuing wealth and self-interest. But the atmosphere of House Alred changed after Berdin was established as the heir.”
The corner of Karden’s mouth twisted in cynicism.
“Interesting. Look into Duke Berdin and the shapeshifter shelter. Cooperate with Guild Master Yudis and bring me information as quickly as possible.”
“I will obey your command.”
Karden closed the carriage door and sat next to Shuvelia.
He let her head rest on his thigh so she could sleep as comfortably as possible.
He unconsciously stroked Shuvelia’s hair.
It was a habit from when he used to pet her fur when she was a cotton ball fox.
“You were away from my side for just a moment, and this happens. Shuvelia, should I keep you in the northern castle and not let you out?”
Karden carefully kissed Shuvelia’s beautiful, moonlight-like hair flowing from his hand.
***
My eyes suddenly opened due to the vibration of the moving carriage.
Beyond my blurry vision, I saw Karden’s face.
I was lying in the carriage, using his thigh as a pillow.
My last memory was losing consciousness while trying to catch the thugs.
The power that had dyed my vision red was gone, and my mind was clear.
What had happened in the meantime?
“Y-Your Grace?”
As I called him softly, Karden’s worried expression instantly changed to joy.
“Shuvelia, are you conscious? How do you feel?”
Ah, I’ve caused worry again.
I tried to sit up, swallowing a bitter smile.
Karden’s large hands supported my shoulders and back, helping me sit upright.
He pushed my disheveled hair behind my ears and met my gaze.
“What happened?”
“When I arrived, you were showing abnormal reactions. My men are pursuing the thugs who attacked you.”
“Ah… How did I come back to normal?”
“Duke Alred gave you an antidote. He said it’s a medicine used when shapeshifters show abnormal reactions.”
Wait, I doubted my ears for a moment.
Duke Alred meant Duke Berdin, but why did he appear here, and he used a shapeshifter antidote on me…
“Do you mean Duke Berdin knew I was a shapeshifter?”
When my voice trembled slightly, Karden’s eyes darkened further.
“Since he runs a shapeshifter shelter, he probably noticed your identity even though you were hiding it. He said he knew you. What happened at the Royal Library?”
His voice was calm, but his eyes, looking at me, were full of suspicion.
After hesitating briefly, I decided to be honest.
“I visited the Royal Library because I wanted information about the Ulpes tribe. While looking for books related to shapeshifters, I happened to meet Duke Berdin. That’s all we talked about, just shapeshifters.”
“I see.”
Karden seemed to accept it readily.
I was newly grateful that he believed my words without question.
I hadn’t intended to deceive Karden, but I hadn’t mentioned meeting Berdin, so I could have unintentionally caused a misunderstanding.
Feeling relieved inside, I clasped my hands together tightly.
Then my heart sank at his chilling voice in my ear.
“Shuvelia. Today, you broke your promise with me.”
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