My Husband was Switched - Chapter 10

How does Zeno know that?

Come to think of it, there were quite a few strange things. His body’s recovery rate, and somehow, every time I healed him, I felt like my strength was being drained.

Of course, that was natural since using energy would drain me, but it wasn’t usually this exhausting.

‘I really need to find that tree branch quickly.’

In the northern forest, there was a unique life form besides monsters. Ordinary people couldn’t detect it, but those with abilities couldn’t miss its presence.

A tree imbued with holy power, it was a medium that could awaken one’s strength.

Isabelle, who had come to the North by chance, discovered the existence of the forest.

I don’t know what she was doing in the forest with Cedric, but anyway!

Isabelle found a tree that had received divine power and awakened her abilities even more.

So, I had to find it before Isabelle did. Even if things went wrong, I needed a way out.

‘It might help me a little.’

Isabelle had already awakened her abilities. Her powers were the rarest and most valuable in the empire.

If I didn’t remember, that would be one thing. But now that I knew, I wanted to find that tree too. I had already confirmed its existence when I came with Cedric.

Zeno and I trudged forward through the white snow.

“Are you sure you know the location?”

I didn’t expect Zeno to know what I knew. In fact, I had discovered it by accident back then, but I couldn’t remember exactly where it was.

So, I headed to the forest with Zeno. He said he would repay the favor and led me there. I told the butler and knights that I was going for a walk nearby.

Dame Alita insisted on coming along, but I firmly dissuaded her, saying the wolf was sensitive and would go wild if others were around.

Who would have thought I’d be riding a wolf to the forest when I had come here on horseback?

“Did we go this far in last time?”

Fortunately, there was no blizzard, so the forest was quiet. The sound of the wind blowing was a bit scary, but with Zeno, who was bigger than me, there was no fear of being eaten by predators.

Before long, I saw a tree emitting a faint light among the trees.

“…That’s it!”

“Woowoooof.” (See, I told you I wasn’t lying.)

Zeno raised his head proudly. I patted him lightly and ran towards the tree.

“Hmm.”

But there was a problem. I didn’t know how to use the power. Did I need to chant a spell to awaken it? Or did I just need to touch it? How was I supposed to know without any guidance!

‘Maybe I should take it back and use it as leverage to ask the Grand Duke for a divorce.’

I could offer it as something useful to the North and ask for a divorce since I’m not useful.

It seemed like a pretty good idea.

I stroked my chin and stared intently at the tree branch.

“Woof, woof.” (What are you doing just standing there?)

“I don’t know how to awaken the power. Do you know how? Should I just take it back?”

At my honest words, Zeno shook his head. I didn’t feel pleased being mocked by an animal.

Thud.

“Ah!”

Zeno suddenly pushed me, and I reached out to break my fall. But I ended up leaning towards the branch, and my hand touched it.

In an instant, light spread out, and I felt a surge of energy throughout my body.

It was as if my eyes opened, and all my worries vanished.

“Woooooooooo.” (Finally awakened. Thanks to our contract.)

“…Awakened?”

At Zeno’s words, I looked at my hand and blinked slowly.

“Hey! Why did you awaken me without my consent!”

“Woof, woof!” (You were looking for it to awaken anyway!)

“That’s true, but I wasn’t mentally prepared yet. Besides, I already had abilities…”

“Woof!” (Even if you had abilities, there were powers you hadn’t fully awakened. They must have been unlocked now.)

I had inadvertently awakened my abilities.

❖ ❖ ❖

“When are you planning to go back to the forest?”

I frowned, looking at Zeno lounging lazily next to me.

He seemed to have become even more shameless.

“Wooof.” (If we made a contract, you have to take responsibility.)

“Right, you mentioned a contract, yes? But I never made a contract with you.”

“Woof!” (Doesn’t the power of that tree feel familiar?)

The tree imbued with holy power was actually Zeno’s power.

So, was Zeno a divine beast? It made sense why his power felt similar.

…If he was on the verge of extinction, he might have planted his power in the tree.

Considering why his body was small, it made sense. His power had been drained, so he had shrunk accordingly.

“…So my abilities are of the same kind as yours?”

“Wooof.” (Looks like you finally realized.)

Zeno stretched his body and yawned.

I sighed and leaned back. The large garden was nice.

Birds flew overhead, and cute animals played everywhere. It was warm enough to take a walk in thin clothes.

There were even secluded spots perfect for secret conversations, away from prying eyes.

The trees grew so well that the garden became lush, creating hidden spaces.

Without such places, I wouldn’t have been able to talk comfortably with Zeno.

“Grrrrr.” (Can you take this off?)

“No. Wild wolves are dangerous.”

“Hiiiing, hiing.” (Take it off, this leash is useless anyway.)

Despite Zeno’s words, I firmly shook my head. It would be troublesome if he acted strangely again.

“Hiiiing.” (Look at me, Master.)

“……”

“Hiing, hiing.” (Really, won’t you look?)

Zeno’s desperate attempts to catch my attention began. He tried to be cute, barked, but I thoroughly ignored him.

“Hiiiiing, grrrrr.” (Seriously? Won’t you regret this?)

His emotions seemed to change every moment, causing a commotion right next to me. But if I gave in now, I might lose control in the future.

Even though I had suppressed him once before—or so I thought—Zeno didn’t seem to care, so I had to be cautious.

“No.”

With a stern voice, calm tone. Firm, simple, and clear.

I recalled the famous dog trainer’s advice as I faced him. Zeno flinched.

“Grrrrrrrrr.” (So is this how you’re going to be?)

Zeno warned me again. But if I gave in now, I might have to train him all over again.

‘He calls me Master but doesn’t fear me.’

I was the contractor, so why did I have to be nervous?

Zeno, frustrated by my thorough disregard, adjusted his posture and started running madly.

Since I was holding the leash, I ended up running along.

“Ah, ah! Z-Zeno!”

He was so fast I felt like I would fall forward.

In desperation, I let go of the leash, and my body tilted forward, my vision darkening.

I couldn’t even scream as I closed my eyes tightly.

“…It’s because I’m this weak. I can’t even complain.”

The scent of grass and a firm chest disoriented me.

I found myself in Zeno’s arms. Startled, I quickly stood up.

My face flushed with embarrassment. Zeno lay on the ground, looking up at me with the leash still on.

His half-closed eyes and posture were incredibly seductive.

“Who told you to run like that!”

I raised my voice in embarrassment and anger.

“…Claire?”

At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind. My whole body broke into a cold sweat.

“Ha. So the wolf pup the butler mentioned wasn’t a beast but a person?”

No way, no way.

Cedric couldn’t be here. I froze, unwilling to turn my head. But against my will, my head slowly turned.

His blue eyes looked crazed as they stared at me.

‘I just want to disappear.’

Wasn’t this kind of dramatic situation supposed to happen to the heroine?

Ah… What if the protagonist buff applied to me because I got involved with Cedric, the male lead?

That would make sense.

I closed my eyes tightly and slowly turned my head. When I opened my eyes again, Cedric was really standing there.

“…Well, you see.”

I couldn’t even speak properly and just stared at him. Was the war supposed to end this quickly? No, it wasn’t.

I thought he wouldn’t come back for at least two months. But there he was, standing right in front of me. At the worst possible timing.

“But why are you here, Your Grace? When did you arrive?”

“Is that important?”

His voice was sharp. Zeno growled and approached me, trying to protect me from Cedric.

‘No, please don’t intervene.’

Do you not understand the situation? Why are you being so clueless?

I sighed, pressing my hand to my forehead. Why now! No matter what I said, he wouldn’t believe me. Even I wouldn’t believe me.

Cedric saw the distance between Zeno and me. His blue eyes seemed to freeze me in place.

“Wife, explain this to me.”

He strode over and pulled me away from Zeno. He seemed different from the Cedric I usually saw.

“Explain what I just saw.”

Holding my hand, he looked down at me with cold eyes.

I had only talked about divorce but hadn’t actually done anything to get divorced. But today, it seemed I might actually get divorced.

For a reason similar to why I wanted to divorce him.