My Husband was Switched - Chapter 16

At night, Zeno and I checked the time.

Cedric seemed to have a lot of work as he hadn’t moved from his office. The later he came in, the less time Zeno and I would have to act.

Unable to wait any longer, I bit my nails and quietly headed towards the office.

Knock knock knock.

As I knocked cautiously, I heard footsteps approaching.

“Your Highness the Grand Duke, it’s me. May I come in?”

Entering the office, he looked up and stared at me. He seemed a bit surprised by my sudden visit to the office.

“Oh… it’s just that it seems like you’re working late.”

“Sorry. I left you alone as soon as I returned.”

With an apologetic look, he stood up and approached me.

He opened the door, checked the hallway, and then smiled. He pulled me in and closed the door.

“Your Highness?”

I blinked, caught in his arm and held by the waist.

“I figured you didn’t come because you missed me. I wondered what you were up to.”

Who says such things out loud!

Caught off guard, I made a troubled expression.

“…Well.”

I didn’t want to lie, but telling the truth was difficult with his eyes burning so intensely.

Glancing at the desk, I saw a mountain of work piled up.

‘Isn’t going to the forest too much?’

There were no monsters, so I could go alone.

But I couldn’t say that. He wouldn’t let me go alone.

“Claire.”

His soft and gentle voice pierced my ears. He had approached me without me noticing.

I slowly lifted my head and met Cedric’s blue eyes.

“I can see you’re thinking about something else.”

Cedric’s large hand grabbed my chin, preventing me from looking away.

“You always have so many thoughts.”

“……”

“It doesn’t matter whether you like or hate me.”

Gulp.

I swallowed dryly and blinked. His burning eyes made me feel like I would spill everything I was hiding.

“No matter what you do, I won’t divorce you, so give up.”

He gently flicked my forehead with his finger as he spoke.

Somehow, it felt like Cedric was being lenient with me. It seemed like his patience was growing because of me?

He might be misunderstanding, but since I still wanted a divorce, his words weren’t entirely wrong.

“That’s not why I came.”

I gently pushed his chest.

Being in his embrace was dangerous. Cedric always had a pleasant scent. It was a unique scent that only he had.

Anyway, being close to him made me feel cozy and compelled to give the answers he wanted.

Even though I knew I shouldn’t, there were times when my head and mouth acted separately, making me want to hit my mouth.

“Did you come because you missed me, were curious about what I was doing, or did you find it hard to wait not knowing when I’d return?”

Without answering Cedric’s words, he closed the distance between us.

“Then why did you come to see me at this hour? It’s not because you missed me. Be honest.”

Would he be happy if I said I missed him?

Unable to resist, I gave in again.

“If I’m honest…”

I slyly grabbed his collar and pulled him closer, smiling with my eyes.

“Can you handle it?”

“…Of course.”

Cedric’s ears turned bright red. He was always flirting, but now he was shy when I made a move.

He was cute in moments like this.

The more I got to know him, the more charming he became. Isabelle would be so envious if she knew she missed out on such a man.

“Yes, I came because I missed you.”

Cedric laughed, resting his face on my shoulder.

“That’s unlikely.”

He spoke softly, but I could hear him clearly. He must have said it for me to hear.

Seizing the opportunity, I shook him a bit more.

“So come back early. I’ll be waiting. Sleeping alone is lonelier than I thought.”

I added a bit of a whine, hoping for a positive response from Cedric.

“…I don’t fully believe you.”

He lifted his head and stared at me.

Cedric’s large hand caressed my cheek, his breath warm as he leaned in. Just as our lips were about to touch, he turned his head and whispered in my ear.

“If I do that, I might not be able to work tomorrow. Sadly, I think you should go to bed first tonight.”

“Oh my, did I just get rejected?”

“Get a good rest tonight. You might not sleep tomorrow.”

His words made me recall the night we spent together. The memory of our first night heated my face.

‘…I definitely won’t sleep.’

Thinking that, I decided it was best for me to return to my room quickly.

“Then I’ll sleep alone tonight. Work hard!”

“Sadly, I will.”

Cedric watched me leave the office, his eyes lingering on me. His gaze was filled with regret, and he seemed ready to follow me at any moment.

But he was a responsible person and didn’t follow me.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Zeno, let’s go.”

Having finished my disguise, I sneaked out of the room with Zeno. The night was dark, and the office lights were still on.

Just in case, I made a shape of myself sleeping with pillows on the bed.

As Zeno and I carefully made our way to the garden, we hid in the shadows upon seeing a guard.

“Woof.” (How long will it take to move everything?)

“Shh, shh. Be quiet. Your howling is loud.”

I quickly covered Zeno’s mouth. His loud voice was troublesome at times like this.

“Woof.” (How can I not howl? Should I not talk?)

“Aren’t you a divine beast? Don’t you have some ability? Like communicating through resonance or telepathy.”

I whispered in the darkness.

“Woof.” (There are restrictions. Our contract isn’t complete.)

“Are you serious?”

Startled, I hugged Zeno’s neck and covered his mouth.

Zeno, seemingly frustrated, shivered before calming down. His soft fur turned into a smooth, firm texture.

Startled, I stepped back and almost screamed, but a large hand covered my mouth.

“Shh. You know it’ll be weirder if we get caught now, right?”

I slowly nodded.

“You told me not to howl. So I took on a form that can communicate.”

“…I didn’t say anything.”

“I can see you cursing with your eyes.”

“You’re really…”

Crazy.

I wasn’t the only one who wasn’t sane. Only Cedric and I knew about Zeno’s human form. If anyone else saw this… I felt dizzy.

“Isn’t it better to move quickly instead of scolding me, Master?”

Zeno smiled with his golden eyes and pulled my hand.

Avoiding the guards’ eyes, Zeno and I slowly entered the garden. Once we were out of sight, we felt relieved.

“Let’s start by sending the small ones first.”

“I wonder if they’ll be okay.”

“They’ll be fine.”

Zeno crossed his arms and looked at the rabbits and deer. They seemed worried, looking at me with tearful eyes.

“Wooo.” (Do we really have to go?)

“Don’t worry. I’m not just sending you away. I’ll keep eliminating monsters…”

I glanced at Zeno.

He rolled his eyes and opened his mouth in disbelief.

“Zeno will protect you every day.”

“…Master?”

“You’re a divine beast. I know it’s a simple task for you.”

“…Why should I? I only need to protect one person.”

“Because these animals lost their home because of you.”

I raised my head slightly and narrowed my eyes. Zeno had some responsibility.

Only then did the animals, feeling reassured, head into the forest.

“So I have to do this until the old man leaves.”

“There’s no other way.”

“…Ha. What do you think of me?”

“What else? A small, cute wolf pup.”

Zeno’s golden eyes narrowed.

I knew how to cheer Zeno up. Even in human form, his instincts remained.

I reached out and placed my hand on Zeno’s head. His black hair, shining in the dark, sometimes looked silver under the light.

As I gently petted him, Zeno’s scowl softened.

“Stop it.”

His forceful push made my hand tingle.

“Ah.”

“I told you to stop.”

Startled, Zeno quickly grabbed my hand. The sting was less than the surprise.

‘So prickly.’

If I acted pitiful, Zeno would reluctantly comply. Even if it seemed sly, I had no choice.

“Do you hate it when I touch your head?”

“…No.”

Zeno placed my hand back on his head.

“You can touch it as much as you want. I’ll do anything you want.”

“You’ll help the animals too, right?”

“Yes, just don’t send me away.”

“I won’t.”

I smiled leisurely and petted Zeno’s hair more. Zeno finally bowed his head, accepting my touch.

It seemed I had finally tamed the wolf.