Chapter 14
“Come Here, Let’s Begin”
Idrish, who had been swinging his sword, suddenly stopped when he saw me.
His white shirt and hair were completely soaked with sweat.
I ran straight toward him.
Seeing me rushing at him so fast, Idrish actually stepped back slightly.
I barely managed to stop right in front of him.
My body finally halted, and I bent over, gasping for breath.
“Hah… haah… Idr—haah—”
“What is it?”
“Rodri—ugh—Rodrio woke up! He opened his eyes!”
At my words, Idrish grabbed my shoulders and pulled me upright.
My vision was still blurry, so I couldn’t see his expression clearly.
“Is that true?”
“Of course it’s true!”
I smiled brightly.
At the same time, tears rolled down my eyes.
“Let’s go.”
I grabbed Idrish’s hand tightly.
Then we ran back to Rodrio’s room together.
When we arrived, Rodrio tried to sit up.
“Hey! Don’t move. Lie back down. You’re not ready yet. Your wounds haven’t healed at all.”
At my words, Rodrio lay back down again, but he secretly glanced at Idrish.
Idrish stood straight, quietly looking down at him.
His reaction was completely different from mine.
“So you’ve woken up. Do you remember what happened that day?”
He spoke as if it were someone else’s problem.
Rodrio bit his lip.
“…Yes, Idrish. I’m sorry. I went into the forest at night without listening.”
“There’s no need to apologize. The one who almost lost his life was you, not me.”
Wow… the way he says things!
“Okay…”
Look at him. He just woke up, and you’re already draining his energy?
“So, what do you remember?”
“I don’t know. I saw a strange light moving around in the garden, so I just went to check…”
“And then?”
Rodrio clasped his hands tightly. His face turned pale, as if remembering it scared him.
“The moment I stepped outside… someone covered my mouth and eyes. They dragged me somewhere…”
Even though he was afraid, Rodrio continued speaking bit by bit.
But there was nothing that could identify the attacker.
“And then… my waist hurt like it was burning. My vision turned white…”
“That’s enough. There’s nothing useful.”
Rodrio lowered his head.
Even though it wouldn’t help, I glared at Idrish.
Did he really have to be so cold to someone who just survived death?
“Still, waking up from such a deep wound… you really are from Artigrado.”
Even his dry, emotionless words somehow made Rodrio happy.
“Yes… because I’m Rodrio Artigrado. This kind of injury is nothing.”
“But next time, make sure nothing like this happens again.”
“O-okay!”
Rodrio nodded quickly, then winced in pain.
Soon, his gaze shifted to me.
The fear on his face slowly turned into curiosity.
“…Are you really the Thorn King?”
It seemed he still couldn’t believe I was that hedgehog.
Seriously… has this kid been fooled his whole life?
“Yes, it’s true. Want me to show you?”
I immediately transformed into my beast form.
Rodrio’s dull eyes sparkled brightly.
I rubbed my nose against his hand.
I can show you this every day… so don’t get hurt again, kid.
“Wow… just like Idrish said, the Thorn King is a beastkin. But… you’re a girl?”
He looked amazed when I turned back into human form.
“You thought I was a man this whole time?”
“Of course… the Thorn King has such cool abilities.”
“Girls can have cool abilities too.”
“I see…”
His voice trailed off.
He blinked slowly, looking tired again.
I smiled softly and brushed his sweat-soaked hair back.
“Go back to sleep. When you wake up again, I’ll show you something even more amazing.”
“Okay… something more amazing…”
Rodrio soon fell quiet.
After watching him for a while, I turned my head—
And met Idrish’s eyes.
I didn’t know how long he had been looking at me like that.
“W-what… why are you looking at me like that?”
I tilted my head awkwardly.
“I’ve never seen it before.”
With that, Idrish turned and left the room.
“Hmph. You have seen it. And seriously, Rodrio almost died—would it kill you to at least pat him once? Poor Rodrio.”
I gently stroked Rodrio’s soft cheek instead.
* * *
Rodrio gradually regained his strength.
With the urgent situation resolved, I finally started to feel the change in my position.
“Ah… this is so nice.”
I rolled around on the wide bed.
A bed just for me—without Idrish—and my own room.
It took quite a long argument with Idrish to get this room, but I finally won!
Idrish still wanted to keep me in his room.
“Stay in my room from now on.”
“No. I told you, I’m not running away anymore.”
“Does anyone announce before they run away?”
“Seriously… have you been fooled your whole life? Anyway, if you keep acting like this, I’ll have no choice but to be less cooperative in breaking your curse. If that’s what you want, fine.”
I crossed my arms as if I had nothing to lose.
That’s right—things were different now.
Idrish needed me.
I didn’t need him.
Of course, he could still lock me up by force, but that would be inefficient and troublesome.
So what choice did he have?
I was the one in control now.
And if I’m in control, I should act like it. Hehe.
Idrish looked deep in thought.
Go ahead and think, Mr. Idrish. No matter how much you think, agreeing to my terms is the best option.
“Fine. I’ll give you your own room and freedom. But I have conditions.”
“What are they? Go ahead.”
I smiled generously.
“First, you will stay with a maid I assign to you all day.”
A maid? That sounds great.
Someone to bring me water, brush my hair…
“Second, as you said yourself, you will actively cooperate in breaking the curse—no matter the method.”
No matter the method?
He’s not planning to kill me, right?
For a moment, I imagined Idrish turning a dead hedgehog into medicine and applying it to his chest.
I shook my head quickly.
No way. That would be like killing the goose that lays golden eggs.
Still… it was a good deal.
I get safety and freedom.
Much better than wandering outside in danger and poverty.
Of course, I was worried about the war Idrish might cause in the future…
But think about it.
If Idrish is the one who starts it, then if he changes his mind, nothing will happen.
Reverse thinking!
“If you break these conditions, all your freedom and rights will be taken away. Do you agree?”
“Yes, I agree!”
I nodded brightly.
And that’s how I got my own room.
Compared to Idrish’s, it was smaller—but cozy.
There was a mirror and a vanity table, and the bed was comfortable.
The window let in just the right amount of sunlight in the morning.
“Yeah… Idrish’s room was too hot anyway. Lazy tiger.”
One unusual thing was that there was a door connecting to the maid Mirai’s room.
I couldn’t leave or enter without her noticing.
“Lady Cecilia, are you awake?”
Mirai entered quietly, carrying water.
I rubbed my eyes and sat up.
She gently wiped my face with a warm cloth.
Wow… what luxury.
Since Mirai came, I didn’t have to do anything myself.
She washed my face, dressed me, brushed my hair.
Even though it was the same face and hair, her touch made me look like a noble lady.
“Thank you, Mirai.”
“It’s my duty.”
She smiled sweetly, showing a small fang.
Her hands were skillful, and she was very kind.
It felt like I had gained a reliable older sister.
“I should thank Idrish.”
“Why?”
“For hiring you. Mirai, do you get paid well? Should I ask Idrish to double your salary?”
There was no guarantee he’d agree, but I said it proudly anyway.
Mirai laughed softly.
“I already receive enough. Now, you should go to Lord Idrish.”
“Ah… he called me?”
“Yes. He said to come as soon as you wake up.”
“I don’t want to go…”
I dragged my feet.
“Please hurry.”
She smiled, urging me.
I couldn’t refuse when she smiled like that.
Mirai led me to Idrish’s room.
She seemed unusually happy.
Maybe because this was her only free time.
I entered and closed the door.
Even though I had stayed here before, it felt unfamiliar—and tense.
“You’re late.”
Startled, I turned toward Idrish’s voice behind me.
He had just come out of the bath, his hair still wet.
“I overslept.”
“Who was it that said they’d actively cooperate in breaking the curse?”
“But I still came, didn’t I?”
When I frowned, the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
So he was teasing me again.
“Then let’s begin.”
“O-okay…”
As soon as I answered, Idrish casually took off his shirt.
I quickly turned my head away.
Even though I saw it every day, it still felt embarrassing.
No… strangely, the more time passed, the more embarrassed I felt.
That was also why I didn’t want to come here.
Idrish sat calmly on the bed, waiting for me.
“But I didn’t even eat anything yet…”
“Eat after. Come here.”
“…Okay.”
Accepting there was no escape, I stepped closer.
Standing beside him, our eye level was almost the same.
I swallowed nervously.
Idrish raised his eyebrow slightly, as if asking—
What are you waiting for?
