The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

Laria borrowed a gem from Solike and cast a spatial movement spell.

As soon as she returned to her room according to the information, she changed her clothes first.

After putting on her pajamas, she felt something was missing in her hand.

“I left everything behind…”

She remembered leaving all the items she shopped for today in Ishel’s carriage.

‘I guess I don’t need them anymore.’

Now that Zenox had returned to his human form, the items she bought for the baby wolf were useless.

Laria turned her head and stared at the bed.

The bed was empty.

A part of her heart felt empty without the wolf cub with whom she had spent a few days.

When they left, it was two of them, but she came back alone.

‘It wasn’t even a real baby wolf, after all.’

She should be relieved that the side effects disappeared safely.

Now wasn’t the time to think about Zenox. If anything, she had more immediate concerns.

As soon as Zenox turned back into a human, this time Laria transformed into a fox.

Surprisingly, she didn’t suffer from the side effects of the potion like Zenox.

‘What if I suddenly transform into a fox again like this time?’

The thought of transforming in front of Zenox gave her goosebumps.

There must be a reason for her transformation into a fox.

Laria recalled the events of the day.

The only difference from usual was…

“Maybe it’s because I overused my magical power…”

She had cast spells consecutively while blocking a suspicious person.

It was her first time handling spells all at once to the extent that she was drained.

If that was the reason, she felt that she should refrain from overusing her magical power in the future.

With a knock, Laria was startled and jumped up from her bed.

“Miss? Are you awake?”

“Uh, yes, I’m awake.”

She almost got caught if she had been a little later…

Laria let out a sigh of relief.

“By any chance, about dinner…”

“I’ll eat in my room.”

Having dined in her room due to Zenox these past few days, she replied out of habit.

However, she didn’t get an immediate affirmation from the servant.

The only sound she heard was someone lingering outside her door.

“Yes, I’ll bring the meal…”

The servant, sounding defeated, soon disappeared.

Laria wondered if something was wrong, and shortly after, she heard a noise near the door.

“?”

She discovered a note that was pushed through the gap of the door and quickly checked its contents.

[I did wrong…]

The hard, sharp handwriting was Herdin’s.

When she opened the door abruptly, the corridor was empty.

As she was about to go back into her room, she spotted her father peeking from the end of the corridor.

He silently murmured.

I’m sorry…

And then he disappeared.

Confused, Laria recalled that she hadn’t been having meals with her family lately. It had been since the family secretly fed Zenox a potion.

She was disappointed in her family due to the incident, but avoiding meal times was solely because of Zenox.

After a moment of contemplation, Laria said to the servant who just brought the meal.

“I think I’ll eat in the dining room after all.”

The previously downcast servant’s face brightened instantly.

“That’s a good decision! Everyone’s waiting. Should we go now?”

“I need to change first…”

“You already look lovely!”

Dining in pajamas…?

“I’ll change quickly.”

After changing into simple indoor clothes, Laria headed to the dining room. Theodore, Semela, and Herdin were seated side by side.

It was unusual to see them sitting like that.

As Laria noticed the empty seat opposite them and began to walk towards it, she paused.

They were all looking at her with teary eyes.

“…It feels like it’s been a long time since we last met.”

“It has been… No, it hasn’t…”

Theodore closed his mouth with a sullen look.

As she sat down, the servant behind her placed a plate in front of her. A perfectly ripe apple lay on the white plate.

Without saying a word, Semela looked at Laria.

Like the other two men, her eyes were moist.

Her usual cold demeanor was gone, replaced with a gentler expression.

In disbelief, Laria alternated glances between the apple on the plate and her family.

“Did you bring me an apple because you wanted to apologize with an apple?”

“Uh-huh.”

They looked remorseful.

Perhaps she should forgive them.

When Laria’s expression softened, their faces lit up with hope.

“Hmm.”

As Laria coughed lightly, their spirits were momentarily dampened.

Yet, they looked at her again with moist eyes.

She wanted to forgive them right away, but the issue had to be addressed to prevent it from happening again.

“We promise never to do that again.”

Still, none of them asked ‘What did we do?’

“You won’t harm Grand Duke Zenox, right?”

“We promise.”

“We promise.”

“Uh-huh.”

No one promised not to interfere, though.

Overlooking that, Laria fully relaxed her expression.

“I understand. I trust you.”

The faces of the family members lit up all at once. The servants standing behind applauded. The gloomy atmosphere in the dining room was replaced by warmth.

“We were so… so sad thinking you were avoiding us.”

Holding back his tears, Theodore choked up.

“Just because of the Grand Duke… I’m sorry.”

Herdin, nearly misspeaking, slapped his mouth.

He remained silent after that, perhaps thinking it was better to keep his mouth shut.

Soon, plates of food were placed on the table. It was more luxurious than usual, making one wonder if it was a special occasion.

‘I wonder if Zenox is having dinner right now.’

As Laria naturally thought of Zenox, Semela put down her knife and spoke.

“Laria, about the engagement.”

As Laria looked up, she cautiously continued.

“It’s not that I’m against it, but I think it’s a bit early since you haven’t known him for long.”

“…”

“We can’t just casually have your engagement ceremony either.”

Laria nodded, finding the argument quite reasonable.

If she made this concession, she should also step back.

She could coordinate the engagement with Zenox…

‘I wonder how the imperial family will react.’

Especially since they sent a wedding congratulation letter even before confirming with the parties involved.

The Crown Prince might be eager to push for the engagement.

First, she’d have to discuss it with Zenox.

“I understand. I’ll try to postpone it as much as I can.”

As Laria responded positively, everyone sighed with relief.

The three exchanged glances, hoping Laria didn’t notice.

There would be no engagement ceremony.

The two would eventually break up.

* * *

It had been a week since she visited the illegal auction.

During that time, there was no contact from Zenox.

She had sent a letter explaining why she left early that day mixed with excuses, but there was no reply.

The longer Zenox’s silence lasted, the more anxious Laria became.

In the midst of this, she received a letter from the Crown Prince.

It was just a casual greeting asking about her well-being.

Laria responded hastily, stating she had to return early due to curfew.

To add, she asked those who saw her that day to keep it a secret from others. She had snuck out without his family knowing, so it would be a problem if he told Herdin that he saw Laria.

‘What happened to the prophecy in the end?’

The Crown Prince said Zenox would embrace the white fox.

Judging by Zenox’s reaction, it seemed he hadn’t found the white fox at the auction. Instead, he met Laria, who turned into a fox.

‘Is it going to happen someday, just not this time?’

Laria, lost in these thoughts, tore her hair out.

“I don’t know what’s going on.”

Laria, feeling stifled, abruptly stood up.

“I’m going out right now.”

At Laria’s declaration, Rodit quickly approached. With his tail wagging, he and asked:

“Miss, did you find the puppy’s owner?”

“Eh? Ah, yes…”

“That’s good! I was a bit worried.”

She couldn’t tell the truth.

That it wasn’t a puppy, but a wolf, and its real identity was Zenox.

Laria and Rodit headed to the ingredient shop located at the corner of 17th Street.

“Welcome.”

The cheerful greeting of the shop owner was heard.

Laria began looking for the needed ingredients.

‘Starting with the blue horned coral… Ah, found it.’

There was just one left.

As she was about to reach for it, someone else’s hand shot out. Their fingers touched, and both reflexively looked at each other.

“Laria Rohan…?”

Sienna Hashir?

“It’s surprising to meet here, what a coincidence.”

Sienna, recovering quickly from her surprise, gracefully greeted.

Laria blinked, having completely forgotten about Sienna.

Whether Sienna thought she was being ignored, a shadow passed over her face.

“Since I touched it first, you’ll naturally yield it, right?”

Yield?

Before Laria could ask the owner if there was more stock, Rodit stepped in.

“Our Miss touched it first!”