The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

Laria didn’t respond.

Zenox, who had been looking down pensively, whispered so only Laria could hear.

“Wouldn’t it be troublesome if you got on a carriage engraved with the Rohan family emblem in this state?”

It made sense, but… Why did it make her feel uneasy?

Was there something bothering her?

“Then, excuse me.”

She had no reason to refuse.

Rodit was also in Zenox’s carriage…

On the way to the carriage, Laria sneaked glances at Zenox. It was the first time they faced each other directly since that day.

-Whitie!

The desperate voice calling out to her was unforgettable.

Rather than simply looking for her for the fox orb… To the point where she wondered if there might be some other reason.

There were many questions she wanted to ask, but the moment she spoke, she’d definitely raise suspicion.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Laria, suddenly snapping back to reality, shook her head.

“Not at all. But how did you find this place?”

“I heard you were taken hostage. Naturally, I should come to rescue my fiance, shouldn’t I?”

Zenox smiled, but a cold feeling brushed past Laria’s heart.

He was definitely different than usual.

Zenox occasionally feigned smiles, but never felt insincere like now.

‘He arrived too quickly after hearing the news. Did he have someone tailing me?’

Laria realized that Zenox had been suspicious of her since the auction.

She felt a tight tension and her throat went dry.

Was it because of that time when she suddenly disappeared?

“I tried contacting you last time… Did you get it?”

“The letter explaining why you left early?”

Ah… she had written other things too. Asking if he had returned to his human form, if there were any side effects, if he was okay.

“I had to leave secretly then. There would’ve been an uproar if they found out I disappeared.”

“Is there a need to go to such lengths as an adult?”

She couldn’t muster the courage to tell him it was ever since she was kidnapped by him, so she beat around the bush.

“Because I’m the youngest daughter.”

Everyone would nod in understanding when she said that, but Zenox didn’t seem to empathize.

Laria decided to apologize first.

“I’m sorry for leaving without a word that day.”

“You should be. It was troublesome.”

…What was?

She couldn’t let her guard down throughout the conversation.

“You must’ve been scared being left alone.”

“But wasn’t the Crown Prince with you…?”

“The Prince is not on my side.”

He didn’t seem scared though…

Regardless, she had left Zenox alone, so she had no right to say anything.

As she was about to apologize again, Zenox, not the coachman, opened the carriage door for her.

“Get in.”

She still couldn’t get used to this grand carriage.

It was too luxurious to use regularly; it felt excessive.

Stepping into the carriage, Laria looked for Rodit first.

‘He’s not here…?’

The carriage was empty.

Embarrassed, Laria turned around.

Zenox, who had already boarded the carriage, closed the door.

The sound of the door shutting separated the inside from the outside.

“Where’s Rodit?”

“He must be in another carriage.”

Instead of replying, Laria blinked repeatedly.

The ominous feeling that had been prickling her finally showed its fangs.

Zenox, the wolf who had finished his hunt, still wearing the sheep’s disguise, took out an empty glass bottle.

“I found this that day. Do you recognize it?”

If she had been off guard, she would’ve been startled.

‘Solike didn’t take the bottle.’

To be precise, he wouldn’t have been in the mood for that. He must’ve been fully focused on escaping.

‘The antidote I gave Zenox was also in that bottle.’

Fortunately, it wasn’t a particularly unique bottle.

Laria pretended not to know and asked.

“It’s the glass bottle I use for potions. Where did you find it?”

“I found it at the auction house… The person who kidnapped Whitie dropped this glass bottle as they disappeared.”

Zenox knew it was the same bottle that contained the antidote.

He recognized it from just a brief look. It was a giveaway.

Laria pondered his intention of telling her so straightforwardly.

Only one conclusion came to mind.

“Do you think I’m… complicit with the kidnapper of Whitie?”

Zenox answered with silence.

Though his lips were tightly shut, his eyes asked a lot.

‘How should I respond?’

She felt guilty about lying again.

But if she spoke honestly, she would have to spill out all the truths she’s been hiding so far…

‘Would Zenox really understand?’

No matter how many times she imagined, the worst outcome came to mind.

If it was going to be like that, Laria should have approached Zenox sooner and confessed.

Not being caught like this and having to spill it involuntarily.

But it’s too late to turn back now.

Now, even Solike’s safety was at stake, all the more reason.

Laria, having thought that far, first denied it.

“I’m not.”

Zenox stared intently.

His face was expressionless, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Laria, trying to hide her anxiety, added another comment.

“That glass bottle is common so I use it.”

“…I see.”

Is he accepting it that easily?

At the straightforward answer, Laria looked at him with bewildered eyes.

Zenox, who had been expressionless all the time, slightly lifted the corners of his mouth.

It wasn’t quite a smile; it was somewhat cold.

“I’ve thought of various possibilities. For instance…”

Zenox, sitting opposite, leaned in closer.

As the distance between them narrowed enough for their breaths to touch, a lower-than-usual voice brushed past her ear.

“That the young lady is Whitie.”

Why? Why did he come to that conclusion?

When Zenox suddenly spoke the answer, it felt like her heart might leap out.

There must have been a reason to suspect this…

Had she done something suspicious?

She tried to recall, but other than leaving her seat, nothing came to mind.

“…”

Bright yellow eyes examined Laria closely. Even when their eyes met, it was impossible to guess what he was thinking.

Gathering all her acting skills, Laria tilted her head as if she didn’t understand.

“Could it be… a joke?”

Zenox gave a dry laugh.

At that short laughter, Laria’s eyes wavered.

She kept getting swayed, assigning meanings to every little action of Zenox.

With an effort to stay calm, Laria spoke.

“I don’t know why you suspect me, but there’s another reason I hurried home.”

“…What is it?”

“At the auction house, I ran into a person using forbidden spells like one hanged in the Grand Duke’s mansion.”

She wasn’t sure if it was the same person.

The magic itself was identical, but the energy felt slightly different.

Laria explained what had happened with the unidentified sorcerer she saw that day. Saying she had nearly fainted from exhaustion after fighting with him, and exaggerating a bit, Zenox’s expression hardened.

“Fainted…?”

It’s possible to faint… that’s too much.

“Is your body alright now?”

“It’s been a week. I’m completely fine now.”

So, he was concerned.

A mixture of awkwardness and an inexplicable tingling sensation lingered at her fingertips.

“I couldn’t reveal it in the letter since I still don’t know their identity.”

“…Have you identified which forbidden spell it was?”

Laria hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Brainwashing.”

A heavy silence followed.

“Do you know anyone who would do such a thing to His Excellency?”

Zenox’s golden eyes shone sharply.

“I think I know who might have planned this.”