#68
“Meow~ Meow~”
If Aeongi, whom he had bitten, sucked, ordered around, squashed, and even ridden, was really a dragon, it would be an unforgivable offense even if Noah were to prostrate himself in apology right now.
Simply put, dragons were beings with cantankerous personalities who could easily kill humans with an attitude of “Hmm, what’s this annoying thing? Why is this trash here?”
Given that, it was only natural from a dragon’s perspective to turn an entire region into an ice kingdom simply because they liked it. It was similar to how humans build dams for their selfish need for water, destroying places where plants and animals had been living in beautiful harmony.
This was the part Noah had worried about most since considering that Aeongi might be a dragon.
According to the promise, if he appeared before Noah turned twenty and killed him for his audacity, Noah would have to accept it with an “Ah, I see…” But conversely, why would His Excellency the Dragon, so magnificent and impressive with self-esteem that not only pierces the sky but could penetrate the universe, stay by Noah’s side and endure such treatment?
If Noah asked him to fetch a ball, he would fetch it. If Noah put food he didn’t want to eat into Aeongi’s mouth, he would just chomp it down. Noah rode him, used him as a heating pillow when sleeping, and even plucked out fur that Noah deemed uneven or not pretty enough when he was bored stroking that soft coat.
Because of all this, the first words that unconsciously came out of Noah’s mouth upon seeing Aeongi again were “Are you a dragon?” But whether this guy knew something or not, he just blinked his large eyes and opened his mouth wide in a yawn, causing Noah to let out a defeated sigh.
“Of course not. What crazy dragon would pretend to be a pet and stay beside a human? It was just a stupid dream.”
Walking through the maze with one arm supporting the small Aeongi and the other hand smoothly stroking his sleek fur from his little head down his back, Noah failed to notice Aeongi glancing at him cautiously.
“By the way, where have you been?”
After gently stroking him for a while, Noah began patting the upper part of Aeongi’s thighs—the flattest and most resilient part of his body—while pressing the snow leopard about his disappearance. He also patted Aeongi’s rump with a smack and touched his trembling ears.
Then, putting his hands under Aeongi’s armpits, Noah lifted him up to eye level and kissed his cute short, chubby snout, his lips curling upward boundlessly—until another intruder appeared.
“The moon is truly beautiful tonight.”
Ah, really now. The moon is always beautiful.
Noah tried to ignore the voice and pass by while holding Aeongi tightly, but he was finally forced to stop when someone blocked his path. It was due to the narrow width of the maze, which seemed designed for just one person at a time.
Even if Noah tried to move to the side, the person in front occupied the center and could completely block the path by just slightly extending their arms.
“It’s dangerous to walk alone in dark places. If you tell me where you’re going, I’ll guide you.”
Don’t you think I know the way well if I came in here alone and am walking around naturally? It’s not like I’m wandering aimlessly, looking anxious, or crying like someone who’s lost.
“I know the way myself.”
“How did you come here alone?”
“……”
That’s right. While his first husband had been somewhat clumsy with an unremarkable personality, his second husband seemed kind and considerate but strangely had a strong desire to know everything. That’s why he eventually figured out where the safe key was and emptied the safe before running away.
Noah was partly to blame for revealing the location of the safe key, but still, how could the guy take the money and run the very same day he was told?
The man who always seemed to be smiling and treating Noah well on the surface, but likely harbored dozens of century-old snakes inside, was now attempting a seduction that was completely ineffective on Noah, who knew his true nature all too well and clearly understood why he was approaching.
He pretended to step aside to create space for Noah to pass, but he subtly extended one arm in a peculiar way.
“If you continue straight this way, you’ll find the exit.”
With Noah standing silently while hugging Aeongi tightly, the man seemed to give up and moved aside further to clear the path. One corner of Noah’s mouth lifted crookedly at his words.
Noah knew this place’s paths better than anyone. At the second fork, one had to go left to get outside. Above all, if Noah followed this guy’s instructions and went straight ahead, he would end up in a small space that could be considered a random dead end of the maze.
Whether out of consideration for people who struggled to find their way, there was a small bench there, and it was the most secluded and remote spot where no one could easily find you.
The fact that he was supposedly guiding Noah there out of “consideration” confirmed that this guy was fundamentally flawed by nature.
My eyes really were blind. How could I have married twice and picked garbage both times?
Now, Noah knew everything from his past two lives, but the saying that you can’t beat someone who is deliberately deceiving you seemed tailor-made for these guys. They were remarkable enough to have fooled not only Noah but Lucas as well.
They say it’s better to take the first blow, and Noah could only laugh bitterly at the ironic situation of meeting his second husband right after encountering his first.
Still, last time they seemed more romantic and respectful, but this time, there was a strange urgency in both their approaches.
Thinking about it, the fact that these two had come all the way to this rarely visited maze might mean they had been looking for him.
“You go first.”
Noah, who had been considering whether to just walk past this guy or wait for him to leave on his own, silently motioned ahead with his chin.
“Pardon?”
“The path is too narrow for two people to walk side by side, so please go ahead and I’ll follow you. Oh, do you have someone you’re meeting inside?”
It’s better for me to follow you than have someone following me from behind. Seeing a flash of confusion cross the man’s face—he clearly hadn’t expected Noah to react this way—Noah gave him a bright, innocent smile.
“No. Together…”
As the man extended one arm toward Noah as if to escort him, Noah took a small step back, and at the same time, a sharp sound escaped from Aeongi’s mouth.
“Kyaak—”
Noah couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of Aeongi, who with his tiny body and small snout, bared his relatively sharp teeth and snarled defensively.
“What a pretty animal. What might its name be?”
Well, it was common to build rapport by asking about someone’s pet. Perhaps realizing that a direct approach wouldn’t work easily on Noah, he shifted his attention to Aeongi. Noah didn’t stop him as he saw the man’s hand moving toward Aeongi.
Our baby might look small and cute like a kitten right now, but he’s actually a formidable predator. Plus, he’s not the type to let just anyone touch him.
Noah had been touching, biting, sucking, hugging, and rolling around with Aeongi from their first meeting as if their bodies belonged to each other, but even Lucas and Loren needed some time before they could touch Aeongi.
And among the employees of Schwein Castle who had known Aeongi for over 10 years, those who could stroke him could be counted on one hand. It was easy to predict what would happen to someone who fearlessly extended their hand toward Aeongi, who tolerated being near people but disliked being touched.
“Grrr—”
Noah saw a slight smile form on the man’s face as Aeongi bared his teeth further, warning him not to come closer.
“You should train it properly. Don’t coddle it just because it’s young. Animals should behave like animals. If you were under me, I’d pull out all your teeth the moment you bared them… urk—”
Wait. What does it matter to you how I raise my Aeongi? How dare you talk about pulling out my Aeongi’s teeth or training him? Before Noah could say anything, Aeongi acted faster.
The man clearly thought he was dealing with an animal that couldn’t understand human speech and tried to touch its head and body to establish dominance, but Aeongi was no ordinary animal.
Noah simply tapped Aeongi’s head lightly as he saw the man’s face turn pale when Aeongi bit down on his approaching hand without the slightest hesitation.
“I’ve told you not to bite strangers recklessly. Let go now.”
It goes without saying that when pain is too intense, even screams can’t emerge.
“What should we do? I haven’t trained him properly yet, so he won’t let go. I guess you haven’t learned not to touch other people’s animals carelessly. Aeongi, let’s let him go now. This is already the umpteenth time. We’re lucky that this man is rich enough to pay compensation properly, otherwise you’d be in trouble.”
“Urrrggggg—”
A groan naturally escaped from the bitten man’s mouth as Aeongi seemed to clench his jaw more tightly and shake his small head in refusal at the command to let go. But Noah remained composed. Medical expenses could be paid. In my second life, do you know how much I cried in frustration and anger when I saw the empty safe because of you…?
“Noah~”
At the perfectly timed voice from behind, the quick-witted Aeongi immediately released what he was biting and buried his nose in Noah’s armpit.
In contrast to the bitten person’s pale face, there were no wounds on his hand at all. There were only slight indentations where his flesh had been pressed.
“Ha… if Matthew comes here too… Excuse me, you know who I am, right? If you want to claim medical expenses, please bill them to our family. If that guy comes now, I wouldn’t be surprised if World War III broke out.”
Sighs continuously flowed from Noah’s mouth as he walked quickly toward the maze entrance.
I’ll never attend such a meaningless party again. To ensure that, it seemed necessary to have not necessarily a marriage, but at least a suitable person to act as a figurehead boyfriend, like a figurehead CEO.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
