It happened while Briel and Almond were sorting medical supplies together for Kalz during his recovery.
“Fruit of Love… seriously?”
“Yeah. Once Kalz gets better, we’re planning to try a few things together.”
“Wait, by Fruit of Love, don’t you usually mean… a child?”
“Well, sure. But that’s not exactly an option for us. Ugh, who would’ve thought we’d get blindsided like this right at the end?”
Briel muttered lightly, but Almond was reeling. It felt like the ground had just crumbled beneath him.
After the castle attack, something had shifted between Briel and Kalz. Almond had finally begun to believe his efforts were paying off. That maybe, just maybe, a sliver of light had broken through the suffocating darkness. He was genuinely grateful to Briel for softening his master’s heart.
But… a child?
That was impossible between Briel and Kalz. From the very start, their relationship had been built on a flawed foundation—and Almond was the one who laid that first stone.
With each passing day, the butler’s heart burned with unease. Every time he saw the two of them playing house without a care, he found himself asking—over and over—what was truly best for Kalz. And finally, he came to a decision.
***
Early morning. I was sitting in my room, trying to figure out what new method we could try today for our Fruit of Love mission—
Knock knock.
A knock at the door.
Who could it be? Don’t tell me… is Kalz here to pick me up?
I opened the door with a smile—only to find Butler Squawk standing outside.
“Oh, Butler? What brings you to my room?”
“Briel, may I have a word with you?”
“Of course. Come on in.”
“Excuse the intrusion.”
At first glance, he looked just like his usual self. But something about his expression felt… off. Was I in trouble? Had I been slacking too much on my duties while spending all my time with Kalz? Maybe I should hit pause on the Fruit of Love plan and catch up on work.
While I was still weighing my options, the butler stepped over to the window and finally spoke.
“The wind’s already turning cold. Looks like the season when you first arrived is about to return.”
“Yeah… it really does.”
Thank goodness. So he wasn’t here to scold me. I let out a quiet breath and let my mind drift to the past.
“A whole year, huh? Feels like it dragged on forever… and yet it flew by.”
“Before you came, Briel, this castle was frozen in time. It wasn’t until your arrival that everyone here finally began to live again. I sincerely thank you for all the care you’ve given.”
“Oh come on, I only did it because I wanted to.”
His sudden praise caught me off guard, and I let out an awkward laugh. I appreciated it, sure—but why bring it up now?
Wait a second…
Is this about my raise?
Was he finally acknowledging all the work I’d done and planning to bump my pay in year two? That would explain all the flattery. My heart skipped a beat.
“Do you remember last winter? The first time we all played in the snow together.”
“Of course. Everyone had such a great time—it really made me happy.”
“It’s a cherished memory. And as luck would have it, I won that snowball fight and earned your wish coupon.”
“Oh, right! I totally forgot. You never used it.”
“Yes. And I’d like to use it now.”
Ah… so this wasn’t about my salary after all. Still, I couldn’t exactly sulk when I was the one who jumped to conclusions. I grinned, put my hands on my hips, and struck a playful pose.
“So the time has come, huh? What can I do for you?”
“……”
“Butler?”
He didn’t answer right away. He just stood there in silence, staring out the window. What kind of request is this? Why does it feel so heavy?
The silence was thick. Uncomfortable. Maybe he just needed a moment. I figured I’d step out and make us some tea, but just as I started to move—he turned to look at me.
“Briel.”
“Yes, Butler?”
“Please leave the castle.”
…Did I hear that right?
I froze, stunned. I must’ve misheard him. But the look on his face said he was deadly serious.
“Wait… did you just ask me to leave?”
“Yes.”
“I… wow. I wasn’t expecting that. I thought you were on my side.”
He had said that. He told me himself—he supported me, that I shouldn’t give up on Kalz. I tried to force a chuckle, hoping to lighten the mood.
“Wait… is this part of some plan? Like, ‘if we’re apart, he’ll realize how much he misses me’ or something? But that’s not necessary anymore. He hasn’t said it outright, but I know Kalz likes me.”
“That’s exactly why.”
“Sorry, but I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about right now.”
I tried to stay calm, but my voice was trembling. Then I saw Butler Squawk bow his head respectfully, and my mind went completely blank.
“Briel. I truly apologize. But I must ask this of you.”
“So this is because of magic, right? Because I can’t have children? But the Fruit of Love doesn’t have to mean a baby. It could be something else. If we just take our time, we could figure something out—”
“That’s just it. We don’t have time.”
“…What do you mean?”
He looked up, and in his eyes, I saw a painful contradiction—desperation and resignation, locked together.
“The witch’s curse… it has an expiration date.”
“Wait, what? Since when?”
“It’s always had one. We just never told you.”
“So what happens when the time runs out? Kalz stays a beast forever?”
“If it were only that simple, I wouldn’t be asking you to leave.”
He gave a bitter smile, and I felt my fingers start to tremble.
“If the curse isn’t broken within the allotted time… the one cursed will cease to exist.”
“Cease to exist… You mean—he’ll die?”
“Yes. Except there won’t even be a body left behind. So in every way that matters, yes—it’s death.”
“That’s… that’s a lie. You didn’t even know how to break the curse until recently! There’s no way you’d know something like this—”
“It’s true. Kalz heard it straight from the witch’s mouth when the curse was cast.”
So… Kalz already knew. My heart sank like a stone dropped into a well. My lips were trembling, and I could barely form the words.
“…So I was the only one who didn’t know?”
“No. Only the master and I were aware.”
“Then how much time is left?”
“The curse lasts one hundred years. This is the ninety-ninth.”
“So there’s only one year…!”
And I… I’d just been smiling, laughing, wasting time—completely unaware.
I thought we had time. That one day, we’d make our Fruit of Love come true. Honestly, I even started to think it was fine if the curse never broke. Kalz was still adorable in his beast form. I thought—even if he never changes, I’ll stay by his side.
What kind of expression did he make when I said that?
That’s right—he smiled. His eyes softened, and his voice rumbled with that warm laugh.
But what was he really feeling in that moment?
“No. I don’t believe this. I’m going to ask Kalz myself.”
“Briel, wait—please, don’t—”
I ignored Butler Squawk’s voice behind me and ran straight to Kalz’s room. I didn’t hesitate—I threw the door open.
“What the—? You startled me. At least knock next time.”
Kalz, mid-way through tying his cravat, blinked in surprise. But once he saw it was me, he smiled.
“Is this some kind of tactic? Trying to give me a heart attack?”
“Is it true?”
“You’ll have to be more specific.”
“The curse. Does it have a time limit?”
“……”
He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. I saw it in his eyes.
I stormed into the room and shoved him hard onto the bed. Kalz fell back like a toppled pillar.
I climbed on top of him and yanked his cravat loose again.
“…What are you doing?”
“We’re making a baby. Right now.”
“You’re being ridiculous. That’s not even possible.”
“How do you know that if you’ve never even tried?!”
Exactly. This world has magic. A castle full of talking animals. Kalz is literally a beast. Who’s to say two men can’t have a child?
