RODH Side Story Chapter 5

Side Story 5. I Became a Ferret

“Kki-ang!”

I’ve been tricked!

Ian spun around in circles, showing clearly that he wanted to leave.

“Even if you don’t want to, your master lent you to me for the day. So stay still.”

“Kki-ang! Kki-ang!”

Ha! As if I’d let myself be dragged along quietly!

Ian resisted even more fiercely than before.

But Seor didn’t so much as blink.

While Ian burned through his energy, Seor went through his state council meeting, the assembly with nobles, and checked correspondence from each province in his office.

As expected of the Crown Prince of the Empire, the workload before him was brutal.

He even seemed to be studying privately on top of it all—every time he finished one letter, two or three more appeared in its place.

Letting out a sigh as he gripped his pen, Seor muttered,

“How can people have this much to say, really.”

By then, Ian had finally settled down enough to watch him work.

Was he really just going to spend the day together like this?

Ian had thought Seor would torment him or leave him hungry, but unexpectedly, he behaved like a gentleman.

He not only let Ian out of the cage from time to time when he thought he looked cramped, but also offered every dessert that was brought in.

Ian ate a perfectly baked custard pie.

It melted on his tongue like heaven.

Seor chuckled softly and asked,

“Do you like it, Jewel?”

“Kki-ang.”

Well, this part isn’t bad, I’ll admit.

Still, Ian stayed cautious—this was someone who could change his mind at any moment.

When Seor reached out to stroke his head, Ian darted back into the cage.

“Perhaps because you resemble your master, you’re just as prickly.”

“Kki-ang.”

Ian munched away at the piece of pie he had snuck back inside.

Though winter days tended to be short, Seor’s work stretched on well into the evening.

Not once did he falter as he handled his duties.

Watching him, Ian couldn’t help but admit he was impressive.

At the same time, the thought of Nevan drained his strength.

I want to go home.

I want to go home so badly. I miss Nevan so much I could die!

Curling into a ball, Ian felt the soft cushion lull him to sleep.

Eat, sleep—just like an animal.

That was his last thought before he drifted off.

Seor had his evening meal in the office as well.

Because so many citizens had been affected by the recent bombing, he needed to sort the damage by district.

With hands short, he called not only Peter but even his attendants to help organize the papers.

It was only after bringing in a few more desks that the mountain of documents was finally put into order.

Seor looked over at Ian, who was sleeping with just his tail sticking out of the cage, and smiled faintly.

Like his master, he goes crazy for sweets. What kind of animal is this?

If only I could be the one to keep him forever.

Thinking that, Seor gently tucked the protruding tail back into the cage.

* * *

When Ian woke up again, it was night.

Outside the great, gate-like windows, pale candlelight flickered against the black backdrop.

To keep him from going home this late — wasn’t that truly too much?

Ian strode boldly out of the open cage.

He had just made up his mind to bite Seor’s finger out of spite, when he saw him lying flat on the bed, still in his clothes, fast asleep.

Does he have another appointment?

Ian looked down at the weary crown prince and pressed his paw against his face.

Immediately, his small body was seized.

A low, rumbling voice sank chillingly into his ear.

“So, you’re Jewel.”

“Kki-ang!”

Fine, call me Jewel or whatever — but will you let me go already?

Ian squirmed, but Seor only yawned softly and sat up.

“It’s already this late.”

It meant it was time to sleep.

Without any servant’s help, Seor changed into a light gown. Then, pinching Ian lightly by the scruff, he set him down on his stomach.

Ian found it extremely uncomfortable to be sitting on someone’s belly — and Seor’s, at that.

“Kki-ang.”

He climbed down and curled up on the mattress, but Seor picked him right back up and put him on his belly again.

“Kki-ang!”

Back down he went — only to be put back up.

This went on until Ian finally surrendered.

Fine, do whatever you want.

As protest, Ian unsheathed his claws and raked them down the thin gown.

Seor only laughed lightly.

“Ha.”

What the hell! Why are you laughing, you bastard?

Ian scratched harder and faster, but Seor still didn’t stop him — only smiled wider.

At last, exhausted, Ian stretched his little body and coiled up on Seor’s stomach.

It was then that someone knocked at the door.

“Who is it?”

Seor asked. Peter’s voice came from outside.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince, the Dragon Prince and the Tower Lord are here.”

“Ask them if they even know what time it is.”

“We know. But it’s urgent. Please open the door, Your Highness.”

“…Haa.”

Seor sighed long.

“Open it, Peter.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Ian had hopped off Seor’s stomach, intending to dash back into the cage — if only his scruff hadn’t been caught again.

“At this hour the palace gates should be closed. You’d better have a lawful reason for coming.”

At Seor’s grave tone, Lucian pointed directly at Ian.

“That. That’s not a ferret, Crown Prince. That’s a person.”

“What?”

“That’s Lord Ian.”

“……”

Silence filled the room.

Holding Ian by the scruff, Seor asked,

“You’re really Ian?”

Even as he said it, he let out a short laugh at how absurd it sounded.

Ian, on the other hand, was dripping cold sweat.

This time he didn’t squirm or resist.

Seor asked,

“What proof is there that it’s not just an animal?”

“Alvis sensed it. Right?”

Alvis nodded.

“Animals have their own natural mana, but what I’m feeling now is undeniably Lord Ian’s.”

“Then what is this form?”

“He must have drunk a shape-shifting potion.”

Indeed, Ian had not been seen since the second part of the wedding, and a suspicious ferret had appeared right after.

If Ian had swallowed the potion back then, it all made sense.

A smile crept over Seor’s lips.

“So you hated the wedding enough to drink a transformation potion?”

“That must be it. Imagine how unbearable it was.”

“Poor Lord Ian.”

Misinterpreting everything, the three alphas made Ian seethe.

What are you idiots talking about! I only drank the wrong potion!

“Kki-ang, kki-aaang!”

“So that’s why you’ve been resisting like this, Ian Pearl Ruben?”

Seor’s face drew closer.

It was overwhelming, like a giant’s face looming in — and frightening.

Ian squeezed his eyes shut. The grip on his scruff loosened, and he bolted for the cage.

But the door was closed. Startled, he was caught instead by Lucian.

“Ian, you’re too cute!”

“Kki-aaang!”

“Why is it, no matter what you turn into, you still end up being something adorable like this?”

I can’t breathe!

Ian flailed desperately, trying to break free from Lucian’s arms.

Alvis hurried over to help.

“If you use strength like usual, you might hurt him badly.”

“Oh, right. Sorry, Ian.”

“Kki-ang!”

You almost killed me, you fool!

Shaking his head violently, Ian scrambled back onto the bed.

This time Seor stroked along his head and back.

The sensation made Ian’s skin crawl in the strangest way.

“Kki-ang!”

“Most animals enjoy being petted. Don’t you, Ian?”

“Kki-ang!”

Not me, you idiot!

Ian tried to climb into the cage again, but was snatched up once more.

“If it’s a transformation potion, doesn’t it usually wear off after half a day?”

“If it’s a custom brew, it could last up to three days.”

“Three days?”

“Yes.”

“No antidote?”

“It could be made, but it’s better to let the effect run its natural course.”

“Hmm. Then what should we do with Ian in the meantime?”

And so, in the dead of night, three alphas — with Peter making four — huddled together to discuss.

* * *

The next morning, Nevan went straight to the palace.

He had come to retrieve Ian.

But—

“His Grace the Grand Duchess’s ferret has been borrowed by the Dragon Prince.”

Lucian had beaten him to it.

Nevan knew this was the third day. He was certain Ian would return to his true form at any moment.

So he stormed directly into the Dragon’s lair.

Lucian, whistling, handed over Ian, who looked utterly exhausted.

“If something fun like this happens again, let us know, Grand Duke.”

“……”

Back at the mansion, the first thing Nevan did was check Ian’s condition.

He lifted him gently with both hands. Ian was half-fainted, limp like a ferret pelt.

“Lord Ian!”

Fearing the worst, Nevan shook him lightly.

After a few moments, the drooping ferret stirred — and then his body began to grow.