Chapter 121: Side Story 11

TL : Nestaelle

Side Story 11

"Greetings, Princess. Where did Lord Shinsu go on his own..."

"My husband went for a short walk."

"Ah, I see."

He glanced around nervously, wondering what to say. He spotted Belinda sitting on the café terrace as he was passing by, so he stopped the carriage and hurried over.

He was unable to handle the situation properly at that time because of the confusion. He wanted to use this chance to express his regret properly and resolve the matter.

"Sit down, Ronan."

Belinda pointed to an empty seat in front of her. Ronan pondered for a moment before nodding and gently took a seat.

"I couldn't apologize properly because of the confusion earlier, Princess."

"Why must you apologize? Rather...um...I should be the one apologizing for my husband's violent behavior."

Rather, she wanted to apologize on her husband's behalf for grabbing him by the neck and tossing him away, but she said it vaguely because she didn't want to embarrass him.

Ronan shook his hands and head at the same time.

"No, I was rude from the beginning. If I had known you were the Princess, no, if I had known you were married, I would never have approached you in that manner."

Please don't get me wrong, Princess! I'm not that kind of person!

As Ronan spouted those words with a look of desperation, Belinda gave him a nod as if understood him.

"It's okay. I understand."

Only then Ronan's expression relaxed.

"I saw the Princess on the way, so I came to greet you even though it might be impolite to do. Could it be that I disturbed you, Princess?"

"No, thank you for coming. I also wanted to apologize for what happened earlier."

Ronan seemed completely relieved by her words. He relaxed his tensed shoulders.

"If you had given me a word before you came here, I would have prepared to welcome you."

"I came without a notice because I wanted to spend the time quietly with my husband. It's all right."

Throughout their friendly conversation, Belinda stared deeply into Ronan's eyes. His clear and honest eyes were a reflection of his upright nature.

As expected, he gave off the same vibes as before. It was when she inclined her upper body in his direction, thinking that she wanted to get closer to him for Lart's sake.

She felt something fluffy below her ankle.

"Hmm?"

Wondering what it was, she moved her feet.

[Nya-]

A small bundle of fur meowed from below.

It was Aymon. He came out of nowhere and rubbed his cheeks against her ankle. He, who was running away angrily, immediately ran back when he saw Belinda with Ronan.

Belinda pushed Aymon away with her foot.

"Is that your cat, Princess?"

"No. It must be a stray cat."

As Belinda pretended to not know him, Aymon was taken aback and got busy by himself. The small beast slipped between her legs and pacing restlessly.

Belinda battled the impulse to pick him up and cuddle him in her arms every time his soft fur touched her ankles.

When Belinda refused to give him attention, Aymon crouched at her feet and nibbled at her ankle bone.

The fangs that graze her skin lightly felt ticklish. Belinda pressed her lips together to refrain from smiling.

Ronan opened his mouth again.

"In that case, Princess. Why don't you have dinner at our castle tonight?"

Aymon, who was attacking her ankle fiercely, suddenly tensed up.

Of course, Ronan meant to say 'I'm inviting the Princess and Lord Shinsu to dinner', but Aymon wasn't aware of the whole situation.

What dinner? Have you gotten close enough to invite her to dinner? When I'm not around? This fast?!"

Belinda held back her laughter. She didn't need to look down or ask Aymon to know what he was thinking. She could tell by the way his paws attacked her foot.

Don't do that. Don't do that, Belinda. Your husband is right here.

It was really clear what Aymon wanted to say.

Ignoring his protest, Belinda jerked her shoes before turning toward Ronan.

"I appreciate the offer, but I'd have to decline."

"Why don't you both come and stay at our castle? I'm sure my father will be very delighted."

"Thank you for your consideration, but I have to decline that, too."

After refusing with a smile, Belinda bent over at the waist. She opened her arms to the black cotton ball who was staring at her with resentment.

Come here.

Aymon perked up his ears and hesitated a bit, before jumping into her arms. He was angry and resentful, but he couldn't refuse her embrace.

Belinda stroked the little beast in her arms, and murmured quietly.

"I know you're cute."

Ronan, who managed to hear her voice, smiled broadly.

"I don't think it has an owner. But if you like it, you can take it with you and raise it."

Belinda tickled Aymon's chin and nodded.

"Alright. Then I'll see you later at the Imperial Palace."

I'll see you later at the Imperial Palace. Ronan, who grasped the meaning of her words right away, stood up from his seat. He bowed respectfully as he uttered farewell.

"Yes. May your journey be peaceful, Princess."

After Ronan left, only a person and an animal remained at the café with a lovely setting.

Belinda picked up Aymon.

Meow-

Aymon whimpered as if asking Belinda to let him go.

As the sun had set, the road was very dark. Aymon's black fur was hidden by the darkness, but his purple eyes shone brilliantly in it, shining even brighter than the recently turned-on street lamps.

"But if you like it, you can take it with you and raise it."

Ronan's words suddenly came to her mind. Belinda kissed the tip of Aymon's nose and whispered.

"Okay. I'll raise you well for the rest of my life."

[Nya.]

Whether the small beast enjoyed the kiss on the tip of his nose, which felt like a falling petal, he clutched her face with his front paws with a short whimper.

***

The cool breeze danced through her hair. The white moon shone brightly on the water's surface. Belinda leaned her back comfortably against the firm chest.

"The lake is cool, isn't it?"

On the terrace of their lodging, she and Aymon were enjoying the view of the lake. Belinda moved her head to face Aymon, who remained silent.

"Are you still upset?"

His jaw was stiff. It seemed what happened earlier was still bothering his mind.

Belinda patted his cheek. She could see his eyelashes twitching. So she turned around, wrapping her arms around Aymon's neck and kissed his chin.

"Stop being angry, okay?"

Chu-

Aymon's clenched jaw relaxed at the sensation of her soft lips. He chuckled in defeat before pulling Belinda into his embrace. He embraced her tightly, pressing her up against him, and showered her soft cheeks with kisses.

"What's with you suddenly?"

Belinda giggled and pushed his shoulders away, but to no avail. In the end, she decided to enjoy the endless kisses. Even when the kisses fell on her like feathers, or when he bit her cheek. Even if he licked her lips slowly.

As their temperatures steadily mixed, Belinda's breath started to become hotter. The lighthearted kiss gradually evolved into an intimate one.

His low whispers flowed between his erratic and hot breath.

"Bredee. I can live as a kitten forever if you want."

A solid arm wrapped around her even tighter.

"But I can't say that I won't be jealous. I cannot help getting mad when I see it. I want you to only look at me."

Chu-

He landed a soft kiss in the middle of complaining.

"Even if you turn me into a cat, I will be jealous again and again. It doesn't matter even if I have to live as your kitten for the rest of my life."

He kissed the tip of her nose, above her lips, and her lips.

Feeling ticklish, Belinda narrowed her eyes. Then a tender kiss fell briefly on her eyelids.

She felt a tingle in her chest, as if each of his words and kisses sent tiny feathers fluttering through her heart.

Belinda reached out and caressed his cheek. The skin on her fingertips were as smooth as a marble.

Everything about those beautiful, yet persistent, deep gazes that were only fixed on her was lovely. Even though he was a beast with broad shoulders who encircled her entire body, he looked like the prettiest man in the world.

"Do as you please, Aymon."

Belinda caressed his cheek slowly. His skin was imbued with heat.

I adore you so much. I like you so much.

She was confident that he would only love Aymon no matter what he did. Even if he turned into a small cat who curled its tail around her ankle, or even if turn into a big beast who pounced on her violently, Aymon was still Aymon.

The one who always loved her. The one who dug into her heart with such endearing eyes.

Belinda slowly touched his fine lashes. The moonlight hung on the tips of his lashes. Even his eyelashes were pretty.

"Ah, how pretty."

Aymon curled up his lips. It didn't matter if she called him pretty or treated him like a cute kitten. He was willing to act cute for the rest of his life if she wanted to.

Aymon hugged her tightly and buried her lips on her white nape. A sweet smell of her skin rushed in. The faint sound of her pulse made him dizzy.

Belinda. My wife. My dear Bredee.

Each time he felt that she was alive, each time he felt her warmth stayed close to him, overwhelming happiness pounded on his heart. He always felt like he was walking in a dream because reality was too good to be true.

"Bredee. I love you. I love you so much."

Whispering to her, Aymon rubbed his cheek against hers slowly. A warm scent oozed each time he rubbed himself against her smooth skin.

"I love you, too, Aymon. You are my prettiest cat in the world."

Belinda replied affectionately as she stroking Aymon's hair.

It was a warm night where their bodies overlapped under the moonlight.

[I raised the beast well - fin.]

Dear readers, I appreciate your love and support for IRTBW thus far. Taking over the translation from the previous TL and finishing it off has been a genuine pleasure for me. It was a lot of fun for me to translate, and I hope it was equally enjoyable for the readers. Cheers, and I hope to see you in another projects!

-Nestaelle