Episode 164

Translator: Missme

Editor: Aru

Side Story 11. The Secretive Autumn (2)

A tiger was the imperial familys and the Tigris Empires symbol, and an imperial family born with gold eyes can transform into a tiger.

People regarded the imperial familys ability to transform into a tiger with high attack power through high-level transformation magic as a blessing.

This seemingly perfect ability, however, was not without consequences.

Cassius!

Cassius, who appeared through the gap in the door, twinkled in his eyes.

He stuck his head through the door at first to make sure there was no one else in the hallway.

His golden eyes, which were normally dazzling, appeared darker than usual.

Anyone who came across him in the dark would look into his eyes and flee, screaming that they had encountered a beast.

He gazed around with eyes that hadnt yet cleared their vigilance, and among his dark hair were ears that were unmistakably those of a tiger.

How cute!?

I closed my mouth and stared at the moving ears.

Cassius finally opened the door entirely after confirming that no one else was around.

Come on in.

I motioned to Cassius, who was faltering, that I wanted to embrace him with my arms wide open.

With a little disoriented expression on his face, he walked slowly and hugged me.

Do you like this part of me?

Yes. Its something I dont normally see.

I responded by tightly hugging him.

I attempted to completely surround Cassiuss shoulders and back with both of my arms, but my fingertips couldnt reach each other due to Cassiuss larger-than-usual size.

So I was content to wrap my arms around him as tightly as I could.

Werent you like this side of me because I said I hate it?

Cassius asked in a sulky voice.

No, it is not the case at all.

I relaxed my grip on Cassius and smiled as I patted him on the shoulder.

Cassius face flushed, possibly from embarrassment or because it had been a long time since I had hugged him.

I could see a wavy striped tail behind his back as he reddened and chewed his lips.

Cute!

This time, I couldnt take it anymore and said what I was thinking out of desperation.

Cassius flushed even more as I spoke to him.

I appreciate it when you think Im cute, but

Cassius grimaced, blurring the last few words of his sentence.

You seem to prefer this aspect of me over my usual self. Im a little disappointed.

Cassius ears and tail drooped pathetically at the same time.

When I saw that, I knew I was about to go insane.

Come on, Cassius. You know I like you regardless of your appearance.

But isnt your reaction stronger than usual?

Its simply that I only get to see it every eight years.

Um really?

Cassius looked at me with suspicious eyes.

Actually, I normally make a lot of silly comments about Cassiuss usual appearance, but I dont express it out loud.

Cassius would not have said such a thing if he had known I was talking about him multiple times a day.

Its simply that Cassius appears different than usual, not that hes more appealing.

Cassius, who appears once every eight years with tiger ears and a tail, was adorable.

The usual Cassius, on the other hand, was far too muscular and attractive.

Of course, there were instances when his normal look was adorable.

Um, okay.

You dont believe me, do you?

For now.

For now!? You still dont believe me?

With a sorrowful expression on my face, I approached Cassius.

To make eye contact with Cassius, who was almost 2 meters taller than usual, I had to bend my head up higher.

I said in a pitiful tone, retaining my facial expression while my neck tightened.

Im upset. Even though I stated I loved Cassius sincerely, regardless of what Cassius looked like

Immediately, a bewildering light flashed in his golden eyes.

Yerine, its.

Are you going to believe your one and only wifes words?

No, no, no.

Cassius exclaimed urgently.

He didnt appear to believe I was joking when he waved his gloved hand and said no.

Im really sorry, Yerine. Thats not really the case.

He arched his back for a moment, then softly embraced me with his arms and tapped my back.

I trust whatever Yerine says. Please dont be upset because I was foolish

With a very sad expression on my face, I raised my head to meet his bright golden eyes.

Cassius, when he realized my face, appeared even more helpless and guilty.

Im sorry if I upset you too much.

Yes.

What can I do to make you feel better?

When I saw his moist golden eye, I threw my arms around Cassius waist as tightly as I could and cleared my throat.

I believe Ill feel better if you let me stroke your tail once.

No, you cant.

I swallowed my regret as I kicked my tongue at the response that came back like a knife.

Oh, I almost made it.

Even though I was his one and only wife, he never allowed me to touch his tail. The tail only appears every 8 years.

From the look on your face, I dont think you were upset at all, Yerine.

Cassius gripped my waist and raised me, exactly like he had done with the kids.

I was surprised to see how tall he had grown.

When Cassius lifted me up, I wasnt expecting to be this high.

You lied to me, didnt you? To touch the tail.

I said triumphantly, hanging on Cassius arm, with no remorse at all.

All right, so how about it?

Youre so

Cant you just let me touch it once?

Touching tail is a no-no.

Cassius abruptly cut me off and wrapped me around his shoulder.

I stretched my arms out and tried to touch his tail, but Cassius swung it to the other side.

Yerine, give up. In that state, youd never be able to touch my tail.

My hands couldnt reach his tail no matter how hard I tried, so I gave up.

But, where are we going?

Yes, I need to give a lesson to a wife who tried to make fun of her one and only husband.

Youre so cheap. Isnt it natural for spouses to share everything because theyre meant to be together?

Cassius then sighed and snapped.

Yerine, do you still have no idea?

Huh? What?

Youre going to get punished.

Yes?

For a brief period, I considered whether I had misheard Cassius.

Is he going to punish me for mocking him earlier?

I couldnt say anything.

Meanwhile, Cassius was holding me back in his arms.

This time, he was in his regular princess hugging position.

Im going to die of embarrassment and frustration because Im a hairy beast, but you totally love watching me like this.

Its better than hating it.

When I replied, Cassius poked me in the cheek with his finger in a thick glove.

Are you making fun of me again?

So youre only punishing me because of that? Dont you believe youre too narrow-minded to be a ruler of the Empire?

What can I do about being like this?

Cassius smiled, bowed his head, and kissed my cheek.

After knowing that much, you must have married me.

Well, I did not even know that.

No way. Weve been married for over five years and together for nearly ten years, and you just found out?

Cassius exclaimed with a silly tone. That cant be right.

Yes, I just discovered it now. Isnt this a forgery of a marriage?

Nope, the entire Imperial Nation approved our marriage.

Howevercant this marriage be called off because my husband deceived me?

Cassius burst out laughing when he heard the words.

A delightful gleam of golden eyes could be seen through the slightly disorganized, swaying black hair.

His golden eyes, as piercing as a tiger stalking prey at night, appeared oddly soft to me.

Even the sharp fangs that appeared at first look to be attached to the lips that grinned pleasantly were not frightening.

I wasnt terrified of his sharp claws, which were covered beneath his thick gloves.

Maybe because I knew Cassius was the owner of all of it

Unfortunately, you cant. Im not going to let you do that.

Well, as expected, right?

And where will you leave your rabbit-like husband and children?

Hey, what do you mean rabbit-like husband? Do you have a conscience?

If a rabbit heard it, it would be sufficiently offended to initiate a lawsuit.

I wasnt aware of the adorable Yssius and Chaerine, but Cassius never fit the concept of a rabbit.

His ordinary self didnt even fit the rabbits personality, let alone this aspect of him, which looked bigger.

Well, if its a giant bunny with a lot of muscle..

Im only saying, dont run away and leave me.

I dont even consider running away.

I know. Im just saying it, just in case.

I didnt know we were already outside the palace when we were talking.

Cassius was hesitant to reveal his half-human, half-beast self to others. He felt ridiculous being seen with tiger ears by others.

So, around this, he only stayed with a few servants, which was necessary, and dispatched the others to other locations, turning the busy corridors as quiet as death.

In fact, there were a few servants and maids left in the main palace, but the number is extremely small, so they will go unnoticed unless we summon them immediately.

Cassius and my voices echoed in the empty corridors almost as if just the two of us remained in this vast space.

Its peaceful and pleasant.

I thought, putting myself in Cassius arms.

Its not that we never had time alone, but it was really difficult to be alone for a long period of a week.

I had to grasp this opportunity.

Cassius came to a halt in front of a familiar door, just as I was enthusiastically anticipating how I would spend the rest of the week with Cassius.

Huh? This is our bedroom, Cassius.

Thats exactly.

Cassius nodded and opened the bedroom door with one hand.

Would you like to take a nap, Cassius? Are you already drowsy?

Do you really have no idea, Yerine?

Cassius questioned, his eyes wide with curiosity.

If its like this, theres just one option.

I clearly didnt understand him for about three seconds. As I regained consciousness, I found myself on the bed.

Eum?

Wait, what is this?

I planned to spend time with Cassius while enjoying in the autumn sunshine.

So why were we lying in the middle of the day on the bed?

And why is Cassius unbuttoning his shirt?

Excuse me, Cassius.

Cassius grinned as he heard me call his name.

With his eyes twinkling like a beast with his prey in front of him, he quickly closed the distance with me.

Why, Yerine?

I knew I was in trouble when I heard his melting voice.

I dont think hell ever let go of this

I strained to maintain my composure and raised my hand.

Wewhy dont we talk first then?

Talk?

Cassius put his hand on mine and asked.

You know, we can just do it right away.

Thats true. Wait a minute, dont sneak a kiss.

I raised my hand and shoved his face away from me.

Cassius, on the other hand, clung to me even tighter and whispered in my ear in a hoarse voice.

Why? Do you dislike conversing with our bodies instead?

His golden eyes were delicately arched, as sharp as beasts and as glorious as the sun. Detestably, like making fun of me.

I must be insane

I muttered to myself as I lay on the bed with the autumn sunlight streaming in.