Looking for a Husband to Confine Me - Chapter 18
Chapter 18
“I’d also like you to look into the current political climate in the Kishan Kingdom.”
“Sure.”
“And about the Div’s family curse and the rumors spreading through the Empire?”
“Got it.”
Ronen accepted the requests without a single complaint, which was unusual. His agreeable attitude made me uneasy.
“What’s up?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re being awfully accommodating today.”
A light chuckle drifted from Ronen.
“I’m in a good mood.”
“…Really?”
He rarely showed emotion. While he sometimes laughed during our conversations, this was the first time he’d expressed something so personal.
His unexpected behavior caught me off guard, and I stared at him for a moment. It was dark, and the hood of his robe shadowed his face, but I could sense he was smiling. The skin at the corner of his right eye crinkled in the moonlight. Something genuinely good must have happened.
That might explain why our schedules had been misaligned lately.
“One last thing. I need more information on Damian Detronil. Every little detail.”
Since he was in a good mood, I saw no reason to hold back. I even considered getting him more information later. Damian was proving trickier than the other candidates. The intel I’d gathered painted a very different picture from the man himself. I needed to be prepared so I wouldn’t get swept up in whatever Damian was doing.
“Alright.”
“Really? No extra charge?”
“Like I said, I’m in a good mood today.”
“Works for me.”
I stared at Ronen’s shadowed face. The only thing I could discern was a joyful glint in his partially visible eyes.
“What?”
“I’m just wondering what put you in such a good mood.”
“Curious?”
“Well, yeah…”
It was Ronen showing emotion—enough for even me to notice. The information broker, Ronen, who wouldn’t flinch if someone dropped dead in front of him!
I was curious.
Very curious, in fact! But I took a step back.
“On second thought, I’ll pass.”
“Why?”
“I have a feeling knowing would somehow entangle me with you.”
And not in a good way.
A dangerous aura emanated from Ronen. My instincts screamed, bury your curiosity if you value your life.
“Heh.”
As if confirming my suspicions, Ronen chuckled. Then, with a hint of playful regret, he said, “That’s a shame, Mel. It was a chance for us to become… entangled.”
“I’ll pass.”
I wanted nothing to do with anything dangerous. I had enough on my plate as it was. Even if my situation improved, I had no desire to get involved with Ronen.
“If you change your mind, just ask. I’ll tell you anytime.”
His voice dropped to a low, seductive whisper. I shook my head vehemently.
Another light chuckle followed.
“So, what did your client think of the information I provided? Satisfied?”
He was referring to the extensive information I’d requested on my husband candidates. I furrowed my brow, considering my words.
“The information itself was satisfactory, but if I had to describe my overall impression of them…”
“Hmm?”
“It’s crap.”
I tapped my index finger against the bars near Ronen’s face.
“…I’ll tell you that.”
“It seems none of the candidates are to your liking.”
“Well, anyone who’s still unmarried or unengaged at this point…”
Anyone truly exceptional wouldn’t still be available.
Of course, I wasn’t looking for someone exceptional. I preferred someone with a flaw or two.
“Oh, by the way…”
I pulled Snowy from my bag. This was the other reason I’d sought out Ronen.
“Is there anything dangerous back there?”
“Dangerous?”
“I’m wondering if it ate something it shouldn’t have.”
I placed Snowy, my sleek, white snake, on the bar.
“It’s still unconscious.”
“It’s still looking weak.”
Ronen reached out and touched Snowy, even lifting it by the neck. Snowy’s head lolled limply from side to side.
“Don’t play around.”
I swatted Ronen’s hand and rescued it.
“It’s strange. It’s just lying here, tongue lolling out.”
I’d taken him to a healer who used a magical device to nourish him, so it couldn’t be starving. But I didn’t know how long it’d remain like this.
“There’s nothing back there it could have eaten.”
Ronen tilted his head, puzzled.
“You know, like… cigarettes.”
‘Did he pick up your discarded butts and eat them…?’
Mid-sentence, I stopped, struck by a sudden realization. I stared at Ronen. Something was off.
“What is it?”
My gaze must have been unnerving because Ronen finally spoke. I frowned, scrutinizing his face.
“Something’s different about you today.”
What was it? I blinked, trying to pinpoint the source of my unease.
“Come to think of it…”
I leaned closer to Ronen. He didn’t flinch or move away.
“I don’t smell any cigarettes on you.”
The ever-present cloud of smoke and the accompanying smell were absent. It seemed he’d been abstaining for several days.
“I’m quitting.”
“Why?”
“Because you seem to hate it.”
I paused for a moment, then chuckled. “You’ve been quite the comedian lately, Ronen.”
Ronen mirrored my smile, his fingertips drumming lightly on the bar. “Actually, I’m looking for something else that suits me.”
“And if you can’t find it, you’ll go back?”
“Probably.”
The absence of the familiar scent of smoke felt strange. Without the unique fragrance of the smoke, only Ronen’s fresh, clean scent remained.
“So, there’s nothing dangerous inside, right?”
“Nothing edible.”
Ronen nodded. “Even if it had swallowed a cigarette butt, it wouldn’t be unconscious like this.” He pointed to himself with his index finger. “I’m alive, see?”
“Then what’s the problem? It’s really not dead?”
“It’s alive. I can feel its body temperature.”
Ronen, who had been poking the snake, now tried to pry open its mouth. Sharp fangs flashed between its jaws.
“Stop it. Why are you bothering it?”
Once again, I rescued Snowy from Ronen, but this time, one of its sharp fangs pricked my fingertip. A stinging sensation followed, and a bead of red blood welled up.
“Oh, be careful, Mel.” Ronen took my wrist. I felt his warm touch and saw his head lower. A damp feeling touched my fingertip…
“Ew! What are you doing? That’s disgusting!”
I snatched my hand back as I realized Ronen was about to lick the drop of blood. He looked up, his red tongue still extended. “Force of habit.” He then licked his lips. Bathed in the moonlight, they looked strangely sensual.
“Are you badly hurt, Mel?”
“Luckily, it’s not a deep wound.” The bleeding had already stopped.
“Anyway, don’t do that again… hmm?” I trailed off, looking down. The small white snake I held in my other hand twitched. It was a different kind of movement than before.
Ronen also looked at the stirring snake.
A soft hiss escaped its mouth. Strength suddenly filled the limp body. It flicked its tongue, its red eyes fixed on me.
“Ah… it’s awake,” Ronen said, watching the snake.
***
Snowy lay on the plush bed. I watched it, arms crossed. It, too, looked up at me, coiled in a circle. Two tiny red eyes followed my every movement.
“Snowy?” I cautiously used the snake’s (temporary) name. There was still no reply. “Can you hear me?”
Hiss.
I tilted my head as I asked, and the little snake mirrored my movement, tilting its small head and hissing.
“Circle around.” I drew a circle in the air above the bed. The smooth white body followed my hand, circling around.
Whitey, the little white snake, definitely understood me. But I couldn’t hear its voice.
“Is it a species that can’t speak?” It was the first time I’d encountered a snake without a voice.
Snowy had miraculously regained consciousness while I was with Ronen. It moved without any difficulty, making the previous stillness seem like a lie.
Ronen had said it was good that it finally woke up, but I felt uneasy. I couldn’t hear Snowy’s voice. I was worried it might be hurt.
Just in case, I had taken it to the doctor early this morning, but everything was normal. I had even taken it to the flower garden and let it mingle with the other snakes, including Slinky.
“The other snaked couldn’t communicate with you either, right?” If Snowy’s voice was only inaudible to me, I could understand, but I was worried that it couldn’t communicate with its own kind. That’s why I brought it back to the mansion. “Can’t you speak?”
The small head tilted the other way. Since I couldn’t hear its voice, I could only guess from its actions.
“Anyway, I’m glad you’re awake.”
I knelt down and leaned on the bed, gently embracing the coiled white body. Snowy rubbed its head against my face as if in response.
Just then, a knock echoed from the door.
“Lady Amelia.”
“What is it?” I sat up at the sound of Tepine’s voice, remembering to hide Snowy. Fortunately, Snowy, though not as small as Slinky, was still small enough to conceal easily.
I opened the door to Tepine’s troubled face.
