A beastman.
They were called “humans cursed by the beast,” but in truth, there was no precise information on why a beastman was born. They weren’t exclusively born to human parents, nor were they exclusively born to beastmen.
It was entirely random.
Usually, they underwent their transformation around the age of 18, reaching adulthood and discovering their nature. However, it was rare for a beastman to live a long life.
This was because, upon transformation, they were reported to the authorities and executed on the spot.
It is said that long ago, beastmen lived as humans and were treated as equals. In fact, being a beastman was once considered a talent, and they were regarded with the same respect as mages.
But after the Holy Kingdom labeled them “children of the devil” several hundred years ago and waged a war of extermination, the image of beastmen as “children of the devil” or “humans cursed by the beast” became deeply ingrained in the public consciousness.
Beastmen were not only discriminated against; they weren’t even given the right to live.
The ironic truth that Kay of the House Green—a family protected by the Holy Kingdom—was a beastman was a secret known only to his family.
Until now.
Kay gazed with amusement at the petite, pale woman who had frozen upon catching sight of him.
It was entertaining to see Iris, who usually looked like she wouldn’t bat an eye no matter what happened, standing there stunned, her eyes wide with shock.
Soon, Iris’s pale cheeks flushed a soft pink.
As if refusing to be caught off guard, Iris squeezed her eyes shut before opening them again. She returned to her usual haughty expression, but her face remained deep red.
“…This is bewildering.”
Iris muttered.
Kay slowly lowered his head to look at his own body.
“What is?”
“This… situation.”
“I suppose it is. Do you like it?”
“Am I supposed to like it?”
“Because it is a body you will have to see every day from now on.”
“Every day….”
Iris swallowed hard. Her neck was now flushed red as well.
Does this woman know just how red she has become?
Probably not. That must be why she is trying to act as if nothing is the matter, wearing that haughty expression.
Kay found himself liking Iris more and more.
“You look like a beast.”
“It’s not ‘like’ a beast, it is….”
As Kay stepped forward, Iris was so startled that she took a step back. Recovering quickly, she raised her chin and put on an arrogant face again, but Kay could tell she was barely breathing.
“I am a beast, Iris.”
“Ah… I see. For now, could you put on some….”
“Is that necessary, Iris? I intend to go to bed with you just like this.”
Iris’s amethyst-like eyes wavered, unable to find a focus. Seeing that, Kay felt an urge to tease her even more.
“If you don’t like the bed, we can do it right here, too.”
As Kay leaned toward Iris’s neck, he caught sight of her small hands gripping her skirt tightly.
*I should stop teasing her now.*
Just as Kay thought that—
*Bang!*
The door flew open without a knock.
“Boss! Boss! The future mistress is… Gaaack! Wh-what are you doing? Have you gone mad!”
Wallace’s voice rang out.
Kay suppressed a sigh and straightened his posture.
“Knock.”
“Ah, right.”
Wallace walked backward to the door and tapped on it with his hand.
“Coming in, Boss. Gwaaack! Boss, why are you like that?”
“What’s wrong with the Boss?”
With a deep, resonant voice, Nathan entered.
“Whoa… Boss, why… whoa….”
Eugene, who had pushed past the retreating Nathan to enter, walked silently to the wardrobe, took out a black gown, and handed it to Kay.
Watching Kay put on the gown, Eugene said, “The task you ordered is finished. And Boss. It is rude to show such a state to a lady on the very first day. Please restrain yourself.”
Eugene looked back at Iris.
“Lady Iris. I apologize on behalf of the Boss for his rude behavior.”
“I understand.”
In a moment, the flush had vanished from Iris’s face.
Kay felt a twinge of regret. While he liked the coldly haughty Iris, he also quite liked the Iris who got flustered and red in the face.
“Hey, Mistress. It’s true that you’re our mistress starting today, right?”
Wallace asked Iris cautiously. Iris looked up at Wallace, with his intimidating appearance and massive frame, without a hint of fear and nodded.
“You may call me Iris.”
“No, no. How could I dare call the Boss’s wife by her name so carelessly? I truly never expected our Boss to get married… *sniff*. Mistress. Please take care of us. Our Boss has a mountain of shortcomings, but please don’t throw him away and cherish him for a long, long time.”
Wallace was busy wiping his tears and grabbing Iris’s hands, shaking them up and down.
“Hey, how can you grab a Lady’s hand so carelessly? Honestly, you have no manners whatsoever… move aside.”
Nathan pushed Wallace away and stood in front of Iris. He stood at attention and bowed with disciplined precision.
“Please take care of us, Mistress! My name is Nathan.”
“I look forward to working with you, too.”
“Mistress, if there is anything you lack while staying here, please tell this Nathan. If you need something while you are sleeping, you can simply ring that bell over there.”
Iris was quite surprised. She had entered this political marriage as if threatening him, using the secret that Kay was a beastman as leverage. She had expected no one in this mansion to welcome her.
But to be treated with such hospitality—it seemed this new life would be a bit more enjoyable than she had expected.
***
Britney could not contain her rage.
“You let her be taken away just like that?”
“Yes, he said he was worried that I might change my mind and not send her.”
“That makes no sense. Did Count Green really say that?”
“I’m telling you, he did. He seems completely smitten with Iris.”
“No, that’s just impossible. Why would Count Green be like that to someone like her… no, no. It can’t be.”
Britney shook her head irritably.
“Father. Do something. I really hate that she’s marrying Count Green. Do you know how popular Count Green is? I can’t bear the thought of seeing her walking around arm-in-arm with him, claiming to be the Countess Green.”
“Just leave it be. Even if she went to House Green, she still has ties to our House Witlow. It will be of great help to us.”
“Ugh, what help… I don’t need any of that!”
“What do you mean, you don’t need it? Do you know what we gained today just by selling her off? We got the Benote gold mine—that massive gold mine!”
“Ugh, what good is a gold mine.”
“Is that all you think we got? That fool, Count Green, even bought the Hadun region.”
“The Hadun region? Isn’t there nothing there?”
“Exactly. He paid an exorbitant amount of money for that wasteland. He must have wanted to show off his wealth in front of Iris. My dear, you were right. It was a good thing we raised her well and sold her off.”
Glovern said, looking back at his wife, Denice.
Denice, who had been staring at her teacup, spoke up.
“Still, the position of Countess Green is a bit of a waste.”
“It’s no waste. We’ve made connections with the Crown Prince’s inner circle, so our Britney will sit in a position higher than a Countess.”
At the mention of the Crown Prince, Britney’s eyes lit up.
“Really?”
“I’m telling you. So don’t worry about being the Countess; just keep your composure. My dear, since we have money now, shall we renovate the mansion? You said you wanted to buy dresses, too, right?”
“Actually, there was a dress I had my eye on….”
While Glovern and Denice were making a list of things to buy, Britney thought of the Crown Prince.
He might not be as good-looking as Kay, but the Crown Prince was handsome in his own right. Moreover, he was a Crown Prince before whom even a Count would not dare to raise his head.
*I am going to be the Crown Princess…!*
Britney already felt like she was the Crown Princess.
*Yes, you can have the title of Countess. I will become the Crown Princess and summon you and Count Green every single day. I’ll… I will make Count Green mine right in front of you.*
I wonder what kind of expression Iris would make then? She would probably look like she’s about to cry, yet she wouldn’t be able to say a word, just hanging her head low.
That suited Iris.
‘The role of being loved is mine, Iris. You’re prettiest when you’re mopping the floors.’
***
While eating the dinner the maids brought to the room, Kay and Iris had a long conversation about what lay ahead. Before they knew it, it was time to go to bed.
“I didn’t prepare any nightwear. I thought you would have brought some,” Kay said.
“The only thing I owned at that house was the clothes on my back. I don’t mind sleeping in these.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
Kay pulled one of his robes from the wardrobe and brought it over.
“Wear this for tonight.”
“Thank you.”
Iris reached out her hand to take the robe, but Kay did not hand it over. When Iris tilted her head as if asking why, Kay spoke.
“It is our first night; I would like to be the one to help my wife change.”
“Ah.”
Iris blushed, recalling the naked body of Kay she had seen earlier. She had thought she would not be flustered by the mere sight of a man’s body. Her heart, hardened by all the terrible things she had endured in her past life, should not have been racing over such a trifle.
But the moment she saw Kay’s body, the moment she took in that perfect physique she had never seen before—her heart raced.
It raced so much that it was fascinating to realize she could feel such emotions just from looking.
“Then, please do.”
Iris said, trying her best to remain composed, and brought her hands to her dress.
Iris had resolved to do anything for the sake of a peaceful life. Undressing in front of a man was nothing; she could endure far worse than that.
Iris’s hands moved slowly, undoing the ribbons and buttons of her dress. Throughout the process of undressing, Kay’s gaze remained fixed on Iris. Even though it shouldn’t have been possible, she felt as if his eyes were stroking her entire body.
As she pulled off her dress, her skin—so white it was almost translucent—was revealed along with her corset. The air hitting her bare skin was cool, but it didn’t last long.
Kay immediately covered her body with the robe. Kay’s clothes were so large that Iris looked as if she were wrapped in a blanket.
“It’s big.”
“Yes. And you are small.”
Kay’s eyes narrowed.
Seeing his smiling eyes filled with amusement, Iris felt happy for some reason, and a faint smile played on her lips.
Kay’s eyes widened slightly at her smile, and he used his thumb and index finger to gently catch her small chin and pull it up.
Staring at her with his blue-gray eyes, Kay whispered.
“You’re pretty when you smile, Iris. Pretty enough to make me want to swallow you whole.”