The Proposal

To say he had high standards.

Even uneducated slaves could tell Nefer had not meant those words as praise.

But because of his earlier warning and the murderous aura flowing from Hakan, no one dared laugh.

Breathing was difficult.

In that tension like thin ice ready to break at any second, someone swallowed dryly.

―Crunch.

Something was being chewed.

Hakan turned his head so fast it sliced the air.

Fren was deliberately putting another neatly sliced fruit piece into his mouth.

Hakan was dumbfounded.

He had just cornered a normal Lycanthrope alongside Nefer like a pack hunter, and now Fren was calmly eating fruit like nothing mattered.

His shamelessness, as though unrelated to any of this, made Hakan’s teeth grind.

But the most humiliating part was something else.

That damned face…! That face I’d rip apart if I could…!

Even now, Fren’s beauty was blinding.

Hakan clenched his jaw.

If Fren had been anything less than Sylvia-level beautiful, or not an Elder, he would already be torn to pieces on the floor.

As Hakan stared obsessively at Fren, barely containing his rage, Nefer swam over and leaned against the boat.

“Sorry for not being considerate, Hakan.”

He winked.

“Next time, I’ll invite Lady Sylvia too, so you can reunite with all your loves at once.”

Weaker in status and beauty than Fren, Nefer’s final jab snapped something inside Hakan.

Something in his head tore.

Hakan lunged forward.

The intention was unmistakable.

About time he exploded.

Fren picked up another fruit and called the soon-to-be star of the show:

“Vanessa.”

Vanessa, who had been sitting across from him holding the fruit tray, lifted her head.

At that same moment, Hakan reached Nefer with a speed unfit for his size and raised his arm high.

The muscular bronze arm transformed instantly into a massive beast’s forelimb.

He swung.

Some guests closed their eyes, certain blood would spill.

―Screeeech.

A horrid noise made everyone’s eyes snap open.

The claws meant to tear Nefer’s flesh had pierced straight through the tray and stopped in midair.

Hakan stared in disbelief at Vanessa, who had blocked his strike with nothing but the tray.

Then he froze.

Through the silk-black hair peeked a snow-white face and lips red like wild strawberries.

The killing intent burning in Hakan melted like ice.

And it wasn’t only that.

―Crack, crunch.

With the sound of shifting bones, fur vanished and his paw reverted to a thick human arm.

Vanessa put the tray down cautiously.

She couldn’t fully relax.

Fren watched with his chin resting on his hand behind her, and Nefer stood before her with arms crossed.

Any carelessness could cost both their lives.

She scanned her surroundings for anything that could serve as a weapon.

She would have—if Hakan hadn’t grabbed her wrist faster than sight.

Letting her guard down around someone like him was a mistake.

Vanessa tried to break free, but it was impossible.

No matter what she did, he didn’t move at all.

Her blood felt like it was freezing.

How strong is he? How much training does it take to overcome racial difference? Or is it simply impossible?

Shock turned into fear.

In this cramped space without a weapon, she couldn’t protect Fren, let alone both of them.

Because of that panic, she didn’t notice how strange the situation already was.

If Hakan had intended to kill Vanessa first and then attack the others, he would have done it already.

But he didn’t.

He only stared into her face.

Now Vanessa couldn’t help thinking it strange.

Why isn’t he attacking? Is he trying to lower my guard before striking?

While Vanessa desperately tried to analyze, Hakan finally spoke.

“Let’s get married.”

Boom.

Vanessa’s mind exploded.

She froze.

“Hng—”

Right beside her, Nefer shoved his face into the water making a strange noise, though the water was too shallow to hide how violently he was shaking with laughter.

Even Fren, who normally would quiet Nefer down, was elegantly smiling.

Normally Hakan would have roared for them to stop laughing, but he saw no one except Vanessa.

He continued, voice trembling with sincerity:

“We’re different races, and we’re both male, so we can’t have children, but that’s fine. We can just take a kid with good bloodlines from someone else.”

“……”

“I’m basically appointed as the next chieftain. I can support a family without any problem… huh?”

Right in the middle of his passionate proposal, he suddenly threw Vanessa’s wrist away.

Vanessa flinched at the sudden motion.

Hakan grabbed her hair roughly.

Seeing the round human ears beneath it, Hakan froze again—but differently.

“Are you kidding me, you’re human?!”

The guests could hold it no longer.

They burst into roaring laughter loud enough to shake the hall.

But Hakan was too shocked even to glare at them.

He bellowed:

“Are you insane! This isn’t right! How could I almost— with a human—?! This is insane! Absolutely insane!”

He repeated “insane” many times in only seconds.

His mind clearly couldn’t think of any other word.

While he kept muttering like a broken machine, Nefer raised his head out of the water.

“Well what else would he be, if not human? Anyway, now say hello properly.”

Nefer turned to Vanessa.

Vanessa had already regained her composure.

She sat still, blank-faced, unmoved.

Nefer admired the nerve and made introductions.

“She is Vanessa, Fren’s s*ave and his eternal masterpiece.”

Refusing to admit he had mistaken a human for something else, Hakan screamed:

“How can that be human?!”

“If she isn’t human, then what is she?”

Hakan yelled again:

“She’s slim, fast, and pretty — obviously an elf!!!”

Nefer shook his head.

“You really do nothing but earn the hatred of elves. Vanessa doesn’t look like an elf at all. Look at those flat ears.”

“How am I supposed to check ears when the face is like that?!”

“Oh, Hakan!”

Nefer grabbed his shoulder dramatically.

“You’re the best! You never disappoint us!”

“Shut up!!”

Nefer burst into laughter again, and Hakan clamped a giant hand over his own mouth.

For the first time in his life, his stomach churned.

I’m gonna throw up.

He swallowed hard and stared again at Vanessa.

Just like Fren, she sat as though the situation had nothing to do with her.

Hakan studied her features again.

Her small white face held features more perfectly balanced than nature itself.

But however beautiful, human was human.

Filthy.

Only useful as slaves.

A worthless race.

Hakan knew that better than anyone.

And so he could not forgive himself.

“This isn’t right. This can’t be…”

“Denying reality only makes you uglier, Hakan.”

Nefer glided through the water and pressed his cold body against Hakan’s.

“Just accept it.”

Nefer traced his finger along Hakan’s bronze arm.

“You fell for a human—the race you mocked and despised.”

But then Nefer flinched.

Hakan’s eyes glowed with pure, animalistic instinct.

Even I’m a little scared of that.

If Nefer provoked him further, something truly disastrous would happen.

Sensing it, he darted back to Vanessa’s side.

“…Don’t make me laugh.”

Hakan’s murderous gaze moved from Nefer to Vanessa.

His voice was icy, unlike his fire-like presence.

“I’ll never accept it.”

With that, Hakan stormed out of the party.

The other Lycanthropes scrambled after him.

Once their intimidating presence disappeared, Vanessa felt relieved.

And Fren looked delighted.

He murmured, face flushed with satisfaction:

“As expected, that beast is excellent material for theatrical drama.”