A Beast’s Courtesy

‘If only she weren’t human… I’d have kidnapped her and started a family by now….’

No matter how uninterested the Lycanthrope race was in art and how obsessed they were with fighting, their standards of beauty were the same as other races.

They too were drawn to fragile beauty, like a flower blooming on the edge of a cliff—ironically because of their love for battle.

Having rolled daily through bloody, violent battlefields, they had lost the ability to find their own kind attractive.

With that in mind, it was no surprise that Hakan fell for Sylvia, Fren, and Vanessa one after another.

No matter what their personalities were like, all three looked so delicate that they seemed incapable of snapping even a twig.

Hakan was staring at Vanessa’s slender limbs, unable to look away, when she approached after setting the water jug down.

He instinctively bared his teeth.

“Greetings, Lord Hakan.”

Contrary to his wary posture, Vanessa knelt on the floor and offered a polite bow.

The sight left Hakan bewildered.

“…What kind of scheme is this?”

“Apologies, I’m not sure what you mean.”

“No, I mean—when was it that you humans were baring your teeth right back at me?

Are you kneeling now to build momentum before jumping at me?”

“No.

I’m simply showing proper courtesy to Lord Hakan, Fren’s guest.”

‘Guest…!’

Hakan’s ears perked.

Vanessa even lowered her forehead to the floor as she continued.

“It seems there has been a misunderstanding.

Please wait a moment.

I will inform Lord Fren of your arrival.”

Hakan barely managed to stop the grin tugging at his lips as he cleared his throat.

“…Hmph.

Yes, do that.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, and tell him my subordinate, Nektor, is here as well.”

Nektor, standing like a shadow behind Hakan, offered Vanessa a polite nod.

Vanessa returned it and rose to her feet, picking up the water jug and heading to the kitchen.

Had the guest been anyone else, she would have abandoned the jug and rushed straight upstairs.

But the situation changed when the guest was Hakan.

Fren would certainly disapprove if she arrived empty-handed just to announce that “only” Hakan had come.

It was blatant discrimination, but she couldn’t help it.

Vanessa was Fren’s s*ave—his needs always came first.

Only after filling the jug with fresh water from the well did Vanessa climb back to Fren’s room.

“Lord Fren.”

“You’re a bit late, Vanessa.”

The first to react was Nefer, who whined impatiently.

“I almost shriveled up waiting for you.”

“My apologies.”

Vanessa leaned close to Fren’s ear and whispered that Hakan had arrived.

Fren looked unsurprised.

“To think he couldn’t sit still and already started causing a fuss.

How are they always so predictable?”

Good thing she made small talk beforehand.

Fren asked leisurely:

“Anything unusual?”

“As a s*ave, I merely showed courtesy, and he seemed extremely pleased.”

There must have been human slaves among the Lycanthropes too.

Fren snickered.

“The Lycanthropes don’t have anything resembling etiquette.

They only know how to beat and intimidate others into submission—they have no concept of teaching.”

“…….”

Nefer chimed in:

“Things without any refinement always go crazy over pointless formality.”

“…What should we do?

His subordinate, Lord Nektor, came as well.”

“Oh, he came too?

Must mean Hakan’s really in the prince’s good graces.

Hey, Fren—should we call them up?”

“Alright.

Vanessa, go fetch the two of them.”

“Yes.”

Vanessa immediately obeyed.

Hakan followed Vanessa toward Fren’s room, and irritation stirred in him as he saw the mansion’s luxurious interior.

‘So while we’re camping out in tents on the plains, they’re living like this…?’

No wonder the elves and sirens mocked them whenever they entered Lycanthrope territory.

‘When do we ever get to live like this?’

Sulking, Hakan pouted as Vanessa opened the door.

Fren remained seated as he greeted them.

“Welcome.”

“Your legs broken?

Why aren’t you standing?”

Fren replied without blinking.

“Welcome to my home.”

“…Forget it.

I should really stop talking.”

Hakan plopped into the armchair.

Immediately, a tray with a damp towel was offered to him.

He blinked when he noticed Vanessa kneeling beside the chair, but he reached for the towel as naturally as he could.

“Sorry I didn’t notice your arrival sooner.

I was having an important conversation with Nefer.”

Vanessa offered the tray to Nektor next.

He stared at her, visibly conflicted, before picking up the towel.

“What would you like to drink?”

“I didn’t come here to have some cutesy tea time with you.

Let’s get straight to the point.”

“Vanessa, bring the same drinks for our guests.”

“Yes.”

“You really don’t listen, you awful bastard.”

Hakan grumbled, but he didn’t refuse the apple wine Vanessa poured.

In fact, he downed it in one go as if he liked it.

As Hakan savored the sour aftertaste lingering on his tongue, Vanessa appeared again.

“Shall I pour you another?”

“Uh… yeah.”

Watching Vanessa bow her head and pour the drink, Hakan couldn’t help asking:

“Are all your slaves this… embarrassingly attentive?”

“Not as quick-witted as Vanessa, but similar.”

“…Why go that far with slaves?”

“Well, once you train them properly, their quality becomes different, doesn’t it?”

“…….”

Fren tickled Vanessa’s chin as she fed him a biscuit.

There was never a moment of peace around this man.

Hakan carefully set his glass down to avoid shattering it as he got to the point.

“Let’s finish the contract.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted.”

Nefer took out two copies of the contract.

Hakan and Fren reviewed their own.

Fren read his effortlessly, while Hakan repeatedly asked Nektor for help.

Watching this, Nefer whistled.

“Having such a smart subordinate must be reassuring.”

“Shut up.”

After barely finishing his review, Hakan scribbled his name with the quill.

He and Fren exchanged documents.

Nefer, standing between them, spoke to Fren.

“Once you pay the balance, the ruin is yours.”

Vanessa brought out a chest from the vault and placed it before Hakan.

When he opened it, rows of gemstones sparkled brightly—each the size of a baby’s fist.

Hakan couldn’t stop his lips from curling upward.

“Good.

Don’t you dare go back on this later.”

“Of course not.”

Hakan was about to dump the gems into the pouch he had brought, but Vanessa reacted quicker.

She snatched the chest back, and Nefer smacked the back of Hakan’s head hard.

Hakan jerked upward.

“What the— ow!”

“What the hell are you doing, you lunatic?!”

Nefer pummeled the back of Hakan’s head like a drum.

“Who stuffs gems like that?!

Just take the whole box!

Why are you putting them in that ragged pouch?!”

“I didn’t kill anyone—!”

“You basically did!

Do you know how much trouble I went through to get those?!”

Even the mighty Hakan shrank under Nefer’s fury.

Fren quietly told Vanessa:

“We should pay in gold coins instead.”

“Yes.”

“And earlier—you did very well.”

Fren tickled her chin again.

A little later, Hakan left carrying a pouch of gold coins half the size of his torso, grumbling:

“What’s so wrong about putting gems in a pouch…”

“The surface gets scratched!!

That lowers the price!!!”

“…Vanessa, calm Nefer down for me.”

Nefer looked ready to cough up blood from rage.

While Vanessa desperately soothed him, Hakan prepared to leave.

“You’re leaving already?

At least stay for dinner.”

“Eating with you would only upset my stomach.

Why bother?”

“Hakan, don’t go yet.

Stay a little longer.”

Fren poured himself some more apple wine and gestured to an empty seat.

“We’re not done talking.”

“Listening to you doesn’t get me money or food.”

“It’ll get you both, actually.”

Tempted, Hakan returned to his seat.

Fren poured him another drink.

“Hakan, how was today?

I imagine you sensed many things here.”

“…Sensed what?

I’ll be living here soon anyway.”

“You’d feel guilty living here alone.

Wouldn’t it be better to bring your kin—those suffering on the barren plains—here as well?”

Hakan’s eyes trembled.

Fren continued, thinking how easy this beast was to manipulate.

“I can arrange a special invitation for you to the Royal Ritual.”

“…Why?

You’re the one who said we’re basically slaves.

Why show kindness now?”

“Princess Daphne is very interested in your people.”

“…….”

“I hope you don’t waste this opportunity.

You even gained a smart subordinate—use him well.”

“That’s right—if you miss this chance, you truly are nothing but a beast.”

“Exactly.

If you miss thi— huh?”

Fren and Hakan both stared at Nefer, who had slipped into the conversation naturally.

Unlike earlier, he was completely calm.

“How did you calm down?”

“A kiss full of love.”

“…Sorry?”

“Kidding.

Vanessa’s jewel-like eyes saved me.”

But the atmosphere had already turned frigid.

Vanessa wanted to disappear like dust.