Fostering the Male Lead

Chapter 48

“I have some good news for you. Do you want to know what it is?”

It was indeed great news. Sihael’s ears perked up. I reached out and gently patted his neck.

“I think we can find Liliana. I happened to find something we can use to track her. The good news will come soon.”

It was the news he had been waiting for, but Sihael only kept burrowing the ground.

“You don’t look so happy.”

“…Rosetta.”

“Yes.”

“I like women.”

I was wondering what nonsense he was talking about when it occurred to me that he was still bothered by my earlier question about whether he liked Leonard.

“I know. I was just kidding earlier.”

I patted his neck and then stroked his head.

“Did you leave without me earlier because of that?”

“I assumed you’d follow me.”

I always went after him and comforted him whenever we disagreed, so he must have assumed I would do it again this time. But this time, after a long wait, I didn’t show up, which irritated him even more. I lightly scratched his head as he grumbled. When he was in a bad mood, this was one of the few things I tried, and it always worked.

Sihael’s eyes began to droop.

“I came here immediately after visiting Nanabi.”

“You should have come with me right away.”

“You’re such a child, Your Highness!”

The way he frowned and grumbled was quite endearing, so I pulled his cheeks and teased him, and he bit my lips like earlier times.

“Ah!”

The scratch from his big tooth on my tender skin tingled. My eyes frowned at the fishy taste of blood that filled my mouth.

“Didn’t I tell you not to bite my lip?”

“That’s your punishment for saying those hurtful things to me.”

True, I teased him, but when Sihael said those words, I was taken aback and feigned a smile.

Sihael’s gaze was only on my lips as I stared at him, dumbfounded. “Can I lick your wound?” Sihael asked, wagging his tail.

“Then, would you feel better?”

“Of course.”

Well, okay, Mr. Male lead. Do as you please.

I pulled Sihael’s face closer to me.

“As soon as the bleeding stops, you will let me go. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Sihael licked my lips with his warm tongue. I wondered whether this could be called a kiss. Feeling my face become wet from Sihael’s saliva, I looked like I was going to cry. If it was going to be a kiss, wouldn’t it be better to do it with a handsome male lead? Even though Sihael’s spirit was of the male lead, his shell was actually a dog.

“All right, now get off me.”

Sihael, who managed to understand my muffled pronunciation, stepped back. I lowered my sleeves and wiped my lips. Because of how much he licked me, my sleeves were completely soaked. When I looked at the person who had made my clothes in this manner, he simply acted dumb.

“Rosetta, will your blood still taste good even after I return to my human form?”

“How would I know that? You can maybe try it later.”

I said it without much thought, but Sihael pricked up his ears, as if finding it tempting.

“Can I really bite you?”

“Yes, your highness. You can do as you please.”

Gently stroking Sihael’s hair, I got up.

“Since we’re out, how about we go for a walk?”

“Okay”.

“Let’s change clothes first, then go mountain trekking today.”

“All right, let’s do it”.

I couldn’t believe that a person who pretended to be sick to avoid the walks every day was willing to follow me.

I guess he’s in a good mood.

* * *

Standing at the foot of the mountain after changing clothes, I warmed up lightly.

“Today, we’ll climb up to the summit.”

“Do you want to bet on who’s going to reach the summit first?”

“What kind of bet?”

“The loser grants the winner’s wish.”

Seeing you say this, you must want something.

I told him ahead of time in case he made an unusual wish.

“No strange wishes are allowed.”

“Certainly!”

“Good. Then, start!”

I swiftly kicked the ground and took off. From behind, Sihael yelled that it was a foul.

‘Whatever! I don’t care!’

In order to beat the wolf Sihael, I had to use tricks like this. However, I could not defeat a four-legged beast, even with my tricks. Sihael passed by me, causing a strong gust of wind.

“I’ll go first! Bye!”

“Your highness! Please be humane! Please cut me some slack!”

“But I’m a wolf now!”

Sihael clenched his teeth and accelerated his speed after provoking me with his retort. I let out a wry smile, amazed at how far Sihael had run in such a short time. I pumped up my legs to catch up to Sihael. My hair, which was pulled back into a high ponytail, brushed against my cheek.

‘I agreed to the bet even though I knew I couldn’t win, but why am I taking this so seriously?’

It was amusing how, despite my intention to take this all lightly, I ended up following Sihael with my eyes flaming with greed for victory.

“The left road is mine!”

Sihael looked back at me when I shouted that I wanted the less difficult left road of the fork.

My annoyance heightened at the look on his face that said, ‘Okay, I’ll give you this much.’

‘Just you wait! I’ll definitely win. I will never lose!

Just as I gritted my teeth and increased my speed, I felt my body bend forward and a chill creep up my toes.

Swoosh! Thud!

A burning odor accompanied the sound of something exploding. When I turned around, a large hole had appeared in the tree, which had previously been fine. It was dripping with a dark red liquid.

“What is this…?”

Swish!

I leaned back and dove for cover as another attack flew in.

“Where are you?”

Because of the trees and rocks in my way, I couldn’t see the opponent. I drew my sword from my belt. I had brought it with the purpose of killing the Empress’s assassins if they reappeared, but it was fortunate that I had taken it with me. I took a fighting stance and took a glance around. Along with the sound of the wind, I could hear something rustling in my ears. The closer I got, the stronger the odor became.