DSB 10

This man didn’t harbor malice toward him like the others.

Yutis alternated glances between the nonchalant Lebel and Shati, still baring its teeth.

“Aren’t you scared?”

“What should I be scared of? Didn’t you say it doesn’t bite?”

It was a savage beast unlike its master, but ultimately an obedient demonic beast that followed its master’s orders, right?

Yutis hesitated and then took Lebel’s hand, seating him right in front of himself.

As the unaccepted human mounted, Shati below shook its body in dissatisfaction. Yutis warned Shati, but the thrashing didn’t stop.

“Your Highness, you might get hurt like this. Wouldn’t it be better to return to the carriage now?”

“Hmm.”

Lebel pondered briefly and then emitted a bit of demonic energy.

“Kyaoong?”

Sensing Lebel’s demonic energy, Shati startled, stopped thrashing, and turned its head to look at Lebel.

“The fur is soft; it’s nice to touch.”

Ignoring the puzzled Yutis at Shati’s instinctive sense of danger and its reaction, Lebel smiled and stroked Shati’s head.

The magical beast called Shati resembled a snow leopard.

Much larger than a normal one, with long horns on both sides that were threatening, but to Lebel, it was like a cute cat.

Touching the soft fur reminded him of Karon, whom he had left in the Demon Realm.

Every time he saw a human servant, he realized how much Karon cherished and served him. Was he watching over him from above with the Demon God?

“Why is Shati suddenly……”

“Animals like me.”

They were all demons, though.

“That’s not……”

“Or maybe because you’re carrying me. Now, let’s go quickly.”

Yutis stared at Shati silently. Even if it was someone he carried, Shati would run wildly or bounce deliberately to shake them off if it didn’t like them. But now, it was docile. There was no sign of the earlier growling.

While Yutis expressed confusion, Lebel leaned back against the seat, resting on his chest.

Yutis flinched but adjusted his posture so Lebel could lean comfortably and even tucked the slipping blanket properly.

Lebel was impressed by the unexpectedly good ride. Because he was seated in front, he fit snugly into Yutis’s embrace. Thanks to Yutis’s sturdy build, the cold wind didn’t reach him.

Lebel was satisfied.

“Go quickly. I want to lie in bed.”

When he was a demon, just closing his eyes was akin to sleep, but the human body desperately craved a comfortable bed.

At that moment, a subordinate approached Yutis’s side.

“Lord Yutis, are you really going to ride with that fool….No, Your Highness?”

“We have to escort the imperial knights safely to the castle too, so just a few of you follow me.”

“Yes? W-wait……!”

Shati accelerated at Yutis’s urging. Lebel let out a small “whoa” in admiration. It was indeed fast. Shati plowed through the high snow, zigzagging through the dense forest like a shortcut.

The surrounding scenery passed by. Its high jumping power and speed far surpassed carriages or horses.

The cold wind felt refreshing. After running diligently, they arrived at the territory.

The territory existed inside walls circularly enclosing it to block demonic beast intrusions and attacks, and the castle was on a high mountain range overlooking the entire territory at a glance.

The castle on the high mountain range was surrounded by endlessly large walls.

Though small compared to the territory, as a castle, it was majestic.

One castle was like a separate large fortress.

As they neared the castle, those keeping watch from high places spotted Yutis and Shati and shouted.

“The young master has returned!”

As Yutis passed the main gate, nearby servants greeted him.

“Young master, we were worried because you were a bit late.”

“Were there demonic beasts?”

“Huh? Where are the others?”

Lebel thought upon hearing the servants’ joyful voices. He’s a beloved young master.

“Young Master Yutis, that person……”

“It’s Your Highness.”

The chattering ones fell silent upon seeing Lebel in Yutis’s arms.

It was hard to recognize due to the blanket, but the golden hair, red eyes, and beautiful features were evocative enough.

The one and only dominant omega prince of the empire, occupying the spot next to their precious young master.

Even knowing it was the hateful imperial prince, more people gathered, staring blankly.

He was that beautiful.

“Your Highness, we’ve arrived. Excuse me for a moment.”

Yutis carefully grabbed Lebel’s waist and set him down so his feet touched the ground.

“Is this the castle?”

As Lebel spoke while looking around, the people startled in shock.

They knew with their heads it was the prince, but his silent, blinking-eyed appearance had looked like a doll.

“Oh, is today the day the prince arrives?”

“It seems the emperor sent him early. We rescued him from a magical beast attack.”

“Why rescue him…. Oops!”

The one whose true feelings slipped covered his mouth. That one was relatively mild.

The blank staring at his appearance was momentary; like Yutis’s subordinates, the servants showed no hesitation in revealing hostility.

“Did they really send the prince as a bride?”

“We won the war, but there’s no intact spoils. We didn’t need the duke title or the prince, but they forced them on us.”

“They don’t need him themselves. Apparently, they tried matchmaking him in the imperial palace to get rid of him, but no one took him!”

“They say he’s a dominant omega in name, but he has none of the omega traits? That’s why all the alphas rejected him.”

“Look at that scrawny body. Won’t he wither away and die?”

The northern people were all honest. He had roughly expected not to be welcomed, but it was more intense. That meant they cherished this person that much.

Contrary to the subordinates’ reactions, Yutis’s expression hardened at their rude words, even though Lebel was clearly hearing them.

“Everyone, quiet. What are you saying in front of Your Highness?”

They were full of complaints but swallowed their words at Yutis’s single command. Yutis sighed and bowed his head to Lebel.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

“There’s no reason for you to apologize.”

It was they who had opened their mouths carelessly, failing to read their master’s intent.

“Isn’t he an idiot? They say he is.”

“It’s real.”

Though they lowered their voices, the whispers reached Lebel’s ears clearly.

It was something he had experienced in the imperial palace too. They had been surprised that the foolish prince had opened his mouth.

“But what’s with that speech?”

“You? Does he think he’s the emperor or something?”

“He’s looking down on us. The emperor must have taught him that way.”

Naturally, as an unwelcome being, even his speech grated on them, and they glared at him.

“Prince? The prince has come?!”

At that moment, a loud voice came from inside the castle.

Feeling as if the ground was thumping and shaking, Lebel turned his head toward the source of the noise, and a massive giant was approaching. Northern people were generally large, but this one was exceptionally so.

Seeing the surrounding people flustered and unable to stop him, it was clear he held a high position in the castle.

‘The duke?’

Lebel glanced at Yutis. Though not entirely similar in overall appearance, their builds and facial structures were alike.

He reached Lebel in an instant. The piercing black eyes glared at Lebel as if dissecting him. The malice rising in that gaze was blatant.

“Hah, to think I’d see that precious face. You finally came, huh.”

“Dad, this is His Highness.”

Dad? Lebel looked at Yutis with a surprised expression. Calling such a fierce face “dad” so casually.

Whether aware of the gaze or not, Yutis sent Lebel behind him protectively. Lebel tried to sidestep to see the man, but Yutis blocked him again.

Due to the damn large build, the presumed duke’s face wasn’t visible.

“I know that? Move aside. I can’t see that precious face.”

“If you look at him like that, His Highness will….”

“Yeah, move.”

“Your Highness.”

Lebel, agreeing with the man, patted Yutis’s back. Yutis rolled his eyes anxiously.

However, at Lebel’s urging, Yutis moved aside.

The man’s face came into view again, and his eyes burned with murderous intent.

“The rumors of your beauty are widespread. Perfect for ornamental use.”

“It’s rude for a first meeting.”

Yutis said with a sigh-like tone, and the man before him flinched slightly but didn’t hide his fierce malice.

Instead, he lifted his head arrogantly.

“Just a few months ago, we were enemies. Are you comfortably escorting this one here?”

“…He’s someone who will come to the castle anyway.”

“Come? Who permitted that?”