CHAPTER 269: THE EYES THAT SEE ALL ( 269 )

Inside Duke Belard’s mind...

"Ahh... she’s even more stunning than I remember..."

His eyes sharpened, teeth clenched behind a composed smile.

"Golden hair, soft lips, that body... the way she moves. I can’t wait to get her. The moment that Pinky Promise breaks... she’ll be mine."

While Marquis Reynard...

He sipped his wine slowly, but his tongue pressed against the back of his teeth.

"That skin... that curve at the waist... those legs. And that voice..."

His golden eyes narrowed with a quiet, burning hunger.

"I wonder how she tastes... when she screams my name."

And the others...

Some nobles looked composed—too composed.

But inside?

Dark thoughts brewed.

Some saw her as a prize.

Others as a trophy to possess, a tool to bind kingdoms, or a pet to be kept behind silken curtains.

Eyes gleamed with greed.

Desire.

Dominance.

Ellyna was not just admired.

She was being targeted.

Ellyna stood with calm poise as she approached her seat near Prince Leonhart.

But around her, though no voices were raised—

Thoughts were screaming.

Behind carefully masked faces, behind wine glasses and polished titles...

Lurked hunger.

Duke Belard, teeth clenched behind a diplomatic smile.

"Don’t worry, Princess... soon, you’ll be mine."

"Ah~ I can’t wait to claim you in bed. Once that pathetic human dies—once that pinky promise breaks—"

"You’ll never run again."

"I’ll make sure you scream my name in pleasure, every night, until you forget his face."

Other nobles weren’t far behind.

Their thoughts weren’t as organized—but no less dark.

"Damn... the only daughter of King Lioness... and she’s that hot?"

"How much would it cost? Land? Armies? I’d pay anything."

"I want her. I want her now."

"A girl like that shouldn’t walk around unclaimed."

Inside Ellyna’s mind...

She let out a quiet sigh. Her face remained composed.

"That old bloated fool is looking at me again... with that disgusting glint in his eyes."

Her Absolute Eye shimmered faintly—unseen by the court, but revealing far more than anyone would ever admit.

She didn’t just see faces.

She saw intent.

Desire.

Greed.

"I know what they’re thinking. Every dark, twisted thought behind their practiced smiles."

"This is exactly why... I took the risk that day."

Her fingers twitched slightly at her side, the memory vivid.

"I forced Hazuki to make that pinky promise...

Because he didn’t know what it meant here. He thought it was something cute—like in his old world."

"But here?"

"Here, it’s an oath."

"The one thing even the darkest noble wouldn’t dare break."

She smiled faintly, just enough to appear polite.

"I had to protect myself. And the only way... was to bind myself to the one man who’d never treat me like a trophy."

"To my dumb, wandering, clueless Uncle~"

"Can’t wait to meet you again~"

"Tehe~"

Her smile softened slightly, unseen by all but those who knew her best.

"By that time, Uncle...

I’m yours."*

She sat gracefully, her posture perfect—just as expected of a princess.

Eyes forward. Hands folded. Expression serene.

But inside her mind...

A different world bloomed.

The court hall faded.

In its place—

A sunlit courtyard.

The wind gentle.

A small wooden house nestled between hills, quiet and warm.

The land Hazuki had dreamed of buying.

And in front of that house—

Little girls.

Each one with soft golden hair.

Bright golden eyes.

Tails swaying playfully as they ran barefoot across the grass.

Small Ellyns.

Running. Laughing.

Giggling through the yard.

And then—

"Papa~!"

They called, arms raised, tiny feet chasing after one black-haired man standing under the shade of the tree.

Hazuki.

Still lazy. Still grumbling about work.

But his smile... real.

And her?

She stood at the door, a hand on her slightly rounded belly.

Watching them.

Heart full.

"That’s the future I want..."

"Not power. Not gold. Not a crown."

"Just that. That house. Those children. That man."

Ellyna sat, still holding that peaceful vision in her heart—until she realized...

Her cheeks were burning.

A soft reddish hue had crept across her face, and a faint trail of steam seemed to rise from the tips of her ears.

Smoky.

Like her thoughts were trying to escape her head and expose everything.

From beside her, Faria leaned in just slightly, keeping her voice low and composed—like a mother reminding a child not to chew too loudly at a banquet.

"Princess..." she whispered firmly.

"Stop imagining things like that again."

Ellyna blinked, startled.

"Eh? W-Wha?"

She turned her head slightly, golden eyes wide.

"I-I didn’t!"

Faria gave her a look.

The kind of look that said: "Don’t lie to me. I raised you."

Ellyna quickly straightened her back, biting her lower lip and pressing her hands together tightly in her lap. Her tail twitched once—then froze.

"Ugh... she caught me..." she mumbled under her breath.

Faria just exhaled softly, a small smile tugging at the edge of her lips.

"...Honestly."

Ellyna leaned in slightly, still whispering, her voice soft and hopeful.

"Faria?"

Faria glanced sideways. "Hmm?"

"What do you say... if I go on a journey with him?"

There was a short pause.

Faria blinked.

"Huh? Are you serious?"

Ellyna looked down at her hands, fingers lightly curling.

"...I mean... just the two of us..."

Faria’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Princess... you can’t. You’re the only heir of the Beastkin Kingdom. The royal family can’t just disappear with some man—especially that man."

"But... but..." Ellyna looked up at her, ears twitching anxiously. "I just want to be with him... even just for a while..."

Faria exhaled sharply , leaning in closer, voice a little more direct.

"And what if—"

She raised an eyebrow.

"—you go journey with him and end up doing it before marriage, hmm?"

Ellyna froze.

Eyes wide.

Face turned bright red again.

"What if you end up pregnant, Princess?"

There was a beat of silence.

"Tehe~" Ellyna whispered, turning her face slightly, trying to hide behind her hand with a tiny mischievous smile.

Faria groaned softly.

"...I should’ve expected that."

Ellyna leaned closer again, her voice low and dreamy.

"Isn’t it good, though? My child... with Hazuki~"

Faria nearly choked on air.

"Princess... stop being a pervert."

"Wha? I’m not!" Ellyna puffed her cheeks.

"It’s normal, right?"

Faria gave her a sharp sideways glance.

"After marriage."

Ellyna blinked innocently. "But the others do it before marriage too, right?"

Faria froze. Stunned.

She didn’t expect that comeback.

Didn’t know how to argue it—especially with a princess who wasn’t wrong.

Ellyna smirked slightly, eyes glinting with quiet victory.

"You even did it with your husband before marriage, right~?"

"P-Princess...!" Faria’s voice dropped to a flustered whisper. "Focus on the meeting!"

Ellyna slumped slightly, crossing her arms and huffing.

"Mou~ you’re boring."

Faria sighed in defeat, trying to maintain her composure as Ellyna sat back, tail swaying lazily behind her.

( End Of Chapter )