CHAPTER 328: THE DRESS THAT SAYS IT ALL ( 328 )

The morning light slipped through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room.

Ellyn’s golden eyes fluttered open, her lashes trembling as she slowly adjusted to the brightness.

She sat up a little, rubbing her eyes with her small hands. The warmth of the blanket tucked around her body gave her pause. She blinked.

Her gaze darted around the cozy bedroom, her mind hazy. Then realization struck, and her face turned red.

D-Did we... already... do it?

Her hands clutched at her clothes, checking quickly, her heart pounding in her chest. But everything was untouched. She looked down at herself.

Still the same petite body she’d been disguising all along.

"Mou..." she puffed her cheeks, slumping back against the pillow. This is all because of the cooking! If I hadn’t fainted, I could’ve told him last night. Then...

Her ears drooped as she buried her face under the blanket. Now I missed my chance...

But then, just faintly, the smell of something roasted drifted into the room.

Ellyn curled deeper into the blanket, her tail flicking in restless irritation as her thoughts swirled.

Why am I the one being so eager...? she frowned, ears twitching.

Isn’t it supposed to be Hazuki who should be chasing after me? A man should be the one eager, not... not me, hiding under a blanket like this.

He didn’t even try anything. Not even a hint. Just tucked me in, like I was some... some little girl.

Her fingers curled against the blanket.

But isn’t that weird? While other men keep trying to make moves on me.

She bit her lip, her ears lowering slightly.

Does he really see me as nothing more than a kid? Even though... even though I’m already an adult?

The door creaked open, and Hazuki stepped inside with his usual calm expression.

"Ellyn, wake up and go wash yourself. Here."

He held out a neatly folded dress toward her.

"Eh...?" Ellyn blinked at the outfit in his hands, her ears perking in confusion.

It was clearly a kid’s dress.

Hazuki scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"I went out and bought one for you since yesterday you insisted on picking those adult dresses. Then I realized... you don’t actually have anything proper to wear."

Her tail puffed slightly as she sat up, glaring at him.

"But... I’m not a kid!"

"Yes, yes," Hazuki replied casually, waving off her protest. "Now go wash up. Breakfast is ready, but it’s just roasted meat."

Ellyn puffed her cheeks, clutching the blanket around her as she stared at the dress in his hands.

"I told you, I’m not a kid!" Ellyn pouted louder this time, her ears twitching and tail flicking sharply behind her.

Hazuki let out a small sigh, setting the dress neatly on the edge of the bed. "Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard that before. Now go wash up and clean yourself."

Ellyn grumbled under her breath, hugging the blanket tighter around her.

He keeps treating me like a child when I’m not!

Hazuki straightened up and stretched. "And after breakfast, we’re going."

"Huh? Going where?" Ellyn asked quickly, her ears perking.

"Escorting you back to Pawston," Hazuki replied casually.

"Eh!? Why?" Ellyn’s voice jumped, eyes wide with shock.

Hazuki looked at her like she’d just asked why water was wet. "Huh? Of course I’m sending you back. Your parents are probably worried sick by now. It’s been, what... two days already, right?"

Ellyn froze, biting her lip, her tail stiff behind her.

Back... to the palace?

Without sealing the deal? Ellyn’s chest tightened, her fingers digging into the blanket.

Without completing it?

Without finalizing the oath?

Impossible.

If Hazuki sends her back now, everything she’s endured will have been for nothing. The pinky promise in its current state binds him, but not fully.

Without the final oath, the protection is fragile. Once others discover that weakness, they’ll come for her again. Those men... those vile hands... she could already feel their hungry stares creeping back into her future.

No.

If the promise is completed, not even the boldest of them would dare to touch her. The seal would be absolute. She would belong only to him and he to her.

Ellyn tilted her head further, golden eyes shimmering as she pressed a finger against her lips.

"Do you not miss me?" she asked sweetly, her voice soft and playful.

Hazuki pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a long sigh as he stared at her acting. "What are you trying to pull now, Ellyn...?"

"Nothing," she replied quickly, swaying her tail as she fidgeted with her hands, cheeks flushed as though embarrassed.

"It’s just... can we postpone it? You know... since it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other..." Her eyes lifted, glowing with a pleading innocence that felt all too practiced.

Hazuki rubbed the back of his neck, exhaling again. "What am I going to do with you..."

He glanced at her face, at how stubbornly she clung to that act, and finally gave in. "Fine. Just today. But tomorrow, we’re moving. You do realize from here to Pawston will take at least three days if we rush."

"Now go shower and clean yourself. Breakfast is not waiting. If you’re late, I’m sure Ridan will eat your portion. Since after he figured out how to touch food, he hasn’t stopped," Hazuki said, pointing toward the door.

From the living room came a loud protest. "Oi! I’m not going to take her portion when I already got someone’s portion here!"

Hazuki sighed, rubbing his forehead before shouting back. "You and your girlfriend stop eating my food!"

Ellyn giggled softly, watching Hazuki rush out of the room toward the dining table. Her tail swayed as her lips curved into a small smile.

She set the plain kid’s dress neatly on the chair.

This one can wait. For today... I’ll wear the adult dress.

Ellyn stepped into the shower room, closing the door behind her. She let the kid’s dress slip from her shoulders, pooling at her feet.

Her right eye shimmered faintly, a golden ripple spreading over her small frame. In an instant, her childlike body began to shift.

Her figure stretching, her form softening into curves, shape of a young woman.

Her arms, once thin and small, now slender and feminine. Her chest rose with gentle fullness, her waist drawing in before flaring into smooth hips. Her legs, long and shapely.

The golden fur of her ears flicked lightly, her tail swaying behind her with a smooth grace. Even her face, while still carrying the same innocence Hazuki always teased, now had a subtle sharpness that made her smile both sweet and... dangerous.

She touched her lips, remembering the kiss they once shared. Back then, Hazuki thought it was just her playing around with some magic. A small chuckle escaped her throat, soft but filled with pride.

"He still doesn’t realize... this is the real me."

The steam from the shower wrapped around her, clinging to her smooth skin as droplets trailed down the lines of her body. She closed her eyes, tilting her head back, her long golden hair dampening at the ends.

Her lips curled into a small smile as she lathered the soap over her skin, the foam sliding down her curves and vanishing into the steam. Her tail swayed lazily behind her.

"I wonder..." she thought with a faint smile, "...how will he react when he sees the real me?"

Her tail swayed slowly behind her as she rubbed the soap across her body, rinsing it away in smooth motions. Each gesture carried a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

She pictured Hazuki’s calm, careless expression breaking into shock, maybe even awe. The image made her cheeks flush as she pressed a hand against her chest, feeling her heartbeat quicken.

Rinsing her long, damp hair over her shoulders, she imagined herself walking out to the table, sitting beside him.

Not the small, pouty version of herself, but the woman she truly was.

Her fingers trailed lightly along her cheek as she giggled softly. "Sitting right beside him... in my true form... eating breakfast together... fufu, I can’t wait."

The sound of the water filled the small room, blending with her quiet laughter, as her heart beat faster with the thought of the morning to come.

( End Of Chapter )