What was Kibon’s identity, really?

Even Kiaros, when talking about Kibon, always dodged the topic. He was trustworthy, yes—but there was always that implication that he was hiding something.

“Now that I think about it, even Kibon himself stopped pretending at some point that he was just an ordinary intern.”

Was it after we entered the palace? Probably around then, Kibon must’ve been preparing to tell me something.

The fact that he kept hesitating probably meant his real identity wasn’t so... upright.

But at this point, none of that mattered.

“Do you really feel the same way I do?”

If so, then I really could trust what Kibon said. Even if he was some kind of test subject—I didn’t care.

Kibon leaned closer, his voice hoarse as he asked me softly,

“Really... are you really okay with whoever I am?”

“If you’re the Kibon Altess I know.”

And while we’re at it, I hope he’s not some doppelgänger from a legend or something.

To be sure, I declared it firmly.

“You carried scroll boxes for me, saved me from Oson, worked with me in the Scroll Department, gave me a bunch of digestive medicine, carried me through the city in the middle of the night, and together we destroyed the palace chapel...”

Listing them one by one, I realized it truly didn’t matter what Kibon was.

“If you’re the same person who promised to stay by my side, no matter what kind of test subject you are, then I’m fine.”

It’s a ridiculous thing to say, but for a second, I understood my dad—how he got married just for love.

Kibon swallowed hard and asked,

“What if I’m still that person... but the outside is a little different?”

Huh? The outside?

Is he saying he’s a monster in a human shell?

“Ah, wait. If it’s that, I might actually have trouble.”

Just thinking about fangs and scales—classic monster traits—made me instinctively recoil.

I furrowed my brow a little, then cautiously spoke while watching his reaction.

“If—if I really stretch my tolerance... as long as it’s humanoid...”

Kibon seemed a bit shaken when I said “humanoid.” I laughed awkwardly and added,

“I mean, we’ve got to be the same species at least, if we’re going to... you know, express affection for the sake of, uh, reproduction...”

“Ah.”

Kibon gave a quiet chuckle and whispered,

“Affection like that...”

Then with the same fingers that had been brushing away my tears, he traced lightly across my lips. My body flinched at the subtle, unfamiliar sensation.

“That’s... really important.”

Desire flickered in his black eyes. The slow touch across my lips made my breathing grow a little shallow.

Most of all, the way he was staring at me—so blatantly—it was overwhelming.

“Ugh...”

Alone in this space, just like that time we were trapped in the storage room, my heart pounded wildly.

From head to toe, a tingling sensation swept through me, clouding my judgment.

“Um.”

I looked around and muttered,

“If I’m being extra generous... even if you have scales or something, if they’re in places I can’t see or if you can keep them hidden...”

“Scales?”

“You said your shell is different. If you’ve got scales or something, and you just don’t show them, I think I can live with you staying like this.”

Kibon blinked blankly, then suddenly burst into laughter.

He bent over, laughing like he truly couldn’t take it anymore, like this was the most fun he’d had in forever.

“Ah... seriously...”

Laughing low under his breath, he teased me,

“Well, I can transform into a form with scales, but...”

“Ugh...”

“It’s just that I’m not old enough yet. Give me a little time, and I’ll be able to.”

“Ughhh.”

“I mean, I could hide it forever if you want. But honestly, after flying here today, I really kind of want to give you a ride sometime. It felt amazing.”

“Uuuugh.”

Ride? What, is he a horse-type monster with scales?

I tried hard not to imagine a scaly horse-shaped thing.

There are things in life you’re just better off not knowing. I was really good at pretending not to know such things.

I just... wanted to focus on the memories and the relationship I’d built with Kibon.

Thinking that, I ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) stared straight into Kibon’s eyes.

“...What is it?”

He stopped laughing and asked in a husky voice,

“You’ve been making that face like you’ve got something to say...”

Wow...

This really was Kibon.

The real Kibon—only he could read my expression like that.

People said my face was unreadable no matter how long they’d known me.

I nodded slowly, then asked him gently,

“Yeah...”

There was a question I’d been dying to ask. I’d just been holding it in because of the mood.

“Why do you keep speaking informally?”

The moment I asked, he blinked, caught off guard.

Then with a small groan, he offered an excuse.

“It’s just... when I get excited, I get confused...”

“Ah, the Imperial language?”

“No, not that.”

Kibon removed his hands from my face and slowly took mine instead.

Then, again, seriously asked,

“So, you really don’t care what shell I have?”

“I didn’t say I didn’t care. Go back and listen carefully to what I said.”

“Well, at least my real form is humanoid.”

I let out a deep breath. As long as his base form was humanoid, I didn’t need to imagine the worst.

If he ever transformed into a scaly horse, I’d make sure he never did again.

“Wow, this is actual true love, huh.”

Anyway, I really did like Kibon that much.

Just as I nodded deeply—

“Huh?”

Kibon’s hair started changing color—from the tips up, glowing golden.

“Wait, what?”

His previously sharp, cold eyes turned elegant and noble, and his irises turned crimson.

“Wha—wha—what?!”

It felt like I’d been smacked in the head.

“My... special ability...”

Even his voice had changed! And it was a voice I knew. A voice I knew all too well.

“I can transform into other people.”

I stared blankly at Kiaros standing before me, then quietly slipped my hand from his grip.

Still dazed, I bowed respectfully.

“I greet His Highness, the Crown Prince.”

My brain snapped into overdrive.

“Holy—damn.”

That’s when I realized.

I had never once seen Kiaros and Kibon in the same place at the same time.

So then... the Crown Prince’s secret ability that no one knew...

“Namia.”

He spoke in a low voice, and I answered politely.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Don’t do this. Please.”

“I must, Your Highness. I’ve fully assessed the situation.”

Until now, Kiaros had played his role so well—just adding the fact that Kibon and Kiaros were the same person made everything click perfectly.

I remembered what he said the last time we met:

[In truth, His Highness was a bit suspicious of the Minister. Thought you might be working with the Reformists...]

He was right. I was connected to them.

[If His Highness finds it suspicious and investigates, I’ll fully cooperate. I believe that’s what’s best for the Empire.]

I had told him to investigate all he wanted.

Kiaros had done nothing wrong. He truly was the future of the Empire, just as I had acknowledged.

I spoke politely again.

“Your decision was logical and perceptive. Using your special ability and keeping it hidden was, of course, necessary.”

Kiaros just stared at me.

“Come on. Just be honest. Please?”

“This is the result of my most sincere and honest loyalty.”

I smiled with the most textbook-perfect expression imaginable, and Kiaros let out a deep sigh.

Then he met my gaze again and spoke softly.

“Look. Again.”

His golden hair shifted back to black, and the Kibon I knew reappeared.

“So? Is it easier to talk to me like this?”

He carefully tried again.

“Can you really understand the real me...”

As his familiar face returned, I found myself involuntarily taking a deep breath.

Seeing those dark eyes, a little nervous, my smile deepened.

As the corners of my mouth crept higher and higher, Kiaros visibly flinched.

“Wow. I’m so jealous.”

I smiled brightly and said calmly,

“So jealous of you, Kibon.”

“W-wait...”

“You must’ve had so much fun, watching me babble cluelessly right in front of you—‘Oh, Dragon Oppa just loves Mia Mia Namia soooooo much~ ohohohoho~’—all while knowing the truth. Right?”