I approached Woofu slowly, step by step. As I got closer, Woofu's pupils dilated, and his breathing became more intense. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared of the sight of Woofu's large neck swallowing saliva, but this was my battleground. I placed my hand on Woofu's head.
"Don't do anything reckless. Woofu tears people apart,"
Hunter said. It was a scary warning that made my legs feel weak but, I didn't stop, scratching Woofu's broad forehead. Woofu's continued to growl, but there was no sign of it attacking or trying to devour me. The giant tiger snorted long breaths as it once again extended its tongue, licking my neck and face from bottom to top.
"...Woofu seems to like you,"
Hunter said in an unimpressed voice. However, I knew how surprised Hunter truly was. Woofu was a murderous tiger, practically a wild beast trained to not be tamed by anyone except Hunter.
But now, in my arms, was a bundle of catnip grass. To put it simply a drug for cats.
I pretended to be innocent and put on an innocent, clueless face.
"How did you know Woofu was sick? Very few people know that fact."
In the Melian Empire, a tiger-like Woofu, which followed only the Crown Prince, was considered a kind of religious symbol. The tiger was the symbol of the god Eura, and people regarded Woofu, which obeyed only Hunter, as a sacred animal. Woofu was part of Hunter's power.
So, Hunter must have been very worried when Woofu started to get sick, In addition to the pain of a beloved and cherished pet. It would mean that part of Hunter's power was crumbling
"Is someone conspiring with you?"
Hunter asked casually. His expression wasn't fierce, and his gaze wasn't sharp. It was as if he was asking if I had had lunch today. But I knew Hunter was an unchanging character who didn't show mercy to those blocking his path.
So, the question he just asked could either save or doom me. I swallowed my saliva and answered cautiously.
"I love animals."
"You love animals."
"Yes, very, very much."
As I spoke earnestly, Hunter's eyebrows twitched slightly.
"So, that's how I knew. When the tiger attacked me, I sensed something unusually ill!"
I gestured to Woofu's face.
"Do you see the trembling around the eyes here? That's because of the lack of magnesium. The nose is dry too. Normally, big cats like this should have moist noses. Right now, the Tiger's nose is almost turning into a desert. Plus, these teeth! Continuously showing fangs and growling. Can you see the saliva slightly accumulating in its mouth? It's a serious problem. Right now."
When I was young, I raised a hamster once and later took care of some stray cats. That was the extent of my experience with animals. However, I spoke confidently and rapidly, like an animal expert. Hunter was listening to me with a more stern expression than before. Judging by the subtle changes in his expression, I could tell he was paying quite a bit of attention.
"You, are you a veterinarian?"
"I'm not a vet. Just someone who loves animals very, very much, and I can be considered someone who knows how to fix this tiger."
This statement was true. I was the player of this game, and Hunter Melian was a character I had already conquered. I had fixed this tiger several times before, even if it was just a few mouse clicks. Nevertheless, knowing the method was crucial.
"If that's the case, fix Woofu right now. Of course, if it goes wrong for Woofu, it also mean the end of your life here."
Hunter placed his hand on Woofu's body as he spoke. His words were about 1.2 times faster, he seemed quite impatient. It was the moment I had been waiting for. I looked straight at Hunter and took a step back.
"Sorry, Your Highness Hunter. If you want me to fix the tiger, you'll have to consider my conditions."
"Speak your conditions."
I was worried that he might protest or be upset by my conditions, but Hunter seemed to consider it natural that I would make some demands. Of course, I couldn't even imagine what I would demand. I took a deep breath and spoke.
"Please marry me."
"What are you talking about?"
"Marriage. To be precise, a contract marriage."
My face was reflected in Hunter's indifferent violet eyes. He scrutinized my face as if trying to find any hidden meanings behind my words. I faced him with confidence, although deep down, I was a bit nervous.
"Marriage to the Prince of the Melian Empire?"
He said slowly.
"In any case, marriages among the aristocracy or nobility are all like contracts, but ours would be a bit different since it has a set period."
Since the moment I decided to conquer Hunter, I had prepared and organized the words I would say. I continued confidently, even though I was a bit intimidated.
"As you know, I am a child born into our family. I can't go back home as it is, and I don't want to be exiled again. To break free from Narcissus's influence, I have no choice but to enter a more powerful family. I want that family to be the strongest aristocratic family in this empire."
"You're bold. What's in it for me?"
"As you know, Your Highness, you currently hold the title of prince, but you're not the only heir, right?"
Below Hunter, there were rows of princes and princesses. Among them, the most frequently mentioned successor along with the Crown Prince was the Second Prince. The Crown Prince, who gained strong popularity among the people for his sacred tiger, consistently showed excellent abilities. The second prince enjoys the support of the nobility thanks to the wealth of his maternal family. The battle between the two successors for the throne has been going on for several years.
"You need the support of the nobles, don't you?"
"Even if I marry someone abandoned by the family, what support can I get?"
"Of course, our family will stand by the Second Prince. But, Your Highness Hunter, it's me, Del Narcissus."
Hunter tilted his head slightly, looking puzzled. For dramatic effect, I lifted my chin.
"The Daffodil of the Empire."
In the game, choosing Hunter's route automatically turned all the noble families related to Hunter's followers into supporters of the Crown Prince. This was probably true in reality (if we could call it that). In the midst of people going bankrupt and committing suicide because of me, it was easy to gain support by siding with the Crown Prince.
But Hunter seemed less impressed by my logical reasoning. He blinked a few times and spoke quietly.
"Do you really think you could convince me with that ?"
"I understand it's hard to believe. But announcing our engagement will bring noticeable changes. Moreover, the greatest benefit Your Highness will gain from this marriage is honor and public opinion."
I pointed at Woofu.
"If I can't fix Woofu here, Woofu will soon die."
For the first time, Hunter showed a bewildered expression. His gaze shifted from Woofu to me.
"If Woofu dies, I'll be treated as a traitor to the empire. If the sacred animal of Eura, the guardian animal of the empire leaves you... it can be interpreted as if the gods abandoned the Crown Prince."
"That's right."
I quietly added as I looked at Hunter's face.
"And Your Royal Highness will be saddened."
Hunter, without saying a word, gently stroked Woofu's head and ears. The satisfying growls and menacing roars mixed, resonating throughout Woofu's body.
"How much time are you thinking for the deadline?"
"Engagement for a year, marriage for a year."
In the game, Hunter's ending concluded with marrying Del and becoming the Empress. Therefore, it was necessary to not only maintain the engagement but also proceed to marriage to achieve the true ending. Considering preparations for a stable life even after divorce, I estimated that about a year would be needed. I cheerfully waved two fingers.
"Just give me two years, and I'll cleanly divorce you."
Hunter nodded. He extended his hand to me. I shook his hand vigorously and secured the promise to proceed with writing the contract.
"Now, let's fix Woofu."
Hunter spoke with a firm voice. However, his slightly rushed tone hinted at his anxiety. I approached Woofu, who looked at me with a dazed expression due to the catnip smell. Then, using both hands, I opened Woofu's mouth wide.
"What are you doing right now?!"
Hunter sounded flustered, raising his voice, but I paid no attention and put my upper body into the tiger's mouth.
"Del Narcissus!"
"Please hold the tiger's mouth!"
Shouting as loudly as possible inside the hot, damp, and sticky tiger's mouth, I reached my arms towards the giant throat.
"Welcome to Del Narcissus's crazy show."
[You guys tell me if you want me to publish 20 chapters each day or more than 20 each day to get caught up with the novel cuz i can do that ☺️]