I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 26

(His Beast Form)

Isabella's eyes widened. In the blink of an eye, Leonus turned into a wolf.

A huge Wolf with black fur and red eyes…

I saw Rae in his dragon form. He had a majestic presence!

But Leonus… I don't know what to say. His eyes look calm but somehow dangerous.

Ahh…. What in the world...

I was befuddled for a moment. Is this really him?! Did he really transform into his beast form because I told him so!!

He was standing in the space between the two seats.

But suddenly Leonus sat down and put his head on my lap. Wait a second…..?! No matter what, he is a Royal and a Crown Prince at that. Can he sit down in the carriage like that!

"Your Highness?! What are you doing?! Please get up!"

But instead of doing anything, the wolf was staring at me with his red eyes.

"Your Highness!"

It's him, I guess. Even though he is in his beast form, he is looking at me the same way he always does.

Aghh! What do you want me to do!

"L-Leonus?"

He then started wagging his tail. What am I supposed to do?! Does he want me to touch him?

I slowly forwarded my hand and touched his head. In response, he started rubbing his head with my hand.

S-So cute~

I started patting him without realizing it! I didn't know that their furs could be this soft! I can't stop touching it!

So fluffy~

I could feel his body become stiff whenever I touched him. He must be feeling uncomfortable. What is wrong with me!

I then stopped touching him and removed my hand. Leonus didn't move and kept sitting on the carriage while lying his head on my lap.

Is he asleep? Is he going to continue the journey in this form? It will be uncomfortable though. Anyways, where are we even? I wonder how long we will have to stay in the carriage…

No sooner had I started thinking about that, the carriage stopped.

Hmm? Why did the carriage stop? Wait a second… What if someone sees Leonus like this?!

Suddenly-

Knock* Knock*

"Your Highness, we have arrived at the Portal."

Huh? Another one?! I looked through the window. This place also had a round ruined architecture. It was covered with layers of snow. And there aren't any flowers like there were on the first portal. It is a portal situated deep in the forest of Amsterrade Territory.

Fellmirr sure is a blessed Empire. In our Loire, some magicians can use Teleportation but there isn't any single portal there. Only ancient magicians are able to create such complicated magical structures.

Knock* Knock*

Ughh! I got sidetracked. I should wake Leonus up. I turned away from the window.

"Leo-"

Gasp*

Knock* Knock*

"Your Highness?"

The Knight from outside asked curiously.

"Tch! Shut up! I am coming."

Wha- Wh...

Chuckle*

"Princess? Are you interested in this form too? "

Leonus said while smirking.

Aghh! Why is he naked!

"Well, don't stare like that. You are making me shy, Princess. I mean, I did tell you that I will show you everything. But I didn't know Princess is this much interested in my body."

My face turned red! I hurriedly looked away and covered my face with both hands! What did I just see?!

Dear lord! I have sinned! I have just seen a man's naked body!

Chuckle*

He is smiling! Aghh! He must be thinking I am weird or something.

Aghh! When did he even transform back to his human form!? Was he even asleep?

How shameful!

I can hear a rustling sound. He must be wearing his clothes now. Ahh! What am I even thinking!

Suddenly Leonus came close to my ear and said slowly,

"Princess... Are you sure you don't want to see?"

Why would I even want to see that?!

I nodded rapidly.

"Am I that ugly?"

What? What is even talking about?!

Knock* Knock*

"Y-Your Highness?"

"Tch! Didn't I tell you to shut up!"

Eek~

The knight shivered at Leonus's scold.

Sigh~

"Princess."

"…"

Why are you calling me?

"Princess…"

"W-what is it?"

"Look at me."

"N-No!"

"Princess… please."

Aghh~ I can never disobey his words.

I slowly removed my hand from my face and turned around.

Phew~

He is wearing his clothes now.

"I can't believe this. You were pe-"

"Your Highness! We can't activate the portal without you! So please come out!"

"Sh*t. I will be going, for now, princess."

Leonus said while kissing my hand.

After that, he got out of the carriage with a smirk. Aghh~ Why is this happening to me! I can just die out of embarrassment!

I covered my face with both hands while thinking about my most shameful memory.

*

*

*

After a while, the portal activated with a huge rumbling noise.

Unlike the previous portal, this one was covered with mist.

I wonder why they couldn't activate it without Leonus. Is it because he is a Royal? I wonder.

Anyways this time everyone passed through the portal quickly. It was foggy inside the portal too.

After passing the portal, Ella got in the carriage.

["Princess, His Highness, the Crown Prince ordered me to accompany you through the rest of the journey."

"Ah- Is that so?... Sure~."]

I guess he has some work to do.

"Ella."

"Yes, Princess."

"Where are we now?"

"We are in the Dedra Territory now, Princess."

"I see."

I read about this in a book. Although it wasn't much. I just know that this is the nearest Territory to the Capital of Fellmirr. And it is in the south of Fellmirr, totally opposite of Amsterrade.

The portals sure are useful! If it weren't for it it would've taken months to reach the Capital.

I wonder who rules this Territory.

"This Territory is managed by the Lion Beastmen. And the territory we were in, Amsterrade, is managed by the Snow Bear Beastmen."

"Oh. Thanks for informing me about that, Ella."

"What are you saying, Princess?! It is my pleasure to serve you."

It feels awkward when someone says that.

"Anyways Ella. Are we going to stay in the Lion's mansion then?"

"Oh, No. It will be the opposite then. You see they stay in the south part of Dedra Territory and the Capital is next to the North part of the Dedra Territory."

"I see."

That must be why they didn't go to the Snow Bear's mansion. I mean, if a Noble visits a territory that is managed and owned by another Noble, the Noble who is visiting the certain Territory normally stays as a guest in the care of the Noble that owns that certain Territory.

"Instead we are going to make a camp in the forest for tonight, Princess."

Ella smiled and said.

"Is that so?"

"Yes!"

Well, it is not that cold here compared to that of Amsterrade. I guess it will be okay.