Chapter 9

I walked downstairs, and a bunch of furniture gathered around, asking about Lambert’s condition. I thought of that stormy kiss, my cheeks blushing: “He’s fine… just seems hungry.”

A feather duster asked with concern, “Do you need to treat the wound on your shoulder? Don’t be stubborn. We’re used to it. Since Master turned into a beast, he’s been so unpredictable. Even Mrs. Teapot, who has been with him for over twenty years, gets hurt, let alone you. Don’t be too sad. We all know Master loves you.”

My cheeks grew hotter, and I coughed lightly: “I-I can handle it myself. Can you help me pick some food to take up?”

I originally just wanted to take a few things up, but Mrs. Teapot said Lambert’s appetite was astonishing, and this little food wouldn’t be enough to fill him up. So, I had to push a food cart upstairs, bringing along a medical kit.

When I returned, Lambert didn’t even glance at the food cart. He came to my side, sniffed my cheek, and licked it. His pupils were still blood-red, his canine teeth slightly longer than usual, and his tongue as flexible as a snake’s.

I looked at him helplessly, wiped off his saliva, and asked, “What do you want to eat?”

He suddenly frowned, showing no interest even when I offered him a tender and juicy lamb shank.

I couldn’t understand what he was thinking. I placed the lamb shank on the table, cut a small piece with a knife, and brought it to his lips. He remained indifferent. I could only guess and ask, “Don’t like this?”

He glanced at me.

“Do you want some soup?” The bottom layer of the food cart had cream chicken soup, the broth milky white with fresh green asparagus tips floating on top. I was a bit hungry, so I took a sip first. Lambert stared at me for a few seconds, then leaned over and licked it twice with his tongue.

I was about to serve him a new bowl when he suddenly lifted his head and licked the corner of my lips. I was completely embarrassed and was about to wipe my mouth with my sleeve when his face turned cold, revealing sharp teeth, and he growled threateningly.

“…” If only I understood beast language, otherwise I really can’t figure out what he’s thinking.

I thought for a moment and carefully asked, “You didn’t eat the lamb bone earlier. Was it because I wiped off your saliva?”

He looked at me coldly as if he didn’t understand what I was saying. Although his behavior was entirely beast-like, his features still retained their former nobility and elegance. His skin was cold white, the distance between his eyebrows was very close, his eyes were sharp like blades, yet there was a captivating beauty, and his jawline was thin and sharp. Looking at his outstanding appearance, I increasingly felt my idea was absurd. He was a man who maintained elegance even while drinking blood; how could he throw a tantrum and refuse to eat just because I wiped off his saliva?

Thinking this, I wiped the corner of my lips. The next second, he pressed me to the ground with a cold face, breathing heavily, seemingly very dissatisfied with my action, and carefully licked the corner of my lips.

“…”

Watching him lick while squinting his eyes, showing an expression of enjoying a delicacy, an indescribable sense of shame rushed to my cheeks. I angrily pushed him for a long time before breaking free from his restraints.

I suspected he hadn’t lost his sanity at all and was conspiring with the others in the castle to deceive me. In the struggle, the wound on my shoulder reopened. I walked to the food cart, took out the medical kit, and prepared to bandage the wound. He wanted to follow, and I instinctively scolded, “Don’t come over!”

He stopped, looking confused, as if he didn’t understand why I was angry.

Looking at his expression, my mind was in turmoil. I couldn’t understand why Lambert was so obedient to me. Even now, I still don’t quite believe that he has truly fallen in love with me.

How long have we known each other, and he already loves me? What does he love about me? Does he understand me? Does he know my past? What kind of education did he receive growing up, and what did I see growing up?

It’s easy to tame a beast; all you need is patience, chains, and enough water. It’s also easy to develop a liking for someone, but the distance from liking to love cannot be crossed in just a few steps. Besides, I don’t know his past either. I don’t even know why the witch cursed him.

Maybe I’m being greedy. Initially, I just wanted my father’s illness to improve, but now I want the prince’s true heart and to understand his past.

Forget it, I’m overthinking.

What if Mrs. Teapot and the others are wrong, and he doesn’t actually like me? Not attacking me after losing his sanity might just be because he’s kind-hearted.

After bandaging my shoulder, I turned to look at Lambert. He was still in the same place, his eyes trusting and pure. I suddenly felt a sense of guilt for bullying a small animal. Just as I was about to wave him over, his gaze shifted to the bandage I had changed, and his pure eyes immediately turned into a hungry, greedy look.

“…” I stuffed the lamb shank into his mouth, “Eat this.”

After eating, I wanted to go back to my room to rest, but Lambert wouldn’t let me leave no matter what. Helpless, I had to spread a blanket on the floor and lie down fully clothed. He looked down at me for a while, then went to get a blanket, intending to lie down beside me.

I quickly pointed to the bed: “You sleep there.”

He ignored me and continued spreading the blanket. However, while doing so, his hooked nails accidentally caught the blanket. He didn’t notice and kept trying to spread it but couldn’t get it smooth, eventually growling in frustration.

I couldn’t help but laugh. I leaned over, untangled the blanket from his nails, and helped him spread it properly.

“Good night, Lambert.”

I was about to blow out the candle when I felt a weight around my waist—it was him wrapping his arms around me. His hot breath was close. That uncontrollable rapid heartbeat returned, my fingers trembled, and my voice quivered slightly: “…Lambert?”

He rested his chin on my shoulder, his lips slightly parted, and his snake-like tongue flicked my earlobe briefly: “Good… night…” He lowered his voice, speaking one syllable at a time.

I turned back in astonishment: “Have you regained your sanity?”

He looked at me with an innocent expression.

That night passed in a state of suspicion. The following day, I was awakened by the clattering sounds of cutlery moving in and out. When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was not the ceiling but the luxurious and exquisite bed canopy. I propped myself up and saw Lambert sitting at a dark brown desk not far away, looking coldly at a book with a steaming cup of tea beside him.

“You’re awake.” He glanced at me and said emotionlessly.

The black scales on the sides of his cheeks seemed to have receded a bit, and his nails were no longer as sharp as they were last night. At least he could hold a teacup normally. As expected, after regaining his sanity, our relationship had returned to its icy state.

Suppressing the inexplicable melancholy in my heart, I nodded and replied, “Good morning.”

He didn’t respond; he just nodded towards the food cart beside him, “Breakfast is there; take whatever you want.”

I still preferred his beastly self. Thinking of his pure eyes last night and then looking at his cold expression now, the melancholy in my heart spread like cold water. I put on my shoes, grabbed a piece of bread, and was about to leave the room.

“Stop.” He spoke, “Where are you going?”

“Back to my room to rest.”

“This is your room.” His tone was not to be disobeyed.

“No, I’m afraid of disturbing you.” Before I could finish, he had already pinned me against the wall.

His gaze was terrifyingly dark, and his deep, pleasant voice had turned hoarse: “You were so gentle with ‘it,’ but you can’t even spare me a smile?”

I was baffled: “What are you talking about? What ‘it’?”

He looked down at me: “Of course, that beast.” It took me a while to realize that the “it” he was referring to was the beast Lambert.

“You… have memories of last night?”

He didn’t answer but traced a terrifying finger across my cheek: “I saw ‘it’ kiss you here,” he traced my ear and lips, “and here, and here…” He lowered his eyes, staring grimly at my shoulder, “You even fed ‘it’ your blood. You’d rather be close to a beast than share breakfast with me, right?”

“…I just didn’t want to disturb you. Besides, aren’t you the same person?”

He didn’t respond but leaned down to kiss my shoulder, lips, and ears. I felt a wave of panic. Finally, his lips pressed against my cheek, and he whispered, “Don’t let ‘it’ get close to you.”

His breath was rapid and hot, burning my ears and neck. I pushed him away and wiped my face vigorously: “…Whether you’re the same person or not, you’re both shameless! Stay away from me. I don’t want to see you!”

Author’s note: I’ll see if I can write longer. I’ll try my best.