IRMY Chapter 15

He had slept in until almost noon, skipping breakfast. Feeling refreshed and slightly giddy from finally getting a good night’s sleep, Yuro hummed as he left his room for lunch.

He had slept so deeply that he hadn’t even dreamt. It had been so long since he’d slept properly. The arduous journey, spent dozing uncomfortably in a rickety carriage and staying in shabby inns, felt like a distant memory.

He wished every day could be like yesterday. Lying under the clear, cloudless sky, he had nestled against Kisha’s soft fur and poured out his heart to the tiger.

Was there a better listener than Kisha? Not only did the tiger listen attentively, but it also responded with encouraging nudges.

He had never been so open with anyone, not even before his transmigration. He had unknowingly shared even his memories from his previous life, and the sense of relief was indescribable.

After talking until sunset, he had gone back to his room at Raymond’s call and enjoyed a delicious dinner.

With no one watching and no need to force himself to act, the food tasted even better.

He had then soaked in a warm bath and gone straight to bed. It couldn’t get any better than this. A smile naturally graced Yuro’s lips, and the world seemed beautiful.

“Let’s do well today, too.”

Yuro straightened his clothes in front of the dining hall and made up his mind. Everything depended on one’s attitude. Even if everything he did was merely a struggle for survival, if he could enjoy it, it could be a positive experience.

When would he ever get another chance to wear such fine clothes, eat delicious food, and be attended to like this?

Even if it was all a fleeting midsummer night’s dream, he would enjoy it to the fullest while it lasted.

Fortunately, Melione was still being kind to him, and he had confirmed his healing ability was working. Everything was going smoothly.

He would have been lost if he had been dropped into this world without any knowledge, but that wasn’t the case. He knew the worst possible ending, and because of that, he had the power to change everything.

‘I will not die.’

Yuro clenched his jaw and repeated the mantra inwardly. For now, that was enough. Even if the sky fell, there would be a hole to escape through. Knowing where that hole was, he had nothing to fear.

Although he had the looming task of lunch with the Duke, Yuro, determined to enjoy even that, entered the dining hall with a bright smile.

“The weather is lovely today, Your Grace. How are you feeling?”

Yuro sat down at his usual place and greeted the Duke. He skipped the usual “Did you sleep well?” because he knew Melione wouldn’t have slept properly.

“I’m fine. You seem to be in a good mood, Your Highness.”

“Of course. Thanks to your consideration.”

“You’re welcome.”

Melione replied casually and picked up his spoon, and Yuro looked at the food, his mouth watering.

Meals with bosses, senior colleagues, or elders were usually expensive and delicious. It was a way to compensate for the discomfort of the situation.

So, he decided to think of this meal in the same way. Unfortunately, Yuro had started his trainee life in middle school, so he had never experienced working in an office or attending university, but he understood the general feeling.

If his agency was considered a workplace, he had entered society at an early age. Especially since his agency was less of a small-medium sized company and more of a tiny, struggling business, he often ate with the CEO.

The food wasn’t particularly expensive or fancy, but as a poor trainee, he was grateful for any free meal. Being an orphan, he didn’t have as much allowance as other trainees.

So, he had never tasted such delicious food before his transmigration. He had to enjoy it while he could.

As Melione started eating, Yuro picked up his cutlery and began to cut his steak. He was pleased that meat was served at every meal.

As they continued eating in relative silence, Melione, who had barely touched his food, turned to Yuro, who was focused on his steak, and asked,

“You seem to have become quite close to Kisha.”

Yuro swallowed his food and his eyes widened.

“…How did you know?”

“I heard laughter yesterday, so I looked out the window. My study overlooks the gardens.”

“…”

“You two looked very close.”

Yuro froze, meeting the Duke’s gaze, and then awkwardly reached for his water. He had heard laughter? Did that mean he had heard their whispered conversation as well?

Was he testing him, or was it just a casual conversation starter? Even if he didn’t hear the content, he must have seen Yuro talking to Kisha.

“I, um… I didn’t realize you could see us. I apologize if we were being too loud.”

“Not at all. I simply asked because it was a pleasant sight.”

“Oh, um… I see.”

Melione’s expression remained unchanged. Fortunately, it didn’t seem like he was testing him. Yuro breathed a sigh of relief and put down his glass.

But then, it struck him like lightning. If Melione hadn’t overheard their conversation, but had seen him singing and healing Kisha’s paw, it would be a disaster.

“I was just… worried that we might have been disturbing you. I came here alone from Norden, so I haven’t had anyone to talk to.”

‘Be natural, be natural.’

Yuro chanted inwardly, trying to calm himself. He couldn’t keep showing his panic. He needed to act natural so he could smoothly dismiss any questions about why he was singing while holding Kisha’s paw.

“I got a little carried away because Kisha-nim listened so patiently. I was a bit scared of him at first, but he’s actually very well-mannered.”

“Well-mannered? He’s not that kind of animal.”

“No, I’m serious. Kisha-nim is very kind and considerate.”

Yuro nodded firmly. He was sincere about this, at least. It might seem ridiculous to talk about manners and kindness in reference to an animal, but that was how Yuro felt.

Although Kisha hadn’t offered any verbal comfort, he had remained motionless and hadn’t fallen asleep during Yuro’s long monologue.

Whenever the story paused, Kisha would even nudge him with his nose, as if urging him to continue. To Yuro, it wasn’t a one-sided conversation; it was a genuine exchange.

“Honestly, I was a little surprised. I thought he was unusual, but I didn’t realize we could communicate.”

“Can you understand the language of beasts, Your Highness?”

Melione asked incredulously, and Yuro laughed.

“Of course not. But it felt like we were having a conversation. You’ve been with Kisha-nim longer than I have, Your Grace, so I’m sure you understand what I mean.”

“I doubt it. Kisha follows me not because we communicate, but because I’m the one who feeds him.”

“What?”

“Kisha lives in the mansion, but it’s not because he’s a tamed animal. I never tamed him. He stays near me because it’s the quietest place. There’s no one to bother him.”

No one lingered around Melione unnecessarily. He didn’t even allow people to speak to him without a reason.

So, it was always quiet around him. Melione didn’t bother talking to Kisha. Why would he engage in meaningless chatter with a beast?

However, Yuro looked puzzled by his answer. To him, Kisha seemed accustomed to humans and intelligent enough to understand what he was saying.

He even wondered, absurdly, if Kisha was a human disguised as a tiger. But Melione simply referred to Kisha as a “beast.”

“Isn’t Kisha-nim an animal you brought here, Your Grace?”

Melione readily answered Yuro’s question.

“No. Kisha has lived in this mansion since before I was born.”

“Then did the previous Duke bring him here?”

“No. Kisha was brought here four generations ago, by my great-grandfather.”

“What? Tigers live that long?”

Even if everyone died around thirty, four generations ago didn’t make sense. Even if Kisha was brought here as a cub, that would mean he was over a hundred years old.