MTFBMP Chapter 40

Not wanting to overdo it when the wings weren’t even healed.

 

“We’ll save all that for when Adele is better.”

 

At the sight of the bandages, peeking through the feathers, I told him.

 

Patting him. After giving him one last pat and tidying up his feathers, I decided to drop the subject.

 

“Well, since you’re up, let’s call it a day.”

 

At any other time, it would have been much harder to get out of his embrace, but the timing was right-until, of course, Adele decided against it and stomped on the floor with a huge front paw.

 

There were sharp claws and the sound of wood crunching, but the threat was lost on me now.

 

Just as I was about to give in, Adele transformed again. 

 

Whenever I came underground, Adele would change shape at his whim, but Adele always remained human when I left.

 

As I looked at him, still wearing only his pants, I vowed to myself.

 

“Next time, I’ll pierce the wings and bring a top. You can’t rip that off.”

 

“You’re trying to get me to wear clothes.”

 

“Of course.”

 

If Adele was dreaming of escape like I was, he needed to get more comfortable with clothes. 

 

Eventually, he would also have to practice hiding his wings perfectly.

 

I’d prefer to take the road less traveled, but that didn’t mean we’d never meet anyone.

 

“You have to learn to be comfortable with yourself.”

 

“Why should I do that?”

 

I never thought I’d have to explain this to a grown man.

 

“Well, it’s kind of embarrassing to walk around in just pants.”

 

“I’m an animal by nature, I don’t know shame.”

 

It was ridiculous. Adele insisted, as if there was no shame in being human.

 

“You said you wanted to be human again.”

 

“But now I’m a beast, subject to my Master.”

 

“So you’ll wear it when I tell you to?”

 

Adele frowned, scowling.

 

“Do you hate my body enough to give me orders?”

 

“No, that’s not what I’m saying.”

 

“Then it’s a good thing?”

 

And again. I almost got caught up in that question a second time.

 

Even though he was now my pet, I hadn’t gotten used to Adele enough to answer that question coldly.

 

“I guess I’m not good enough.”

 

“No, you don’t.”

 

It was unfair. Worst of all, I couldn’t convince Adele that there were some things I couldn’t answer because I didn’t consider them bad.

 

“Okay. It’s not bad. It’s very nice to look at.”

 

This was a battle I was bound to lose. I decided to try to talk to Adele on the beast’s level as much as possible.

 

“So if you like it, why do you want me to cover it up?”

 

I slapped my forehead in disbelief. I’d been tricked again.

 

Frustrated that I kept losing the verbal battle with Adele, a bit of anger was bubbling up.

 

“So you’re telling me Adele’s going to be stubborn as long as we’re under contract?”

 

“As long as we’re under contract, you say that as if there’s a time limit.”

 

I clamped my mouth shut. I felt like I’d let my frustration show.

 

“I just asked my Master what that means.”

 

“It’s just words. That’s what all human contracts are like.”

 

“And what do you mean by that?”

 

“You set the terms and duration, and you can terminate with liability and compensation for breach, or, of course, there are life contracts, but…”

 

By blurting out the words, I was digging my own grave. 

 

Adele’s eyes narrowed meaningfully as I fumed.

 

“Are you saying that we can predetermine who will be responsible for breaking our promises?”

 

Instead of speaking, I bit my lower lip tightly. It was my own darn fault for letting that slip out of my mouth.

 

“That’s it for today. I’m leaving.”

 

Running away was also a strategy. I decided to leave this conversation. I made up my mind and turned around.

 

“Don’t go.”

 

Adele grabbed my wrist and spun me around, the tone in those few words sounding so different from the pet Adele I’d been talking to. My heart dropped with a thud.

 

“Adele?”

 

“I didn’t get as much of you today as I wanted.”

 

The voice was the same as the unfamiliar one from earlier, but the sentiment was my pet Adele’s.

 

“Not enough.”

 

It was true that we hadn’t had much time to spend together since I had gotten here late. 

 

But if I didn’t show my face on deck by the end of the night, I’d arouse suspicion.

 

Besides, everyone was busy preparing for tomorrow’s party. There were more sailors than usual milling around on deck.

 

“I’m sorry, I’ll stay a little longer next time. Okay?”

 

In a light-hearted tone, I promised. Adele looked at me with a disapproving expression.

 

“After the next sunrise?”

 

“Uh… Tomorrow won’t be long.”

 

Adele’s face crumpled into a scowl.

 

“You’re making irresponsible promises. I’m sure I heard it from your lips a moment ago.”

 

“No, only tomorrow. Tomorrow is a special day.”

 

“Is it because there’s a party?”

 

Adele, who had been listening to everything that was happening on the ship, couldn’t help but notice. 

 

Just today, at breakfast, Dion and I had talked about nothing but this.

 

“I know what a party is. It’s a bunch of people bouncing and stomping around to loud music all night.”

 

Adele spoke as if the party was some kind of ritual in the pits of hell.

 

“Do you have to go, come stay with me.”

 

“But…”

 

Truth be told…, I was curious about the party. 

 

Not just any neighborhood festival, but a party on a ship, something you don’t get to experience unless you’re part of the crew. 

 

It was an event that intrigued me more than a ball in a fancy dress.

 

“You’re looking forward to it.”

 

Adele muttered, reading the look in my eyes.

 

“I suppose I can’t stop you if that’s what you want.”

 

“I’ll keep my word, except tomorrow. I’ll come tomorrow, I promise you that.”

 

Adele, who had been listening to my overused promises, squinted at me.

 

He must have done some mental math in the meantime. Adele relented, softened his expression, and spoke.

 

“Then don’t give your hand to anyone but me. And don’t laugh as you spin around in circles with them.”

 

Adele commanded as if in command.

 

“So…, you don’t want me to dance with other people at the party, but it’s okay for me to play by myself?”

 

I asked, just curious, but when I said it, he just rolled his eyes, feeling like he was being clueless.

 

“My master has imposed new conditions.”

 

Adele didn’t look offended. He grinned, one corner of his mouth twitching upward as he watched his prey take the bait.

 

“Well, then, I guess I can impose my next condition.”

 

That smirk could never be a good thing. I wanted to bite my tongue, but he was one step ahead of me.

 

“Then in the future, you will always kiss me before you turn your back on me.”

 

“What?”

 

‘You mean this is a goodbye kiss, right?’

 

“Not just now?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Always?”

 

“Always.”

 

The shorter Adele spoke, the more he felt like a stranger.

 

“But…”

 

“Stop.”

 

Reflexively, Adele stared at my lips as I tried to avoid the situation, then leaned in and closed the distance between us. 

 

We were so close that we could feel each other’s breath. The slightest flinch and the tips of our lips would touch.

 

Looking into my eyes, Adele opened his lips once more. A hot breath tickled my lips.

 

“If you set any more game, I will demand as much in proportion as the beasts you have cared for.”

 

My jaw dropped at Adele’s bold bargaining.

 

His eyes gleamed with depth and intensity, as if he meant more than just the number on his lips, but the intensity of his demand.

 

“Didn’t you check the other beasts before you checked me today?”

 

Out of habit, I looked at the other caged beasts. I hadn’t expected Adele to be so genuinely dissatisfied.

 

But that was only because Adele’s prison was at the end. 

 

Besides, it was the most efficient order of things, since Adele would be there the longest.

 

“So that’s all you had to feel bad about today?”

 

Adele’s gaze dropped wordlessly to my lips, then up to the ceiling.

 

Finally, our eyes meet again.

 

Gulp—  A dry sob slipped down my throat.