Tamed or Captured

sire to hold her in his arms was like a fireplace, but for now, the only way to express his feelings was like this.

“I’m so glad you came.”

Asha hugged the horse’s neck and rubbed her face. 

The horse looked surprised for a moment, but soon closed his eyes and accepted her.

He was fierce, but he turned into a gentle horse with just her touch.

Karaf blinked at her affectionate appearance. 

It was the first time he had seen her miss, and like someone so much, even though she seemed to have no greed for anything.

If it wasn’t a horse, it would be a scene in which two lovers dramatically meet again after a breakup.

As he watched them, jealousy suddenly assailed his mind, and he was surprised.

     I’m crazy…….
Am I jealous even of a horse now?

He let out a small laugh and looked back at the horse. 

The horse, which Asha was holding, looked into his eyes for a moment and made a small snort as if it was laughing at him.

Karaf’s eyebrows rose. 

For some reason, he thought that the way the horse was looking at him was really fierce and arrogant. 

Jackal suddenly saw her slender arm.

Suddenly, Sheppy lowered his eyelids and pushed her arm with his nose, fixed only on her bandage.
When Asha noticed, she spoke softly.

“I’m fine.
It’s all healed now.”

She said so, trying to reassure him, but Jackal, whose sense of smell became more sensitive after transforming into a horse, could smell the blood seeping through the bandages. 

As much as Karaf hated minorities, Jackal couldn’t stand the fact that someone so defenseless was the only being who could undo his curse.

He could tell what kind of treatment Asha had received at the Imperial Palace. 

His blue eyes, which looked at him sitting on the throne, were bloodier and fiercer than the wind that blows in midwinter. 

However, not knowing how Jackal felt, Karaf quickly ordered the chamberlain, thinking it was an opportunity for him to get closer to Asha.

“Give that horse the best stable and let Vanessa see it whenever she wants.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Asha said, looking back at him with lively eyes.

“Your Majesty, thank you so much!”

Karaf was a little stunned when he saw such a bright appearance for the first time.

“You like it so much?”

“Yes! I like it so much.
It’s the best gift I have ever received.”

When Asha liked it so much, Karaf looked at Marquis Iris and said with satisfaction.

“The Marquis is the only one who has brought a tribute to Vanessa’s liking.
I have high expectations for the Marquis in the future.”

The Marquis was greatly moved by those words.
But he tried in vain to cough, stretched out his chest, and replied.

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.
Please continue to trust me.”

Karaf nodded, and the surrounding nobles looked at him with envy and jealousy. 

After that, the tribute ceremony ended, and  Asha left with the horse.

In the corner of the banquet hall, precious tribute items that she didn’t even notice were piled up like a mountain. 

Duran watched silently from behind as Karaf crouched down with a disturbed expression.

Even though he had everything, he was speechless at the sight of it, as if he had lost everything to the horse. 

* * * * *

Asha followed the chamberlain to the stable. 

Following Karaf’s instructions to prepare the best stable, she came to a large room that hardly resembled a place for horses. 

Asha blinked. 

The standard of ‘best’ that she thought was different from his. 

The room was carpeted instead of straw, and large, soft cushions were placed on it. 

It was a room that was warm and comfortable enough for people to stay in. 

Jackal was relieved.
The place was different from the scruffy and gloomy stables he had been staying in until now.

     …… I like it.

On the other hand, Jackal was mentally and physically exhausted as he had undergone all sorts of hardships to infiltrate the palace.

Asha led him to a cushion, then Jackal lay down comfortably on it. 

He looked so cute that Asha sat down next to him and gently stroked his mane. 

Jackal fell to the ground, softly closing his eyes and blushing. 

If there was a heaven, he thought it would be this place……. 

Its shiny bluish-gray tail, like a silkworm, was beautifully scattered on the floor and moved smoothly. 

Sonya laughed naively from behind.

“I guess that horse really likes Vanessa!”

Asha said softly.

“Yes.
He followed me a lot.
This horse is not mine but another man’s …….”

Jackal looked at her, stroking his mane with a weak gaze. 

Sonya asked, tilting her head.

“A man?”

Asha realized her mistake and answered quickly.

“This owner of this horse was also from the same village.
Please keep this secret from His Majesty.”

“Yes! Don’t worry! I will the secret to the grave!”

Sonya spoke boldly, but Asha smiled bitterly. 

It was a fact that she knew better than anyone. 

Sonya looked at the horse and admired it.

“Its fur is smooth! Its muscles looked very strong! I understand now why women like muscles.”

Sonya snorted like a pervert and secretly tried to take her hand to the horse. 

Jackal groaned as a shadow fell over him.