I’m a Villainess but So Popular

Editor: Aru

Side Story 11. The Secretive Autumn (3)

Every seven or eight years, the Imperial family turned into a half-beast, half-human hybrid.

However, it was not solely appearances that changed.

Cassius, who had me in his arms, exuded an aura reminiscent of a hungry tiger.

His sharp eyes, which did not want to miss any of the motions in front of him, seemed to seek more attention from his companion at the same time.

“Wa, wait a minute. Cassius.”

Cassius looked at me with his gleaming gold eyes, speaking earnestly.

I felt like I was being consumed as I stared into the blazing gold eyes that appeared to swallow everything in front of them.

“Why? You don’t want to do it?”

Cassius whispered, his gloved hands smoothing my disordered purple hair behind my ears.

Unconsciously, I grimaced at the feel of the scratchy gloves.

Cassius instinctively kissed my forehead and whispered in hushed tones as he watched my facial expression change.

“Sorry.”

“No, I’m fine.”

He wrapped his arms around my neck and buried his head on my shoulder.

He raised his head and rubbed his face on mine after stroking his nose against the nape of my neck and shoulder for a bit.

My face grew warmer with his constant affection for each other’s skin without stopping.

I felt dizzy as he kissed me so many times.

‘Normally, he isn’t this bad.’

Cassius clung to me without hesitation, his half-beast, half-human transformation giving him a deeper look than ever before.

In his usual form, he only portrayed such a figure at night, but now, even though it was midday, he was staring at me with honey-coloured eyes.

“I want to do it.”

A low-sinking voice lingered in my ears.

“Yerine does not want to……?”

His golden eyes twinkled as if he hadn’t yet satisfied his need.

‘Wow, this face is chaos.’

I’m not sure what I’d do if he tried to seduce me by loosening his shirt in that way.

His sorrow was heightened by the droopy ears and helplessly swinging tail.

Before, he used to resemble a tiger devouring its prey, but now he resembled a large cat with a pathetic expression.

‘By the way, despite claiming he was going to punish me earlier, he keeps asking if I want to do it.’

When he transformed into a half-human, half-beast hybrid, he became more honest and exuded a beastly aura, but Cassius’ personality remained the same.

Looking at this, it appeared that his usual habits had not changed.

“Uh……”

“Right now, it’s just the two of us in the main palace, and it’s perfect……”

That’s true though.

We wouldn’t have time to be alone if it was our regular midday because of work and the kids.

At midday, I didn’t even have time to come to my bedroom.

The only time the two of us could spend together was at night, and even then, if we had an important agenda the next day, we would prioritize sleep over enjoying our time together.

‘That is true, however……’

“In case you didn’t know, I finished my work sooner than expected, and you have completed more than 80% of it.”

“However, I still have to finish it. I can’t abandon my responsibilities.”

This would not work.

I had to come up with an excuse to get out of here.

At Cassius’s eyes now, it didn’t appear that he’ll be satisfied with just one or two shots.

I couldn’t afford to have my waist crushed in the middle of the day.

“Wouldn’t you be able to do it tomorrow? Yerine is pretty capable, therefore you should be able to complete it tomorrow.”

“Thank you for acknowledging that I am competent. However, it is preferable to work in small increments every day. I can’t do everything at once.”

Cassius’s ears drooped once again at my words.

He appeared to be trying not to have a sorrowful expression on his face, but he couldn’t keep his ears and tail from flopping down.

“Do you hate me, Yerine?”

“There’s no way.”

On the contrary, completely the opposite.

I stroked Cassius’s black hair, hoping to calm him down.

“I like Cassius so much. But I can’t do it right now, so let’s do it later at night.”

And I lowered my head at him

“Please consider my waist health a little. I won’t be able to get up tomorrow if we’re doing it during daylight.”

Cassius blushed and stroked his cheek shyly as I whispered in hushed whispers.

“Ah……sorry.”

“And take a close look outside.”

I pointed to the window, which was showered in the autumn sunlight.

“The weather is fantastic. For the first time in a long time, I’d like to go for a walk in the backyard with Cassius and set up a picnic.”

Cassius found it difficult to go outside in this state.

It was due to Cassius’s anxiety about being discovered by outsiders.

However, it was not a major issue because there was less possibility of outsiders entering the backyard.

“As Cassius mentioned, it’s just the two of us today, so I’d like to enjoy the autumn atmosphere with you. What are your thoughts?”

“That seems interesting.”

Cassius replied as I placed my palm on his cheek and rested his head against the bed.

As the bright sunlight beamed on his face, his golden eyes glittered sweetly.

I kept a calm expression on my face as if nothing had happened while admiring the painting-like sight.

“I don’t mind anything as long as I can stay with you.”

“That certainly, I can do it as much as I want.”

Cassius responded positively by perking up his hairy ears.

‘Oh, that’s so lovely……’

I wanted to hug Cassius and rub his cheeks, telling him he was cute, but I decided to bear it.

If I told him he’s adorable, he’d be upset because he felt I was mocking his ears and tail.

“Should we then go to Clayton’s backyard and ask him to prepare some refreshments?”

“That is indeed great.”

Cassius said with a quiet nod.

He stood up without reluctance as the picnic in the backyard was decided.

I noticed the hem of his shirt billowing when he rose, which he had loosened earlier, so I buttoned his front well.

“I’m going to button everything but the one beneath your neck. I don’t want you to catch a cold because the weather is getting colder.”

“I’m always hot while I’m in this state, so it’s okay.”

“People who complain he’s hot frequently get cold because they don’t dress properly. And I can’t have anyone see my handsome spouse naked.”

When I pressed the second button from the top, I clicked my tongue.

‘You should just show that to me and not to anyone else.’

Wouldn’t it be nice to have such a luxury as his life companion?

I was about to tell him to go to the backyard now that I’d locked all the buttons, but I quickly sealed my mouth.

It was because Cassius’ shirt seemed too tight as I buttoned it.

The waist area was fine, but the chest area appeared to be about to burst.

‘That’s odd. I don’t think it was like this when I first saw it.’

Cassius was unbuttoning two buttons the first time I saw him today.

“Do you want me to unfasten another button?”

“That would be better.”

The shirt, which had been so tight that it looked to be about to tear, had a little more room at that point.

The thing that troubled Cassius the most whenever this happened was his clothes.

When he transformed, he grew larger and taller than usual, mandating the emergence of new clothing.

However, the degree of development in size varied from time to time, thus there were instances where newly made clothes did not suit his body as well as they do today.

‘The last time he wore a shirt, it was ripped off like a piece of paper.’

I recall Cassius transforming into a half-man, half-beast eight years ago.

The servants eventually took Cassius’s measurements and rebuilt his clothing, and Cassius had not left his upper body wrapped in a blanket until the clothes were finished.

I’m fortunate his clothing fit him this year.

“That’s all there is to it. Let’s get going.”

When I smiled and patted Cassius on the shoulder, he spun around and knelt.

He swung his wide back towards me.

“Get up.”

“Uh, I can walk by myself.”

“I want to piggyback you.”

Cassius begged in a desperate tone.

“There’s no one to see anyway. You won’t get caught even if I piggyback or hug you all day.

“Well, are you going to piggyback or hug me all day?”

“Yes.”

“But I’m heavy.”

“What exactly do you mean by “heavy”? Just get up already. But I know you enjoy riding me.”

Cassius, who was attempting to piggyback me, caused me to burst out laughing.

He was eager to offer me a piggyback ride.

“Then give me your best. If I don’t like it, I’ll use air magic to escape.”

“I will provide you with the best ride possible. Believe me.”

I climbed Cassius’ back and placed my arms over his neck.

Cassius gradually straightened his arched back while I was on his back.

Naturally, my eye level rose dramatically.

“Wow, the upper air is great.”

“I know right?”

Cassius exclaimed, moving in an excited voice.

His walking speed was slightly slower than usual, and he appeared to have slowed due to his inability to adapt to his enlarged body.

‘It doesn’t matter if he’s fast or slow.’

It was enough to enjoy the luxury of not having to walk in the castle thanks to my husband who loves me. That alone was great.

“It’s also extremely comfy here.”

“I told you. That’s why I’m going to piggyback you all week.”

“Isn’t it too much to demand that I stay on my feet all week? Because I don’t move after eating, I’m afraid I’ll gain a lot of weight and lose muscle.”

“But you’d do some light workout every night.”

Cassius said firmly. I pretended I didn’t hear him the last time he said something similar.

We arrived at the backyard while chatting.

The autumn sky was higher than ever, dotted with white fluffy clouds.

The sound of leaves flowing in the fresh breeze was soothing.

The entire area was bathed with a deep red hue.

The hue that flashed brilliantly like a flame was as beautiful as my flame magic.

It was a scenery I see every year, yet each time it appeared new and had a different beauty.

“Then, I’ll drop you off here.”

Cassius gently placed me on the chair in front of the table in the backyard.

‘The tables and chairs have already been put up, so all I have to do is ask them to bring refreshments.’

I thought to myself as I stared at the empty teacup.

“Cassius, I’ll request Clayton soon for refreshments. What would you like him to bring you?”

I asked Cassius, who was standing beside the table.

“Don’t just stand there, Casius. Please have a seat.”

“…….”

“You must have struggled to carry me. So please take a seat and relax.”

I told Cassius as I arranged the teacups in front of him.

Cassius, on the other hand, showed no indications of slowing down.

When he didn’t respond and didn’t move, I assumed something was wrong.

“Cassius?”

I tried calling his name again, but he still didn’t respond.

When I looked up, his hands were shaking and as white as a sheet.

“Cassius!”

When I yelled his name, my gaze was drawn to his shaking fingertips.