I Opened an Illegal Animal Hospital in Another World - Chapter 88

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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88

Chapter 19. Predators Don’t Only Live in the Jungle (5)

Raven spoke in a loud voice.

“Brother, I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

With just a single word of apology, not only Nathan but everyone’s expressions turned to shock. As if they had witnessed the heavens and earth being turned upside down…

Raven, you’ve really lived freely. And everyone knows it. How have you been living that everyone is surprised by just one apology?

“As you know, I’m completely smitten with the Wentworth Noblewoman. Since childhood, I’ve followed her around because I couldn’t bear to be apart from her even for a moment.”

What? You? Since when?

I was greatly flustered, but the other people had expressions that said, “That’s right, it’s such an old rumor we almost forgot about it!” The way they looked at us knowingly was like…

The eyes of panelists watching a virtual dating show. With “ship” written in their right eye and “ping” in their left.

Hey, when did you ever. They say even if your mouth is crooked, speak straight – I’m only just now finding out that you liked me. Honestly, we were just friends.

Whenever you opened your mouth, you’d ramble about “I picked you up so you’re my property!” and I struggled to remind you that I have human rights too. When I tried to lighten the mood with some nonsense, you’d look at me pathetically like I was the world’s biggest fool.

Since when have romantic feelings flowed between us!

Until you came back after a long time and started acting sly, I never imagined you’d like me! I just thought you were a kid with misguided obsession, attachment, and possessiveness toward the person who picked you up.

Everyone, this might be shocking, but back then we were children, and in this world there exists an emotion called friendship, not just love…!

“Since she’s my fiancée and childhood friend whom I’ve barely reunited with after 11 years, I seem to have become overly sensitive. You understand, right?”

Raven emphasized “understand” as if anyone who didn’t would be trash. Then he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close.

Having suddenly become the recipient of the Prince’s crazy love, I had no choice but to meet everyone’s expectations.

The moment I failed to read the mood and said, “Hey, when? That’s ridiculous!” people would look at Raven, who had swatted Nathan’s hand away, like he was scum again.

Raven wouldn’t make a single excuse and would just let them bark if they wanted to bark. If he were alone this time, he would have done that too. Thinking, dogs are barking somewhere. They’re struggling.

“I see. Of course I understand, Raven.”

“Thank you.”

Once again, people stirred. Someone said, “Prince Raven also knows gratitude and apology! Following an apology, even gratitude…! Today is truly an amazing day!”

“Wentworth Noblewoman, I’m sorry if I startled you. I really had no bad intentions. I heard that you have a weak constitution, so perhaps my one-sided familiarity was the problem.”

“I understand. It’s truly painful when your body can’t keep up with your heart.”

Nathan smiled brightly and nodded. I know, I know. I know too.

“I’ve also had a weak constitution since childhood and had to stay indoors mostly. I couldn’t socialize with many people either. Perhaps that’s why Raven took such good care of me. He often came to visit when I was bedridden…”

I thought I’d take this opportunity to reveal a different side of Raven and change his image. That would make it easier to find his next fiancée too. What else did he do?

He teased me often, followed me around and nagged more than my parents…

When I tried to praise him deliberately, there wasn’t much suitable. Honestly, our childhood memories were only of bickering…

“Even when we couldn’t meet, he kept in touch regularly. Thanks to that, I wasn’t lonely.”

“Shana, I did it because I wanted to.”

“Still, I wanted to say it was very comforting. Thank you so much, Raven. But I’m so sorry that I couldn’t help because of my weak body…”

Soon I won’t be of any help at all. Since I’m going to break off the engagement. Some soft-hearted ladies who seemed to find me admirable even had tears welling up. It seemed to work well.

Is this what a showwindow is like? I imagined square frames floating around me and Raven.

“Haha, it really looks good. Raven, I didn’t know you could be so affectionate in front of your fiancée.”

“I’m more affectionate than I look.”

It’s hard to tell, but he is quite affectionate.

People wore pleased expressions as if watching a nice young couple. I looked up at Raven with a proud heart.

I thought we played along quite well together. However, Raven didn’t look very happy. He seemed somewhat displeased. What’s wrong? I did what you asked me to do.

I tugged on Raven’s sleeve. Raven bent his waist and brought his face close to mine. I whispered in his ear.

“Why? What went wrong?”

“…Nothing.”

“Then why.”

“Because I’m grateful.”

Saying it with a completely ungrateful expression doesn’t make me happy, you know?

“I hope we three can have tea together sometime later. That would be possible, right, Raven?”

“Of course, brother. Anytime when Shana’s condition is good.”

Raven answered readily. Nathan seemed satisfied with that and turned around, saying he’d see us next time. As if they’d been waiting, someone rushed over and grabbed his wrist, making a fuss about needing treatment immediately.

“Isn’t your wrist all swollen!”

“It doesn’t hurt that much, Carrie.”

“I’ll call the House of Lepoer’s healing mage right away! Oh, how much it must hurt…!”

It was just slightly swollen, no bones or muscles were damaged. Though Raven did swat it away quite hard, it was just the sound that was loud. If he had really intended to hit, it would have been broken long ago.

“Oh my, what’s everyone gathered here for?”

“Shana, and… Prince Raven.”

My parents appeared, parting the crowd like the Red Sea. Raven released the shoulder he had been holding.

“It was nothing serious. I just had a brief conversation with my brother.”

“I see. Shana, are you feeling alright now? Could you dance one song with your father?”

“Of course!”

Father extended his hand. Without hesitation, I quickly placed my hand on top of his large palm. Mother smiled mischievously and said.

“Then I’ll have one dance with His Highness. Would that be alright?”

“…It would be an honor.”

This is the first time I’ve seen Raven look scared.

***

In the end, I ended up dancing two whole songs with Father.

‘Thanks to you, your mother seems very happy.’

‘Really? But I didn’t get to dance with Mother.’

‘It’s fine, I promised to cover your mother’s share too. So let’s dance one more song together.’

‘I-I’ll do my best…!’

‘Look over there, Shana. Those idiots from House of Lepoer are glaring at us. Haha, those vermin. How dare they glare at anyone.’

‘F-Father?’

‘Yes, Shana. Father is enjoying himself too.’

Yes, me too… If you two are having fun, then I’m happy too, I suppose…

I thought my feet were going to catch fire.

Now I just needed to collapse gloriously, but Raven wouldn’t give me any opening at all. This leech-like bastard.

Using the excuse that he was my partner and fiancé, Raven had brought me out to the balcony himself instead of my parents, and he was an extremely persistent obstacle. Even when I just swayed as if about to collapse, he would catch me with reaction speed rivaling Evelyn’s, making it hard to find the right timing.

Is he Evelyn or what?

“Raven, I told you it’s fine to leave me alone, right?”

“I’m already being criticized for being cold-blooded, and you want me to add the disgrace of abandoning my fiancée to go have fun?”

“That’s not it, it’s just being rational…”

Why are you acting like an amateur?

“Just as you have your life and I have mine, we each have our own suitable stamina, schedules, and pleasures.”

Raven looked at me coldly.

“You want to separate us like that?”

“Why are you putting it that way?”

It hurts when you hit right on target.

“The twins weren’t in the ballroom.”

“…They’re probably somewhere…”

I could see Ian outside the window. Leon was supposed to drive the carriage, and Ian was supposed to carry me away. Raven, the twins you’re looking for are right there…

“You’re planning to slip away midway.”

“…”

“…This place doesn’t seem particularly appealing to you.”

I subtly avoided Raven’s gaze. Well, it was fun though.

“I hoped tonight would only be joyful and happy for you.”

“It was fun. Really.”

“So that being by my side would be a little less terrible.”

Raven smiled bitterly.

“What’s so terrible about it…”

“I already have to defeat countless followers of yours to win you over, so it wouldn’t be good to show you things that put me at a disadvantage, would it?”

“There wasn’t really anything disadvantageous.”

“…To think I actually ended up receiving help from you. How pathetic.”

Raven let out a long sigh and closed his eyes. So that’s why he had that displeased expression. Finally understanding, I almost burst out laughing.

After all that pretending to be mature.

No matter how much Raven wanted to show me how wonderful he could be today, to me, his face frowning and calling himself pathetic looked the most adorable.

But even if I told him he was cute, he probably wouldn’t be very happy about it, and it wouldn’t be morally right to say such things when I had no intention of responding to someone who confessed their feelings for me. I shouldn’t give him false hope…

“About Nathan.”

“…The name I least want to hear at this timing…”

“He came to our hospital.”

“Really? I saw him at the auction house.”

“That auction house from back then?”

“Yes. I thought he’d developed some sinister hobby. If he received treatment from you, does that mean he got better?”

“Well, not exactly… it doesn’t seem like it.”

I tilted my head. If there had been something wrong, it should have been cured. He still looked pale.

“That’s fortunate.”

I was about to ask what was so fortunate about it. But before I could open my mouth, Raven bent down. Then he slipped his arm behind my knees and lifted me up.

“Hey, hey! Raven!”

“Just quietly faint, Shana. You were planning to do this anyway, weren’t you?”

“I can handle it myself,”

“I absolutely won’t allow you to collapse into another man’s arms, shh.”

Just close your eyes. I squeezed my eyes shut while listening to the murmuring voices of people. I couldn’t struggle now. If I said I was fine here and then collapsed again later, it would be awkward.

Oh my, the Wentworth Noblewoman! What’s happening here? Did she collapse? What should we do! Duchess, Your Grace! Call a healer….

No, don’t, send me home, don’t call a healer!

Raven held me and boldly crossed straight through the banquet hall to exit. He didn’t seem to have any concept of taking side routes. A pretty boy who walks confidently anywhere….

I opened my eyes slightly while being held in Raven’s arms, trying to find Ian.

‘Seth?’

I thought I saw Seth shaking his head regretfully. I read his lips.

Too late, Shana. You’ve been found out.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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