Afternoon – Velmoria Public Park
Cian sat down on a bench, trying to enjoy a moment of peace. Trees swayed, sunlight filtered gently through the canopy, and birds chirped in the distance.
Peaceful? Not a chance.
Shirayuki was sitting beside him—her hedgehog-turned-humanoid body drawing attention like a siren's song. Her fur shimmered faintly in the sunlight, her legs crossed elegantly, and she sipped herbal tea with an innocence that just made things worse.
Crowd noises swirled all around.
> "Oi, is that a tamed monster or a wife?"
"You think he'd sell her?"
"I'd give my whole damn estate just to get kicked by her…"
"She's got those sharp quills too… kinky."
Cian's face twitched.
"…Is this city full of degenerates?"
[System Notification]
"Warning: You are currently surrounded by 87.4% degeneracy."
> "Man in black cloak at 2 o'clock—mentally undressing Shirayuki."
"Guy near the fountain—has imagined 12 scenarios, 3 involving whipped cream."
"Kid with lollipop—innocent. Everyone else? Immediate jail."
Cian groaned, shielding Shirayuki slightly with his body. She tilted her head, unaware of the storm of lewd thoughts swirling around her. Solaira rode on his shoulder casually, nibbling a fruit, but even she seemed to squint suspiciously at the passing men.
"Can't even enjoy a damn park bench…" Cian muttered.
[System Mockery Mode: ON]
"Welcome to Velmoria! Where the sights are breathtaking, and the thoughts are law-breaking!"
"Not helping."
[System Analysis:]
> "Probability of someone asking to 'buy' Shirayuki within the next 5 minutes: 97%."
"Creepy merchant approaching… aaand he's opening his mouth—"
> "Pardon, young master! Would you consider a generous sum for that stunning companion?"
Cian stood up with a twitching smile.
"No."
> "But sir, name your price—!"
Cian cracked his knuckles. "I said. No."
[System:]
"Body slam option unlocked for moral righteousness."
The crowd backed off slightly as Cian and Shirayuki walked deeper into the city park, hoping for a bit more shade—and less perversion.
Shirayuki stayed close, frowning.
Even without speaking, her eyes said it all:
"Do I really attract that much attention…?"
Cian sighed.
"Let's just find some street food and get outta here before I start dropkicking nobles."
[System:]
"City of Velmoria: Come for the history. Stay for the trauma."
After surviving the Velmorian Park of Perversion, Cian decided the best way to preserve his sanity was to feed himself—and hopefully distract the public with snacks instead of Shirayuki's legs.
He stopped at a row of colorful street stalls, where sizzling meat skewers, steaming dumplings, and golden rice rolls filled the air with divine aromas.
"Two of those skewers, three herb buns, and a honey-sauce mushroom wrap," Cian said.
Shirayuki stood beside him, licking her lips adorably. Solaira peeked out from his cloak pocket, eyes gleaming at the smell. She even chirped once.
[System Notification]
"Acquired Lunch for Three."
[System Cooking Review:]
> "Meat Skewers: 8/10 – smoky, tender, and probably not rat."
"Herb Buns: 6/10 – edible, with a suspicious spice that may or may not cause hiccups."
"Mushroom Wrap: 9/10 – gooey, sweet, and likely stolen from a forest god's kitchen."
They ate while walking, trying to enjoy the moment… but the city wasn't done being weird.
As they made their way through the cobbled roads toward the inn, more heads turned. Not subtly. People openly gawked, whispered, or tried to strike up conversations—mostly directed at Shirayuki, who remained blissfully unaware, her mouth full of bun.
[System Analysis:]
> "Man by the fruit stall: Imagining a picnic date with Shirayuki and calling it 'destiny.'"
"Teen near the tavern: Just tripped and nosebled."
"Drunk noble in the alley: Attempting poetry. It's bad."
"Old woman by the bakery: Nodding in approval. Might ship you two."
Cian tried to ignore it, though his right eye twitched.
"Just eat faster," he muttered.
[System Snort:]
"Good luck. Shirayuki eats like a dignified princess at a royal tasting session."
Cian already held the brass key in hand—Room 2F. He'd paid upon arrival, but the glances he'd earned since stepping through the city gates hadn't faded. If anything, they'd intensified inside the inn.
As he led Shirayuki and Solaira up the creaking wooden stairs, whispers followed like smoke.
> "Is that really a monster?" "No collar… she walks like a noble's daughter." "Tch, look at that tail. Ain't no way that's safe." "I'd risk the bite…"
Cian's brow twitched.
[System Prompt:]
> "Alert: Perverts detected.
Mood: Unfiltered disgust.
Suggested Action: Cast [Fist of Righteous Indignation]. Sadly, not yet unlocked."
Cian muttered, "You're not helping."
[System:]
> "Want internal scan of their thoughts? Because it's worse."
– 'I bet she purrs if you pet her.'
– 'Monsters like her should be kept in chains.'
– 'He doesn't deserve something that fine.'
"Conclusion: These townsfolk need holy water. And therapy."
Solaira, the Emberlix lizard now curled and sleek like a lap-dragon, snorted softly at a sneering man leaning over the bannister. A burst of heat flickered at her nose—enough to make him flinch back with a yelp.
Shirayuki, oblivious to the stares, walked close behind Cian, arms tucked against her chest, eyes scanning the wooden walls like it was her first time inside civilization. Her presence alone made the hallway feel smaller—so did the stares.
Solaira, meanwhile, rested on Cian's shoulder like a royal pet curled against her knight.
[System:]
> "Room 2F. Humble. Safe. Slightly creaky.
Warning: Emotional tension level high. Potential for jealous glances: 92%."
Cian unlocked the door and stepped inside. He waited until it shut behind them, cutting off the noise of gawking voices and whispered filth.
Only then did he exhale, eyes narrowing.
"This city's full of creeps," he muttered.
[System:]
> "Welcome to civilization."
The door clicked shut.
Cian let out a long, exhausted sigh and dropped his travel bag with a soft thud against the wooden floor. The walls muffled the sounds of the outside world, finally granting them a fragile silence. The dim glow of the lantern on the wall painted the room in amber.
He rolled his shoulders, unaware of the quiet mischief stirring behind him.
On the bed, Solaira—the once-fiery Emberlix—had curled up like a sunbathing cat but leaned subtly toward Shirayuki. Her tail flicked with amusement as she whispered something faintly into Shirayuki's ear. The words were unintelligible to Cian, but whatever they were, they had an effect.
Shirayuki's eyes widened. Her cheeks flushed a warm pink, and she instinctively clutched at her chest. Solaira giggled—a sound like flickering flames—and tilted her head smugly.
And then, without a word…
Shirayuki stood up.
Her fingers moved slowly, nervously.
And the fabric slid from her shoulders.
Cian, still facing the window, rubbing his temples, muttered, "Finally, peace and quiet."
He didn't see it yet.
Didn't feel the weight in the air shift.
[System:]
> "Oh. Oh my.
Plot escalation detected.
Cue dramatic music—cut to black."
---
Next Time on "Whispers in the Lantern Light":
Shirayuki's cheeks glowed a deep crimson as she slid closer, eyes flicking toward Cian with a strange, burning shyness.
Her voice—barely above a whisper—trembled in the silence of the room.
"...If this is what you want... then..."
Cian blinked, confused—until cloth rustled behind him.
Then realization hit.
Hard.
And the system?
> "Warning: Heart Rate Spike Detected. Hormones: Critical. YOU MIGHT NOT SURVIVE THIS BONDING EVENT."
---
Will it go there...?
Or will chaos (and comedy) crash the moment?
Find out in the next chapter!
Don't forget to vote, comment, and stay hot—emotionally and literally.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Next Chapter: "What Did I Miss?"