Hachi's Transformation and Her Confession

They rushed to Xerxes' room, where they found him struggling to control Hachi.

"Hachi!" Aria called out.

Gawain questioned, "How did he become so big?"

Hachi roared, his front legs slowly transforming into human hands. His eyes turned red, and he drooled.

Aria attempted to calm Hachi, "Hachi, please calm down!"

Xerxes, creating a magic barrier, warned Aria, "Your Highness, you should leave. Hachi might hurt you."

But Hachi heard Aria's voice and charged at them, roaring once more.

Aria continued to plead, "Hachi, calm down! I know you can do it!"

Hachi, covering his ears, struggled to regain control. He eventually collapsed, snarling and undergoing a remarkable transformation. His ears became human, and his entire body turned into a complete human form. Looks like a 10-year-old boy.

Xerxes chanted a spell, and Hachi screamed before losing consciousness.

"Cedrik, go get some clothes!" Xerxes ordered.

Although he's scared, Cedrik gets some clothes and gives them to him.

Xerxes dressed Hachi and laid him on the bed.

Aria stared in awe, "Is that Hachi?"

He's so cute!

.

.

Hachi slowly opened his eyes, realizing he was in an unfamiliar room. He noticed someone sleeping beside him.

Arf!

It was his master. He got up but he halted when he noticed something strange about him. Wait…his body!

He glanced at his hands, now resembling his master's, and at his legs, which had also changed. He looked in the mirror,

Is this me?

"H-Ha!"

His voice? He's not barking? He covered his mouth.

What happened to me?

"Hmm…" Aria woke up. "Hachi! You're awake, how are you?" She examined his transformed body.

"A-Ah…h-huh?.."Hachi attempted to speak.

"Can you talk like a human?" she asked.

He looks so confused.

.

.

Later...

"Aww, he's so cute!" Jenny exclaimed while fixing Hachi's bow tie.

Hachi smiled.

Aria asked, "Do you think he can talk like us?"

Xerxes explained, "The wolf tribe can communicate like humans when in their human form. He will learn to speak soon."

"You are really cute!" Jenny keeps pinching Hachi's cheek.

"Tch. Why do I have the feeling that this dog will be our rival soon." Rasheen said.

"I agree." Napoleon said.

"C'mon, don't think like that." Gawain said while smiling.

"I already bought a chain in case.." Xerxes wickedly smiled.

"Hey, what are you guys saying? How can he become your rival?" Aria said.

Hachi hugged Aria tightly.

"See! He's really our rival!" Rasheen shouted.

"Pft. Calm down guys, it's normal for a wolf to be like that. I am his master after all." Aria defended him.

"Tsk…" Rasheen glared at Hachi.

He saw Hachi glaring at him too. "Aria, look! He's glaring at me!"

Aria just smiled. "There, there." She patted Hachi's head. "Be a good boy Hachi, they won't harm you. They are nice people."

Hachi smiled and licked her face.

The men's expressions quickly changed.

"Someone stop me..or else I will curse this dog." Xerxes said.

"Can you give me your chain? I want to use it now." Napoleon said.

.

.

Claudius was dumbfounded to see Hachi hugging Aria in front of him. He tried to remain composed and continued sipping his tea.

He finally asked, "Is this boy your dog?"

Aria confirmed, "Hehe, yes."

Claudius questioned, "Why is he clinging to you like that?"

Aria explained, "He might be scared of others, particularly men. He's friendly with Jenny but hesitant around men. I don't understand why."

Claudius glanced at Hachi, who was glaring at him. God, this boy is irritating.

"Can he understand us?"

Aria replied, "Xerxes said they can comprehend human language, though Hachi hasn't spoken yet. But I'm sure he will."

"Okay..by the way, I came here because of this.." Claudius stood up and took out the small box from his pocket.

She was surprised when he kneeled in front of her.

"C-Claudius…"

"Kaye…will you marry me?"

Gasped!

She covered her mouth. Claudius surprised her with a heartfelt marriage proposal.

He showed her the ring.

Waaahhhh!!!

"I told you already that I love you for who you are. I've been planning this for a long time. I want to marry you, I want to be your husband. Let's get married.."

She wiped her tears. "Y-Yes, Claudius! I will!"

How can she refuse a very gentle man? This man loves her so much and she loves him too.

"Really?" He was so happy.

He put the ring on her finger and hugged her. "I'm the happiest man in this empire right now.. I love you so much, Kaye."

"I love you too, Claude."

They were about to kiss when Hachi intervened with a swift kick to Claudius' face.

"Claudius!" Aria said worriedly. "Are you all right?" she helped him to stand.

Claudius glared at Hachi.

"Hachi, why did you kick him?"

"Hmph!" Hachi scowled to his annoyance.

"I'm fine, don't scold him." Claudius said.

.

.

....

Aria's husbands heard the news.

"WHAT? MARRIAGE?" they exclaimed.

"Aria, will going to marry Claudius?" Xerxes asked.

"But why?" Napoleon asked too.

"I don't like that bastard!" Rasheen snorted.

"Does that mean he'll return to the palace?" Gawain wondered.

"Damn, our rival returns." Rasheen continued.

"Why was he accepted already? How about me?" Napoleon cried.

"That's what I heard from Jenny. Her Highness is going to marry him again." Cedrik sniffled.

"This is bad, our turns every night will take longer because Claudius will soon join the harem." Rasheen cried as well.

All of them cried.

.

.

Mikhail is walking in the garden when he saw Aria's husbands.

"What the hell are they doing?" he asked Philip.

"Maybe some prayer meeting, Your Highness." Philip answered.

He showed a stern expression.

He walked away.

"Hachi, please slow down!"

He saw Jenny chasing a boy. The boy stopped in front of him, he saw him glaring at him.

"Who the fuck is this?" Mikhail asked.

"Grrrr.." the boy growled.

Jenny bowed and apologize, she pulled Hachi. "I'm sorry for his rudeness, Your Highness, but this boy is Hachi."

"Hachi? Why does he have the same name as Aria's dog?" he asked again.

"Actually, Your Highness, Hachi, originally came from the Wolf tribe. "Jenny answered. She kept her head lowered.

"Wolf tribe?" Mikhail stared at Hachi. "I didn't know he was one of them. Philip bring this dog with us."

"Y-Your Highness…" Jenny was worried.

.

.

Aria was choosing clothes for Hachi when the door of her room opened. She was startled. "Mikhail!"

She saw Philip holding Hachi at the collar of his dress. Hachi is trying to let go of him.

"Let him go." She said.

Mikhail ordered Philip to let the boy go.

Hachi quickly ran and hid behind her.

"What are you doing here, Your Highness?" She asked.

"Can we talk in private?" he said.

Aria looked at Hachi. "Hachi, can you go out for a while?"

Hachi shook his head.

"Don't worry, I'll be all right, find Jenny and play with her."

Hachi had no choice. Before he left, he glared at Mikhail. Philip followed him and closed the door. The two both sat on the couch.

"What do you want to tell me?" she asked.

"Do you want to reconcile?" he said without looking at her.

?????

"Huh?"

"I said I wanted to reconcile with you."

"Are you now going to set me free?"

"No."

"Then I won't."

"I can't let you go."

"But why?"

"Because you're my woman."

"That's bullshit. Have you forgotten that I'm inside your cousin's body?"

"Who cares? In my eyes, you're not her."

"We aren't a couple, Your Highness. I can't be yours forever."

"Then I will marry you."

"W-What?"

"I can marry you if you want."

"No way! That's incest!"

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with that we're not blood related."

"In the eyes of the public, we are blood related."

"So you're worried about public opinions now?" he smirked.

"T-That's because.."

He leaned forward, their faces were too close to each other. "Be honest, you want to marry me too, right?"

"S-Shut up!" she pushed him.

"C'mon, I came here to reconcile with you."

"You dont sound like you really want it. If you really want to reconcile with me, then set me free."

"No, never! That will never happen!" He yelled.

"Then forget it. You may leave now."

"Tsk." He stood up. "Why can't you accept me? After all I've done for you!"

She avoided his gaze. "You forced me.."

"Tsss..then fine! I don't want to see your face anymore!" he walked out.

She sighed. Now he's mad again.

.

.

....

"How's everything?" inquired the masked man.

"Everything is prepared, Your Grace," responded the masked young man.

"How about the Prince?" the masked man inquired further.

"He's sleeping soundly in his room." the young man replied.

"We will return to the palace soon. It's time for them to meet him." the masked man said with a sinister smile.

"Understood, Your Grace," the young man replied with a respectful bow.

.

.

....

It had been five days, and Mikhail had ceased bothering Aria. Every time he spotted her, he chose to ignore her, as if she were invisible. Aria found relief in his absence, yet a nagging worry persisted. Deep within her heart, she felt compelled to speak with him.

After all, he had protected her, even if he was forcing her to do that thing with him.

"Am I missing him?" she mumbled.

"Your Highness, is something troubling you? You don't seem well today," Cedrik asked.

"I'm fine," she replied with a forced smile.

"Aria," they heard Claudius approaching and smiling.

"Claude," she acknowledged.

He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek and took a seat beside her.

"Did you wake up early?" he asked.

She nodded, sipping her tea.

"On my way here, I saw Lady Lianna."

Lady Lianna, the daughter of the Baron of the South.

"Really? Did she come to visit the Emperor?" she asked.

"I'm not sure, but yesterday when I had tea with the Emperor, he mentioned about looking for a Crown Princess."

Aria abruptly dropped the cup she was holding.

"Are you all right?" Claudius asked, concern etched across his face.

"I-I'm fine," she stammered. "You mentioned the Crown Princess. Does that mean the Crown Prince is about to be married?"

Claudius stared at her, sensing her unease.

"I'm not sure, it seems like the Crown Prince also has no idea about it. We know him well, and there isn't a woman in this empire who could endure his attitude."

She let out a sigh, her gaze drifting to the stains on her dress. "I need to change, I'll be back." She gave Claudius a kiss and rose from her seat, with Cedrik following her. Claudius watched her walking away.

.

.

She was on her way when she saw Mikhail kissing Lady Lianna.

She froze, her heart aching as if pierced by what she had just witnessed.

Their eyes accidentally met.

She turned around and walked away.

When Mikhail saw her walking away he quickly pushed Lady Lianna aside.

"Ouch!" she complained.

"Get lost." He grumbled.

"W-What?" the lady exclaimed in shock.

"You're not a good kisser. You've wasted my time. Don't show your face in front of me again." He walked away.

Lady Lianna was offended by what he said. She cried and ran away.

"Tsk." Mikhail glanced back once more in the direction where Aria had stood. She was no longer there.

.

.

"Please wait outside." Aria instructed.

Even though he was worried, Cedrik just nodded. She closed the door and ran to her bed, sobbing.

"Why am I hurt? Who cares if he's going to marry her? This is what I want, right? I want to be free from him…but why? Why am I getting hurt? Why am I feeling this pain?"

She wiped her tears away. Could it be that she was falling for Mikhail?

.

.

....

Three days had passed, and Mikhail continued to ignore Aria. She also noticed that Lady Lianna had not visited again.

Desiring to be alone, she asked William and Cedrik to let her take a walk alone. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice that her feet took her to the training ground where the knights were engrossed in their training but there was no trace of Mikhail being around. She was about to leave when she accidentally bumped into someone.

"My apologies, Your Highness." It was Philip.

"It's all right." She replied.

He noticed her being lethargic.

"Are you all right, Your Highness?" Philip asked.

"Y-Yeah…" she stammered.

"Seems like you don't get enough sleep." he commented.

She forced a smile, replying, "I'm fine."

"His Highness isn't here," Philip noted.

"I-I'm not looking for him," she said, avoiding his gaze.

"Is that so?"

"You're in the middle of training, right? I don't want to disturb you, so I'm leaving now," she said, walking away.

As she left, Mikhail emerged from his hiding spot.

"She doesn't look well. How long will you ignore her?" Philip questioned.

"She wants me to leave her alone," Mikhail retorted, his voice cold.

"But I can tell that she is missing you. Every time I see her, she looks so lethargic," Philip insisted.

He remained silent.

Philip sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Seriously, why am I the one who's affected here?"

Mikhail remained stoic, uninterested in his opinion.

.

.

....

"The stars are beautiful, aren't they?" Cedrik sat beside Aria.

They both watched the stars in the sky.

"Yeah," she agreed, her eyes on the stars.

Cedrik watched her closely.

But you are more beautiful.

"Aren't you going to spend your night with your husband?" he asked.

"I told them that I'm not feeling well." She replied.

"I noticed that you and the Crown Prince were ignoring each other. Did you have a fight?" he said.

"It's just a misunderstanding," she said.

"It doesn't look like just a misunderstanding to me. You're deeply affected. You've been eating very little every day, and even your husbands have noticed it," Cedrik pointed out.

"T-They noticed?" she asked.

"They are concerned about you," Cedrik confirmed.

She sighed. "Ced, have you ever fallen in love?"

Her question took him by surprise, and he blushed. "I... I have," he confessed.

"Really?" she inquired.

He nodded. "I am in love with someone. She's very important to me. Whenever I see her sad, it hurts me too. I promised myself that I would do everything for her and make her smile every day."

"Have you confessed to her?" she asked.

He shook his head. "I can't."

"But why not?"

"Because we are different. I am just a butler. I am afraid she will reject me."

"Who cares if you're a butler? You are brave, kind, and caring. I'm sure she will fall for you," Aria assured him.

"Do you think so?" he asked, feeling a glimmer of hope.

She smiled and nodded. "Don't give up."

He smiled.

I hope so, Your Highness…

"By the way, why did you suddenly ask if I had fallen in love?" he asked.

"About that…" she hugged her knees. "I think I'm in love…"

His heart ached upon hearing her words. "Y-You're in love? With whom?"

"I know it's crazy. I have husbands, and I love them all. I love them so much, and I don't want to lose them. I'm also getting married to Lord Claudius. But... there's someone who keeps running through my mind. I can't stop thinking about him. Every time he avoids me, it hurts me. I miss him so much. I don't want to be selfish, I don't want to hurt my husbands, but I can't stop this feeling. It's driving me crazy, and I don't know what to do anymore," she cried.

"Is it the Crown Prince?" Cedrik ventured.

She nodded.

He sighed, offering her a comforting embrace. "If you truly love him, then tell him. Keeping these feelings inside for too long will only make it harder for you to face him every day. And if you're worried about how your husbands will react, I'm sure they will accept your feelings. They love you dearly. They accepted Lord Claudius, so they will accept him too."

Despite the pain he felt, Cedrik was determined to help her because he loved her.

"B-But what if..." she started.

"Ssshhh... don't dwell on negative thoughts. Just be honest and do what you truly desire," he encouraged her.

.

.

It was already ten o'clock in the evening, and Mikhail was meticulously cleaning his sword when the door to his room suddenly swung open. He immediately stood up as he saw Aria, her face flushed and her body glistening with sweat.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

She didn't respond, her gaze fixed on him.

He raised an eyebrow. "I've already told you not to come closer to me. Why are you---"

"I LOVE YOU!" she blurted out.

He was surprised. "W-What?"

"I said I love you!" Aria repeated firmly.

Mikhail was too stunned to respond.

"I love you, and I hate it every time you ignore me. Don't you know that it pains me? When you're so cold to me... I miss you every day, but I can't come to you because I'm afraid that you will push me away. But when I saw you kissing Lady Lianna..." Her voice quivered, and tears began to fall. "I felt like I was being stabbed here." She pointed to her chest. "It hurts, Mikhail. It hurts to the point that I can't eat, I can't sleep, thinking that you might get married and forget me."

Mikhail listened intently, his usual cold facade wavering.

She continued to cry in front of him. "P-Please... don't marry another woman... I want you to love me... only me."

Finally, a genuine smile broke out on his face, and he rushed towards her, enveloping her in a tight hug. "Who said I would marry another woman? All I want is you, Kaye. If I marry someone in the future, I will make sure it's you, only you." He looked deeply into her eyes. "I love you," he said before kissing her passionately.

.

.

....

During a meeting with the Emperor, nobles, and ministers, a surprising announcement was made.

"It's about time to pass my throne to my son," the Emperor declared, leaving everyone in shock.

"But Your Majesty... isn't it too early?" the Marquis of the South questioned, voicing his concerns.

They feared Mikhail. If he becomes the Emperor, the law will become stricter.

"I'm getting older, and I trust my son. I believe he can rule the empire better than me," the Emperor explained.

"If that's your wish, Your Majesty, then I will support the Crown Prince," Claudius declared, showing his loyalty.

"Haha thank you, Lord Claudius." Said the Emperor.

Some of the nobles thought that Claudius was just supporting the Crown Prince because he was about to remarry the Princess. They were also thinking that Claudius was the Emperor's favorite.

"Please expect my support for the Crown Prince. He fought many times for our empire. I believe that if he became the emperor no one would ever attempt to attack us again." The Marquis of the North said.

He's the father of Lord Gawain. Of course, he will support him because of the Princess.

"I will also give my full support to the Crown Prince." The Count of the South said.

He's the father of Lord Napoleon, who is also courting the Princess.

The other nobles had no choice but to agree and give their full support.

Mikhail, who was listening to them, just yawned. How pretentious. He thought.

"Then we need to find him a wife soon. It is important for the emperor to have his wife by his side and bear his heir." Minister Perez said.

"Hey, that's so sudden. I am not the emperor yet, but you want me to marry immediately?" Mikhail glared at him.

"F-Forgive me, Your Highness. That's only my suggestion." Minister Perez lowered his head and wiped his sweat.

"I will not marry anyone." Mikhail stated firmly.

"But, Your Highness, you need to have a wife." The Count of the North said.

Lol, he has a daughter. Surely he would let her apply to be his wife.

"Is that so?" Mikhail stared at them. "But I believe no one in this empire has the same level as me."

Everyone looked away uncomfortably.

"I'm the 'evil prince' of this empire, and my wife must be as ruthless as I am. Unfortunately, only one woman in this empire matches that description, and that is the Princess." He added.

"H-Haha, but Your Highness she's your cousin, you can't marry her." The Marquis of the South pointed.

Mikhail, unfazed, retorted, "Why not? Royalties from ancient times used to marry their own relatives to preserve pure blood in the family."

The Emperor attempted to lighten the mood. "Haha, don't take him seriously, he's just joking around."

He has no idea that his son is secretly dating the Princess.

Mikhail stood up. "If you can't find a woman who is as evil as my cousin, then don't ask me about marriage." Then he left.

Everyone wiped their sweat on their faces. There's no woman in the empire matching his criteria.

.

.

....

Later, Aria heard about the situation and voiced her displeasure. "What? That bastard said that?"

"Haha, he's just joking around." Claudius said.

"Psh. How dare he use me as his joke," Aria grumbled.

"But what if it's not really a joke?" Claudius said.

"Huh?"

He placed his head on her shoulder. "What if he really likes you? You were not blood related after all."

She looked away. "T-That's..impossible.."

He glanced at her and gently caressed her face. "Will you also marry him?"

"Claudius, that's..." she started but couldn't bring herself to disclose her relationship with Mikhail.

Claudius stared at her intently, awaiting her response.

Waahh! Sorry Claude!

She can't tell to anyone that Mikhail and she are in a secret relationship.

He smiled. "Forget it. Why don't we focus on our upcoming wedding?"

Their wedding was fast approaching, scheduled for Monday. Everyone in the palace was busy with preparations.

"Are you excited?" she asked.

"Of course, finally, I'll be able to marry the love of my life," he responded. "I love you so much, Kaye."

"I love you more," Aria said, and they shared a tender kiss.

.

.

....

Aria moaned when Mikhail started massaging her breast.

"You're really beautiful when you're moaning.." he whispered to her.

"M-Mikhail..."

"Your wedding and my coronation are both coming up soon. Let's enjoy this night before we get busy."

He kissed her on her neck down to her bosom.

They are both enjoying themselves when the door suddenly opened. They stopped.

"H-Hachi?" Aria hurriedly fixed her clothes.

Hachi ran and middled on them.

Mikhail was annoyed. "Hey, why the hell are you here?"

Hachi glared at him. "I don't like you!"

Their were both surprised when they heard him speak.

Aria's eyes widened. "Y-You can finally talk?"

"Hachi, you talked! Waaah!" Aria embraced Hachi tightly, overjoyed by this newfound ability.

"You should let everyone know. Come, Hachi, show them that you can speak now." She grabbed his hand and they left.

Mikhail was left stunned and speechless. Had she forgotten about him already?

.

.

....

Hachi's newfound ability to speak amazed those around him.

"Wow, can you call my name Hachi?" Jenny asked.

"Jenny." Hachi pointed at her. "William, Cedrik, and Master." He pointed at them too.

"Wahhh, he's so amazing!" Aria exclaimed.

"What's amazing about him? He acts like a child," Rasheen scoffed, rolling his eyes.

Napoleon decided to playfully tease Hachi. "Hey boy, can you bark? Arf arf?"

This irked Hachi and he kicked the two.

"You!" Rasheen and Napoleon are about to hit him but the others stopped them.

Gawain wanted to test Hachi's knowledge as well. "Do you know me too, Hachi?"

Hachi nodded. "Gawain!"

Gawain beamed with a smile.

Xerxes, intrigued, asked, "How about us?"

Hachi began pointing to them one by one. "Stupid Xerxes, Idiot Rasheen, Moron Leon, Ryu, and Valentine."

"Who are you calling an idiot?" Rasheen protested.

"Say that again, huh? Did you just call me a moron?" Napoleon wanted to choke him.

Xerxes was so pissed. How dare he call him stupid?

Gawain chuckled at the banter.

"Why don't you have nicknames for Gawain, Valentine, and Ryu? Why only us?" Rasheen asked aloud.

"Bleh!!!!" Hachi simply stuck out his tongue.

He's getting on their nerves.

"Ughh, so noisy!" Mikhail showed up.

They bowed to him.

"What's so great about him being able to speak? He's still a dog." Mikhail said.

Hachi retorted with a simple yet impactful response. "Ugly Prince."

This provoked Mikhail's anger. "Ha! Who's ugly? You wanna die, huh?" He was prepared to draw his sword.

Aria couldn't help but laugh at the lively scene unfolding in the palace.