WINTER'S SWEET EMBRACE

"EX-Rank? Like Levana? Damn... so I’m basically an Ultra Rare?"

"U-Ultra Rare doesn’t even begin to describe your worth!" Gable stared at Vincent in trembling awe.

"Just what in the gods’ names are you?! I thought you were just a normal human boy at first, but after seeing your test results and now this–!" He gestured with both hands toward the magnificent white wings resting behind Vincent’s back.

"You look just like the divine Goddess who accompanied the Legendary Hero on his journey all those years ago!"

"What my Familiar is does not concern you, Gable." Maelle stepped in front of him. "Your duty is strictly confined to registration and documentation. Vincent... please revert back to normal."

"Well, since you asked so nicely." With a soft chime of light, his aura dissipated and he transformed back to his human self.

At the exact same time, the flickering aura of divine support magic surrounding Bucky finally faded. The wyvern let out a tired squeak, flopping his heavy head onto the stone floor next to Gable.

"Ahh. Thank you for your service, Bucky. Rest up back in the spirit world. Return." With a wave of his hand, a magic circle flashed under the wyvern, dissolving the creature into shimmering particles.

Slightly composing himself, Gable turned toward Maelle. "Your Highness... if I may have your Imperial Identification Card? I need to fill out the rest of the information."

She handed over the black card. Gable then pulled an all-silver pen from his pocket, scribbling glowing runes across the surface to legally record that her bound Familiar possessed an EX-Class power ranking.

Finishing up, he handed the card back with a respectful bow.

Maelle inspected the black card carefully, noting the newly etched runes. "Are we finished here?"

"Y-Yes, Your Highness. Everything has been fully documented, and I will update it within the Imperial database."

"Good. We are leaving."

As she turned around and left, Vincent offered him a friendly wave as he stepped past him. "Thanks for your hard work, Manager."

Once the double doors clicked shut, Gable collapsed against the nearest wall, clutching his racing heart. "Merciful gods above... I... I need to inform the Bureau Director immediately..."

........

"You know, you didn’t seem surprised by my rank at all. Even I was kind of shocked."

"That’s because I already knew your rank."

"Huh? How?"

"Elder Bran informed me while you were away on your rescue mission with those elves."

Vincent’s mouth opened into a wide grin as he leaned in toward her teasingly. "Ahhh. No wonder you had that cheeky little smirk on your face back when I asked what colour each rank represents, huh?"

"I have no idea what you’re talking about."

"Sure, sure."

Reaching the ground floor, Vincent noticed an anxious young woman pacing back and forth near the entrance. She had long black hair swept over her shoulder, sharp green eyes, and wore a fitted black suit.

Her nerves were clearly shot, as she was biting her thumbnail while scanning the crowd.

Maelle paused, calling out to her, "Gwen."

The black-haired girl whipped her head around and her green eyes widened in shock.

"P-Princess!"

Gwen sprinted across the room, practically throwing herself to one knee in front of Maelle.

"Your Highness! Forgive me! Words cannot describe how much I have failed you! I searched the entire city and found nothing! I was nearly out of my mind with terror–!"

"That is enough, Gwen," Maelle commanded calmly, placing a hand on her servant’s shoulder. "Stand up."

As Gwen scrambled to her feet, her hands trembling as she inspected Maelle for any injuries.

"What happened to you, Princess?! You said you had a private meeting with the prince, but then you just disappeared! Rumors are spreading through every dormitory that... that you ended your own life because of your broken engagement to Lord Quinton!"

"Gwen. Calm down. I will explain everything to you in detail, but not here."

"Y-Yes... of course, Your Highness. Forgive my outburst. I believe we should immediately head to the principal’s office to report your safe return–"

"No. Not yet. First things first... I require a proper bath, warm food, and several hours of sleep. I take it you brought coin with you?"

Gwen nodded quickly, tapping a leather pouch at her belt. "Of course, Princess."

"Good. We will book a private suite at an inn nearby."

She took the dark travel cloak Gwen had brought for her. But as she went to drape it over her shoulders, her fingers paused on the white denim jacket she was still wearing. She hesitated, glancing sideways at Vincent.

"Meh. You can keep the jacket at this point." Vincent shrugged. "Think of it as a souvenir present from your Familiar."

Maelle stared at the jacket for a second before looking away. "Is that so?"

She draped the black cloak over her shoulders, pulling the deep hood up to conceal her white hair.

"I am going to settle the transaction fees at the front desk. By the way, Gwen... this is Vincent. My Familiar. Get used to being around each other."

With that, Maelle walked away toward the main counter.

Gwen turned her sharp green eyes toward Vincent, inspecting him from head to toe. Vincent smiled warmly and extended his hand for a polite handshake. "Hey there. I’m Vincent."

She eyed his outstretched hand for a second before reaching forward and giving it a firm shake.

"I am Gwen, Her Highness’s personal attendant and shield."

Her expression softened slightly as a hint of remorse touched her eyes. "I saw what transpired during the summoning ritual... I am deeply sorry for dragging you into a life you did not ask for, Vincent."

"Ha. Don’t worry about it. You’re making it sound like you’re the one who summoned me. At the end of the day, what’s done is done, right? Nothing anyone can do about it now. I just have to stiffen up my upper lip and try to look at the bright side of things."

Gwen blinked in confusion when a genuine smile broke through her stern features. "I am glad to see you hold no animosity toward Her Highness."

"Done," Maelle said, stepping back over to them after concluding her business at the desk. "Gwen, lead us to a quiet inn and secure a room please."

"Right away, Your Highness. There is actually one nearby"

Exiting the Bureau into the bright afternoon sunlight, Gwen led them through the streets of the city’s commercial district, turning down a charming avenue lined with timber-and-stone buildings.

Soon, they stopped in front of a three-story establishment titled The Golden Paws Inn.

Stepping inside, Vincent was greeted by a warm, lively atmosphere. The ground-floor tavern was filled with laughter and the clinking of ale mugs. A human waitress was practically dashing between tables, balancing impossibly high trays of piping hot roasts and sizzling mugs with impressive agility.

Behind the oak front desk stood the innkeeper – a tall, heavily built wolfkin man with well-maned gray fur, pointed wolf ears, and a thick, bushy tail swaying slowly behind him.

Gwen walked up to the counter, placing a small pouch of silver coins on the desk. "Your best private room for the evening, please. Money is no object."

As the wolfkin innkeeper reached for the silver while placing the room keys down, he suddenly paused.

He felt an intense, unblinking stare burning into the side of his face. Slowly, the innkeeper turned his head and locked eyes with Vincent, who was staring at him with completely mesmerized eyes.

"Hmm... Is there a problem, young man?"

"N-No. No problem at all. It’s just... I don’t mean to sound weird but... can I pet your fur?"

*GASP!!!*

The dashing waitress froze mid-step, and several patrons dropped their wooden mugs onto the tables. As everyone turned to stare at Vincent in absolute horror, the entire tavern plunged into a dead silence.

The wolfkin innkeeper stopped mid-reach, his jaw dropping open in utter disbelief. "What?"

Gwen’s face went completely pale. She let out a nervous laugh, grabbing Vincent by his collar and forcefully yanking him backward.

"Ahaha! Please don’t mind him! He is... from out of town! Very far out of town!"

She snatched the room keys off the counter and practically dragged a confused Vincent by his collar toward the wooden staircase. "Come along, Vincent~ Right now!"

"Keep the change." Maelle said before following behind them. The waitress gave Vincent an extraordinarily angry pout as they passed by.

...

"Hey! What did I say?!" Vincent hissed quietly as Gwen continued dragging him through the second-floor hallway.

Once they reached the door of their room as stated on the key, Gwen finally let go of him, letting out an exhausted sigh as she opened it.

Maelle walked inside, looking over her shoulder at Vincent with an unreadable expression. "I apologize, Vincent. I did not realize you... swung that way."

"HAH!? THE HELL?! Swung that way–! Are you saying I’m gay?! I’m not gay!"

Gwen adjusted her suit jacket, looking at him with deep judgment. "Vincent... you basically just proposed to a wolfkin in public."

"WHAT?! No I didn’t! I just wanted to pet his fur! Is asking to pet a wolf-man some kind of extreme taboo in beastkin culture?!"

"Extremely," Maelle said flatly while taking off her cloak. "In any case... thank you for safely escorting me back to the capital, Vincent."

She raised her hand, preparing to cast her summoning magic. "I shall dismiss you back to your realm for the evening."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait. Don’t send me back just yet."

"Why?"

"Because I want to go back downstairs and clear up that misunderstanding with the innkeeper before the word spreads." Vincent explained, rubbing his temples.

"Besides, it’s still early in the afternoon. I want to walk around the city a bit and see the sights."

Maelle sighed softly. "I intend to take a bath, eat a hot meal, and sleep for the rest of the day. I won’t be awake to dismiss you when you return."

"Fine by me."

She stared at him for a moment before dropping her hand. "Very well. Have fun. Gwen, inside."

"Yes, Your Highness," Gwen bowed respectfully to Maelle, then offered Vincent a quick, polite nod. "Try not to propose to any more beastkin while you are out, ok?"

She then stepped inside and closed the door, leaving Vincent standing alone in the quiet hallway.

"...Man. I really need to learn the rules of this world."