The grand estate of the Ivanova family stood as a symbol of power and nobility, its halls lined with portraits of generations of leopard hybrids who had ruled with both grace and ferocity.

The Ivanovas were a ducal house, their bloodline pure and their status unquestioned—leopard hybrids known for their strength, elegance, and commanding presence.

And then there was you.

A tiny, trembling thing from a mere baron family—a hamster hybrid, the most delicate of all breeds.

While most hamster hybrids were already skittish by nature, you were something else entirely.

Fragile, sensitive, quick to tears—a crybaby in every sense of the word. The nobility had been scandalized when Silvatio Ivanova, the heir to the dukedom, had chosen you as his bride.

A leopard and a hamster? Unheard of.

But Silvatio had never cared for their whispers.

He adored you—your softness, your timid nature, the way your little hands clutched at his sleeves whenever you were overwhelmed. Where others saw weakness, he saw something precious to be protected.

His usual demeanor was cold, his voice sharp enough to make grown men flinch, but with you? He softened. His touch, usually rough from years of training, turned featherlight against your skin, knowing how easily you bruised.

He spoiled you relentlessly, showering you with affection and patience, even when your emotions ran wild over the smallest things.

Tonight was no exception.

Silvatio had been buried in paperwork in his study, the flickering candlelight casting shadows across the stacks of documents that never seemed to end. His leopard ears twitched at the sound of quiet sniffling before he even saw you.

And there you were—peeking into the room with your ears drooping and your little hamster tail tucked close, tears already streaking your cheeks.

Without hesitation, he set down his pen and patted his thigh, his voice dropping into that gentle tone reserved only for you.

"Come here, little ham."

His nickname for you that he always had slipped out so naturally, so lovingly.

You shuffled forward, and the moment you were within reach, his strong arms lifted you effortlessly onto his lap.

His fingers immediately found the space between your ears, stroking in slow, soothing motions—he knew exactly how to calm you down.

"What happened this time, hm?"

His deep voice was a quiet rumble as he continued petting you, his thumb brushing over the velvety fur of your twitching ears.

The rest of the world saw a predator, a nobleman of fearsome lineage—but right now, he was simply your husband, patiently waiting to hear what had upset his little hamster this time.