The Fluffy Baby Fox Only Bites the Crazy Villain - Chapter 16
Karden’s gaze briefly turned to me.
“Shushu, would you be alright sitting with Captain Burke?”
I didn’t expect him to ask for my opinion. I knew that despite Burke’s intimidating appearance, he was kind-hearted inside.
Though instinctive fear remained, I couldn’t keep trembling forever.
I rubbed my nose with my front paw and nodded.
“It’s fine.”
“I see.”
Karden nodded and turned his attention to Burke.
“Captain, you may join us. However, be mindful of your behavior as you might startle Shushu.”
“Of course! Thank you!”
Burke exclaimed cheerfully with a broad smile. He and his knights sat down in a row across from us.
Just then, Maildra and Owen arrived carrying trays of food. I wagged my tail vigorously in excitement.
Thanks to Karden’s hellish training since morning, I was starving to death. My once plump and round belly had become slim.
Breakfast consisted of warm soup, bread, and thinly grilled chicken.
My portion was served in a wide bowl – it was soup with carrots and potatoes. Everything was cut into small pieces for easy eating.
Looking around, I noticed everyone had food in front of them but was just staring at me.
What’s wrong, aren’t you hungry?
I tilted my head and decided to eat first. I tested the soup with my tongue, and fortunately, it wasn’t hot but lukewarm.
The soup was rich and delicious. It even had chicken in it, giving it a nice meaty texture. I buried my face in the bowl and lapped it up happily.
Food after hellish training truly tasted like heaven.
“I’m glad the meal seems to be to your liking.”
Karden’s voice reached my ears.
Ah, am I eating too ravenously?
But I was so hungry. Before I knew it, the soup bowl was completely empty.
Despite being a baby fox, I felt a bit embarrassed for forgetting my human table manners.
I straightened my posture and licked the soup from around my mouth with my tongue.
Now that I was full, I could finally notice how others were reacting.
Everyone was barely touching their food, just staring intently at me.
Owen wore a satisfied smile, while Maildra covered his mouth. Even Burke was looking at me with an awkward, almost silly expression.
“Kyaung? (Why is everyone just looking at me?)”
Karden turned to everyone and spoke coldly.
“Enough. Everyone focus on your meal.”
At the Grand Duke’s command, everyone hurriedly began eating.
Burke downed his soup bowl in one go and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. Then, with a serious expression, he addressed Karden.
“Commander, I know this might be presumptuous… but I have a request.”
“What is it?”
Karden’s eyebrow twitched. The burly Burke visibly flinched.
He gulped hard before speaking as if steeling himself. One would think he was heading to battle.
“May I… may I pet the baby fox, I mean Shushu, just once?”
Burke’s request to pet me just once was delivered with the utmost gravity.
Karden crossed his arms and coldly cut him off.
“Denied.”
“Ah… I apologize for my impudence.”
Burke sat back down dejectedly, wearing a bitter smile as if he had expected this outcome.
For some reason, not just Burke but everyone around looked greatly disappointed.
The soldiers looked at me with regretful expressions while whispering among themselves.
“Sigh. What a shame. I really wanted to touch that fluffy fur.”
“I’ve wanted to raise a fox since I was young. If I could just pet it once, I’d have no other wishes.”
Karden was being overprotective of me as if he were my owner. Even though I never gave him permission.
Somehow, while staying at the Grand Duke’s residence, the atmosphere had naturally shifted to me becoming Karden’s pet.
That’s not right. I’m a free and independent soul who won’t be bound by anything.
Did he think I would be tamed so easily? I felt defiance and stubbornness rise against Karden.
I stood up abruptly from the table. Carefully avoiding the plates, I trotted forward.
“Shushu, what are you doing?”
Karden called out to me, but I moved forward proudly without looking back.
I stopped in front of Captain Burke.
His large, burly build and fierce face were still scary. But they say there are no bad people among those who love animals.
I rubbed my head against Burke’s pot-lid-sized large and thick hands.
“Kyaang?”
Burke flinched as if burned, then tensed his jaw as if trying to control his expression.
He didn’t dare stroke my fur and instead looked anxiously at Karden.
Karden’s expression remained unfavorable. Maildra carefully tried to mediate while watching the Grand Duke’s reaction.
“Your Grace, it seems Lady Shushu herself has given permission…”
“…”
Karden remained silent, his gaze fixed on me.
I wagged my tail and rubbed against Burke’s hand once more.
“Kyaung, kyaung.”
Go ahead, you can pet me. I’m giving you permission.
Burke’s hand trembled slightly. He seemed torn between his desire to pet me and his fear of the Grand Duke.
In the end, his love for animals won out. He slowly extended his hand and gently stroked my head.
“So soft…”
Burke’s voice trembled with emotion. His rough hands were surprisingly gentle.
The other knights watched with envy. I decided to be generous and approached them too.
“Kyaung!”
The knights’ faces lit up as I allowed them to pet me one by one.
“Amazing… it’s like touching a cloud.”
“The fur is so silky…”
“It’s even softer than I imagined!”
Everyone took turns petting me carefully as if handling a precious treasure.
Their happy faces reminded me of children receiving presents.
Watching them, I felt a sense of superiority. Look how popular I am!
I glanced at Karden triumphantly. See? I can make my own decisions.
However, Karden’s expression was dark, like storm clouds gathering.
“…”
His cold gaze made the knights quickly withdraw their hands.
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. Even Burke, who had been smiling contentedly, now sat rigidly.
Karden stood up from his seat.
“Training begins in 10 minutes. Those who are late will receive double the training.”
“Yes, sir!”
The knights hurriedly finished their meals and left the dining hall.
Burke also stood up quickly, but before leaving, he gave me one last gentle pat on the head.
“Thank you, Shushu.”
His usually fierce face was now full of happiness.
After everyone left, only Karden, Owen, Maildra, and I remained.
The atmosphere was still heavy. Karden’s cold gaze was fixed on me.
What’s wrong with letting them pet me a little? Why is he acting like this?
I decided to ignore him and focused on grooming myself, licking my paws.
“Shushu.”
“…”
I pretended not to hear him.
“Look at me.”
His voice was stern, but I continued to ignore him.
I’m not your pet. I don’t have to listen to you.
Suddenly, a large hand grabbed my scruff and lifted me up.
“Kyak!”
I was raised to eye level with Karden.
His crimson eyes were blazing with an unknown emotion.
“You’re being quite rebellious today.”
“Kyaung! (Put me down!)”
I struggled, but his grip was firm.
Owen and Maildra watched our interaction with worried expressions.
“Your Grace, perhaps you should…”
“Leave us.”
At Karden’s cold command, Owen and Maildra quickly left the dining hall.
Now it was just the two of us.
Karden sat down, still holding me by my scruff.
His other hand reached out and firmly grasped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.
“Listen carefully. You are not to approach other men so casually.”
“Kyaung! (Why not?)”
“And stop making those adorable sounds when others are around.”
Adorable? Did the cold-hearted Grand Duke just say adorable?
“From now on, you will stay by my side. You are not to wander around alone or approach others without my permission. Understand?”
His tone was authoritative, leaving no room for argument.
But I wasn’t going to back down. I’m not his possession!
I struggled harder, trying to break free from his grip.
“Kyaung! Kyaung! (Let go! You’re not my owner!)”
“Stop struggling.”
His grip tightened slightly, not enough to hurt but enough to restrain me.
“You need to learn your place.”
Learn my place? What does he mean by that?
“From today onwards, your training will be doubled.”
“Kyak?!”
I stopped struggling and stared at him in shock.
Double the training? I could barely handle the current amount!
“And if you continue to be disobedient…”
His eyes narrowed dangerously.
“It will be tripled.”
“…”
I went limp in his grip, all fight leaving my body.
This demon… this tyrant…
Karden’s lips curved into a satisfied smile as he saw my submission.
He finally put me down and patted my head.
“Good girl.”
I wanted to bite his hand, but the threat of triple training held me back.
For now, I would have to endure. But just you wait, Karden…
One day, I’ll definitely get my revenge!
