The Fluffy Baby Fox Only Bites the Crazy Villain - Chapter 17 - The Secret of the West Pavilion

Ron rested his chin on his hand and stared at me with curious eyes.

Ron, when you look at me with those starry eyes, it makes this sister’s heart flutter.

“I’m so happy that Shushu can talk. We can have conversations like this.”

“I enjoy talking with you too, Ron.”

I wagged my tail and smiled brightly. Ron gently kneaded my soft paw pads as he asked.

“Shushu, is there anything you want? Should I make you an artifact with magic?”

“Hmm, I’ll think about it and let you know. But Ron, are you okay? You don’t look well.”

Ron had dark circles under his eyes and looked sleepy as if he’d been researching all night.

Ron quickly wiped his face with his sleeve.

“Ah, I’m fine. I stayed up all night researching the mechanism of how Shushu absorbs magical power. It was just too interesting.”

I felt guilty and sorry that a growing boy was staying up all night because of me.

Just then, Owen approached and gently patted Ron’s curly hair.

“Ron. Welcome. You must be tired from all the research.”

Ron scratched the back of his head shyly.

“Ah, Sir Owen. I’m fine. This is nothing.”

I smiled contentedly as I looked back and forth between Owen and Ron.

They’re so close they could be mistaken for real brothers. Both are handsome too. This is truly a feast for the eyes.

Owen handed Ron some soup and bread while patting his shoulder.

“You’re still growing. I hope you’ll rest when you need to. Remember that everyone worries about you.”

“Thank you, Sir Owen. I’ll keep that in mind. And thanks for the bread.”

Owen seems like he’d get along well with everyone in the knights’ order with his friendly and approachable personality.

He takes good care of Ron like a real brother too. What a genuinely nice person. It’s such a waste for him to be stuck in this harsh borderland.

Ron spoke while stuffing his cheeks with bread:

“It seems many healers have come from the royal palace this time. I hope everything goes well.”

“Ron.”

Owen, who had been gentle until now, spoke seriously with a stern expression. Ron flinched and scratched the back of his head.

“Ah. I forgot. I shouldn’t talk about this.”

The atmosphere suddenly became tense. I looked back and forth between them in confusion.

Owen and Ron both avoided my gaze as if by prior agreement.

What secret could this be? Why did Owen become so serious?

“Kyaang. Why did the healers come? Is this a regular visit?”

“I’m sorry, Shushu. We can’t talk about that.”

Owen gave me a kind smile, but I could see it – the strong unspoken pressure telling me not to ask any more questions.

What are these two hiding? This is very suspicious.

I returned to the Grand Duke’s residence with my curiosity unresolved. While resting in my room, I heard an unfamiliar sound from outside the window.

I quickly jumped up to the windowsill. An unfamiliar carriage was hurriedly entering the residence.

The butler and servants were waiting in the entrance hall.

The carriage door opened and healers stumbled out. Their faces were stricken with terror as if they’d seen a ghost.

Soldiers quickly moved to support the healers, and maids brought water.

The butler stepped forward and seemed to be saying something. I wanted to open the window to hear their voices, but unfortunately, in this fox body, I couldn’t open windows.

After drinking water and catching their breath, the healers all shook their heads in unison. Then they got back into the carriage.

Though the butler tried to stop them, they fled the residence in their carriage as if escaping.

What’s going on? Why are the healers leaving in such fear?

“Lady Shushu, what are you looking at?”

Betty asked as she entered with a plate full of jerky.

“The healers just fled in their carriage. Do you know what happened?”

Betty’s expression darkened, but she calmly set down the plate of jerky in front of me.

“They probably visited the West Pavilion.”

“What’s in the West Pavilion?”

“I’m sorry. Speaking about the West Pavilion is taboo in the residence, so I can’t tell you.”

Betty bowed repeatedly, looking very apologetic. If I ask more questions, it would trouble Betty.

“I see. Alright.”

I pretended to be uninterested and nibbled on the jerky. Betty seemed relieved when I stopped asking questions and began cleaning the room.

Taking that opportunity, I carefully slipped out of the room. I need to find information about the West Pavilion.

I know where all information about the residence was gathered.

I quickly descended the underground stairs.

The first basement floor has the maids’ quarters, their break room, and the wine cellar.

As I approached the maids’ quarters with quiet steps, I heard maids chattering in their break room.

“Did you see the healers’ faces earlier? They looked like they’d seen a ghost.”

“Those healers came from the West Pavilion, right?”

My ears perked up when I heard them mention the West Pavilion.

“But Sister Mary, what’s in the West Pavilion? I’m new here so I don’t know.”

A young-sounding maid asked curiously. An older-sounding maid replied:

“Renny. To work here, you must become deaf and mute. From now on, pretend you never heard anything about the West Pavilion.”

“Why?”

The young maid asked, sounding scared.

“Because a cursed monster lives in the West Pavilion.”

“M-monster? Stop lying. You’re just teasing me, right?”

“Believe it or not, what’s certain is that royal healers visit the residence once a year to treat the monster.”

My fur stood on end hearing the maid’s words. What does it mean that there’s a monster in the West Pavilion?

Since royal healers treat it, it probably isn’t a real magical beast. I became even more confused.

“Anyway, if you want to keep working here, watch what you say. Never speak of this anywhere. Or the monster’s curse will follow you forever.”

“I’ll never tell. I swear to the gods.”

“Alright, break time’s over. Everyone back to work.”

The senior maid clapped her hands, and I heard the maids bustling to get up.

Oh no, I might get caught. I quickly ran up the stairs like the wind.

***

That evening, Karden didn’t appear until bedtime. He must have been busy all day – I hadn’t seen even a strand of his hair.

I deliberately curled up on Karden’s bed with my tail wrapped around me, waiting for him.

I wanted to ask Karden about the royal healers and the West Pavilion, but I doubted he would answer straightforwardly.

Who should I pester for answers?

Should I try using aegyo attacks on Owen until he tells the truth? Or maybe tickle Ron’s palm with my tongue?

Just then, I sensed someone. A familiar scent – it was Karden.

“Shushu, why are you on my bed?”

Karden was wearing comfortable tunic sleepwear. How unusual for him to come to bed early.

“I couldn’t sleep. Are you done with your busy work?”

“Yes. Today was a hectic day.”

Karden brushed back his bangs, looking tired. His gaze fixed steadily on me.

“You must have a reason for being on my bed. Do you have something to say?”

“Kyaang… maybe?”

Karden chuckled, then got up and went to the dresser. He took out a wooden brush and approached the bed with it.

“Shushu. Come here.”

I turned my nose up at Karden, not even looking his way.

“Kyaang. I don’t want to. Do you think I’m some dog that comes when called?”

“Hmm, I was going to brush you. Didn’t you enjoy how refreshing it felt?”

At the mention of brushing, I instinctively turned my head.

Karden was smiling leisurely, holding the wooden brush. How annoying.

Ugh, how frustrating. Living as an animal, there were times when I had to put aside human pride. Like during grooming sessions.

Now I understand why dogs and cats approach humans and demand “Pet me, human.”

I thought it wouldn’t happen to me since I’m a fox, but sometimes when I feel itchy or my fur gets tangled, I desperately wish someone would brush me thoroughly and carefully.

“Come on, come here.”

“Th-this is just this once.”

I retorted haughtily, pretending to give in reluctantly.

This is my last bit of pride. I can’t just run over because he offers to brush me.

Karden sat me down gently on his knee and started slowly brushing my fur.

“Um, Karden, I have something to ask.”

Unable to contain my curiosity any longer, I decided to question him directly.

“What is it, Shushu?”

“What’s in the West Pavilion? Why do royal healers go there? I heard rumors about a monster living there – is it true?”

At my barrage of questions, Karden’s brushing paused momentarily.

But as if nothing had happened, he continued to gently stroke my fur and scratch my body softly.

“Sometimes it’s better to pretend not to know things, Shushu.”

“But…”

“Shh. Be good. Don’t move while I’m brushing.”

I wanted to say how dare he hide things from me, that he was being cowardly. But this tiny cotton ball body was too weak against the temptation of brushing.

Just a few strokes from Karden made my body feel languid and sleepy.

Ah, this isn’t good. I need to seriously ask about the West Pavilion…

***

In the bluish dawn mist, I sensed careful movement at my bedside.

I was still half-asleep, but my keen fox ears twitched at the sound.

Is that Karden? Where is he going so early?

Through my blurry vision, I could see Karden standing by the large window.

Why does his back view seem so unsettling? What could he be looking at outside?

My confusion was interrupted by a careful knock at the door.

A familiar scent wafted through the opened door. It was Maildra.

“It’s an emergency, Your Grace.”

I could tell from his voice that he was extremely tense. It was unlike the usually calm and gentle aide.