The Fluffy Baby Fox Only Bites the Crazy Villain - Chapter 26
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Just then, Maildra approached and reported to Karden.
“Your Grace, the wall repairs are complete. Shall we prepare the meal now?”
“Yes. Have the meal prepared quickly. And…”
Karden turned to look at me with a playful smile.
“Shushu seems to be the hungriest.”
“That’s not true. I’m not a glutton.”
I protested immediately, but traitorously, my body betrayed me.
A growling sound came from my chubby belly. This tiny body keeps embarrassing its owner.
The soldiers who finished logging gathered branches and leaves to make a bonfire. The flames danced as pine needles and bark burned.
While the bonfire blazed, the soldiers hung an iron pot and started boiling soup.
Everyone was busy preparing the meal, and Karden was discussing the wall with his subordinates.
“Kuung. Everyone’s so busy. I’m bored.”
As I was grooming my fur and yawning widely, Owen approached me.
He extended his hand with a refreshing smile.
“Shushu, you look bored. I’m going mushroom hunting, want to come along?”
“Yes, I’d love to!”
Owen and I walked side by side along the snow-covered forest path. Our footsteps made crunching sounds.
Looking back, I could see my paw prints and Owen’s footprints deeply pressed into the white snow.
Noticing my gaze, Owen gave a gentle smile.
“Shushu’s footprints in the snow are so cute. I wish I could keep them forever.”
I completely understand Owen’s feelings.
I too lose my mind whenever I see cute dogs’ or cats’ pink jelly paw pads.
“Owen, come here for a moment.”
When I lifted my front paw and wiggled it, Owen curiously but willingly extended his hand.
I covered my front paw with snow and pressed it firmly onto Owen’s palm.
When I lifted my paw, an adorable paw print was left on Owen’s palm.
A soft gasp escaped from Owen. His eyes curved gently.
“Thank you, Shushu. I’ll treasure this in my heart forever.”
To be so moved by a single paw print stamp – I should give him more often.
We started walking through the forest side by side again. Owen looked around the forest while explaining to me.
“Some mushrooms grow on old trees in winter. We should find some under fallen logs.”
I wrinkled my nose and concentrated on finding the scent of mushrooms. A fragrant smell wafted between the white snow field and trees.
“Kuung! Over there!”
“Shushu, be careful when running. You might fall.”
I hopped like a rabbit between rocks and snow. Round brown mushrooms were clustered together on a fallen log.
“There are mushrooms here!”
Owen’s eyes widened at discovering the mushrooms. He gently patted my head.
“Shushu, you’re amazing. Finding mushrooms in one go.”
We returned triumphantly with an armful of mushrooms. Of course, all the soldiers welcomed us with open arms.
Karden smiled contentedly, seemingly proud that I had found the mushrooms.
“Good job, Shushu.”
The soldiers added the fresh mushrooms I found to the soup and let them simmer together. They also skewered some mushrooms and lightly grilled them over the fire.
The grilled mushrooms gave off an appetizing aroma that stimulated hunger. As a reward for finding the mushrooms, I had the honor of eating the mushroom skewers first.
The soldiers sat around the bonfire, resting and sharing food.
They shared dry bread and drank wine, their casual conversations and laughter spreading through the forest.
I sat next to Karden, enjoying the warm firelight.
Life was wonderful and peaceful, staring at the bonfire in a snow-covered birch forest.
Around us, Maildra, Burke, Owen, and Ron sat together, chatting quietly.
Perhaps due to the firelight, everyone seemed warm and gentle. Even the fierce Burke looked docile.
Karden popped a piece of bread into my mouth. As I munched on the bread, the soldiers watched happily.
“The baby fox eats bread so well. Really cute.”
The soldiers started lining up in front of me holding pieces of bread.
They had a silent competition about who would give bread first, but with the Grand Duke present, no one dared to step forward.
Burke cleared his throat and held out a piece of bread to me.
“Shushu, would you eat my bread?”
It was a gentle, affectionate voice, unlike his usual threatening tone. The soldiers shuddered, saying it gave them goosebumps.
Honestly, me too. Though I can’t show it out of courtesy.
For Burke’s social status and dignity, I wagged my tail and approached.
I quickly ate the tiny piece of bread sitting on his palm that was as big as a pot lid.
“Ugh, thank you so much, Shushu.”
Burke’s scarred eyes welled up with tears.
There’s no need to get so emotional about eating a piece of bread.
Seeing this, Maildra smiled and handed Karden a glass of wine.
“Thanks to Lady Shushu, the soldiers’ morale has improved. Watching Shushu’s antics makes them forget their hardships.”
I tilted my head in confusion. Strange. I don’t recall doing any tricks.
Finally, the soup was ready. As the delicious smell spread, the soldiers swallowed their saliva.
Ron placed a bowl of soup full of mushrooms and meat in front of me.
“Shushu, eat slowly, it’s hot.”
I emptied the bowl of soup in an instant, as quick as a wink.
I wanted to eat more but decided to hold back since having a protruding belly would be trouble. I might really have to roll around.
To help with digestion, I waddled over to a tree stump and plopped down. While leisurely grooming my fur with my tongue, it happened.
The soldiers who finished their meal slowly approached me. A soldier with freckles on his nose extended his hand with a smile.
“Shushu, paw!”
I frowned slightly and glared.
“Grrrr. How rude. I’m not a dog.”
“Ah, you don’t like that. Sorry.”
When the soldier apologized while scratching the back of his head, my irritation quickly disappeared.
The soldier’s palm was red and blistered from using the axe all day. Seeing his hardworking hands made my heart soften.
I placed my fluffy front paw on the soldier’s palm. The soldier’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Huh? You really gave me your paw? Thank you, Shushu!”
The soldier smiled brightly like a child while holding my tiny paw. Why are they so happy just to hold a fox’s paw?
But then a troublesome situation arose. Other soldiers who had been watching also started extending their hands.
“Shushu, let me hold your paw just once too.”
“Can I pet your fur once?”
The soldiers approached me slowly with expectant eyes. The atmosphere was as enthusiastic as an idol fan signing event.
As I started backing away slowly, Karden stepped in front of me protectively.
“That’s enough, everyone. You’re frightening Shushu.”
When Karden flashed a cold glare, the terrified soldiers turned pale. They hurriedly bowed their heads and apologized.
“We-we’re sorry, Commander.”
“Please excuse our rudeness!”
After the soldiers hastily retreated, Karden picked me up and started walking. He headed in the opposite direction from the bonfire, toward the forest.
“Where are we going?”
“To the place you wanted to go.”
Karden replied calmly and started walking. His expression was so stern that I couldn’t say anything more.
The place Karden took me was a birch forest. The snow-covered birch forest was filled with a mysterious and quiet atmosphere.
The birch trees were covered in white snow, making it feel like walking through a white tunnel. Sunlight filtering through the trees illuminated the forest brightly.
“Shushu, this is where I first met you. Do you remember?”
Karden asked softly. I nodded.
How could I forget? Karden was single-handedly dealing with two vicious monsters. It was a terrifying scene of carnage-filled with blood and screams.
But Karden’s eyes were wistful as if reminiscing about a fond memory.
They say people remember the same event differently. Why does he have such a wistful look?
I stared intently at Karden.
At first, I thought I was done for, caught by a ruthless villain without blood or tears.
But Karden turned out to be gentle and warm, unlike his appearance.
Karden’s expression suddenly darkened. A bitter emotion could be felt beneath his long eyelashes.
“I thought I should bring you here. But part of me didn’t want to come to this place.”
