The Fluffy Baby Fox Only Bites the Crazy Villain - Chapter 31
I stood in front of the mirror, spinning around with satisfaction. The black lace under my dress fluttered with each movement, and the pure white apron sparkled.
Betty watched me with a worried expression, clasping her hands together.
“Even though I’m following Lady Shushu’s instructions, will it be alright without telling the Grand Duke?”
“It would be strange to report every time I turn into a human. Sometimes pranks like this are fun too.”
As I patted Betty’s shoulder to comfort her, I heard movement beyond the door.
“Shushu?”
I didn’t know when he had woken up, but Karden was calling me softly from outside the door.
Betty and I exchanged glances simultaneously. Like skilled spies, we moved to our positions at the speed of light.
I hid behind the sofa, while Betty went beside the basket where my fake form was lying.
Soon the door opened silently, and Karden carefully poked his head in. His gaze went straight to the basket.
Betty politely bowed her head to Karden and spoke in a voice as tiny as an ant.
“Lady Shushu is sleeping, Your Grace.”
“I see. Let her rest well, she must be tired.”
Thankfully, Karden didn’t enter and stayed at the doorway briefly before quietly closing the door.
His footsteps faded away beyond the door until they completely disappeared.
I got up from the sofa, trying to calm my heart that was pounding as if I’d been caught stealing.
Betty, who must have been tense too, slumped down in her spot. She turned to look at me with a tearful expression.
“Lady Shushu, I thought my heart would stop when I thought we’d be caught.”
I extended my hand to Betty to help her up. Then I flashed a confident smile.
“Thank you, Betty. Please help me just for half a day today.”
***
“Just follow my lead well. Understood?”
Betty kept looking back and cautioning me as she led the way down the wide corridor. Like a mother worrying about her child getting lost at the market.
I held a broom in my hand and answered energetically.
“Don’t worry, Miss Betty. Please take good care of me today.”
“You really are incorrigible.”
Betty smiled as if admitting defeat and walked ahead. I carefully walked behind her like a novice maid, holding my broom.
Just then, several maids carrying laundry were passing by on the opposite side of the corridor. They greeted Betty as they passed.
“Good morning, Head Maid.”
“Keep up the good work.”
I had no idea Betty was the head maid. I thought she was my personal maid since she always took care of me. When did she become the head maid?
I looked up at Betty in admiration.
“Betty, that’s amazing. How did you become head maid?”
“Well, the previous head maid had to retire suddenly due to poor health. I was appointed as her successor.”
“That’s wonderful. It must be because you’re so capable at handling things that you became head maid.”
Betty smiled shyly, appearing embarrassed.
“You’re too kind. I was just lucky because there weren’t many candidates. The Grand Duke’s mansion lacks experienced staff who have worked here long-term.”
“Why is that?”
“This is a treacherous fortress in a border region, so there are many dangerous situations like monster appearances. That’s why servants are reluctant to work here. Instead, the pay is high, so young and healthy servants who need quick money get employed.”
So that was the story. Given that wyverns appear even at the knights’ training grounds, they must always be exposed to the danger of monster attacks.
They really should be paid double hazard pay, it wouldn’t be enough even then.
If Betty is willing to work here despite the risks, doesn’t she have some desperate circumstances too?
I realized that while I’ve always been cared for by Betty, we’ve never had a genuine conversation about her story. I’ve been too thoughtless.
I carefully asked Betty a question.
“Betty, why did you start working at the Northern Castle?”
A shadow briefly crossed Betty’s usually gentle expression. As I started to worry about what might be wrong, I heard movement from the opposite end of the corridor.
It was Ron, his hair a mess and his robe carelessly thrown on.
“Oh? Big sis Betty!”
Ron waved his hand enthusiastically, clearly happy to see her. He seemed to have overslept, as there was sleep in the corners of his eyes.
Afraid of being discovered by Ron, I lowered my head and pretended to sweep the corridor.
Betty greeted Ron with a warm smile.
“Good morning, Master Ron. Did you stay up all night researching again?”
“Ah, actually, I saw a fox shapeshifter of the same species as Shushu yesterday. I stayed up all night reading books about shapeshifter races.”
As Ron sheepishly scratched the back of his head, Betty took out a handkerchief from her bosom and gently wiped away the sleep from Ron’s eyes.
It was a caring gesture, like an older sister looking after her little brother.
“You’re still growing, so it’s important to get plenty of sleep.”
“Yes, I understand, Big sis Betty.”
Betty even took out a comb and neatly brushed Ron’s messy hair.
Ron didn’t seem to mind Betty’s attentions and stood still.
I secretly chuckled to myself as I watched Ron while pretending to clean.
When you see him like this, Ron really is like a high-maintenance youngest brother.
“Oh, by the way, sis, is Shushu awake? I wanted to eat together.”
When Ron asked about me, I felt a twinge of guilt. I lowered my head even more and swept the corridor more vigorously.
“Ah, Lady Shushu is still sleeping. She looked tired, so I thought I’d let her rest well today. I’ll let you know when she wakes up.”
“Yesterday, Shushu overdid it by absorbing the Grand Duke’s magic. She might be tired. Well then, I’ll be going. Take care, sis.”
Ron said cheerfully and then ran down the middle staircase.
Only after Ron disappeared did I straighten my bent back.
Oh, my back. It’s stiff from constantly bending over and sweeping.
“Lady Shushu, are you alright? I was so nervous thinking Ron might discover you.”
“Right? Me too.”
I smiled at Betty and started walking down the corridor again.
“Did you meet a fox shapeshifter in the border region yesterday?”
Betty’s question reminded me of Franz, the silver fox I had almost forgotten about.
Franz, who disappeared while fighting monsters. He probably returned to where his kind lived.
“Yes. He said he was from the Ulpes tribe. His name was Franz, a fox shapeshifter like me.”
“Oh my, you met one of your kind! Congratulations.”
Betty said with a bright smile as if it was her own good news. Her intense reaction actually made me feel awkward.
Well, anyone would be happy to meet their long-lost kind. But…
Remembering those cool yet pain-filled silver eyes that had stared directly at me, my heart began to ache.
I gripped the broom tightly and lowered my gaze to the corridor carpet.
“Well, I’m not sure if I should be happy about meeting my kind. It seems like my species doesn’t like me.”
“What? What do you mean…?”
Betty’s expression darkened instantly, and she grasped my wrist firmly.
“Lady Shushu, this doesn’t seem like a conversation we should have in the corridor. Would you follow me for a moment?”
“Umm, okay.”
I was led by Betty’s hand into a small room at the end of the corridor.
It seemed to be a rest area for the maids, with a large round table and a small kitchen attached.
Though simple, it had a cozy and warm atmosphere.
“Please sit and wait for a moment. I’ll warm up some milk.”
Betty locked the door to the reception room and went into the kitchen.
After a while, Betty brought two cups of steaming warm milk.
“I added some honey, so it’ll be sweet. Please drink.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Betty and I sat across from each other and took a sip of the warm milk.
Come to think of it, this is the first time I’m having tea time with Betty in my human form.
It felt warm and cozy, like spending time with a close friend.
“Lady Shushu, please be honest with me. What did that fox shapeshifter tell you?”
Betty asked in a careful but gentle tone. Her understanding, big-sister-like demeanor made me feel like I might burst into tears at any moment.
While fidgeting with the mug handle, I shared everything Franz had told me yesterday.
That I was a being that brought destruction to the Ulpes tribe, and that I was cast out because of my power to devour magic.
Betty listened to my entire story silently with thoughtful eyes.
When I finally finished speaking, she gently wrapped her hands around mine. I felt her warm temperature and sweet vanilla scent.
Betty always smelled sweet and comforting.
Anyone would want to open up honestly and receive comfort in front of her.
My reflection in Betty’s soft brown eyes was trembling with anxiety.
That’s when I realized.
I… was hurt.
