The Fluffy Baby Fox Only Bites the Crazy Villain - Chapter 32

“You are a being that brings destruction to the tribe. ”

“Our tribe abandoned you. ”

When I heard those words from Franz, I was shocked, but soon regained my composure.

I thought it was a past that had nothing to do with me since I was possessing the baby fox, Ruel.

But it wasn’t a story unrelated to me. I was in the same situation as baby fox Ruel.

When my parents divorced due to financial reasons, the family scattered. It was a desperate situation where family members couldn’t protect and embrace each other.

At that time, I had just graduated from university and had to be responsible for myself.

I worked part-time jobs every day while preparing for employment. But I kept failing interviews, and both my body and mind grew weary.

Those days of struggling to survive alone in a small, old gosiwon, unable to rely on anyone.

T/n: A type of small, cheap residential facility in Korea, often used by students or job seekers

Ruel must have also struggled in the cold snow to survive after being abandoned by her own kind.

My vision became blurry.

Not knowing how to handle these emotions welling up in my throat, I bit my lip hard.

Then, a warm and soft hand covered my back.

“Betty?”

I turned my gaze absently to look at Betty.

Through my tear-blurred vision, I could see Betty looking at me with warm eyes.

“We can’t choose where we’re born. But we can choose where we live from now on.”

Betty gently stroked my hand as she continued speaking softly.

“Many of the servants at the Northern Castle have painful stories too. While others say the Northern Castle is a dangerous and frightening place teeming with monsters, we know better. The Grand Duke accepts anyone without prejudice and rewards those who are sincere and hardworking. Thanks to His Grace’s benevolence, we work while supporting each other. The Northern Castle is like a protective fence that gives us strength.”

I hadn’t noticed at all. About how Karden treats his servants.

I knew the Northern Knights were loyal to Grand Duke Karden, but even the servants truly respected him.

“I too was driven from my hometown and found a new foundation and hope for life here.”

“Betty, I had no idea you had such a story.”

I didn’t know what to say.

I should have comforted her and asked if she was okay, but thinking about the emotions Betty must have gone through made my throat tighten.

“I sincerely hope Lady Shushu feels comfortable here. What happened in the past isn’t your fault. I hope you can be happy with us now.”

“Betty, thank you. For saying that.”

I held Betty’s hand tightly and conveyed my sincerity.

Though I tried hard not to cry, tears still rolled down my cheeks.

Betty wiped the tears from my eyes with her handkerchief. Her eyes were red too.

Feeling embarrassed, I smiled sheepishly.

“Oh dear, I shouldn’t cry. What if people misunderstand and think Betty is bullying the new maid?”

“Oh my, how could I ever do such a thing?”

Betty’s eyes widened in surprise. I grinned and stood up energetically.

“I’m just joking. Come on, Betty. Let’s end tea time and get to work. Since I’m wearing a maid’s uniform, I should work. I’m good at dishes and cleaning. Give me any task.”

“Just follow my lead. Today is your first day, so we’ll just look around.”

“Betty, you really are too kind of a senior.”

Betty and I left the servants’ break room and decided to clean the drawing room.

Although Betty insisted it was fine, I took the initiative to sweep the floor and wipe the furniture.

Even though I felt a bit tired moving around in a human body after so long, it felt satisfying to work hard.

While diligently cleaning the drawing room, I heard voices conversing through the half-open door.

“Though we ordered soldiers to track down the Ulpes tribe, we still can’t find any traces.”

“This is troubling. That fox shapeshifter was our only lead.”

It was Maildra and Owen’s voices.

The door suddenly opened, and Maildra stopped as he was about to enter the drawing room.

“Ah, you’re cleaning.”

I quickly bowed my head. Surely they hadn’t noticed?

Betty stood in front of me protectively as she greeted them.

“Advisor, Sir Owen, welcome. How may I help you?”

“Head maid, I apologize for interrupting the cleaning. We’d like to use the drawing room for a moment, if that’s alright.”

When Maildra asked politely, Betty responded with a smile.

“Yes. We’ve just finished cleaning. Would you like me to prepare some tea?”

“Please do.”

Betty signaled me with her eyes to leave.

I gathered the cleaning supplies and hurried to leave the drawing room.

Then Owen, who had been quiet, turned his head and stared at me intently.

“Strange. That face seems familiar.”

Gasp, as expected of the sharp-eyed Owen. Could he have noticed my identity?

Betty awkwardly smiled and intervened.

“She’s new, starting her first day. She’s quite inexperienced. Well then, I’ll bring the tea.”

As soon as Betty and I left the drawing room, we exchanged glances and sighed in relief.

“Whew, I thought my heart was going to stop.”

“I know. I was so nervous thinking we might get caught.”

Betty and I pressed our foreheads together and playfully suppressed our laughter.

“Lady Shushu, I’ll go get the tea. Please rest for a while in the nearby library.”

“No, I’ll help you.”

“You already worked hard cleaning earlier. Just rest for a moment.”

Betty went down the stairs to the basement where the kitchen was. After Betty left, I stood in the hallway for a moment, then decided to look around the Grand Duke’s residence and started walking.

Just as I was turning a corner in the hallway with my head down, worried about being discovered if I ran into someone.

Something hard collided with my forehead.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Wondering who I’d bumped into, I raised my head while holding my forehead.

Karden stood before me in his dark blue uniform, his face expressionless.

Gasp, what? Didn’t he say he was going on patrol in the outer regions?

Why is he here? I never thought I’d run into Karden here.

I quickly bowed my head deeply and greeted him in a tiny voice.

“G-Grand Duke, it’s an honor.”

“A new maid, is it.”

Karden muttered briefly in an indifferent tone.

Feeling like my identity would be discovered if I stayed in front of Karden any longer, I bowed repeatedly.

“I apologize for my rudeness. I’ll take my leave now.”

Just then, a large hand gently cupped my chin. My head was helplessly lifted up, and I met Karden’s gaze.

Karden narrowed his eyes and stared at me intently.

“I thought it was just a dream this morning, but it was real.”

“W-what?”

A gentle smile was drawn on his face. The hand that held my chin softly cupped my face.

His thumb gently caressed my earlobe. But that touch was so hot and ticklish that I hunched my shoulders.

“G-Grand Duke.”

Karden’s lips whispered softly near my ear.

“Why did you think I wouldn’t recognize you? Why did you do such a cute thing as disguising yourself as a maid, Shuvelia.”

Ah….. I was caught right away.

I clutched my apron tightly.

“How did you know? My disguise was perfect.”

“Ha, how could I not know you? Why didn’t you tell me you could transform into a human?”

“W-well. Sometimes I want to keep secrets too.”

I primly turned my face away from his hand as I spoke.

“You really are impossible.”

Just then, the drawing room door opened, and Owen and Maildra came out.

Karden wrapped his arm around my waist and quickly began walking back down the hallway.

“Huh? Grand Duke, where are we going?”

I ended up clinging to his arm as I walked wherever he led.

Karden opened the terrace door that connected to the back garden.

“I want to play along with your little game.”

“Wait, weren’t you busy, Grand Duke?”

“I’d like to take a short break too.”

Karden took me across the back garden. The garden was beautiful with well-maintained landscaping trees and statues harmoniously arranged.

He held my hand firmly and strode without hesitation to the deepest part of the garden.

Between the beautiful landscape trees, a transparent glass greenhouse sparkled with ethereal light.

Karden stopped in front of the greenhouse.

“This is my private greenhouse. I really wanted to show it to you.”

As I followed Karden into the greenhouse, warm air, and fragrant flower scents wafted over me.

Though it was cold outside, colorful roses were blooming brightly in the greenhouse.

“How are flowers blooming in winter?”

“Ron made it possible with magical devices.”

“Magic is amazing. The greenhouse is so pretty.”

“Come this way, Shushu.”

Karden took my hand and we sat side by side on a long bench in the middle of the greenhouse.

I took off the bonnet on my head and the stuffy wig. Then I untied the ribbon that held my tightly braided hair, and silver hair danced like floating silk.

Having my hair tied up and wearing a wig had been suffocating, but now I could finally breathe.

Feeling much lighter, I sat on the bench and looked up.

The hot sunlight falling on the glass ceiling shattered into rainbow colors.

“Ah….. It’s like stars twinkling in broad daylight.”

I reached out to try to catch the light. The lights sparkled brilliantly between my fingers before disappearing.I was completely captivated by the beauty created by the glass and light.

Karden’s deep, low voice reached my ear.

“…Beautiful.”

“Yes. The greenhouse is so beautiful.”

I agreed with a smile.

“I was talking about you, Shuvelia.”