The Fluffy Baby Fox Only Bites the Crazy Villain - Chapter 42
Ron first met Grand Duke Karden seven years ago.
Born into a poor farmer’s family, Ron wandered the streets alone and begged after his parents died from an epidemic at a young age.
Karden, who had gone to a village in the borderlands to suppress magical power, met Ron, a young boy wandering alone there.
The Grand Duke sensed Ron’s innate mana power and brought him to the northern castle, providing him with comfortable lodging and any education he desired.
Though born with magical talent but not knowing how to use it, Ron learned magic at the northern castle and is now recognized as a proper mage.
“For His Grace, Shushu must be the only light.”
Ron held his teacup with both hands and smiled softly. Then he swallowed the words that followed in his heart.
‘Just as His Grace is my only light.’
“Kid, don’t yearn for the light.”
“Pardon?”
“If you look at light for too long, you’ll go blind. To the point of losing yourself.”
Who were those words meant for? Franz’s gaze was fixed downward, not at Ron.
As Ron was about to ask what he meant, Franz leaped from the chair. It was a swift and elegant movement as if jumping toward the sky.
“Mr. Franz, wait!”
Ron tried to catch Franz, but the silver fox had already gone through the open window. Beyond the window, the silver fox was running swiftly along the castle wall.
Ron watched the retreating silver fox, thinking he must have been enchanted by it.
***
Day 10 of hell training. I was receiving all sorts of training like an Olympic athlete at the Training Center.
I don’t understand why a fox needs training in jumping over logs, fighting hunting dogs, leaping from high tree branches, or stealing food from the kitchen.
“Kyang! I can’t take it anymore! Kyang! I quit!”
I shouted sharply and flopped down on the training ground.
No matter how hard I tried, transforming into human form at will was too difficult. Half a day was all I could manage, and maintaining it all day was too exhausting.
“You’re incredibly slow. By now you should be able to transform at will.”
When Franz clicked his tongue and looked at me with disdain, I felt my anger rise.
“Maybe you’re just teaching wrong?”
“What can I do if that’s your constitution? You’re the type that needs to consume magical power to maintain human form longer.”
“Why am I the only one like this? The Ulpes clan can transform without magical power.”
“That’s because you have a unique constitution. Why are you being stubborn when you could just consume the Grand Duke’s magical power?”
“I can’t live off His Grace’s magical power forever. I’m an independent fox.”
“Hmm, independent, you say. Perhaps you prefer living as a fox rather than a human? Getting used to being pampered like a pet here.”
Seeing Franz openly mocking me made me so angry I wanted to hit him.
“A pet? Just watch. I’ll become human today and maintain it until tomorrow!”
“I wonder if that’s possible.”
I’ll flatten that arrogant nose of his. I gritted my teeth and ran straight to Karden’s room.
I kicked the door open forcefully with my front paw, but only an empty room greeted me.
“What? He’s still not back?”
The fireplace light was warm, but the bed remained neatly made.
“Karden works late every day. Good adults should sleep and wake up early.”
I jumped onto the bed and lay down. Nothing to do but wait for Karden.
Curling up my fluffy tail, and lying on the soft, cozy bed made me sleepy. I licked my lips with my nose buried in my tail.
“Just a quick nap. And when Karden comes, I’ll ask for some magical power… nyam…”
***
I don’t know how long I slept, but my body felt like it was floating in a soft, fluffy dream.
When I opened my eyes hazily, I saw Karden’s face through my blurry vision.
Somehow I was now in Karden’s arms. I twisted my body in his warm, firm embrace.
Ah, this feels nice. As I was rubbing my cheek against his firm stomach, I suddenly came to my senses.
“Oh right, this isn’t the time. Your Grace!”
“Shushu, you’re awake? Why were you sleeping here?”
He was already in comfortable sleepwear. His hair was slightly damp as if he had just bathed.
“Ah, I have an important favor to ask.”
“What kind of favor?”
“Well, please give me some magical power. I need it to transform into human form.”
“Seems training alone isn’t enough.”
I drooped my ears to look as pitiful as possible.
“Please? Just a little bit.”
“Why are you asking? You could just take it whenever you want.”
Karden smiled lightly, lifting the corner of his mouth. Then he rolled up his sleeve. He held out his thick, well-muscled arm in front of me.
“Take as much as you want, willingly.”
Something about the nuance of his words seemed a bit dangerous.
Yet Karden remained composed. I carefully gripped his hand firmly with my small front paw.
Then Karden covered his eyes with his remaining hand and turned his head away.
“Your Grace, why are you covering your eyes?”
“When you transform into human form… you might feel embarrassed.”
Ah, he’s being considerate since I’ll be naked when I transform.
“Th-then, excuse me. I’ll help myself.”
I asked for permission as politely as possible.
It felt strange treating him like delicious prey, but I couldn’t find the right words.
Opening my small mouth as wide as possible, I bit down firmly on his wrist.
The moment my fangs pierced his skin, magical power rushed into me.
In the past, I would have greedily rushed to consume the magical power, but this time was different. I swallowed the surging magical power slowly while exercising maximum restraint.
My pure white fur instantly grew and transformed into glossy silver hair.
“Ah?!”
I didn’t even feel the pain of bones and muscles rapidly growing. I watched as my front paws changed into fingers, and my hind legs transformed into slender legs.
Since I couldn’t be naked in front of Karden again, I quickly pulled the bed sheet to wrap around myself.
Hiding tightly in the bed sheet, I breathed heavily. Apart from my wildly beating heart and heavy sweating, there were no other issues.
I succeeded this time! The transformation into human form was more natural than before!
“Shushu, are you alright?”
Karden was still covering his eyes with his hand and keeping his head turned away. His appearance was so cute that I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Thank you, Your Grace. You can open your eyes now.”
Karden suddenly stood up without looking at me and turned around.
“Your Grace?”
He headed towards the dressing room connected to the bed. From there, he brought back a neatly folded white garment.
“Put this on.”
What he gave me was a women’s nightgown. It was an ivory dress adorned with lace and cute ribbons, with a lovely design.
“I had asked for clothes to be prepared in case you transform again, and the maid brought this.”
“Thank you. It’ll be comfortable to sleep in.”
“Change comfortably. I’ll be in the drawing room.”
After Karden went to the drawing room connected to the bedroom, I hurriedly changed into the nightgown.
I liked the feel of the soft fabric. This might be the first time I’ve worn such a pretty dress since coming here.
“I’m done. You can come out now.”
When I called toward the drawing room, Karden slowly came out. His gaze stopped on me.
I looked at him with an expression full of anticipation.
Maybe Karden would say the dress suits me well. Even though it’s just a nightgown.
But Karden passed by without even giving me a glance and went to the bedside table. There was a water pitcher and porcelain cup on the table.
He tilted the pitcher to fill the cup with water, then handed it to me.
“You sweated a lot. Drink some water first.”
Only then did I realize how parched I was. Intense thirst was the first thing I felt after transforming into human form.
I carefully held the porcelain cup with both hands.
Ah… My hands were trembling slightly.
Perhaps not yet adjusted to the human body, I couldn’t put strength into my fingertips.
I almost dropped the teacup. Karden quickly caught it.
“Ah!”
“You don’t seem used to your body yet, so I’ll help you drink.”
Karden sat down next to me with a stride. I shook my head in surprise.
“What? I can drink by myself.”
“Later, when you’re used to it.”
Karden carefully brought the water cup to my lips.
I parted my lips reflexively. When the cool water flowed into my mouth, I finally felt like I would live.
Perhaps I drank the life-giving water too hastily, as droplets trickled down from my lips along my chin.
How clumsy to spill water while drinking. As I hurriedly tried to wipe my mouth with the back of my hand,
“…You spilled some.”
