The Fluffy Baby Fox Only Bites the Crazy Villain - Chapter 43
Karden’s thumb gently wiped my lips. Had I ever been this close to him before?
His gaze, deep as the night sky, pierced through me.
His rough, calloused thumb traced down my lips and lightly caressed my chin.
Even that brief contact made my whole body tremble.
“I-I’ll wipe it myself.”
I hurriedly turned my head and rubbed my lips hard with my sleeve. Karden silently stared at me.
Why is my heart beating so fast? My ears grew hot for no reason.
“You seemed to be in a lot of pain while transforming into human form. Are you alright now?”
When my bones were rapidly growing with cracking sounds, it was so painful and frightening, but as soon as I transformed into a human, the pain vanished as if it had never existed.
“Yes. It doesn’t hurt now. I’m fine.”
“I’ll call Ron just in case.”
Our eyes met just as a faint smile spread across Karden’s lips. In his blue eyes, I was reflected not as a fluffy fox but as a young woman with silver hair.
Suddenly, I wondered how I appeared in Karden’s eyes.
Unconsciously, I tilted my head slightly, just like when I was a fox. My long silver hair swayed.
“Um, I’ve been wanting to ask for a while. How do I look to you when I’m human, Your Grace?”
Karden hesitated for a moment, then spoke calmly.
“If you want to see yourself, I’ll bring you a mirror.”
As if he was really going to get a mirror, Karden stood up. Feeling frustrated, I gently grabbed the edge of his sleeve.
Though I only grabbed it lightly, Karden stopped as if held by a strong force.
“That’s not what I mean. How do I look to you, Your Grace? Am I pretty?”
I pouted my lips in annoyance at being made to ask such a question myself.
Through the tall windows, moonlight settled softly. Under the moonlight, he clenched his jaw tightly as if suppressing something.
As if his usual cold, expressionless mask was about to shatter.
A low groan-like sigh escaped between his thick, well-defined lips.
“Shuvelia.”
His deep, low voice called my name. Just hearing my name sent an electric sensation through my body.
Karden reached out and wrapped his hand around mine that was holding his sleeve.
I slowly watched his large, firm fingers intertwine with my snow-white ones.
“Your human form to me is…”
My delicate, white hand was enveloped in his large palm.
Our hands softly interlocked, fingers intertwined. Just holding hands like this makes electricity run through my entire body.
Karden was still staring at our interlocked hands. He pulled our joined hands and placed them against his heart.
Before I could be surprised, the back of my hand touched his firm chest.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
His heart was beating rapidly as if he had been running at full speed.
Karden looked at me quietly and opened his lips.
“You’re so beautiful. Beautiful enough that I want to make you mine forever.”
“Ah…”
I could feel his intensely beating heart through the back of my hand. Hearing those words made my face flush and my heart flutter.
I pulled my hand away from Karden’s with all my strength. Then I quickly hid my body under the bed sheet.
If I kept holding his hand, I felt like my heart might burst along with his.
Karden just gazed at me steadily with a composed expression.
But his blue eyes were rippling like deep ocean waters, and I couldn’t find the courage to meet them.
He didn’t look at me like that when I was a fox, did he? Did his attitude change because I transformed into a woman?
I jumped up from my seat while tightly wrapped in the bed sheet. I called out cheerfully, pretending nothing had happened.
“Ah! Right. I should go tell Franz that I succeeded in becoming human. I need to put him in his place.”
My words came out jumbled in confusion. I wanted to escape from this awkward, heavy, and embarrassing situation of being alone together.
If I stay here any longer, I feel like my heart might explode. My head is spinning, my face is burning red, and I don’t know what to do.
“Don’t go to him.”
What is he saying? I opened my eyes wide in surprise at Karden’s response.
“I don’t want to show your current form to him.”
“What? Why…”
“Because I want to be the only one to see you. I want to lock you deep inside the Northern Castle so others can’t see you. Shuvelia.”
His low whispered voice. I stared blankly at his serious and intense gaze.
What is he saying right now? I was too shocked and confused to say anything.
As I lowered my face trying to escape his piercing gaze, Karden’s hands cupped my cheeks.
His thumb gently caressed my lips with the lightest touch.
“Ah…”
Feeling breathless, I slowly inhaled through my slightly parted lips.
Karden pressed his finger a bit more firmly.
His finger slightly slipped between my lips. My shoulders jerked in surprise as he touched the sensitive, moist inside of my mouth.
“Y-Your Grace?”
As I tried to speak to him, his lips silenced mine.
“You are my mate. Remember that.”
Karden whispered against my lips. He pressed his lips against mine several times as if trying to convey something.
The hot, firm, and soft sensation and the small sounds near my ear.
Feeling like I might melt from the sweet kisses, I found myself desperately clinging to Karden’s collar without realizing it.
***
When I opened my eyes again, the sun was high in the sky.
Karden was already gone from the bed beside me. Perhaps he went for his personal training from dawn.
That’s probably for the better. If I had to face Karden, I would have wanted to dig a hole and hide from embarrassment.
My face burned hot as I remembered the kisses I shared with Karden yesterday.
I buried my face in the pillow and kicked my feet.
Ugh, how embarrassing. I want to crawl into a mouse hole!
“Wait, but I’m… still human?”
I quickly kicked off the bed sheet with my feet. I could see my slender long legs and ten wiggling toes.
“I-I did it! I’m still human in the morning!”
I jumped up from the bed and hopped around hugging the pillow. Feathers flew everywhere but I didn’t care.
Just then, the door opened and Betty entered with a gentle smile.
“Lady Shushu, did you sleep well?”
“Betty, welcome! I didn’t turn back into a fox even though it’s morning.”
“Hehe, congratulations. His Grace ordered us to let you sleep in since you must be tired from transforming into human form.”
“Where did His Grace sleep?”
“He slept in the bedroom attached to his office. Since you’ve become a woman now, we must be careful about sharing a bed.”
“Ah, y-yes, that’s true but…”
When I was a fox, I used to sleep comfortably in his arms without hesitation.
Though I knew I couldn’t do that now that I was human, somehow a corner of my heart felt empty.
Just then, Betty and several maids rushed into the room. They were bustling about, carrying washing water, makeup tools, and dresses.
“Huh, why is everyone here? What’s the occasion?”
“Yes. His Grace said he wanted to have lunch together after a long time. Other direct subordinates will attend too. Of course, Lady Shushu will attend as well. We’ll help you get ready beautifully.”
“Really? Then I’ll leave it to you, Betty.”
Betty took my hand and sat me down at the vanity. She wrapped a towel around my neck and carefully washed my face with the washing water.
In no time, after washing up, I was swiftly dressed in a chemise, petticoat, and a blue dress decorated with white ribbons, had light makeup applied, and was having my hair styled.
“You’re all amazing. Like professionals. How can you prepare everything so perfectly in such a short time?”
“Hehe. Everyone has been waiting for this day.”
“Huh? Why?”
“There haven’t been any ladies or wives in the Northern Castle. It’s our joy to help dress up the lady we serve.”
Betty’s expression showed undisguised pride.
I was worried I might be troubling them with their care, but I see they’re all diligently working in their own positions.
I firmly held Betty’s rough hands. Then I looked at each maid one by one with a smile.
“Thank you all for taking care of me. I really mean it.”
“Oh my, please don’t say that. We’re the ones who are happy to serve you, Lady Shushu.”
Betty smiled brightly while holding my hand tightly.
But Betty’s hands that held mine were trembling.
Why is she like this? Is she sick somewhere?
“When we’re tired from work, just pressing baby fox Shushu’s soft pink paw pads, or sniffing your sweet scent, or listening to your purring breaths, or seeing your plump pink belly wrapped in fluffy fur makes all our worries and fatigue disappear.”
“Huh? Oh, r-really?”
Um, Betty’s eyes look like someone possessed. I’m starting to get a little scared.
