The Fluffy Baby Fox Only Bites the Crazy Villain - Chapter 65
My body shrank instantly and was buried deep within the bed sheets.
When I poked my face out through the sheets, I met Yudis’s astonished eyes. My tail drooped automatically out of fear.
“Kyaang?”
“It, it really is a fox?”
Yudis stared at me blankly as if she couldn’t believe it.
Her gaze was so burdensome and frightening that I ducked back into the bed sheets.
Karden released Yudis’s arm and approached me.
“Shushu, are you alright? Were you startled?”
“Kyaang, I’m fine.”
“I apologize for my sister’s rudeness.”
“N-no. You don’t need to apologize, Your Grace. And Lady Yudis was just concerned, that’s all.”
Karden sighed lightly and gently stroked my cheek.
When I rubbed my cheek against his palm, my startled heart finally calmed down.
Karden glared at his sister with a furrowed brow. Yudis remained frozen, still staring intently at me as if in shock.
“Shuvelia is a fox shapeshifter. She’s a benefactor who helps me as a healer to treat my magical power. Yudis, you have been greatly discourteous to Shuvelia. Apologize properly as befitting a member of the Helleide family.”
I was worried that Yudis might get angry about why he wasn’t taking her side.
It would be troublesome if the siblings’ relationship became strained because of me.
But Yudis composed herself for a moment and her expression became calm.
Her demeanor resembled Karden’s usual manner so much that it was startling.
Yudis bowed to me respectfully.
“I formally apologize to Miss Shuvelia. I misunderstood based on suspicion without proper confirmation.”
“I’m just here to help the Grand Duke. I’m glad the misunderstanding has been cleared up.”
Haah, I really aged ten years from this. Yudis accepted it more readily than I expected.
It seems Yudis has an impulsive and aggressive personality, but she’s straightforward enough to honestly admit her mistakes.
Though my first impression of her was intense, I wanted to become friends with Yudis.
Yudis bowed respectfully to Karden as well.
“I sincerely apologize for my rudeness to Your Grace.”
Hmm, this definitely isn’t the typical way siblings apologize.
“The reason I came here was to convey Grandmother’s wishes. I would like to arrange another meeting to discuss this.”
Karden swept his hair back, sudden weariness evident in his gesture.
“There’s a border patrol today, so let’s discuss that matter later. For now, go cool your head. Discuss anything you need with Maildra.”
“I will do so.”
Yudis was about to turn around after a formal greeting, but she paused to stare at me.
A tense atmosphere lingered between Yudis and me.
To be honest, since I had transformed into a fluffy baby fox, I slightly hoped she would feel less aversion than when I was human.
After all, no one dislikes cute animals.
Hehe, then let me try a heart attack. This is the ultimate technique I’ve mastered during my time as a baby fox.
I wagged my tail gently, opened my large eyes wide, and tilted my head slightly.
I didn’t forget to subtly show off my rice-cake-like fluffy front paws.
“Kyaang?”
The reaction was immediate, as expected.
Yudis’s large, double-lidded, magnificent eyes widened. She frowned between her eyebrows and clenched her teeth.
Her expression was contorted as if she were being forced to eat something she absolutely detested.
The cold glare she shot at me made all the fur on my body stand on end.
Ah… This is my complete defeat.
It was the first defeat I had experienced since becoming a baby fox.
There had never been anyone who didn’t kneel before my cuteness.
Yudis simply turned around and calmly left the bedroom.
I flopped down on the bed. Karden asked what was wrong, but I couldn’t hear anything.
What should I do? It seems I’ve definitely made a bad impression on this strong woman.
Where Yudis had departed, it felt like only a cold wind remained.
Karden swept his bangs back, displaying sudden fatigue.
“She’s always been like that. Always acting as she pleases. If she weren’t my blood relative, I wouldn’t have let this slide.”
His tone was sharp and cutting, but his expression was like that of an ordinary older brother annoyed with his troublemaking little sister.
So even the cold and strict commander can’t help it when it comes to his little sister, hmm.
I grinned like a well-fed cat and wagged my tail.
“Come on, despite what you say, I know you care a lot about Lady Yudis.”
“Are you alright?”
Karden gently picked up my small body and met my gaze. His eyes curved with apology.
“I’m sorry. My sister was rude to you. I hope you weren’t hurt.”
“I wasn’t hurt. Lady Yudis apologized, didn’t she? She probably misunderstood after hearing incorrect rumors. Perhaps the rumor spread that it was a woman, not a fox?”
I smiled brightly and chattered away. Karden’s sharp jaw suddenly stiffened.
“Misunderstanding, you say.”
“What?”
“Why is that a misunderstanding? It’s true that I consider you my companion.”
Faced with such a serious Karden, I forgot what to say.
As I fidgeted nervously, Karden’s eyes curved seductively. The corners of his red lips rose elegantly.
“Come to think of it, I’ve never heard an answer from my companion. Shushu, how do you think of me?”
“K-kyaang?”
I tilted my head with the most innocent expression I could manage.
I’m a baby fox right now, so please don’t look at me with those madly possessive eyes.
It’s too much pressure; my heart feels like it might burst.
Karden’s eyes sank even deeper. He whispered in a husky voice.
“Pretending to be an innocent fox won’t work anymore.”
“W-well, Your Grace, to me you’re…”
Karden was listening to my words as if he were about to hear the most important answer in the world.
Though he was emanating a dark aura that suggested he wouldn’t let me off easily if I said something wrong.
It was truly an awkward situation. I couldn’t just say “You’re like my butler” right to his face.
If I spoke honestly, he might put a leash on me, given the ominous atmosphere.
Just then, there was a knock at the bedroom door.
“Your Grace, it’s Burke. I have something urgent to report.”
I’d never been so glad to see Captain Burke as my savior.
Taking advantage of Karden’s loosened grip, I quickly jumped off the bed.
“Shushu!”
Karden called after me urgently, but I fled like the wind through the opening bedroom door and shouted.
“Your Grace is my companion butler! Please take good care of me in the future! Kyaang!”
***
Having escaped quickly, I encountered Betty and some servants in the corridor. The servants were each carrying boxes full of gifts.
Betty hurriedly blocked my path when she saw me.
“Oh my, Lady Shushu, where are you rushing off to? We need to groom your fur.”
“It’s fine. Skipping one day is okay. But what is everyone carrying?”
“These are gifts that Lady Yudis brought. Every year when she visits the northern castle, she brings many gifts and rare goods.”
Yudis is certainly generous as expected of a merchant guild master. Though she may not have a good relationship with Karden, she provides generous support to the northern castle.
Betty picked me up and carried me to a large window in the corridor.
“Look. Lady Yudis’s Helleon Guild carriages have arrived in a line.”
Below the window, at the main gate of the Grand Duke’s mansion, about ten cargo carriages were lined up.
Each carriage was filled with boxes containing all sorts of goods.
Yudis was standing in front of the entrance hall with her arms crossed, watching the scene.
Beside her, the head butler appeared busy directing workers to carry the luggage in front of the carriages. Some boxes were being moved to the training grounds as well.
“They say the Helleon Guild is the most popular in the capital. They distribute many interesting and rare products. Lady Yudis is truly remarkable.”
Betty’s face was full of pride as she explained.
“Do you know about Lady Yudis too, Betty?”
“Yes. I served Lady Yudis five years ago when I was a novice maid.”
“What kind of person was she?”
Betty placed her hands demurely on her apron and smiled gently.
“She was a kind and friendly person. At that time, Lady Yudis was the knight commander in charge of the training grounds. She was strict with the soldiers but kind to the mansion staff.”
Yudis being kind? Though we’d just met, she seemed stiff and cold to me.
“Does Lady Yudis perhaps have a fur allergy or dislike animals?”
