The Fluffy Baby Fox Only Bites the Crazy Villain - Chapter 68
“I’m just telling you what I’ve observed. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you smile. The one who made you smile is…”
Yudis’s gaze turned directly toward me.
Her blue eyes were so clear and vivid that it was difficult to discern what emotions she harbored.
“That this fox is a shapeshifter, it’s simply surprising.”
“Show respect to my companion, Yudis.”
“Companion, you say.”
Yudis examined me sharply, as if observing me with a contemplative expression.
I sat stiffly, frozen and unsure how to react.
The atmosphere in the office instantly turned frigid.
In the midst of these cold, unfriendly siblings, only Maildra and I rolled our eyes, not knowing what to do.
They really are siblings. Just look at how they growl and threaten each other when their eyes meet.
Wait, could it be that Yudis glares at me because she thinks I’ve stolen Karden’s affection?
Though they seem to have a bad relationship on the surface, perhaps Yudis actually respects and likes Grand Duke Karden.
The little sister who hates the female lead for monopolizing her brother’s love is a common cliché.
If that’s the case, it would explain why Yudis’s expression turns frightening whenever she sees me.
This is troublesome; I don’t want to break the sibling bond.
It was aide Maildra who broke the awkward silence. He cleared his throat and began speaking.
“Your Grace, since Lady Yudis has visited the northern castle after a long time, how about holding a celebratory banquet?”
Then Karden and Yudis spoke simultaneously, as if by agreement.
“Is that necessary?”
“It’s not necessary. It’s troublesome.”
Like true siblings, they only agree at times like this.
Generally, bad relationships are best resolved through alcohol and conversation.
A lively, bustling banquet might provide an opportunity for reconciliation between these two siblings.
I stepped forward, wagging my tail vigorously.
“I agree! Everyone will enjoy having a banquet.”
“Hmm, if Shushu wants it, we’ll hold a banquet.”
Karden nodded readily. I scurried over to Yudis and smiled slightly, making my eyes crescent-shaped.
“Lady Yudis, will you attend the banquet?”
Yudis bit her red lips tightly.
She still wasn’t looking at me properly. Moreover, Yudis was clenching her fist so tightly that the veins on the back of her hand were visible.
Rather… she seemed afraid of me. Could she possibly have a phobia of foxes?
Yudis turned her head abruptly and said coldly.
“If you insist, I’ll attend.”
“Kyaang? Really? Thank you!”
I hopped up and down in place. Maildra nodded with a pleased smile.
“I’m glad you agree. Then I’ll hurry to prepare for the banquet. Everyone will be delighted.”
After Maildra left the office, Yudis sat on the sofa opposite Karden.
“Brother, I have something to tell you. It’s a message from Grandmother.”
Ah, family talk. Then I should quietly slip away.
“Please speak comfortably, you two. I’ll be going now.”
“No. Shushu, stay here.”
Karden firmly patted the seat beside him.
I tilted my head in confusion.
“Kyaang?”
Yudis frowned in displeasure.
Hey, isn’t that too obvious with your wariness, sister?
“This is a family matter, Brother.”
“Shushu is my companion. Naturally, she’s my family.”
Wait, since when did I become Karden’s family? Are you making unilateral decisions without the agreement of the person involved?
I was about to protest, but Karden’s expression was so serious that I shut my mouth and jumped onto the seat beside him, curling my tail as I sat.
Fortunately, Yudis didn’t refuse any further and let out a light sigh.
Yudis called a maid and gave a few orders. She asked for warm black tea and for something to be brought from her room.
Seeing Yudis naturally yet firmly commanding the servants, I was newly impressed that she had been the second-in-command of the northern castle.
The maid also showed clear signs of both respect and fear toward Yudis.
Shortly after, two maids brought a tray with teacups and a rectangular object wrapped in luxurious cloth.
Yudis elegantly sipped her black tea, then set down her cup.
“I came to the northern castle to deliver Grandmother’s message.”
Karden merely stared at Yudis with a cold gaze, without responding.
“Grandmother has given an ultimatum.”
Grandmother was said to be in the capital. I silently waited to hear what Yudis would say.
“If you have no intention of marrying, Brother, she will proceed with the marriage arrangement unilaterally and send a fiancée to the northern castle. Grandmother is determined to see her grandchild.”
Karden’s expression hardened.
“Grandmother’s patience has run out. She should know well. I cannot marry carelessly because of my mana outbursts.”
Yudis smiled faintly and turned her gaze to me.
“Isn’t it fine now with that fox shapeshifter? Her mana absorption ability is so excellent that you hardly need a healer.”
Karden set down his teacup with careful restraint. He ground out his words, suppressing his anger.
“Did you dare investigate Shushu behind my back?”
Yudis had arrived at the northern castle just yesterday, and no one had told her about my abilities.
As expected of a merchant guild master operating in the capital, she must have a fast information network.
Yudis maintained a calm attitude without batting an eye.
“Please calm down, Brother. After hearing that Uncle was recuperating following the stabilization of his mana outburst, I sent someone to investigate. Since not only Uncle’s but also your mana has been stabilized thanks to the fox shapeshifter, shouldn’t you go up to the capital now to see Grandmother?”
Yudis spoke to the maid standing behind her.
“Bring that object here.”
The maid who was holding the rectangular object stepped forward and unwrapped the cloth.
A luxurious portrait frame was revealed. In the portrait was a noblelady in her twenties.
Dazzling platinum blonde hair, a face as white as jade, large eyes, and rose-colored lips beneath an elegant nose. It was like a portrait of a beautiful spring goddess.
I stared blankly at the woman in the portrait. Strangely, she seemed familiar, as if I’d seen her somewhere before.
Karden frowned and gave the portrait a cold glance before turning away.
Yudis shrugged as if she had already anticipated Karden’s cold reaction.
“Even my defense of you has its limits now, Brother. You should meet Grandmother yourself and refuse the marriage. Otherwise, Olivia Etrin, the Count’s daughter, might become your prospective fiancée.”
The moment I heard the name of the woman in the portrait from Yudis’s lips, I felt as if I’d been struck on the back of my head.
Olivia Etrin.
The female protagonist of the original story whom Karden fell in love with at first sight. The only woman he wanted to possess, even if it meant committing treason.
How did Olivia become a candidate for Karden’s fiancée? This wasn’t in the original story.
Karden was staring intently at the woman in the portrait. His expression showed contempt that quickly disappeared.
For some reason, I couldn’t take my eyes off the portrait.
I never thought I would meet Olivia, the original female lead, like this.
Could it be the invisible force of the original story trying to bring Olivia and Karden together?
I couldn’t openly stare at the portrait. Karden and Yudis might find it strange.
“Grandmother is going to a lot of trouble. Remove that portrait.”
At Karden’s command, the maid hurriedly took the portrait and went outside.
“Wait, this is serious…”
As Yudis was about to voice her complaint, Karden raised his hand to stop her.
“Yudis, send a messenger to Grandmother. Tell her I’ll visit her myself this time.”
All I could hear was Karden’s cynical voice in my ears.
***
Even after leaving the office and returning to my room, I remained curled up in a daze until sunset.
The shock from the office still hadn’t subsided.
“What on earth is happening?”
My mind was as tangled as a skein of thread. My heart was pounding fiercely, and my heart felt as heavy as if a stone had been placed on it.
Why had Olivia become a candidate for Karden’s fiancée? I was confused by this development, which differed from the original story I knew.
Originally, the healer Olivia was sent down by royal order to manage Karden’s mana.
As Karden was the commander guarding the northern border region, his mana was specially managed even by the royal palace.
The story was that Karden fell in love with Olivia at first sight when she came to the northern castle…
As I slowly recalled the content of the original story, a thought suddenly struck me like lightning.
“W-wait, could it be because of me… that the original story has changed?”
