The Fluffy Baby Fox Only Bites the Crazy Villain - Chapter 73
After the terrifying and shocking knight banquet, where I realized Yudis’s true feelings, her attitude toward me completely changed.
Previously, Yudis would freeze up and avoid me whenever she saw me, but now she was following me around everywhere, volunteering to be my devoted butler. It was scary.
For two days after the knight banquet, Yudis waited outside my chambers, suggested we eat together, and fiercely chased after me as I ran around the training grounds.
After being stalked by Yudis for two days, I now jumped at the mere sight of her shadow.
On the third day, today, I was sneaking around trying to avoid Yudis as I headed to Karden’s office.
After confirming there was no one in the wide corridor, I quickly ran forward, when—
“Hehe, found you!”
An excessively joyful, eerie voice stabbed into my ears from behind.
Oh no, I let my guard down!
I thought I could sense presences with my animal instincts, but had Yudis transcended human limitations?
How could she follow me without making any sound?
Trembling with fear, I turned around to see Yudis beaming with a bright smile at the end of the wide corridor. Of course, to me it looked like a scene from a horror movie.
In the blink of an eye, Yudis ran up quickly and knelt on one knee before me.
“Shushu~! I missed you. Where are you going? I’ll play with you. Come here.”
Yudis’s voice was so soft and sweet that it was unfamiliar.
Where did the cool, charismatic, strong older sister I admired go?
Was she always such a weak person who would succumb to a cute ball of fluff?
“Good morning, Lady Yudis. I was on my way to the Grand Duke’s office.”
I kept my tone as businesslike and stiff as possible. As if I were a person, not a cute, fluffy fox.
If I had known I would meet Yudis, I would have transformed into a human.
But washing my hair, putting on makeup, and wearing those flowing dresses is such a hassle.
Being a fox is just more convenient—just a quick grooming and my fur becomes fluffy, plus my body is light, so it’s good for running around.
“Ah, Shushu and I are of one mind. I was also on my way to see my brother. Let’s go together.”
Yudis smiled brightly, grabbed me, and held me in her arms.
It was a quick and precise movement, giving me no chance to escape.
“Huh? Put me down, please.”
“No way. What if your cute little paws get worn out? Big sister will carry you. Just tell me wherever you want to go. I’ll take you there.”
As I struggled to break free from Yudis’s embrace, her gaze gradually changed to that of an obsessed person.
“Aah, even our Shushu’s tantrums are so cute and lovable. Haah… it’s almost painful to look at you.”
“Kyaang?!”
I was so frightened that goosebumps rose all over my body.
I shouldn’t overreact in front of this person. No, I should stop pretending to be a fox.
She’d probably go crazy over how cute I am, even if I burped or passed gas.
I had no choice but to be carried stiffly in Yudis’s arms like a doll.
As we passed through the corridor, servants hurriedly bowed to Yudis.
Seeing me in Yudis’s arms, they whispered in low voices, looking puzzled.
“Lady Yudis is carrying Lady Shushu? I thought they didn’t get along.”
“I know, right? It’s strange. But I’m glad to see them getting along.”
They’re all being deceived! See the truth!
I’m feeling threatened for my life right now—please, someone stop Yudis’s rampage!
I sent desperate “help me” looks toward the maids, but they just smiled motherly smiles and waved.
As soon as we entered the office, I used all my strength to escape from Yudis’s arms and jumped onto Karden’s desk.
“Don’t go! Shushu!”
Yudis reached out regretfully to catch me, but only sliced through air.
I landed softly next to Karden, who was signing documents, and swished my tail.
“Your Grace, please help me. Please stop Lady Yudis.”
Karden narrowed his brows slightly, exactly how one would when anticipating such a response.
“You’re having a hard time. Come here.”
Karden reached out and embraced me.
Finally feeling safe, I curled up into a ball and nestled comfortably in his arms.
Seeing this, Yudis hissed like someone blinded by jealousy.
“Brother, that’s cheating. Monopolizing Shushu! Please let me hold Shushu too.”
Karden glared at Yudis as if looking at a pathetic child.
“Yudis, maintain your dignity. Stop tormenting Shushu. I won’t stand by and watch anymore.”
“Tormenting? I’m adoring and taking care of Shushu!”
“Shushu is my companion. Taking care of and protecting her is my job, Yudis.”
As Karden calmly reprimanded Yudis, she clenched her fists and trembled.
I had the illusion that a dark aura was rising behind Yudis.
“Companion? I cannot accept that. I object to Shushu becoming your wife, brother.”
Wait, Karden’s wife? Isn’t that moving too fast?
I was startled and about to correct her when Yudis walked over at a frightening speed and slammed her hand hard on the desk.
“I absolutely object to Shushu marrying a cold-blooded, taciturn person like you, brother. She’ll suffer emotionally for her whole life! I’ll adopt Shushu as my little sister and raise her beautifully, giving her love and ensuring she lives happily forever.”
Yudis took a breath, then looked down at Karden with an intimidating gaze.
With her black hair fluttering and red lips twisted, her threatening demeanor that intimidated others was just like looking at Karden.
“Don’t talk nonsense, Yudis. Your climb stops here.”
Karden was no pushover either. Please don’t speak so threateningly to your little sister, Your Grace.
I sighed as I looked back and forth between Karden and Yudis, like a shrimp caught between fighting whales.
No, there’s another shrimp.
I noticed assistant Maildra standing in the corner of the office, holding document files like a borrowed sack of barley.
Tsk, poor thing. Feeling the sorrow of an office worker, I gave Maildra an encouraging look.
Maildra responded with a weak smile.
I tapped the desk firmly with my front paws.
“Both of you, stop it. Don’t fight because of me. Act rationally.”
My mediation seemed to work as Yudis took a step back and Karden nodded.
“If Shushu says so, I’ll leave it at that for today.”
“Understood.”
The thought of being caught between the siblings was already exhausting me. I might be better off running away and living on my own.
As Yudis and I sat on the sofa in the drawing room, Karden spoke up.
“Yudis, as you suggested, I’ll go up to the capital in a week.”
As soon as Karden finished speaking, Yudis smiled brightly.
“That’s a relief, brother. Grandmother will be most pleased. She threatened to cut off trade with our merchant guild if I didn’t bring you to the capital this time. We can’t afford to lose deals with the noble ladies who are close to grandmother.”
As expected of a merchant guild master. She didn’t come to fetch Karden without a reason.
Karden seemed to think the same, as his brows furrowed slightly.
“I figured that was your intention. You wouldn’t come here, dropping everything, without some benefit. But while I do need to see grandmother, a more urgent matter has come up.”
“What matter?”
“This morning, a letter arrived from the royal palace. I need to go up to the capital for an audience with His Majesty the King.”
Yudis’s expression immediately turned serious and grave.
“If His Majesty personally summons you, brother, it means the palace also knows about the stabilization of magic power.”
“Yes. Since Uncle Bert has found stability and is recuperating thanks to Shushu’s power. His Majesty is curious about that. He wants to hear directly how we succeeded in stabilizing the magic power.”
Karden’s gaze fixed steadily on me. Suddenly, an ominous feeling made all my fur stand on end.
That means, perhaps, I too…
“His Majesty has commanded that you, Shushu, also attend the audience.”
“Me too?”
“Shushu too? Absolutely not!”
Yudis shouted, jumping to her feet. I opened my eyes wide, startled by her intense reaction.
Why is Yudis so strongly opposed? Is there a serious reason?
“If the palace knows about Shushu’s power, they might covet it! And what about the reactions of the high nobles? Shushu could be used for power. And above all…”
Listening to Yudis’s explanation, I finally realized the seriousness of the situation.
That’s right. I’ve been too complacent, living comfortably in the northern castle.
