It’S A Cat, Adopted By A Wolf Family? [EN]: Chapter 56

“Shall we move locations first?”

Kitty suggested, tucking the letter into her bosom. The training grounds were too open to discuss secret plans.

The group, including Cleed, moved to Elliot’s office in the training grounds. Marie was still outside, polishing boots.

After closing the door and reconfirming that no one else was around, Kitty unfolded the letter.

‘It really is Anne and Marie’s handwriting.’

It was worth familiarizing herself with the two spies’ handwriting through their job applications and trivial notes beforehand.

Cleed pointed to the two letters, adding certainty.

“The left is Marie’s, the right is Anne’s. The magical power signatures I collected from them under the Young Lady’s name are emanating from each letter.”

If it was Cleed’s judgment, who was the most sensitive to magic among the foxes, it was reliable. Kitty felt relieved and began to read their letters.

“I thought they were trying to send the information they found out by my side to Jerian.”

Instead of the name ‘Jerian,’ the initial ‘Z,’ which he often used when maintaining secrecy, was used in the letter.

Anne and Marie didn’t seem to consider that Kitty knew Jerian’s initials.

‘It would have been a disaster if I hadn’t realized the maids were spies and taken action sooner.’

The letter was full of false information that Kitty had deliberately leaked. The information Anne and Marie captured was different, which would be confusing for the reader.

Kitty also liked that the fake information she deliberately leaked was mixed with the information Anne and Marie had independently learned through observation.

‘Anne thought I would stay in Gridwolf or Wyvis Manor after adulthood. Marie… at the Fox Manor?’

Well, it didn’t matter how the two came to these conclusions. Kitty said to Cleed, who was smiling contentedly beside her,

“Cleed, how were Anne and Marie planning to send this letter?”

“There’s a mailbox in the manor that people staying in the manor use to send letters outside. Every evening, the butlers collect the letters and send them out.”

The envelopes had different addresses written on them. Anne wrote her father as the recipient, and Marie wrote her cousin.

Cleed tapped the part where the address was written.

“The envelopes they used have magic imbued in them. It seems to be a magical tool they prepared in advance before entering the manor. As time passes, a different address will appear instead of the address written now.”

The Gridwolf butlers, who collect numerous letters every day and deliver them to the postman, couldn’t possibly check whether the address on the outer envelope had changed.

Even if they did check, they would have sent the letter to an accomplice within the Wolf territory, so it would have been difficult to reveal that Jerian was behind it.

“Cleed, can you read the real address?”

“Yes. I looked at it with magic, and as time passes, the two envelopes will have the same address.”

“Cleed, write down the address and give it to Lord Elliot. Lord Elliot, please investigate the person living at that address.”

Anyone who would go to the trouble of delivering a letter from the Wolf territory to the Cat territory was highly likely to be a minion of Jerian.

Elliot wore a pleased smile at Kitty’s quick judgment.

“I understand. What are you going to do with the letters?”

“I’m going to send them to Jerian. It’s a letter full of false information, after all. Besides……”

Kitty looked at the part that was commonly written in both letters. It was her future schedule.

[One day before birthday – Visiting a shopping district within Gridwolf territory. Send foxes to attempt capture, but do not overdo it.]

Marie also gave warm advice that it would be difficult to kidnap her when she was in Gridwolf Manor because of the surrounding security, so they should aim for when she went out.

If she suddenly canceled the schedule that she repeated like an annual event every year, Jerian would notice something was wrong.

“I’ll have to increase the escorts for this outing. And……”

Kitty told them one more plan she had just come up with. The wolves who were listening quietly were quite taken aback.

“When you look at it, the cat seems to be the boldest.”

“Eden said that you have to use your head every moment.”

When Eden’s name came up, Theo, Deon, and Cleed’s faces turned sullen. Kitty continued without paying attention.

“Then Cleed, can you send the letter back to where it was? So that Jerian can receive it well.”

“Okay. Just in case, I’ll make a copy and bring it to the Young Lady’s room.”

“Ah, and……”

Kitty’s eyes sparkled as if she was expecting something. Cleed tensed up at the sight of her sparkling emerald eyes.

“Cleed, can you do things like forging handwriting?”

“……What else could it be.”

Cleed said sullenly, as if he was dumbfounded.

“The idea that foxes are good at forgery or fraud is a misunderstanding.”

Kitty was a little disappointed with the answer. Her eyebrows drooped slightly, and the corners of her eyes lowered, making her very lovely.

Cleed couldn’t help but blurt out at the sight.

“Well, I can do it. Is there anything you want me to do?”

“That’s a relief! Then learn Anne and Marie’s handwriting respectively. I think there will be a use for it later.”

Kitty smiled like sunshine and asked. Theo, Deon, and Elliot didn’t miss the moment when Cleed’s face changed subtly.

‘Eden, who will soon leave for the training grounds, is Eden, but this guy is also…….’

‘Even foxes are helpless in the face of Kitty’s overwork.’

‘Ah, our soft paw is so cute that it’s a problem.’

The three wolves’ feelings became even more complicated.

* * *

Kitty’s birthday was just around the corner. After finishing all her morning schedules, Kitty stretched and reviewed her afternoon schedule.

‘Eden and Hogwood said they would come today.’

She was happy to reunite with Hogwood, who had a hearty image, but she felt strange at the thought of seeing Eden again.

Eden’s image of resting his chin and closing his eyes kept lingering in her mind. Kitty shook her head to shake off his afterimage.

‘I have to tell Eden about the letter.’

By now, Anne and Marie’s letter would have arrived at Jerian. According to Anne and Marie’s advice, he would be planning to send fox beastmen [humanoids with fox-like features] to kidnap her during her birthday shopping tomorrow.

‘Seeing that he told me to target my childhood tastes during the maid interview, he must still be underestimating me.’

She was different from her fluffy self in those days when she became a huge white cotton ball. Kitty chewed on the salmon jerky she had brought as a snack and reaffirmed that she would no longer be seen as easy.

‘By the way.’

There was one more thing she was curious about.

What would Eden’s reaction be if she said she had leaked false information to Jerian without much effort?

‘Will he praise me?’

Kitty recalled the moment when she answered Eden’s occasional questions correctly. She didn’t know if he was satisfied with her teaching ability or satisfied with her disciple’s growth, but Eden would wear a satisfied smile at such times.

“…….”

The speed of chewing the salmon jerky gradually slowed down. Realizing this, Kitty quickly chewed and swallowed the salmon jerky and got up from her seat.

It seemed like a good idea to prepare to greet the guests, as Wyvis’s guests would be arriving soon. Even to quell the strange feeling she didn’t know what it was.

“Young Lady, shall I help you with your attire?”

Anne, who was in charge of the afternoon shift, spoke in a friendly voice. Her inner thoughts of trying to win Kitty’s favor and avoid her picky criticism were clearly visible.

“Yes, please.”

Flora’s other maids were in the room, so she couldn’t do anything reckless.

Kitty allowed Anne to flatter her and rub her palms comfortably. Anne, who had heard from Flora’s maids how much Marie, who was in charge of the morning shift, was suffering, did her best.

“The Young Lady has such an elegant figure that she will look beautiful in any loungewear.”

Anne brought the white velvet dress and belt she had recently made and dressed Kitty in them. The soft velvet made Kitty feel much better.

She let Anne braid her hair into pigtails as always and said sweet words to her.

“Anne is different from Marie.”

“Ah…….”

“I always feel like you care about me.”

Anne’s eyes widened slightly at the kind voice.

‘Yes, you observed me with those eyes and reported to Jerian.’

Kitty felt goosebumps when she thought of Anne’s letter saying that she was annoyed by the picky cat.

It was better not to hide her dislike like Marie. Anne acted as if she was a maid who faithfully served her master, which was sometimes scary.

It was as if she had completely forgotten that she was a spy.

‘The most scary people are those who are different on the inside and outside.’

Kitty vowed to become a person who was soft on the inside and outside. Of course, that was after the revenge was over.

“Young Lady, Wyvis’s carriage has arrived at the manor.”

A servant announced just as Anne was about to take her hand off Kitty. Kitty got up from her seat and headed to the lobby.

Hogwood with his large build could be seen walking over. Eden, who was with him, looked as relaxed as ever.

And the four wolves of Gridwolf were carefully watching Kitty looking at the guests.

The four whispered in voices too small for Kitty to hear.

“Why isn’t Kitty doing the jingle-jingle [running and making happy noises]?”

“I know. Soft Paw always ran and flattered Eden whenever he came.”

“…….”

“Looks like she’s annoyed.”

Jackal was still denying reality, not admitting that Kitty had begun to see Eden as a member of the opposite gender.

Hogwood suspiciously avoided the four wolves of Gridwolf who were huddled together. Thanks to this, Eden was the first to face Kitty.

A strange silence spread around. This was because Kitty didn’t run out flattering him, starting with ‘Eden Niiim!’ as she always did.

“…….”

Instead of greeting her kindly first, Eden stared at Kitty intently. The long black coat that covered his knees suited his black hair like a painting.

Soon, his well-shaped lips opened, and his indifferent voice flowed out as always.

“Kitty. Why aren’t you doing that for me today?”

“Yes, yes?”

“I’m waiting for you to welcome me.”

“…….”

Kitty couldn’t play the fool and say ‘Eden Niiim!’ and froze on the spot. The wolves of Gridwolf were sweating in their hands and couldn’t do anything.

Then, Hogwood laughed heartily and greeted Kitty.

“Haha, Soft Paw! It’s been a long time.”

“Father. Kitty’s nickname is Soft Paw.”

Eden immediately retorted. Hogwood, who was embarrassed, put his hand on his son’s shoulder for no reason.

“Eden, seeing you take care of her so meticulously, it’s like you’re a couple…….”

Hogwood, who couldn’t finish his sentence, sensed a chill he had never felt even in the northern lands and turned his head. The four wolves were glaring at him as if they were going to kill him.