It’S A Cat, Adopted By A Wolf Family? [EN]: Chapter 84

Before long, the eventful New Year’s festival was drawing to a close. A small ball of fluff stirred from the cozy blankets, just waking up.

Stretch―!

Kitty stretched her little paws forward, beginning her morning exercise. Having done these stretches for over a decade, she could do them with her eyes closed, but today she lost her balance and wobbled.

“Oh my, Lady Kitty.”

Banyel, who was preparing Kitty’s clothes, rushed to the bedside and helped the cat, who had fallen sideways. In the morning, Kitty’s long fur was tangled from rolling around in the blankets, making her feel like she was petting a sheep.

Although she hadn’t been a maid for long, it was the first time Banyel had seen Kitty stumble during her stretches. Banyel had a good idea why.

‘She must have a lot on her mind.’

She remembered the expression Kitty had worn that day when Ethan had secretly visited. It wasn’t just the face of someone meeting a ‘teacher.’

In Banyel’s eyes, Kitty seemed to think of Ethan in a special way. And Ethan seemed to feel even more strongly.

‘So, even while sneaking out of the Central Training Grounds, he brought a gift for the Lady.’

Banyel placed a box down, just the right size for Kitty to fit in. The entire design was stylishly wrapped in black velvet.

Originally, she should have delivered it sooner, but the Lady had been as limp as jelly for the past few days, so she had postponed it.

“Lady Kitty, Ethan asked me to give this to you.”

“Teacher?”

The slightly clipped tail curved into a question mark. When Banyel nodded, Kitty immediately transformed into her human form.

Indeed, the box reeked of Ethan’s scent.

Smelling his fragrance reminded her of his lips, which were scaldingly hot and soft. Without realizing it, Kitty covered the cheek he had kissed. It felt flushed.

Untying the ribbon and opening the lid revealed a luxurious black pocket watch. It was a design that suited Ethan perfectly.

“A watch……?”

It was a somewhat unexpected gift, but the elaborate craftsmanship made it beautiful enough for anyone to be happy to receive.

Banyel chuckled as she watched Kitty turn the watch this way and that.

‘Surely, giving a watch as a gift means you want to possess that person’s time.’

The Head of the Wyvern family seemed to have chosen the gift with meaning in mind. After checking the card that was included, Banyel was even more convinced.

[Keep in mind that salmon farming has started in various parts of the Wyvern territory.]

It was an elegant script that perfectly matched the black pocket watch. Kitty did her best to hide the fluttering in her heart at the mention of salmon, and she put down the pocket watch and the box.

He said he didn’t like her, then gave her a peck and disappeared, and now he’s sending gifts through a maid. Kitty felt like she knew exactly what ‘wolf behavior’ meant.

“……Still, since I received a gift, should I write a thank-you letter?”

Even though Ethan was probably having a good time with the tall, slender wolf ladies.

Banyel saw Kitty’s sulky face and quickly understood her true feelings.

“Well, if I were you, I’d send it about a week later. That way, he’ll get anxious.”

“Would Teacher get anxious if I send the letter late?”

“Of course, Lady Kitty. Why else would he have rushed all the way here from the Central Training Grounds to see you?”

“Hmm…….”

Banyel chuckled and brushed Kitty’s hair.

“I’ll get you a few romance novels soon, just for you, Lady Kitty.”

* * *

The moment Kitty finished dressing and left her room, she temporarily forgot about Ethan. Right now, Gridwolf was more tense than ever.

‘Delta has shown himself.’

Until now, Sigma and the panthers had repeatedly invaded with the fox beastmen. But when the panthers used Mock Blue Moon [a magical attack that weakens those without immunity], the wolf beastmen, who had no immunity, had no way to resist.

That’s why they could send scouts to the panther territory, but couldn’t issue large-scale attack orders.

But now that Kitty was moving Gridwolf’s bow and had implanted a mana core [a source of magical energy] in Clyde, the situation was different.

‘If I combine Clyde’s power with mine, the wolf knights will be able to withstand the magic of the Mock Blue Moon.’

It was a risky move, but this attack, in which Delta himself had appeared, was something they couldn’t just ignore.

Jackal, Caris, Hogwood, and Clyde discussed ways to stop the panthers with representatives from each race during the New Year’s festival.

Since the representatives of each race were gathered in one place, they were trying to draw up a blueprint for future responses. Kitty was able to participate in most of the process.

“Then, as we discussed, I’ll take the lead.”

Hogwood said that this time he would lead the wolf knights into the panther territory. His eyes were blazing with deep anger and a desire for revenge.

Thus, the wolves’ official expedition was decided.

Wyvern would strike the panthers, and Gridwolf would be responsible for cutting off Jerian’s path so that he could not supply the panthers with Mock Blue Moon.

The two wolf factions would move simultaneously. The surrounding beastmen also agreed to clear the way so that the wolves could move comfortably.

And today, the last day of the New Year’s festival, the beastmen who had finished exchanging opinions were scheduled to return to their respective homes.

‘I’m glad everyone sympathizes with Gridwolf’s intentions.’

Katrina, who came as the representative of the bear beastmen, was also quite angry with the panthers who had been rude to her.

And with the information that the panthers had secured her hair, they wouldn’t be able to interfere with Gridwolf, even if they didn’t help.

‘It would be nice if we could form a solid alliance with the bear beastmen.’

Of course, it would be difficult to change the minds of the bear beastmen, who had been pursuing a closed-door policy for a long time, all at once.

Kitty watched Katrina throughout brunch and tea time with a desperate heart. It would be nice if she could talk to her alone, even for a short time, before she left the mansion.

Then, she would mention once again how beneficial an alliance with Gridwolf would be, and how important the role of the bears with the Holy Relic was in stopping the panthers, and try to persuade her.

Since they hadn’t yet received a firm promise of an alliance, Gridwolf’s wolves seemed to want to keep Katrina for a few more days.

‘She’ll probably be leaving in a few hours…….’

Kitty watched for an opportunity until the bear beastmen had packed all their luggage.

And then, Katrina approached her first.

“Gridwolf’s Young Lady.”

Kitty opened her eyes wide and greeted Katrina. Katrina smiled and gestured towards the garden.

“If you have time, would you like to take a walk with me?”

“Yes, of course!”

Kitty immediately began to show Katrina around the mansion’s garden. They passed the ever-abundant dandelion hill and entered the strawberry garden.

“Gridwolf’s Young Lady.”

“I’d be happy if you called me Kittia. My nickname is Kitty.”

Kitty said, picking several luscious strawberries and washing them in the spring water to win Katrina’s favor.

Katrina immediately put one of the strawberries Kitty offered into her mouth and was a little surprised.

Since when had she started accepting food from others so readily? Without even suspecting that it might be poisoned.

‘Is it because she heard me say those words?’

Katrina sat down on a bench and recalled what had happened in the plaza. The words Kitty had spoken at that time, despite her fear, had resonated deeply in her heart.

“If, if we don’t form an alliance with the bear beastmen, bad things will continue to happen.”

“…….”

“……Please protect Katrina, Jackal.”

According to the informants in the bear territory, the cat in front of her also had a considerable personal grudge against the panthers.

Her tail had been bitten off by a panther. Her family had been wiped out by a scheme of Jerian, a cat who had joined hands with the panthers.

How many people would be able to think of the peace that could be achieved through an alliance first, even with their enemies right in front of them?

Kitty’s warmth finally reached the heart of the cautious bear beastman.

‘……Maybe it’s okay to expose our family’s secrets to this child.’

Katrina decided to trust Kitty once. She picked up another strawberry and asked.

“Kittia. Do you want an alliance with the bear beastmen?”

It was perhaps natural that Kitty’s eyes widened. Katrina’s question was not something to be asked of Gridwolf’s temporary youngest daughter.

A question that should be directed to Jackal and Caris, who represent the family, or even to Elliot or the two young masters, who have considerable military authority.

But Katrina seemed to be curious only about Kitty’s answer.

Kitty swallowed hard and spoke in a more cautious voice than ever.

“Yes. If the bear beastmen with the Holy Relic cooperate, we can pressure the panthers and Jerian with minimal sacrifice.”

“Even if we don’t form an alliance, nothing will happen to the Young Lady who owns Gridwolf’s bow.”

Katrina asked, probing her. Kitty thought about the situation for a moment and shook her head.

“Katrina, I was separated from my family when I was very young and adopted into the Gridwolf mansion.”

Dad and brothers, Mom and the little ones. The fact that she would never see her loved ones again weighed heavily on her heart.

Kitty still went to her room’s display case whenever it rained. Her heart ached every time she saw the chrysanthemums that bloomed vividly with the power of magic.

Even if she was temporarily adopted into a warm family with great luck, and even if she received overflowing love and a high level of education, the separation was no less sad.

“Separating from loved ones forever is always difficult for anyone. I want to minimize such sacrifices as much as possible.”

“…….”

“So please seriously consider an alliance with the wolves.”

Katrina smiled softly as she looked at the girl in front of her.

Whether the separation and wounds of her childhood made this child grow up warmly, or whether she was originally of a kind nature, one thing was certain.

Katrina also did not want to miss this alliance.

“Kittia, if you grant me a very simple request, I will return to the bear territory and persuade my parents to form an alliance.”

“Yes?”

“It will take some time because it is a territory that has been closed off for a long time, but until the alliance is declared, we will regularly send envoys to inform you of the progress. It should be completed within a year at the latest.”

At this point, Kitty began to worry about what kind of request Katrina would make. What if she asked for one of her soft paws in exchange for the alliance…….

‘What should I do?’

Kitty looked at her with trembling eyes. Katrina chuckled and opened her mouth.