It’S A Cat, Adopted By A Wolf Family? [EN]: Chapter 18

<18>

‘Huh? Why aren’t you biting me?’

I was worried that the moment Jackal bit me, my cheek would be dented like a soft peach, but then I heard a sound like air escaping from above.

When I squinted, I could see Jackal turning his head slightly.

‘So, they don’t actually bite even if they say they want to?’

I thought he might really bite me since he’s an animal with such big, impressive teeth. Maybe he would bite me if he were in his animal form.

‘If I think of it as a wolf’s way of showing affection, maybe it would be okay just once.’

My heart fluttered at the thought that one day Jackal might play with me in his big wolf form.

For a long time, I imagined riding a wolf-fur slide. I felt a little happier imagining sliding down from Jackal’s back.

“You’re smiling all of a sudden.”

“I get happy easily! I also enjoy talking with you, Jackal.”

“Is that so.”

After that, Jackal talked with me for quite a while. I thought he would talk about difficult things, but it was all about which snacks he liked best and which part of the mansion he liked best.

He was being considerate of me. He was a warmer-hearted wolf than he looked. My heart felt all warm and fuzzy, and my eyelids grew heavier little by little.

“Will you take a nap?”

I nodded slightly.

Jackal picked me up and laid me in the cradle. I had been moving around a lot to get my clothes fitted, so I was already feeling sleepy, so it wasn’t so bad.

Yawn―

I patted my mouth and asked what would happen if someone came in, but Jackal said no one would come in.

“Kittyia. You can sleep in your wolf form.”

“Ah.”

If that’s the case, I won’t refuse.

I returned to my animal form and curled up. Young beastkins [people who can transform into animals] who aren’t used to humanization felt more comfortable in their animal forms.

I hid my claws and neatly gathered my soft white paws. I was about to close my eyes when something bothered me.

Jackal had been calling me Kittyia all this time.

“Jackal, I would be happy if you called me Kitty. It’s the nickname my mom gave me.”

“I will.”

I closed my eyes with a satisfied smile. Jackal gently rocked the cradle, and I was able to fall asleep quickly.

* * *

Jackal reviewed the last document and put down his pen. Even though he had finished all the work he had to do today, the baby cat was still in dreamland.

It hadn’t been many days since she came to the mansion, and she was still thin.

Kitty was curled up like a loaf of bread fresh out of the oven, and the claws visible below her docked tail were all broken.

Each time she inhaled, her skinny body puffed up very slightly, and each time she exhaled, her fur shook lightly and her volume shrank again.

When she struggled slightly as if she was dreaming, the jelly [toe bean] of her paws was briefly revealed. It was the same pink color as her small nose.

Lena had trimmed it once, but Jackal felt bad seeing her damaged fur and broken claws.

‘One of her ears is really perked up like a wolf’s.’

Jackal carefully covered Kitty with a blanket. The study was an unfamiliar place, but Kitty didn’t seem to be shy at all.

‘……Are cats usually like this?’

Jackal had never seen a cat before.

He had only heard rumors and legends about a brave cat named Icarus.

It is said that the goddess who created this world rode in a chariot pulled by cats.

Therefore, the cats that the goddess stroked were immune to magic, and they passed on the name Icarus from generation to generation so that the goddess who would reappear in the world could recognize them.

His father had reassured Kitty, who was hiding that she was a cat, that it was a common name, but in fact, it was never a common name.

‘The last Icarus died in the bear’s territory, or so they say.’

It would be good to start investigating that matter secretly. Jackal looked at the cotton ball that swelled up and shrank lightly.

‘She’s so small, but she might be the key to everything.’

If Kittyia inherited the blood of Icarus, she could prevent the recurring disasters and massacres.

Beastkins who lose their minds and go crazy when they see the Blue Moon. A time of massacre when they tear apart other animals according to their beastly instincts.

It meant that he could prevent that disaster.

‘Is it God’s arrangement? Or…….’

Jackal stroked Kitty’s head lightly, lost in complex thoughts.

It was a decision to be made after she grew up a little more. Even if Kittyia was not affected by magic, it was another matter to handle magic and use it in actual combat.

Theo and Deon, who had been learning for several years, were still not doing well.

He didn’t want to put a heavy burden on this little child’s shoulders yet.

* * *

Jackal’s room was perfect for taking a nap. After sleeping soundly and waking up, I told him I would come again and left the office.

Hugging the picture book I had received as a gift, I returned to my room, where Lena was organizing my closet.

“Young lady. Did you have a good time?”

“Yes! I took a nap in Gridwolf’s office.”

“Oh my. The master used to invite Theo and Deon to his office often when they were young.”

“He also gave me a picture book as a gift. He’s very kind.”

I showed Lena the picture book.

At that time, someone knocked politely and brought a letter. The envelope was sealed with Gridwolf’s crest.

Lena read the letters written on the outer envelope for me, as I couldn’t read.

“To my daughter, Kittyia Gridwolf. From Caris. Lena Gray is allowed to read this letter for my baby wolf daughter.”

“Did Caris send me a letter?”

“Yes. I think so. Since the mistress has allowed it, I can read the letter if you allow me to, young lady.”

I quickly nodded and sat on Lena’s lap. Lena held the letter at my eye level so that I could see the contents of the letter as well.

“My name is written all over it!”

“It seems the mistress is thinking of you very much. She only wrote to Master Theo and Master Deon when she was away from the mansion for more than a week.”

Caris’ handwriting was very neat. Lena cleared her throat and read the letter slowly.

[To my daughter, Kittyia Gridwolf. Hello, Kitty? I don’t know if you’re doing well.]

I took out my cat ears and concentrated so as not to miss a single word. Caris asked about my well-being and the mansion’s well-being in turn, and then got to the point.

[Kitty. I was very happy every time I announced to the wolf-like family members staying in the conference room that you had become our family.]

Kitty is happy that Caris was happy.

[Everyone is eager to see you. So, I’m thinking of holding a simple tea party to introduce you. If it’s okay, I’d like you to make the tea party invitations.]

Below that, the names of the people to be invited to the tea party were written in slightly larger letters.

Lena explained that they were all wolves who maintained very close relationships with Gridwolf.

[It’s okay if the letters are crooked since it’s before you start studying in earnest. You don’t have to use difficult words. But I hope you will write ‘You are invited’ with sincerity.]

Caris finished the letter by saying that she would arrive in a few days, so think about the tea party.

The remaining letter pages were filled with letters and words written in large letters so that I could practice writing while following them.

“I’m happy. Caris made a textbook for me!”

I received the letter practice pages attached to the letter from Lena and ran to Theo and Deon’s room.

Knock, knock, knock. Deon opened the door a little faster.

“Soft paws, did you miss your brother?”

“I want to study, can I join you?”

“Of course. The room is a bit messy, but come on in.”

“Kitty, I want to join too.”

Theo, who opened the door a little later, followed me into Deon’s room. It was a room that was more cluttered than Theo’s room.

Hmm, I guess wolves are canids after all. The room is a mess.

“So Kitty, what are you going to study?”

“Caris sent me a letter. I’m going to practice writing hard and make invitations.”

I explained the contents of Caris’ letter to the two who were tilting their heads.

Then Deon picked me up and sat me on a chair and brought me a pencil and paper.

“Soft paws. First, let’s write down the basic letters.”

“Yes!”

I frowned with all my might and started drawing along the letters that Caris had written. From the first letter to the last letter, sweat beaded on my forehead.

“Whew, studying letters is really hard. My tail feels cramped.”

“……Tail?”

“How about the hand holding the pencil?”

“Soft paws are fine.”

The brothers, having repeatedly confirmed that both of my hands were fine, took turns looking at the letters I had copied and exchanged opinions.

Theo stroked my head, saying it was great for the first time.

“I have a letter textbook in my room. I’ll bring it right away.”

“Thank you, Theo.”

While Theo disappeared for a moment, Deon stared at me and asked with a suspicious smile.

“Um, Kitty is good at copying. Can you copy more difficult letters?”

“Of course. If I practice a lot, I’ll be able to write more beautifully. Someday, I plan to develop to the point where I can write letters to my brothers.”

“Yes, yes. Then, would you like to copy this letter?”

Deon quickly wrote a short sentence with the pencil I was holding. There were no particularly difficult letters, so I was able to copy the sentence while groaning.

I was concentrating, twirling my tail around following the pencil, when I suddenly became curious.

“But brother, what does this sentence mean?”

“Well. Is it too difficult to write?”

“No way. I learn quickly.”

I copied all the letters and handed them to Deon. Deon was about to put the paper in his arms with a very proud face when Theo, who had returned with the textbook, caught him.

“Deon, what did you make Kitty do? Give it to me.”

“I don’t want to.”

Theo checked the original letters that Deon had written, which were still on the desk, and glared.

“Look at this guy. ‘Deon is the best brother?'”

“…….”

“…….”

Deon scratched his head awkwardly.

Theo stared blankly at my handwriting that Deon had put in his arms, then picked up a pencil and started writing letters.

“Kitty. I think ‘Theo is the best brother’ is also a good sentence to practice letters.”

Excuse me, brother?