It’S A Cat, Adopted By A Wolf Family? [EN]: Chapter 57

‘That Hogwood, he has no tact!’

Caris felt a stiffness in the back of her neck. She could barely tolerate him mistaking Kitty’s cute nickname, ‘Mollangson,’ but to call them a couple was beyond the pale.

What bothered her more was Ethan’s reaction. If he disliked the comment, he would have frowned, but for some reason, Ethan showed no particular response.

Instinctively sensing unease, Jackal strode forward and blocked Kitty. Hogwood, seeing Jackal burning with some unknown fire, scratched his head sheepishly.

“Jackal, I’m sorry. Are you angry because I called ‘Mollangson’ ‘Mulleongson’?”

“Hogwood.”

Jackal subtly shielded Kitty and spoke solemnly.

“Our youngest is still afraid of wolves, so please keep your distance.”

“…You’re not trying to make a joke, are you? Even in the northern lands, humor wasn’t this dry.”

A cat who’s lived in a wolf’s mansion for ten years being afraid of wolves? It was a blatant excuse, but Jackal was solely focused on protecting Kitty.

Theo and Dion also came out with hasty steps and rushed towards Ethan.

“Ethan, my friend!”

“Long time no see? How about we go to the corner and have a little chat?”

“……”

Theo and Dion each put an arm around Ethan’s shoulders and walked him away. The three’s uneasy movements were reminiscent of crabs.

Kitty gently tapped Jackal’s back, which was blocking her way.

“Jackal, I’m not a child, so it’s okay. Me being afraid of wolves…”

“It was a slip of the tongue. But the black wolves are aggressive, so be careful.”

Jackal gave her sincere advice, but it didn’t resonate much with Kitty. Just as Kitty was about to greet Hogwood, Caris subtly stood beside Kitty.

“Caris?”

“Don’t mind me and say hello.”

Hogwood took in Kitty, who wore a bright smile, and the Gridwolf couple, who were glaring at him like vengeful spirits, in one glance.

“It’s been a while, Hogwood!”

The two briefly shook hands. Hogwood gave Kitty, who offered a friendly greeting, sincere advice.

“It’s been a while, Mollangson. But the gray wolves are very possessive, so always be careful.”

* * *

Ethan was dragged along as Theo and Dion walked. The two stopped only in a secluded hallway and released Ethan.

The twins’ eyes were far from welcoming, considering they dragged him here to catch up after a long time.

Sensing the conversation would be lengthy, Ethan leaned against the wall. Theo and Dion leaned against the opposite wall, scrutinizing Ethan.

Clearly, they were all heirs to the Wolf family, but Ethan stood out with his noble demeanor.

The brothers felt a slight sense of defeat.

Ethan, with his indifferent expression, was much more handsome than they remembered.

‘We ate the same food Gridwolf provided, so how is he the only one who looks so outstanding?’

‘It seems our Mollangson favors looks.’

Reaching that conclusion, they became even more anxious.

“Ethan, be honest.”

“Did something happen with our sister?”

Ethan looked at their faces, unsure whether they were angry or tearful, and roughly grasped the situation.

“I’m not sure. What’s wrong?”

“Our Kitty is conscious of you.”

“Just last vacation, you two were like siblings… !”

Ethan crossed his arms and looked at them. They were still hasty and childish when it came to Kitty.

That meant they cherished their sister that much.

Even so, Ethan had no intention of answering their questions readily. His straight eyebrows subtly rose.

“Did you get permission from Kitty?”

“Do, do we need to get permission from Kitty to talk to you?”

“No, hyung [older brother]. They’re not at that stage yet. Don’t get caught up in his words.”

Theo and Dion went to heaven and hell with Ethan’s one sentence. Ethan had always liked this aspect of the Gridwolf brothers.

Being with them was fun in many ways.

“Is it okay for you to tell me that Kitty is conscious of me?”

“……”

Theo and Dion instantly shut their mouths like clams. They had only thought of grilling Ethan, and they had made a critical mistake.

‘Kitty will hit us with her soft paws if she finds out…’

‘She won’t even let us touch her pink jelly beans [toe beans] again, will she?’

The two decided to accept the cold reality. From the start, trying to deal with Ethan through words was 無理 [muri – impossible].

“Hey, Ethan…”

“You’ll keep it a secret from Kitty, right?”

Their large statures were mismatched with their pitiful eyes. Ethan bit off his black gloves and took them off, then paused for a moment.

“I don’t know what you’re worried about. I know very well that I’m the one who’s leaving.”

Kitty, who was full of affection and kindness, would surely be very sad at the fact that he was leaving. So he was planning to tell her on the day of departure without saying anything in advance.

He didn’t want to give Kitty any room to suffer alone. He couldn’t bear to see her in pain. If he saw Kitty sobbing while looking at him, he would definitely not want to leave.

“I won’t do anything until I learn everything I need to learn at the Central Training Center.”

“…You’ve done a lot for someone who says that, Ethan.”

“I heard from Sir Elliot yesterday. You took all the Gridwolf knights who confessed to Kitty to the Ubis territory.”

“……”

Ethan was silent for a moment.

Ironically, that silence revealed Ethan’s heart. Seeing his cool, blue eyes shift slightly to the side as if embarrassed, the brothers could ease their worries a little.

“Anyway, don’t hurt Kitty.”

“We won’t let you get away with it if you make Mollangson cry.”

“As if I would.”

Ethan stood up from the wall. Even an ordinary movement looked like a play with his superior beauty.

Theo and Dion stared at Ethan and carefully asked.

“Um… don’t be too handsome in front of Kitty. You said you don’t intend to give her any hope, so you can do that much, right?”

“…?”

“It seems our Mollangson is a bit of a looker. And don’t take off your gloves with your mouth like you did earlier.”

“Why the gloves?”

Dion cleanly gave up his pride and said.

“It was so cool that I was a little excited.”

“…Don’t say disgusting things.”

“Pretend to be a little off so Kitty can slowly break away, okay?”

Ethan cleanly ignored the flood of their demands and left the spot.

* * *

Finally, my birthday arrived. As soon as I woke up, I stretched on the bed and approached the display case in the room.

Thanks to the magic tool, the chrysanthemums from Dad, Mom, Oppa [older brother], and the little ones were still blooming fresh. It hadn’t changed at all from when I first put it in the display case.

‘I’ve grown up so much in 10 years.’

With a tender heart, I spoke in a small voice.

“I’ve safely turned seventeen, so don’t worry about me and be happy in heaven.”

No answer came, but just saying it made me feel better. I smiled and started preparing to go out.

I was planning to go shopping in the shopping district this afternoon as I did every year, so my heart was pounding.

‘Jerian, who received reports from Anne and Marie, will send fox spirits. Then…’

It was finally time to put the plan that I had shared with Sir Elliot, Clyde, and my brothers into action.

If the operation went according to my plan, I was going to kick out Anne and Marie and bring in Vaniel as my exclusive maid.

‘The two have done their jobs well enough, so I should let them rest now.’

While thinking about this and that, it was time for the appointment. I stood in front of the mirror and turned around.

As Lena had suggested, I put on the outing clothes I had ordered the other day, and I seemed to look like a lady.

‘After all, the Weila couple’s clothes are the best.’

As I requested, it looked elegant and demure on the outside, but it was designed so that it would not be uncomfortable even in a battle.

As I picked up my coat and was about to leave the room, there was a knock and a familiar voice.

“Kitty, are you in your room?”

“Brothers?”

When I opened the door, the two smiled and came into the room. Dion was holding a shiny wooden box.

“I wanted to give you the gift I had prepared earlier first.”

“I hope Mollangson wears our gift while shopping.”

I was thinking of shoes or gloves at the word ‘wear,’ but as soon as I opened the box, I exclaimed.

“Kyaa-! This is…!”

“It’s a set with us.”

“Do you like it?”

I carefully picked up what was in the box. It was a combat belt that could be equipped with weapons, and a dagger with beautiful craftsmanship.

Judging by the shape and size, it was a set with Theo’s dagger ‘Dialogue’ and Dion’s dagger ‘Compromise.’

“I really like it…!”

“Then quickly name it.”

I took the dagger out of its sheath and put it back in, pondering, and finally decided.

“I’ll name my dagger ‘Persuasion.'”

“Oh, that’s a good name. Dialogue, Compromise, Persuasion.”

“It feels like a set when you put the names like that.”

Theo and Dion also proudly helped me wear the dagger. Inside our three coats, Dialogue, Compromise, and Persuasion were hiding their blades, respectively.

“Just in case we run into fox spirits today.”

“Of course, the brothers will handle it well so that Mollangson doesn’t have to draw Persuasion.”

I stroked the dagger once and hugged them tightly. Although the appearance had grown up so much, the two were still my precious brothers.

“Happy birthday, Kitty.”

“Let’s go shopping now, Mollangson.”

The two each took my hand and gently pulled me. When I stood between Theo and Dion, I felt like I was back in my childhood, so I unconsciously became more spoiled.

‘Even if it’s temporary, having a family is really a happy thing.’

I smiled and got into the carriage. It was time to temporarily go along with Jerian’s scheme.