The Symbiotic Relationship Between The Rabbit And The Black Panther [EN]: Chapter 34

Morning sunlight streamed through the wide-open terrace.

When I woke up, Ahin had not only returned to his human form but was also neatly dressed.

Conversely, I, who had used pheromones on Ahin, had reverted to rabbit form.

Seeing the black uniform embroidered with gold thread, it felt like meeting Ahin as a black panther had been a dream. Moreover, he didn’t say a word about the incident when he transformed into a black panther.

Unable to question him, I curled up on the cushion and chewed on the hay roughly. My mood was already low because Ivelin had stirred things up with her morning greetings.

“Underground… No. Are you going straight to your office?”

I glanced sideways at Ivelin talking to Ahin when the hawk sitting next to me made a small noise. In an instant, its beak pecked at the pile of hay as if to destroy it.

‘What are you doing!’

It pecked me with that beak even in the early morning. Annoyed, I kicked off the cushion and flew, delivering a body blow.

The hawk staggered, seemingly quite shocked, and collapsed to the floor. Still huffing, I felt a sticky gaze fixed on my side.

Turning my head, I saw three pairs of red eyes staring at me: Ahin, Ivelin, and even Ahin’s personal attendant. It was quite an uncomfortable gaze.

“Lord Ahin.”

Ivelin, who had been looking at me with a calm expression, began to speak.

“I have repeatedly told you, haven’t I? The Rabbit has the aura of a ruler of the battlefield.”

“That doesn’t seem wrong. Quinn is not easy to handle.”

Tidying up the scattered hay, I turned my gaze to the side. So, the hawk’s name was Quinn.

“Look at that aura that makes Lord Quinn kneel at its feet. Since ancient times, a rabbit’s headbutt has signified the submission of beasts.”

The attendant looked at Ivelin with admiration, as if he had realized something he didn’t know. Ahin, who had taken out his pocket watch, asked casually.

“Is that true?”

“Of course, I just made it up.”

If you’re going to make things up, you should submit to me first. I gnashed my teeth, my nose twitching.

According to Ahin, Ivelin already knew that I was a beastkin [a person with animal features or the ability to transform]. Yet, she had been teasing me, calling me Rabbit Gu and such.

Postponing my revenge, I secretly gestured to the attendant with my front paw. As expected of someone who had secured the position of the next head’s exclusive attendant despite being of similar age, he immediately noticed and approached.

“Is there anything you need?”

This attendant was the one who sent me meaningless fighting spirit every morning. Moreover, he was the very attendant who had his finger bitten yesterday, had his jacket and belt stolen, and had to sleep on the cold floor of the study.

‘I’m sorry.’

I wondered how embarrassed he must have been when he woke up and found his clothes gone. It was an emergency, but seeing his innocent face made me feel even more sorry.

Unable to convey my feelings, I tapped the attendant’s shoe with my front paw. A silent understanding passed between us as we made eye contact.

I don’t know if my feelings were conveyed, but he bent his knees and helped Quinn tidy up the hay he had overturned.

“I will clean it up. Please, leave it to me.”

‘No, let’s do it together.’

As we were tidying up the hay together, my feet suddenly left the ground.

“Bibi.”

Ahin, who had lifted me into his arms, raised his eyebrows disapprovingly.

“Wandering is becoming a habit.”

“Like with Lord Rune last time, the Rabbit seems to have an unexpected wandering spirit.”

To add insult to injury, Ivelin slandered me with the accusation of being a wanderer.

“Especially pursuing beautiful people.”

Ivelin pointed to her own face once, then pointed to the attendant standing on the opposite side. Naturally, my and Ahin’s eyes turned to the attendant holding the hay.

With verdant green hair containing the color of greenery, and an appearance that was innocent for his age. The attendant’s face blushed shyly as he endured the attention.

Wait, why are you blushing there? Sure enough, a dangerous smile settled on Ahin’s lips.

“You promised to give me your liver…”

A venomous line flowed from his lips, which didn’t match his petal-like mouth.

“How could you abandon me?”

His mouth, uttering a lament that a rejected lover might make, drew closer. Threatening fangs gleamed between his slightly parted lips.

Here it comes!

Anticipating the familiar pattern, I flailed my feet, expecting to be bitten on either my front paw or neck.

Flap, flap, I pushed against his chin, but it only accelerated his approach.

‘No!’

Soon, Ahin’s lips, which had drawn closer, touched my crown and then moved away.

…What was that just now?

With my ears perked up, I couldn’t close my half-open mouth.

Before I could even recognize it, his lips lightly touched my cheek again. As his lips moved away, my head, which had been tilted, returned to its original position.

“Shall we go to work together for the time being?”

Ahin, who had changed his method of torture, put the frozen me into his pocket.

What just happened? Unable to face reality, I covered both cheeks.

Peeking out and looking up at Ahin, he curved his red eyes beautifully and conveyed something with his mouth.

‘Instead of your liver.’

He’s really gone crazy.

* * *

The Lavian Family

Aven Lavian, who had been bedridden, regained consciousness after nearly a week. A deep worry was etched on her ever-proud expression.

With a hand that showed bulging veins, she picked up a letter from the table.

Such terrible news.

After Bibi’s younger sibling, Kairi Lavian, had his first coming-of-age ceremony, Aven urged him to learn the family business as soon as possible and sent him out.

She had no doubt that he, being a bright child, would catch the eye of the Lavian head.

However, ten days ago, unacceptable news was delivered.

The Lavian family’s ship, which had set sail for another territory, had capsized in a storm. Neither Kairi Lavian, who was on board, nor any of his half-siblings’ bodies were found.

Wrack, the letter in her hand was crumpled haphazardly.

Born as the daughter of a lower-ranking noble with only a title left, she married the head of Lavian under the pressure of her family.

However, he already had two wives.

Moreover, it didn’t take long for another two wives to appear after Aven.

Yes, the Lavian head was a man who boasted a long-standing lineage and sowed his seeds as he pleased. The more he sowed those seeds in all sorts of places, the less pure the lineage would remain.

Yet, he only showed his foolish greed and declared that he would pass on the position of head to the child who was most outstanding in his eyes.

She had two children at the end of a relationship devoid of affection. One was a half-wit who couldn’t even dream of humanizing, and the other abandoned this world without even thinking of spreading his wings.

With this, Aven was in a position to disappear into the shadows of the family.

She couldn’t possibly be unaware that hidden behind the faces of the Lavian family members who came to offer condolences was an ugly mockery of Aven, who had been pushed out of the power struggle.

“…….”

Blindly.

Looking only at the throne.

She had lived for twenty years, or even more.

Aven, covering her eyes with her arm, swallowed her twisted despair and anger. However, the sobs she couldn’t hide filled the bedroom.

The maid, who was watching her intermittent breathing, quietly retreated. Aven was not in a state to listen to the reports she had brought.

“What is it?”

At the sound of a cracked voice from behind, the maid stopped abruptly.

“…It’s a letter from the Dandelion family.”

“Bring it here.”

Dandelion was a lower-ranking noble in the Black Panther territory who had ties with her. Aven frowned as she received the letter.

According to the news conveyed by the Dandelion head, it seemed that the rumor that the next leader was keeping a rabbit was not false. A baby rabbit with white fur.

No matter how she thought about it, it was strange. Ahin Grace, who was only known for ominous rumors, was raising a pet rabbit.

“Any other news?”

“The head of Amon’s birthday banquet will be held soon.”
Amon was the head of the Rabbit territory. Aven asked in bewilderment, hearing a report that didn’t fit the situation.

“The banquet is not such an important matter, is it?”

“According to rumors… the person who attended last year’s banquet as the representative of the Grace family was Ahin Grace.”

A strange light flashed in Aven’s eyes, which had been dead.

The birthday banquet of the head of a territory and the next head is an important event, and invitations are sent to all the head families on the continent.

For the Black Panther territory, which borders the Rabbit territory, it would be impolite to replace it with a congratulatory gift, so there was a high probability that they would attend this year as well.

“…The Lavian head will also attend. He likes banquets.”

“I heard that he has already sent a letter requesting to attend the head’s family.”

What is the probability that Ahin Grace’s rabbit is Bibi Lavian?

Aven, feeling nauseous, caressed the area around her chest.

She should have taken care of it with her own two hands. Abandoning her in the Black Panther territory out of a little conscience had brought about a backlash.

“Is it likely that Ahin Grace will bring the rabbit to this banquet as well?”

“That’s…”

There was no way a maid with a sound mind could read the mind of the unhinged Ahin Grace. Aven, turning her back on her stammering, waved her hand.

“…I want to rest a little, so go out for now.”

The maid bowed her head and quietly left the bedroom.

* * *

The smoke from Lillian’s pipe clouded the reception room. Sitting in the central seat, he kept stroking his grizzled beard.

“…What did you just say?”

“He said that if I was going to do that to the rabbit again, he would even escort me to the academy.”

“Insolent… Is that what you say to your grandfather after seeing him for the first time in months?”

“Then why are you so persistent in useless things, old man?”

Ahin, letting out a loose laugh, picked up a teacup filled with herbal tea. As soon as he put the teacup to his lips, he frowned and ordered the attendant to bring him a sweet drink.

“It’s pathetic; you still don’t know how to enjoy tea.”

“Is there any need to deliberately drink something so bitter?”

“As a grown man,”

“Boomer.”

“…What?”

What a way to talk. Lillian, barely suppressing the bubbling anger, spoke in a deep voice.

“Haven’t I always told you? Always be aware of your position.”

“I’m always aware. Hide your emotions, and don’t be complacent with what you’ve already gained.”

The smile on Ahin’s lips faded slightly for a moment.

“Don’t be swayed by death, and become indifferent to loss. I think I’m doing a good job of keeping that in mind.”

Thump, Lillian slammed the table and immediately opened his mouth.

“That’s not what I meant; I’m pointing out your dignity and behavior! Haa,”

“You don’t even think about successors and only commit bizarre acts without considering the consequences. Thanks to you, your grandfather’s heart is burning black.”

“…….”

“Am I right? That’s what you were going to say.”

Lillian repeatedly rubbed his face, his mouth agape at Ahin’s perfectly accurate words. However, he couldn’t hide the fact that his face was red with anger.

He took a breath, sipped his tea, and spoke in a somewhat calmer voice.

“That rabbit, it uses pheromones.”

“The old man used pheromones on a rabbit.”

“…….”

“What if the rabbit had gotten hurt?”

“…This grandfather was the one who suffered.”

“You seemed to be having a good dream. Though your hair was quite a mess.”

Ahin recreated the hairstyle Lillian had with his silver hair.

“You little rascal!”

Lillian, thoroughly provoked, just puffed on his pipe. Just recalling the reactions of the employees who avoided him as if he were a ghost when he woke up in the study was enough to give him a fit.

“Stop beating around the bush and tell me about that damn rabbit. Where did you bring it from?”

“From the Forest of Boundaries. It’s already been well over half a year…”

…Ago. Ahin, uncharacteristically, moved his lips. A strange emotion washed over him.

When he first brought Bibi, it was almost like a pet rabbit. It couldn’t survive without him, and Bibi herself knew very well that her small life was in Ahin’s hands.

However, now that it was possible for her to turn into a human, the story might be a little different. Right now, she needed Ahin’s help, but someday she would be able to stand on her own.

‘I don’t think Rabbit-nim [term of endearment and respect] will stay here if she becomes human.’

When that time comes. The dark anxiety that he would no longer be the one to turn his back first made his fingertips cold.

“Excuse me.”

The lengthy conversation was briefly interrupted by the servant bringing cocoa. Ahin dropped several sugar cubes into the cocoa.

“Grandfather.”

“Don’t try to gloss over it and tell me the truth.”

“I haven’t even gotten to the main point yet.”

“Do you only use proper honorifics when you’re talking nonsense?”

“It’s quite an important story. What do you think is the meaning of biting the neck?”

Ahin lowered his voice and stirred the sugar with a spoon. It was a tone that would only come out in official settings.

What kind of nonsense is this guy going to spout now? Lillian raised his eyebrows, not giving any answer to the obvious question.

“That rabbit…”

Ahin, giving a meaningful smile, fiddled with the collar of his shirt, covering his neck.

Feeling uneasy for no reason, Lillian moistened his dry lips with herbal tea.

“Seems like she’s planning to devour me.”

“Pfft,” the herbal tea in Lillian’s mouth sprayed out between his lips. Fortunately, the mistake was buried in the sound of the teacup breaking.

“I, I apologize!”

The servant who broke the teacup prostrated himself. A servant’s attitude should not show any agitation in the face of superiors’ conversations. Flustered, he hurriedly gathered the broken pieces.

Ahin, unconcerned, leaned back in his chair.

Bibi was always trembling with fear, yet her sleeping habits were strangely bad. It was so common for her to sleep on her back on the pillow.

Because of this, Ahin’s bed always had a small cloth to cover Bibi’s belly.

And the bad sleeping habits were still valid even after she turned into a human.

Last dawn, the fur of Ahin, who had turned into a black panther, must have been stuffy, so she bit his neck. Thanks to that, Bibi’s teeth marks remained on his neck after he turned back into a human.

Ahin, touching his neck that he hadn’t bothered to heal, parted his lips a beat late.

“The rabbit bit my neck.”

Clang, the servant ended up breaking another piece of the teacup he was cleaning up.

Normally, Lillian would have scolded the servant severely, but he was too busy picking at his ear. He wondered if he was just getting tinnitus from old age.

“Say that again.”

“She said someone like me is just her prey.”

For a moment, Lillian saw the chandelier-hung ceiling as yellow [meaning he felt faint or dizzy].

“What… what are you trying to say?”

Confirming that his hand was gripping the paulownia cane [a type of walking stick], Ahin added gently.

“It means the rabbit is strong, so don’t bother her like you did in the study, or you’ll get hurt.”

He smiled brightly and slowly turned to the servant.

“Isn’t that right?”

“Yes? Ah… Rabbit-nim is…”

“Can’t you stop with that grotesque title!”

Lillian, exasperated, raised his voice. But Ahin had expectant eyes.

“The rabbit even spanked my butt. Is that a warning that she’s going to eat me soon?”

“…….”

“I’ll be going now. I need to prepare to be eaten.”

“You, you crazy thing!”

The cane that cut through the air didn’t even graze Ahin’s hair. He had already gotten up and disappeared from the drawing room in an instant.

“Don’t you dare come back!”

Lillian, screaming loudly, chased after him, swinging his cane.

The servant, left alone in the drawing room, quietly cleaned up the teacups. He thought the rabbit was extraordinary, but to bite the next head of the family’s neck and even spank his butt.

It was surprising news, but it wasn’t that surprising in this mansion, which always defied common sense.

It was a chaotic morning.

* * *

Attending the midday tea time, I fiddled with the hay. It was a leisurely but mentally chaotic time.

Lately, she’s been causing trouble as I wished. The security guards in front of the bedroom seemed to have predicted to some extent that I was a beastman, and they were on high alert whenever I entered or left the bedroom.

It’s good to have the security strengthened, but because they even scattered murderous intent, I was becoming more and more awkward with them.

“The scent of flowers is nice.”

‘Me too.’

A gentle breeze carrying the scent of flowers blew softly.

While enjoying refreshments with Valence-nim at the tea table, I glanced to the right.

A mansion said to have been built for the welfare of the rabbit in a garden full of yellow flowers caught my eye. It was up to an average person’s knee in height, and the ceiling was wide open.

When I heard Valence-nim’s soft explanation that it was modeled after the Grace mansion, my heart was a little complicated. To receive a rabbit house in a position where I had to become a human.

However, when I actually entered the mansion, a warm emotion took the place of the lukewarm feeling. Because the housewarming gifts that the employees had secretly put in were piled up.

Mayme had a well-honed dagger, Ulpes had a red ribbon, and Evlin had a beast repellent containing a scent that fierce beasts hated.

At first glance, the gifts from the security guards were obvious, including a rabbit-only helmet, and the mansion was filled with gifts such as haystacks and toys.

It would be greedy to be a little sad that there was nothing from Ahin among the many gifts. Holding the hay, I pondered the usefulness of the beast repellent that I had kept carefully.

‘Rabbit-nim, I wanted to have a conversation with you, but I’m sorry that you’ve returned to being a rabbit.’

‘When I first saw you, you were so skinny that I was in trouble, but I congratulate you on having more parts to eat.’

I should probably use Evlin’s gift on Evlin. Firmly determined, I vigorously bit into the hay.

“Baby, I heard about what happened in the study.”

I, who was chewing hay in a combative manner, woke up from my thoughts by Valence-nim’s voice. She gently curved her eyes, placing her front paw on her index finger.

“I didn’t know Father would come out so strong. I hope it doesn’t leave a lump in your heart.”

‘I’m okay.’

“I was going to see Father separately, but Ahin, who found him first, scratched his insides a lot. I don’t know what he did, but he’s lying in bed in his bedroom.”

Lying in bed. I could easily imagine Ahin turning his insides out while maintaining a harmless smile.

While making a disgusted face, a careful hand passed over my head.

“He’s the type to lie down even if it’s nothing, so don’t worry. Hmm… I don’t think you’ll run into him right away, but I’d like to advise you to avoid him while you’re staying at the mansion.”

Valence-nim gave Mayme the right to run away with me if she encountered her grandfather on the spot. In addition, the right not to follow her grandfather’s coercive orders.

Mayme, who was delighted, moved away again and took a seat in a suitable place.

Slightly relieved, I turned my head to where Valence-nim’s eyes were. Her red eyes were on Bara, who was enjoying a nap with Ash.

“Animals follow you better than I thought. Is it because you’re sensitive to pheromones?”

That sneaky black panther. He kept sticking next to me and scratching my insides, but when Valence-nim was around, he was so quiet.

Unlike Queen, who reduced the number of times she overturned the hay as we spent time together, the relationship between me and Bara showed no signs of narrowing.

The more Ash gave me affection, the wider the gap became. Bara would kick my butt when everyone turned their eyes away, or laugh wildly when I fell over.

I shook Valence-nim’s hand to get her attention and stood up on two feet. It was finally time to expose Bara’s misdeeds.

I even rolled on the floor, pretending to be hit on the butt.

I tried my best to let everyone know the truth about the cunning black panther using my whole body.

“Oh dear…. Mayme.”

She suddenly hardened her mouth and called Mayme.

“Did you call me?”

“Call a direct painter right now. I want to leave the snowball-like appearance from earlier as a portrait.”

“I will obey your command.”

One of the maids quickly left her seat at Mayme’s instruction.

That’s right. Valence-nim often misinterpreted my gestures. Not expecting much, I slumped on the tea table.

As I rested my chin on the table, Ahin, who had turned into a black panther, suddenly came to mind. If he’s not feeling well, he should see a doctor.

“What are you thinking about?”

A friendly voice rang out from above my head.

“Try again. I’m curious about your intentions.”

When I raised my head, Valence-nim, with a smile on her face, urged me, saying, “Come on.”

Having gained a little hope, I hesitated and got up. Ahin comes first, rather than about Bara right now.

Soon, standing on two feet, I roared and bit my mouth as if roaring. She, who was looking down seriously, gathered her eyebrows.

“Black panther?”

You got it right for the first time. I applauded with a colorful expression. She smiled proudly and instructed the next expression.

‘Is it true that turning into a black panther is the case when you’re sick….’

How do I express this? I didn’t know what kind of anger I would cause if I stroked my stomach like last time.

After thinking for a while, I pretended to be sick and withered and then collapsed.

When I glanced at her, Valence-nim was stroking her chin and thinking about something.

“The weakness of the black panther. I’m seriously trying to tame Ash and Bara.”

That’s not it at all. However, a different color permeated her red eyes.

“A well-trained beast is as good as a guard knight. Baby, I like that vitality of yours.”

I, who was about to deny it, stopped moving for a moment. Although it’s a wrong answer, wouldn’t it be good information to know the weaknesses? With shining eyes, I applauded again, saying it was a perfect answer.

“I guess I got it right this time. I don’t think there are any weaknesses…”

She gave a satisfied smile and called Mayme and the other maids who were far away.

In that way, the discussion among the black panther beastmen about what the weaknesses of the black panther were continued for a long time.

* * *