The Symbiotic Relationship Between The Rabbit And The Black Panther [EN]: Chapter 49

The first lesson between Bibi and Lilian was to take place in the study. Standing before the door adorned with red jewels, Lilian glanced at the knights on either side.

“We greet you, Lady Lilian.”

They returned the salute, indicating that the student eager to learn had already arrived in the study.

“…It’s been a while.”

The Bibi he faced was still no ordinary rabbit.

His snow-white fur was stained and mottled as if he had been rolling around in ashes, yet he still wore the bow tie that Mayme had prepared, as if trying to be polite.

Sitting on the rectangular desk, Bibi bowed respectfully.

Unlike the discomfort he felt when he didn’t know Bibi was a beastman [a human with animal features or the ability to transform into an animal], Lilian couldn’t help but think he was quite polite, and he smacked his forehead.

‘I mustn’t get involved.’

He had resolved not to get caught up in the rabbit’s suspicious behavior before even entering. However, from the moment he decided to teach the rabbit, Lilian’s common sense had lost its way.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lilian Valence, husband of the Valence leader, father of Edith Grace, grandfather of Ahin, and headmaster of the Bellhelm Academy.”

As he took his seat, an awkward silence fell. In fact, it would be a perpetually silent lesson unless Lilian, a human, spoke.

Hmm, hmm—he cleared his throat and began to speak.

“I still don’t trust you.”

‘I know.’

Bibi didn’t expect to develop a comfortable relationship either. It was only due to the intersection of Ahin that their interests aligned. Bibi, trying not to be discouraged, nodded firmly.

‘Lady Lilian, I must reiterate that Rabbit has defeated black panthers with his spirit alone. Haven’t you heard the rumors about his sparring matches?’

‘Damn it, why does that keep ringing in my ears!’

Lilian shook his head, Evelyn’s brainwashing kept coming to mind. As if he had been bewitched, he was overwhelmed by the thought that the spirit emanating from the fist-sized rabbit was extraordinary.

“Before we begin the lesson, there’s something I want to ask you.”

Lilian pulled out the scandalous gossip magazine from his gray-white robe.

“Are you the rabbit beastman mentioned in this article?”

Bibi’s pupils trembled as he faced the gossip magazine he hated to see.

‘Nymph, I heard you will be studying under Lady Lilian. I will prepare a bag for the lesson.’

‘Evelyn, don’t overdo it. Nymph doesn’t like it.’

Ahin and Evelyn had teased him so much because of that gossip magazine. They were laughing and carrying on.

Bibi immediately picked up the light pen he had received from Ahin. It was a specially made pen for the rabbit to use while standing on two feet.

As Bibi tried to do something, Lilian watched his movements with bated breath.

Bibi moved to his article on the gossip magazine and dramatically crossed out the word ‘Nymph.’

“You’re saying that you are the rabbit beastman, but you are not the Nymph. Is that what you mean?”

Bibi put down the pen and nodded.

“I didn’t believe that part from the start.”

Bibi had desperately wanted someone to say that, but he felt uneasy when Lilian actually said it.

“I don’t know the details, but I heard from my grandson that you need Perenium [a rare and valuable substance] to become human. Considering that, this part is true.”

He borrowed the pen and underlined the part where Ahin Grace had given a mansion to the dancer.

“The market price of Perenium far exceeds the price of a mid-level noble’s mansion.”

Bibi’s black eyes trembled at the unbelievable truth.

Thud, Bibi collapsed, his lips quivering. He knew it was expensive, but he never thought it would be that much. If Ahin charged him, he might quietly become a salad instead of paying off the debt.

“What’s wrong? Are you sick or something?”

Lilian, who had spoken without much thought, was flustered by the unexpected reaction.

‘No, it’s nothing.’

Bibi barely regained his composure and brought the bag he had received from Evelyn. It was a bag filled with paper for taking notes.

Lilian noticed that he meant to proceed with the lesson and nodded seriously.

“First, I want to know your level. I heard that you spend a lot of time reading. Let’s start by checking what kind of books you’ve read.”

Lilian had quite a few other questions, but he decided to postpone them for now.

If it was going to be like this, it would be much more efficient to ask when he returned to human form after the Perenium was made.

Bibi, who agreed with his thoughts, climbed onto Lilian’s palm. It meant he wanted to be taken off the desk.

His hands trembled, but he soon regained his composure and placed Bibi on the floor.

Step by step, Bibi and Lilian walked side by side across the spacious study. The scent of sunlight seeping through the window made their atmosphere a little more relaxed.

Lilian repeatedly lifted Bibi up to the bookshelf he was pointing to and then lowered him. Each time, the sensation of the cotton ball felt on his palm created a gap in his solid heart.

After several repetitions, thick books were piled up like a tower on the desk.

「In-depth History of the Continent」, 「Considerations on the Evolution of Beastmen」, 「Evolutionary Theory of Herbivorous Beastmen」….

A storm raged in Lilian’s red eyes as he checked each book one by one.

“Did you really read all of this?”

Bibi, back at the desk, scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

He dry-washed his face at the sight of the baby rabbit looking embarrassed. At this point, he couldn’t tell if he was standing in a dream or reality.

“Let’s take a look.”

Lilian, who had taken a seat, engraved Arabic numerals from 0 to 9 on the small piece of paper that Bibi had brought. Lilian, who had arranged a total of ten pieces of paper in order, murmured softly.

“The Errington War.”

A flash of light appeared in Bibi’s eyes as he noticed his intention.

Tap, tap, tap, Bibi accurately pointed out the numbers of the year the war broke out with his front paws.

“…Not bad.”

Considering the possibility that the first one was a fluke, he intensified the problem even further.

“The time when the Deer Clan’s rebellion broke out in the Gragor era.”

This time, his front paws picked out the perfect numbers without the slightest hesitation. A stream of cold sweat ran down Lilian’s temple.

“…The year when Dr. Euston first proposed the theory of beastman evolution.”

Tap,

“The date when the first chairman of the Continental Neutral Committee was carefully selected!”

Tap, tap.

The speed at which he asked questions and chose answers gradually increased.

About an hour had passed. Lilian and Bibi, who had been running non-stop, gasped for breath.

“There’s no backing down.”

‘Same goes for Grandpa.’

Bibi, who had poured out all his passion, had long since thrown off his bow tie.

“Good job. All… perfect answers.”

Lilian felt a joy that he couldn’t hide as the headmaster.

At this level, he was talented enough to be in the top ranks at Bellhelm Academy, and even graduate early.

His ambitious goal of finding out about the suspicious rabbit was completely diluted. He was a talent who would spread his wings and fly if he had the right foundation.

“Now, let’s start the main lesson.”

Thump, Lilian, who had piled up books, was burning with an untimely talent development.

* * *

Although his relationship with his grandfather was still at a standstill, the distance was clearly narrowed only during class.

He was an excellent educator. In a short period of time, he found a teaching method that took into account the rabbit’s physical condition.

Grandpa didn’t express it separately, but he seemed to be very pleased with my level of knowledge gained through books.

It was also thanks to reading only one book repeatedly until someone changed it, and knowledge of the past accumulates the more you can’t go outside. So, the present and future that I learn with him are quite interesting.

‘You have a particular lack of knowledge about carnivore beastmen. What’s the reason?’

I couldn’t possibly answer Grandpa’s question. I couldn’t say that I avoided books because I was afraid of the attached pictures or descriptions.

Today was a day when class was replaced with a liberal arts assignment due to his absence.

After finishing the assignment, I was walking down the hallway with my bag on my back and glanced behind me. Only two black panthers were following me instead of Mayme. Mayme, who usually doesn’t leave her seat, was unusually busy.

“Rabbit, where are you going?”

‘Bedroom!’

I tilted my head, answering the knight who greeted me.

‘…Is there a separate event or something?’

However, there were no additional people, and the atmosphere of the mansion was no different from usual. Ahin didn’t say anything special until this morning either.

Nevertheless, I felt a strange sense of incongruity. Puzzled, I realized the identity of the incongruity only after arriving at the bedroom entrance.

Usually, the uniforms worn by the Grace residence employees were all black.

And the elite knights or security knights wear silver armor engraved with the Grace family crest.

However, only today, the knight who greeted me earlier and the security knights guarding the entrance were all wearing black uniforms.

‘What is it?’

Come to think of it, Ahin and Evelyn were also wearing black uniforms without handkerchiefs.

Standing blankly at the bedroom entrance, I frowned more and more.

Last night, Ahin, who usually sleeps deeply in bed, was particularly restless. I wondered if it was a pheromone surge, but it wasn’t.

When I tapped his forehead to tell him to go to sleep, he gave me a defenseless smile and shattered the rabbit’s strong heart.

‘Ash, Bara.’

Tap, when I spread my front paws, the two black panthers paid attention.

‘Arrest them.’

The end of my front paw was pointing at the two security knights guarding the bedroom entrance. Ash and Bara approached each security knight and pulled on their clothes.

“I am sorry, but we must not leave our posts.”

The knights’ resistance was firm.

I hesitated for a moment at their ferocious faces, but they were one of the few people who had witnessed me transform into a human.

I slowly moved out of their sight and suddenly collapsed. It was an isolated place where other employees did not pass.

“Rabbit… Ahin once told us not to fall for Rabbit’s tricks. The floor is cold, so please get up.”

It was a battle that required a high degree of psychological warfare and patience. I tried to breathe as little as possible, wondering if my stomach would rise and fall, and I persevered.

However, a variable occurred.

Ash, who mistakenly thought I was really dead, was horrified and began to lick me. He was licking me so hard that my whole body was shaking.

‘Ash….’

The groaning became thicker. I sent an internal apology to Ash, who was surprised, and firmly maintained my death.

“Rabbit…?”

The knight’s voice calling me cracked, probably because he was getting anxious.

“Rabbit!”

Soon, I heard two footsteps approaching quickly. At the same time, I was resurrected and pushed the shoe tips of the two knights against the wall.

“No, you can’t do this. You can’t do this!”

‘That’s why I called you.’

Go in!

The two burly knights were crumpled into the corner of the hallway. I blocked the way and shook the hem of one of the knight’s pants.

‘What is this outfit?’

“Ah, this outfit is….”

The knight, who managed to understand my intention at once, looked at his fellow knight. It seemed that they weren’t just wearing uniforms.

“Rabbit, you will naturally find out when Ahin comes after nightfall. Please wait a little longer.”

One of the knights scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“You, it’s not like we’re hiding it anyway. Even people from other territories know. Rabbit is asking like this.”

“Then you tell them.”

“Aren’t you the one holding onto Rabbit’s pants?”

“Oh, come on. He’s also pointing at your shoe tips.”

“You!”

It was a feast of you that seemed like it would never end.

You guys, I want to know now. I put my front paws together and sent an earnest look that even Ash would die for. The eyes of the knights caught in the deadly move shook noticeably.

“…It’s Edith’s memorial day.”

‘Edith?’

“The head of the family’s husband and the next head of the family’s father.”

* * *

I came into the bedroom and checked the terrace first. Usually, Ahin would leave Queen behind when he left the mansion.

The troublemaker who told Ahin everything about his meeting with Rune.

‘How petty.’

Bang, Queen snorted when I hit the glass threateningly with my forehead.

‘You think you’re safe because of the glass.’

I rolled my hind feet and leaned into Ash’s arms. Ash curled up and warmed my body.

Ahin’s destination, who had been busy leaving since morning, must be the place where his father’s tombstone is located.

Now I knew why Valence had postponed tea time and why Grandpa was absent.

On the anniversary, all the employees wear black uniforms. It was a scene I had never seen in the Rabian family, so it was quite unfamiliar.

‘Father’s… memorial day.’

I had vaguely expected his absence since I came to Grace, so I wasn’t very surprised. Rather, the knights’ brief explanation was more disturbing.

‘Edith passed away at a young age when the next head of the family was very young.’

They said it was due to an illness. They said that only members of the Grace family knew the exact reason.

I rubbed my cheek against the black fur and tossed and turned.

As the knights said, the fact that the head of the family’s husband had died was something that people from other territories could know if they paid a little attention.

But why didn’t Ahin say a word from when he couldn’t sleep last night until this morning?

He didn’t necessarily have to tell me, but there was no reason not to tell me.

There were plenty of opportunities to tell me. The reason could be that he didn’t tell me because he was worried about me, but that was a somewhat poor excuse.

Ahin. Father’s illness. Grandpa. Memorial day.

Words without connections floated around in my head. The uneasiness that strangely didn’t go away wrapped around my toes.

I kept tossing and turning and suddenly came up with the worst hypothesis.

‘Could it be that Father’s illness is… related to Ahin’s pheromone surge….’

Hey, that’s too much.

Even as I waved my front paws, my startled heart showed no signs of calming down.

In the end, I couldn’t stand it and got up and walked to the dressing room. Naturally, Ash and Bara followed, so I blocked them with my front paws and made a stern expression.

‘Don’t follow me now.’

Unfortunately, Ash was not affected by this type of threat at all.

Instead, when I conveyed my intention to Bara, Bara, who gave me an unpleasant look, blocked Ash.

How dare you block me? Ash, who had a ferocious face, began to fight with Bara.

‘Bara, cheer up. And thank you.’

Bara, whose history of unrequited love is deep, couldn’t even counterattack Ash today.

I turned away from the sacrifice of throwing my body and entered the dressing room.

It was a place where expensive items from Ahin’s clothes were displayed, and there was a large full-length mirror and a drawer for storing valuables.

It was also the only blind spot in the bedroom where Queen could be avoided.

Even if Queen returned as a human, I could buy quite a bit of time.

I stood by the full-length mirror and swallowed hard.

Until now, I had to come into contact with the strong pheromones of carnivore beastmen to transform into a human.

My pheromones reacted to it, and the moment it led to pain and exploded, I became human.

‘Then….’

Wouldn’t the same reaction occur if I raised my pheromones to that level myself? Of course, it was accompanied by pain, and there was also a possibility of causing a pheromone surge.

I had already experienced the intensity of the pain several times, so a tight sense of fear tightened my stomach.

I hesitated for a long time and slapped my cheeks.

If I didn’t try it now, I would have to wait until Perenium was crafted. It was said that the production period would take quite a long time, so it was obvious that I would spend a time of anxious waiting.

Isn’t this the moment when I want to become human more desperately than ever?

When I slowly raised my pheromones, the strange sense of elation I had felt before took over my body. The power that had only felt foreign was now not so unfamiliar.

I glanced sideways and saw a mottled baby rabbit reflected in the full-length mirror.

I gauged the sensation flowing through my blood vessels and increased the intensity more than the pheromones I usually used.

A little more, just a little more. I raised the level as if climbing low stairs.

Before I knew it, the pheromone operation had far exceeded the intensity I used when I defeated Bara.

‘No, I can’t do it any more…,’

Thump.

The familiar extreme pain struck my whole body like thunder.

* * *

The gamble of burning my body was successful. I gritted my teeth as I tucked the flowing white hair behind my ears.

‘This, this doesn’t hurt at all….’

Now, for Bibi, waking up naked was no surprise. That’s why I chose the dressing room.

Overcoming the pain, I stood up and pushed the clothes rack aside as if drawing a curtain.

‘This is…!’

A deep frown furrowed my brow.

Frankly, Ahin’s clothes were as intimidating as attempting to become human.

Which fabric is the cheapest? But if it’s kept in the bedroom dressing room, it’s far beyond the level of considering cost-effectiveness.

What if I pick something as tearfully expensive as Perenium? If I wear it, I’ll have to fold it up here and there.

Trembling, I suddenly remembered Mayme’s advice.

‘Rabbit, in case of emergency, go this way. Ahin has permitted it.’

I was too busy fighting with Queen at the time to pay much attention.

Bang! I rushed over and threw open the small door attached to the dressing room. A large, spacious area was revealed, more than just a closet.

Stepping inside, I bit my lip to suppress the surge of emotion.

Even at a glance, there were clothes tailored to my size. Not just one set, but dozens.

Just by looking at the outfits designed for clumsy movements, I could guess who the owner was.

He should have told me one more time, not just Mayme. Ahin was thorough in knowing such pretty things but stingy when it came to showing off.

Regaining my composure, I picked up a dress that caught my eye. It was a dress the color of my eyes, reaching just above my ankles.

Okay. Just as I was about to run out, I stepped back.

‘That would have been a disaster.’

It’s not just about covering my body; I need to grab shoes too. It would have been a huge mistake to wander around barefoot.

Dressed in flats and a cape, I stood in front of the full-length mirror.

Far from a nymph, I looked like a rabbit beastkin [a human-animal hybrid] about to collapse any day now.

My cheeks were flushed red from the effort of getting dressed, and my panting breath was far from the elegant nymph.

By tomorrow, wouldn’t the rumored Rabbit be corrected to just a passing rabbit beastkin?

‘…I don’t really care.’

Actually, I cared a lot. Swallowing the urge to wear even a mask, I ran out of the dressing room.

Queen was pecking at the glass with her beak, as if looking for me.

“Queen!”

The closer I got, the wider the hawk’s sharp eyes opened. As soon as I slid open the glass, I grabbed Queen and gave a sinister smile.

“Long time no see.”

Queen struggled, unable to use her beak or attack with pheromones.

Without hesitation, I put her in the decorative birdcage in the bedroom and locked the latch. Bang! Queen started thrashing, feathers flying everywhere.

“This is what happens when you underestimate a rabbit beastkin.”

Queen’s body trembled at my triumphant voice.

She could break out of the cage when I turn back into a human, but wouldn’t that be humiliating as a person?

“You’re just quick to tattle. I have things to do before meeting Ahin, so stay like that for a while. Here.”

Belatedly trying to appease her, I rolled a few strawberries from the fruit basket into the cage. Queen, who had been thrashing, became quiet, worried about crushing the strawberries, and huffed.

I’m sure she’ll peck me with her beak as soon as she gets out of the cage.

“I’ll let you out when I get back.”

I placed the birdcage on the table and shared a hug with Ash, who rushed over. He had cleverly waited until I caught Queen.

Bara, who had been watching our affectionate display with Ash, snorted instead of greeting me. I turned my head away with a snort and stared at the marble door.

‘Will the knights try to follow me if I go out?’

They probably would. Knowing my face, they wouldn’t threaten me, but they might hold me until Ahin returns.

As the day was already waning, it was either already time for him to be at the mansion or he would be returning soon. But my goal was to meet Grandfather first.

As I hesitated, looking at the door, Bara, who had been lounging around, lowered his body.

‘…What does this mean?’

I stared deeply at his solid back muscles and quickly stepped back.

“Are you suggesting I ride you?”

Who in the world rides a black panther that can’t even talk? Moreover, having experienced Ash’s back, there was a high chance of getting hurt if I fell.

Bara, who was lying down, turned his head slightly. The bright yellow eyes, only visible on one side, were by no means teasing or betraying.

‘Oh my god….’

How about just getting help to get out of the bedroom?

Even if the employees make a fuss, they wouldn’t dare to try to capture a rabbit beastkin who appeared in the mansion after a scandal in the gossip magazines.

After thinking this and that, I bent down.

As soon as I awkwardly climbed on, Bara suddenly stood up. His sleek and smooth body was thicker than I thought.

Squeak, as the door opened, the eyes of the guard knights roamed above.

“What…?”

The moment their bewildered gaze turned downwards,

“Aah!”

“R, Rabbit!”

Ash and Bara started running as if they had conspired.

“S, slow down a little-!”

The scream I couldn’t swallow echoed. Bara was heading straight for the indoor greenhouse that Grandfather frequented.

“Ash?!”

“Kyaaaa!”

The employees, startled by the black panthers’ sprint, parted like the Red Sea [a biblical reference to the parting of the Red Sea by Moses]. Unable to even say stop, I grabbed Bara’s neck so hard that my arms turned white.

Save me. Physiological tears scattered horizontally.

The combination of Ash and Bara easily blocked the employees’ approach. Thanks to this, I arrived at the entrance of the indoor greenhouse much faster than walking and straightened my clothes.

Actually, tidying up my face, which was covered in tears, was more of a problem than tidying up my clothes.

‘I can’t ride that again, never.’

My arms, which had been wrapped around Bara’s neck, were trembling, and my hair was standing on end as if I had a story to tell.

Having become disheveled in a short time, I smoothed my hair and approached the entrance.

“……”

The guard knights in black uniforms straightened their backs. They were the knights who had become familiar with me while going in and out of the indoor greenhouse.

They looked back and forth between Ash, Bara, me, and each other, opening and closing their mouths repeatedly. I glanced around nervously and bowed my head.

“Excuse me….”

After bowing deeply, I tried to pass through the entrance naturally, like a snake slithering over a wall. Unfortunately, the knights, regaining their senses, hurriedly blocked my way.

“Th, that,”

Words that didn’t form a sentence scattered into the air.

They guessed my identity based on Ash, Bara, and my appearance, but they were still unsure.

‘…I wish they would just move aside.’

I stepped forward and pushed the knights blocking my way to the sides, clearing a path. A tidal wave of emotion surged in the knights’ red eyes.

“Felton.”

“Yes! No, how…?”

“It hurts when I eat carrots, so it’s troublesome if you keep giving them to me secretly.”

Felton’s face turned pale.

“I know you didn’t have bad intentions, since you always brought them sliced nicely. And Milleon. I’ve wanted to say this for a while,”

Milleon was repeatedly saying “T, To.”

“I wish you would change the nickname ‘Toto.’”

“Wh, why….”

“Felton’s opinion that it’s unbelievably corny is right.”

Milleon, who had grabbed his forehead, staggered, unable to maintain his balance. Having received a mental shock, they could no longer block my way.

Passing through the entrance, I entered the indoor greenhouse filled with blue hues. The warm air wrapped around my body.

Taking off my cape, I walked softly on the grassy path. Ash and Bara followed quietly on either side.

One of the things I learned while taking classes was that Grandfather was always in the indoor greenhouse at this time.

Once, when we had tea together, he had a different look in his eyes only in this place.

If it’s a place filled with memories, he’s probably here today too.

Pushing aside the drooping leaves, I saw Grandfather sitting alone at the tea table. He, who always wore robes or capes to show his dignity, was wearing a simple black uniform today.

Unable to approach rashly, I smoothed the hem of my lilac dress. I had just grabbed whatever I could, but now I wished I had worn black trousers or a dress.

“Bringing black panthers around, it’s as if you’re a black panther beastkin.”

At the gruff voice, I raised my head. He seemed to have recognized me right away.

“You’re definitely not a nymph. What nymph in the world would go around with disheveled hair?”

“Ah, that’s….”

The tangled white hair showed no sign of unraveling between my fingers. Seeing me struggle with my hair, he said quietly.

“Come and sit down.”

It was the same nonchalant attitude as when I was a rabbit. Following Grandfather’s gesture, I hesitantly moved and sat next to him. Conversely, he stood up and stood behind me.

“Is there a hairstyle you want?”

Could he be thinking of doing my hair? Grandfather was a high-ranking aristocrat, so he would never have had to touch his own hair in his life.

Reading the look in my eyes, which contained various thoughts, he chuckled.

“Didn’t you touch my hair when we first met? I’m thinking of returning the favor for the pigtails. Even though it looks like this, I always braid my own hair.”

Caught in my misdeeds, I mechanically fixed my gaze forward.

Still, Grandfather was too much back then; how could he bring a basket? Unable to voice my complaints, I instead threw him a difficult task.

“…Like a nymph, please.”

“I really like your spirit of challenge. Come to think of it, did you do the assignment properly? Who was the scholar who argued for the theory of pheromone transfer?”

“Dr. Phillips Iris.”

Valence clearly said that I would learn basic skills. Grandfather was teaching me content that academy students would learn, let alone basic skills.

“It’s a passage from the last chapter, you seem to have finished it in one sitting.”

Compared to his rough hands, the touch that swept through my hair was soft.

Eing, tsk, Grandfather complained about how my hair got so tangled.

I couldn’t say that I rode Bara. I covered it up with a bright smile and just focused on the touch of his hands on my hair.

“Where did you learn to smile so foolishly? Looking at your gait, I’ll have to increase your etiquette classes.”

‘Foolishly?’

Foolishly? I can’t bring myself to like Grandfather after all. I frowned and secretly glared at him.

“When I first saw you, I thought you were a cursed rabbit, but,”

He pulled my side hair back and slowly opened his mouth.

“To look so innocent. How are you living with a guy like Ahin?”

“……”

“Tell me when it gets too hard. I’ll help you out once.”

Was this Grandfather’s apology for our first meeting? For some reason, the built-up resentment seemed to ease a little.

Seeing this, I’m too soft. With the corners of my lips raised, I turned my head to face Grandfather.

“Instead of that, please reduce the assignments a little.”

“Smiling foolishly and making outrageous demands. I’ll give you twice as much homework tomorrow.”

Bad person. Frowning again, I pouted and looked forward.

“Grand…, Lillian.”

“Just call me Grandfather. The grandson I have calls me ‘old man’ with a yellow smile.”

The blue leaves visible in my vision gradually turned red. Evening sunlight was pouring into the indoor greenhouse with a glass ceiling.

“Grandfather.”

“Yes.”

“Actually, I came to ask you something.”

His hand, which had been braiding a strand of hair, paused.

“You must have volunteered to teach me because you were curious about me too.”

“…Interesting. Yes, that’s right. Can I ask first?”

“That’s not allowed.”

“What…?”

“What if you just listen to my answer and pretend you don’t know?”

“Well, what kind of guy uses that kind of speech? It must be Ahin, that puppy-like guy.”

It was a level of slander that Ahin, a feline, would have been furious to hear. As I smiled faintly, Grandfather clicked his tongue and opened his mouth first.

“When I came to Grace’s mansion, I had a burn on my wrist with oozing fluid. It was delicate skin, so it took quite a while to heal even with treatment.”

Grandfather, who had let go of the hair he had finished arranging, rolled up his sleeve and revealed his wrist.

“But after confronting you in the study, it healed cleanly. Now only this trace remains.”

I looked down at the faint trace that was hard to see as a burn.

“It was the first time I encountered pheromones, so I frequented the study for a long time to investigate. The identity of the ability must be healing pheromones.”

Listening to his calm voice, I nodded.

“Since it’s such a rare pheromone, you probably can’t control it yourself. I guess all your suspicious points stem from that. Am I wrong?”

“…No, it’s all true.”

“That’s why I volunteered to be a teacher. I was going to teach you how to handle pheromones easily.”

It feels too focused on academics for that. As I looked at him with narrow eyes, Grandfather cleared his throat and added.

“-I plan to teach you gradually.”

“Yes.”

“The leader of Valence or my grandson won’t teach you properly. As you know, those two are monsters who instinctively handle pheromones, so they won’t even understand how to learn to use pheromones.”

I could immediately understand what he was trying to say. How was it when Valence first taught me how to control pheromones? The explanation to stop breathing and press the blood vessels was no different from telling me to die.

“And,”

Grandfather paused and took a deep breath.

“Helping you control pheromones doesn’t stem from goodwill.”

“…I know. That’s what I wanted to ask about.”

Getting up, I stood facing Grandfather.

“It must also be related to the meaning of your words that Ahin will need me every moment.”

Could it be related to the fact that healing pheromones calmed Ahin’s pheromone outbursts?

A brief silence lingered. Grandfather, who had been staring down at me, rubbed his temples.

“What’s your relationship with my grandson?”

“……!”

That’s too sudden of a question.

Officially, we’re predator and prey, but with a sly heart inside, I stared into the distance.

“You don’t have to answer. I’ve been thinking about it since a while ago, you have a talent for speaking with your expressions. Shouldn’t you at least close your gaping mouth?”

Even after becoming human, I had no human rights.

“You know that Ahin has dominant pheromones. It’s a secret that’s already known anyway. Do you know what day it is today?”

“It’s Ahin’s father… Edith’s death anniversary.”

“Yes, he’s also my son. Our Payent family is a high-ranking noble family, but Edith was far from being suitable to be the leader’s husband. He managed to become Valence’s lover with just a pretty face, and then became her husband by accident.”

There’s no way you can become the leader’s lover with just a pretty face. Reading my distrustful gaze, Grandfather added.

“He probably had a better face than my grandson. First of all, he had blonde hair, which is rare in the black panther clan, and he was a clever guy who knew such pretty things well. But as the leader of Valence, she probably chose a suitable partner before a power struggle broke out.”

A better face than Ahin. I had no choice but to agree and covered my mouth.

“Edith was a weak guy. He had pheromones that didn’t suit his status, so he would often collapse.”

“Could it be….”

“Yes, it was the same dominant pheromones as Ahin. It’s as rare an ability as healing pheromones.”

“……”

“It’s fortunate that Ahin inherited the Valence leader’s bloodline so strongly. Otherwise, he would have collapsed frequently too.”

Anxiety rose, and I clasped my hands together. My overlapping hands became damp with sweat.

“Edith wasn’t frail from the beginning. The problem started after he became Valence’s husband, around the time he started having pheromone outbursts. Was it around eighteen….”

Grandfather, who let out a faint sigh, looked up at the ceiling.

It was a silence that lasted only a few seconds, but it felt like a long time. Grandfather, who lowered his gaze from the ceiling, smiled bitterly.

“Since there are almost no precedents, we’re guessing that his body, which had barely been holding on, collapsed.”

“Why are there no precedents….”

“Such pheromones only appear in the leader’s family, so they must have kept it strictly secret. Well, it’s funny even when I think about it again. Such ridiculous pheromones in our Payent family.”

The twilight darkened his smile.

“And that unfilial son died when Ahin was six years old. It was known to the world as an illness, but in reality, it was due to an outburst related to dominant pheromones.”

I felt like all the blood was draining from my body. Grandfather, who had been looking at my pale face, patted my shoulder.

“Don’t worry too much. Ahin is fine as he inherited the Valence leader’s superior bloodline. …But I can’t be sure that an outburst won’t appear while he’s alive.”

Why do ominous premonitions always come true? I clenched my fist tightly, enduring the urge to sit down. My nails dug into my tender skin.

‘Grandfather… doesn’t know yet.’

The image of Ahin, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath, dominated my mind.

* * *