BCDBS l CH 16

Chapter 16

Morning had come, but my mood stayed gloomy.

“Hey, hey—don’t just fly past, come here!”

For hours now I’d been squeaking at the sky, trying to flag down some bird—any bird.

No luck.

At last I flopped down with a thud, exhausted.

Was every creature in this cursed Black Dragon Fortress arrogant? Even the sparrows and pigeons ignored me, flapping away without so much as a glance.

And that white eagle—ugh!

We’d locked eyes. It even licked its beak at me. Then, as if it had seen a ghost, it bolted in terror.

Birds. Always so full of themselves.

My own underling, Chirpy, had been the same. The slightest mistake, and her beak would jab first, ask later.

I sighed heavily, staring at the window smudged with my pawprints.

“Chrr…”

It had been days since I’d managed to send word back to Bear Mountain.

My followers must be searching frantically, worried sick.

I couldn’t exactly pen a letter in squirrel form—my only option was a carrier pigeon. But these feathered fiends refused to cooperate.

Maybe they couldn’t hear me through the glass?

I shook my head firmly. No, that wasn’t it. My communication wasn’t sound-based. More like… telepathy.

Which meant only one thing.

It’s their fault.

I shot a glare at the two watching me from behind.

“…Why’s it doing that?”

“Hard to say. Lady Ria says he’s been at it all morning.”

Kain and Gerard had been sitting there the whole time, observing like scientists. Apparently my tapping at the glass was suspicious enough to abandon the study entirely.

“Maybe he’s practicing hunting? Cats mimic prey noises to sharpen their skills, I hear.”

“Do squirrels hunt that way too?” Kain asked, brows raised.

“Well, our thief isn’t exactly an ordinary squirrel.”

“Fair point.”

“And—ah, just look! He’s glaring at me as if I’m some snake to be pounced on in autumn.”

Gerard shuddered theatrically and ducked behind the sofa.

Should I just bite that snake’s tail right now?

Tempting. But I had no energy left.

So instead I hopped down and trudged to the table, where fruit waited.

Delicious. But not enough to erase the sting of humiliation.

“Impressive. The only furry beast in Kreutz earns his keep.”

“Bravo! Such a mighty hunter. Perhaps we should serve bird meat at tomorrow’s luncheon?”

“Excellent idea.”

The two of them clapped as if I’d performed on stage.

Why are they still here?!

“Chrrt!”

Don’t you have work to do?! Leave me alone!

Their paperwork supposedly piled higher than the walls, especially with the Baron incident on top of everything else.

Go! Shoo!

I smacked the stack of documents with my paw for emphasis.

Gerard twitched.

“…Are you scolding us? You realize all of this is your fault, don’t you?”

“Chrr…?”

What?

I blinked. What nonsense now?

Gerard stood, buttoning his jacket like a lawyer preparing for court.

“Since you arrived, my lord visits the chamber constantly. His work has slowed to an impossible crawl! Look at today—he said he’d return after lunch, and it’s been two hours!”

His slit eyes burned at Kain before quickly darting away.

“I simply decided it was faster to bring the documents here rather than drag him back.”

To be fair… that part wasn’t wrong.

Still, how was any of this my fault?

Kain was the one lounging around, reaching yet again for my tail—

“Chrrt!”

I whipped it out of reach. His brow arched, lips curling into a sly smile.

Uh-oh. That expression screamed dangerous thoughts.

The fur on my head prickled.

“…He’s right.”

Kain spoke at last.

W-what is?

“I can’t focus on work. You distract me.”

…What?!

I blinked up, baffled. His face leaned closer, so close his nose nearly brushed mine.

Dangerously handsome. My breath caught despite myself, cheeks growing hot.

But then—

“Everyone else works. You, meanwhile, just eat and play. That’s unfair.”

He pressed a finger onto my head.

So… he was jealous I got to laze about?

“Chrr…”

I scrambled for a defense, but… truthfully, I had slept late again this morning, only rising once the sun covered half the bed. Then eaten the nuts Ria brought.

Not a strong case.

“…Exactly my point.”

Gerard seized his chance to pile on.

Never one to miss groveling, he added helpfully, “In fact, perhaps the thief should accompany us to the study each day.”

“…Gerard.”

“Yes, my lord?”

“Once a year, you manage to surprise me.”

Translation: he loved the idea.

“Haha! I shall continue to exceed expectations next year as well.”

“Chrruuut!”

No!! I like being a pampered freeloader!

But my protests fell on deaf ears.