Chapter 06
“…A scar of glory?”
“Yup. Proof that I beat up those stupid hyenas! A proud mark!”
Caught off guard by the unexpected reason for her injuries, Sirka blanked out.
Seeing Bariya’s sparkling eyes, Sirka and Tyren clapped at the same time.
“That’s impressive. You went around beating up hyenas like that.”
“You’re truly amazing, young lady. There won’t be a cat greater than you.”
“Yup. I’m kinda very great.”
Placing both hands on her hips, Bariya puffed out her chest proudly.
At that moment, Sirka finally understood why Bariya had managed to avoid being caught by the hyenas all this time.
She had fought them until her fists were scarred.
This child’s temperament was far from ordinary.
“Hey, kid… can I pat your head?”
Bariya didn’t like the way she was addressed, but she nodded anyway.
“I’ll allow it. I washed up, so I don’t smell anymore.”
Tyren shot Sirka a murderous glare, as if asking why she would say something like that to a child.
It was a misunderstanding. She hadn’t meant that Bariya smelled bad—just that her pheromone scent was unique.
Right now, maybe because of the bath products, there was no trace of it.
“Thanks.”
Sirka gently patted the child’s head.
As if proving how rough her life had been, Bariya’s hair was stiff and coarse.
Just how had she lived all this time?
Even now, she had her eyes sharply raised, as if wary that Sirka might harm her.
Her vigilance was even stronger than that of a tiger beastkin.
Those hyena bastards really should all die.
Whatever they had done, it was obviously their fault.
As long as Bayden and Sabrina were alive, the hyenas were as good as dead anyway. Sirka just hoped that fact might bring Bariya at least a little comfort.
Those two hated hyenas more than anything in the world.
Bariya returned to the living room with Sirka, where Bayden and Sabrina were waiting.
The moment she opened the door, a wave of sweetness hit her nose, and her eyes widened.
“Hmm, much better after washing.”
Sabrina spoke bluntly, but Bariya didn’t hear a word.
The table in the living room was filled with desserts giving off an irresistible sweet aroma.
“If you want some, don’t hesitate. Come and eat.”
As Sabrina casually pushed a plate of macarons toward her, Bariya immediately ran over and plopped down in front of the table.
“Now, a young lady—not a ‘kid’—should sit on the sofa.”
Sirka lifted Bariya up and set her on the sofa.
Then, since Bariya’s arms were short, she handed her a strawberry macaron.
“…!”
The moment Bariya took a bite, a shiver ran through her entire body.
The insane sweetness coating her tongue was something she had never experienced before.
“My tongue—it hurts!”
She had never imagined such a crazy flavor could exist!
It felt like sacred bells were ringing in her head.
“Is it good?”
“Yeah. It’s insanely good!”
At her vivid description, the three tigers bit their lips to hold back their laughter.
“You can eat as much of the others as you want.”
Bariya quickly finished the macaron and bit into a vanilla éclair.
This time, it felt like lightning struck her brain.
She had always thought meat was the most delicious thing in the world—but something just as good existed?!
Her expression turned serious.
“I lived my whole life not knowing this… What a wasted life…”
The past ten years suddenly felt unbearably unfair.
“You can just eat a lot from now on. Here, calm down and try the others.”
Sirka was right.
She could just eat as much as she wanted now!
Bariya’s eyes sparkled as she began trying everything one by one.
“I… can’t eat anymore…”
Clutching her swollen stomach, she struggled to breathe, and Sirka let out an incredulous laugh.
“You ate all of that.”
“You’re supposed to eat food while it’s there.”
If you don’t eat it, it disappears—and once it’s gone, it never comes back.
That was a rule Bariya had learned in the hyena clan.
“…Right. You did well.”
Instead of telling her she didn’t have to worry about that anymore, the three simply nodded.
It was better for her to experience it herself.
Here, no one would take her food, and they would wait until she finished eating.
“Then, let’s write up the contract.”
At Sabrina’s words, Bariya’s eyes lit up.
Now was not the time to get lost in the taste of sugar.
She went straight to the most important matter.
“For the contract, I want signatures from all three members of the Caliph family. And I want it properly notarized.”
In other words, she wanted a formal contract with the entire Caliph household.
“If you can’t accept that, then I can’t make a deal either.”
The conditions mattered, but the most important part was the notarization. That was something Bariya absolutely could not compromise on.
That was the only way to guarantee her safety.
“We’ll have it notarized by the Aldros family, who handle beastkin law.”
Despite her tension, Sabrina answered as if it were obvious.
There were several places that could notarize contracts, but the Aldros family—an ibis clan responsible for laws and records in the beastkin world—was the most trustworthy.
If it was them, Bariya could trust it.
“Okay.”
“Then we’ll proceed with that.”
Sabrina pulled out a blank sheet of paper.
“Do you know how to write?”
“Yes.”
“Then write down the conditions you want.”
Bariya immediately grabbed a pen and began writing.
It had been three years since she last wrote, so it felt even more awkward than speaking—but she carefully wrote each word as clearly as she could.
1. Bariya Bell will be protected from all dangers, including hyenas, until she reaches an age where she can live independently.
“So, until adulthood?” Sirka asked.
Bariya frowned as if that made no sense.
“I can live on my own by fifteen.”
Fifteen was more than enough.
Honestly, a mature beastkin like Bariya could survive alone even at thirteen.
But since she was being hunted by hyenas, at least fifteen would be safer.
As Bariya tried to add “fifteen years old” to clarify, Sirka quickly stopped her.
“No one knows what the future holds. Leave it as it is.”
“…Fine.”
Though she looked dissatisfied, Bariya nodded.
Sirka, who had naturally assumed adulthood meant eighteen, quietly sighed.
Bariya was truly someone you could never let your guard down around.
Provide minimum support necessary for Bariya Bell’s proper growth, including lodging and meals.
2-1. In particular, for meals, fresh meat must be provided at least once a week. If this is not upheld, the contract will be terminated.
This was the second most important condition.
These foolish tigers still thought she was just a cat, so they might forget to give her meat.
Since she had no intention of revealing that she was actually a lynx—just in case she had to run away again—this had to be explicitly stated.
To properly fight hyenas, she needed to eat well and grow strong.
“…At least once a week. Ha… fine. I’ll inform the head chef.”
Sirka covered her face with a sigh.
It seemed like even that might be asking a lot.
Even in the hyena clan, they had said there wasn’t enough meat to give to her and her mother every time.
I can’t afford to go soft.
This was non-negotiable.
Pretending not to notice, Bariya continued writing.
If Bariya Bell fights a hyena beastkin, you must actively assist and fight alongside her.
“Agreed.”
For the first time, all three nodded immediately.
Honestly, they would probably be the ones rushing out to deal with the hyenas before Bariya even had the chance.
Do not ask about Bariya Bell’s past.
After writing the fourth condition, Bariya slowly looked at Bayden, Sabrina, and Sirka.
“Simple questions are fine. I’ll answer what I can. But don’t dig deeper. We’re allies with a common enemy—not close friends.”
Her clear brown eyes were so transparent it felt like you could see right through them—yet, strangely, there was nothing there.
Even while facing her, it felt like a thick wall stood between them.
How could a ten-year-old hide her thoughts so perfectly?
In some ways, she seemed like a child—but in the moments she should seem childish, she was startlingly mature.
“…Understood. Anything else you want?”
Bariya picked up the pen one last time.
All of the above conditions apply only during the duration of this contract. This contract will automatically terminate on the day Bariya Bell leaves the Caliph family.
This was a precaution for when she might have to run away.
“That’s everything I want.”
It was a perfect contract—covering her safety, health, secrecy, and even her revenge.
“We accept all your conditions. Now, we’ll state ours.”
After reviewing the contract Bariya had carefully written, Sabrina spoke.
Bariya tensed up.
If they proposed anything unfair, she would refuse.
And if they wouldn’t listen—she’d knock them all out and run.
“You being well-fed and growing up properly is only natural, so we won’t list it as a condition. There’s only one thing you must do while staying with the Caliph family.”
But contrary to her expectations, Sabrina only wrote a single line.
When Bariya Bell leaves the Caliph family, she must inform all three—Bayden Caliph, Sabrina Caliph, and Sirka Caliph—before leaving.
It was a condition she had never expected.
