BLTF 07

Chapter 07

“……A glorious wound?”

“Exactly. That’s a proud scar from beating up hyenas, silly!”

Shirka was left dumbfounded at the unexpected reason for the scar.

Seeing Bariya’s sparkling eyes, both Shirka and Tyryn applauded at the same time.

“Impressive. To have beaten up hyenas like that.”

“You’re amazing, Miss. There’s no greater cat than you.”

“Right? I’m pretty great.”

Bariya placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest with pride.

Shirka finally understood why Bariya had never been caught by the hyenas all this time.

She had been fighting them until her fists were scarred.

This child’s temperament was truly extraordinary.

“May I pet your head, little one?”

Bariya didn’t particularly like being called that, but she still nodded.

“Go ahead. I’ve cleaned up, so I don’t smell anymore.”

Tyryn shot Shirka a deadly glare, as if to ask why she had said that to the child.

It was a misunderstanding—Bariya didn’t smell bad; her pheromone scent was just unique.

Now, with the scent of bath soap strong, it wasn’t noticeable at all.

“Thank you.”

Shirka gently stroked the child’s head.

Bariya’s hair was stiff, a testament to the harsh life she had endured.

How had she survived all this time?

Even now, she kept her eyes wide, wary that Shirka might harm her.

Her vigilance surpassed that of a tiger humanoid.

‘Those hyenas all deserve to die.’

Whatever they had done, it had been their fault, and as long as Bayden and Sabrina were alive, the hyenas were essentially doomed. Bariya could at least find some comfort in that.

After all, these two hated hyenas more than anyone.

Bariya returned to the living room with Shirka, where Bayden and Sabrina were waiting.

The moment the door opened, she froze at the sweet smell in the air.

“Hmph, much better after a bath.”

Sabrina muttered, but Bariya didn’t even hear her.

The living room table was filled with desserts exuding sugary scents.

“If you want some, don’t hesitate—just eat.”

Sabrina nudged a plate of macarons toward her, and Bariya immediately dashed to the table and plopped down.

“You, little miss, sit on the sofa, not the floor.”

Shirka lifted Bariya onto the sofa and handed her a strawberry macaron.

“……!”

The moment Bariya bit into it, a shiver ran through her body.

The overwhelming sweetness wrapped around her tongue—she had never experienced anything like it.

“My tongue… it’s tingling!”

Could something this amazing even exist? It was as if a sacred bell were ringing in her head.

“Delicious?”

“Yes! It tastes insane!”

Bariya’s enthusiastic reaction made the three tiger humanoids clamp their lips shut to keep from laughing.

“You can eat as much of the others as you want.”

Bariya devoured the macarons in no time and took a bite of a vanilla éclair.

This time, it felt like lightning struck her brain.

She had thought meat was the best thing in the world, but there was something equally incredible.

Her expression turned serious.

“I’ve been living without knowing this… my life wasted…”

She felt her last ten years had been completely robbed.

“Then eat plenty from now on. Calm down and try the others.”

Shirka’s words were right.

If she hadn’t known it before, she could make up for it now!

Bariya’s eyes shone as she began sampling each dessert one by one.

“I can’t eat anymore……”

Holding her stuffed belly and breathing heavily, Shirka let out an incredulous laugh.

“You just finished everything.”

“You have to eat when it’s here.”

If you don’t eat, it disappears, never to return.

That was the law she learned from the hyena clan.

“…Good, you did well.”

The three nodded silently, knowing that here, no one would take her food and she could eat until she was satisfied.

“Then let’s write the contract.”

Bariya’s eyes widened.

Now was not the time to be distracted by the taste of sugar.

She needed to focus on the most important matter first.

“All signatures must include me and the three members of the Kalip family. And I want it notarized properly too.”

In other words, she wanted a formal contract with the entire Kalip family.

“If I can’t get that, I won’t sign either.”

It wasn’t just about conditions—the notarization was non-negotiable. It guaranteed her safety.

“Then we’ll have it notarized by the Aldros family, who handle the law for humanoids.”

Despite her tension, Sabrina replied as if it were obvious.

There were a few places for notarization, but the Aldros family, who managed humanoid law and records, was the most trustworthy.

Bariya could rely on them.

“Good.”

“Then the notarization will be handled that way.”

Sabrina took out a sheet of white paper.

“Can you write?”

“Yes.”

“Then write the conditions you want.”

Bariya immediately picked up a pen and began writing. It had been three years since she had written anything, so it was awkward, but she wrote as neatly as possible.

1. Protect Bariya Bell from all dangers, including hyenas, until she is old enough to be independent.

“Old enough to be independent… you mean adulthood?”

Shirka asked. Bariya frowned as if confused.

“Even at fifteen, I can live on my own.”

Fifteen? Honestly, a mature young humanoid like Bariya could survive alone at thirteen. But since she was being chased by hyenas, fifteen was a safer choice.

Shirka quickly intervened when Bariya tried to increase the age further.

“No one knows what the future holds. Leave it as it is.”

“……Okay.”

Bariya reluctantly nodded.

Shirka secretly sighed; she had expected the legal adult age of eighteen.

Bariya truly could not be underestimated.

2. Provide minimum support for Bariya Bell’s proper growth, including meals and lodging.

2-1. At least once a week, provide fresh meat. Violation of this condition voids the contract.

This was the second most important condition.

The foolish tigers still thought she was just a cat, and might forget to give her meat.

Bariya could not reveal that she was a wildcat, so this condition had to be explicitly stated.

To fight hyenas effectively, she needed to grow strong and well-fed.

“…Once a week. Alright, I’ll tell the chef.”

Shirka buried her face in her hands, realizing that once a week was a lot.

Bariya, pretending not to notice, moved on to the next condition.

3. Actively support Bariya Bell in combat if she fights a hyena humanoid.

“Alright, we can do that.”

This was the first condition that made sense to the three.

Honestly, they would probably run ahead of her to deal with the hyenas anyway.

4. Do not ask Bariya Bell anything.

Bariya looked at Bayden, Sabrina, and Shirka after writing this.

“Simple questions are fine; I’ll answer what I can. But don’t ask details. We’re allies with a common enemy, not close friends.”

Her clear brown eyes were transparent, yet revealed nothing.

She felt childish in some ways, but shockingly mature in others.

5. All above conditions only apply while the contract is active. The contract is automatically voided if Bariya Bell leaves the Kalip family.

This was a precaution for if she ever had to run away.

“That’s all I want.”

Her contract covered safety, health, secrecy, and even revenge—perfectly.

Sabrina examined it, and Bariya tensed.

If unfair conditions were proposed, she’d refuse—and if negotiations failed, she was ready to run.

“Your well-being here is a given, so I won’t add it as a condition. There’s only one rule for you in the Kalip family.”

Sabrina wrote only a single line.

6. When leaving the Kalip family, Bariya Bell must inform Bayden Kalip, Sabrina Kalip, and Shirka Kalip before departure.

It was an entirely unexpected condition.

Bariya had secured her safety, growth, and autonomy—all in one contract.