Chapter 5
Although when his madness surged he became violent, reckless, and cruel, other than that he was somewhat human.
But that didn’t mean he was the sort of person who showed kindness to others.
“My mother caught an illness and died, and my father was a gambling addict… he sold me off.”
“Mm…”
Maybe I shouldn’t have asked. I wasn’t in the habit of prying at people’s wounds.
Kali swallowed awkwardly, but Levi’s story continued.
“I was so miserable that I ran away and curled up in an alley… then His Grace the Archduke brought me here.”
“…”
“His Grace is my lifesaver. Hehe.”
“Hey, Levi.”
“Yes?”
“You…”
Not knowing much about a parent’s love made Levi and Kali similar. Maybe that’s why her chest ached strangely.
She raised her small hand and patted Levi’s head. Noticing it, Levi smiled brightly.
“Miss, that tickles.”
“Levi, if you’re bored, show me around the mansion again tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow too?”
“Mm. Or whenever you’re bored, just come by.”
“Where will you be, miss?”
“Me? Over there. Fifth floor, end of the right-hand corridor.”
“That’s far away.”
“You’ll still come, right?”
Kali found herself liking this child. He had a similar pain, yet managed to live without going astray.
He was kind, played along with her words, and talking with him wasn’t unpleasant.
“So, miss, does that make us friends?”
“Friends? Ah… sure. I like that. Friends are good. By the way, are you close with His Grace?”
“Yes, because he brought me here.”
“I see.”
That worked out perfectly.
Kali smirked inwardly. If this child was close to Leonhart, that was even better. She could use him as a bridge to become friends with Leonhart too.
Still… Leonhart, huh. He’s more unexpected than I thought.
He had the heart to pity someone. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as she assumed.
So hurry up already. Come talk to me.
But Leonhart still showed no sign of appearing.
At some point, Levi’s steps wandered toward the kitchen. Like any child, he was drawn toward the delicious smell wafting out.
“Levi, are you hungry?”
“No, but it smells so good…”
“This is…”
It was the smell of freshly baked bread. Kali leapt up, her eyes sparkling.
Nice one, kid. I was going to tease you for being a glutton, but you’ve actually done something amazing.
Her mouth watered already. Levi seemed the same, his body bouncing with excitement.
“Levi… do you like bread?”
“Of course! Do you, miss?”
“I love it. There’s nothing like bread fresh from the oven.”
She knew from working part-time at a bakery—biting into bread the moment it came out of the oven was heaven.
Levi, peeking near the oven, locked eyes with the cook. The man was plump and wore a kind smile.
“Heh heh. Levi, you rascal. You came again. Come here.”
“Today smells amazing too!”
The cook looked surprised at the squirrel sitting on Levi’s head, but soon smiled warmly again.
“Miss, this is the first time I meet you. I am Puere, the cook.”
“Ah, nice to meet you.”
Kali thought maybe being stuck as a squirrel wasn’t so bad after all.
Pop—
Leonhart stabbed the eye of a one-eyed monster and let out a laugh. Its blood, befitting a monster, was purple.
“Ugh… disgusting.”
“Your Grace, you’ve got guts to stab such a hideous thing.”
Shrugging at the knights’ comments, Leonhart rose to his feet. Purple blood on his cheek was revolting to look at.
“This should be enough to finish things here.”
Gerald handed his lord a handkerchief while surveying the ruined forest.
Monsters filled with hatred and vengeance toward Leonhart and his order lurked everywhere in the North. They could pop out at any time.
“Your Grace, Kay has returned with another crow.”
“Ha ha… sigh.”
Leonhart laughed, then sighed.
He’d been about to head home when another monster attacked.
…Or maybe that was just an excuse. If he returned, he’d have to see that squirrel bride.
And then he’d get angry again, his madness would take over, and the curse’s words might move his body against his will.
If I kill her before we’re wed, I’ll die too.
The previous Archduke once failed to recognize his bride, who had turned into a deer, and killed her before their wedding. Within two months, he died of a mysterious illness.
Leonhart remembered that day vividly.
“Kay, come here.”
He stretched his arm to the sky, and the white crow swooped down as if waiting. It rubbed its beak affectionately against his hand.
Leonhart stroked its head, then untied the note on its leg.
[Your Grace, one week remains until the ceremony.]
So what?
Picking at his ear, Leonhart read the next note another crow had brought.
[Please, do not be late. I beg of you.]
The handwriting belonged to his steward back at the estate. The words were heartfelt, but Leonhart simply tossed it aside.
He summoned his magic, lit his fingertip, and burned the note. The flame sputtered out as his cursed blood stirred restlessly within.
The madness inside his magic was too domineering.
“Shall we return now, Your Grace?”
“Your Grace, we’d also like to rest soon!”
“Yes! Please let us go back!”
“It’s been two weeks already!”
“Boo-hoo. You’re a mean drunkard. Boo-hoo.”
“Ugh, so noisy. Aaagh.”
Clutching his ears, Leonhart ignored them. Then he turned back, yanked his sword from the ground, and leveled it at the grumbling knights.
“Who was it? Who just called me a drunkard? Step forward.”
The forest fell silent.
“If we return now, it’ll be earlier than planned. I can’t go back yet.”
“Then, Your Grace, please return later. Let us go ahead!”
“That won’t do. How could subordinates dare to arrive earlier than their lord? Insolent.”
Watching his master’s pettiness, Gerald sighed.
“Your Grace, even if you dislike your bride, at least attend the wedding properly.”
“You’re getting naggier. You sound like Ains.”
“Have you forgotten? Ains is my younger brother.”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
But his face showed he clearly had. Gerald just shook his head.
Sheathing his sword, Leonhart stretched and looked over his knights. Many couldn’t keep up with his stamina. Perhaps he’d pushed them too hard.
He clenched and unclenched his fist. The curse’s whispers were silent for once.
I suppose I have no choice. I’ll have to go back.
He dismissed both the white and black crows without reply.
Kay, the white crow, circled happily in the air and then flew toward the estate. A single white feather drifted down.
White fur, soft all over. A plump little squirrel.
How was he supposed to deal with that?
“Let’s go back.”
“Truly, Your Grace?”
“Yes. When have I ever lied? Let’s go.”
A mischievous grin spread across Leonhart’s face. Gerald lowered his eyes and muttered quietly.
“Your Grace, tormenting animals is the act of a petty man.”
“I never said I’d torment her.”
“Your face is plastered with mischief. It’s wrong to harass someone who dislikes it, but it’s even worse with animals.”
“If I can’t avoid it, I might as well enjoy it. And that’s not allowed either? Harsh.”
Heading toward the tethered horses, Leonhart suddenly stopped.
“Men. Shall we delay our return one more day?”
Red-eyed monsters emerged from the forest in a pack.
“Gerald, tell Ains this.”
Smiling ruefully, Leonhart tossed aside his scabbard—it was just in the way.
“This time, I’m really not stalling just because I don’t want to go back.”
So when would Leonhart return?
Kali rolled around on the massive bed, stopping just at the edge before she nearly fell.
Then she rolled to the other side.
It’s already the third week since I became a squirrel.
They say humans adapt to anything.
Getting used to this tiny body had been surprisingly easy. Squirrels with nothing to do had all the time in the world.
By the way, what happened to my real body? No one would hold a funeral for me.
She had no relatives, no one to take her in. A pitiful corpse.
She’d worked so hard in life. She hated being judged as “that orphan” and pushed herself relentlessly.
And the reward was… being reborn as a squirrel.
“…Hey. What’s with the gloomy thoughts?”
Startled, Kali sprang up.
Her short arms and legs made her sigh.
After running herself ragged all her life, now with nothing to do, life was unbearably dull. As a squirrel, all she could do was eat, sleep, eat, sleep… and repeat.
“Ugh. So boring.”
This wouldn’t do. She had to do something. She hopped off the bed.
By now, she could land gracefully. Feeling proud, Kali scampered toward the table with the flowerpot.
Levi wasn’t coming today, apparently.
He’s practically worn down the threshold from coming so often.
Levi had visited nearly every day since then. Jane entrusted Kali to him with an easy heart.
As the only young page, Levi was loved in the estate.
And he’s a sweet kid, too.
Clambering up onto the table, Kali leapt for the doorknob as usual.
