Chapter 7
The Duke of Noctis’s office was always steeped in silence.
The only sounds were the rustle of papers and the soft scratch of a pen gliding across parchment.
Every so often, the duke would mutter a low curse after reading through a document.
This oppressive quiet existed for one reason—he refused to waste time on anything unnecessary.
Since the incident known as “The Return of Blood,” the duke had become a man of single-minded purpose.
And as a result, the ducal estate had grown colder and bleaker than ever before.
The northwestern lands, where half the year was winter, already carried an air of suppression—as if joy itself had been outlawed.
Life here was monotonous, mechanical even.
But today… things were a little different.
“Isn’t it just adorable?”
Unable to hold it in any longer, Baird finally spoke.
“…What are you talking about?”
“The baby flying squirrel, of course. To think it actually howled at you! I’ve never heard such a cute howl in my entire life. Pfft.”
Baird couldn’t suppress his laughter.
The duke frowned and set down the document he was reading.
Startled, Baird quickly stifled his chuckles—his lord was known for his sharp tongue when interrupted by trivial chatter.
But unexpectedly, the duke himself brought up the subject.
“I can’t make sense of that behavior. Has it forgotten what kind of beast it is?”
“No, my lord! That was clearly a plea for your protection!”
“My protection?”
“Yes! Why else would it imitate a wolf of all creatures? Out of all the animals in the world, it chose a wolf—your kind.”
“……”
“Any child could tell from your scar that you’re the Black Wolf Duke. So it must’ve been showing that it wants to follow you.”
“……”
The duke’s mind drifted to that ridiculous scene—
the tiny squirrel puffing up its chest and crying out, “Achoooo~!” in what was apparently its attempt at a howl.
Then its sulky expression when he gave no reaction.
It was true—unlike the others, it hadn’t cowered in fear.
“A small thing, yet it’s got guts.”
The duke let out a faint scoff, and Baird beamed.
“I doubt there’s another creature in the world that’s ever shown you this much affection, my lord.”
“Don’t be absurd.”
“Still, even your sons never howled to get your attention.”
“……”
Indeed.
His sons, who would howl endlessly for their mother, never once did so for him.
And when he tried to separate them from their mother for even a short while, they would growl at him.
Annoyed at the memory, the duke’s brow furrowed.
“Anyway, make sure that blasted High Priest doesn’t find fault with us again. Get rid of that malnutrition first.”
“Of course! I already gave it a high-quality nutritional meal earlier. It ate it right up.”
“What did you give it?”
“Raw liver mixed with various supplements. The young masters loved it when they were small!”
“Are you out of your mind?”
“Out of my—what?”
Ignoring the flustered Baird, the duke ordered him to prepare a proper herbivore diet for the little creature.
“Yes, sir. Should I have the chef make some snacks too? He’s good at making treats for the young masters.”
“Who made that liver concoction, by the way?”
“The chef as well.”
No wonder—there were no children in the castle anymore, nor much interaction with other beastfolk. Such blunders were inevitable.
The duke shot Baird a cold glare, scribbled something hastily on the back of a document, tore it off, and handed it to him.
“Give this to the chef.”
“Uh… this is—”
Baird’s eyes went wide when he read the note.
✦ ✦ ✦
Murmur, murmur—
The Noctis estate was usually so quiet it felt more like a mausoleum than a mansion.
But today, it was filled with unusual commotion.
A small flying squirrel was darting from one high window to another, dusting as it went.
Evie held a feather duster in her mouth as she glided to the next window.
Shooo!
“Chuchu!”
Tap tap tap—she scrubbed the upper frames diligently with the feather.
Those ornate window trims were far out of reach for the maids, and dust tended to pile up there.
So Evie had decided to help.
But when she brushed too hard, the dust scattered and tickled her tiny nose.
“P’choo!”
Ffff!
The maids watching her froze solid at the sight of that adorable sneeze.
(They’re reacting the same way as the maids at the count’s house… Am I doing something wrong?)
Mistaking their stiff faces for disapproval, Evie redoubled her efforts.
The servants whispered among themselves.
“She’s so small, yet she’s trying to help us… I feel kind of emotional.”
“Me too. I just want to scoop her up and talk baby talk.”
“Neither of the young masters ever helped us. In fact…”
Just then—
“What’s going on here.”
The icy voice cut through the air like a northern gale.
The servants instantly went pale and stepped aside like waves parting.
And there stood the Duke himself, frowning deeply.
His black cloak and silver fur collar made his imposing figure even more striking.
“I asked what you’re doing up there.”
“Chuu…”
Job-hunting, Evie thought.
“Chuchut!”
See? If you adopt me, dust like this will never be a problem again!
She demonstrated proudly, dusting the windowframe with enthusiasm.
But the duke merely twitched an eyebrow.
“Such pointless nonsense…”
“Chu!?”
Pointless!?
(Back at the count’s manor, this skill earned me leftover fruit at least! What does this villain know!)
Clearly, housekeeping wasn’t going to win her any points.
That leaves only one weapon… the one only baby animals possess.
Gulp. Her heart pounded.
Would it work?
“Get down from there.”
“Chut.”
Evie scooted back and stared down at him, tense and focused.
She crouched low, like a wolf about to pounce on its prey.
“Oh?”
A flicker of interest passed over the duke’s face.
“Chut! (Here I come!)”
With a powerful spring, Evie leapt from the ledge, her cloak spread wide, soaring straight toward him.
The duke’s face froze—because the tiny squirrel was flying straight at him with an expression that clearly said:
Catch me!
“Chuchuuuu!”
Her black eyes sparkled as she glided toward his arms—a sight so sweet it could have melted stone.
Even the duke’s cold golden eyes flickered faintly in surprise.
Success! Evie thought triumphantly—
—but then he raised a hand and blocked her face.
Thunk!
“Piiik!”
She bounced off his iron wall of a hand and splatted to the floor like a fallen dumpling.
“……”
“……”
“……”
Everyone stared.
Evie trembled from the humiliation as she pushed herself up.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to cry.
It hurt.
Not her body—her pride.
Sniff.
I’m not crying… I’m not embarrassed at all…!
The duke watched her silently for a while, then turned and walked away.
Wha—how heartless can you be!?
Fuming, Evie raised a tiny fist and shadow-boxed at his retreating back.
Then the duke turned around.
“What was that supposed to be?”
“Ch… chu?”
Startled, Evie quickly turned her raised fist into a wobbly heart shape over her head—
but her arms were too short, so she ended up tumbling forward in a roll.
“Pik.”
“……”
I just want to crawl into a hole and disappear.
“Stop making a scene and follow me quietly.”
At his cold tone, Evie pouted.
After all that effort and embarrassment, he expected her to just follow?
She had her pride too!
“I’ll give you a snack.”
“Piiit!”
…But snacks were blameless.
Evie instantly scurried after him, her tiny feet pattering fast to keep up with his long strides.
“Chuut!”
Wait for me!
By the time they reached the dining hall, she was already panting.
The duke seated Evie beside his plate and propped his chin on his hand, staring at her in silence.
Evie, who had been happily sucking on a syrup jar, suddenly felt queasy under that gaze.
Why is he looking at me like that…?
That strange look—as though she were some unknown lifeform.
His own meal sat untouched under its cloche.
Could it be… he’s lost his appetite?
People could really lose their appetite? Unthinkable!
But… sometimes it happened.
Like the day the Count of Rusten had beaten her—she hadn’t wanted to eat anything then either.
Alright. I’ll cheer him up.
Even if it hurts…
She reached into her cheek pouch and pulled out a sunflower seed—the best one she had.
After a lingering, mournful look at it, she slowly pushed it toward him.
“Chu.”
The duke’s lips parted slightly.
He seemed utterly dumbfounded.
Seeing his expression, Evie felt guilty.
Maybe one isn’t enough…
She rummaged again and offered an even better one.
“Sigh…”
Still too little!?
Job hunting was rougher than she thought.
Now she had only one seed left.
No. Don’t be stingy. Thanks to him, I’ve had a warm place to sleep these days. And for the future… you have to invest to gain.
Resolute, she pulled out her very last seed.
With the bravest smile she could manage, she pushed it forward again.
“Chuchut.”
“Your facial muscles are spasming,” he remarked.
Ack! She’d smiled too hard.
Flustered, she rubbed her face like she was washing it, trying to reset.
The duke’s expression shifted—his brows drew tight, eyes narrowing in something between suspicion and disbelief.
After studying her for a moment, he straightened his posture and pushed the seeds back to her.
“You eat those. I have my own food.”
At his signal, the servants lifted the cloche.
Under the chandelier’s light, the gleaming dishes were revealed—
steaming soup, soft white bread, and a perfectly cooked lamb steak glazed in golden sauce.
Evie’s eyes went wide.
She had never seen such a feast up close.
The rich aroma filled her nose, dizzying her senses.
Oh my stars… oh my heavens…
Her gaze fixed on the knife slicing the steak.
Every time a bite went into his mouth, her throat bobbed involuntarily.
Before long—she was drooling for real.
Drip.
The duke glanced sideways at her.
“Do you want some?”
“Chu, chupit! Chupipit! (Yes! Yes, please! Yes yes yes!)”
“I’m not giving you any.”
“……!”
The audacity!
The Duke of Noctis was a true villain! A rogue! A wretched owl! A toad! A—whatever insult she could think of!
While she quivered in indignant fury, fur bristling, the duke’s lips curved ever so slightly.
“A creature like you should eat something more fitting.”
Then he ordered the servant—
“Bring it.”
“Yes, my lord.”
And moments later, the butler set down a cloche perfectly sized… for a squirrel.
