Only after dawn did I return to the bedroom, where an awkward air swirled between Ahin and me.
To be precise, it was me who was feeling uncomfortable. Ahin’s unusually intense gaze today only made it more awkward.
‘He belonged to the leader’s family.’
Ahin did not employ many servants, unusual for a noble. He often traveled alone, and the same servants always entered and exited his bedroom. Perhaps because black panthers usually live solitary lives.
I had not anticipated that he would hold such a high position. If I had remained in the Rabian family, I might have never had the chance to meet such a distant figure.
When I heard the bathroom door open, I sharply reacted by burrowing under the pillow.
How long had I been hidden there? I strained my hearing and sensed the clicking sounds and movements.
“In the black panther territory, it’s also common to behead a subordinate who disobeys orders.”
Though his tone was monotone, I shivered as I sensed the underlying meaning.
“I assigned Meimi to you for surveillance and protection, yet she failed to fulfill that duty.”
Growing anxious, I slightly poked my head out from under the pillow. Ahin casually sat on the bed and lightly flicked his finger on her nose.
“Do you want Meimi to be punished?”
Of course not. She had only left for about ten minutes to fetch my favorite hay. Guilt and sadness swelled in my chest. I shook my head, and Ahin’s lips curled into a round smile.
“But that’s not within Vivi’s authority. It’s mine.”
Then why ask? Pushing away the unpleasant thoughts, I quickly sat up and grabbed Ahin’s hand.
‘Please have some mercy.’
My trembling eyes drifted to the scabbard by the sofa, where Ahin’s sword lay, stained with dark-red blood.
It wasn’t hard to deduce that he had killed today. Knowing his status, I realized that such actions were trivial for him.
Thus, beheading was not just a far-off tale; it seemed all too possible that Ahin would unhesitatingly do such a thing.
Imagining Meimi’s head being cleanly severed, I paled and repeatedly shook my head.
“…The more I think about how you were almost eaten by that bastard dog, the more disgusting I feel.”
Ahin then erased his smile and muttered,
“I’ve been holding back so much.”
‘What, what are you holding back?’
How am I supposed to react when you suddenly throw this at me? Staring in horror, I looked at him with eyes full of shock.
“Anyway. In exchange for forgiving Meimi according to your wish, shouldn’t there be something exchanged between us too?”
It was akin to a one-sided trade, using Meimi’s safety as a bargaining chip. I made a displeased face and quickly pretended not to notice his gaze lingering on me. The silence that followed, punctuated by his intent look, felt oddly long.
“I forgot to mention, you shouldn’t cry anywhere else.”
‘…What do you mean?’
His random demand made me feel uneasy as I straightened up. He used to say crying would save me.
Now that I think about it, when I had jumped from the terrace, Ahin had whispered that I shouldn’t cry. Was there a specific reason for this?
“Cry only when I ask you to.”
…How absurd. This beast truly was beyond any understandable bounds. I sighed wearily, but he, seeming almost as if he was making a promise, extended his pinky.
“Promise.”
Even more annoyingly, Ahin formed the word “Meimi” with his lips. In no position to rebel, I reluctantly hooked my forepaw onto his pinky.
“Ah, and,”
‘What now?’
“It would be good to set up a signal in the future. So I can understand Vivi’s wishes.”
I felt unfamiliar and bitter. It was something I had never thought about or desired myself, and no one had ever sought my opinion on anything.
“Let’s set it up starting from this side.”
Unlike my rigid self, Ahin nonchalantly reached out and placed my left forepaw on his index finger.
“Left forepaw for emergencies. Right one,”
He reached out his other hand and placed my right forepaw on his other index finger. Both my forepaws were awkwardly lifted into the air. “Hmm.” A brief moment of contemplation passed.
“Right for when you need Ahin, and you can express the rest on your own.”
His mischievous voice followed one after another. Finally, Ahin, with his characteristic smile, lowered my paws.
“Now, practice. For when it’s dangerous.”
‘…You want me to do it now?’
As I looked up uncertainly, he nodded slightly. Reluctantly and with half-lowered eyes, I lifted my left forepaw.
“When you need to call me.”
I carelessly flicked my right forepaw up, matching his rhythm, and Ahin nodded in satisfaction. Does he really enjoy this? I glared at him with narrowed eyes, and he playfully tickled my chin as if praising me.
“Yes, that’s fine.”
His response seemed as if he could read my inner thoughts. There was not even a hint of affection in his red eyes, as one might have for a pet. Feeling strange, I looked up at Ahin with a somewhat dazed expression.
* * *
They say a beastfolk who has faced many battles becomes stronger. It was Vivi’s turn to prove that saying.
I had waited with open eyes until deep into the night, and now I cautiously crawled out from under the blanket.
A dark shadow fell over Ahin’s beautiful, sleeping face. I shook my paws in front of his face and even touched his nose slightly, but he did not stir.
‘Is he asleep?’
His breathing was steady. If he were awake, he would have gotten up immediately, talking about roasting rabbits or something similar. Just in case, I watched his eyelashes intently, but there was no awkward twitch.
‘…Good, he’s asleep.’
Positioned in front of his face, I recalled the terrible events of a few hours ago.
The drooling wolf, the chase—it was always a reminder of my precarious life whenever wolves appeared.
I had almost forgotten, living comfortably. It was nearly impossible to survive as a young rabbit in a place teeming with predators, at the very bottom of the food chain, yet I had managed to survive this long.
Moreover, this mansion was the household of the black panther leader, practically a gathering place for predators.
Maybe I should transform into a human sooner or move to a territory of herbivorous beastfolk to increase my chances of survival even slightly.
‘Today is the day.’
Ahin’s disheveled silver hair entered my field of vision as I lay on the white pillow. I had postponed the plan that could only be executed while Ahin was asleep for several days now.
Looking down at my paws, I licked my lips. The fingers I had seen that morning when Ahin had bitten my neck haunted my mind.
If those fingers were truly mine, then the clue must be in his fangs or pheromones. It was the scene I witnessed after enduring a strange pain.
Swallowing dryly, I leapt closer to Ahin’s face. His handsome face drew nearer, and I felt the tension rise again.
Huff, huff, I took intermittent breaths and stretched out a paw. It was an extremely cautious movement.
‘…Black panther, please don’t move.’
My trembling paw tip touched Ahin’s lips and then retreated. Just touching his lips made me want to run away, but I shook my head and steeled myself.
I had already bitten his neck; fleeing now from such fear would disgrace the reputation of Vivi.
Regaining my composure, I extended my paw again.
I can do this, I can. Finally, with a swift movement, I managed to slip my paw between Ahin’s lips.
‘It’s done!’
All I needed to do was to let him bite me lightly, as he had done before. Managing my fear, I stirred cautiously and slowly, my paw reaching his even teeth.
‘…Huh?’
My face, which had been bright with rising hope, suddenly stiffened. Why did I feel a slight tension in his lips? Trembling, I turned my head, and my gaze met his half-open red eyes.
‘Oh no!’
With a silent scream, I tried to pull my paw back, but his pursed lips showed no sign of releasing it.
‘Sorry for waking you, please…’
With desperate eyes, I pleaded, and Ahin, seeming like he wanted to argue, mumbled through his lips. Frustrated by his inability to speak, his beautiful brows furrowed slightly.
‘Let go and speak, speak with words!’
In desperation, I pushed his cheek hard with my hind paw, but Ahin stubbornly kept his lips sealed. So stubborn. Moreover, my paw was gradually being pulled deeper between his moving lips.
Cold sweat ran down my fur as primal fear surged within me. Suddenly, my paw touched his tongue and fangs with a small tap.
‘No-!’
Horrified by the unpleasant sensation I never wanted to feel, I fainted. It was the third time I had passed out since arriving in the territory of the black panther.
* * *
The sky had turned dusky with the setting sun. Today was the day of the ball hosted by the Grace family, as I had inferred from Rune and Meimi’s conversation. It seemed to proceed regardless of the recent wolf intrusion due to its importance.
‘Wow.’
Leaning on the terrace railing, I let out an exclamation.
From Ahin’s bedroom terrace, the main gate was clearly visible. As the ornate carriages passed through the iron gates, the reality that this was the domain of a leader’s family hit home.
Moreover, the beastfolk alighting from the carriages were all dressed in dazzling formal wear.
As I watched this scene, I suddenly turned my gaze to face the window. Reflected was a small rabbit with white fur and black eyes, no bigger than a fist.
‘…Suddenly.’
I didn’t prefer looking in mirrors, but I wasn’t feeling down about it either. The self-loathing I once felt comparing myself to human-transformed beastfolk was a thing of the past.
Until a few years ago, I used to imagine my human form, but I had long since stopped. I was truly afraid it might remain just an imagination. I tried to distract myself with other thoughts, aimlessly passing the time.
Could I ever escape this cycle? An indescribable trail of emotions started to seep up from my toes.
“Lord Rabbit.”
I stood beside the window, gazing blankly at my own reflection when I heard two sets of footsteps approaching. Not only Meimi was there, but also a stranger, a new creature, revealed itself behind us.
The appearance of the unfamiliar creature made me stealthily hide behind Meimi. It was not one of the servants who often frequented the bedroom. Meimi, holding me gently with a soft touch, added an explanation.
“This is Mr. Ulpes, the exclusive costume expert of the Grace family.”
“I am pleased to finally greet you, Lord Rabbit. I have been looking forward to meeting you.”
As he greeted me, Ulpes politely extended his index finger. My trembling gaze moved from his extended finger to his face.
He had an agreeable appearance, with half of his red eyes and crimson hair tightly tied back. The only issue was his peculiar pink uniform, which seemed difficult to find anywhere else.
‘The lace is too excessive.’
As I thought about the strong individuality of this mansion’s black panthers, I subtly extended a paw to reciprocate the handshake. Ulpes then covered his mouth with a deeply moved expression.
“Oh! My goodness! I had heard about the exceptional Lord Rabbit, but seeing you in person is truly astonishing. I cannot help but marvel!”
This meaningless flattery disguised as a shout continued for about five minutes. Meimi, who had been listening silently, whispered softly.
“Mr. Ulpes enjoys conversation.”
I thought his voice was more of a problem, as my ears were practically tingling. Contrary to my hope that he would disappear, he completely settled in Ahin’s bedroom.
‘But why a costume expert?’
Ahin had already left the bedroom early in the day, dressed in a black tailcoat. As I looked puzzled, Ulpes opened a suspicious box he was holding.
“Today, Lord Rabbit, you are Lord Ahin’s partner for the evening. It was a rushed order, so I could not prepare much, but I brought a necklace that won’t weigh down your neck.”
The absurdity of the statement made my mouth drop open. What kind of noble brings a rabbit as their partner?
‘Does that even make sense?’
Thinking it was a joke, I turned around, and Meimi nodded slightly in affirmation. It seemed uncomfortable for her to say it herself as she moved her mouth several times.
“I received the instructions this morning. …They said it would be fun.”
Let’s be honest. You think that black panther is out of his mind too, right? As I sought agreement with my gaze, the two creatures overtly avoided my eyes.
“We just follow the master’s orders.”
“Lord Ahin must have wanted… for Lord Rabbit to personally see the grandeur of the Grace family’s ballroom. It’s quite magnificent and splendid!”
Meimi and Ulpes responded as if making excuses. The subordinates of a misdirected master endure such hardships. They both evoked a poignant sympathy from me.
* * *
“Alas, the ribbon fails to shine due to the brilliance of Lord Rabbit’s fur.”
Sitting on the bed, I had been enduring the situation of trying on various accessories for almost an hour. Dissatisfied, Ulpes clicked his tongue and put the ribbon back into the box.
“Hmm….”
It wasn’t a bad experience since it was my first time trying on such accessories. It would have been perfect if not for the loud voice booming right next to me.
“This crown ornament is splendid. It’s the best accessory to enhance the majesty of Lord Rabbit. Don’t you think so, Miss Meimi?”
Meimi, who was waiting nearby, clapped her hands without saying a word. For her, that might have been the highest praise. Feeling embarrassed, I scratched my temple with my forepaw.
“The Grace family holds a ball every half year. I always prepare Lord Ahin’s tailcoat, but he shows little interest, which saddens me.”
Unlike the taciturn Meimi, Ulpes was talkative, and I was being forced to take in a lot of information. He continued explaining while wiping my body with a subtly fragrant cloth.
“Usually, many attendees are from the Lion clan or the Bear clan with whom they have close ties.”
So, tonight’s ball was quite large in scale, with not only the Black Panther clan but also nobles from each territory occasionally attending.
‘Come to think of it, the Lion is staying at the mansion because of the ball too.’
Herbivorous beastfolk also received invitations, but most couldn’t attend. Although they were the same beastfolk, they instinctively found carnivores intimidating.
Naturally, herbivorous beastfolk formed bonds among themselves, and carnivorous beastfolk did the same.
I, too, being a herbivorous beastfolk, felt a chill just hearing the words lion or bear.
“Sometimes, nobles from the Hyena clan also attend.”
‘This is definitely not for me.’
The more I listened, the more I realized tonight’s ball was not a place I should go. I quickly tried to escape Ulpes’ hands by jumping around on the bed. Oblivious to my intentions, Ulpes clapped his hands in satisfaction.
“Seeing such happy movements, Lord Rabbit must be eagerly anticipating the ball!”
‘That’s not it!’
As I was searching for an escape route, a noise from outside opened the bedroom door. Recognizing a familiar voice, I stopped running and collapsed. The ominous footsteps approached.
“Greetings to Lord Everine.”
“Where is Lord Rabbit?”
“Just a moment ago, it was joyfully jumping on the bed… Lord Rabbit?!”
Startled by my limp state, Ulpes screamed loudly. Everine’s calm voice flowed out as if to soothe him.
“These days, whenever I appear, Lord Rabbit pretends to be dead, as if not wanting to face me. It deeply saddens me. I even volunteered to escort it.”
As expected, Everine’s irritating words pricked my ears as soon as he entered.
Escort, my foot. Sprawled out, I silently prayed for Everine to leave soon.
Contrary to my wish, I felt someone approaching. Soon, a dreadful voice whispered in my ear.
“Lord Rabbit, if you don’t get up, I’ll personally escort you with my mouth. Come on, into my mouth. Ah—”
Seeing Everine open his mouth with fangs glistening right in front of me was horrifying enough to turn my face pale.
‘This, this…!’
Unable to hold back, I sprang up and slapped his cheek with my hind leg. He fell beside the bed from the impact, pretending to be shocked.
“How could you use such cruel violence?”
Dressed in a tailcoat, he looked quite delicate, holding his cheek. However, showing no mercy, I immediately bit down on Everine’s sleeve.
“This speed and grip, surely Lord Rabbit has the blood of a fighter.”
‘Shut up!’
His expressionless face while saying such things made my blood boil. Just two days ago, Ahin had tried to swallow my forepaw. Whether the master or the servant, they were all the same.
I really hate these Black Panthers.
* * *