Rabbit 31

As usual, after completing her duties, Meimi sent Ash to Everine’s bedroom.

What was a bit surprising was that Meimi, who usually didn’t engage in unnecessary contact, subtly stroked my backside.

Perhaps it was because it had been almost a week since we last met. Considering it a sign of affection, I arched my back to make it easier for her to touch.

Meimi stroked me for a while with her characteristic indifferent expression before leaving the bedroom.

I took a moment to glance around the bedroom, which felt like a safe haven, and let out a small sigh. The fact that I considered the black panther’s territory safe meant that my daily life had become that threatening.

As I approached the terrace without thinking, I suddenly panicked and hid under the desk.

   ‘Oh my god!’

Through the glass window, I saw the hawk, the messenger from Ahin that I had seen in Endelus. It seemed that another surveillance had been added in the past few days.

I cautiously peeked out, my eyes gleaming sharply. When I used to go for walks around the Grace estate, a large hawk would often cross the sky.

   ‘That hawk…’

A hawk with sharp eyes and a nasty temperament. It would swoop down and snatch up a rabbit in an instant, and I would always hide at Meimi’s feet.

   ‘That hawk…!’

That must be the same one. Just as I was engaged in a staring contest, I heard the sound of the bathroom door opening with a click.

   “Vivi?”

I almost ran out at Ahin’s call but stopped myself.

   ‘I can’t do this.’

If I continue to obey so easily, that beast will start getting more and more bad ideas about how to use me. As time goes on, this Vivi will be taken even less seriously, ordered around with just a wave of a hand.

   “Vivi, where are you?”

Huddled under the desk, I pondered how to handle the situation. If I continued to be scared of Ahin’s every move, he might start seeing me as even more insignificant.

   “Should I make you into a rabbit steak?”

I bolted out like a gust of wind in less than three seconds. Ahin, standing with his forehead pressed against the wall, silently trembled.

That wicked black panther. Once I came to my senses, I felt overwhelming self-reproach as I buried my face in my front paws.

   “You always make disappearing a habit.”

My body, which had been floating in the air, soon landed softly on the bed. As I lifted my head, my expression stiffened when I came face to face with Ahin, who was excessively seductive.

It wasn’t just the fact that his robe barely covered his skin. Droplets of water from his hair fell off his chin and darkened the white bedding.

   ‘Even though I’m just a rabbit…!’

Please, at least have some sense of boundaries. No matter how many months pass, I still found it hard to get used to this sight.

My gaze lingered on his red lips, and I quickly burrowed under the pillow. I was worried that my fur might turn red from blushing.

   “Where do you keep going?”

Unfortunately, just before I managed to hide, my hind legs were caught. No matter how much I struggled with the bedding, I was easily dragged out.

Finally, Ahin pulled me out and, propping his chin on his hand, faced me while lying down. Unable to avoid it, I ended up seeing his muscular torso exposed between the folds of his robe, and I squeezed my eyes shut.

   ‘Sigh.’

Oh divine beast, why do you keep testing me? As I mentally organized the history of beastfolk by year, Ahin’s slightly husky voice flowed out.

   “What are you thinking about?”

   ‘The significance of the territorial war that happened three hundred years ago.’

You will never understand the effort I’m putting in. Resigned, I turned my back on Ahin and lay down.

   “After just a few conversations,”

Ahin’s finger gently brushed my ear.

   “I’ve started to feel a bit frustrated that we can’t talk.”

   ‘Honestly, I feel the same.’

There were things that couldn’t be expressed by frantically waving my front and hind paws in my rabbit form, but could easily be conveyed with just a word. 

When I didn’t know this, it only made me sad, but now that I understood, it was unbearably suffocating.

The bedding sank as he comfortably settled his body. Soon, Ahin’s fingers forced me to roll over, turning my body.

It was a distance that was close enough to see all his features, but not too close. Lying at an angle, Ahin rested his arm on a pillow and curved his eyes into crescent shapes.

   “If I use pheromones now, will you turn into a human?”

   ‘That’s not good.’

Startled, I quickly got up and shook my head.

   “Why not?”

Because it’s extremely exhausting when I transform.

The only time I didn’t feel much pain was when I swallowed the drug. But instead, the drug caused pheromone seizures after I transformed.

Rather than enduring that pain to temporarily become a human, it was more important to find a clue to permanent transformation starting tomorrow.

Last time, I rubbed my belly in front of Valence and ended up just eating hay until I was stuffed…

This time, I changed my approach and mimed choking myself with my front paw.

   “Thirsty?”

That’s not it. I firmly crossed my paws and mimed choking myself again while wriggling.

   “Hurts.”

That’s it. Delighted, I waved both front paws in a big circle. Ahin, who had been watching intently with furrowed brows, muttered deeply.

   “It hurts this much?”

Perfect. I almost cried, feeling grateful for Ahin’s effort, and gave him a standing ovation. But unlike my joy, his expression didn’t show any sign of relaxing.

   “So, every time you turned into a human, it hurt this much?”

   ‘Well, yeah…?’

Sitting in place, I absentmindedly nodded.

Ahin, who had been staring at me blankly, soon tickled my chin with his thumb.

   “How did you express it when it hurt until now?”

I rolled my eyes as I rested my chin on his finger.

Well, have I ever properly expressed it? To remember, I’d have to go back to the time I was in the Rabian household, and I didn’t really want to think about that.

   “Did you suffer alone?”

I didn’t want to talk about such a past. Unable to answer immediately, I cautiously glanced at Ahin.

   “Shall we sleep?”

Whoosh, the sudden pull of the blanket darkened my view.

Still so rude. Trapped under the blanket in an instant, I hit Ahin’s body with my front paws. I was about to finish with a back kick when,

   “I feel like I want to tear something apart.”

What? At his low murmur, I froze in the middle of raising my foot.

* * *

The large conference room was packed with people.

Early in the morning, a lively discussion took place between the Black Panther tribe and the Lion tribe regarding the drug incident in Endelus.

   “We interrogated a few beastfolk who were captured by the knights at the abandoned building, but they were just low-level merchants who knew nothing about the source of the drug.”

A noble from the Black Panther side flipped over a document.

   “It seems too advanced to have been developed by a gang or a low-tier guild.”

   “There’s a possibility that nobles or wealthy merchants funded it. How is the investigation on the drug proceeding?”

A noble from the Lion side raised his hand to speak.

   “The drug is currently being analyzed. What we do know for certain is that it’s a type that activates pheromones. We have someone in our delegation who is skilled in dealing with poisons, and they will be assisting with the investigation starting today.”

The meeting was slowly reaching its conclusion.

It seemed like they could wrap it up soon… The nobles exchanged glances, subtly looking toward the head table.

   “I have to admit, you look more impressive in your lion form. It’s a pity, Sir Manionts.”

   “I guess you’re envious of a lion’s mane, something a black panther can never have?”

Ahin and Rune, seated at the head of the table, were trading barbs, showcasing their rivalry.

Both of them, with their eerily smiling faces, were exuding a tension that was unsettlingly fierce, leaving the nobles too intimidated to even suggest adjourning the meeting.

   ‘This damned cat…’

Rune’s eyes narrowed as he rested his chin on his hand. Last night, while returning from a visit to a nearby town, he had been ambushed by a group of about ten assassins.

For someone of Ahin’s or Rune’s stature, such attacks were commonplace, especially if they were orchestrated by an assassin’s guild. However, the timing made it all too clear that the instigator was none other than the petty black panther sitting right in front of him.

Rune smirked and raised an eyebrow provocatively.

   “Do you know, Sir Grace’s rabbit has been lamenting about how difficult life has become because of the black panther?”

The Lion tribe’s expressions stiffened upon hearing this surprising claim.

How could a rabbit possibly lament the hardships of life? Even jokes have their limits, and the Lion tribe members wished they could shut Rune up.

   “…That can’t be true.”

Ahin, completely unfazed, lifted the corner of his mouth in a sly smile.

   “The rabbit is already ruling over the black panther with just one paw; there’s no reason for it to be difficult.”

   “Indeed. It’s only a matter of time before Lord Rabbit unites the continent with a single paw.”

Everine, who had been standing behind them, stepped forward to support Ahin. His serious expression was now tinged with a solemn resolve.

On the other hand, the faces of the Black Panther tribe, unable to respond, turned red with embarrassment.

   ‘Please, both of you…’

Jokes should have their limits. While their outrageous banter was something they were used to, the fact that it was happening in a formal setting, especially in front of the Lion tribe, was problematic.

   “A rabbit ruling the continent…?”

   “Sir Everine, is that true?”

Why were they taking this seriously? Rune, not the only one mumbling, watched as Restin’s exaggerated reaction made the Lion tribe just as much a subject of ridicule as the Black Panther tribe.

Meanwhile, Rune found himself lost in deep thought.

In reality, the rabbit was unlike any other beastfolk. It could remain in its true form for days, and it had emitted a strange fragrance more than once.

Moreover, though it might have been a coincidence, the fact that the scars on his face had disappeared without a trace after parting with the rabbit couldn’t be ignored.

If that rabbit possessed pheromones beyond anyone’s imagination… There was no reason why a herbivore beastfolk couldn’t have them.

If his hypothesis was correct, the Grace family had gained a significant and formidable power.

   “Please, continue.”

Rune, now much more serious, opened his mouth to speak.

At the same time, the Lion tribe members covered their flushed faces with both hands. What were they supposed to talk about—how the little rabbit would conquer the continent with some dazzling technique?

   “Ah, come to think of it, our rabbit told us not to associate with lions.”

   “What?”

   “Don’t you remember? The rabbit ran away after seeing Sir Manionts in Endelus.”

   “Well, historically, rabbits have always seen lions as their natural enemies. It’s even mentioned frequently in fables, isn’t it?”

Everine, who had been peeking out, added to the conversation. Ahin, smiling like a well-fed predator, leaned back into his chair.

   “Black panthers don’t play such cruel roles.”

   “Come to think of it, lions are usually the ones causing harm in stories.”

Of course, black panthers didn’t even appear in fairy tales. The Lion tribe members exchanged desperate looks, silently urging Rune to take control of the situation.

   ‘Let’s ignore them, Rune.’

It was clearly a waste of time, a pointless mockery that served no apparent purpose. They looked at Rune with hope, but,

   “Kuh…”

He seemed to be sulking, though it was unclear at which point exactly he felt wronged.

Meanwhile, Ahin and Everine continued their absurd boasts, claiming that their rabbit had techniques for growing in size, had made a gorilla submit with a single back kick, and more. 

Rune and Restin exchanged glances and listened carefully, not dismissing the words as mere exaggeration. While it sounded like bluster, much of it aligned with the truth if you kept in mind that the rabbit was indeed a beastfolk.

The Black Panther and Lion tribes, who were completely unaware of these nuances, looked at each other with pity.

   ‘They must be going through a lot.’

   ‘They’ve probably had their fair share of struggles.’

It was a time when a deep sense of mutual understanding and empathy was being forged.

* * *

The familiar, musty scent of the library tickled my nose after a long time.

After greeting the guard knights stationed at the entrance, I, with a determined expression, navigated through the shelves.

   [B-02]

Upon reaching the section dedicated to pheromone studies, Meimi naturally lifted me onto her palm.

   ‘Meimi, the Z section!’

She understood my gesture immediately and stretched her arm upwards to help me reach the Z section.

I selected a thick book on rare pheromones and found a spot in the middle of the library.

   ‘Meimi, step back a bit.’

When I extended my front paw, Meimi retreated just far enough so she couldn’t see the contents of the book. The clever Ash came over to act as a shield.

How could you be so considerate? I rubbed my head against her dark fur before settling into a serious posture.

Finally, I had gathered most of the keywords: delayed humanization, the body changing upon contact with pheromones, and… last but not least, healing abilities.

As I quickly flipped through the pages with my front paw, the book stopped at a section that I had skimmed over before—descriptions of healing-related pheromones.

「Healing-type abilities are vast in scope, and it’s extremely rare for a beastfolk to possess them, making records difficult to obtain.

The most common abilities in the healing category are related to sleep and anesthesia….」

   ‘Sleep and anesthesia?’

Sleep was already a proven ability through my practice with Ash.

   ‘Anesthesia, anesthesia…’

I murmured the word repeatedly, my mouth slightly open.

As I pondered, I recalled how the wolf beastfolk I encountered in the shack were unable to move their bodies. Could that have been an anesthesia ability?

「In particular, anesthesia sometimes includes a scent that stimulates other beastfolk.」

A scent that stimulates other beastfolk. My front paw, gripping the book, trembled slightly.

   ‘Is this the rabbit that smells like fresh bread?’

   ‘Or butter, perhaps.’

The description matched my own phenomenon of exuding a prominent pheromone scent.

「There are records of a lion beastfolk with superior healing abilities curing not only minor wounds but also infectious diseases.」

In a flash, I recalled the scenes where Ash’s and Rune’s wounds had disappeared without a trace.

Sleep, anesthesia, and even wound healing. Everything was starting to align perfectly.

   ‘But how…?’

The chances of me possessing such abilities were extremely slim.

A rabbit, and one from a mid-level noble lineage at that, wasn’t supposed to have these kinds of powers.

These pheromones were of a level that an herbivore beastfolk’s body wouldn’t typically be able to handle.

As I idly rested my chin on the book, a sudden hypothesis flashed through my mind like lightning. In the pheromone book that Valence had given me earlier, it clearly mentioned,

   ‘A case of a fox beastfolk whose humanization was delayed due to an overpowering innate pheromone.’

Cold sweat trickled down my temples.

What if my body couldn’t handle the healing pheromones, and thus, my physical form had been forcibly suppressing the pheromones all this time? What if that’s why I couldn’t humanize, even after the coming-of-age ceremony?

   ‘That’s absurd!’

No, wait, it does make sense. Pheromones and humanization are closely linked. My pupils shook as I nervously paced back and forth.

Noticing how uneasy I looked, Ash approached and licked my cheek.

   ‘It’s okay. Calm down, Ash.’

Even though I was the one who needed to calm down. I patted Ash and stared at my front paws with a dazed expression.

   ‘…So if I learn to control my pheromones, I might be able to get closer to humanizing.’

But how was I supposed to manage such overwhelming pheromones? My head throbbed painfully as I rubbed my temples.

Suddenly, the sound of a door creaking open from the entrance of the library caught my attention, and I perked up my ears, turning my head.

There stood an elderly gentleman, having dropped his cane, staring intently in my direction.

   ‘Who is that?’

Judging by his red eyes, he was a member of the Black Panther tribe, but I had never seen him around the estate before.

His luxurious attire suggested he was someone of high status, not just an experienced butler or steward.

Remaining cautious, I slowly crawled under Ash’s tail.

A long silence ensued. The elderly gentleman, after tapping the shoulder of a nearby guard knight, finally spoke.

   “Young man, what exactly is that?”

   “Sir, it’s a baby rabbit.”

   “Foolish boy, do you think I asked because I didn’t know that? I’m asking if what I just witnessed was an illusion.”

The flustered guard knight struggled to respond. The old man clicked his tongue in annoyance and raised his voice in a scolding tone.

   “Did that baby rabbit just read a book, command a black panther as if it were a servant, and rub its forehead in thought, or not?!”

After exclaiming this, the elderly man suddenly grabbed the back of his neck, staggering slightly.

   “L-Lord Lilion!”

At the same time, short gasps from the guard knights and Meimi echoed through the library.

* * *

The temple rite was a kind of ceremonial ritual held regularly every year.

On this continent, where only beastfolk existed, the people worshiped the one true deity, the Vestel Beast God. On this day, rituals were conducted in the grand temples across all territories.

As invited guests, Valence and Ahin, after exchanging pleasantries with the nobles, sat in the highest seats, looking down at the vast crowd below. From their height, the people appeared as mere dots.

   “In the beginning, on the continent of Bestia….”

The meaningless formalities and speeches had been dragging on for nearly two hours.

Sipping wine to wet his throat, Ahin was on the verge of falling asleep from boredom.

   “If you find it so dull, you should have brought the rabbit with you.”

Valence, seated next to him, spoke warmly. Ahin’s gaze slowly shifted to her profile.

Even though she was his mother, she remained an enigmatic figure. Despite having an inkling that Vivi was a beastfolk, she always played innocent, referring to her as just a rabbit or a baby.

   “I tried to bring her along, but…”

Ahin turned his gaze forward again, resting his chin on his hand. It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought about putting her in his pocket and bringing her along.

The temple wasn’t like the banquet hall, filled with pheromones, and Vivi, although fearful when leaving the mansion, would always brighten up once she was out.

Even so, he had felt uneasy about leaving her at the mansion this morning…

   ‘Vivi, why don’t you join me for the temple ceremony this afternoon—’

Before he could even finish his sentence, she had bolted, kicking off with her hind legs. Even pretending to be hurt didn’t help; all he got in return was a sharp, dismissive snort.

   “She’s always been reluctant to go to the temple.”

   “Oh my, she avoids the temple? I wonder why.”

Why, indeed. Ahin’s mind went blank for a moment as he tilted his head slightly.

   “…I’m not sure.”

Why had Vivi desperately tried to avoid the temple? The image of her frantically running away flickered in his mind.

It implied that the temple was something even more terrifying to Vivi than predators. At the time, he hadn’t been particularly curious about her reasons and just let it slide.

He hadn’t been deeply curious about Vivi, as long as she was by his side, that was enough.

Resting his chin on his hand, Ahin tapped the armrest with his other hand.

Vivi.

Sometimes she ignored him when he called her name, while at other times, she waved her front paw when she needed something. When tired, she would kick him with her hind legs, and when scared, she would hide all around the bedroom.

Her different reactions every time he called her were amusing.

   ‘It was just amusing…’

But as time passed, he became more curious about what went on in that small head of hers. With eyes full of determination for life, as she commanded Ash, just as Everine had said.

A subtle emotion began to settle on Ahin’s weary face.

Tap.

Every time his fingers tapped the armrest, scenes played out in front of his eyes.

When she looked at herself in human form back at the shack, it had felt rather strange. Her tear-streaked face had been etched into his mind, lingering for quite some time.

Tap.

When she looked terrified.

Tap.

When she awkwardly smiled while avoiding his gaze.

Her face, covered in his pheromone scent, looking back at him, gave him a strange sense of satisfaction, pressing heavily on his chest.

   “Ahin, how many herbivore beastfolk do you think are in that crowd?”

Valence’ sudden question pulled Ahin out of the deep thoughts that had taken hold of him.

She waved leisurely to the citizens of the territory.

   “You could count them on one hand.”

   “Exactly. Carnivore beastfolk can move freely across any territory, but herbivore beastfolk, unless they have a special reason, rarely cross into ours.”

In response to the leader’s wave, the citizens raised their arms in unison. The shouts of the crowd blended with her voice.

   “I heard you found her abandoned in the forest of borders. If it were up to us, we would have killed the rabbit to avoid future trouble. But they abandoned her, leaving the task of killing her to us. Death is not common in herbivore territories.”

   “……”

   “That gap won’t close easily. The rabbit may rely on you, but she won’t trust you.”

Valence slowly lowered her hand, her eyes crinkling in a smile.

   “You’ve likely shown her much of your indifference to death.”

Ahin, who had been clenching and unclenching his fist, replied briefly.

   “I’ll take your advice to heart.”

   “And I forgot to mention, your grandfather has arrived. You should visit him when you return to the mansion.”

   “The old man, I mean, Grandfather?”

   “Yes, he’s been staying since the day before yesterday since your birthday is approaching. He’ll likely have something to say about your successor.”

Has the time already come? Ahin, who had been relaxing, straightened up at the mention of the rigid old-fashioned Lilion.

   “Mother.”

   “What’s this? You’re calling me so urgently?”

   “What do you think Grandfather will think of Vivi?”

   “Well, the topic did come up once. He’s such a stiff man; if they ever meet, he might just faint—”

A sudden sense of foreboding caused both of them to look at each other.

A sharp whistle pierced the air.

Ahin’s gaze shot skyward, recognizing the familiar cry. The hawk he had assigned to watch over Vivi was circling high above.

His red eyes darkened ominously as he watched the bird’s flight. It was a sign that something might be wrong with Vivi.

   “You called for me?”

Responding to Ahin’s summons, Everine approached. Ahin tugged at his cravat, gesturing toward his black uniform.

   “Everine, change clothes.”

   “…Are you asking me to stand in for you?”

   “You’re used to it by now.”

   “I didn’t bring a wig, though.”

Moments later, Everine, now dressed in Ahin’s uniform, adjusted his hair. Fortunately, the crowd was far enough away not to notice, and his task was simply to slip away before the temple ceremony ended and the nobles came up to offer their greetings.

   “Your hair is truly beautiful. A rare sight.”

Valence praised softly, holding a glass of wine.

   “It’s an honor, Lady Valence.”

Everine, fully immersed in his role, waved with a polite gesture. The silver mop atop his head fluttered in the breeze, drawing admiration from the onlookers.

* * *