After hiding under the bed, I was treated almost like a patient for several days.
There was no way I could explain why I cried that day… The physician came by frequently, and Ahin would occasionally give me a long, steady look.
Whenever I shrugged my paws as if to say “Why?” he would always reply, parrot-like, that it was nothing.
I still couldn’t figure him out. I grumbled to myself as I observed the bustling activity in the bedroom from the morning. The once spacious room now seemed crowded with attendants.
Realizing today was the day Ahin was leaving for the Rabbit Territory, I narrowed my eyes.
‘So, he plans to keep this from me.’
Judging by the excuse that it was family business, it was clear that he didn’t intend to take me to the Rabbit Territory.
‘What should I do…’
It was understandable that taking a baby rabbit on a visit to another territory might be awkward. However, Ahin’s insistence on hiding it from me was suspicious.
As I pondered this, Ash, ignoring Bara’s affectionate advances, came over to me and nuzzled close.
After petting the gentle giant who only looked fierce, I checked the dark brown backpack Ash was carrying. Inside were supplies like perenium and beast repellent, along with some spare clothing, just in case.
On my back was a similar backpack that Meimi had put on me, though its contents were nothing more than emergency hay.
Having carefully reviewed the essentials, I approached the makeshift hanger. Hanging there was the frock coat Ahin was planning to wear.
‘Meimi, I need your help.’
With Meimi’s assistance, I found myself comfortably nestled in one of the coat’s pockets.
As I settled in, I closed my eyes.
The past ten days had been a cycle of avoidance, confrontation, and resentment.
I would try to ignore Ahin’s hypothesis I overheard in the underground prison, then carefully rethink it, only to become so overwhelmed that I didn’t want to do anything. At those times, the physician would rush in and flip me over for an examination.
I went through countless deliberations. My family likely believed I was dead, so wouldn’t it be easier to just let things be?
But after all that pointless thinking, I concluded that unless I found out the truth, I wouldn’t be able to solve anything—whether it was the issue of becoming human or something else.
‘I need to meet my mother or father…’
I need to confirm things. I need to face the truth and start addressing what I can.
If I continued to indulge in the luxury and comfort Ahin provided, I would only become a well-fed beast.
Therefore, the event celebrating the birth of the Rabbit Territory’s leader was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet a member of the Rabian family while under Ahin’s protection.
After all, it was only a matter of time before Ahin figured out that my family was part of the Rabian lineage,
‘He might already know about my family.’
Judging by his intent to leave me behind, it was clear he had some ulterior motive.
Determined to use the black panther for once, I tightened my backpack. Since this was a sudden decision without any detailed plan, my heart began to race with anxiety.
“Hey, doesn’t the pocket look strangely bulky…?”
“It does, doesn’t it? Maybe he put a handkerchief in there ahead of time.”
Just then, I overheard the soft chatter of the attendants nearby.
“What’s going on?”
“Ah, Lord Ahin.”
The sound of Ahin’s footsteps grew closer. Determined to go with him, I suddenly popped my head out of the pocket.
‘Take me with you.’
I showed him the backpack on my back, signaling that I was fully prepared for the journey. Ahin, who had been staring at me in silence, wordlessly lifted me out of the pocket and set me down.
‘I said take me with you.’
He often took me wherever he pleased, but now, when it mattered, he pretended not to notice. I clung to the hem of his pants, but he simply shook me off with a slight movement of his foot.
“We’ll be leaving shortly.”
His firm stance and the way he deliberately ignored me made it clear that he had no intention of taking me along. The servants, too, glanced away, avoiding my gaze.
‘See what I mean.’
I tried standing on my hands to grab their attention,
‘Oof.’
Pretended to faint dramatically,
‘Move!’
And even tried to dive into the luggage, only to be bounced back by a cushion-wielding maid.
Everyone treated me as if I didn’t exist.
Growing desperate, I ran to my last hope—Everine.
‘Everine, please convince Ahin.’
I jumped onto the tip of his shoe, sending him a pleading signal. Looking uncomfortable, Everine mouthed his response to me.
“Lord Rabbit, later you can sneak into my pocket—”
“Everine.”
Ahin’s voice was cold as ice as he glared at Everine.
“Your persistence will not help you, Lord Rabbit. Please let go.”
Everine, immediately submitting to Ahin’s authority, abandoned me just as quickly as he had promised to help.
‘You’re all too much…!’
I pounded my chest in frustration, but no one even spared me a glance. The large bedroom fell into a heavy silence.
“Let’s go.”
Ahin’s low voice finally broke the quiet.
Sensing this was my last chance, I quickly blocked the bedroom entrance. Ahin came to a halt, standing tall and issuing a calm warning.
“Move.”
I spread my legs wide and shook my head, refusing to budge. Ahin, now crouched down, coldly pushed me away with a finger.
“I said move.”
‘No.’
This time, I stood my ground, unyielding.
The tension between us escalated into a battle of wills. The sound of someone gulping echoed from the attendants standing behind us.
Worried that I might get kicked, I cautiously slid my backside onto Ahin’s palm.
‘Ahin, let’s…’
Now fully settled in his hand, I looked up at him with desperate eyes.
‘Let’s go together.’
But Ahin, refusing to meet my gaze, mercilessly pushed me away. With a flick of his finger, I was sent rolling across the floor, deliberately exaggerating the tumble.
“Open the door.”
Coldly, without even glancing at me, Ahin signaled the two attendants with his eyes.
‘Wait!’
Recovering from the shock, I quickly blocked the door from the other side, determined not to let it open. I was willing to risk being thrown out just to prevent them from leaving without me.
“Lord Rabbit, um, you really need to step aside…”
The attendants clutched the doorknob, their pupils trembling, unable to proceed. They stood there, swallowing their fear, trying to endure the situation.
“Ah, seriously…”
I heard a frustrated sigh behind me. Turning my head carefully, I saw Ahin, covering his eyes with his hand, looking momentarily unsure of what to do.
“Enough.”
Though his tone was irritated, his low voice was surprisingly gentle.
It seemed even Ahin was taken aback by his own voice. He quickly turned away, hiding his expression from view. The room fell into an icy silence.
‘…Ahin?’
Caught between shock and confusion, I ran to where I could see Ahin’s face.
But even then, he turned his back to me, avoiding my gaze.
I pursued him, and he turned again, and again. It was like a merry-go-round, round and round.
Finally, after a relentless chase, I managed to corner Ahin against the wall. With nowhere left to turn, he rested his forehead against the wall, still refusing to face me.
‘Look at me.’
I snuck between his legs, stretching my neck out to catch his eye.
At that moment, Ahin glanced down, and our eyes met. His usually sharp gaze now seemed unusually soft—or was it just my imagination?
‘Maybe…’
Even a sturdy warship can be shaken by a storm. Somehow, I had noticed a slight crack in Ahin’s usual stoic demeanor. Sensing this, I stood tall on my hind legs.
‘There!’
Here’s your chance to take this Vivi with you.
Ahin, who had been looking down at me in disbelief, finally let out a small chuckle. After rubbing his face, he carefully picked me up with both hands.
“Why are you clinging to me like this?”
The vulnerability I had glimpsed earlier was now hidden behind his usual mask-like smile.
“You never showed any interest in my outings before.”
How could that be? My favorite hobby has always been going out with you. I clenched my paws earnestly, trying to convey my sincerity.
Hmm, Ahin let out a suspicious hum as he lifted me high.
“I can’t even interrogate you.”
Unable to respond or explain, I tightened the straps on my backpack, signaling my determination. Ahin, who had been gazing at me until it became almost uncomfortable, finally smiled, his eyes curving into crescents.
“Vivi.”
His voice, lazy and teasing, tickled my ears.
“Should I not go?”
Thump—my heart, which had been steady, suddenly plummeted and started beating erratically.
Who said not to go? I just meant we should go together… In an instant, all my earlier bravado vanished, leaving only a shy, awkward fidgeting.
“Would you prefer if I didn’t go?”
Feeling cornered, I reluctantly gave the answer he seemed to want, drawing a small circle with my paw.
At that moment, a completely innocent smile spread across Ahin’s lips. His smile was so bright that his long eyelashes touched his eyelids.
“Everine, hold on to her.”
Before I even had time to react, I found myself transferred into Everine’s arms. Holding me securely, Everine watched Ahin with a puzzled expression.
“But Master Ahin, if you’re heading to the carriage, I should—”
Ahin swiftly exited the room, faster than I had ever seen him move. With a resounding slam, he shut the door behind him, making sure no one could follow. It was a calculated, precise exit.
‘What…’
The firmly closed door loomed before me.
‘Weren’t we supposed to go together?’
He had smiled as if he would take me along, only to run away like this? I was left gaping, unable to comprehend the reality of what had just happened.
After a moment, Everine cleared his throat and calmly explained.
“I’m afraid it was never Lord Ahin’s intention to take you with him. From the moment you started packing your backpack last night, he had already decided.”
What…? Then why was it so necessary to leave me behind? My whiskers trembled with a mix of betrayal and disappointment.
* * *
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