Chapter 14
Kanna gets bullied by Evangeline, wipes her tears alone in the garden, and hears rustling from the bushes. She gets startled and on guard, but an injured wolf appears. Normally, it's the family enemies or slave traders chasing her, that kind of development, right?
The kind-hearted Kanna nurses the wolf devotedly and, thinking it's just an animal, gets touchy-feely too? I slobber all over Pudding myself. They live like that for a while until the wolf fully recovers, and Kanna releases it.
She forgets about it and lives on, then n years later, a handsome man returns to repay the favor. Done. What about the line? 'You said I was cute when you saw me.' Something like that? Suddenly, my romance-fantasy hype overflowed uncontrollably.
I stared blatantly at the wolf. Right now, it's fully wolfed out, so I can't tell if its true form is handsome. If it is, sub-male lead confirmed. Or maybe Gabriel's the sub and the wolf's the male lead? Old work, so maybe reverse harem. The unexpected appearance threw me into confusion.
Wait. Then on top of Gabriel, I'm eating the werewolf route too? Once is enough. Twice?
"...Please save me."
The wolf said weakly. Its tail was tucked, looking scared. Why say 'save me' twice on purpose? A bit flustered, then I realized I'd been staring at the injured wolf without doing anything.
Feeling sorry. Honestly, should I pretend I didn't see and call Kanna? I hesitated briefly.
But I wasn't ignoring the injured animal? I was gonna call Kanna to treat it. Just thought since its true form's human, it'd endure like one.
But... it even begged to be saved, so ignoring it would be a moral issue for me.
"Then come with me."
I held out my hand, and after pondering, the wolf extended its front paw nicely. The fluffy Jelly jiggled softly.
I meant for it to transform and hold my hand like a person! Not violate its rights.
"Your name?"
Still, I'd gratefully accept the paw it offered. While fondling the squishy paw Jelly, I asked its name, but no answer from the wolf. No name? No way.
Probably reluctant to reveal its identity to me. Makes sense—usually even the heroine doesn't learn till later.
Fine, I'd give it a temporary name. Cuter than any other. With such a cutie-pie squishy Jelly...
"I'll call you Jelly."
The wolf looked dissatisfied but didn't resist. Doesn't like it? Then reveal your real name.
***
Wondered how to haul this heavy thing upstairs, then blinked and we were in the room. What? What just happened.
"You do that?"
"Yes!"
Jelly answered full of vigor.
Beastkin here use magic too. First mage I've seen in this isekai is a demi-human. Ah. Beastkin are shamans?
But werewolves are usually tanks, right? Agile claws for what, using magic? A bit displeased, but that felt like species discrimination, so I reflected.
Anyway, glad we got up easily. Now to treat it, but can't gauge the injury under all that fur.
"Uncomfortable, so turn human."
Before I could blink, Jelly turned human. Thought it'd be sharp-featured, but surprisingly kind-looking. Worried it'd be naked, but fantasy rules applied—fully clothed. Though rags, better than bare.
Human form revealed a graver state than expected. Fur hid it, but slashes and stabs covered its body. Sword fight somewhere?
Meant first aid only, but too severe. Call a doctor or priest? While pondering, Pudding appeared from nowhere and spat something out. A familiar, ornately carved vial.
"Holy Water?"
This is Holy Water. Pudding meowed as if confirming.
Right. We had Holy Water! Thought it was gone, but spare stash. Probably swiped from the Count's room. Bringing Holy Water to heal a strange wolf without suspicion?
Our cat's so smart. Stroked its head; Pudding rubbed its face on my hand.
Melting at Pudding's affection, sudden unease hit. Ignored till now thinking no beastkin in the setting, but... isn't our Pudding too smart for a cat...?
No way. No way. Right? Pudding, please don't be beastkin!
Staring anxiously at Pudding, it meowed cutely. Nah. On second thought, Pudding's never spoken. Yeah. If beastkin, communication issues would've been a problem by now.
But my mind already leaned toward Pudding being beastkin. Damn! If I'd known beastkin existed, I'd have been more outgoing.
Just in case, ask Jelly later. For now, table it and handle the patient before me.
Jelly cowered terrified since Pudding appeared. Fears cats despite its size? Shouldn't cats fear wolves?
Pudding seemed triumphant instead. Some hierarchy between them I don't know?
Or maybe fears small things 'cause can't control strength. Like kids scared of crushing chicks. Made sense.
"Drink."
"Pardon? This?"
One vial not enough for wounds, so drinking seemed better.
Jelly, never seen Holy Water, acted like a kid at the dentist, refusing. Finally forced its mouth open. Tried resisting once, but didn't shake me off.
"...Delishush."
After feeding and releasing, Jelly puffed cheeks, mumbling. Where's this baby talk aegyo from?
Overreacting too. Fed it Holy Water, yet glares. All for your sake. About to nag like an old-timer, but held back.
***
Night fell on Rohanson Mansion. All employees except night shift had clocked out.
Night staff had to curtain and extinguish lights everywhere except the Count's study and third floor to end shift.
Areas rotated; today Olive handled the fourth floor. Colleagues who'd previewed encouraged him: not as scary as thought, Lady Evangeline doesn't leave her room, just focus on tasks.
Why lie to Olive?
Earlier, groans of agony echoed in his ears. Olive ignored, focusing on duties.
Wandered hall by lantern light. As he extinguished one by one, sounds neared. Groans mixed with squelching liquid masses formed a harmony. Sound right by left ear; Olive glanced sideways.
Stopped at Lady Evangeline's room.
Olive forced ignorance of the source, stepped on. One step, squelch underfoot.
Lantern revealed puddle from door gap. Lantern made its dark red hue seem normal; Olive hurried on.
All fourth-floor lights off—done. Olive sighed relief, descended stairs. Too dark; misstep could injure badly.
Staring at floor, shoes entered view. Heart dropped; staggered, grabbed railing for balance.
"You alright?"
Voice startled; raised lantern. Dim light showed mansion uniform. Night-shift maid like him. Olive sighed relief.
"Sorry. Got spooked."
"Staring at floor does that. Nights are dangerous—be careful."
Maid covered mouth shyly, smiling. Laughter eased tension. Too tense expecting no one. Calmed, realized first-floor landing. Totally zoned out.
Maid seemed headed up; passed, ascended. Not to fourth, right? Considered joining, recalled groans, stayed quiet. Nah, just second floor.
Entered first-floor office; waiting Lantana snatched lantern angrily, glared fiercely.
"Why so late? You're last—tired waiting. Wanted early quit!"
No way. Someone else not returned. Recalled name tag on uniform chest. Messily embroidered, but definitely Kanna.
"Kanna hasn't come?"
"Nonsense? You're last, no Kanna on night roster."
No? Olive clearly remembered maid covering mouth smiling.
Both hands? On passing, hadn't seen her lantern either...
"Dream? Don't say scary stuff."
Dream? Olive checked sole. Clear tread marks remained.
Wish it'd been. Lantana dragged dazed Olive out, 30 minutes late quitting for waiting.
"Why's Butler make us do this crap."
Lantana grumbled curses. Sorry for her wait, but Olive realized lantern rule was Butler's consideration.
Non-humans roaming Rohanson Mansion at night don't carry lanterns.
