chapter 9
I placed the three small chrysanthemum buds Deon brought into the vase that already held three large chrysanthemums.
Next, I wondered how to stand up the tiny candles—but thankfully, Theo handed me a small piece of sponge.
I stuck the three cake candles into the sponge—poke, poke, poke—and then turned around.
The two young masters were sitting on the carpet, completely exhausted, while Lady Karis leaned her head against her husband’s shoulder, watching me with a content smile.
“I’m done.”
At my words, Lord Jackal took out a match and struck it. With a soft click, the flame lit up and was passed along to all six candles.
Six flames and six chrysanthemums were arranged neatly on either side of my drawing.
Lady Karis spoke gently,
“Kitty, would you close the cabinet yourself? It’s designed to let air flow, so the candles won’t go out.”
“Yes… I will.”
I closed the cabinet door, saying my goodbyes in my heart.
Please be happy in heaven. Kitty will do her best to be happy too.
‘And I love you very, very much. Always.’
When I turned around, Lord Jackal was moving a large four-person sofa in front of the cabinet.
It looked incredibly heavy, yet he carried it effortlessly. I couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.
Theo and Deon sat down and patted the space between them. I hopped over and sat there.
I was in the middle, with Theo and Deon on either side, and Lady Karis and Lord Jackal at the ends.
Reflected in the cabinet glass, our temporary family of five sat together on the sofa.
…Even if I was a bit too small.
Still, the sight made all the sadness disappear. My chest felt so warm, like it might melt.
Having a new family… is really wonderful.
“Thank you so much, everyone in Gridwolf, for helping me hold the funeral.”
I expressed my gratitude clearly. The wolves beside me smiled.
Lord Jackal still had a blank expression, but he didn’t seem as cold as before.
Theo draped a soft blanket over me.
“Kitty, we’ll stay with you until the candles burn out.”
“But that’ll take a long time… won’t you get sleepy?”
“Becoming family means waiting together, no matter what.”
Deon said this from beside me. Lady Karis smiled proudly.
“I raised my sons well.”
“Thank you… big brothers.”
“……!”
“W-what did you just say?”
Realizing what I’d said, I felt shy and just giggled.
“Ugh… that’s unfair, soft paws.”
I held both their hands as they fidgeted excitedly and watched the flickering candlelight.
The chrysanthemums slowly grew fresher as they absorbed water.
How much time passed…?
Theo tapped my shoulder.
Startled, I opened my eyes. The sunset was gone—soft dawn light had replaced it.
I must have fallen asleep without realizing it.
Everyone else was still awake. Deon stroked my head and pointed at the cabinet.
“Look, soft paws.”
“Oh my!”
I jumped off the sofa and ran over.
Beside the melted candle wax, the vase caught my eye.
The chrysanthemum buds had bloomed overnight—three tiny flowers, each no bigger than a thumb!
“The babies must have been born safely in heaven!”
“Yes… it seems so.”
“That’s a relief, Kitty.”
One by one, the Gridwolf wolves came over and hugged me.
Before the sun fully rose, we cleaned away the melted wax. The funeral ended by burying a small jar filled with the wax in the backyard.
Lord Jackal placed a small pendulum where the candles had been.
He said it was a magical tool that would preserve the flowers and the picture inside the cabinet forever.
‘He looks indifferent, but… he’s actually kind.’
With the help of my new family, the funeral was complete.
Lady Karis gently stroked me and said,
“You don’t have to rush your feelings. Call us whatever you’re comfortable with.”
I smiled and nodded.
Someday… will I be able to call her Mom?
Her warm touch made something flutter softly in my chest.
After a simple meal, we gathered in Lord Jackal’s study.
It was… cold. Everything was made of black wood or black marble.
Weapons, including swords, were displayed in a cabinet, and there were three doors leading to different rooms.
Theo lifted me up and placed me in front of the desk.
The cushioned chair made me feel like a tiny child—but it was very comfortable.
“This is Father’s study. That door leads to the library, that one to the Hall of Honor, and that one to the meeting room.”
“It’s amazing. Even the cushion is super soft!”
“Father handles military matters here. Mother handles political affairs. Her office is on the opposite side.”
Deon excitedly said he’d show me the whole mansion later.
I didn’t fully understand everything, but it seemed like both of them worked very hard.
‘They said before they left the mansion for meetings…’
I might be too small to go with them—but I have Theo and Deon here, so I won’t be lonely.
The Gridwolf couple returned with something called a “family registry.”
While waiting, I looked around the desk.
There was a family portrait of Lord Jackal. Theo and Deon looked just like they do now—it must have been drawn recently.
Theo noticed me looking.
“All male wolves take pride in loving their family. In that sense, our father is an amazing wolf—even if he looks a bit stern.”
“You two are amazing big brothers too.”
They both froze.
Such a simple title—and yet such a big reaction.
“Do you really think so, Kitty?”
“We’re amazing big brothers?”
I nodded shyly. Their faces melted like sweet cream.
Soon, the Gridwolf couple returned and spread out a scroll lined with shimmering gold silk on the desk.
“This is the family registry, Kitty. Only the head of the Gridwolf family can inscribe names here using magic.”
I looked closely.
All the names of my temporary family were written there—and beside Theo and Deon’s names was a small empty space.
‘Is there someone else too?’
My name was written next to that empty space.
Only then did it truly feel like I had become part of the family.
“Now, let’s complete the adoption papers.”
Lady Karis placed neatly arranged documents in front of me.
I eagerly grabbed the pen—but she gently stroked my head and said,
“I know you want to become family quickly, but you must read everything carefully before signing.”
“Yes… I understand.”
I set the pen down and began reading.
If I read properly, I’d look like an adult. I wanted to do this well.
Let’s see… what can I read…
“Kittia… that’s my name.”
“That’s right.”
Hmm… the next part is all difficult words.
“Oh! My name is here again!”
“Yes, it is.”
…This is bad.
Aside from my name, I couldn’t read anything.
Thanks to the nameplate, I could barely recognize “Jackal Gridwolf”—but that was it.
When I glanced up nervously, the Gridwolf couple quickly took the papers back.
“Oh dear, I’m sorry. The wording is too difficult. It’s only natural that a baby wolf can’t read this.”
“Even Theo and Deon couldn’t read something like this at your age.”
“We’ll find you a proper teacher soon.”
They carefully explained every part of the document in simple terms.
In short: it asked whether I agreed to legally become Kittia Gridwolf until adulthood.
“If there’s anything you’re uncomfortable with, tell us. We can change it. Or is there anything you’d like from us?”
“Um… the wolf door handle in my new room is really scary. It feels like it might bite my hand every time I open it… could you maybe make the teeth a little smaller?”
Lady Karis turned her head and covered her mouth, her ears turning peach-colored.
Lord Jackal answered instead.
“I’ll have the wolf’s teeth rounded.”
“Thank you! Other than that, I don’t want anything else. I’m just really happy to have a new family.”
I grinned happily.
Theo and Deon brought over red ink and a pen.
“Will you sign with a pen? Or use a handprint?”
“I’ll use a handprint. I’ll make a cool signature when I grow up.”
Theo held out the red ink pad.
Since no one reacted when I showed my true form before, I figured I must really look like a wolf.
So I transformed into a cat and stretched out my right paw toward Theo.
Tap, tap—
“Big brother, is my paw properly covered in red?”
“I’m not sure. Try stamping it first.”
Theo placed a handkerchief from his pocket on the desk.
It looked expensive—but I couldn’t refuse the gesture.
I pressed my paw onto it.
Squish.
“Good! It stamped perfectly.”
“It did. Very cute.”
“Hey! That’s not fair! You’re keeping the soft paw print all to yourself!”
Ignoring Deon’s complaints, Theo carefully wrapped the handkerchief in paper and tucked it away.
