chapter 12
It seemed the hardships I had endured had become a habit. After resting comfortably for several days in the luxurious Gridwolf estate, I woke up feeling refreshed.
After stretching, I tapped the bell embedded in the wall just as Rena had shown me. A soft ringing sound followed, and soon someone knocked on the door.
“My lady, it’s Rena. May I come in?”
“Yes!”
Rena gave some instructions to another maid before entering the room. I wagged my tail happily to greet her—then froze in surprise.
‘When did that pop out?’
Since I was still a young beastfolk, I wasn’t good at hiding my tail and ears. Seeing me grin sheepishly, Rena asked in surprise,
“My, even though you’re a baby wolf, you don’t seem to sleep much?”
“Of course! Really little babies sleep a lot, but I’m almost an adult. Once I meet the tooth fairy, I’ll be a perfect adult!”
There was a reason I didn’t sleep much, even as a kitten.
In Jerian’s territory, cats who didn’t work didn’t receive food rations. So I had been working from early morning since I was three years old.
There were no holidays or wages, but I couldn’t complain. For some reason, I followed Jerian around and was given easier tasks than other kittens.
“Kittya. Try touching this jewel. How does it feel? Do you sense anything special?”
“No…”
“Tch, wrong again.”
I still didn’t understand what Jerian had been trying to do, but every time I remembered his face or voice, my heart would race.
‘Bad cat. My mother’s enemy. I’ll definitely get revenge.’
No matter what I was thinking, Rena gently smiled as she washed and dressed me. By the time I was clean, it was already breakfast time.
“It’s still early, so the young masters are asleep. I’ve asked for your meal to be brought here—it should arrive soon.”
“Rena, eat with me!”
“I’ve already had breakfast. I can’t take my lady’s food.”
As soon as she finished speaking, there was a knock on the door. Soon, Rena laid out the dishes one by one, explaining each item.
Thick slices of bacon, chewy dried salmon, vanilla-scented muffins, and warm milk—far too much for one person. There were also glossy tarts, pies, and several kinds of delicate desserts.
“Am I supposed to eat all this?”
“You should eat plenty. If it’s too much, focus on the meat and milk until you’re full.”
Being able to eat such luxurious meals every time was incredible. I carefully continued eating, while Rena occasionally corrected my improper use of utensils.
After finishing, I sat down. It was finally time to cut my hair. Rena adjusted the glasses perched on her nose.
“Rena, how much would you have to cut to remove all the damaged parts?”
“To remove all of it, we’d have to shave your head completely.”
“Wah…”
As I drooped at the thought of becoming bald, Rena chuckled and reassured me it was a joke, then carefully examined my hair.
“If we layer and trim it, it should look fine. We can cut the rest later once it grows out. A short bob wouldn’t suit your thick hair.”
“That sounds better. I once had short hair, and every morning it puffed up like a mushroom—it was so embarrassing.”
Even when my mom brushed it daily, it wouldn’t settle. Until it grew long enough to tie, mornings were always a struggle.
She used to say I looked like a tiny enoki mushroom.
After boldly cutting off the damaged ends, Rena carefully continued trimming. With each snip, strands of my hair fell onto the cloth she had spread out.
After washing it twice, my hair looked almost silver. It wasn’t wolf-colored at all, but since my ears and tail were gray, that was a relief.
“All done.”
Rena removed the cloth and lifted me up to the mirror. My hair, once down to my waist, now barely reached my shoulder blades.
“Thank you, Rena. It feels so light.”
“I’ll tie it nicely for you, so go play until it’s time for your fitting. Baby wolves need to run around to build muscle. What did you usually do for fun when you were younger?”
I thought back to what I did after finishing work before my mother.
“I sat on a wall and felt the sunlight.”
“Sunbathing is good for you. And after that?”
“That’s it. If I run around, I get hungry too quickly.”
“…”
Rena’s hand paused for a moment as she brushed my hair. In the mirror, I could see her expression—full of pity.
“There’s plenty of food in the Gridwolf estate. Play as much as you want, and when you get hungry, just run to the dining hall. Eat, then go play again.”
“Yes!”
While chatting, Rena finished tying my hair. Looking in the mirror, I seemed much neater than before.
She styled it into high twin tails, and thanks to the layers, my hair curved like soft waves, making it look even prettier. The pink ribbons looked like butterflies resting on my head.
I loved the way my hair swayed gently whenever I moved.
“My lady, you’re absolutely adorable. You’d look lovely in a pink dress.”
Smiling happily, Rena brought out a pink dress from the wardrobe.
It had a cute design with lots of white frills. The clothes I had worn before—passed down multiple times—must have originally looked like this too.
‘If I wear that, even if my tail pops out, it won’t show.’
It looked light and soft. As I stared at it, Rena seemed apologetic.
“This is just a ready-made dress we got in a hurry, so it may not suit your taste. A designer will visit this afternoon, so you can have many beautiful outfits made.”
“No! I think it’s really pretty!”
“Oh, really? Then the custom-made ones will be even prettier.”
“But… is it okay to buy more clothes when there are already so many?”
The wardrobe, which had been empty yesterday, was now full of dresses like this.
“Of course. My lady has set aside an enormous budget just for your clothes—equal to the combined clothing expenses of Young Masters Theo and Deon.”
Their clothes were incredibly fancy. I started to feel worried about how much money was being spent on me.
‘This is just a temporary adoption… they’re spending too much on me.’
As she dressed me, Rena reassured me that the Gridwolf family was very wealthy.
I should thank them later.
Once I was dressed in the pink dress, I loved how soft and smooth it felt. Rena put on white stockings and soft-soled pink shoes, calling me adorable over and over.
Fascinated by the shiny shoes that completely covered my toes, I kept wiggling them.
My feet hurt less than yesterday, and my bruises were hidden under the stockings. I smiled in satisfaction.
“How can you be this cute? Everyone will fall for you—especially the Gridwolf family.”
“Um… would Lady Karis like it if she saw me?”
She would surely say I looked pretty, but I felt a bit sad that I couldn’t show her directly.
Rena checked outside the window and smiled.
“Why not show her now? She’s still preparing. You just woke up very early.”
“But she said she was leaving early this morning?”
“That’s because you’re a baby wolf. Nine in the morning is still dawn for one.”
I checked the clock. 8:45.
My heart began to race.
“Rena, please tell me where Lady Karis is.”
Saying she would be pleased, Rena led me out. As we walked through the hallway, the servants I had greeted yesterday smiled and called me cute.
‘This is a little embarrassing…’
Following Rena, we soon reached the lobby.
Lady Karis, wearing a glossy robe, was stroking Theo and Deon—still in their pajamas—while giving them instructions. Beside her stood Lord Jackal, looking perfectly composed as always.
Theo spotted me first, his golden eyes widening like he had just seen a tooth fairy.
“Kitty’s here!”
At his words, the whole family turned toward me. Holding the hem of my dress, I walked up to Lady Karis.
“Kitty, how are you so adorable… did you wake up early because of me?”
“I don’t usually sleep in. But I did want to see you.”
I had arrived just in time. I heard the head maid say everything was ready for departure.
Lady Karis opened her arms and hugged me tightly.
I love hugs!
“I’ll be back soon, Kitty. Stay safe. Thank you for coming to see me.”
Feeling the warmth of her embrace and the softness of her robe made me smile.
“Have a safe trip!”
She hugged me so tightly my feet lifted off the ground, then set me down reluctantly.
I felt a little disappointed she didn’t kiss me, but Theo and Deon were waiting behind me, so I couldn’t show it.
After hugging them, she walked over to Lord Jackal.
“Jackal, take good care of our daughter.”
“I will.”
Smack—
She kissed his cheek.
Watching that, I realized something.
‘Oh… that’s the kiss line, and this is the hug line.’
I quickly went and stood behind Lord Jackal, forming a line. Because of his large frame, I stood in his shadow. The others looked confused.
Lord Jackal noticed me and stepped aside. I closed my eyes, waiting for a kiss.
But Lady Karis only smiled and called me cute without coming closer.
Confused, I tilted my head.
“Um… isn’t this the kiss line?”
