chapter 4
Jackal shot his two sons a look, silently telling them to behave.
But Theo and Deon simply held Kittia’s trembling hands even tighter.
“Mother, this is Kittia. She’s a young but brave wolf pup.”
“She came all the way here after hearing that the Gridwolf family provides work for poor wolves who’ve become orphans.”
“H-hello…”
Sniffling, Kittia gently pulled her hand free from Theo’s and extended it.
Though Caris looked reluctant, she still took Kittia’s hand and gave it a light shake.
Unlike the three wolves who had held their breath at the “soft-hand attack,” Caris’s expression only grew more strained afterward.
She doesn’t like my soft hands… Am I going to get kicked out like this?
Tearfully, Kittia clung to Caris’s hand.
Her voice came out small and trembling.
“I-I can sing for you until you feel better. On sunny days, I can pick you lots of pretty flowers. And on nights when the moon is big, I can open the curtains so you can see the view better…”
“……”
“If it makes you uncomfortable to see me, you can have me clean chimneys instead. I learned how to clean chimneys before I even learned how to talk, so… um…”
Kittia looked up at Caris with teary eyes.
“Could you please let me work here… even just a little? I’ll stay completely out of sight.”
Only the sound of her quiet sobbing filled the air.
Her face was already soaked with tears.
After a long moment of frowning as if in pain, Caris finally reached out and gently wiped Kittia’s tears.
“First, we should clean you up. And give you a proper bath.”
“A-a bath?!”
Kittia’s tearful expression vanished instantly, replaced by wide-eyed shock.
Just the thought of stepping into water made her fur stand on end.
I hate baths! I hate getting soaked!
But right now, she was Kittia the brave little wolf.
Clutching Caris’s hand, she asked as maturely as she could—
“C-could you… put in a duck toy too…?”
“My lady, this way.”
“Eek!”
Startled, I turned toward the voice.
A wolf beastwoman standing beside a steaming bath smiled at me.
“My name is Rena Gray. I’ll be helping you bathe. Please call me Madam Gray.”
It was my first time seeing an elderly wolf beastwoman—but a wolf was still a wolf. She didn’t look easy to deal with.
If she opened her half-lidded golden eyes fully, I’d definitely get scared.
I needed to stay brave.
Lifting the hem of my worn skirt slightly, I greeted her.
“Hello, Madam Gray. I’m Kittia, a young but brave wolf. I came here after hearing that Lord Gridwolf provides work for poor wolves without families.”
“Oh my… at such a young age. But you’ve come to the right place. My master is kind enough to give even an old woman like me—whose senses are dull—a job.”
“Really?”
Madam Gray tilted her head, as if she hadn’t heard properly.
I stepped closer and repeated clearly,
“Rea-lly?”
“Indeed. He treats all wolves like family. Now then, shall we begin your bath? We should clean your wounds as well.”
“I-I can bathe myself!”
To demonstrate, I splashed some water on my hands and wiped my face.
But Madam Gray shook her head firmly.
“That’s just a cat’s way of washing. Come here.”
“Ugh…”
All the cats back home washed like this and were perfectly clean…
As I approached, she carefully began removing my clothes. Through her thick glasses, her expression gradually tightened.
“These buttons are quite worn… they won’t come undone easily…”
Rip—
With a sharp flick of her claws, she cut them off.
“Eek!”
“Oh dear, I didn’t mean to startle you. But this dress must be thrown away—it’s too damaged to wear again, even if washed.”
Her kind explanation calmed my racing heart a little.
“That makes sense. It was already the fifth hand-me-down. But since it’s precious to me… could I keep at least one button?”
“Of course. I’ll set them aside on the shelf for you to take after your bath.”
With her claws retracted, Madam Gray returned to her gentle, grandmotherly demeanor.
After removing all my clothes, she began brushing my hair.
“It’s too tangled to continue like this. We’ll need to trim it later.”
“Will it have to be cut a lot?”
“A skilled stylist should only need to tidy the ends. For now, let’s wash it and apply plenty of oil.”
She brushed my hair carefully, making sure it didn’t hurt.
“I can’t believe such beautiful, thick hair was left in this state…”
“The journey was very hard. But once I get a job like you, Madam Gray, I’ll tie it up nicely too!”
“Oh my, two braids would look adorable on you. But you mentioned a journey… where is your luggage?”
“Um… the clothes at the entrance are all I have.”
“Oh dear. Then those wardrobes will remain empty for quite some time.”
“Wardrobes?”
She pointed to several large wardrobes in the room, made of fine wood polished to a soft sheen.
“They’re yours now, my lady.”
“Pardon?”
“Didn’t you know? The young masters ordered a room to be prepared for you. It’s the first time those mischievous boys have made such a serious request for a guest.”
I was grateful—but I hadn’t received permission from Lady Gridwolf to stay. Could I really use them?
She didn’t seem to like me…
Before I could dwell on it, Madam Gray lifted me up.
“Now, into the water. You’re so light from being underfed.”
“Ah—yes!”
As my sore feet touched the water, they stung.
My hands, injured from digging my mother’s grave… my scratched arms and legs…
Everything hurt.
It hurts… my nails are cracked too…
Just as I was about to pout—
Splash!
Water was poured over me.
I clenched my teeth, but goosebumps rose—and my tail popped out.
Madam Gray’s nose twitched.
“Oh my, what’s that smell?”
“Th-that… I probably smell because I haven’t washed in so long…”
I swallowed nervously and quickly hid my tail.
Then—
Plop, plop.
Something fell into the water.
A duck toy!
Watching the little ducks bob in the water, I forgot all about the bath.
I poked at them, playing.
After a while, Madam Gray lifted me out.
“That’s strange… even after bathing, there’s still a scent… wait.”
As she dried me with a towel, her pupils suddenly sharpened.
But I hid my ears and tail!
I froze.
“My lady… your eyes are beautiful.”
“Huh?”
“They’re emerald green… I’ve never seen a wolf with such eyes.”
“I-I came from far away… thank you for the compliment.”
Fortunately, she didn’t question further.
My eye color was unusual even among cats, so it must seem strange to wolves with golden eyes.
But I didn’t want to change it.
I couldn’t, anyway.
“Your eyes look like a lake during a picnic—green grass and clear water mixed together.”
Mom used to say that…
I should write it down someday. Memorize it.
…First, I’d have to learn how to read and write.
Madam Gray carefully disinfected my wounds. It stung, but I endured.
“Well then, how do you feel in your clean clothes?”
Before I knew it, I was dressed in a spotless white dress.
“It’s warm and comfortable. Thank you.”
“Now, let’s brush your hair.”
She sat me on her lap and brushed my hair again.
It felt so nice, I grew sleepy.
“You’re too thin. From now on, make sure you eat properly. Good nutrition will make your hair healthier too.”
“Really?”
“Of course. With hair this thick and curly, you must have lived somewhere cold.”
“Yes! The wind came through the walls, and water dripped from the ceiling, so we had to sleep in layers. But it was nice because I could cuddle with my mom.”
Madam Gray looked slightly flustered.
“So… you lived in the northern region?”
“I’m not sure. But we were always short on firewood!”
“…I see.”
For some reason, she began brushing my hair even more gently, applying fragrant oil generously.
I wished it would last longer—but soon, it was over.
“All done. The young masters will love how you look now.”
“Thank you so much, Madam Gray!”
I smiled brightly and bowed again.
“You’re a brave little wolf. I’m sure you’ll find a good place here. Rest for now.”
She kissed my cheek and left.
I ran toward the soft-looking bed—
“Wait.”
Something caught my eye in the mirror.
I stepped back.
“…Huh? Why does my hair look like this?”
