<Episode 7>
I kept my eyes politely fixed on the soup and continued my timid meal.
Lord Jackal stared at me without touching his food for some time. He maintained this until Lady Caris casually intervened.
"Stop making demands with your eyes. Use your words like a proper child. You're frightening Kitty."
"......"
Hmm. I truly couldn't understand his intentions.
After Lord Jackal averted his gaze, I resumed eating. The salmon steak I'd enjoyed yesterday appeared next, its buttery aroma and glistening thickness stimulating all my senses.
I watched how others handled their salmon steaks.
A knife. So I needed to use a knife. My eyes followed Theo's skilled knife work.
"Kitty. Pass it here. I'll cut it into smaller pieces."
"Right. Leave such tasks to your brother until you're proficient. What if you injure yourself?"
Theo portioned the salmon into manageable bites while Deon minced the accompanying roasted vegetables.
"Since we prepared it for you, you must finish everything."
"Yes! I'll eat every bit!"
I conveyed my gratitude through sparkling eyes. Whether they understood or not, both wore proud expressions.
Thanks to their help, I completed the meal comfortably. When I scraped my plate clean, Theo and Deon radiated satisfaction.
"Save room for dessert, Kitty."
"I requested pudding since our Softpaw seems to favor it."
"Um... My portion appears unusually large. Could this be Lord Jackal's serving by mistake?"
I stared at the pudding triple the size of others'.
"No, this placement is correct."
"Enjoy your treat, Softpaw."
Post-meal refreshments arrived promptly - cakes, warm black tea, and gold-rimmed glassware refracting light beautifully.
More arresting than the tableware were the golden eyes silently observing me.
'This tension must precede discussions about my fate.'
Yet my decision stood firm.
"Kitty. How was your meal?"
Lady Caris inquired. I stretched my lips into a joyful smile.
"It was truly delicious. Thank you for your kindness."
"Excellent. All Gridwolf Manor's provisions originate here. Visit anytime you hunger or crave something specific."
Jerian had dominated cats through food control - a despicable yet effective tactic given universal needs.
But Lady Caris had just granted me kitchen access.
'Does she believe me wolf-born?'
Pride warmed me until my ears nearly materialized. Lady Caris continued gently:
"Kitty, the Gridwolfs wish you to join as temporary family. To ensure your safety until adulthood. May we hear your honest thoughts?"
All Gridwolfs? My gaze flicked to Lord Jackal sipping tea like carved marble.
'Could someone so aloof truly desire kinship?'
Though suspecting Theo and Deon's influence, I organized my response.
Yesterday's discomfort would have silenced me, but I couldn't deceive the woman who'd comforted me through the night.
"Nothing would please me more than the Gridwolfs' care. However..."
The brothers' bright smiles crumbled like sun-baked clay.
"I can't vow to forget my original family. Such falsehood would disappoint you all - my greatest fear."
Lady Caris's smile turned bittersweet at my trembling admission.
"Dear child. True family can never be erased. Never force such forgetting - it's impossible."
"Ah..."
"I understand this better than most. Family resides eternally here." She touched her chest.
Her kindness dissolved lingering heartache. Tears blurred my vision.
"Come here, little weepling."
Deon lifted me onto his lap. I glanced questioningly at Theo, but he busied himself retrieving a handkerchief.
Sniffling, I ventured: "Truly... I may keep two families until adulthood?"
"Of course. Your kin would want your protected happiness."
I nodded firmly. My parents and brother had constantly embraced and reassured me - their love was certain.
"Then you'll be our sister?" Theo pressed.
I hesitated mid-nod: "But luxury feels hollow knowing Mother rests in frozen earth..."
"You buried her yourself?"
At my nod, Deon sighed and tightened his embrace. The Gridwolf couple approached with pained expressions.
When my tears subsided, Lady Caris explained: "All creatures reach blissful rest after proper rites."
"But I lacked means for ceremonies... Yet you mention happiness..."
"We'll conduct belated rites. Heaven is warm and welcoming."
"Heaven?"
The brothers nodded sagely as Lady Caris continued: "Your family lives in greater luxury now, wishing for your joy from their warm haven."
I sought confirmation from the manor's most truthful resident: "Lord Jackal! Is heaven truly paradise with everything?"
He inclined his head minimally.
"Then... do salmon fillets drift in heavenly streams?"
My excitement betrayed cat ears. Lord Jackal frowned at 'salmon fillets' but relented: "Undoubtedly."
Imagining my family feasting on celestial fish, I smiled through tears. Mother might finally birth her kittens in peace.
The brothers made odd groaning sounds, enraptured.
"I'm grateful for the Gridwolfs' kindness."
"Our pleasure, sister!" Theo glowed.
"Softpaw as kin..." Deon murmured wonderingly.
Mid-contentment, I jolted: "Wait! My father and brother perished on northern missions long ago..."
Lord Jackal's teacup clinked sharply. "Mission deaths?"
"Yes. In bear territory..."
"Names."
"Both called Icarus..."
His eyes narrowed dangerously. I rushed to deflect: "Mother rests in cat lands, but I'm banished-"
Lady Caris intervened with a head pat: "Rites require only flowers, candles, and loving intent."
"Truly?"
"Though a family portrait would deepen meaning."
"Marvelous!"
Theo bounced eagerly: "My art supplies await! Two hundred crayon shades!"
As they led me away, Lady Caris called: "Complete your portrait by sunset. We'll handle the rest."
"Thank you!"
The promise of snacks heightened my joy. Theo's door gave pause - its handle required inserting hands into a carved wolf's maw.
'The fangs look sharp enough to bite.'
I hesitated until Theo demonstrated the harmless mechanism.
