<Episode 39>
After my birthday, things got busier than usual. Jackal-nim and Caris-nim had started conducting various experiments to figure out the nature of my power.
‘I’m glad they’re helping me. This way, I’ll learn about my abilities faster than if I were alone, right?’
Jackal-nim and Caris-nim seemed convinced that the fox beastman who’d kidnapped me had regained his sanity in just one day because of my influence.
To verify this, Jackal-nim initiated a simple experiment.
“Kitty, we’ll expose Sir Elliot to the Blue Moon’s madness.”
“Ah… Did Master approve this too?”
Sir Elliot, standing nearby, discreetly wiped a tear.
“As expected, only the young lady worries for me. As your instructor, I’ll gladly endure anything for your growth.”
Sir Elliot forced a strained smile. Jackal-nim shook the imitation Blue Moon lightly in front of him.
“Even if Elliot loses control, Caris and I can subdue him easily. He’s not weak enough to fully succumb to the Blue Moon’s corruption.”
“But still… Shouldn’t we use the Blue Moon on me instead?”
Caris-nim stroked my head firmly.
“Sweetheart, you could get hurt. At your age, injuries must be avoided. Elliot is sturdy—he’ll manage.”
Their words suggested trust in Sir Elliot, yet also an unspoken belief that he’d be easily restrained if needed.
Soon, Sir Elliot’s head—previously slumped like a sleeping person’s—began to lift. Bound to a chair with arms secured behind him, he couldn’t bite me, but…
“Grrrr—”
The warmth faded from his eyes as madness took hold. Cracks spiderwebbed across the imitation Blue Moon, prompting Jackal-nim to seal it in a container before restraining Sir Elliot.
Caris-nim shielded me in her arms, poised to act if he lashed out.
…He’ll probably feel embarrassed remembering this later.
“Kitty, tell me immediately if you feel unwell. I’ll take you out.”
“But what about you and Jackal-nim?”
“We lack your immunity, but our magic reserves protect us from this level of exposure.”
For a moment, I questioned Sir Elliot’s reputation as a formidable fighter.
“I’m fine!”
“No discomfort at all?”
“It’s warm and soft… Like sunlight glowing from Sir Elliot’s body.”
“Sunlight? You’re the only one who’d describe cursed magic that way.”
Caris-nim maintained her vigilance. Based on calculations, Sir Elliot should’ve remained insane for a week—yet light soon returned to his eyes.
“Jackal-nim… Your grip on my head… My neck… Ugh.”
Jackal-nim cupped Sir Elliot’s forehead. “Regaining clarity?”
“Partially… Not fully.”
His speech stuttered like a man with a severe cold. Squinting, I saw golden light pooling around his head.
“Caris-nim, bring me closer!”
“Too dangerous. He might bite.”
“Madam… I’m not that fragile…”
“Just a little closer, then.”
Caris-nim carried me forward. I reached out and booped Sir Elliot’s nose.
Squish!
His head snapped up abruptly—so fast that Jackal-nim nearly smacked him reflexively.
“The warm light vanished when I touched him!”
I waved my squishy hand triumphantly. After confirming Sir Elliot’s stability, they freed him.
“How’s your mobility?”
“Better than before being tied up, oddly.”
“Headache?”
“None.”
“Memory intact? Recall your last request to me?”
“I asked you to introduce me to a kind, lovely she-wolf. You ignored me.”
“……”
Caris-nim hugged me tighter, pretending not to hear.
“Sweetheart, you’ve an extraordinary gift.”
“Does this mean I can finally do a flying double kick?!”
My eyes sparkled. Caris-nim chuckled, smoothing my twitching cat ears.
“Not quite. You can purge Blue Moon corruption from beastmen. That’s why the kidnapper fox recovered so quickly.”
My dreams of aerial kicks would have to wait…
“Physical contact works best, but proximity also helps.”
“Whoa…”
“This ability isn’t documented anywhere. It might be the ‘special power’ your mother mentioned.”
I stared at my hand. The golden light I’d absorbed from Sir Elliot matched what I’d felt when my mother died.
‘Was she connected to this power too?’
I pushed down the ache in my chest and smiled.
“Can this stop the leopards’ schemes?”
“Absolutely. But we’ll keep it hidden for now. Great power attracts danger.”
“Ah…”
“That’s why we used Elliot today—he’s discreet and trustworthy.”
I recalled Jackal-nim’s past warnings, then thought of Clyde.
“What happened to the fox who kidnapped me?”
“He’s fully sane now, recovering while sharing intel. Normally, beasts don’t remember their madness, but your power preserved his memories.”
“Clyde’s cooperation helped,” Jackal-nim added.
“Phew! I’ll cure more foxes! Then they’ll adore me, right?”
“…Why seek their adoration?”
“When I’m grown, maybe I’ll settle in fox territory!”
Both adults stiffened instantly.
“The Gridwolf lands are far superior,” Caris-nim said tightly.
“No better home for a kitten than wolf territory. You’re our daughter,” Jackal-nim growled.
“Stay here even after adulthood,” they chorused, golden eyes pinning me.
I nodded helplessly.
Days later, the mansion’s first snow fell thick enough for snow-cat building.
‘The atmosphere feels heavier… Is it the snow?’
Wrapped in my red cloak, I headed to the training hall. As morning drills ended, Sir Elliot announced:
“Training pauses for two days. Review your lessons with the young masters.”
“Where are you going…?”
He tidied my windswept hair with a fond smile.
“Ask so sweetly, and I might cancel my plans.”
“So you’ll stay?!”
Sparkle sparkle
“Alas, duty calls. Adult wolves gather yearly to honor those lost to the leopards.”
Caris-nim and Jackal-nim had mentioned this memorial—a tradition excluding children.
“We’ll guard the mansion! Stay safe!”
“You avoid colds too, young lady.”
Later, the adults departed for the ceremony. Clyde joined to advocate for the foxes.
My brothers and I waved them off in the lobby.
‘Cats were merely exiled, but so many foxes and wolves died…’
The memorial stone’s engraved names haunted me.
“Our job is to protect the mansion bravely!” my brother Theo declared.
“And cheer up Father and Mother if they return sad,” Deon added.
“Right! We’ll do our part!”
We dispersed to our rooms—they to study, I to handwriting practice.
…Ethan’s mother was also a leopard victim. She’d been absent during the send-off.
I veered to the kitchen, where chefs offered milk and snacks.
“Donuts? Cookies? Salmon sandwiches?”
Saliva pooled, but I resisted. “Sweet cookies, please?”
They handed me a paper bag. Clutching it, I hurried to Ethan’s room.
Knock knock
“Ethan-nim? It’s Kitty.”
No answer. Just as worry spiked, the door opened—revealing Ethan with red-rimmed eyes and damp lashes.
The prickly wolf… crying alone? My chest tightened.
“Sniff… Ethan-niiim…”
“Why the tears? Stop.”
“You’re crying… Sniff!”
“I’m not. Quit it.”
“I c-can’t see…”
“Ugh, Theo and Deon’ll harass me if you cry.”
He scooped me up with a sigh, carrying me inside.
