Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Why Ed Wants to Be a Sheep
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Ed's reason for wanting to become a sheep was simple.
At an age bursting with curiosity, having lived in the Wolf Territory, Fox Territory, and Sheep Territory, the most fascinating adult he'd ever seen among all those grown-ups was Lami.
"May I ask why?"
Karen's face was full of bewilderment as she asked after hearing Ed's response. She looked utterly baffled.
"Um, because sheep are great!"
He gripped his pen tightly in his fist as he spoke, his eyes dead serious about wanting to become a sheep.
Karen glanced around the empty room awkwardly and let out a quiet sigh. The heir to a great noble house like the Rub Family, so innocent and clueless about the world. It just wouldn't do.
She had no idea why, out of all the animals, he wanted to be a sheep, but even for a child, it was best to shatter unrealistic dreams early.
"Young Master."
That was why. The tutor who always smiled through lessons in other noble houses wore a rare serious expression from day one.
"Wolves cannot become sheep."
She had already brainstormed ways to comfort him if her firm words shocked him.
Karen's pupils trembled as she watched Ed, who fell silent for a long moment. Should she have said it more gently?
But Ed's darkening expression wasn't because her words had upset him.
"That's obvious."
"...Pardon?"
"You can't change the species you're already born as."
What is with this young master?
"Th-then, what you said about wanting to become a sheep...?"
"You know, like how you want to become a bird flying in the sky over there."
"Ah, I see."
It felt like sweat was already beading on her forehead, and classes had barely begun. Karen pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at it lightly to catch her breath.
Karen, who had been facing the door and focusing only on Ed during the lesson, had no idea.
She didn't know Lami was peeking through a slightly open door to see how Ed was taking his lesson. Nor that Ed had answered "wanting to be a sheep" because he was aware of Lami watching.
'I thought he'd be innocent since he knows so little, but he's exactly like his father or uncle as kids!'
Karen, who had taken over her mother's role as a tutor in the Wolf Territory, recalled the stories her mother used to tell her as a child.
"The young masters of the Rub Family... they were the trickiest kids I've ever taught."
"Were they troublemakers?"
"No, hmm... Hard to say. Maybe you'll understand if you become a tutor like your mom someday."
Ah, Mom. So that's what you meant.
Now she understood why her mother always came home from the Rub estate looking dazed and confused.
Snapping back to focus, Karen dove into the proper lesson. Ed glanced regretfully at the door Lami had closed on her way out.
'We could've talked a bit more.'
He'd thought that if he indirectly showed he liked Lami, she might stick around the estate longer just to see him.
When Karen first asked, Ed had planned to say he wanted to be the Magic Tower Lord, of course.
Beastkin dreams had to be big. He'd be the Wolf Territory's leader anyway, so why not aim for Magic Tower Lord too? That was his dream and goal.
It hadn't been this ambitious back when he was drifting around and ended up staying with the Morton Family, but conversations with his uncle had made his aspirations grow.
"First, we should start with letters. The entire continent uses a common language across all territories. This book has..."
Ed quickly tore his gaze from the door and focused on the lesson.
The class turned out to be far more interesting than he'd expected.
After returning to the estate, he'd buried himself in work nonstop, but now he finally had some breathing room.
Billy, sprawled almost flat on the office sofa, was about to doze off in the warm sunlight when—knock knock—he cracked his eyes open narrowly.
"Family Head, a letter from the Sheep Territory."
The one holding the letter was Billy's secretary, Devon.
"From the Sheep Territory?"
"It's from the Morton Family. They asked for a prompt reply."
"Hmm..."
Without even sitting up properly, Billy reached out a hand, snatched the letter, and tore it open carelessly.
The contents were a sight to behold.
To the esteemed Family Head of the Rub Family.
The opening was ordinary enough. But the greeting that followed dragged on endlessly. What was billed as concern was really just a lengthy ode fawning over the Rub Family.
Billy frowned, skipped the pleasantries, and jumped to the main point.
I've been worried as her older brother since I rarely hear any news about Lami, so I'm writing this letter.
She's such a fine girl that I thought it fine for her to serve as your ward's protector, but two years have passed since she came of age.
I can't help fretting that she might struggle in the Wolf Territory without even marrying.
Come to think of it, I hear you're at the perfect age yourself. Do you have a suitable partner?
The rest was packed with praise and flattery for Billy, ending with a plea for a quick reply. It was from Ramen Morton.
Billy read it in one go, then crumpled it in his fist without hesitation and chucked it into the trash bin by the desk.
It was long-winded, but boiled down to: No plans to marry my sister? If not, hook her up with another family and send her back pronto.
'Last time it was zebras, now wolves.'
Species didn't matter; he was just scheming to sell off his sister for whatever gain he could get.
Devon, who had read the letter over his shoulder, nodded solemnly.
"Well, you're twenty-three now, Family Head. It is about time to consider marriage."
"You agreeing with this letter, Devon? Telling me to marry the Morton lady?"
"No way. Even if there's love that transcends species, I've never heard of a wolf marrying a sheep."
"...Keep this from the Morton lady. No good can come of it."
With that, Billy hauled himself up from his near-reclined position.
He'd wanted a good long nap, but the letter had ruined his sleep.
I gave Mimo's fluffy wool a thorough brushing for the first time in ages.
'Who'd have thought Ed wants to become a sheep.'
It sounded absurd, but he was just a kid. It was the kind of thought he could have.
And because he likes sheep, no less!
It seemed his time in the Sheep Territory had left a big impression.
I wondered if there was anything good he'd experienced there, but since he brought it up so earnestly in class, maybe there was something I didn't know.
"Mimo! We have to set a good example."
Mimo gave me a look like what are you on about? and yawned, heading for the cushion. I grabbed her to stop her, my eyes gleaming with resolve.
Truth be told, I'd done nothing but lounge around since arriving at the estate. This was the perfect chance to reinvent myself as a diligent sheep!
Show Ed an example and reinforce his positive view of sheep.
With my mind made up, I put my plan into action the very next day.
The estate's library at the end of the second floor. Stepping inside for the first time since arriving, I was struck by its vast interior.
The shelves crammed with books filled the air with a faint paper scent.
I wandered, scanning category labels on the shelves, then stopped at one.
Popular Novels
I stared at the section for a moment before snapping out of it and hurrying elsewhere.
"Perfect!"
I'd just grabbed about five books that might interest Ed and was heading out when—
"What's perfect?"
The voice came out of nowhere beside me. I startled with a flurry of wool and plastered myself against the wall. The books I'd been holding tumbled to the floor.
As I bent to pick them up, Billy beat me to it, handing them back while tilting his head at the titles.
"The Right Path of the Wolf, History of the Wolf Territory, Manners of Carnivore Beastkin?"
"Oh, I thought they'd be good to read in front of Ed."
I smiled as casually as I could, reaching for the books. But Billy showed no sign of handing them over easily.
"They look heavy. Let me carry them."
"No need to..."
"Shall we?"
"...Sure."
In the end, he walked me all the way to my room. Striding down the hall side by side made me tense up naturally.
As he flipped through the books I'd borrowed one by one, Billy spoke up.
"These would definitely be good for Ed to read together."
"Right?"
"But Ed's off visiting the Magic Tower right now."
"Pardon?"
"He left this morning."
You were sleeping till lunchtime, so you didn't know.
His smiling addendum left me flustered for a moment, heat rushing to my face.
'You're supposed to be setting an example, Lami Morton!'
I had no choice but to take the books and head into my room. Then Billy's voice came from behind.
"Oh, Ed's coming back tomorrow, by the way."
I'll hole up in my room until Ed returns. No way am I hanging out with wolves without him.
"And the Morton lady has some business with me."
...Me?