Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: A Casual Name
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"Can't you call your uncle by his name too?"
"Huh?"
"You call the Magic Tower Lord by name, so why do you call your uncle 'Family Head'?"
The sudden jab at my form of address left me speechless.
Come to think of it, I'd started casually calling Nick by name at some point, but I was still using a rather formal title for Billy—one that could feel stiff.
I bent my knees and waist slightly to meet Ed's eyes.
'He introduced me as his mom at the shelter, so he probably wants us all to live like a comfortable family.'
I could guess at Ed's inner thoughts, and it tugged at my heart. I had no idea how long I'd be staying here, but as long as I was at the Rub mansion, I wanted to go along with what Ed wanted.
Of course, that meant sticking around until Ed grew up enough not to need me anymore.
Since I'd already come to the Rub mansion, I was prepared to invest that much time.
'I should ask if he'd like me to use a more casual way of addressing him.'
I was just about to voice the question I'd been mulling over in my head.
How could none of these options appeal to me even a little?
I'd desperately hoped the choice window wouldn't pop up right now, but of course, my wish went ungranted.
If anything, seeing it appear right in front of me like it was mocking me made me let out a hollow laugh.
'Why bring up Billy here of all places?!'
Was that my true feeling? Honestly, it was hard to go casual with Billy.
But that wasn't what I'd meant to say at all!
I subtly turned my head to sneak a glance at Billy. Since all three options mentioned him directly or indirectly, I couldn't help feeling awkward.
'How do I even handle this?'
Billy stood beside me with his arms crossed, watching Ed and me with an expression like he was enjoying the show.
He seemed to be anticipating my response, but with all the options being so iffy, my head started to ache.
The choice window didn't give me much time to think. I clamped my mouth shut and glared at it in silence until a jolt snapped me out of it.
I hurriedly picked one and let out a mental sigh of relief.
"Your uncle should start using a casual address first if you want me to do the same, right?"
It was the result of intense deliberation. This seemed like the softest option, but it came out with a slight mocking tone.
Still, for something forced on me by the choice window, my voice was fairly gentle.
'Option 2 could hurt both Ed and Billy's feelings at once. Option 3 might wound him by implying he's uncomfortable.'
Realistically, there was only one viable choice. I just hesitated because I dreaded the fallout from saying it.
"Is that so? I'm still hesitant to go casual just yet."
That's when Billy, who'd been quietly watching us, suddenly chimed in. It was music to my ears.
"Me too!"
My words tumbled out short and urgent. Seeing that neither Billy nor I seemed inclined to change, Ed's lips pursed even more than before.
Whether it was for Ed's sake or because he had no intention of letting it slide, Billy grinned and added,
"But since Ed wants it, it looks like we should switch things up."
"In that case, what should I..."
"Call me Billy. Casually."
"Huh?!"
I jumped in shock at how abruptly casual it was, but I couldn't sway Billy's decision.
I had no choice in the matter.
Ed was gazing up at me with eyes sparkling brightly after hearing Billy.
"Bi, bi, Bil..."
"Try it. Bil. ly."
Was he teasing me right now? Billy's softly crinkled eyes showed he was thoroughly enjoying this.
At that moment, my wandering gaze landed on the shimmering favorability bar above Ed's head.
'If I brush this off now, all the hard-earned favorability might drop.'
I needed to hit 100% ASAP to escape the threat of death. To break free from the choice window and favorability system as soon as possible, I squeezed my eyes shut and shouted.
"Billy!"
"Gasp!"
"Oh my!"
Right after my booming call came startled voices from the maids. I quickly opened my eyes and scanned around.
The maids who'd been passing by had frozen like frightened rabbits, hands over their mouths, eyes wide.
When our eyes met, they hurriedly bowed and scurried away, clearly having gotten the wrong idea.
"The maids seem to have misunderstood things between us..."
I said in a downcast tone, but Billy brushed it off nonchalantly.
"Keep calling me that, and they'll get used to it."
He didn't care one bit who misunderstood.
The one happiest about this situation was Ed, of course.
From the moment I called Billy by name, Ed retracted his protruding lips and broke into a satisfied smile.
Seeing Ed's favorability tick up slightly from last time made my lips curve into a smile. It hadn't budged much since the day I turned into a sheep, stuck at 33%, but this incident nudged it higher.
'Well, everyone seems satisfied in their own way.'
Billy looked inexplicably pleased for some reason, and Ed was obviously thrilled.
Of course, I was happy too since I'd boosted the favorability.
Though I had a feeling I'd stutter every time I called Billy from now on.
After learning that Ed was busy with sword training on top of everything else, I started making an effort to set a good example myself.
"Wow, I actually got up early today."
I threw open the curtains right after waking, and the early morning sunlight flooded the room.
A proud smile spread across my face. Stepping onto the terrace, I spotted Jack striding across the garden with a more majestic air than any wolf.
'To think I tamed that wolf.'
Jack and I had played together often since the first quest window appeared.
My fearlessness had grown thanks to time spent with him. Sure, living alongside Billy, Ed, and the mansion staff helped too, but dealing with carnivore beastkin in human form and actual carnivorous animals was a whole different level.
It made sense why the quest window warned that failing to befriend Jack would mean I'd never overcome my fear of carnivore beastkin.
'I should spend more time playing with Jack!'
Ed was still deep in dreamland at this hour. Billy was probably up, but visiting him this early felt awkward.
Mimo was out cold too, so I was starting to feel bored when Jack caught my eye. The more time I spent with him, the less my fear of carnivorous animals gnawed at me—it was good for me too.
I ducked back inside, changed into comfy clothes, and flung open the door. The servants were already bustling down the halls, starting their day.
"Good morning!"
I was pleased with my newfound pep in the greeting. I quickly lowered my awkwardly hovering hand and headed for the central staircase.
Just as I was about to descend, a heavy door creaked open.
Turning toward the sound, I saw Billy emerging not from his office, but his bedroom.
Unlike me, who'd just checked if I looked halfway presentable before heading out, he practically glowed with a morning halo.
His outfit screamed casual training gear for the training grounds, but the style was different from usual, drawing my eye.
He always tied his hair up neatly to bare his forehead, but now his bangs covered it, and his hair looked a bit tousled.
His eyes, softer and more languid in the morning light, kept pulling my gaze.
'What's up with that face first thing in the morning...?'
I stared blankly at Billy's face for a moment before snapping to. Our eyes had already met.
"Good morning."
I greeted him as calmly as possible while fussing with my messy white hair, trying to tame it.
"Did you sleep well? Didn't expect to see you here at this hour."
His eyes widened slightly upon spotting me, his tone full of surprise. I'd always been a late riser, so it made sense.
"I'm trying to be more diligent now. Starting with waking up early!"
With some distance between us, I felt less shaky than usual.
Hearing about his scary past and spending time with Jack and the staff had helped shake off my wolf phobia bit by bit.
"Oh? Since when did you start rising with the sun?"
"Today."
I grinned sheepishly at my honest answer, and Billy let out a chuckle, nodding toward his office.
"Perfect timing, then. I had something to ask you."
I'd planned to play with Jack since it was too early for Billy, but before I knew it, I was seated on the sofa in his office.