Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Off to Lunaje
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Nick had asked what Billy was thinking, keeping Lami by his side. Billy answered as if it were no big deal.
"Just because I wanted to."
Nick, who had been watching Billy with curious eyes, wondering what answer might come, furrowed his brow.
'This guy is absolutely not the type to let an outsider into the mansion or keep them around for such a simple reason.'
However, no matter how suspiciously Nick glared at him, Billy showed no intention of offering more explanation.
"Yeah, because you wanted to."
There was no need to pry if he didn't want to talk about it. Nick quickly changed the subject.
No matter what Nick said next, from the moment he'd heard the question, Billy had been lost in resurfacing memories, staring out the distant window.
Darkness had already fallen, and under the pitch-black sky, only the roars of magical beasts echoed through the air.
Today was an important day for me in so many ways.
It was the first day I'd entrusted my body to wolf beastkin maids, and the day I'd decided to head into the village with Ed to enjoy the festival in Wolf Territory.
'So this day really came.'
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, sitting ramrod straight and barely moving.
"Is anything uncomfortable?"
"You seem cold. Should I add more firewood to the hearth?"
The maids apparently thought my rigid posture and faint trembling were due to the weather.
But the room was already stiflingly hot, thanks to the extra logs they'd tossed in earlier. I waved them off, insisting it was fine and no more wood was needed.
"I never imagined I'd get to dress you up like this, Lady Lami."
"We only ever caught glimpses of you in the corridors... well, occasionally. Seeing you up close like this is just so surreal."
The twin maids flanking me—one braiding each side of my hair—chimed in one after another. Maybe it was because I'd always hidden whenever I spotted servants before. They seemed utterly fascinated by getting this close, seeing and touching me.
'I'm pretty amazed myself.'
Wolf beastkin braiding my hair. It had felt unreal enough when I first possessed this sheep beastkin body, but now it was even more so.
"Is this your first Lunaje?"
"Y-yeah."
Conversations had been looping like this for a while. No matter what question the maids tossed out or topic they dangled, my one-word replies cut things short before they could really flow.
Of course I wanted to chat properly, but I wasn't bold enough to gab away casually while a wolf beastkin handled my hair.
If the reward for the Jack friendship quest had been 'Eliminate Fear of Carnivore Beastkin', that would've been perfect.
The 10% reduction in choice window appearances was crucial too, of course, but moments like this made the quest reward feel sorely lacking.
'Still, I got close to that wolf Jack, so I can do this!'
Awkwardly lifting the corners of my mouth in a smile—eyes fixed on the maids via the mirror—I psyched myself up. Taking a deep breath, I mustered my courage and spoke.
"Have you been to the festival?"
Two pairs of golden eyes met mine through the mirror. The sudden chill made me drop my gaze fast.
'Whoa, eye contact is this terrifying?'
I'd occasionally locked eyes with the supposedly scary Nick during talks. No idea why these maids felt even tougher.
'Maybe because I've seen Nick way more often than the maids?'
It felt like a solid theory. These maids helping me weren't the ones I'd passed in the halls before.
The mansion was so vast, with countless servants managing it. Plenty of new faces, which probably made them scarier on first meeting.
Since I'd asked first, the maids lit up and eagerly launched into their stories.
"You bet! We've gone every year since we were little."
"Lunaje is the festival every wolf beastkin looks forward to. There's tons of food."
"Food galore, plus sights to see and games everywhere."
Watching the maids chatter excitedly, they felt a touch less frightening than before.
I'd never planned to let maids handle my primping. But rumors had spread like wildfire about a sheep arriving as guardian to Ed, the mansion's future family head. I had no choice.
As Ed's protector, I needed to mind my appearance.
I figured plenty of beastkin would eye me curiously if I went around with Billy and Ed.
"Wow, this look could steal every wolf's gaze at the festival."
"That pure white hair is especially stunning."
The moment preparations wrapped, the maids burst into admiration. Thrilled it was done, I shot up from the chair—then plopped right back down in a panic, yelling.
"No!"
"Pardon?"
The bewildered maids stared at me in confusion.
"Make it less flashy."
Just imagining swarms of festival-going wolves staring as I walked the streets made my knees buckle. The maids tilted their heads, looking reluctant, but reached out anyway.
Confirming a more subdued result, I stood with a satisfied nod. Thanking them for their work, I shooed them out of the room.
"Ugh, my heart's gonna explode."
My legs turned to jelly the instant the maids left. I slumped into the chair, muttering. Mimo trotted over to my side.
It had kept its distance the whole time I prepped, but rushed in the moment the wolves were gone. Looked like Mimo had endured a tense wait too.
"You were scared too, huh?"
"Mee-."
That affirmative bleat sparked a sense of camaraderie. In this brutal place, Mimo was still the only one who felt truly safe.
I stroked Mimo's fluffy wool with a deep sigh. I'd risen early, summoned maids, gotten all dolled up—but now my legs were already quivering at the thought of stepping out.
"First time heading to the village with Ed today. Think I can pull it off?"
I squatted on the floor, clutching Mimo tight. It seemed utterly uninterested in my woes, but I kept rambling like it was just me talking to myself.
"I have to! Buck up, wander everywhere with Ed!"
Mimo's eyes narrowed oddly as it watched me clench my fist in solo determination. Whatever. I didn't let up on the self-pep talk.
"I can do this!"
Shouting it out loud actually stirred some courage. Emboldened, I voiced the wish I'd harbored so long.
"Wolves don't scare me one bit!"
Perfect. With this vibe, I wouldn't slink around all hunched. Satisfied, I stood tall and squared my shoulders.
Knock knock.
A knock echoed from outside. Time to head out.
"Yeees-."
I strode confidently to the door and swung it open. There stood Billy, hair neatly slicked back, draped in a long black coat.
He gazed down at me with an odd expression, then grinned and drew his hand from his pocket.
"All set?"
"Y... yeah."
Billy extended his hand.
"Call me by name today. Ed's watching."
I nodded solemnly. Staring at his hand a beat, I gingerly laid mine atop it.
Descending the stairs, we spotted Ed—who'd finished prepping first—waving eagerly as he waited.
Ed's hair was neatly combed up and back, clad in black attire. Matching Billy's style made him look uncannily like his uncle today.
"Lady Lami! Uncle!"
"Ed, wait long?"
I naturally slipped my hand from Billy's and approached Ed. He shook his head, saying he'd just come down.
We boarded the carriage bound for the village. Peering out amid the jolts, the trip suddenly felt real.
As the village came into view—wolf beastkin already reveling in the festival—every hair on my body stood on end.
The carriage naturally drew all eyes. Wolves peeking our way who met my gaze through the window went wide-eyed, unable to look away.
"Coming out with Lady Lami and Uncle is so exciting!"
Unlike my insides turning to ash, Ed bounced his legs wildly, beaming as he shouted. Forcing a smile, I patted his head.
But I couldn't steady my heart hammering like it might burst. The teeming wolf beastkin hordes left my mind blank.
The carriage slowed amid the bustling street's heart and halted. I drew a deep breath and urgently grabbed Billy as he moved to descend.