The Mother's Cold Stare and a Wink to the Butler
The atmosphere in the room pressed down like a suffocating weight, heavy and oppressive.
I had always considered myself strong, yet the woman before me was on a completely different level.
She regarded me as if I were merely another item on display in a store window, then slowly released the heavy pressure that had been crushing the room.
“Haa… huuu…”
Her breath came in ragged gasps, and when she looked down again, it was at Blanc cradled safely in her arms, as if nothing at all had happened.
*Blanc… that idiot… is he completely lacking in caution? Why is he sleeping so peacefully like that!*
She held him close and began gently stroking his head with the most careful touch.
“Kyaaa… uuuung… gyaarung.”
Even though he was asleep, the affectionate fingers made him smile in his sleep, as if savoring the warmth, a soft growl rumbling from his throat.
… I really shouldn’t give him snacks.
The sight of his defenseless smile finally thawed Kailian’s frozen body.
“Haa, haa…”
She gritted her teeth.
A deep fury burned in her eyes alongside her wariness.
My everything—my all—smiling brightly while wrapped in the arms of some woman I’d never seen before.
The thought sent a wave of pure terror through me.
Kailian’s hand reached for the sword sheath at her waist, and she forced her trembling voice to steady itself.
“Who… exactly are you? Release Blanc at once.”
The words that came out of my mouth sounded pathetic.
Like a wild animal trying to puff up its fur in fear.
At my words, the woman let out a soft, mocking laugh.
“Who am I asking?”
Her red lips curved into a smooth, elegant line.
“I am the mother of this child—Blanc.”
“Eh…?”
Kailian’s body stiffened again.
Her jaw dropped so low it looked ready to hit the floor.
*… What did she just say…? Mother…? Of Blanc…?*
Blanc did have a mother, of course—he was born from one—but the first time we met, he was alone… and afterward she never came looking. Suddenly calling her “mother” now?
She didn’t even glance at my stunned expression.
Instead, she simply stroked Blanc’s plump belly with feather-light fingers and spoke softly.
“Well, I’ll give you credit. You kept my precious child plump and well-fed without starving him. You’ve raised him remarkably well for a human.”
“Uh… ah, yes.”
Mother-in-law…? No, wait—what am I supposed to call her?
Kailian’s reaction to the word “mother” made her freeze even more, and she nodded awkwardly.
She wore a languid smile and carefully lifted Blanc into her arms.
After placing him gently on Kailian’s bed, she pressed a tender kiss to his forehead.
The mother who had laid Blanc down then turned slowly to face me once more.
Her eyes gleamed with the cold, predatory sharpness of a hunter.
“What do you think of my child?”
The unexpected question pierced my heart like a blade.
Was I to be treated only as a pet? Or was I to be cherished as a true family member?
Kailian’s eyes widened at the heavy weight of her question.
“W-what do you mean?”
She clenched her fists.
Even knowing she was Blanc’s real mother, her gaze burned with fierce determination to protect him.
“You say you raised Blanc with a light heart? Even if you are his mother, I will never accept that.”
Kailian braced herself against the growing power rolling off the woman and ground her teeth.
“I have never, for even a single moment, viewed Blanc lightly or as some kind of beast.”
The moment the words left my lips, a wave of fear washed over me.
She watched my furious, trembling Kailian with slow, measuring eyes.
She seemed to be weighing the sincerity in my anger against the deep love in her heart for her son.
Finally she rose from the bed and stroked Blanc’s sleeping belly once more.
“…I see.”
A faint, genuine smile curved her lips as she gave a small nod.
“Yes. Your eyes tell me you are not lying. You have proven yourself worthy of standing beside my son.”
*Kyaaaarm…*
I slept so well…
I stretched luxuriously on the bed, front paws reaching wide, back arched, and let out a long, satisfied yawn.
First I should wash up after waking.
I licked my front paws clean, then ran them through my fur, grooming diligently.
*Schlick, schlick.*
If I keep this up I’ll get a toothache from my own tongue.
*Kyaaang?*
I slept so well… but why does the room feel so weird?
Still half-dreamy, I opened my eyes and looked around.
The sight that greeted me made me snap my mouth shut mid-yawn.
Kailian and her mother stared at each other with killing intent.
*Kyaa…*
Did they keep glaring at each other the entire time I slept?
“Oh? Has the little one woken up?”
The mother, who had been watching Kailian with a blank expression, smiled warmly the instant she saw me stir.
She approached me like a spring, scooped me up, buried my face deep between her breasts, and nuzzled me with a perfectly calm, “Good morning~”
*Kyuu! Kyuuung!*
I slept so well! It was so warm and comforting!
Overjoyed, I wagged my tail and carefully licked the back of her hand.
*Schlick, schlick.*
“Hoo hoo, what a pretty thing. Your mother didn’t even realize time had passed while watching how adorable my baby is.”
Even as we exchanged morning greetings, my heart still felt unsettled.
Kailian kept shooting me a strange mix of betrayal and hurt in her eyes.
She clearly wanted to snatch me away and cuddle me, but she was forcing herself to hold back because of the truth that I was my mother’s child.
*Kyuu.*
What will my butler think…? My body is going to melt.
I kept glancing between my mother and Kailian, worried about what the butler might say.
When I saw Kailian’s tight-lipped, sorrowful face, a pang of discomfort hit my own chest.
Ugh… seriously making me feel bad.
I stayed nestled in my mother’s arms, leaned forward, and called out to Kailian.
*Kyaaang!*
Hey, butler! Come here!
To make Kailian feel a little better, I squeezed my right eye shut in a tiny wink.
*Puhup…*
Kailian let out a startled laugh, then shook her head vigorously.
She stepped closer, studied her mother for a moment, and stroked my head with the gentlest, most careful touch.
“Oh my, you really have become a fox. Did you sleep well, Blanc?”
*Kyuu.*
Of course! Now let’s go eat.
At my cheerful reply, Kailian’s face lit up with her usual bright smile.
She looks so much better when she smiles.
*Kyuu! Kyaaaang!*
Let’s go eat!
It’s morning—what else is there to do? Breakfast is obviously mine.
I wagged my tail, still cradled in my mother’s arms, and padded down the hallway.
“Yes, our little one. Your mother is right here with you.”
My mother lifted me by the hips and walked toward the dining room with Kailian.
Before the heavy door even opened, the sounds of lively conversation drifted out.
“Your Highness, why are you late?”
“Blanc-nim hasn’t woken yet? He must have pushed himself hard yesterday.”
Lina, Rosalia, Gumiho, and Lumia were already seated, chatting among themselves.
*Creak.*
The heavy dining-room door swung open.
“Your Highness has arrived…?”
Lina’s voice, which had been the first to notice us and offer a greeting, suddenly cut off mid-sentence.
“……?!”
Every eye in the room widened.
Kailian standing right beside me.
A woman of overwhelming, mysterious beauty with long silver hair cascading down her back.
And in her arms, Blanc—snuggled so naturally and peacefully.
“Eh…?”
Rosalia’s glasses slid down her nose.
Lumia squeaked in surprise and instantly dove behind Gumiho’s huge fluffy tail.
She scanned the stunned reactions with calm, unreadable eyes.
Then her gaze locked onto one place—Gumiho.
“Hoo…”
Her lips twisted, and a cold, icy smile spread across her face.
“…So this is the fox who dared to seduce my son.”
*Hic!*
Gumiho’s shoulders jerked. Her tail hair stood on end.
While Gumiho stared at her in thought, Lina carefully stood up.
“Excuse me, but… who exactly are you?”
Lina’s voice trembled, yet she sensed the holy energy radiating from the woman with sharp awareness.
That energy matched Blanc’s golden divine power perfectly.
“Could it be… you are Blanc-nim’s family?”
The woman tilted her head slightly, intrigued.
“Not bad for a human. Exactly as you guessed. I am Blanc’s true mother.”
*Kyuu.*
Don’t be scared, butlers! It’s okay.
Maybe?
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