Baby Lynx of the Tiger Family - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Little Cat of the Tiger Clan
Chapter 23
“Of course, we’ve never once had such filthy thoughts, little one. But your reaction is awfully hurtful.”
“It’s instinct. I can’t help it.”
Sirka’s face fell at Bariya’s merciless response.
Well, I suppose it’s only natural for Bariya to find the idea horrifying.
‘Fiancée, my foot. Making her a younger sister would be the obvious choice…’
The thought struck him, and Sirka stared hard at Bariya.
A younger sister.
Now that I think about it, I wanted to make her my little sister the moment I first brought Bariya home.
With so much going on, I’d nearly forgotten, but come to think of it, wouldn’t it be better to adopt her outright instead of some support arrangement that could be cut off at any time?
‘Mother and Father adore the little one, too.’
Both Baiden and Sabrina were gazing at Bariya with soft eyes.
When had I last seen them wear that kind of expression?
Sabrina, who had lived consumed by her thirst for revenge against the Hyena, and Baiden, who had been tormented by longing for her and guilt over failing to protect their son.
And Sirka himself, who had driven himself relentlessly, certain he had to become a more perfect heir for their sake.
Even the air in the Khalif Mansion, which had always been so heavy, had grown much brighter since Bariya arrived.
‘All the more reason she should become my sister, then, don’t you think?’
Baiden has been continuing to investigate the cat-beastkin family, but there’s been no lead.
Besides, the fact that Bariya doesn’t bother looking for her parents suggests there’s a very high chance she has no family at all.
So wouldn’t it be good for those who’ve lost their families to become each other’s family?
“What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”
Bariya tilted her head, puzzled by Sirka’s unblinking stare.
“No, I was just thinking something pleasant.”
“…While looking at my face?”
Is my face funny?
I’m looking so pretty right now, you know.
Bariya squeezed her eyes shut with all her might, and Sirka burst out laughing.
“Yes, I suppose it is rather funny.”
“Are you getting back at me for gagging earlier?”
“That one stung a little.”
Sirka and Bariya bickered back and forth.
As though they really were brother and sister.
“There might be other fools at this banquet who spout nonsense to you, just like that one did.”
Sabrina had already warned Bariya in advance.
It wasn’t exactly pleasant to talk about, and it could be kept quiet if one wished, but since the banquet had been held in her name, Bariya was now in the same boat as the Khalif family.
It was better to know in advance and prepare a countermeasure.
“If there are any who say cruel things, tell us.”
“Hmm, what about if I deal with them myself?”
At Bariya’s confident question, the three members of the Khalif family stared down at the child.
Then, all at once, they snorted with laughter.
“Of course that’s fine.”
Why wouldn’t it be?
The world of beasts is one of the strong devouring the weak.
It’s only natural for the strong to punish those who act with insolence.
At their easy permission, Bariya’s eyes sparkled brightly.
She was the same Bariya who had faced the Hyena alone despite her tiny frame.
Throwing a punch at the nose of some fool spouting nonsense would be nothing at all.
Let just one of them come near me, her resolute expression seemed to say, and the three Khalif beastkin smiled with quiet pride.
She truly was a child who, taught one thing, understood ten.
* * *
Bariya slid down from Sirka’s arms and wandered through the Banquet Hall.
It was her first banquet ever, and one in her honor no less, yet she couldn’t stand still for long.
“….”
But no matter how far she roamed, not a single person came to speak to her.
Looking around, there was only one possible reason.
In the end, Bariya glanced back, displeased, at Sirka trailing after her in a steady little shuffle.
“The Clan Head and Lady Sabrina are dancing, and you’re doing nothing at all?”
“What? You want to dance with me?”
Sirka’s face lit up.
If he’d had his way, he would have swept her into his arms and spun her around the Banquet Hall right then and there.
“Not me. There are plenty of people over there who want to dance with Sirka.”
Bariya pointed toward a cluster of young women.
The women who caught Sirka’s eye giggled shyly and waved.
“…Baby, you’re getting back at me for smiling at her face earlier, aren’t you?”
“Sirka got back at me for gagging, too. You said you always pay back what you’re given, no more and no less.”
“Who did?”
“Lady Sabrina!”
Honestly, that does sound like something Mother would say.
“Go on, hurry up before that crowd starts bothering me too. You said you had to get married anyway, didn’t you? Go find a strong, capable, fabulous young lady.”
“Baby, sometimes you say things that don’t sound like a ten-year-old at all.”
“Don’t you dare call me an old soul. Hurry up and go.”
Bariya pushed Sirka’s back toward the young ladies.
“Young Family Head! It’s been so long. I’ve really wanted to see you.”
“I thought I’d only see you at the birthday banquet, so I’m delighted to meet you like this.”
“The Young Family Head’s first dance tonight should be with me…”
No sooner had the words left their mouths than the young ladies swarmed in, surrounding him.
Sirka was a head or so taller than them, yet the gathered young ladies felt far more intimidating.
‘I can’t understand it, personally.’
I’ll admit Sirka is good-looking.
His personality is a little odd, but he takes after Baiden and Sabrina, so he’s flawless in his own way.
Still, what these women wanted in the end wasn’t his looks but his power, which made it hard to understand.
Once Bariya was left on her own after parting with Sirka, people finally began edging their way toward her.
“Good evening, Lady. I am Winkel Denebiang, Clan Head of the Denebiang family, one of the Vassal Families of the Kalif.”
The first to greet her was a middle-aged woman of quite a commanding presence.
“Good evening, I’m Bariya Bell. The Knight Commander’s surname is Denebiang, so are you related to him by any chance?”
Rowin Denebiang, Knight Commander of the Kalif.
The same surname as the man who had grown remarkably close to Bariya ever since she conquered the Hwaiteu.
“That’s right. I’m his older sister.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. The Knight Commander always looks out for me. Sometimes he even plays with me.”
The hunting game she often played with Sirka.
Knight Commander Rowin would sometimes join in on it as well.
Once, Sirka was so distracted by the fishing rod he was swinging that he leapt up over Rowin’s head and sank his claws into the top of the man’s skull.
Blood streamed from the gaping wound on his crown, yet Rowin only laughed heartily, saying how nice it was that the Lady was so healthy.
“I’m very glad my foolish younger brother has been of help to you, Lady.”
“To think you get along with that stiff-necked Knight Commander. You must have a generous heart, Lady.”
Someone draped an arm over Winkel Denebiang’s shoulders.
He seemed to be on very friendly terms with her.
“I’m Ludba Gillian, Clan Head of the Gillian family, one of the Vassal Families. You know Jake Gillian, don’t you? He’s my nephew.”
A middle-aged man with a livelier air than Winkel Denebiang warmly exchanged greetings with Bariya.
‘So most of the people working in the Khalif Mansion come from the Vassal Families.’
Well, that would make sense, wouldn’t it?
“My nephew is quite tight-lipped, too. Right up until tonight’s banquet, I didn’t hear a single word about the Lady.”
“Was it the same for you? It was the same for me.”
Ludba and Winkel nodded in unison.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the Gillian and Denebiang families form the core of the Vassal Families.
Yet the secret had been kept so well that even the two Clan Heads knew nothing about Bariya until they arrived here tonight.
“It seems you’re both doing well, which sets my mind at ease. Well, well. If you’re going to serve a Chieftain, this much is only proper.”
“I was worried about my useless younger brother, but I’m relieved to see he isn’t entirely lacking.”
The two of them smiled gently as they looked at Bariya.
“We have no idea how a distinguished guest ended up at the Kalif. But none of that matters in the slightest. The Chieftain’s recognition is the only thing that matters to us.”
“If you need anything at all, just tell Jake. The Gillians welcome our honored guest.”
“The Denebiangs do as well.”
Bariya was surprised by their attitude.
Frankly, she had assumed the Vassal Families would at least be wary of her, if not outright hostile, since she was practically a stone that had tumbled in from nowhere.
And yet.
The Chieftain had acknowledged her, and that was enough. They welcomed her warmly, even eagerly.
‘The Kalif’s prestige really is formidable.’
The people she met afterward were no different.
There were some who looked at her warily or kept a careful distance, but no one tried to push Bariya away.
Except for one.
“No matter how I look at it, I don’t think you’re a tiger beastkin.”
By the time the crowd that had been drawn to Bariya had rushed in like a tide and then drifted back out again, the hall had thinned somewhat.
At last, the one she had been waiting for came to find her.
The few people still hanging around Bariya cleared their throats and stepped away.
Only Bariya and Kalvin Glosa remained on the stage.
“Oh, my apologies. I was told you were an honored guest of the Kalif, so naturally I assumed you’d be a tiger beastkin.”
Kalvin laughed as though he meant nothing by it.
But no one present was fool enough to miss the barb hidden in his words.
“Now that you mention it, I’m a little curious. What sort of beastkin are you, honored guest?”
The whispering onlookers’ eyes all turned toward Bariya at once.
They frowned at Kalvin’s conduct, yet their faces plainly betrayed their own curiosity.
Generally, beastkin can tell a great deal about one another from scent alone when they’re of the same kind.
Since most of the guests were tigers, they had likely already sensed that Bariya wasn’t one of their kin.
“If I’m not a tiger beastkin, then I’m probably one of the other predator types.”
Her indifferent answer left Kalvin flustered.
Bariya looked him straight in the eye and asked, “You surely aren’t asking so you can change your attitude depending on what kind of beastkin I am, are you?”
“No, I—”
“You haven’t even introduced yourself, and yet you open with such a rude question. That hardly seems proper.”
Whatever sort of beastkin I am, what business is it of yours?
Don’t you know that among beastkin, it’s bad manners to pry into someone’s kind unless they’ve revealed it first?
At Bariya’s rebuke, Kalvin’s face flushed a deep, blotchy red.
At Bariya’s rebuke, Kalvin’s face flushed a deep red.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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