I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family - Chapter 38

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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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Chapter 38

“…….”
Theodore exhaled a long breath and clenched his fists again.
Yes. Let’s watch and see.
Anxiety wouldn’t make the worry disappear. A power even the Great Sage didn’t understand. There was no way to know what it was except to see it in action. He couldn’t keep the child locked away in their arms forever, not when uncertainty was the only reason.
It was all sound reasoning.
Once the sharp conversation ended, Theodore and Liv bowed deeply to Pallas.
No matter how much their concern for the child drove them, it was not an action to take toward someone who had stood beside her all this time.
After that, they settled on a policy regarding Bom’s power.
They would say nothing to the Arctic Hare about the Power of Eostra.
She was still young. Without her values yet formed, there was no telling what reckless act she might commit if she learned of the power she possessed.
So until the child had grown enough, they would watch over her from close by.
It was Theodore and Liv’s vow as parents.
“Well done.”
At Theodore’s single utterance, silence fell both inside and outside the hall.
He stepped away from the long table and stopped before Na Bom, placing his hand on the child’s small head.
“A flawless Humanization.”
He spoke quietly, then gave her hair a gentle stroke before his hand fell away.
Na Bom rose from her seat and bowed her head, offering her thanks.
His gaze, which had been fixed on the child, swept across Liv and his sons, then the spectators gathered in the hall. His eyes returned to Na Bom as he made his declaration.
“The conditions are met. I hereby formally adopt this Arctic Hare demi-human into the Grizzly Clan.”
The moment Theodore finished speaking, Demirun, who had been waiting in the wings, approached Na Bom as if he’d been expecting this moment.
Demirun grinned at Na Bom and handed the documents he was holding to Theodore. Theodore accepted them and looked back at Na Bom.
“I have prepared a new name for you.”
A new name?
At the unexpected words, Na Bom’s eyes widened in surprise.
“But if you don’t wish it, I’ll call you by your original name. What is your name?”
“…….”
Na Bom recalled two names.
Yun Na Bom. And White.
The name White was something she’d been called only briefly after remembering that she had a past life. There were hardly any memories attached to it.
She held affection for the name Na Bom. But Yun Na Bom was already dead. She wanted to let her remain dead in this place, in this world of novels.
Even if Na Bom’s family couldn’t forget her after her death.
Because she wanted to support the happiness of the people she cared about.
Na Bom shook her head quietly. Then she looked up at Theodore.
“I want a new name.”
“……I see.”
When Na Bom answered, Theodore nodded and handed her the documents he’d been holding.
Na Bom’s eyes traced silently down the page. Then Demirun, standing beside her, added an explanation.
“It’s a certificate confirming that Miss Snowflake…… ah, that you’ve been formally adopted into the Grizzly Clan.”
As Demirun explained, the documents listed the names of the Grizzly bears in order. Below that was a long passage, which seemed to be the Albero Empire’s recognition of the adoption.
Below that were shorter lines, and what she saw first was a date.

「Ciel Era Year 45, Month 12, Day 29 — Approved」

It seemed to be the date the adoption was officially recognized.
‘Wait……?’
A strange sense of discord made Na Bom narrow her eyes.
But this was before everyone even entered hibernation…… Had the adoption been decided before I even completed my Humanization?
Without meaning to, Na Bom placed a hand over her chest. Something felt ticklish and floaty. Her lips kept trying to tremble.
Then, suddenly, Na Bom caught sight of the bottom of the document.

「Herein certified that the following person is registered into the House of Grizzly, Earl’s family.」

Na Bom read the name written below it aloud without thinking.
“Verdianna Grizzly.”
The moment those words left her lips, her eyes met Theodore’s. Without meaning to, she repeated the name.
“……Verdianna.”
Its meaning was spring.
A vibrant, lush green spring.
“Yes. That is your name. Since you came, this castle has been spring all along.”
Theodore’s large hand wrapped around the girl’s small shoulder.
“I look forward to working with you, Ber.”
“Welcome, Ber.”
“Ber! I’ll call you that from now on too, Snowflake!”
“You’re already calling her Snowflake. I look forward to it, Ber.”
Woof!
“Miss Ber.”
“Miss Ber!”
Everyone gathered here was calling out Na Bom’s — no, Ber’s — name. The way one calls out the name of someone precious.
For some reason, her heart swelled and her vision blurred.
Ber pressed her eyes shut, holding back tears, and placed her hand on her chest.
Then she bowed deeply and cried out.
“Thank you!”
She spoke the words she most wanted to say.
“Thank you for saving me, for accepting me as family, from the bottom of my heart!”

***

That evening.
The Great Hall began to bustle once more.
A grand feast was held with all the retainers of Grizzly Castle, the servants, the knights of the Sled Dog Knight Order, and their attendants.
It was a magnificent celebration, as if planned long in advance.
Ber, having received her new name, was quickly swept away by the servants, who fussed over her hair and clothing before she was led to the feast hall.
When she arrived at the entrance, Anna let out a gasp and released Ber’s hand.
“Oh my, where is my head? I’ve left the young lady’s shawl behind!”
“It’s not very cold, so I don’t really need——”
“I’ll be right back, so please wait here, yes?”
Unable to shake her head against Anna, who gripped her shoulders and pressed her face close, Ber nodded. The moment she did, Anna took off down the corridor like an arrow.
So Ber waited by the feast hall door for Anna. Then, sensing a presence, she turned to the left.
“……?”
In a quiet corner some distance from where Ber stood, there was a boy.
A boy with brown hair and brown eyes, dressed in formal attire for the feast.
He leaned slightly against the wall, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his clothes as if uncomfortable.
‘Who is that?’
She didn’t recognize him from among the retainers or servants.
Ber approached the boy. He seemed nervous, hesitating to enter the hall, and her heart ached at the sight.
“Hello?”
The moment she offered a gentle greeting, the boy flinched and looked up.
He blinked and met her gaze, but offered no reply. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, but no sound came out.
Ber tilted her head. Why is he like this? Then suddenly, a strange sense of familiarity gripped her.
‘I feel like I’ve seen this child somewhere……’
The moment their brown eyes met again, Ber’s mouth opened as if in sudden realization.
“……Oh, hello. I……”
At last the boy opened his mouth to introduce himself. But Ber was faster.
Ber took the boy’s hand. The boy stared at Ber and then at his own hand in her grasp, mouth agape and bewildered.
Ignoring his stunned expression, Ber pulled his hand sharply and dashed forward. Startled, the boy offered no resistance and was pulled along by the girl.
They rushed into the feast hall and then Ber suddenly stopped. She released the hand she’d been gripping and turned back to the boy, asking.
“It’s Malamute, isn’t it?”
Thump.
The boy, Malamute, unknowingly placed his hand on his left chest. His heart had made a sound.
“I’ve never seen you in human form before. And you’ve never seen me in human form until today either, right?”
After saying this, Ber laughed brightly and cheerfully.
Soon, she extended her hand again.
“Let’s work well together from now on, Malamute.”
“…….”
Gazing quietly at the small, pale hand, Malamute hesitated. After his hesitation, as if having made a decision, he looked into Ber’s eyes and opened his mouth.
“Aleksei.”
“Huh?”
“My name is Aleksei Malamute. Call me Aleksei, Ber.”
As he spoke, Malamute carefully extended his own hand. Ber’s bewildered expression brightened instantly. She quickly took Malamute’s hand and shook it.
“Sure! Let’s work well together, Sei.”
At the unfamiliar nickname, Malamute’s eyes widened. Before him was still the smiling face of Ber.
For some reason, his face grew increasingly warm. Malamute dropped his head low.

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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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