I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family - Chapter 73

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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 73

I’d always wondered about it.
In a world that revolved around the protagonist, I needed to build a deep bond with Enya for the sake of the people I loved—those who had to live within it. I’d tried everything to persuade Theodore, but he opened his heart to me after just a few letters. It seemed presumptuous for an adopted daughter to suggest sponsorship. Yet I wanted to know why he’d agreed so readily.
“……That’s because—”
Theodore had opened his mouth as if to answer at once, but when his eyes met mine, he looked away.
“I thought your proposal wasn’t a bad one.”
The somewhat bland answer made my shoulders sag. I was about to thank him when Theodore began climbing the stairs.
“Then. Sleep well.”
“Ah, good night, Father.”
Theodore glanced sideways at me as I bowed, then headed toward his study.

In truth, he’d planned to refuse.
If Ber’s reason for proposing sponsorship was a desire to keep a child with power similar to hers away from danger, then all the more so.
What mattered to Theodore wasn’t a child similar to Ber—it was Ber herself.
As long as Ber wasn’t in danger, everything else could fall as it would.
So he’d even considered whether there might be some other advantage to sponsoring that girl.
One day, when the Imperial Court recognized Ber’s existence and desired her power. Could he send Enya, who possessed similar strength, to the court in her stead?
Thoughts that would surely disappoint her greatly, if she knew.
Yet that wasn’t why Theodore had accepted Ber’s proposal.

No parent in the world could remain unmoved.
How many times had he taken it out? Theodore gazed at Ber’s letter—now quite worn from handling—in the moonlight and smiled gently.

‘This must have been my last chance.’
Swallowing a sigh, Enya’s fingers fidgeted inside her pocket. There was a familiar letter tucked within.
Ever since Ber had suggested she visit Grizzly Castle, Enya had become obsessed with one question: who had delivered a letter to her adoptive parents two years ago?
Had it been an order from the Grizzly Border Lord? Or was it……
“Now that I think about it, more than two years have passed.”
The moment she heard that very word spoken aloud, Enya snapped out of her reverie.
“Two years?”
“Ber threw a fit wanting to see the Capital City, so she tagged along to my entrance ceremony. And now she’s almost a second-year at the Academy—isn’t that something?”
Louie spoke while Perdi answered in a nostalgic murmur.
“That’s right. She was so excited about exploring the Capital City streets.”
“She kept insisting she wanted to go out even if we couldn’t, dragging Alexei along with her too. Reckless, with Father and Demirun nowhere around.”
“Hm?”
At Louie’s last words, Enya jolted up in alarm, startling both brothers.
“What? Why—”
“Oh…… no, it’s nothing. Just startled me. The Capital City is generally safe, but there are dangerous places too.”
“True. Since you live in the city, you’d know better than anyone. Anyway, that day we all went out into the streets together.”
“And yet she still bolted off on her own. Came back with apples from the market too.”
The moment Enya sat back down, the word “apples” made her fingertips twitch.
“You’ve had your hands full, Alexei.”
Louie briefly threw an arm around Alexei’s shoulders in encouragement, then started tickling him for the secret to his recent growth. As Alexei writhed in discomfort, Perdi laughed and tried to stop his brother, but Louie showed no signs of relenting.
Watching the three of them, Enya’s hand reached toward the letter in her pocket.
‘I was right after all.’
It was Ber who’d given that letter to Grandmother and Grandfather.
That person who’d saved my life over and over—it was Ber all along.
Enya’s brown eyes held deep emotion and an unspoken resolve.

***

The short holiday with Enya had ended.

Perdi and Louie headed straight to the Academy, while I descended from the carriage along with Enya at the street near the Medical Clinic.
I wanted to escort her all the way to the end. After delivering Enya to the clinic and properly greeting her adoptive grandparents, I made my way to the Academy.
Just as I was about to step through the Academy’s front gate.
“……Hm?”
With my hand in my uniform pocket, I froze.
That’s strange. I was sure I put it here.
My Student Identification.
The Royal Academy’s strict security required showing one’s identification to the guards. Yet it wasn’t in any of my uniform pockets.
‘Did I drop it somewhere?’
I rifled through my bag, but it wasn’t there either. Did I lose it in the carriage? The carriage had probably already left for the territory. What was I supposed to do?
I was racking my brain for a solution when—
“Ber.”
A gentle voice drifted down from inside the gate.
Tall frame. Broad shoulders. A face slightly tanned by the sun. Rare gray eyes. Black hair.
It was Kaien, walking out through the gate with unhurried ease.
“Is this what you’re looking for?”
Kaien approached me slowly, then held out his hand.
What he offered was my Student Identification.
“……Why do you have this?”
“You must have dropped it during the wild boar incident.”
With that brief explanation, Kaien carefully drew my hand toward him and placed the identification in my palm.
I took the identification somewhat bewildered and looked up at him. Quite some time had passed since the wild boar incident. I hadn’t gone out in that interval, so I hadn’t noticed the identification was missing—that was my fault. But why was he only now returning it?
As if reading my question, Kaien answered first.
“I frightened you that day. I didn’t have the courage to face you again, afraid of seeing that scared expression.”
Kaien laughed at himself with a wry smile.
“And I thought that if I held onto this, I might be able to help you again.”
“…….”
But the casually added remark brought to mind the original work’s obsessive second male lead Kaien, and I felt a slight chill run down my spine.
At the same time, a question rose up.
“How did you know it was me?”
You’ve never seen me in my humanized form.
At my guarded question, Kaien hesitated for quite a long time. Unable to meet my eyes, he looked down before answering.
“……I’ve been searching. For the person who healed me. You were a strong candidate.”
Without even examining his expression, I knew it. The girl before me had fallen into profound shock.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to trap you like this……. But just one more thing, please.”
Kaien spoke heavily as he stepped closer to my side. Then he smiled wryly again—because I’d taken a step back. Just as he’d expected.
Yet he still held out his hand.
“Could you accept this too?”
What Kaien carefully offered was a single letter.
After hesitating, I reached out and accepted it.
“Thank you so much.”
Only then did Kaien seem relieved, his smile broadening.

Using the Student Identification Kaien had given me, I passed safely through the Academy’s front gate and made my way to the dormitory.

The letter was filled entirely with apologies and gratitude.
About the good things that had happened to Kaien since his chronic illness was miraculously cured.
About how he couldn’t bear the feeling of gratitude and began searching for the person who’d healed him, and how sorry he was for rashly transforming into his beast form in hopes that you might recognize him.
And.

I want to repay this debt no matter what. I know it’s not a debt that can be repaid through effort alone. That’s why I want to do something—anything. If there’s anything I can do to help you.
If you ever need me, tell me. I can be on your side, wherever you are, whenever you call.
Please don’t forget.

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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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