I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family - Chapter 81

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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 81

Perdi, who had been studying Kaien’s face like an observer, slowly nodded his head.
“A debt…… I see.”
Perdi’s expression, as he muttered his reply, looked complicated. The words he’d heard from Perdi in that dream came back to him.

“It was something so precious I could never repay it even if I gave everything I had…… and yet I resented it.”

Perhaps Perdi was recalling the moment I had cured his wife’s curse.
“Thank you.”
At those words of gratitude that came so suddenly, Kaien’s eyes widened.
“For letting me know your heart, for accepting my rudeness, for saving me—all of it. Thank you, Kaien.”
“…… Ah, no. That’s just natural for me.”
Taken aback by the unexpected response, Kaien shook his head with an awkward expression.
Perdi gave a small smile to such a Kaien.

“Understand? Protecting Ber isn’t something only I can do.”

Right, Louie.
There’s no need to push away an outstretched hand.
The more people who can protect Ber, the better.
“Ber.”
Perdi turned his head toward Ber this time.
“I’m sorry for the shock. And thank you for treating me.”
“Of course!”
The moment she answered curtly, Ber’s throat tightened. She barely held back the tears threatening to spill over and managed only a few words.
“So get better quickly, understand?”

***

Due to the accident where the Banquet Hall ceiling collapsed, this year’s magic duel was canceled. The Magic Department’s Harvest Festival, like the General Department’s, was to proceed with assignment submissions instead.
Because many people had sustained injuries large and small from the accident, the Banquet scheduled to take place the day after the magic duel was postponed by four days.
Since Ber had treated him, Perdi’s recovery was excellent. After spending a day in the Infirmary, Perdi had returned to his Dormitory room and was resting under Louie’s care.
“A reply came from the family head. It looks like he’ll be able to arrive around the time the Banquet ends.”
Ber relayed Theodore’s letter to Perdi and Louie.
On the day Perdi was injured, she had immediately sent word to Grizzly Castle. The fact that he could arrive in time for the Banquet happening tonight suggested he must have set out the moment the message reached him.
“Either way, we were planning to head back during Summer Break anyway, so it works out.”
Since the summer festival at Royal Academy, the Harvest Festival, would soon give way to Summer Break, Perdi’s words weren’t wrong.
But at that careless tone, both Ber’s and Louie’s gazes sharpened.
“In any case, you’re always so half-hearted about your own affairs.”
“What do you mean half-hearted? It’s the truth. The wound has already healed.”
Perdi began rotating his injured shoulder as if to prove it, moving it about freely.
“No, stop that! What if the wound opens back up!”
“Are you doubting my confidence in your healing, Ber? Besides, you confirmed it yourself. The wound is completely closed.”
When Ber couldn’t respond, Perdi laughed softly.
“Speaking of which, I wonder how the senior is doing.”
“Senior?”
“Yeah. Adrian, the fourth-year senior I had the duel with.”
At the exchange between Perdi and Louie, Ber finally recalled Adrian.
Right—because of Perdi’s injury, I completely forgot about the original protagonist. He must have been standing close by that day. Did he get hurt too?
Since Adrian hasn’t appeared in the Infirmary, it doesn’t seem like he sustained serious injuries. Still, I should go check on him.
Just as Ber was thinking she’d use the bathroom as an excuse to slip out, Perdi beat her to it.
“Ber, we should start preparing soon. Go on.”
“Huh? What preparation all of a sudden?”
“The Banquet.”
It was something Ber hadn’t even been thinking about, so her eyes went wide.
“The Banquet? Come on, no. I need to stay by your side.”
“I’m fine. I’m almost completely healed, so Louie is more than enough.”
“What’s that supposed to mean, exactly?”
It was only brief that Ber glared at Perdi before Louie also began to align with his older brother.
“Anyway, I’m enough to take care of him, so go.”
“Are you saying I’m some kind of child?”
Watching Perdi and Louie continue to bicker, Ber looked away with concern.
“I’m still worried.”
“Just go already. Anya and Silba are waiting, and the Dress is all ready.”
“A Dress? I have one I already own. When did you…”
“Never mind that—get out, go!”
“Wait, just a minute!”
Grabbing the resisting girl’s shoulders, Louie pushed her out of the room regardless of her protest.
Only after quickly closing the door and locking it from the inside did Louie let out a sigh.
“Ber’s just as stubborn as they come. Probably takes after Father and you, doesn’t she?”
“Shut up.”
Perdi replied dismissively and raised himself up, leaning against the headboard of the Bed.
Louie sat down in a Chair beside the Bed and brought up a new topic.
“You seemed pretty skeptical about it before, but what changed your mind? Having someone else serve as Ber’s Escort?”
“Ah. That’s my firstborn’s intuition.”
“…… Intuition?”
“You’ll understand when you see.”
Ber was lovely. She was precious.
Because she was such a sister, Perdi never loosened his guard. He had long been observing any man who seemed to harbor affection for Ber.
This was the first time. Those eyes.
As if a jewel unique in all the world lay before him, the man looked at Ber that way.
Not even by accident would he ever let Ber come to harm.
“At least it’s better than Alexei.”
That man lost his wits every time he saw Ber.
“Hmm? What was that?”
“Nothing.”
Perdi smiled softly as always and turned his gaze to the window.
Beyond the darkening sky, the windows of the Great Hall were glittering.

***

Unable to resist the brothers’ insistence, Ber left the Magic Department Dormitory and headed toward the Great Hall where the Banquet was to be held.
Though the Banquet was still hours away, the Great Hall was already crowded. Surely it was to prepare their appearance. Ber naturally made her way into the Dressing Room.
“Ber, why did you come so late! Come this way.”
Anya grabbed Ber’s arm and quickly pulled her deeper into the Dressing Room.
The moment she was seated before the mirror, Silba, who had been waiting, began to apply makeup to Ber’s face. Unlike usual, Silba’s hands moved very quickly. She seemed to have a talent for makeup—no, that wasn’t it.
“I’m fine! I can do it myself, so go get ready first.”
“You can do it yourself? What, you’re going to put on the Dress alone?”
“Stay still.”
Rarely, both Anya and Silba were adamant. In the end, Ber couldn’t mount a proper resistance and had no choice but to entrust her body to their hands.
“Done.”
“Thank you! Ber, let’s get you changed.”
With those words, Anya opened the box sitting on the table before the mirror. As she took out the Dress carefully folded inside, her eyes held a determined gleam.
Anya first arranged the laces, then began to carefully dress Ber.
“Ber, how do you like the Dress?”
As Anya pulled and tied the laces at the back of the Dress, she suddenly posed the question.
“Do you like it?”
“Yeah, yes. It’s really pretty and cute. And it seems comfortable to move in too.”
It must be incredibly expensive.
“Then I’m glad. Actually, I picked out this Dress myself.”
“What? Anya did? When exactly…… Did, did Perdi pay for it?”
“Ah, actually no.”
As Anya shook her head, Ber’s eyes went wide in surprise as she looked at her friend’s reflection in the mirror. Noble ladies’ Dress prices were more astronomical than one could imagine. Especially evening gowns worn to a Banquet.
“Don’t be so shocked. Unfortunately, I didn’t pay for it either.”
Anya shook her head and smiled faintly, though her eyes seemed somehow dimmer.
“The Dress was paid for by a steward from a Marquis’s house.”
“…… A Marquis’s house?”
Out of nowhere, what Marquis?
“Alright, that’s finished! Hair and Dress and Shoes are all perfect, so let’s head out!”
“What, Anya?”
Much like Louie had done, Anya also began to push Ber. The moment Ber stumbled out of the Dressing Room being shoved along, someone called out to her.
“Ber.”
When she turned toward the soft voice, there stood a man in a tailcoat.
It was Kaien.

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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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