The Baby Bear of the Black Fox Mansion - Chapter 24

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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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Episode 24
“You—who gave you permission to come barging in here……!”
Jerpeon strode into the Reception Room with heavy steps, but stopped short at the sight of Miel with a Cookie stuffed in her mouth.
The frost in his eyes melted in an instant.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose a couple of times, and the icy expression vanished from his face.
Soon enough, he opened his mouth with a considerably gentler tone.
“……Little one, weren’t you supposed to be with Lisar?”
“……Goodness, just like a fox cub to put on such an act.”
Zeros Nordic wrinkled his nose in disapproval.
“Well, you see, Miel got a little scared of grandfather earlier and ran away crying, so really Miel’s heart is in the right place and I didn’t want you to think badly of her, so she came to apologize.”
“I see.”
“Yes.”
Miel nodded her head in agreement.
At the innocent and artless words, Jerpeon smiled softly and stroked the child’s hair.
“Have you finished all your Cookies?”
“No, I haven’t.”
Miel answered while looking at the Cookies still piled up like a mountain before her.
“What about Lisar? I couldn’t find you two anywhere.”
“He’s hidden away somewhere.”
Miel gave Jerpeon the same explanation she had offered to Valen Noctis.
Jerpeon gazed at the child and gave a small nod.
It was nothing new for Miel to slip through his expectations.
“I see. Well, if we’re going to eat dinner soon, why don’t you stop with the snacks for now? And since Lisar is waiting, would you keep him company?”
“Oh……”
Miel, about to bite into a Cookie in each hand, hesitated.
Seeing her face fall in an instant, Jerpeon smiled softly and rubbed the child’s cheek.
“The ones you’re holding, you can finish those.”
“Oh, yes!”
Miel sprang down from the sofa.
Afraid he might snatch the Cookies away, she hastily bent down and, in the blink of an eye, was already far from his reach.
The child slipped out through the crack in the doorway in a flash.
After Miel had left, the cool gaze shifted once more, settling on Valen Noctis, who sipped his tea with an unbothered expression.
“Why have you come?”
At a voice completely different from the one he’d used with Miel, Valen Noctis met him with an icy gaze.
* * *
Crunch, crunch-crunch.
The crispy Cookie dissolved softly on her tongue.
With each bite, chocolate jam spilled out from inside, and Miel’s entire body trembled with delight.
As she walked along munching one Cookie, Miel paused before eating the other in her free hand.
She had remembered Lisar, who had looked forlorn and dejected.
“……Hmm.”
Would eating something sweet make the Honey Pastry feel better?
Miel blinked, thinking of Lisar, whom she had hidden under her bed back in her room.
Gulp.
Miel stared hard at the Cookie in her hand, squeezed her eyes shut, and walked forward with firm, long strides.
This was the last Cookie she was allowed to eat today.
“I can hold on just a bit longer.”
Miel, gripping the single Cookie tightly in both hands, finally arrived at her room.
She squeezed her body through the slightly open door, scanned the quiet room once, and then suddenly dropped flat on her belly in front of the bed.
“……Little one, can I come out now?”
Lisar, who had been pressed tight against the underside of the bed, asked with a slightly worn face.
“Yes. Grandfather isn’t coming.”
Lisar sighed and crawled out slightly, then flopped down in front of Miel.
“How could you just leave me here like that?”
“Well, if grandfather suddenly shows up, the Honey Pastry would get scared, so I went to check. That’s all.”
Lisar’s eyes narrowed.
“Just to check?”
“Y-yes……”
Of course, she’d done a bit of monitoring while eating some Cookies and Milk.
But in any case, Miel had gone to keep watch for Lisar’s sake!
“You waited for me?”
“……Well, not that long, really.”
When Miel asked with a downcast gaze, Lisar gave a small cough and quickly shook his head.
“Yes, you waited nicely. You’re a good one, so good.”
Miel, grinning widely, rubbed Lisar’s head with hands covered in cookie crumbs.
Lisar’s cheeks flushed a vivid red.
“You, you……. Don’t wipe on my hair.”
“Hm?”
Miel tilted his head.
Lisar’s lips parted soundlessly before he gave a small shake of his head.
“Ah, here’s a Cookie. Honey Pastry.”
“Not Honey Pastry—Lisar. When will you finally call me by my name?”
“Oh!”
Right.
He kept forgetting.
“Lisar!”
“……!”
At the innocent call, Lisar’s eyes widened.
The boy’s face grew redder and redder.
Watching him intently, Miel placed the Cookie he held into Lisar’s hands.
“This is what Miel brought. For Lisar! Miel held back real hard and brought it for you.”
“……For me?”
“Yes.”
“…….”
Lisar, clutching the Cookie that Miel had given him, hung his head low.
Above his head, something like wisps of steam seemed to be rising.
He’d gripped it so hard that it had crumbled in places and the honey had begun to seep out, making it slightly sticky.
“……Thank you.”
“Yes.”
Miel watched Lisar intently.
Gulp.
His gaze fixed on the Cookie. Miel’s Adam’s apple moved slightly as he stared at it.
A small smile played at the corners of Lisar’s mouth.
The boy suddenly broke the Cookie in half and popped one piece straight into Miel’s mouth.
“……Mm!”
“Let’s share.”
Lisar, tossing the remaining Cookie into his own mouth, laughed.
It was slightly damp and warm, but it tasted better than any Cookie he’d eaten before.
“Lisar, such a kind child…….”
At Miel’s trembling words, Lisar burst into laughter.
“Am I kind?”
“Yes.”
“I see. Do you like kind people, Miel?”
“Yes.”
“Then I should be even kinder.”
Lisar brought his face close to Miel’s, curling his lips into a gentle smile as he spoke softly.
“Hm? Yes.”
“Want to go Shopping with me tomorrow?”
“Shopping?”
“Yes.”
What was Shopping?
Miel tilted his head blankly, wiggling his fingers.
“Is it something delicious?”
“They sell delicious things there too.”
“Really?!”
“Yes.”
“Great! I’ll go.”
Miel, hooked by Lisar’s whisper, quickly nodded.
“I’ll buy you pretty clothes too.”
“Pretty clothes?”
“Right. Miel doesn’t have many clothes, so I wanted to give you something.”
“Mm… but why a gift?”
“Oh, well. Just… because I’m grateful?”
Lisar gently took hold of Miel’s hand.
It was slightly sticky, but Miel’s hand was always warm to the touch—it felt nice.
“Grateful? To Miel?”
“Yes. You let me see the sun again. I’d thought I’d never see flowers bloom again. Mother getting healthy—that’s all because of you. So…”
Lisar slowly brought his forehead down to rest against the back of Miel’s hand.
“I owe you a debt of gratitude I could never repay in a lifetime.”
“A debt of gratitude…?”
Miel’s eyes widened.
“It’s fine. You’ve already repaid it to us.”
“Me? To you?”
“Yes. Honey… no, I gave you Honey Pastries. And I saved you, and I let you sleep in a soft, fluffy place, and I said I’d take you to the panda family too.”
Miel counted off on her fingers as she spoke.
And that was why Miel had felt so happy.
“You gave me a gift and didn’t even hit me. So you’ve repaid your debt too… because this place is so warm.”
Miel pressed her other hand firmly against her chest.
“So I was really, really happy.”
“…Right. So when little bear pays us back her debt, we end up owing her a debt again, which means we have to repay it now.”
Tilt.
Miel blinked, looking confused.
“Anyway, let’s go together tomorrow. Okay?”
Lisar leaned in close, his eyes drooping at the corners as he spoke. Miel nodded reflexively.
“Great! Now sit here for a moment. I’ll go get something to wipe your hands.”
“Mm.”
Lisar disappeared into the Bathroom.
[Little bear. Would you listen to my story too? Please.]
At the voice that reached her at the same moment, Miel pouted her lips.
The wicked spirit who said nothing but mean things had spoken to her.
“Don’t wanna.”
Miel turned her head sharply away.
[You’re the only one who can see me. I’ve been wandering for so many years…]
Miel clamped her mouth shut.
[I couldn’t escape from that mountain for a long time until I met you, but now that I’ve met you, I finally can.]
The Draconian pressed both hands together.
[Please, I’m begging you. Little panda.]
…!

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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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