The Baby Bear of the Black Fox Mansion - Chapter 51

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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 51
“How fortunate that a dull mind hasn’t forgotten the name. Or is it my misfortune?”
He tilted his head slightly and opened his mouth.
“You’ve dragged that heavy body of yours all the way out to the Southern Territory.”
……
“It’s admirable, but I’m curious why you’d come to my domain and cause such a disturbance. Will you answer?”
When those black eyes locked directly onto him, Gareth Bernier swallowed hard.
The moment his pride stung from being outmatched, his face flushed and he lifted his chin defiantly.
“I came looking for one of my family’s children. Someone said she was kidnapped.”
“Kidnapped?”
He tilted his head with deliberate slowness.
“You’ve misunderstood. This child is under my protection.”
Zerfeon bent slightly at the waist, stroking the baby bear’s head as he spoke.
“That creature belongs to Bernier! Don’t you know how serious a crime it is to take a child of another species without permission? What happens if I file a formal complaint through the Imperial Court? This could go all the way to trial. Are you hoping to squeeze settlement money out of Bernier? Times must be hard for you.”
Gareth Bernier spoke with satisfaction, knowing all too well that the entire Southern Territory had suffered from accumulated snow for a long time, and he’d heard rumors of people going around asking for help everywhere.
Then he hesitated for a moment.
‘Snow?’
Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t seen any snow on the way here.
That was when his brow furrowed.
Zerfeon’s neat lips parted.
“I did get permission.”
“What? From whom—”
“From the child. This sort of thing depends on the child’s own will.”
Zerfeon replied evenly.
“What nonsense is this—!”
“So I’d prefer you didn’t lay another hand on the child I’m protecting, and simply withdraw.”
He looked at Gareth Bernier with a cool gaze.
That narrow, fox-like arrogance in his eyes made Gareth unconsciously hold his breath.
Poof!
A start.
By then, Miel’s emotions had settled enough that she returned to human form.
Lisar grasped Miel’s hand tightly.
Gareth Bernier came to his senses a beat too late.
“Hey! You, get over here right now! Do you have any idea how much trouble it is being with another species? If damage comes to us, are you going to take responsibility?”
It appeared he’d decided he couldn’t win against Zerfeon with words, so his sharp rebuke was directed at Miel instead.
A flinch, another flinch.
Miel’s shoulders shrank inward.
Zerfeon’s lips twisted.
Normally she was the type to say odd things without hesitation and stay spirited even when scolded, but in front of Gareth Bernier she was visibly cowering.
One could see how long she must have lived suppressed beneath his thumb.
“Come here this instant!”
“W-wait! Miel, actually you’re not a Bernier child…. Miel is a Half-moon Bear.”
Miel, gathering her courage, finally spoke up.
“What? What nonsense is that? Even if you’re a failed half-blood with a stone embedded in your forehead, who here doesn’t know you’re Bernier?!”
……!
Miel’s eyes went wide.
The moment her trembling gaze landed on him.
“Good grief, what’s all this noise?”
At that languid voice, Zerfeon looked up.
It was Zeros Nordic.
Behind him were Tao Linden and Yao Linden, who appeared to have gone to fetch him.
…….
Stop.
Zeros Nordic’s steps halted.
His gaze landed on Miel, who sat there frightened and shrunken.
He turned his eyes slowly.
“……You.”
Gareth Bernier reflexively turned his head and froze.
The man, whose head towered another full head above his own, was regarding him with formidable presence.
“…You, you are.”
“You’re quick to arrive.”
Even as Zerfeon spoke, Zeros Nordic’s gaze remained fixed on Gareth Bernier.
He pressed the base of his skull several times, then exhaled a long breath. The chest that had swelled with tension deflated slowly.
“Surely you’re not a madman?”
Gareth Bernier, his face drained of color, murmured the words.
“Hah.”
Zeros Nordic let out a sharp laugh.
“Oh, it’s been ages since I heard that one.”
“What brings Nordic’s loose cannon to this place of all—”
“I wander all over the empire doing what needs doing, don’t I?”
He answered with indifference, then strode toward Gareth Bernier in great loping steps.
As the man, whose sheer bulk exuded an oppressive presence, approached without hesitation, Gareth found himself backing away despite his own will.
“What, what is it?”
“Well, it happens you’re here. I’ve been wanting to see you.”
“See me?”
As the small village erupted into commotion, onlookers began to emerge from their homes.
“See what, exactly?”
Crack, crack.
He pressed his knuckles together and grinned wickedly.
“You.”
“What the hell are you talking about—!”
Like a terrified mouse, he raised his voice.
“Some cowardly bastard taught a little baby bear something called Independence or whatever, and made the poor thing dig in the dirt and eat grass.”
Hearing this for the first time, Zerfeon’s eyes widened as well.
“……!”
“That despicable wretch—it was you, wasn’t it? Gareth Bernier.”
“It’s, it’s family business—no, mind your own business! And that child wanted it! She said she didn’t want to stay at home! Hey! You tell him! You said you didn’t want to live in the Main Residence!”
As Gareth Bernier’s voice rose, all eyes turned toward Miel.
‘All that black stuff flickering.’
It felt like there was more than before.
Miel swallowed, hesitated, and gave a small nod.
“So you—!”
“There are children present.”
“—You damnable…”
Zeros Nordic drew in a deep breath. As his chest swelled, his presence became even more crushing.
He extended his muscular arm and draped it across Gareth Bernier’s shoulder, then lightly wrapped his forearm around the man’s neck.
Then he looked at Miel.
“Why.”
Tilt.
Miel’s head tilted slightly. But she looked away from Gareth Bernier, her eyes drifting downward.
“Ugh, what are you—!”
“Quiet now.”
Zeros Nordic whispered near his ear, then pressed Gareth Bernier’s head down harder.
“Little Half-moon Bear.”
Perk.
Miel’s eyes brightened.
“Yes….”
“Why didn’t you want to go into the Main Residence?”
“…….”
Miel blinked.
“Miel, you know this—everyone in that place dislikes you. But because there’s such a thing as social appearances, they don’t drive you out. However, if you keep drawing attention, they’ll have no choice but to do so.”
“Why…?”
“Because you’re a motherless illegitimate child. Do you know how much trouble your mother caused before she died? Everyone will hate you for it. It’s only because of me that they treat you with any kindness at all. You don’t want to be cast out, do you?”
“No….”
“Then you must read the room and act accordingly. Even if someone asks you to live in the Main Residence, you must refuse. You have no parents, so you must have Independence—living with others isn’t good for you. You can only survive if you stay out of sight. Otherwise, you’ll be driven away.”
“I don’t wanna be cast out….”
“Right? So I’ll help you. Your uncle will make excuses for you. So you stay in that cottage, you hear? It’s where your mother lived. Uncle will give it to you specially—that house.”
As the memory surfaced, Miel’s lips drooped, forming a small triangle.
“Uncle said everyone doesn’t like Miel… and if I’m a bother, they’ll like me even less… so Uncle helps Miel lots. Uncle taught me Independence too, and said I gotta stay outta sight to live long… so that’s….”
So Miel would leave for hunts in the early hours and spend nearly all daylight hours confined within the cottage.
“And Uncle gave the cottage to Miel too…….”
Miel nodded in acknowledgment.
In that house, the only ones who had ever spoken to Miel first were her youngest uncle—the sole family member who never teased her—and her cousin, who did nothing but tease her every day.
“…….”
“…….”
Crack—!
“Ack!”
With a sound like his neck was breaking, Gareth Bernier gasped and wheezed for breath.
But aside from that noise, the silence was terrifying.

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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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