A month had passed since Marcel’s arrival, and he was now officially the gamekeeper of Lord Reineke’s forest, as well as Liam and Bal’s sword-fighting instructor. He lived in the forest, occasionally coming to the estate’s courtyard to teach the boys the basics of wielding a sword.
Bal was brimming with determination, brandishing a wooden sword.
“One more time, master!” he demanded. Indeed, Bal had come to respect Marcel after witnessing his incredible technique.
“Good, don’t get discouraged! Come at me again, Bal!” Marcel responded. He was treating Bal like his own grandson.
Liam wiped the sweat from his brow, smiling as he watched the two.
I was observing their training while using Lord Reineke as a sofa.
“So hot... Lune, aren’t you hot too?” Lord Reineke grumbled with a sigh, but he was kind enough to not shake me off.
Autumn was coming, and Lord Reineke’s fur was changing into a winter coat, making him feel a bit hot. His natural fluffiness coming into contact with the warm body temperature of a young child like me created even more stifling heat. The sweet scent of ripe fruit meant he was sweating.
“Yes, it is a bit hot,” I agreed with a giggle. I stepped away from him, causing him to give me a grumpy look. “I’ll go get drinks for everyone.”
“Good idea,” he said, closing his eyes and putting his head down.
Father showed up right then, followed by a maid pushing a cart with cold drinks. When Marcel spotted them, he stopped the training and thanked them.
“You two keep going. Liam, come with me,” father said, his icy voice reverberating throughout the courtyard.
Liam approached the marquis with a slightly apprehensive look on his face. Feeling nervous, I went over to them as well.
“Is something the matter?” brother asked.
Father furrowed his brows. “A large shipment of high-grade jewelry just arrived, the likes of which our domain could never obtain on our own. And...it’s all addressed to Lune.”
The man cast a glance at the cart behind him. Atop was a letter with the royal seal on it, as well as some kind of fancy, crimson leather box stamped with the name of a luxurious jewelry shop from the capital. The latch and keyhole were even gold.
Father and brother looked at me, awaiting my response.
I stumbled back, shocked at the sight of the same jewelry box as in my past life. His Highness Hodr had gifted me these boxes countless times. I was ignorant back then, so I simply accepted them without thinking of how much they had cost. It was exactly this kind of extravagant spending that had led to me being labeled a vixen who duped the crown prince and turned the nation upside down. And those accusations had led to my execution.
Th-The same thing is happening all over again!
My breathing quickened in distress. When Lord Reineke noticed, he came up to me and nuzzled against my legs. His warm, fluffy fur tickled my skin, calming me down. I inhaled deeply, leveling my breathing.
No, no. Lord Reineke is here this time!
I stomped hard on the ground and lifted my head.
“I won’t accept it!” I declared.
Father and brother both looked relieved.
“I see. So you refuse it?” father asked.
“That’s right!”
“I thought you might say that,” Liam said, hugging me from behind.
I held tightly onto his arms.
“Living in the Renard domain is more important to me than getting fancy gifts,” I told my father. “But...would it help the domain if I accepted it?”
My eyes welled with tears as soon as I said that out loud.
If father orders me to accept the gift, then I’ll have no other choice. I’m just an adopted orphan, after all.
Anxiety crushed me from the inside.
“No, it would not. Even if it did, what’s most important is how you feel, Lune,” father asserted calmly, while Liam petted my head.
“Naturally,” Lord Reineke said with a nod.
A single tear of relief rolled down my cheek.
“Thank goodness...” I said, releasing a breath.
Father smiled at me gently, if a little awkwardly. He wasn’t very good at expressing his emotions.
“I truly cannot stand His Highness’s recent behavior. We’ve refused him multiple times, and Their Majesties share our sentiment. Yet he continues to be obstinate and high-handed,” father said, now looking grave.
Brother nodded. “We can’t allow Their Majesties to indulge him in the end. We’d better work on increasing our power.”
“Indeed. I will not hand Lune over as a bride!!!”
Father’s forceful words made my face light up.
With these two on my side, everything will work out!
My ears twitched happily. Father cast me a sideways glance.
“L-Lune... May I...pat your head?” he asked diffidently.
“Of course!” I said, presenting my head to him.
The corners of his lips raised into a rare smile, and he gingerly reached out, touching my head. I could feel his tension through the slight shaking in the palm of his hand.
Could it be that he’s been wanting to pet me all this time?
The thought delighted me, and I pressed my head against his palm.
The man gasped. “Lune!”
“Please pet me more!” I coaxed, peering up at him.
Father’s expression softened, and he gently and carefully stroked my head. Marcel observed him with surprise, glancing between him and Liam.
“All the rumors said the Renards were cold, ruthless, and iron-faced...” he muttered, shocked to see how caring Marquis Renard was.
Bal grinned. “Family’s a different matter.”
“Right, everyone treasures their own family.”
Marcel and Bal were just having a casual conversation, but their words filled me with joy. I found myself smiling broadly.
I see... Father truly values me as a member of his family.
I pushed my head against father’s hand. He smiled, content to continue the petting while he conversed with Liam, who stole a glance at me.
Is Liam feeling a bit lonely?
I tilted my head. Liam cleared his throat and looked away.
Huh? Is he mad at me?
Lord Reineke laughed at my anxious expression.
“Liam is sulking because the marquis is monopolizing you.”
“Sulking?” I repeated, causing Liam to jolt and cast me a surprised look. His cheeks flushed red, so I must’ve hit the mark.
I smiled and spread my arms.
“Brother, you too!”
Liam timidly drew near and embraced me. I returned the hug, and hugged my father at the same time. But then, without saying anything, Liam suddenly sniffed me.
Humph! I wish he wouldn’t do that!
Still, I couldn’t make myself say that out loud when I saw how happy he looked.
“Father, let’s hasten the canal and shipbuilding projects,” Liam said.
“Yes, indeed.”
The two of them nodded, vowing to each other.