Chapter 115
Karden held me tightly in his arms. His familiar scent enveloped me as I nestled against his broad chest.
The sense of security and comfort from being completely embraced gradually calmed my racing heart.
“Your Grace…”
While still holding me, Karden issued orders to his soldiers.
“Guard the shapeshifter district. Arrest any suspicious individuals who intrude here, regardless of their status.”
“We will obey your command.”
As Karden mounted his horse, he spoke to Ron.
“Ron, stay here and treat the injured shapeshifters.”
“Yes. Leave it to me, Your Grace.”
Ron answered with a spirited attitude. In the short time since I’d last seen him, Ron had become considerably more mature and composed.
Perhaps it was because he had been interacting with the capital’s magicians and conducting magical research.
Ron caught my gaze and smiled brightly. Then he mouthed the words:
‘Don’t worry. Everything will be fine, Shushu.’
Strangely, when Ron said it, I felt that everything would indeed be alright.
I nodded and wagged my tail.
The horse carrying Karden and me began galloping through the streets. Yudis followed behind us on horseback.
I nestled deeper into Karden’s warm embrace, struggling to suppress the power still churning within me.
***
As soon as we arrived at the clinic, we laid Rena on a hospital bed.
Uncle focused on disinfecting and treating the wounds etched all over Rena’s body before wrapping them in bandages.
“Shushu, thanks to your healing power, Rena’s condition isn’t as severe as I thought.”
“That’s a relief, Uncle.”
“For now, rest is most important for Rena. Leave her to me, and you should get some rest, too. You look completely exhausted.”
As I left the room, I glanced back at Rena once more. Seeing the emaciated fox lying helplessly on the bed made my heart ache.
I was heading to the drawing room where Karden and Yudis were waiting when I belatedly checked my condition. My entire body was covered in dirt, and my fur was tangled and disheveled.
“I can’t go out looking like this.”
I hurried to my room on the second floor and transformed into a human.
In my fox form, I couldn’t properly clean myself.
After a quick wash, I changed into a casual dress and went down to the drawing room on the first floor.
Karden and Yudis were engaged in a hushed conversation, their faces filled with concern.
When I entered, Karden reflexively stood up.
“Shuvelia, are you alright?”
“Our Shushu, you look half-dead. Why did you rush into danger like that?”
Karden and Yudis exclaimed simultaneously, competing to speak first. I shrugged my shoulders and smiled playfully.
“I’m fine after using a bit of power.”
I deliberately spoke playfully, not wanting to worry them.
“I was shocked by that snowstorm earlier. To think it could transform into a weapon with such destructive power. Shushu, have your powers grown stronger?”
At Yudis’s sharp question, my heart sank.
“Well… it just happened after practicing a few times.”
Yudis’s blue eyes gleamed with a keen light as she scrutinized me.
Could she have noticed something?
Cold sweat ran down my back, but then Yudis laughed heartily and patted my shoulder.
“As expected of our Shushu, you’re amazing. Growing your abilities on your own, you’re the best!”
Yudis was genuinely delighted, like a doting parent proud of their child.
Somehow, I think she’s happy about the wrong thing.
Being pleased about destructive power… the Helleide family’s perspective really is different from that of normal people.
Karden continued to stare at me intensely.
Knowing what his gaze meant, I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes.
He was surely worried because I had rushed into danger first.
Karden sighed lightly with a stern expression.
“Shuvelia, why do you always rush headfirst into dangerous situations? Didn’t we make a promise?”
“But when I saw Rena collapsed, I couldn’t just stand by.”
“I understand. But you putting yourself in danger is unacceptable.”
Danger? Honestly, I could have swept away those thugs with just one snowstorm.
If anything, I was the one who spared their lives.
I snapped at Karden in frustration.
“Don’t you trust my power, Your Grace? I could have handled it myself.”
Karden narrowed his brows as he gazed at me.
“That’s what worries me. They were humans. The moment you harm them, the kingdom’s laws and public opinion could turn against you unilaterally. Moreover, with public sentiment toward shapeshifters at its worst, rash actions could put you in danger.”
I had no rebuttal. Karden was right.
Yudis wrapped her arm around my shoulder with a sympathetic expression.
“Shushu, I understand how you feel. But we need to be careful now. With increasing numbers of shapeshifters going berserk from Turba side effects, people are being attacked. Physical conflicts between shapeshifters and humans are occurring. The atmosphere is so tense that riots could break out at any moment.”
“Is it really that bad?”
“Yes. The problem is that even ordinary shapeshifters who were living quietly in the capital are changing.”
“What do you mean?”
Yudis continued with a bitter smile.
“Until now, shapeshifters worked hard jobs, but they had basic housing rights and privileges as members of society. However, with growing prejudice against shapeshifters, even those who were quiet before are being treated with hostility.”
“Ah…”
I was momentarily speechless. Shapeshifters had been trying to adapt within human society to survive.
That’s why the Ulpes tribe went to such lengths to humanize themselves to enter the capital.
But if even humans reject and try to drive them out, who could endure that?
“Shuvelia, His Majesty the King has issued an emergency alert for the capital.”
Karden revealed in a calm tone.
“Until we resolve the shapeshifter rampages, the capital gates will be closed and security measures strengthened. Official group gatherings and activities will also be prohibited for the time being.”
“Is the situation that serious?”
An emergency alert? My voice trembled involuntarily.
“Yes. Because we don’t know when shapeshifters might go berserk and attack people. And shapeshifters who have taken Turba are being forcibly gathered at the shapeshifter shelter.”
“Is that really okay? That place is managed by Duke Berdin.”
I had an ominous feeling. Would it be safe to send shapeshifters there?
“You’re right. I really hated that decision, too.”
Yudis retorted with an irritated expression, arms crossed.
“What can we do when it’s the King’s order? Besides, the nobles actively supported it. They insisted, spitting as they spoke, that shapeshifters who might go berserk at any moment should be gathered in one place and monitored. They’re such hypocrites.”
“Shuvelia.”
Karden called my name in a serious tone. When he addresses me this way, it means he has something important to say.
“Tomorrow morning, the gates will be completely closed. Before then, you should take refuge at the northern castle with Sir James. I’ll come for you when this is resolved.”
“That’s absurd.”
Before he could finish, I stood up. I urgently exclaimed to Karden and Yudis.
“You want me to escape alone? What about you and Lady Yudis?”
“It’s not escaping, it’s taking shelter in a safe place. The current situation is unfavorable for shapeshifters, so it’s dangerous for you to stay here.”
Yudis took my hand and smiled gently.
“My brother is right, Shushu. Don’t worry about us. Your safety is our top priority.”
“B-but…!”
My mind was in such turmoil that I couldn’t find words to object.
Just then, there was a knock on the drawing room door, and a nurse appeared.
“Miss Shuvelia, a patient is asking for you.”
“Rena?”
Has Rena woken up? Is she alright now?
Yudis and Karden exchanged glances, then rose from their seats.
“Shushu, be ready. I’ll come for you tomorrow morning. Knights will safely escort you and Sir James to the northern castle.”
“B-but I haven’t made my decision yet.”
Karden stopped abruptly in front of me and placed his hands on my shoulders.
His blue eyes directed at me were complexly intertwined with deep worry and concern.
“This is not a request, Shuvelia.”
“Your Grace.”
“This is the first and last order I give to you. Please, go to the northern castle, for my sake.”
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