Chapter 82
A noble lady with sharp features wearing a splendid dress was angrily waving her fan.
Behind her, like birds following a peacock, three or four ladies stood agreeing with everything she said.
“Lady Cade is right. Has this place become somewhere for just anyone to wander? How degrading.”
“Besides, this drawing room was exclusively for our Lady Cade, but to think a healer has taken it over is extremely unpleasant.”
In front of them stood a lady with her head slightly bowed, calmly waiting. She wore a pure white lace bonnet, so her face wasn’t clearly visible.
Madam Selen was trying to mediate between them, but she seemed to be struggling.
“I apologize, Princess Melberin. There seems to have been some misunderstanding. I will guide you to a better drawing room.”
“That’s not the issue. A healer from a fallen house frequenting this boutique, isn’t that lowering the boutique’s standards?”
No, that woman’s words are too harsh.
To discriminate against someone to their face over something so trivial.
Just as I was about to step forward, filled with anger, the lady who was being humiliated by Lady Cade untied her lace bonnet and raised her face.
Beautiful golden hair flowing down to her back rippled, and large, beautiful blue eyes sparkled like delicate jewels.
A face as white as first snow, a high-bridged nose. Rose-colored lips.
It was definitely Olivia, the female protagonist from the original story, whom Karden so desperately wanted.
Why is Olivia here? I was taken aback by the unexpected appearance of the original story’s heroine.
“There seems to have been a misunderstanding. I apologize. I’ll move aside.”
Olivia spoke in a calm but dignified tone. But Cade continued to glare at her with an irritated, unpleasant expression.
Seeing that arrogant look that seemed to belittle Olivia until the end, I felt my anger rising.
“Do you think a verbal apology is enough?”
Our heroine apologized for something so trivial, yet she behaves like this!
As a reader, I felt my anger boiling. This situation couldn’t be ignored anymore.
I desperately wanted to grab that Lady Cade, whatever-her-name-was, by the hair, but acting recklessly could harm not only Yudis but also Karden.
I couldn’t cause trouble right after arriving in the capital. If I fought by grabbing a duchess’s hair, I might be confined to house arrest.
Then there was only one way to cause a scene freely and confidently while hiding my identity.
I grinned with a smile of satisfaction and returned to my drawing room. After confirming no one was there, I transformed into a fox.
And I ran at full speed toward the opposite drawing room.
Making sounds as scary and violent as possible!
“Kaaang! (You’re all dead!)”
As soon as I entered the drawing room, I swished my fluffy tail.
When the white snow mist filled the drawing room, the noble ladies screamed.
“Wh-what is this! This fog?”
“Quick, run away!”
“I can’t see anything. Where’s the exit?”
Unable to see because of the snow mist, the ladies stumbled and floundered, bumping into each other.
While the ladies were panicking and not knowing what to do, I kicked a teacup on the table with my front paw.
The flying tea spilled directly onto Lady Cade’s splendid and luxurious dress.
“Kyaah! Who spilled tea on my dress!”
“What should we do about this? Are you alright?”
Taking advantage of the confusion, I bit Olivia’s dress hem and pulled.
“Ah… Are you a fox?”
Olivia looked down at me with a surprised expression.
“No time. Quickly escape while you can.”
When I ran ahead toward the exit, Olivia hurriedly followed.
I led Olivia into my drawing room across the hall, then closed the door.
Only then did I catch my breath and look up at Olivia to ask.
“Whew. Lady Olivia, are you alright?”
Olivia still seemed confused as she stared at me, then gently smiled.
I couldn’t help but stare blankly at her appearance, like a beautiful flower fairy smiling.
“Thank you. Fox. You helped me, right?”
“Ah, yes. You seemed to be in trouble, Lady Olivia.”
I wagged my tail and smiled brightly.
“To receive help from such a cute fox, it feels like a fairy tale.”
Olivia smiled broadly, then, as if remembering something, put her finger to her pink lips.
“Do you perhaps know me? Have we met before? You know my name, but I can’t remember… I’m sorry.”
“Ah, no!”
I shook my head vigorously.
“I’ve heard about Lady Olivia through someone I know. That’s why I felt it wasn’t someone else’s business and helped you. Those other ladies were bullying you, right?”
“I see. Thank you for helping. What happened earlier was just a brief misunderstanding with the princess. Don’t worry.”
I thought she would be hurt, but Olivia showed a composed attitude.
Ah, that’s right.
Olivia may appear fragile and delicate on the outside, but inside she has a stronger heart than anyone. Perhaps that’s another aspect that made Karden fall for her more deeply.
Olivia approached me and knelt slightly. Then she gently stroked my fur with her elegant hand.
It was too sweet a touch to refuse.
I momentarily forgot myself and whimpered, entranced by Olivia’s gentle touch.
Kaang, this isn’t right!
Coming to my senses, I pulled away from Olivia’s hand.
“Oh, my name is Shuvelia. Everyone calls me Shushu.”
“Shushu, what a lovely name.”
Olivia and I sat facing each other across the tea table.
I considered transforming into a human, but the thought of wearing that suffocating corset and dress again made me breathless.
I cleared my throat and began speaking with as serious an attitude as possible.
“Actually, I’m a healer. I serve Grand Duke Karden Helleide, who guards the northern border.”
When I revealed my identity, Olivia was surprised.
“Ah! So you’re the fox shapeshifter who calmed the Grand Duke’s rampage?”
“That’s right. But how did you know?”
How did that rumor spread? As I tilted my head and asked, Olivia smiled gently.
“The healers who were dispatched to the northern castle and returned told me. They were amazed that a fox shapeshifter prevented the Grand Duke’s magical rampage.”
“Ah, that was just by chance…”
I never thought the rumors would spread like that already.
Olivia approached me and carefully stroked my fur.
“They said you were a mysterious fox shapeshifter, and I wanted to meet you, too. Nice to meet you, Shushu.”
“I’m also glad to meet you, Lady Olivia. It’s sudden for our first meeting, but I have an urgent favor to ask.”
Olivia elegantly tilted her chin slightly.
“If it’s a request from such a cute fox, I’d like to do anything I can.”
Can I really ask Olivia for this? But now I have no choice.
I gathered my courage and began speaking.
“Although I’m the Grand Duke’s healer, my power is incomplete.”
“You mean your healing power is incomplete?”
“Yes. I can’t completely calm the Grand Duke’s magical power. Plus, I have limitations as a shapeshifter. We need a healer who can prevent magical rampages.”
“I thought the Grand Duke’s magical rampages were completely gone.”
I looked down at my front paws for a moment.
Although on the outside I have cute, fluffy front paws, inside flows an intense desire that craves magical power.
To the point where I want to devour it all, even if it means taking someone’s life.
What would happen to him if I lost my reason and swallowed all of Karden’s magic? That was what I feared most.
I gathered my resolve once more.
This is the only way for him.
I raised my head and met Olivia’s gaze.
Kind eyes that seemed to hold a clear, bright sky looked at me affectionately.
“Lady Olivia, please become the Grand Duke’s healer.”
Olivia’s long eyelashes fluttered in surprise. She composed herself and asked seriously.
“Changing a healer is a significant matter. Does the Grand Duke know about this?”
If I told Karden, he would absolutely oppose it.
But I would feel at ease only if Olivia became his healer.
“Ah, I haven’t told him yet. But the Grand Duke will approve.”
It pricked my conscience to lie to Olivia, but I had no choice.
After hearing my words, Olivia seemed deep in thought. After a moment, she looked at me with serious eyes.
“The Grand Duke’s magical rampage is also a major concern for the Temple. The well-being of the Grand Duke, who protects the kingdom’s border, is important. That’s why the Temple wanted to station a dedicated healer at the northern castle. I was originally scheduled to be dispatched as the dedicated healer.”
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