TSROTRATBP Chapter 4

An odd standoff formed between me, positioned on a cushion, and Iverin, kneeling on one knee across from me. Whatever his words might be, his demeanor was quite courteous.

What good was observing etiquette? Since he was the fellow who'd gone on about emergency rations, I absolutely couldn't let my guard down. Ears perked up, I assumed a ready stance to deliver a back-kick if necessary.

Perhaps sensing this wariness, Iverin placed a hand on his chest and spoke first.

"My apologies for the late introduction. I am Rudd Iverin, Lord Ahin's right hand, who brought you to this estate."

Faced with his polite greeting, fresh concerns flooded in.

Should I reveal that communication was possible, or not? However, seeing him go so far as to introduce himself like this, Iverin had apparently already established the premise that I understood speech.

"Noble Lord Ahin must have profound reasons for taking you in, Lady Rabbit. I merely follow those intentions. A clever animal who understands Continental language—at first I thought you might be a divine beast. Though you appear ordinary."

"......"

"Though you appear ordinary."

There was no need to emphasize twice that I looked like an ordinary baby rabbit. Since he said everything with such a serious expression, even trivial comments irritated me for no good reason.

One fortunate point: it didn't feel like he'd eat me immediately or cause harm. Still...

'Why did that black panther called Ahin bring me here?'

Speak of the beast and he shall appear. No sooner had the question formed than the sound of salutes echoed from outside the bedroom. The noise of guard knights' armor scraping felt eerily ominous.

Soon the door opened and the silver-haired man I'd encountered during the day entered. His overall languid movements gave the impression of an arrogant predator cornering its prey.

Iverin, who'd carefully lifted my briefly dazed self, stood and bowed silently.

"You've arrived."

"Iverin, why are you here?"

"Didn't you send me ahead to attend to Lady Rabbit?"

Red eyes slowly shifted to focus on me in Iverin's arms.

"Ah, right."

Ah, right. Judging by the subtle pause before his answer, those were clearly the words of someone who'd forgotten—anyone listening could tell.

Perhaps excessively curious about the reason, Iverin held me slightly forward and asked.

"Lord Ahin, where exactly did you find this one...?"

"Picked her up in the Border Forest connected to rabbit territory. There were some who'd crossed the boundary without permission. Did you verify whether she's a beastman?"

"According to the physician's opinion, it's an impossible hypothesis."

"Really?"

Ahin's gaze settled on me again as he loosened his cravat while listening to the explanation. Unlike Iverin's impassiveness, this was a look so utterly devoid of interest that it defied description. I couldn't even begin to guess what he was thinking.

"Well, whether she's a beastman or not doesn't matter."

"May I ask the reason?"

"Because I'm eating her tomorrow."

Horrified by this bolt from the blue, I quickly looked up at Iverin. He'd said there must be profound reasons why noble Lord Ahin took me in. This is completely different from what you said!

Iverin, looking down at me in turn, nodded with a grave expression.

"If you'll have her for breakfast, roasted would be best. I'll inform the kitchen in advance."

'Hey, hey!'

Just like that, I was betrayed within seconds. After spending the past few hours pretending to build rapport, here was a traitor if ever there was one.

"My, it's already late."

Iverin, who'd set my pale self on the bed, calmly walked to the terrace and drew the curtains. Swish. The red curtains completely blocked out the pitch-black night sky.

"I'll take my leave now. Rest well."

Don't leave at your own convenience. Stop right there, Iverin! I did my best to growl from atop the bed, but the traitor's retreating form only grew more distant.

As I fumed until he'd completely exited the bedroom, I felt chilling goosebumps rise on my back.

Thanks to the gaze piercing the back of my head, I'd instinctively sensed danger.

When I slowly turned my head, I met eyes with Ahin, whose smile had vanished. Instantly, the horrific scene I'd witnessed during the day flashed through my mind.

'Ahhhhh!'

'Gak!'

The thick scent of blood permeating the forest and the heads of two beastmen rolling on the dirt ground. Just recalling that sight made my stomach churn.

'...Stay alone with a black panther like that?'

Absolutely not. My vision went as dark as the night that had fallen outside the window.