Then why didn’t he just ask? Why stop mid-sentence like that? No way… Did Kalz seriously think he was the one I was closest to in the whole castle? And if I said no, would it hurt his feelings? Is that why he just walked away?
“What is this, elementary school?”
My ears started to burn, reminded of those petty classroom arguments—Who’s your best friend? Ugh. He really has a knack for acting cute in ways that don’t suit that big, intimidating body of his.
But now that I think about it… who am I closest to?
I meant it when I said it was Marianne. That was the truth. But comparing her to Kalz… that’s where things get tricky.
“Anyway, first things first—let’s find Marianne.”
I dashed through the castle halls, thoughts still swirling, but no clear answer came to mind. It felt like I was trying to solve a riddle that didn’t have a right answer. Probably because the two of them exist in completely different corners of my world. Maybe that’s why even something this small feels so telling.
Lost in that odd wave of pink-tinted sentiment, I suddenly spotted a small, round head sitting alone on a hill in the distance. So cute. I dropped the thought spiral and ran straight toward it.
“Marianne, wait!”
A flicker of worry hit me—what if she ran away when I called? But thankfully, she didn’t. She just sat there, watching me silently as I climbed the hill. Then, the moment I reached her, she squeezed her eyes shut and shouted—
“I’m sorry, Briel!”
“Huh? No, wait—Marianne, what are you apologizing for?”
“I was being petty. You didn’t do anything wrong. I knew that, but… I still let myself get upset. And so…”
Her voice cracked, and she trailed off, unable to finish. That stiff expression of hers—it was her trying to hold back tears. And when she pressed her lips together like that, her cheeks puffed out adorably. Without meaning to, I burst into a little laugh.
“Haha, you’re too cute.”
“……?”
“Sorry, that came out of nowhere. And… I’m sorry again. I didn’t realize you were hurting.”
“No, really—it’s okay.”
She shook her head hard, and I reached out, gently patting her round head.
“But can I ask one thing? Just… please remember this—Marianne, you’re a wonderful sunbae, a reliable teammate, and someone really important to me.”
“……”
“It’s just… after what happened before, I didn’t want to make the same mistake again. So I tried to be careful—but I didn’t think that might end up hurting you instead. I’m really sorry.”
I’m not sure if it was a blessing in disguise, but thanks to that embarrassing mess earlier with Kalz, I’d already sorted my emotions out enough to say what I needed to. I guess no failure’s ever completely useless. Marianne, hearing my apology, shook her head even harder.
“I already forgot all about that. You really didn’t know, Briel. I understand.”
“Thanks. Then… is it okay if I keep patting your head like this?”
“Y-yeah…”
She covered her face with both paws as she nodded. But those tiny paws were no match for the bright blush lighting up her cheeks. I couldn’t help but smile and say—
“And if you don’t mind… would you start calling me Bell from now on?”
“Bell…?”
“It’s my nickname. You’re the first person in the castle I’m officially letting use it.”
That was true. Kalz might’ve been calling me that for a while now, but I never exactly gave him permission. What can you do—he’s the lord of the castle. Kind of hard to stop your employer from being… well, themselves.
Leon called me that from the beginning, too, but he’s not from here, so he doesn’t count. So technically, no lies. Just a little unexpected. Marianne hesitated for a moment at my sudden suggestion, then finally parted her soft little lips.
“Bell…?”
“Yup.”
She seemed flustered, quickly covering her face with her tiny paws again. Somehow, her shyness made me feel embarrassed too, and I gave a small, awkward cough. Still hidden behind her paws, Marianne said—
“Then… you can call me Mari, too.”
“Alright, Mari.”
“And… you don’t need to speak so formally anymore. We’re… friends now.”
She finished the sentence a little nervously and peeked out to check my reaction. I smiled back to reassure her.
“Okay. You can drop the formal speech too, Mari. We’re friends, after all.”
“…Okay!”
And just like that, I made a new friend that day—a shy, gentle, and sweet little field rabbit, with the softest fur and the cutest face.
***
“…So yeah, long story short, Leon’s father’s study turned out to be a bust. Nothing useful at all. That’s it.”
“You sound a little too cheerful for someone who came back empty-handed.”
“Do I? Feels like my usual self.”
Kalz smirked knowingly.
“Let me guess—things went well with Marianne. You really are easy to read.”
“There wasn’t anything that had to be worked out, really. Just a small misunderstanding.”
“Oh? What kind of misunderstanding?”
“That’s a secret.”
I could tell him, but Mari might not want me to. She’s really shy about that stuff. Just remembering our walk back from the hill, carrying her in my arms, made me smile. That soft, warm fluffiness—now I could feel it anytime I wanted.
“What are you grinning about?”
“Grinning? Was I?”
“You looked like a pervert.”
What the hell is this lion on about now? I gave him a long look, only to notice—yep, his mane looked different again.
“What’s that look for? Got a problem?”
“Not really. Just thinking.”
“Thinking what?”
“Thinking maybe you’ve been picking up grooming tips now that good mane care’s all the rage.”
“…I don’t follow.”
“Oh, please. It’s obvious you’ve been trying new stuff. Don’t play dumb.”
“Ahem!”
He quickly lifted his teacup like he hadn’t heard a word. That unconvincing reaction… gotta say, his inability to lie outright is kinda charming.
I rested my chin in both hands and watched him sip his tea with perfect posture.
“Say…”
Siiiiip.
“If I said I wanted to touch you, would you let me?”
SPUTTER.
Tea dribbled down his chin as his jaw went slack. I stared at him, debating whether I needed to grab a napkin again. Our eyes met, and he flinched.
“What’s with that reaction? Wait—don’t tell me you’re thinking something weird? I meant your mane, obviously.”
“I never misunderstood!”
“Then why’re you suddenly so defensive?”
Face red as ever, Kalz grabbed a napkin and wiped his chin, muttering under his breath.
“Seriously… what kind of question is that in the middle of dinner?”
“Why not? It’s not exactly scandalous.”
“Then don’t dance around it. Just say what you mean.”
“Ah-ha, so you did misunderstand. Wow. I didn’t know you were the flustered type. Guess you’re hornier than you let on.”
“That’s ridiculous. I’ve never heard anything so absurd in my life. If there’s any misunderstanding going on, it’s because you said it weird. And besides, you’ve got a record.”
“Alright, fine, blame it on me. Let’s just leave the past where it belongs. So… can I pet you now?”
I clamped a hand over his mouth before he could bring up that one time I drunkenly tried to kiss him—my ultimate black mark in life. I wasn’t about to let that get dragged out again. Expecting him to either scoff or shoot me down cold, I pushed for an answer.
But instead of mocking me, Kalz hesitated. Then, under his breath, almost like he was talking to himself, he murmured,
“So… you do want to touch me.”
Wait. What was that tone? And that look? Why did that make my heart flutter a little? Was this what he felt earlier? No, no, I can’t go down that road—if I start empathizing, I’ll sound like I’m just as pervy.
I cleared my throat and nodded like it was no big deal.
“Yeah. Petting animals is supposed to be relaxing, right?”
“So I’m an animal now?”
“I know you’re not. That’s why I asked for permission. Besides, your mane looks extra soft today, and I was curious. So… can I?”
Kalz didn’t answer. He just silently finished off his tea. It wasn’t until the very last drop was gone that he finally responded.
“…Do whatever you want.”
“Seriously?”
“It’s just my mane. You’re barely touching me anyway.”
“Wow—thank you!”
I’d asked half-jokingly, thinking there was no way he’d say yes, but here we were. I stood and made my way toward him, and he immediately tensed.
“Why are you getting up?”
“Because you said yes?”
“Wait—you’re not actually going to do it right now, are you?”
“Why not? When else would I? Should I schedule it in advance? Do you accept same-day appointments?”
“That’s not—ugh. Whatever. Fine. Do as you please.”
He sighed and folded his arms, then turned his head, exposing his mane to me like some reluctant sacrificial lion. I didn’t waste the opportunity—I slipped my hands right into that glorious fluff.
“Oh wow—it’s so plush! It’s even softer than last time when I helped wash it.”
“Back then, I couldn’t move my hands properly, remember? I didn’t wash it well.”
“It’s warm too. Bet you don’t need scarves in winter.”
“The downside is I can’t exactly take it off in summer.”
Petting him felt totally different from the small fuzzy critters I usually hung out with. Their soft, squishy fluff was adorable in its own right—but this? This was something else. The way his thick mane swallowed my hands… I could’ve stayed there forever.
Kalz, who had started off stiff as a board, gradually relaxed. His eyes drifted shut, his nostrils flaring ever so slightly.
So cute.
Encouraged by his expression, I ventured further, gently stroking the back of his neck beneath the mane. He twitched but didn’t stop me.
Buoyed by success, I went all in. I ruffled the back of his head, let my hand glide toward his ear, and gave it a soft pat. His ear twitched, but his face stayed calm.
Alright, let’s see how far I can go…
Growing bolder, I stroked down his cheek, then scratched lightly beneath his chin. He tensed a little but didn’t move. That only made me more curious—how much could I get away with?
I carefully ran my fingers along the short fur on his muzzle. His brow tightened slightly. But when I let my hand drift down toward his lips—
His eyes flew open.
“I specifically said the mane!”
“Whoa—!”
I yanked my hand back like I’d been burned. Kalz glared at me, face flushed to the ears.
“Sorry! I didn’t mean to—I got a little carried away.”
“Unbelievable. I can’t even let my guard down for a second around you!”
With an exasperated snort, he got up and stormed out of the dining room, stomping all the way.
But even as he made his dramatic exit, I noticed something that completely betrayed him—his tail was wagging the whole time.
I stifled a laugh.
Honestly… why is that ridiculous man so stupidly cute?
