PFLWPL 13

CHAPTER  13……………………………………..

Talk of the “Pegasus tribe’s mutant” and the like meant nothing to the Pegasus Knight Order.

No—anyone who wavered because of such talk would be a traitor, not to the beastkin race, but to the lord who had recognized their ability.

Believing so, the knight order became even more protective of their young lady than the Pegasus tribe themselves.

“Shall we keep doing morning exercises together?”

So, not a single knight could resist the young lady’s earnest suggestion.

***

“Rin in the knight order?”

“Yes. She said she wanted to do morning workouts.”

The small commotion in the training yard that morning was promptly reported.

Theodore, who always paid close attention to his niece’s every move, paused with an unreadable expression.

“Miyak.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Make preparations accordingly.”

Theodore handed his aide a quickly written note.

After glancing at the contents, Miyak’s eyes widened briefly before he nodded.

“As you command.”

Leaving his superior behind, Miyak strode briskly out of the office, heading somewhere with purpose.

***

News that a fresh wind was blowing through the once-stagnant knight order spread quickly.

And soon, word circulated throughout the family that Rin had been showing up at the training yard every morning to work out with some of the knights.

“The terminal heir and the discarded hounds, huh…”

“No, it’s the last direct heir and the house’s strongest military force joining hands.”

“Hmm.”

There were those who viewed the growing closeness between the two with suspicion—
and others who saw it as an opportunity.

Now’s the time. I can get the best price for this.

Outside the Pegasus castle, two figures met in secret, their faces hidden deep under hoods.

A group displeased with the new, hopeful air within the castle had sent one of their agents to meet with an insider.

The hood drawn tightly around the insider’s face betrayed their unease.

“Fine. I’ll do it for that amount.”

“You’re greedy.”

“Oh, not at all. Considering the risk I’m taking, it’s a bargain.”

“Can you make it happen on the appointed date?”

“That depends on when the down payment arrives.”

Tsk.

The subordinate clicked his tongue in disgust but handed over a pouch from his cloak.

The other person opened it, counted the contents carefully, and smiled brightly.

“Good. Good. I’ll bring her out on the date you mentioned.”

“I’m counting on it. If you break your word, you’d better be ready for what’s coming.”

“…Of course.”

At the veiled threat, the figure flinched; their hood slipped slightly, revealing a glimpse of brown hair before they pulled it quickly back up.

***

Rin walked down the corridor in high spirits.

The new training equipment that had suddenly appeared in the training yard fit her height perfectly.

Before, even the scarecrow dummies had been too tall for her to use, but this morning she found a colorful set of practice tools — and even a wooden sword just the right size for her small hands.

“Another big step toward a long life! March, march, march~ hmm-hmm~”

As Rin hummed her made-up lyrics to a tune she liked, a sharp shadow fell across her back.

“Lady Rin.”

“Nanny?”

Rin turned her head and saw Yubara, her recently quiet nurse.

Ever since the previous nanny had said something strange, Rin had kept her emotional distance from Yubara as well.

“I brought your favorite doll to greet you, my lady. You always take your tea with it, don’t you?”

In Yubara’s hand dangled a black Pegasus doll — Rin’s dearest toy companion.

Rin quickly took the doll from her before its neck could be shaken any longer and hugged it tightly, stepping back.

Poor Kkamangi… it must have hurt when she grabbed you by the neck like that.

She gently patted the doll’s mane in apology.

Yubara’s eyebrow twitched slightly at the girl’s reluctance to approach, but she soon forced her face into her usual gentle smile and spoke in a soft, coaxing tone.

“The pie you love just finished baking. Would you like to have a little snack?”

Rin’s big deer-like eyes rolled toward the pie, piled high with glistening fruit.

Sparkling under the sugar glaze, it looked like a tray of jeweled treasures.

The sweet aroma seemed to whisper, Eat me, eat me, and Rin’s gaze was locked on the pie.

“Why don’t we eat it outside in the garden? A little sunshine and fresh air will do you good.”

Hmm. That made sense. Sunshine and fresh air were healthy — part of her “stay healthy” goal, right?

And it wasn’t like the garden was a strange place.

Thinking so, Rin followed after Yubara, her eyes still fixed on the pie, as they headed to the tea table set up in the garden.

“Haap!”

Rin took a big bite of pie and nodded in satisfaction.

Mhm. The pie’s innocent, after all.

She’d just eat this, and then go back to keeping her distance from the nanny.
It was just a temporary break — everything would be fine. Yes, yes.

“Lady Rin, here’s the milk tea you liked last time.”

Pour—

Rin took the offered milk tea without thinking. Sweet flavors filled her mouth and her mood lifted; she kicked her short legs happily under the table.

Her small belly soon rounded with fullness, and she leaned back lazily in her chair, hugging her favorite doll.

“Oh my, your hair’s a little messy. Let me brush it for you.”

Though Rin hadn’t asked, Yubara produced a comb from somewhere and began gently brushing her hair.

The soothing strokes made Rin’s body relax further.
Her senses dulled pleasantly, her tension melting away.

And mixed in that comfort was a familiar scent—pheromones.

Yubara, who wasn’t even a native of Pegasus territory, had been hired as Rin’s nurse for a reason:
the capybara tribe’s unique ability—Affinity Pheromones.

“Lady Rin.”

Yubara released more of her pheromones, her voice smooth and drowsy, as if to dissolve the girl’s body into languor.

Rin’s eyelids drooped.

Her whole body slackened—

“You’ve been visiting the knight order lately, haven’t you?”

Yubara’s tone was casual, almost conversational.

Half-asleep, Rin mumbled, “Mmm… yeah… I have to… exercise…”

“You’ve gotten quite close with the knights too, haven’t you?”

“Mmm… I guess…?”

Rin nodded faintly, recalling their faces.

Satisfied, Yubara finished braiding Rin’s hair neatly, then moved her hands to the girl’s shoulders.

Her fingers kneaded softly, loosening the muscles — making Rin giggle from the ticklish touch.

Perhaps thinking the mood relaxed enough, Yubara spoke in a concerned voice.

“My lady… perhaps you should refrain from visiting the knights so often?”

“Huh?”

“The Pegasus Knight Order is the family’s core military force. It might not look proper for you to approach them alone like that. You know how people talk behind backs, even when they act polite to your face…”

She sighed, patting Rin’s back with an air of concern.

But Rin blinked slowly.

Something’s… off.

Even as her body grew heavy and her mind hazy from the pheromones, a flicker of warning light flashed in her head.

Click.

With effort, Rin raised a leaden hand and pressed one of the ornaments on her necklace.