CHAPTER 07
Esteban might speak harshly and act far from cute like a proper kid, but there was one thing worth praising about him.
He kept his word.
“Hurry up. There’s only one place left.”
“Kyap! Kyap!”
‘If you’re not going to tell me exactly where this is, at least tell me the places you usually go!’
Esteban was faithfully keeping his earlier declaration that he wouldn’t kindly explain anything.
Like a bus rushing toward its final stop at the end of the day, he seemed focused only on one goal: finishing a full round of the mansion before class.
Because of that, I was basically just skimming through places without really understanding anything.
At this rate, it would’ve been better to explore alone!
“Kyap—ah!”
While chasing after him, I failed to notice that he had suddenly stopped and ended up crashing face-first into his leg.
Clutching my snout, I glared at him—but Esteban only grinned.
…You’re laughing? You think this is funny?
“You’ve probably only taken it in processed medicine form, so this must be your first time seeing it in person.”
Processed medicine? What is he suddenly talking about?
Confused, I tilted my head—then caught a familiar scent.
It smelled like flowers… and a little like sweet chocolate.
As I sniffed, Esteban spoke.
“The bell-shaped blue flowers over there are bluebells.”
Bluebells?
I immediately turned my head.
In front of me stretched a field full of blooming bluebells.
Bluebells.
True to their name, they were bell-shaped blue flowers that activated the flow of base mana.
Which meant—
For the Fenec family, whose beastkin were born with extremely low mana, it was a life-saving medicinal herb.
Not just for Fenec—elderly people with weakened mana flow or those born with little mana could also benefit greatly.
The problem was—
Bluebells could only grow in very limited areas, so their supply was extremely low.
‘High demand and low supply means insanely expensive prices.’
For a family like Fenec, which wasn’t particularly wealthy, this meant they could only obtain it by risking their lives like this.
“I’ve never heard of a fox having such greedy eyes.”
“Isn’t it stranger not to feel greedy? Just selling a few of those would make a fortune!’
I shot him an annoyed look and swallowed my desire.
Honestly, if I could just get a few and cultivate them, I’d even become Winchester’s pet fox like Ariel joked about—
‘But the problem is, they can’t be grown outside Winchester territory.’
And even within Winchester, they didn’t seem to grow just anywhere.
From what I had seen earlier, they only bloomed here—in this garden.
‘Though most Bluebells on the market are grown in Winchester territory near the capital.’
There were some that grew elsewhere, but the quantity was so small that Winchester basically monopolized them.
Because of their value, even the imperial family was obsessed with trying to cultivate Bluebells.
They gathered famous botanists from across the empire—
But every bluebell planted outside Winchester territory withered and died within days.
‘Well… that means there’s no point being greedy right now.’
I decided to think about cultivation later.
After all, I’d be staying in Winchester for five years.
Maybe I’d figure out why they only grew here.
Just then, I saw Rani running toward us.
Out of breath, she said,
“Y-Young Master! Instructor Ellen has arrived!”
“Perfect timing.”
‘Ellen… the one who teaches Esteban how to control mana? Could that help me too?’
Remembering what Rendel had said earlier, I looked at Esteban.
With an annoyed expression, he pointed at me.
“The tour’s over. Take her back to her room.”
“Yes, Young Master. Then shall I bring Instructor Ellen to your room as usual?”
After thinking for a moment, Esteban shook his head.
“No. Starting today, we’ll do it here in the garden.”
“Ah, yes! I’ll bring him here! Miss, then please come this way—”
I pretended not to hear and sat down firmly next to Esteban.
He frowned deeply.
“What are you doing?”
“Kyap!”
‘What do you mean? You said you’re having your lesson here. So I’m staying too!’
I hadn’t exactly asked permission, so from his perspective, I probably looked ridiculous.
But I had just decided.
‘And honestly… the faster I learn to transform, the better it is for you too, right?’
“The tour is over. Go back to your room.”
“Kyap kyap.”
‘I know. I’m staying for the lesson.’
“Hey.”
“Kyap!”
‘If I learn how to control mana and manage to transform, that’ll help you too! I’ll stay quiet! I won’t interrupt!’
“Go.”
“Kyap! Kyap!”
‘No! I’m staying! Let me learn too!’
I shouted—
But when I saw his hardened expression, I lowered my tail.
Only then did it hit me that I might be going too far, trying to sneak into a lesson I wasn’t even paying for.
So instead, I looked at him with pleading eyes, promising silently that I’d stay quiet.
Seeing my sparkling gaze, Esteban frowned and asked Rani,
“Isn’t it just hungry?”
“Kyap!”
‘No! That’s not it!’
“Oh! Then I’ll prepare a meal in your room, Miss!”
“Kyap!”
‘That’s not it either!’
“Miss, please follow me—”
As Rani bent down to guide me, I quickly dodged behind Esteban.
Her eyes widened in shock.
“M-Miss? Did I do something wrong?”
“Kyap… kyap?”
‘No! Not at all! I’m sorry, Rani—but I really want to attend this lesson…!’
At that moment—
Esteban grabbed me by the scruff and lifted me up.
Ignoring my shocked expression, he handed me over to Rani like tossing an object.
“Don’t let anyone near the garden until the lesson is over.”
“Yes, Young Master!”
‘W-What is this—?!’
I blinked in disbelief.
At this rate, I’d just be carried back to my room and end up eating apples again.
‘Honestly… as a civilized person, I didn’t want to resort to this, but…!’
“KYAP KYAP KYAP KYAP!!!”
I screamed loudly, struggling.
Rani froze in confusion.
“M-Miss?!”
Taking advantage of her shock, I jumped out of her arms.
Then I quickly squeezed myself between Esteban’s legs again—
making it clear I wasn’t leaving.
Both Rani and Esteban looked completely stunned.
‘Sorry, Rani. It’s not that I don’t like you—I just really need this lesson!’
“Miss, why are you—”
“Hey. Fox.”
His voice cut in—cold and sharp, unlike before.
His red eyes carried killing intent.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but if you don’t want to get caught in a rampage and die, stop this.”
Only then did I understand.
‘He’s scared… that I’ll get caught in his rampage and die.’
Realizing the fragile truth behind his tough exterior made my chest feel heavy.
Seeing my stiff expression, he seemed to think I understood.
Letting out a small sigh, he said,
“Then go back with your maid—”
“Kyap!”
‘I’m not going! I know what you’re worried about now—how could I just leave?!’
I clung tightly to his leg.
“Did you hear what I—”
“I heard from the head butler that you were here. I apologize for being late, Young Master Esteban.”
A man with curly brown hair and a gentle appearance came running into the garden.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he paused—
his eyes landing on me clinging to Esteban’s leg, and Esteban trying to shake me off.
“F-fox…?”
‘No. Starting today, I’m your student—a desert fox.’
