HRTC 14

Chapter 14

A girl with red hair cutely tied into two braids stepped out from her room on the second floor.

It was late enough that everyone in the mansion was asleep. She tiptoed on purpose, not wanting to get caught.

Since it was an old mansion, the floorboards creaked. Each time they did, she held her breath.

I mustn’t get caught. Absolutely not.

If she got caught, she’d surely be forbidden from going out.

Sneaking quietly, the girl headed for the entrance. Of course, she didn’t forget to check her surroundings.

After confirming no one was around, she opened the door and slipped out. She closed it carefully so it made no sound, then stretched.

The sky was adorned with stars, dazzlingly beautiful.

For a moment, it seemed like she was admiring the night sky. But then, she closed her eyes.

Whispers of the stars reached her ears. The stars told countless stories. She was still far too young to hear them all.

I understand. I’m listening. Yes, yes.

At last, the girl opened her eyes. Her reddish-brown irises sparkled with starlight.

She clutched her pajamas tightly with both hands. Her starlit eyes swept the surroundings.

—That way. Go that way.

Alright. But you guys lied to me last time, didn’t you?

—No. This time it’s real. Truly.

The stars’ beautiful voices urged her on, stirring her heart. Her impatience grew.

If you’re wrong again, I’ll hate you.

With lips pressed tight, she muttered aloud. The stars only giggled in response.

Then, as if steeling herself, she began to run. A pleasant breeze swept across the trembling fields as she crossed them.

It has to be tonight.

—It will be. Tonight, they’re here. If you’re too late, they might leave.

No. They can’t leave. I’ve waited so long.

Her face swelled with anticipation. Her heart pounded madly, thundering in her chest.

She ran until she was out of breath. Branches and grass brushed against her body, but she couldn’t stop. She had to go.

Please, tonight… wait for me.

My wounded little lion.

I will… find you…

…I will find you?

Who was I talking about…?

Morning sunlight streamed directly into her eyes. The lemon-colored curtains were useless against it.

It was too bright, so she flopped down, burying her face into a soft pillow with a faint sigh.

That was… a dream?

Kali was so sleepy she couldn’t focus.

The dream had felt too vivid. She couldn’t tell if it was just a dream or a memory from before.

She rolled over, catching the sunlight full on her face. With a grimace, she squirmed and burrowed under her pillow.

“Ugh… I really need to get those curtains changed…”

Pretty as the lemon curtains were, they were completely useless.

It only cooled down once she buried herself deep. Lying in the darkness, she slowly opened her eyes.

“…That red-haired girl… who was she?”

She couldn’t recall such a character in the original novel.

Yawning, half-asleep, she rummaged through her mind. But there was no trace of that girl.

That left only one guess.

Could it have been Kali’s childhood?

A few days ago, Leonhardt had asked her about her past. She’d told him that since becoming a squirrel, most of her memories were gone—only her name remained.

Maybe that was why? Maybe bits and pieces of her memory were coming back now?

If so, couldn’t it come back all at once?

Another thing troubled her.

In the dream, the girl had red hair.

Her own attendant, Levi, had red hair too. Granted, the shade was different, but not by much.

Does that mean Levi’s somehow connected?

The thought confused her even more.

At first, her only goal had been to survive—to escape her squirrel life.

Even teaming up with Leon wasn’t part of my plan, but that’s going surprisingly well.

But somehow… things seemed to be going too smoothly. Perhaps breaking the curse alone wasn’t enough.

Still, she had too few clues. She didn’t know what to do.

I’m not even sure if that red-haired girl really was Kali…

As she tried to organize her swirling thoughts, a knock came from the door.

“My lady, it’s Levi. Are you awake?”

“Ah, yes! You can come in.”

She called loudly, hoping he’d heard. Then Kali popped out from under her pillow.

Levi opened the door and walked in, smiling brightly. His face looked much healthier now than before.

Back when he had nothing to do but linger in the mansion as a burden, he had seemed lifeless. Now, he looked genuinely happy.

Seeing Levi’s face, Kali decided to ask.

“Good morning, my lady. Today’s weather is even better than yesterday’s.”

“Mm, the sunlight is blazing. Oh, speaking of sunlight—Levi, we really need to change those curtains. They don’t block anything.”

“Ah, should we? I’ll mention it to the head butler. What a shame… they were such a pretty color.”

“They’re nothing but useless frills. All looks, no substance.”

“All looks… no what?”

“Ah, nothing.”

Korean idioms kept slipping out of her mouth. That could make her look suspicious.

Brushing it off, Kali shifted to the point.

“Hey, Levi. Can I ask you something?”

“Yes! What is it?”

“How long have you been here?”

“Me? About two years.”

“I mean what you told me before—about your past.”

Was it alright to bring up his painful memories again? She hesitated but decided it should be fine.

“Do you… remember anything from your childhood?”

Kali climbed onto his small palms. Instead of placing her on his head, Levi lifted his arms so they were at eye level.

He blinked, searching his memories, then shook his head.

“I don’t remember much.”

“What’s your last memory before coming here?”

“Um… Just that my mother was sick, and my father sold me. That’s it.”

He had told her that before.

No new leads. Kali nodded, pretending it was nothing.

Still a long way to go…

Levi set her down on the table, then unpacked the basket he’d brought. Out came a fist-sized loaf of bread, a small bowl of soup, and lastly a salad.

This was Kali’s breakfast. As a squirrel, she couldn’t eat much, so the portion was small.

Levi sat opposite her with his own bread—just the same as hers.

“Levi, is that all you’re eating?”

“Of course. This is enough for me.”

“That won’t do. You’re still growing—you should eat more.”

“Hehe. My lady, you sound just like a mom.”

“What? Hey, I’m not that old, you know. I’m only twenty.”

“Really?!”

“What’s with that reaction.”

Tearing off a bite of bread, she dipped it into the soup. To her, it was as tiny as a split acorn.

Then she slid the soup bowl over to Levi.

“Here, have some. I can’t finish it.”

“But—”

“If you insist, we’ll share. I’ll eat, you eat too.”

“My lady… you’re so kind.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty nice.”

She grinned smugly, but when their eyes met, they both burst into laughter.

In that moment, Kali noticed Levi’s eyes more clearly. Bathed in sunlight, they appeared brighter, but they were unmistakably brown.

The dream was already fading. What she remembered clearly, though, was the girl’s red hair and brown eyes.

Red hair and brown eyes… Levi really does look like her.

Or maybe not?

She tilted her head and nibbled at her bread.

Too bad Levi had no childhood memories. If he did, she could have asked more.

She was nibbling on a piece of lettuce when Levi spoke again.

“By the way, I heard His Highness is staying at the mansion again today.”

“Hm? Leon? And?”

Wasn’t it normal for him to be home? Kali tilted her head.

“He usually goes out to slay monsters every two or three days.”

“Oh, really?”

She vaguely recalled that from the original story, though it was hazy.

Not thinking much of it, she leaned back against the wall. She was full now and couldn’t eat more. Her gaze drifted to her belly.

“…This…”

She grabbed her stomach with both hands.

“Don’t you think I’ve gotten chubbier?”

“I… don’t know. You look the same as yesterday.”

“No, look. I can pinch a roll here.”

She squeezed her belly and showed him, but Levi only shrugged, saying she was as round as yesterday.

“Maybe I should start exercising…”

“My lady, skinny squirrels aren’t cute. You’re perfect as you are!”

“No way. Think about it, Levi. Squirrels just eat, sleep, eat, and sleep again…”

At this rate, she really might roll around like a ball.

Wait. What if everything I eat as a squirrel still counts when I turn back human?!

Her face went pale. She grabbed her cheeks—only to feel how puffy they were. She tugged them in panic.

“See? Look at this!”

“What about it?”

Levi, who had already finished her soup too, started clearing the table.

To his eyes, she just looked like an ordinary squirrel.

“My cheeks are so chubby!”

“My lady, squirrels’ cheeks are always chubby.”

“That can’t… oh.”

Come to think of it, that was true. Squirrels stored food in their cheek pouches, so they were bound to be puffy.

Relieved, Kali let go of her cheeks.

“You’re right. Haha!”

“Exactly. And by the way, that ribbon really suits you. I’m glad I found it.”

Levi’s gaze shifted to her neck. His fingers brushed the small bell tied there. It jingled softly with a pleasant sound.

She wasn’t a cat, yet here she was with a bell around her neck.

She tapped it with her tiny paw. She wanted to rip it off immediately. But if she did, Leonhardt might replace it with two bells.

Just then, the door flew open.

“Kali. It’s time for our walk.”