Chapter 07

Nabom’s face, covered in white fur, turned even paler.

She twisted her body and desperately backed away. But she soon hit the mansion wall and had nowhere left to run.

Just as she opened her mouth wide to scream as a last resort—

Are you alright?

At the unexpected voice, Nabom froze.

It was Theodore’s voice, echoing directly inside her mind.

It was so gentle and kind that it almost made her want to cry.

In this life, she had never heard anyone speak to her with such pure concern.

Perhaps that was why—

Are you hurt anywhere?

At Theodore’s question, Nabom unconsciously shook her head.

A sigh echoed through her mind.

I see.

A short reply followed, laced with obvious relief.

It was strange.

Why was this beast so reassured by something as trivial as the fact that she was unharmed?

Did the Grizzly clan, like the White Wolves, believe in the faith of Eostre? Maybe they believed that eating a well-fattened rabbit like her would grant them the power of spring.

If it wasn’t something like that, she simply couldn’t understand the situation.

Come.

Theodore extended his hand.

When Nabom looked up at him, he spoke again in a gentle, coaxing voice.

Let’s go back now.

“……”

Quietly, Nabom climbed onto his palm.

After all, as prey, she had no choices. She didn’t even have enough strength left to run.

Carefully cradling her, Theodore stood up.

The scenery shifted so suddenly that it made her dizzy. Nabom buried her face in his thick fur.

Theodore glanced at her injured hind leg and said,

I’ll change your bandage.

When Nabom nodded, Theodore began walking slowly.

Sorry for frightening you.

It seemed he said something else afterward, but it was drowned out by the voices around them.

“We found her!”

“The Lord has found Ration-sama!”

At the sight of Theodore carrying the arctic rabbit, the search party hurried over one after another.

“Snow Rabbit?”

“Snowflake! You’re safe!”

The retainers, Anna, Louis, and Ferdi all smiled with relief.

But Nabom neither saw their faces nor heard their voices.

Because she had just realized something extremely important.

Wait.

I answered Theodore twice just now, didn’t I?

I’m doomed.

He definitely realized I’m not an ordinary rabbit.

*

Back in human form, Theodore really did change Nabom’s bandages.

Personally.

Fortunately, he did not suddenly open his mouth and say:

“So you can understand me after all. You truly are the Arctic Rabbit blessed with the power of spring. Good thing I caught you.”

Nor did he proceed to eat her.

Contrary to his reputation as a beast who tore apart beastmen, Theodore tied the bandages with astonishing perfection.

Afterward, Theodore gave Anna a few instructions.

Anna then carried Nabom around the mansion, directing servants here and there.

Soon, she brought Nabom into a room where servants had been busily working and gently placed her on a soft bed.

“Snowflake-nim, you’ll be staying here from now on.”

Nabom blinked blankly.

She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

A desk.

A bed.

A wardrobe.

Even a bathroom.

Everything one needed in a room.

More importantly, all the furniture was tiny.

Not furniture for ordinary beastfolk who could transform into humans, but furniture made specifically for small animals.

…What is this?

There was no way they could have built all this in such a short amount of time.

Slowly, Nabom placed her paws on the bed railing.

Although it was so well-maintained that it showed almost no signs of use, it was clearly quite old.

As Nabom tilted her head in confusion, Anna spoke quietly.

“It would be too lonely for the Lord and Lady to leave it empty forever.”

For a brief moment, bitterness crossed Anna’s face.

Then she smiled again.

“From now on, this will be your room, Snowflake-nim.”

Yet Nabom only felt puzzled.

What kind of predator gives a room to prey it intends to eat?

Rather than a room…

Looking at the wooden rails surrounding the bed—

Or rather, the guard rails—

Nabom narrowed her eyes.

Isn’t this a prison?

Just then, she suddenly shuddered.

A familiar warning signal.

“Snowflake-nim?”

Nabom patted her stomach with her front paws, but Anna merely looked confused.

This time, Nabom pointed toward the bathroom.

“Ah! I understand. I’ll take you right away.”

Beaming, Anna lifted her up.

Anna doesn’t seem surprised at all that I can communicate.

Did she already know I wasn’t an ordinary rabbit?

The thought plunged Nabom into despair.

Then Anna cheerfully added,

“I’m so happy that I can finally communicate with you, Snowflake-nim. I was worried I’d just been talking to an ordinary rabbit this whole time.”

…Exactly when did I get found out?!

But she had little time to dwell on it.

The moment Anna set her down in the bathroom, her stomach began to cramp.

As Nabom prepared to use the small animal-sized toilet, she could feel someone staring at her.

Turning around, she found Anna watching her intently.

Startled, Nabom jumped.

“Oh my, Snowflake-nim! Your injury hasn’t even healed yet. It’s dangerous to jump around like that.”

Of course I’d be startled when you’re staring at me!

Swish! Swish!

With a deep frown, Nabom pointed emphatically toward the door.

“Yes, yes. I’ll leave now.”

Anna slumped her shoulders and turned away.

“Though I’m sure watching you curl up while using the bathroom would be absolutely ador—”

Muttering something incomprehensible, Anna left the room.

The door clicked shut.

Only then could Nabom finally concentrate.

*

After emptying all the greens she had stuffed into her stomach, her bloated body finally returned to normal.

Nabom sighed in relief and made a solemn vow.

From now on, I’m eating less.

Just enough not to die.

Unfortunately, this room became a place of temptation every single day.

“For rabbits, hay is obviously the best! Snowflake-nim, here’s some hay!”

“What nonsense. Carrot leaves are clearly superior. Come on, Snowflake-nim, try these!”

Today again, two men stood beyond her bed offering handfuls of greens.

Her tiny nose twitched.

Unable to resist the fragrant scent, Nabom snatched both the hay and carrot leaves at once.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Two different textures danced delightfully in her mouth.

As her cheeks puffed up adorably, the men’s faces brightened as well.

“Snowflake-niiim! There’s more!”

“Here, have some more!”

Huge, muscular men spoke in cutesy voices while offering her food.

But Nabom no longer reacted.

Her shoulders drooped.

I gave in to temptation again.

As expected of a count’s household.

Even the vegetables were high quality.

Whether Theodore intended to fatten her up for himself or present her to the Imperial Family, she didn’t know.

But things were definitely going according to his plan.

“Hm. She was eating so enthusiastically. Why’d she suddenly stop?”

“I think Snowflake-nim’s appetite has been a little low lately.”

“Really? Is her health alright?”

“Yes. She’s still eating enough every day, so she should be fine.”

“What about her hind leg? Is it healing?”

“It’s getting better every day, so don’t worry.”

At Anna’s answer, both men visibly relaxed.

“Of course. Snowflake-nim is brave, after all. Did you see? She even left a wound on my arm with her paw.”

One of the men proudly displayed his muscular forearm.

The “wound” was a tiny scratch barely visible unless one squinted.

“And you’re bragging about that? Once Snowflake-nim is fully healed, she’ll leave a much bigger injury on me!”

“What?”

“Honestly, I’m the most likely target, aren’t I? After all, I’m her personal maid.”

“Anna! Stop saying ridiculous things!”

“Anyway, what matters is that something like that day never happens again.”

At the words that day, all three of their expressions darkened.

“There are nothing but giant rough-looking beastmen in Grizzly Castle.”

“Right. Snowflake-nim is a tiny herbivore. We were too ignorant and inconsiderate.”

After Nabom had fled the Great Hall in terror, Theodore had issued strict orders throughout the Grizzly household:

• No more than two people may visit the arctic rabbit at a time.
• Do not meet her in unfamiliar environments.
• If you wish to see her, visit her room directly.
• And never call her “Emergency Rations.”

It had originally been an affectionate nickname among those who shared their lord’s hobby of rescuing injured animals and releasing them after treatment.

But if the title hurt Snowflake-nim, then it had to go.

“It was the first time Lord Theodore had invited her to a meal, so I suppose we all got carried away.”

“That only shows how special Snowflake-nim is.”

“Yes. That’s why we have to take good care of her.”

As Anna gazed at Nabom with gentle eyes, the two men looked at her quietly as well.

After waving goodbye, they left the room.

Nabom, however, continued grooming herself without even looking back.

Yeah. Special.

Of course I’m special.

If you’re all convinced I possess the power of spring, naturally I’d seem special!

“Snowflake-nim.”

At Anna’s gentle voice, Nabom slowly turned around.

“Everyone in Grizzly Castle wants to meet you.”

Nabom glared at Anna and tilted her head.

And exactly why do they want to see me? Care to explain?

“Because Snowflake-nim is just so ador—”

Anna’s face lit up brightly.

She was clearly about to reveal some wonderful truth.

But at that exact moment—

Knock knock.

A loud voice rang through the door.

“Snowflake! I came to visit!”

Nabom slammed a paw onto the bed.

Protect rabbits’ right to know the truth!