IBTVGFTWML | Chapter 24

A chilling silence descended.

I froze in place, clutching the feather tangled in my hair.

Honestly… magical items had a way of sparking curiosity. They were everywhere, even ones that would make adults lose their minds! And yet, I… I…!

The feather in my trembling hand swayed lightly, as if blown by the wind. Unlike my heart, which felt like it was burning to ashes, it seemed absurdly calm.

All eyes were on me.

The magician who had dumped the box of magical items onto me, Nick, who had been explaining the items that Ed was curious about, and Billy, who had said he’d buy all the items in the box.

That brief moment felt impossibly long.

‘Before the possession, they used to say that if time feels like it’s moving too fast, try doing a plank, right?’

But there’s an even better way than that.

Just spout unfiltered sass in front of predators.

It’ll make you realize how slowly time can drag. Trust me; that’s where I’m at right now.

In this terrifying silence, the only one whose expression remained the same was Ed.

Was he so used to hearing things like this from me that it didn’t faze him anymore? Ed, who had briefly widened his eyes in surprise and looked around, soon smiled brightly and answered cheerfully.

“Yes, I’m still a baby after all! Miss Remi, you should look around too; there’s so much cool stuff!”

His cheerful tone instantly shifted the atmosphere.

‘Ed…!’

I love you!

As soon as the invisible chains of decision-making lifted, I dashed straight to Ed and pretended to be utterly fascinated by the items in the box.

“Y-yeah, right! Wow, there’s so much cool stuff here. Definitely enough to make your head spin!”

My voice trembled as if I were speaking from a massage chair.

Magic scrolls, communication tools, brooches imbued with one-time spells—grabbing anything within reach, I feigned amazement, widening my eyes at each item.

“Everything must seem amazing to you since you’re just a baby, right? H-ha…”

My voice kept getting smaller as I stood between Nick and Billy, who continued to look at me with unreadable expressions. At this rate, I wanted nothing more than to turn to dust and blow away.

“Haha!”

Startled by the sudden sound of laughter, I turned my head.

Next to me, Nick burst into hearty laughter, his ever-present smile still gracing his lips as he looked at me.

“I’ve never encountered such a unique way of speaking in my entire life.”

“Ah, haha…”

My fear-frozen brain couldn’t come up with a quick response. I could only laugh awkwardly like an idiot.

Thank you for merely calling it a unique way of speaking!

I wanted to shout my gratitude at him right then and there, but my mouth clamped shut when I glanced at Billy next to him. His stern expression, hardened with tension, sent chills down my spine.

Is this what it feels like to shower in cold sweat? Even the hand rummaging through the box was quickly becoming clammy.

Lowering my eyes instinctively under the predator’s gaze, I failed to notice the subtle twitch at the corners of Billy’s lips. It was only when I heard a muffled chuckle that I realized he had been holding back laughter.

Was my face turning bright red? It seemed like he was trying to spare me embarrassment, but honestly, I would’ve preferred him laughing outright.

Because earlier, when Billy stood there, lips tightly shut, and face solemn, it had been genuinely terrifying.

And then it happened.

As I pretended to examine random items, my hand landed on something soft.

I only grabbed it to avoid the awkward situation. My lowered gaze caught sight of a fluffy object, resembling a bundle of cotton.

The irresistibly squishy texture made me curious, and I instinctively raised my head just as—

“W-wait a second, that’s—!”

The magician, who had been silently watching me with his mouth agape, suddenly shouted in panic. As if his words were a signal, the fluffy object in my hand began to squirm.

“Huh?”

The bundle of fluff swelled up, and before I knew it, it opened its mouth wide.

And then it bit my finger.

“Ahhh!”

Pop.

Startled, I flung the fluff away, and something burst with a loud sound. When I opened my eyes, I immediately sensed something was seriously wrong.

I wasn’t tall to begin with, but I definitely didn’t remember having to look this far up at Billy and Nick. And then…

“Lady Remi?”

Even Ed, rarely flustered, stared down at me with wide eyes.

Yes, down at me.

What?

“Baaah—.”

What?

“Baaaah!”

What the heck?

“Did you… transform into an animal on purpose?”

Billy’s bewildered question was met with a furious shake of my head.

Why would I transform into an animal here? That’s just asking to get roasted as lamb chops!

My legs trembled as visions of skewers flashed before my eyes.

Billy and Ed turned their confused gazes toward the magician who had shouted earlier. Looking pale as a sheet, he wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve before stammering out a response.

“Well, um… that’s…”

“It’s a spell that forcibly transforms bitten beastfolk into their animal forms.”

“What?”

The magician’s explanation was interrupted by Nick, who spoke up instead, looking down at me with a troubled expression.

“I made it for fun back before I became the Tower Lord… I didn’t think it’d still be lying around in this storage room.”

Why would you make something like this?!

“Baaah—baaaaah!”

Even if I wanted to protest, only the sound of sheep bleating came out of my mouth.

This… this is a magic tower full of carnivorous beastfolk. And around me? They’re all wolves. Why, of all places, here?!

Tears welled up in my eyes. I never thought I’d live to see the day I cried as a sheep.

Still, since Nick was the Tower Lord, he’d probably know how to undo the spell, right? Holding on to what felt like a reasonable hope, I quickly pulled myself together.

Please, let there be a way.

I gave him a pleading look with eyes wide and shiny, and as if noticing my desperation, Nick reassured me not to worry.

“It’s fine. The spell only lasts for a day. You’ll be back to normal by tomorrow.”

Tomorrow…?

I have to live as a sheep for an entire day? Even in sheep territory, I’ve never lived like that…

“Well, that’s a relief. Seriously, you’re such an incomprehensible guy,” Billy muttered, shaking his head.

“Really? I’ll definitely be back to normal tomorrow?” I asked, hoping for confirmation.

“Of course.”

Why are you two so reassured about this? I’m the one who’s definitely not okay here!

“Baaah!”

I momentarily forgot my predicament and let out a bleating shout of indignation.

Ed approached me, gently stroking my back with a pure smile.

“Miss Remi, you’ll be back to normal by tomorrow! Until then, I’ll take good care of you.”

“Hm, it’s true that being alone would be inconvenient. Assigning a caretaker is the right move,” Nick added with a nod.

“Baaah!”

No, thank you!

***

Click.

The door opened, and I trotted into my bedroom on all fours.

From inside, Mimo, who had been enjoying the freedom of an empty room, turned their gaze toward me.

…?

For the first time, Mimo’s usual calm and collected expression gave way to confusion. Well, it made sense; their master, who was always human, had just walked in as a sheep.

I let out a deep sigh and slowly walked further inside. Behind me, Ed followed, having been the one to open the door.

“Lady Remi, let me brush your wool.”

Ed began searching for a brush to groom my wool, as if it were second nature.

At Morton’s estate, they’d assigned Ed the easy task of brushing Mimo’s fur, so it seemed he was recalling those memories now. Holding a brush, Ed approached me with an innocent smile.

“Baaah, baaah!”

No, I’m good!

“I’m really good at brushing, I promise. Right, Mimo?”

Ed, thinking I didn’t trust him, looked over at Mimo, who had been staring at me from a distance. In response to Ed’s question, Mimo gave a slight nod as if to agree.

With a triumphant expression, Ed flashed me a bright smile that seemed to say, See? You can trust me!

The sunlight streaming into the well-lit room reflected off Ed’s one remaining canine tooth, making it gleam.

Since he’d lost a tooth, his smile seemed more… endearing than anything else.

Resigned, I let Ed groom me. As the brushing continued, an odd mix of shame and relaxation washed over me.

‘Is this what getting brushed feels like? So refreshing and pleasant?’

Glancing over at Mimo, I saw them subtly lift one paw, as if giving me a thumbs-up, while nodding approvingly.

Whether they were pleased to see me relaxed or thought their help had been beneficial, I wasn’t sure.

[Affinity +31%]

My affinity with them had increased ever so slightly. An unexpected reward.

Next up was a walk. Ed had decided to take me outside after recalling our past walks with Mimo.

Unlike Morton’s estate, where a vast meadow stretched behind the house and sheep frolicked freely, the elaborate gardens of the Louvre estate came into view.

Since there was a quiet corner of the garden that the servants rarely visited, we naturally headed in that direction.

There was no way I could handle running into a pack of fully-grown wolves while in this state, let alone a single cub.

As we walked slowly, Ed shared some fascinating stories about the wolf territories he’d been studying lately. Listening to him, I found myself smiling proudly.

And then, just as I was about to round a corner—

“Huh? Who’s that?”

At the same time, a wolf turned the corner and locked eyes with me.

Not a wolf beastfolk—an actual wolf.

Its fur was a striking blend of gray and blue, its pointed ears standing tall, and its snout protruding prominently.

“Baaah!”

“Whoa? Lady Remi!”

Startled out of my wits, I bolted without a second thought.

Ed’s hands flailed in the air, trying to grab me, but he missed.

Save the sheep!

Whether Ed was chasing after me or not, I didn’t dare look back and ran for dear life.

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