I Picked Up an Abandoned Villain in the Polar Region

Episode 112

 

Kyle wasn’t the only one taken aback.

Many among his relatives—those who had seen her only as a rabbit or were meeting her for the first time—found themselves unable to look away from Brody’s striking and unusual appearance.

“That’s the woman Kyle brought, right? The rabbit beastfolk?”

“I heard she’s Kyle’s girlfriend.”

Their murmurs quickly turned into frowns, as though they’d just heard something distasteful.

“What nonsense.”

Their reaction stemmed from their certainty that Kyle would never do such a thing.

The elders present were some of the most conservative members of Roden, making them dismiss the notion even more coldly.

While whispers and confusion spread among the crowd, Kyle and Brody remained in their own world.

Finding herself thrust into the spotlight, Brody grew flustered and quickly searched for Kyle.

He wasn’t far, standing not far from the front door, and she spotted him immediately.

Kyle had brushed his bangs back haphazardly and matched his black shirt with equally dark pants.

The all-black outfit, combined with his now-revealed forehead and striking features, unintentionally exuded an alluring charm.

Brody felt her heart race and bit her lip.

Calm down, Brody! It’s just because he’s your type. That’s all this is. Just your taste in looks catching up with you.

She steadied herself, forcing her emotions down, and offered Kyle a quick, awkward smile. At that moment, light seemed to flicker in Kyle’s eyes.

Brody raised a brow at the way Kyle stared at her, dazed.

He looks like he’s smitten…

Well, aren’t we both, she thought wryly.

Still, she feigned composure, her steps turning aloof as she made her way down the stairs.

Kyle, snapping out of his daze, hesitated before approaching her.

He extended his hand, offering to escort her down. Brody took his hand, and as they descended together, both felt the warmth of the other’s touch but chose not to acknowledge it.

“Aren’t you hungry? What do you want to eat?”

Kyle asked, leading her toward the refreshment table without meeting her gaze.

Brody pouted slightly at his immediate concern for food. Does he think I’m just a rabbit who eats all the time?

But her mock irritation faded the moment she spotted the table full of desserts.

She gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as she shifted excitedly on her feet.

“They look so delicious!”

Her enthusiasm was short-lived, however. Brody composed herself quickly, choosing only one dessert and placing it on her plate.

“Why just one?”

Kyle asked, frowning as he looked at her.

Brody glanced up at him and answered softly.

“Your relatives are here. I don’t want to overdo it and look bad.”

Kyle frowned at her unnecessary concern.

“You don’t need to worry about what they think.”

Without waiting for her response, he piled her plate with desserts he knew she’d like.

It was as if his sole purpose for attending the banquet was to make sure she enjoyed herself.

As Brody glanced around, her eyes met a woman in a beautiful midnight-blue gown—Zelda.

Standing beside Abel, Zelda seemed to be engaged in a conversation with others but had been watching Brody.

When Kyle turned toward Brody, Zelda quickly averted her gaze. She looked as though she’d wanted to approach but thought better of it.

“Hey, are you gonna eat that round one?”

Kyle’s voice cut through Brody’s thoughts as he pointed at a macaron and waited for her answer.

Brody glanced at Kyle, studied his face briefly, then nodded.

“Yeah, I’ll eat it.”

As the two shared a lighthearted moment, someone watched them from afar with a less-than-pleased expression—it was Fabian.

What a cozy little world they’ve made for themselves.

He was conversing with the elders of Roden, intentionally bringing up Kyle in his praises.

The elders, pleased to see Fabian and Kyle getting along, commented on the significance of the occasion. Fabian smiled faintly and replied.

“Had it not been for Kyle, I wouldn’t have had the courage to come here. I’m not exactly the most forgiving man, as you know. But when Kyle saved my child and built a bridge of peace, it allowed me to make quicker decisions in helping Roden.”

The mention of Kyle made the elders shift uncomfortably.

After all, they were the ones who had rejected Kyle as a successor.

Yet Fabian ignored their unease and turned to his son, Albert.

“Go fetch Kyle. He shouldn’t miss this moment.”

“Yes, Father.”

Albert made his way over and relayed the message to Kyle.

Kyle, about to dismiss it as unnecessary, hesitated when he realized it was his uncle, not his father, who had summoned him.

He didn’t want to leave Brody, nor did he want to endure the uncomfortable company of the elders, but he also didn’t want to embarrass his uncle by refusing.

“I’ll wait here. Go ahead.”

Brody said, sensing his hesitation. She gave him a gentle push toward the gathering.

Kyle sighed and relented.

“I’ll be back soon. Stay here and eat something while you wait.”

Brody waved him off, reassuring him.

But the moment Kyle left, the hushed murmurs she’d barely noticed before grew louder.

“Kyle…”

The name caught her attention, and her ears perked instinctively.

Pretending not to notice, she nibbled on her dessert while eavesdropping on their conversation.

“Is she really a rabbit? Even for a beastfolk, she doesn’t seem the least bit afraid of us.”

“Did you see how Kyle looked at her? He must really like her.”

“You believe that? It’s probably just to make Zelda jealous. He’s trying to take her back from his brother. That’s the kind of person Kyle is.”

“He’s just lying low for now. Soon, he’ll move to take the successor position back from Abel.”

Brody’s stomach churned as she listened.

She had only been curious about Kyle’s reputation, but hearing herself dismissed as a mere tool to provoke Zelda left her feeling upset.

‘Is that what they really think of me?’

Brody almost let out a scoffing laugh at the absurdity of it all, but her brow furrowed instead.

‘Could he seriously think of me that way?’

The thought unsettled her for a moment, but she quickly recalled all the moments that proved Kyle’s genuine feelings for her.

Shaking her head, she managed to calm her nerves and waited for Kyle alone.

Before long, a man approached her. He was unfamiliar, someone she had never seen before.

He strolled up to her table, picked up a champagne glass, and spoke without preamble.

“Where are you from?”

His bluntness, skipping even a basic greeting, was rude enough to make Brody’s face stiffen.

“Excuse me?”

She glared up at the man, her bold eyes meeting his, even though he was much larger than her.

Only then did the man seem to realize she wasn’t someone to dismiss lightly. His awkward smile followed his delayed introduction.

“I’m Jeremy. One of Kyle’s relatives.”

The word relative softened Brody’s sharp expression slightly, though only a little.

She swallowed her irritation and was about to introduce herself when Jeremy cut her off.

“Brody May, right?”

The way he said it, laced with an air of condescension, made her bite back her response.

Let’s just let it go. 

She decided it wasn’t worth creating unnecessary trouble.

However, as if Jeremy’s approach had opened the floodgates, others quickly followed.

“Jeremy, what are you chatting about with the cute little rabbit lady?”

“Mind if I join? Kyle didn’t introduce us, and I’m feeling left out.”

Suddenly, Brody found herself surrounded by a group of large wolf beastfolk. Their imposing presence made her dark eyes flicker with unease.

“My goodness, how adorable.”

“I’ve never seen a rabbit beastfolk this small before.”

“How did you meet Kyle? On a hunt?”

Their laughter at the last comment sent a chill through Brody.

Though they laughed, their words carried thinly veiled condescension.

Normally, Brody would’ve snapped back, calling out their rudeness, but being encircled by such towering figures left her feeling cornered. Her usual quick wit failed her.

“Tell me, are you really Kyle’s girlfriend?”

Jeremy asked, his eyes narrowing as he stared at her.

Just as Brody gathered her courage to fire back with a sharp retort, a voice rang out from behind the group.

“And if she is, what are you going to do about it?”

The crowd immediately stilled, parting to reveal Kyle stepping forward.

He had returned from speaking with Fabian, and his sudden appearance left those who had been bothering Brody visibly shaken.

Kyle’s sharp blue eyes glinted dangerously, and Jeremy, caught off guard, stammered as he tried to explain.

“K-Kyle, it’s not what it looks like. I was just curious… I mean, I thought your type was different, so I was surprised…”

He forced a laugh, attempting to lighten the tension.

Kyle tilted his head slightly, his tone deceptively calm and flat, but his gaze was piercing.

“What do you think my type is?”

His chilling stare, paired with his words, made it clear he wasn’t asking out of curiosity.

Jeremy gulped, realizing the precariousness of his situation, and quickly responded.

“Y-You like strong women…”

Fortunately for him, that was the right answer.

Kyle grabbed Brody’s arm, gently pulling her behind him, as he nodded at Jeremy’s reply.

“Good. You know me well.”

Kyle said before adding,

“Because you’re right—I like strong women.”

Kyle then took Brody’s hand, his expression softening as he continued.

“And this woman is the bravest, most righteous, and strongest woman I’ve ever known.”

His voice was steady, leaving no room for doubt. It was clear to everyone that Kyle truly believed in Brody’s strength.

To him, she was braver than anyone in this room, a figure of justice, and someone who would never back down from a fight, no matter her fear.

Turning his cold gaze back to Jeremy, Kyle leaned in close, his voice dropping into a dangerous whisper.

“So don’t go running your mouth in front of her. Or else, I’ll serve your father your reckless tongue on his dinner plate.”

The threat wasn’t just for Jeremy—it was a warning to everyone present.

Kyle’s icy stare swept across the crowd, ensuring each person felt the weight of his words.

Once he was satisfied, Kyle’s tone softened as he turned back to Brody.

“Let’s go.”