I Picked Up an Abandoned Villain in the Polar Region

Episode 94

 

Brody was happily eating the fruits Kyle had brought when she suddenly looked up.

At first, she thought it was just her imagination, but Kyle’s expression had seemed uneasy for a while.

“Is something wrong?”

Startled by the sudden question, Kyle, who hadn’t realized he was scowling, shook his head hastily.

“No, why?”

Hmm, something was definitely off. 

Brody narrowed her eyes suspiciously as she set down the fruit.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. Why are you making a big deal out of it?”

“It’s written all over your face. Why won’t you just tell me?”

As she stared at him in growing concern, Kyle, unable to evade her gaze any longer, hesitated before reluctantly speaking.

“There’s just someone I’ve been worrying about.”

“…Who?”

Brody’s heart sank at the mention of ‘someone.’ She didn’t know why, but she suddenly felt uneasy, fearing it might be Zelda.

Tense, she pressed him further, but Kyle’s response was entirely unexpected.

“Albert hurt his wrist while helping with the village repairs…”

He muttered, sounding irritated, as if annoyed with himself for even caring.

Relieved that it wasn’t Zelda, Brody quickly grew concerned for Albert instead.

“Is he badly hurt?”

“No, not really.”

Kyle replied curtly, as if trying to cut off her concern. Brody sighed in relief.

“But if Albert’s out there working, is it okay for us to just stay here like this? Let’s go help too.”

Even though she had been unconscious for days, Brody felt guilty about lying around while others worked hard.

She urged Kyle to join her in helping, but he frowned at her suggestion.

“You’re not going anywhere. Just staying here and resting is how you can help. You’ll only get in the way if you go.”

“…”

Brody glared at him, pouting at being dismissed as a nuisance.

“Fine. I’ll stay here like a good little troublemaker. But you should go out and help.”

Kyle hesitated, glancing at her. He’d felt guilty ever since encountering Albert but was reluctant to leave Brody alone.

Finally, he murmured awkwardly.

“If I go… you’ll be alone.”

He couldn’t bring himself to say he was worried about her, but his eyes betrayed his true feelings. They reflected his concern about leaving Brody, who had only just recovered.

Seeing the sincerity in his gaze, Brody’s earlier irritation melted away.

Smiling brightly, she reassured him.

“Don’t worry about me! What’s wrong with being alone? I’m not a patient or anything. I feel better than ever!”

“But still…”

Kyle hesitated, unable to fully commit to leaving.

Brody’s gaze softened as she watched him.

Not only was she touched by his concern, but she also admired how he cared about Albert’s injury and even considered joining the village repairs.

The Kyle she knew wouldn’t have cared if someone was hurt, let alone volunteer to help with work. It was heartening to see how much he’d grown.

Like a proud parent, she smiled warmly and said.

“Go on. Don’t worry about me.”

“I wasn’t worried…”

“Yes, yes, I know. Now go.”

She pushed him gently, ignoring his grumbling.

Eventually, Kyle stood, unable to resist her persistence.

As he left, she waved cheerfully.

“Take care, darling!”

“Stay inside and don’t wander around. Don’t get into any trouble while I’m gone.”

“…Wow, I’m suddenly so sleepy.”

Though Brody had planned to sneak out, she threw the blanket over herself and pretended to be uninterested.

Kyle, seeing through her act, demanded firmly.

“Answer me.”

Unable to avoid him, Brody grumbled and shouted, “Fine!” before turning away under the blanket, her small body rising and falling as she huffed indignantly.

But hidden beneath the covers was a mischievous smile—she had no intention of listening to him.

Kyle, unsure whether to trust her, gave her one last skeptical look before heading out.

As he opened the rickety door, the Oswald brothers, who had been eavesdropping, tumbled to the floor.

Kyle glared coldly at the twins and ordered.

“You’re coming with me.”

His voice was like that of a grim reaper, and the brothers, pale-faced, followed him as if being dragged to their doom.

 

***

 

About ten minutes after Kyle left with the twins, Brody peeked out from under the blanket, scanning her surroundings before hopping out of bed.

“Let’s take a quick look around outside.”

She had no intention of causing trouble as Kyle feared. She was simply curious about the village and wanted to see if there was anything she could help with.

After freshening up in the bathroom, she rummaged through Kyle’s wardrobe and found a tidy shirt to wear.

The oversized garment looked like loungewear on her small frame, but she cinched it with a belt to make it passable as a dress.

Once dressed, she brushed her hair and stepped out into the hallway.

As a small rabbit amidst large wolf beastfolks, Brody found everything oversized and grandiose. Yet she wandered the estate’s corridors with bright curiosity, cheerfully greeting staff she encountered.

“Hello!”

The staff, much larger than her, were surprised by her bold and cheerful demeanor.

Despite being in an unfamiliar and intimidating environment, Brody carried herself as if she belonged here, chatting naturally with the workers as she explored.

Her bright white hair and translucent skin, unique among the earthy tones of the wolf beastfolk, made her stand out even more, drawing fascinated gazes wherever she went.

In this world of towering wolves, Brody was like a whimsical little snow fairy, flitting about with fearless energy.

While Brody was walking down the corridor, drawing curious stares from the staff, she suddenly stopped in front of a portrait of Kyle’s family hanging on the wall.

It struck her that in the three days she had been here, she hadn’t properly introduced herself to Kyle’s parents.

Realizing this oversight, Brody quickly called out to a passing maid.

“Excuse me, could I meet the mistress of the house?”

Kyle’s father was likely out working, but she assumed his mother would be home.

From what she knew, Eliza wasn’t in good health and usually stayed in the house.

The maid hesitated briefly, perhaps surprised by the sudden request, before replying.

“Please wait here for a moment. I’ll go ask the mistress.”

“Oh, there’s no need to come back. I’ll go with you and wait outside her door.”

Brody said quickly, not wanting to trouble the maid further. She followed her down the hallway, recalling her brief meeting with Eliza on her first day at the estate.

Soon, they arrived at the mistress’s room.

The maid knocked softly, entered briefly, and then returned to inform Brody.

“The mistress says you may come in.”

Receiving permission, Brody entered the room and saw Eliza sitting on the bed.

As Brody greeted her, Eliza began to rise but suddenly wavered, as if overcome by dizziness.

“Madam, are you all right?”

Brody exclaimed, rushing to her side to support her.

“I’m fine. Just a momentary spell of dizziness, nothing to worry about.”

Eliza reassured her as she allowed Brody to help her sit back on the bed and offered her an awkward smile.

“Sorry to receive you like this.”

Brody shook her head vigorously, sitting on a chair in front of the bed and holding Eliza’s hand.

“Not at all! I’m the one who disturbed you so early in the day. I should’ve come in the afternoon, but I was so eager to greet you that I acted without thinking. I’m so sorry.”

Her expression turned sheepish, clearly regretting her lack of foresight.

Eliza reassured her it was fine, but she subtly withdrew her hand, feeling a little overwhelmed by the overly familiar touch.

“It’s all right. I wanted to meet you as well.”

Eliza said politely. However, Brody immediately clasped her hand again, her face lighting up with gratitude.

“Oh, truly? Thank you so much for saying that, Madam!”

Eliza, unused to such demonstrative affection, began to sweat nervously.

Wolves were naturally charismatic and reserved by nature, so such overt displays of warmth and friendliness were rare.

Brody’s cheerful and affectionate demeanor felt entirely foreign to her.

Brody, meanwhile, looked at her with concern.

“You really don’t look well… Are you sure you’re okay?”

Eliza gave a strained smile.

Normally, she wouldn’t have felt this weak, but ever since Kyle had returned a few days ago with shocking news, her health had declined due to the stress.

Not wanting to burden Brody with such details, she simply said.

“I often feel dizzy when I get up in the morning. It’s nothing serious, so don’t worry about it.”

Accepting that she couldn’t escape Brody’s grip, Eliza gave up and observed the petite, white-haired, doe-eyed young woman holding her hand so earnestly.

“Speaking of which, weren’t you unwell as well? Are you feeling better now?”

“Absolutely! Thanks to you and Father letting me stay here, I’ve been able to rest well and recover completely. I can’t thank you enough, Madam.”

“…‘Madam.’”¹The word Brody has been using to address Kyle’s mother since the beginning is very similar to the word ‘mom’. But it’s much more formal and used to address the mother of other people like friends or lovers. You can think of it as mom like I do.

The word caught Eliza off guard.

Neither of her sons had ever brought a partner home, and even Abel’s fiancée Zelda still called her ‘Lady Eliza.’ Hearing the title from Brody made her feel oddly out of sorts.

It also reminded her of who Brody was—Kyle’s supposed lover.

‘…The girl Kyle brought home.’

Eliza’s gaze turned slightly doubtful as she observed Brody.

It wasn’t simply a matter of the carnivore-prey dynamic. As a mother, she knew Kyle’s personality all too well.

The idea of her rough, strong-willed son being with someone as small and delicate as this rabbit girl naturally raised questions.