#14

Rachel’s abrupt visit proceeded naturally for the Jabisi family, as if it were a routine occurrence.

Having met with Zakari in a recent meeting, it was already expected that retaliation would come soon. However, there was an unexpected turn of events in their expectations.

“Hey, try this.”

Rachel, sticking close to Chichi, offered a cherry tomato. Chichi, who had been quietly eating, closed her mouth, refusing to eat more.

“Is eating just that enough for you?”

Rachel said calmly, putting the cherry tomato into her own mouth.

The people of the Jabisi family were extremely surprised. Rachel’s purpose wasn’t a verbal battle but rather the ‘peculiar amusement of my son.’

Zakari had long since retreated to his study. Rachel’s attention was entirely focused on the little ferret.

“By the way, how did you manage to win our son’s favor? Oh my, the real thing is much cuter!”

Rachel exclaimed, poking Chichi’s round belly, which had swelled up. Chichi covered her mouth, looking like she might vomit at any moment.

It seemed more like torment than playing, with Rachel teasing her relentlessly.

‘I can’t take it anymore!’

Feeling the terror that her stomach might burst, Chichi was only contemplating escaping. The problem was the firmly closed giant door.

It’ll run if the door just opens.

While thinking about that, the door began to open as if guided by fate, and Chichi started running towards it with all her might.

“Oh! Look at that.”

Rachel didn’t bother chasing after the ferret that started hopping away. She chuckled as if casually observing a mouse trapped inside.

On the other hand, Chichi, sensing the urgency of survival, ran anxiously.

‘Have I ever tried running away from this house before?’

In no time, Chichi, who had reached the front of the door in a sprint, was faced with liberation, but she could only feel despair.

“Are you welcoming the owner?”

Of all people, it had to be Zerakiel, the one about to enter through the door.

Zerakiel silently stared at Chichi in front of him. Chichi, who hadn’t expected his appearance, stood frozen like a statue.

Her mouth was smeared with juice, and after wiping Chichi’s mouth with his hand, Zerakiel licked the juice off his hand. It tasted slightly tangy.

“It’s tomato juice.”

“Ch-Chichi.”

Chichi finally regained her senses at those words and quickly retreated. However, seeing Rachel behind her, Chichi moved forward again.

Observing Chichi, who seemed to have suffered quite a bit in a short time, Zerakiel’s mouth curled up slowly.

“Come here.”

Zerakiel casually extended his palm, and Chichi obediently landed on it. Rachel, who had been observing all this, had eyes that had already widened like lanterns.

From the moment Zerakiel wiped off the tomato juice on Chichi’s mouth, Rachel couldn’t help but be shocked. Normally, he would have kept Chichi away, considering it dirty.

‘It’s true.’

Rachel had not believed Kiera’s words about Zerakiel having an interest in something. The idea itself seemed nonsensical. That child was so indifferent that on the day his parents divorced, he casually said, ‘Is that so? Goodbye,’ and went off to the training grounds.

It was due to that harsh attitude that Rachel had abandoned her son and went alone to her hometown.

“It’s been a while.”

When Zerakiel greeted Rachel while holding Chichi, Rachel stared intently at Chichi, who was still biting her fingers. Still finding it unbelievable, Rachel muttered as if in a dream.

“The rumors were true.”

“Rumors?”

“That you keep a pet.”

“As you can see.”

Zerakiel, as if it were nothing, flicked Chichi’s tail. In response, Chichi hid her tail, clutching it against her belly.

“Do you know which family’s child she is?”

“Does it matter? She’s probably a discarded child anyway.”

At the mention of being discarded, Chichi flinched. Sensing her reaction, Zerakiel carefully added.

“Since I picked her up, she’s mine now.”

Rachel let out a bitter laugh at Zerakiel’s possessive attitude. This was truly unexpected.

“She might be a lost child, you know?”

“Which parents would let their inhuman child, who couldn’t even be humanized, ransack the Jabisi family’s warehouse?”

“Well, that’s true.”

As the tension eased, Rachel nodded her head. If there were to be a custody dispute later, it could be a serious problem.

For once, Rachel hoped her son’s newfound hobby would last long. She was quite curious about what kind of change it might bring.

“Did you come here to confirm that, by any chance?”

“Just wanted to witness your pathetic life for myself.”

Rachel retorted sarcastically, crossing her legs. Her gaze drifted outside.

Judging by Zakari’s dark eye bags, it seemed that his illness had worsened. Remembering the onset of his madness, Rachel involuntarily closed her eyes. What else could she say?

‘…What did he say just now?’

‘He said to go back to Ilanbore. Staying here won’t do you any good.’

Just a word asking her to stay by his side would have sufficed. On the day they discussed divorce, Rachel smashed the bed and abruptly returned to her hometown.

That was the end. The two who used to quarrel over trivial matters had become strangers overnight.

“I should check it out.”

Rachel, breaking away from her thoughts, stood up from her seat. Then, she spoke to Zerakiel.

“Ricky.”

“Yes.”

“Please don’t let go like your father. She’s already a child who’s been discarded once.”

“That won’t happen.”

“Don’t be so sure.”

Rachel, with a clear laugh, lowered her head towards Chichi, whispering something so softly that it didn’t reach Zerakiel. With that, Rachel left the room.

* * *

Suddenly, I thought of Rachel, who had come and gone so abruptly. Just as quickly as she came with excitement, she left, uttering somewhat uncomfortable words.

“Don’t get too attached. Jabisi can be capricious. It’s just because you’re cute.”

What did that mean? No matter how much I pondered, I couldn’t understand. Was it a warning to stay away from my son, or was it genuinely advice because I was cute?

Whatever it was, it was needless worry. Falling for a villain?

I was just gathering momentum to escape in spring. Encountering my pheromones was entirely unexpected.

‘If I succeed in humanization, I’ll leave.’

That had been my recent change of heart.

Until then, I had planned to continue undercover in the Jabisi family…

For some reason, unlike Melina’s assurances, I still couldn’t humanize.

Moreover, since Zerakiel sensed my change, she never tried to leave me alone. She even intended to take me to events.

Zakari peeked out of Zerakiel’s pocket, giving me a rough look.

“Don’t tell me you’re thinking of taking that thing with us?”

“Yes, but…”

“Do you think this event is a joke? Leave it behind right now.”

Zakari ordered nervously, but Zerakiel remained indifferent.

“No, thank you.”

“What on earth are you thinking?”

“For some reason, I feel like it shouldn’t be left behind.”

Zerakiel chuckled slowly, looking down at me. There was caution in her golden eyes.

A sharp-witted fellow.

Feeling pricked, I lowered my eyes. It seemed like she had noticed that I was considering escape.

It would be challenging to avoid Zerakiel’s eyes for a while. I might have to live quietly as her pet for a while.

Lifting my head, I exchanged glances with Zerakiel and hesitated, feeling embarrassed.

It seemed like I would have to live as this guy’s pet for a while.