MTMLF CH 09

Chapter 9

The Lovely Baby Rabbit

“So you brought this little one home because it might die outside?”

“Grr.”

“Don’t act so shy.”

It seemed clear now—the tiny rabbit must have been separated from its parents.

Most likely, Alex had found it alone in the forest. If it had been a wolf pup, he could’ve carried it gently by the scruff of the neck. But a rabbit was too small and fragile for that.

So, maybe Alex had tried his own way—keeping it safe inside his mouth until they got back. Jania felt a little guilty for scolding him so harshly.

“Sorry, Alex. I thought you wanted to hurt it…”

“Grr.”

“I said I’m sorry. To make up for it, I’ll let you have extra fruit today.”

“Woof!”

Alex’s eyes sparkled at the word “fruit.”

Normally, Jania limited how much he ate—she was worried it might not be healthy for a wolf. But Alex clearly understood her promise and looked excited.

“Kiik, kiik.”

“Oh, right.”

The tiny rabbit in her palm wriggled, squeaking as if demanding attention. J

ania let out a troubled sigh.

‘What should I do?’

It wasn’t hurt, so there was no need to nurse it back to health. But tossing such a small rabbit outside, alone, was unthinkable. Without its parents, it wouldn’t survive.

After a moment’s thought, Jania decided to take care of it until it was older.

“…Though it’s a little worrying, keeping a rabbit in the same house as a wolf.”

She glanced at Alex nervously. But he wasn’t even paying attention anymore.

‘It should be fine. He didn’t eat it when he had the chance, after all.’

Reassured, Jania carried the rabbit to the storage room to find food for both it and Alex.

“Let’s see… what do I have here?”

There wasn’t much fruit left for Alex, so that was easy. But feeding the rabbit was trickier.

‘Rabbits don’t really eat carrots.’

In fact, carrots could even be harmful to them. Most people didn’t know that.

Rabbits actually preferred leafy greens.

Jania knew this because she once had a friend who raised rabbits.

‘Still… carrots and rabbits do look good together in stories.’

Shaking her head, she sighed.

“I should’ve gathered more greens.”

She regretted not picking extra plants when she went out.

She usually brought back meat for Alex, not herbs.

“Kiik!”

“Well, you’re tiny. Maybe this will be enough?”

“Kiik!”

The palm-sized rabbit squeaked again.

Hopefully, being so young meant it wouldn’t eat much. If it wasn’t enough, she could always go collect more tomorrow.

“Alright, let’s eat in the yard.”

“Kiik!”

The obedient little rabbit squealed back, as if answering her. Jenia couldn’t help but smile warmly.

***

“Alex, want some fruit?”

“Woof!”

“Sit!”

Alex tilted his head and looked at her blankly. Jania sighed.

“Guess not…”

She lowered her hand, disappointed. But then, Alex slowly lowered his rear to the ground.

“…!”

Jania’s eyes widened.

“You understood that?”

Laughing happily, she gave him the fruit and patted his head.

“Good boy, Alex!”

She was thrilled—maybe she could teach him other tricks next? Handshakes? Rolling over? Pretending to be shot?

Alex chewed the fruit noisily, pretending not to care.

In truth, he’d only played along because he felt bad for her. But Jania, not knowing that, was overjoyed.

‘What a funny woman.’

Rupert—the wolf in disguise—glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Just giving in a little made her so happy.

Then his sharp gaze shifted.

In the corner of the yard, the rabbit was munching on leafy greens, ears drooping as it chewed eagerly.

‘That’s no ordinary rabbit.’

His golden eyes narrowed. Normally, he wouldn’t care if some weak little animal lived or died. But this rabbit carried a strange aura. It felt… like a beastman.

Most likely, it was a rabbit beastman from the Kingdom of Loengrin.

On this continent, there were only two beastman nations:

The Resphina Empire, ruled by predator beastmen.

The Loengrin Kingdom, home of herbivore beastmen.

Long ago, herbivores had broken away from Resphina, unable to endure living under predators. Even the lion beastmen of the royal family had grown weary of the chaos predators caused and allowed them to leave.

Rupert had long since stopped caring about them. He had bigger problems—like the danger of losing control of his own strength.

But still, a rabbit beastman here, so far from Loengrin, made no sense.

His keen nose had detected no other herbivores nearby. That meant the little one really was alone. If he hadn’t picked it up, it could’ve caused political trouble later.

That was the only reason Rupert had brought it here—or so he told himself.

“Oh my, you’re eating so well. Is it tasty?”

“Kiik!”

Rupert frowned darkly. He didn’t know why, but the sight of the rabbit rubbing its head affectionately against Jania’s palm irritated him.

“Alex, are you not hungry?”

“…”

Alex was still chewing fruit, but his golden eyes kept flicking toward them.

Jania tilted her head in confusion.

“That’s strange. You were eating fine earlier.”

She had no idea what was going through his mind. She just worried he might be sick.

“Want a different fruit?”

“…”

Alex didn’t answer, only bit into the fruit with unnecessary force.

Meanwhile, the rabbit squealed loudly again, clearly upset whenever Jania’s attention drifted away.

“You want me to stay with you?”

Jania laughed softly and stroked its tiny head.

“You need a name. I can’t just call you ‘the rabbit’ forever.”

She thought for a moment.

“Your fur is white… how about Snowy?”

“Kiik…”

Its ears drooped, clearly unimpressed.

“This is harder than I thought.”

It was strange—this rabbit seemed to understand human speech, just like Alex.

For a moment, Jania even wondered… could it be a beastman?

She shook her head.

“No, no. There’s no way a rabbit beastman would be out here alone.”

But then, something struck her. In the original story, wasn’t the heroine… a rabbit beastman?

Yes. White fur, and—

“Those lovely pink eyes.”

She whispered the words, staring at the small creature.

‘Could this be… Elena Loengrin?’

The name of the story’s heroine.