Chapter 361: Fenrir’s Lesson
"Maybe if someone else takes care of him, he’ll eventually give up and get used to it?"
"I don’t know. If we’re unlucky, he might just run away and come straight back."
Qiong Xing suggested that perhaps separating them would help the kitten move on, but Elias didn’t sound convinced.
Joa nodded in agreement.
Still, they couldn’t simply abandon the kitten either.
"For the children’s sake, maybe it really would be better to find him another home..."
"Grrr!"
"Wah!? Fenrir? What’s wro... Ah."
Fenrisulfr trotted over and barked loudly.
It was the first time he had barked at all since those early days after they first met, so Qiong Xing was startled.
However, when he followed Fenrisulfr’s gaze, he realized the wolf wasn’t looking at him.
He was staring at the kitten resting on Qiong Xing’s lap.
The kitten had completely passed out.
Even adults found Fenrisulfr’s bark startling, so it was no surprise a tiny kitten had fainted from fright.
"You are all far too lenient. A child who does not understand its place needs to be taught properly."
"...Its place?"
"Indeed. If you constantly indulge someone simply because you feel sorry for them, they will never learn to stand on their own. More importantly, this child seems to have forgotten that it is being cared for and has begun acting as though it is above everyone else."
Fenrisulfr’s words made Qiong Xing feel somewhat ashamed.
Part of him had been pleased that the kitten only trusted him.
But living together meant rules and boundaries were necessary.
Being cute alone could not excuse everything.
It was important to teach the kitten where it stood within the family.
After explaining Fenrisulfr’s reasoning to Elias and the others, they all nodded in understanding and agreed to help.
It was a little pitiful, but after being barked at and intimidated by the others as well, the kitten finally stopped challenging them.
Although its tail curled nervously beneath it, it no longer meowed back defiantly.
"It’s not because they dislike you. They’re my precious family, and I don’t want you to dislike them either."
Qiong Xing gently stroked the kitten’s back as he spoke.
"Maybe you’re acting this way because you’ve been hurt before and you’re trying to protect yourself. But I told you already, didn’t I? We won’t hurt you. Neither I nor my family will ever hurt you."
He repeated those words patiently.
"Even Lian never tried to hurt you, even when she was crying. She could probably win if the two of you fought, but all she did was argue with words."
Lian could use magic.
Rui and the others were stronger than the kitten as well.
Yet despite crying and getting upset, none of them had ever tried to hurt it.
They were gentle and kind children.
That was why everything would be alright.
The kitten gave a weak little meow in response.
Qiong Xing smiled and stroked its head as though praising it.
"Hmm... I suppose it can’t be helped. Raon will do. Could you help me?"
That wording was terrible.
"...If there’s someone who would happily agree after being asked like that, I’d like to personally congratulate them."
Raon was becoming increasingly convinced that Qiong Xing’s attitude toward him had grown noticeably more casual lately.
"Then feel free to congratulate yourself. Over here, over here."
"..."
Realizing there was no point getting annoyed, Raon followed him anyway.
The moment he arrived, Qiong Xing handed him a kitchen knife.
Raon accepted it automatically, then blinked his eyes in confusion.
Why had he been given a knife?
When he looked toward Qiong Xing for an explanation, Qiong Xing simply smiled and handed him a melon as well.
"...Ah. Is this for Lian and the others’ snack?"
"Half right, half wrong. It is a snack for Lian and the others, but instead of peeling it, I want you to hollow out the inside."
Raon had no idea what that was supposed to mean.
If they were going to eat it anyway, wouldn’t it be easier to just peel it and serve it?
The confusion must have shown on his face because Qiong Xing chuckled and explained.
"Of course, eating it as is would be easier and still delicious, but sometimes it’s nice to make something fun to look at too. The children will probably enjoy it. Albe is usually the one I ask because he’s good at things like this and very dexterous, but he seems to be playing with the children today."
"So that’s why you grabbed a random passerby like me."
Now that he understood the reason, Raon could only laugh wryly at how clumsy the invitation had been.
"If you help now, you’ll earn the privilege of being Test Taster Number Two."
"...Fine."
Just like Iseul, Raon was fully aware that he had been thoroughly won over by Qiong Xing’s cooking.
"Hm? Wait. Number Two? Then Number One must be... ah."
A glance toward the corner of the kitchen immediately answered his question.
Fenrisulfr was sitting there happily wagging his tail.
For some reason, the sight left Raon feeling oddly conflicted.
Still, because it was Qiong Xing, he eventually convinced himself not to think too hard about it.
As instructed, Raon hollowed out the melon, only to be handed apples and oranges to peel next.
"Raon, Raon."
Hearing his name, Raon reflexively opened his mouth when a spoon was held out to him.
The moment he tasted it, he blinked his eyes.
"...Is this alcohol?"
"Adults deserve rewards too, don’t they? I made a separate version with honey ice cream for the children."
The cold dessert spread across his tongue along with the rich flavor of alcohol.
It was good.
Qiong Xing also let him try the honey version and Raon had to admit it was definitely more suitable for children.
The two of them rarely spent time talking alone, but surprisingly, the conversation felt natural.
More than that, it was enjoyable.
"...There. Finished! Isn’t it pretty?"
"I guess it’s not bad."
