Chapter 823: The New Kid
Hearing Taylor’s account of his first encounter with Celestial brought up fond memories for Yvonne about how she had met Demon in the past.
The three children had then spent time in each other’s company for a while longer where the boy from the Tanner family revealed the Duchess’s newfound love for his etcher.
Yvonne glanced at the new etcher and realized that his cute face despite his fierce behavior must have been the cause of the Duchess’s admiration.
They had been in the Parlor for over half an hour and the cat had finally warmed up towards the little girl.
Howard had been around Taylor and Celestial for around a month so it was only Jax and Yvonne who had seen him for the first time today and needed to get acquainted with him.
Though Celestial still did not let her get any closer to him, he no longer hissed and displayed his sharp set of teeth whenever she glanced at him.
He only sat in silence, maintaining eye contact without exhibiting any signs of his earlier hostility any longer.
.....
Celestial was now laid on the couch next to Taylor, glancing around the room before fixing his gaze back on her as she had been watching him for a while now.
The look on the grey cat’s face made Yvonne chuckle after noticing how haughty he appeared right at this moment.
‘He looks like he owns this place.’ She giggled at this thought, shaking her head before looking away.
Even this much was also appreciated as she did not wish her Brother Taylor’s etcher to dislike her as it could pose problems for their peaceful relationship in the future.
None of them had noticed the serious look on Howard’s face a few minutes ago as he was pondering about his future and the etcher he had vowed to find at all costs.
Right now, he had no expressions that could indicate what he had been planning so the rest had no clue about the same.
As the conversation here had died down, Yvonne suggested that they bring Celestial out to meet the other etchers here.
After all, Demon could not enter the Mansion due to his large size while Fryght, who had been living in the Lower Hall for a major portion of his life, now disliked staying indoors after he had gained permission to move around as he pleased.
Therefore, they would have to head out if they wished to get the etchers acquainted.
Celestial had only met Topher and the Duke’s etchers so Taylor agreed right away and was ready to follow her suggestion.
Yvonne glanced at her brother who had been silent all along and saw him smile at her when their eyes met.
Howard never let his thoughts appear on his face so the three walked out with Jax following behind them.
___
In the grazing field of the St. Claire mansion, Demon was enjoying the fresh grass around him while ignoring the very existence of the other etcher nearby.
‘Kid, what do you think of the new kid?’ The little pup seated under the shade of the horses’ stable questioned while watching the horse stuffing his face with the grass.
Demon huffed when he was addressed as a ‘Kid’ by the little wolfhound that wasn’t even big enough to reach half the length of his leg.
However, he was aware that Fryght was much older than him, and in the eyes of the hound, he must be a child.
Therefore, he did not fuss about the title used to address him and instead, focused on the question.
‘I don’t like the cat.’ Demon declared his stance right away without pondering for even a single second.
Fryght snorted as this horse disliked every etcher that tried to get closer to his master but at the same time, he could not deny the fact that he too felt the same way.
The cat who had appeared today had rubbed him the wrong way and the wolfhound wanted nothing more than being far from this etcher at all costs.
Maybe it was the fact that the other etcher was a feline or maybe Fryght just did not like it.
No matter what the reason was, it was undeniable that he would not be able to become friends with this new etcher.
However, considering the fact that its master was that little boy from the Tanner family, Fryght had a faint idea that staying away would be impossible as they would become frequent visitors soon enough.
Just as this thought had popped up in his mind, he scowled and grunted when he sensed the cat and the children heading this way.
‘Have fun, Kid.’ He muttered, his voice echoing in Demon’s mind before he rose from where he was and silently disappeared from that location.
The horse glanced at the little pup who vanished in the next second but wasn’t astonished.
After all, this was a special ability that the other etcher possessed but not many were aware of it.
Fryght’s fur could actively shift in colors in such a way that he could blend himself into his surroundings.
Some would say that he was turning invisible but it was more than that.
The fur covering his entire body was a versatile cloak that made it possible for him to adapt to his surroundings, camouflaging himself just like he had done right now.
Demon could sense his aura but Fryght was using this handy skill to slip away just as the children reached the grazing field.
Turning to face his master, the horse ignored what had just taken place and hurried over to greet her.
“Demon, come meet Brother Taylor’s etcher, Celestial.” Yvonne introduced the two beasts who had seen each other momentarily earlier.
Celestial was still in Taylor’s arms but his golden eyes landed on the horse, meeting those crimson irises as though he had understood what the little girl had just said.
‘You’re an ugly one, aren’t you?’
Demon snorted when those words echoed in his mind soon after his Master had finished speaking.
Until now, he had come across only a few humans after he had escaped from the King’s Palace.
However, no matter who had seen him, they had one of two reactions.
Either they were frightened by his large stature and fierce features or they would be fascinated at the sight of his majestic appearance like his Master had been.
There were also a few who displayed a mixture of the two reactions but never had anyone dared to call him ugly all through his life.
Therefore, Demon, who had never faced such a situation, narrowed his eyes while leering at the little cat who was snuggling in his master’s arms.
‘Keep running your mouth and one day I might stomp you into the ground.’ He harrumphed at the little etcher who was even smaller than Fryght yet had the audacity to insult him.
Demon respected the wolfhound due to his age and also his superior skills and experience.
Not to mention that Fryght was the etcher of his Master’s father which was enough for him to tolerate the other beast.
However, he had no reason to be kind to this new etcher who seemed to be bent on starting off on the wrong foot right after their first encounter.
Thus he wouldn’t mind talking some sense into the cat, or in this case, stomping some sense into him.
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