Home/I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family/ch43

Chapter 43

"Ber, what brings you here? Are you sure you're okay? You had a fever again."

Louis reached out with a worried gaze to touch Ber's forehead. His hand, now quite masculine, was calloused.

Ber narrowed her eyes at the darkened view—Louis's shadow had completely covered her.

We used to be almost the same height—when did he get this tall?

Both Louis and Ferdinand had shot up in height, leaving her far behind.

"Ah, young lady. Good morning."

Alexei, too, had grown, offering an awkward greeting.

Ber muttered with a sullen expression:

"You were both so cute when you were little."

"Hm?"

"Anyway, I'm fine. It always passes quickly. I'm all better now."

Leaning back to escape Louis's hand, Ber's eyes sparkled as she said:

"Anyway, I have a favor to ask, Louis."

"A favor?"

Ber nodded emphatically at his question.

"Take me to the Academy entrance ceremony too."

"Huh?"

Louis blinked in confusion.

"To Ferdinand's entrance ceremony? With Ber?"

It was natural for Louis to react this way—it was Ferdinand, not Louis, who was entering the Imperial Academy this year.

"Yeah. I heard you're going too—aren't you?"

"Well, yes, but... if you want to go, shouldn't you convince Ferdinand?"

"That's why I'm asking you. Since it's hard on my own, let's go together and persuade Father and Ferdinand."

"Hmm..."

She'd expected him to agree right away, but Louis seemed hesitant.

Just then, Alexei, who had been watching, interjected:

"Young lady, the Academy is a long way from here. It takes a full two days by carriage to get there."

"Alexei's right. Besides, Ber, I'm going because I'll be entering next year, but you..."

Louis trailed off. He knew that unlike them, Ber might not be able to go to the Academy.

Of course, Ber was well aware of that too.

Theodor and Rib doted on her. For six years, Ber had never left the Bjorn region.

It was a little stifling, but Ber didn't particularly resent living confined to the castle. After all, if she'd been caught by the White Wolves that day, she'd be trapped in the Imperial Court's dungeon.

Here, she had her own room in a vast castle, a tutor, and delicious vegetables every day.

Honestly, it's heaven.

That was Ber's situation—but the Grizzly couple clearly hadn't overcome their fear.

The fear of losing their newly adopted youngest daughter again.

Having witnessed Koko's death through her dream, Ber understood their feelings. But she couldn't stay trapped in this peaceful bubble forever.

Only two years remain until the heroine Einja arrives in the capital.

It was time to start preparing.

"The Academy is in the capital, right? I've always wanted to visit the capital at least once. I've never been outside the estate."

She deliberately said something that might make Louis feel sorry for her—and sure enough, his brow furrowed. Good, a reaction.

"Hm? Why wouldn't it work? You know Ferdinand is a stickler for rules—I can't convince him alone. And Father is even worse."

"......"

"Just this once, okay? Louis. If you help me, I'll do your homework for you."

Yes, this should do it. She thought—but—

"Hmm, even so..."

Louis, whom she'd expected to be easy, was more stubborn than anticipated. He seemed to be growing more like Ferdinand.

Sigh. No choice. Time to use the ultimate move. Ber took a deep breath, steeled herself, and opened her mouth:

"Pretty please, just this once, Louis—orabeoni!"

Her own high-pitched voice gave her goosebumps, and she squeezed her eyes shut.

She waited for a moment—but no answer came.

Guess that didn't work either.

Ugh, so embarrassing.

Opening her eyes with a flushed face, Louis was no longer standing before her.

"What are you doing?"

Louis, already walking ahead, turned back to look at her.

"We need to go settle this."

His golden eyes held a resolute determination.

"...Oh. Right."

He seemed even more motivated than she was—Ber felt dazed.

---

The three had marched confidently to the Count's office—but—

"No."

The firm rejection fell upon their bowed heads.

"Ugh...! Tell us why!"

Louis raised his head in defiance. But Theodor remained obstinate.

"It's a long journey—too dangerous."

"That's not enough of a reason!"

Louis shouted at the all-too-brief explanation. His father was always like this.

"By that logic, aren't I in danger too?"

"Of course the risk level is different."

Ferdinand, who had been listening quietly beside Theodor, interjected.

"You have swordsmanship, and I have magic. Besides, we're brown bears—we have plenty of ways to protect ourselves."

Struck at the core, Louis fell silent. Then Ber raised her head.

"What, are you looking down on rabbits now? If I animalize and hide, even Heinz can't find me easily."

"Ber! So that's how you skipped class earlier this month? Do you know how worried Heinz was?"

"Young master, young lady!"

As Ferdinand and Ber began bickering, Alexei raised his head to intervene.

"Fever."

Watching the four, Theodor spoke.

"Ber—weren't you struggling with a fever just yesterday?"

"I'm fine now."

Even at Theodor's sharp gaze, Ber shook her head. Though it did sting a little.

That was because her newest worry was those fevers.

It had happened a few times before. Not a cold, and no other abnormalities—just a fever.

It was only a mild fever, so it wasn't too bad—but it always came at night, which was quite annoying.

Still, after one night of suffering, she'd recover—but lately, it had been lasting two to three days.

The strange thing was that the fever only came at night, and she was perfectly fine during the day. She'd had examinations, but they'd only confirmed that the cause was unknown.

It is scary, though.

She'd died from a cold in her past life—thinking it might go the same way made her shudder.

Still, it didn't affect her daily life, and above all, she couldn't stay holed up in the castle forever.

She knew what was coming—she had to do something. At least while she was still alive.

"You don't need to worry, Count. It's only a little at night. During the day..."

"The journey continues at night too. Can you really guarantee you'll be fine?"

Ber fell silent. Theodor looked away and tried to conclude:

"A long journey is too risky. Just stay at the—"

"I think it'll be fine. Based on my patterns so far, the next fever won't come until next week at the earliest. I can't... guarantee it, though."

"......"

Ber's black eyes quietly met Theodor's cold gaze. He frowned. Her unwavering eyes seemed to hold resolve.

"Why do you want to go to the entrance ceremony so badly? Do you want to go to the Academy too?"

"I just want to visit the capital once."

"If that's all, there will be other opportunities. Let's go once you're a bit more recovered, okay?"

Ferdinand patted Ber's shoulder, coaxing. Ber couldn't easily answer.

But it would be safer to go this time. By the time Louis entered, it might be too late.

Sigh. She couldn't explain all of that. And even if she did, it would sound like nonsense.

As Ber fell silent, Ferdinand's target shifted.

"Come to think of it, Louis—didn't you say you had swordsmanship training until afternoon? You too, Alexei. You have your knight promotion exam next year—can you afford to be so relaxed?"

At Ferdinand's nagging, the two groaned and fell silent.

Among the Grizzly children, Ferdinand was the most diligent—and with the authority of being the young count, none could resist his pointed remarks.

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