Home/I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family/ch82

Chapter 82

Kaien Noirel—the young viscount of the Noirel family. She didn't need to ask which "viscount" Einja meant.

An awkward silence fell in the corridor.

Kaien, staring intently at Ber, quickly spoke at her puzzled look.

"Ah... sorry for startling you. Actually, Ferdinand asked me to escort you tonight. I tried to refuse, but he said you'd be happy if I paid for the dress—so I fell for it."

Ber frowned at the inconsistent explanation.

What was that? Wouldn't it make more sense to say Ferdinand paid for my tailcoat in return?

And—isn't that too harsh for a life-saver, Ferdinand?

"Of course, I know it might make you uncomfortable. So if you don't want to, you can refuse. Just be honest—may I escort you tonight, Verdiana?"

Kaien asked with a pitiful face, like a dog with drooping ears. After a moment's hesitation, Ber nodded.

"Yes. I'd appreciate it, Senior. ...And thank you for the dress."

Her deliberation was brief.

In truth, Kaien wasn't so much uncomfortable as awkward—because he had become a completely different person from the one she knew.

But refusing would mean the young viscount of the Noirel family had been extorted by the Grizzly Count's house.

"...Thank you."

The simple nod made Kaien's face brighten remarkably. Before she could be surprised by his sunny smile, Kaien knelt on one knee before her.

"Then, Verdiana."

Taking her gloved hand, he placed a very gentle kiss on its back.

"Let's go."

As if the kiss had been an illusion, Kaien rose with a composed face and offered his arm.

Ber, face flushed, lowered her head and carefully took his arm.

Walking down the corridor, she glanced up at him.

It was hard to believe this was the same person who had looked like a lost puppy moments ago—Kaien's handsome face continued the skilled escort.

'Who are you, really...!'

---

Walking with Ber, Kaien struggled not to look at her.

But the rustling hem of her dress in his peripheral vision kept him from escaping his thoughts.

"Verdiana."

When he called her, she looked up at him.

He couldn't look away.

The adorable Bella-line dress. Its evening-blue hue, like the fading evening sky, enhanced the formal atmosphere. Thin, fluttering fabric and lace-trimmed ribbons at her slender waist. Obsidian earrings adorning her ears sparkled with the same black as her eyes. Above all, her shimmering white hair—which made her recognizable from afar—harmonized with it all.

In a word, beautiful.

Every time he imagined Ber beside him, his eyes kept drifting sideways. Kaien lowered his gaze to his own shoes.

But the effort was futile. The cute white jasmine-adorned shoes that clicked beside him also reminded him of Ber.

Barely making it down the corridor, they arrived at the ballroom.

The moment they entered, the gazes of those assembled fixed on them.

The looks came from all genders, but what caught Kaien's eye were mostly male students staring at Ber.

Watching them openly gaze and whisper, Kaien's expression twisted.

He couldn't blame them—he himself had been unable to look away when he first saw Ber. He'd thought her the most adorable creature in the world.

Whenever such feelings arose, Kaien reminded himself of an unshakable fact: she had vomited blood because she healed him. He wasn't even worthy of holding her in his gaze.

Just as Kaien was sinking into inexplicable dejection—

"A yeti came to the ball too."

"With makeup, she's not bad, though?"

"What are you saying—she's wearing a nice skin, but she's still a yeti! Don't even look at her."

Hearing insults directed at Ber, Kaien glared murderously at the students. As they flinched and lowered their heads, Kaien felt a surge of superiority that made his earlier dejection seem like a lie.

How many people in this Academy truly knew Ber?

Ber and her brothers were trying to hide her power. Leaving strange rumors alone was also meant to conceal her identity.

A soft, small life covered in white down.

Few would know her true adorable form—at least within this Academy, he could count himself among them.

Kaien's expression brightened again. Gathering courage, he carefully turned toward Ber.

She had released his arm and was scanning the ballroom, searching for someone.

Soon, Ber's shoulder twitched slightly—she'd found who she was looking for. Following her gaze, Kaien saw a familiar male student.

Fourth-year Magic Department top student, Adrian Renard.

Ferdinand's opponent in the match where he was injured.

And the heir to the renowned Marquis Renard, known throughout the Empire. Though Kaien had never spoken with him, Adrian was also a well-known figure at the Academy.

Ber's eyes remained fixed on Adrian. She was carefully examining his face, tailcoat, trousers, and shoes.

Did they have a personal connection?

Perhaps Ber had a personal interest in him.

The day I rashly animalized, he also appeared suddenly and saved Verdiana.

Kaien's expression sank again.

The ball was about to begin—a time for socializing and dancing with the opposite sex. Every student needed a dance partner. And being an escort didn't guarantee being the dance partner.

"Verdiana."

When he carefully called her name, Ber turned to him. The moment their eyes met, his fingertips trembled. Why did just being looked at by those clear, deep eyes send such a thrill through him?

"If you have a dance partner in mind, you can go. I'll be here until the ball ends—since I was asked to escort you—"

"No."

Contrary to Kaien's expectation, Ber shook her head.

"I'd prefer you, Senior."

---

Upon entering the ballroom, Ber immediately looked for Adrian.

His crimson hair was easy to spot—she found him quickly. He was talking with someone, smiling comfortably. It was clear—Adrian was unharmed.

Just as she sighed in relief, Kaien said something strange—suggesting she dance with another male student instead of him. Ber quickly shook her head.

She didn't have any close male friends, and above all, Kaien felt more comfortable than others.

He already knows I'm an Arctic hare and that I have spring's power.

The gap from the original made it hard to adjust, but if she had to dance, Kaien was the better choice.

So Ber said firmly:

"I'd prefer you, Senior."

Placing her hand on Kaien's arm again and looking up at him—

For some reason, Kaien stood frozen, mouth agape, unable to answer.

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