Snuggled in the children’s arms, I found myself reflecting on my own dietary habits once again.

‘That chocolate cake I devoured like a meal must have been quite expensive for the residents. I need to reflect on that.’

The lord and the territory residents cannot live at the same level. Living in a world with a caste system, there is nothing more hypocritical than advocating for equality in life.

However,

‘Still, it would be nice if Hadel’s territory people could have a more prosperous life than those in other territories. Enjoying delicious food and leading an always lively life.’

While it’s impossible for everyone to live well, it’s possible to create a territory where everyone lives well.

Selling more goods to other territories is the solution.

‘I need to come up with other ideas besides the Heenari Tan and hot springs. I should ask Hadel; he might have some thoughts when I return.’

Watching the children, hope filled my heart.

“Kkyu kkyu.”

I silently pledged to create a territory where you all live happily.

I felt a sense of determination. At that moment, a boy narrowed his eyes and glared at me.

“This Jokjeibi doesn’t behave like a person, it feels bad.”

“…Kkyu.”

It’s true now that he points it out. I’m sorry.

Both the butler and I, unintentionally, seem to act like humans.

When one raised suspicion, everyone started to look at me with suspicion.

“But our dad said Jokjeibis are caught a lot by people, and their seeds dry out. Isn’t it weird that this white and pretty Jokjeibi is walking around the castle without any problem?”

“Yeah, besides, its tail and ear tips are pink. I’ve never seen a Jokjeibi like this.”

Yeah, they probably haven’t. A Jokjeibi like me doesn’t exist in the world.

‘The lord raises a Jokjeibi. Haven’t you heard that rumor?’

It would be great if they could recall that rumor and take me back to the castle.

‘No! I haven’t found any clues yet; how can I go back if I want to!’

The desire to go home quickly because of the cold and the eagerness to discover something clashed vigorously in my heart. At that moment, the girl who was touching me spoke up loudly.

“Could this be the Jokjeibi that escaped from Mr. Nero’s farm? That guy raises all sorts of strange animals. I heard he even has wolves and leopards.”

“Come to think of it, that makes sense! Let’s take it to Mr. Nero!”

I opened my eyes wide at those words.

‘Raising wolves? Inside the castle?’

This is very suspicious.

I silently waited for the children to take me to the guy named Mr. Nero. But what’s this? The girl’s touch as she lifted me was so rough that tears welled up.

‘Ack! But could you please not carry me so carelessly? My side hurts too much!’

Hadel must have carefully picked me up while thinking about me all this time. I realized once again how much Hadel loves me. Tears welled up in my eyes.
‘With his mouth saying he would turn me into a scarf, making remarks like needing to fatten me up, he had been thinking of me as a companion Jokjeibi from that moment on.’

Hadel, when I return, I’ll give you a big kiss!

Carried carelessly, I stayed quiet, and we arrived at Mr. Nero’s farm.

“Sir! We caught the Jokjeibi that escaped from your farm!”

“Jokjeibi?”

The man who walked out of the farm looked very ordinary. Would it be appropriate to say he looked like just a local in this village? His face didn’t seem like he would do anything bad.

After briefly making eye contact with me, the man nodded slowly.

“…Ah, it’s mine. Wait a moment. As a thank you, take this gift.”

This guy is good at lying. Where did he find me!

Though my internal score dropped due to lying to the children, it still wasn’t evidence that it had anything to do with the ice creatures.

When I wondered what gift he would give, it turned out to be a bunch of candies.

‘This guy is trying to use candies as a replacement for my value.’

I wrinkled my nose. It was just ordinary candy.

‘The kids find it fascinating that they know about candies, and he seems to have brought animals like me while giving candies to the kids.’

After receiving the candies, the kids handed me over to the man. Then, they went out to play among themselves.

“A Jokjeibi suddenly appeared.”

Holding me, he entered the house. Another man was inside.

“What’s that?”

“The village kids brought it.”

“I thought it was a mouse, but a Jokjeibi?”

“It’s somewhat similar.”

‘What do you mean, somewhat similar! Jokjeibi and a mouse are completely different!’

I resisted the urge to bite his nose. He looked at me with a curious expression.

“Where did this Jokjeibi come from? Its fur is pretty. It seems like it could be sold for a good price.”

“For now, put it in the cage.”

Here, they’re talking about my fur again. I let out a deep sigh, and the man tried to put me in the cage inside the house. The problem was that the cage was already filled with mice.

‘Ugh, what’s this! The mice are crawling all over!’

The mice were pushing their noses towards me. Every time their long whiskers brushed against my body, I shivered.

‘Ugh! Don’t put me in the same place as the mice!’