The Lion Cub's Cute Rule - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The lion could no longer remember how long it had been since he had felt an embrace.

A female human’s upper body held more softness than most, warm and yielding, with a faint fragrance of grass and trees.

He very much wanted to frighten her-to bare his blade-like fangs and let out a thunderous roar, so she would know lions were not so easily conquered.

But he could not control himself. Perhaps it had simply been too long since he had felt warmth. From body to soul, he was like a pitiful pat of butter, melting and sinking into the flames of that embrace and gentle soothing…

He wanted so badly to become a little cub again, to return to that golden childhood…

The heavy breathing in my arms gradually evened out. I lowered my head. The Great Lion had fallen asleep.

Was he really this trusting of humans? Maybe he had lived with them for a long time.

Big cats slept lightly. When he woke, I had only just finished bandaging the wound on his abdomen.

“Why aren’t you afraid of me?” the lion asked.

“I’m not afraid.”

“I could tear a person’s head off in one bite!”

He brought his teeth close to my neck. So mesmerizing. Such a huge cat, with such soft fur.

I was delighted. I reached out and vigorously rubbed the base of his ears, rubbing until he started purring.

“You would never bite anyone’s head off, because you’re the prettiest, most majestic, most handsome kitty.”

“Hmph. Hmph. Then you have misjudged me. I simply can’t be bothered to bully the weak. You’re nothing but a hairless naked ape who would topple over in a breeze.”

The Great Lion lifted a paw and buried his face in his paw pad.

Oh. He was shy. Big cats were just that adorable.

My gaze drifted uncontrollably to his dirty pink nose.

“I’m Vera. My father accidentally trespassed into your forest, remember? He handed me over to you as payment. What’s your name?”

A long silence followed.

“That was a joke,” the lion said.

“Leave now. This place isn’t suited for you.”

“…”

As if. I was not leaving.

On one side was a giant talking kitty. On the other was returning to the human world to be the “least welcome member” of the family.

Even an idiot would know which to choose!

But this lion was still the master of the castle. What if he forced me to leave?

What should I do? What should I do?

Stupid brain, think!

Got it.

“Ngh… I feel awful…”

Imitating my two stepsisters during the social season, I pressed a hand to my forehead and let out a breathy, affected little voice.

“What is it? I shouldn’t have hurt you…”

Through the gaps between my fingers, I saw the Great Lion lean closer.

Oh, silly lion. His eyes were like sapphires.

“Ah!”

With a soft thump, I collapsed weakly onto the lion and closed my eyes.

Since he refused to “bully the weak,” he definitely wouldn’t do something like throw an unconscious girl into the forest.

For now, I would pretend to faint and cling on until I could stay.

Ah, he was carrying me on his back. His muscles were so firm, but his fur was so soft…

The day had been such a roller coaster that, as I kept pretending, I actually fell asleep.