“Friend…?”
The beautiful woman looked at the door, puzzled and wary. The door opened, and an old man and a boy appeared at the same time. A Beast nobleman, legitimized by the Emperor. They appeared before me as if they were gifts.
“Ricardo, Bell…?”
Seeing them, my eyes widened.
…No, though they might be helpful in my plans!
I must have bid them farewell as I left the duchy, but how could they be here so soon, when I hadn’t even gotten over our parting?
“Astel, it’s been so long, I feel like I haven’t seen you in a thousand years.”
…I feel like I haven’t seen you for three days…
Bell clenched his fists tightly, looked at me, and declared earnestly.
“I missed you, but I was told that a brave grown-up like me would come to the capital to see a friend, so I came with Grandpa Jaguar!”
Ricardo looked at Bell with a look of satisfaction, then shook his head.
“Besides… I was worried about you because I heard that they cut off people’s noses at any time, whether they’re awake or not.”
“Hmph, my nose!”
Bell, still a bit timid, cupped his hand and brought it to the tip of his nose, his eyes wide with surprise.
I awkwardly huffed and laughed and scratched my head.
A few light-hearted conversations were exchanged and the atmosphere was warm.
But even as I chatted warmly with them, I couldn’t help but think about my revenge plan and the divine beast.
“What are you thinking about?”
“About divine beast… Oh, I’m sorry.”
I should be so good at cajoling them into my plan. They caught me thinking.
The next moment, the gray hairs on Bell’s head stood up like fox ears.
At the same time, his red eyes narrowed in question.
Looking at those eyes, I suddenly remembered about Bell’s race, and I thought to myself, ‘Since the divine beasts are animals, and the beasts themselves are animals, they might know something, so why don’t I ask them first?’
Moreover, these beasts in front of me were of high rank.
I glanced at Ricardo and Bell and began to push my luck.
“Actually, I saw something interesting in the library that got me thinking.”
“Something interesting? What, more interesting than me?”
Bell pouted, looking puzzled. I patted him on the head to calm his tantrum.
“Hmph, so what is it?”
“Well, it’s a divine beast…”
I trailed off, and Ricardo said casually.
“Hmph, yes. I’ve seen the Divine Beast before, long ago. Perhaps he descended from our family?”
I exhaled a calm breath, trying not to glare.
“Uh, so which is it?”
Ricardo said, snorting.
“He’s blessed by the gods, but he just has strong animal senses.”
“Just animal senses?”
Ricardo asked, seemingly amused by my reaction to his question.
“Yes. Why, do you want the divine beast, I can’t give it to you, the Duke-“
“No, it’s okay!”
… Divine beasts are just animals, right?
‘Think about it. Of all the humans, I’m probably the best at dealing with animals.’
Humans in the capital don’t get to meet many beasts these days. I glance at Ricardo and Bell, who are snuggled up to me, and I feel more confident.
‘Mimi’s a cat, so maybe…’
I clenched my fists into tight knots. For now, I’ve got what I need to know about the divine beast.
Then…
“I wonder if you have anything to do in the capital. It’s been a while.”
I spoke up, unable to hide my delight at Ricardo’s suggestion.
“By any chance, do you know of any salons in the Empire?”
“A salon?”
“Yes!”
“There’s a salon I’d like to go to, but commoners aren’t allowed in, so…”
I stroked Bell’s hair and whispered my plans one after another.
Of course, I left out the part about Mimi, the divine beast, and my plans.
“So, let’s try that?”
“Yes!”
They both looked at me in surprise, especially Bell, whose mouth gaped open, ready to drool.
“Really?”
“Seriously!”
A few hours later.
A carriage bearing the seal of the Duke’s family stopped on Delt Street, the capital’s largest commercial district.
From the carriage, several suspicious and strange figures clambered out. The most mysterious of them all was a woman wearing a hat with a black veil to cover her face, and a seductive halter-necked red dress with open shoulders.
…That’s me.
‘I had it planned, but I’m so nervous!’
I exclaimed, my heels clicking as I walked, trying to hide my awkwardness. My shoulders were adorned with a delicate sprig of roses that tinkled with each step I took.
“Lady, I will take you directly to the place you have reserved.”
Lord Mayer escorted me carefully. I walked the long, dainty walk.
It was the first time I’d ever worn heels, but thankfully, thanks to the protective spell of the Silver Fox family, my heels didn’t hurt.
“Of course.”
I chuckled haughtily and followed them to where they were leading.
A silver fox, a giant jaguar, and Lord Mayer loyally guarded the perimeter. Sally and Jenny tugged at my dress, their faces unusually expressionless.
‘I feel like a noble…’
Like a loan shark aristocrat, that kind of thing.
I coughed a couple of times and pressed my hat deeper into my face. I mustn’t let my ugly face show up yet.
Reflecting on my silhouette in the glass window, I realized that it seemed to have some sort of presence.
As if I wasn’t alone in these thoughts, everyone on the street was watching this uniquely staged spectacle.
All eyes are on me.
My shoulders stiffened as I tried to straighten them, but my body went rigid…
“Is everything okay?”
‘A voice-altering magic tool, it’s so awkward!’
I’ve always been a herbalist, and I’ve always worn cute dresses that other people my age wear, but wearing something like this makes me feel weird and nervous.
But for the mission…!
Sally must have noticed my trepidation because she whispered, “You’re absolutely gorgeous, Astel!”
Bell, the silver fox with the long fur and bright eyes, looked at me and clung to the hem of my skirt.
“Ping, ping!”
It was a fox gesture, as if he was trying to get me to pick him up and put him in a warm hug. Bell’s eyes widened as he stared at me, who didn’t cuddle him.
The fox form was clearly showing off, knowing full well that it was a very cute face.
I wrung my hands and looked ahead. I could see Bell’s ears pricking up, but if I held or petted him, the whole concept of pretending to be a dainty lady would be ruined.
Easily discouraged, Bell trotted away, ears and tail fluffed.
Fortunately, a few more steps brought us to our destination.
“We have arrived, my lady.”
Lord Mayer’s words were true, and the ‘Salon de Mé’ was finally in sight.
The Salon de Mé was a well-known place among the capital’s nobility.
Not only this, but the salon as a complex art space had recently become quite popular in social circles.
These are places where art exhibitions and orchestral performances are held inside, and where simple sweets are sold.
However, for a wealthy commoner or lower noble to enter a salon, they needed an invitation of some sort.
In other words, I needed an invitation to enter the salon, but…
Lord Mayer addressed the knight guarding the salon’s entrance in a soft voice.
“Lord Mayer Hamburg. And this is the lady I serve.”
“You must be Lord Mayer!”
“My goodness, my lady, I have never met you before.”
“I am honored to make your acquaintance, Lady Hande, and those beasts by your side…?”
By nature, the salon does not admit unidentified figures. But with the beasts at my side, things are a little different.
“Lord Ricardo, head of the Jaguar Clan, and Lord Bell, heir to the Silver Fox Clan. Do you need proof?”
Lord Mayer turned to Ricardo and Bell.
“Do we need an invitation?”
The voice behind him was cold enough to send a shiver down my spine.
‘I never knew Lord Mayer was like that.’
After a moment of small admiration, a dark-haired gentleman with a neat pomade slicked back from the inside strode up.
“I am the manager of this salon. Please come in, lady.”
I didn’t say a word, just gestured with my chin and stepped inside.
The atmosphere in the bustling salon turned cold as if I’d thrown cold water on it.
It was no wonder that the mere mention of the great knight’s name could cause such a stir.
People’s gazes pierced through my veiled hat.
But I kept my gaze fixed on the art exhibits inside the salon, as if I wasn’t even interested in people.
‘Once I got in…’
I scanned the exhibit with great interest.
Every time I moved my head, the crowd in front of me parted like the Red Sea.
But Ricardo seemed determined to show off something more. He snorted as he crushed a welcome cookie carefully handed to him by one of the knights.
“…Crunch.”
His fur stood on end. No, Ricardo, I think you’ve overdone it…
“Argh.”
“Hic, Eek!”
Everyone was looking at us with admiration, but there were a few who went beyond that and started hiccuping.
It sure was frightening. But I forced my hand and stroked the jaguar’s ears gently.
Ricardo stuck out his tongue and licked the back of my hand as if he’d been waiting for it.
‘So squeaky clean!’
I heard a crackling sound, followed by a gasp of surprise. The murmur was twice as loud as before.
He’s right, Jaguar beasts are not so easily tamed.
My voice dropped to a low pitch and I spoke very slowly and gracefully.
“My baby is a little shy.”
… and of course, Ricardo was about three times my age, but…
…It could be a baby, couldn’t it?
“Friend…?”
The beautiful woman looked at the door, puzzled and wary. The door opened, and an old man and a boy appeared at the same time. A Beast nobleman, legitimized by the Emperor. They appeared before me as if they were gifts.
“Ricardo, Bell…?”
Seeing them, my eyes widened.
…No, though they might be helpful in my plans!
I must have bid them farewell as I left the duchy, but how could they be here so soon, when I hadn’t even gotten over our parting?
“Astel, it’s been so long, I feel like I haven’t seen you in a thousand years.”
…I feel like I haven’t seen you for three days…
Bell clenched his fists tightly, looked at me, and declared earnestly.
“I missed you, but I was told that a brave grown-up like me would come to the capital to see a friend, so I came with Grandpa Jaguar!”
Ricardo looked at Bell with a look of satisfaction, then shook his head.
“Besides… I was worried about you because I heard that they cut off people’s noses at any time, whether they’re awake or not.”
“Hmph, my nose!”
Bell, still a bit timid, cupped his hand and brought it to the tip of his nose, his eyes wide with surprise.
I awkwardly huffed and laughed and scratched my head.
A few light-hearted conversations were exchanged and the atmosphere was warm.
But even as I chatted warmly with them, I couldn’t help but think about my revenge plan and the divine beast.
“What are you thinking about?”
“About divine beast… Oh, I’m sorry.”
I should be so good at cajoling them into my plan. They caught me thinking.
The next moment, the gray hairs on Bell’s head stood up like fox ears.
At the same time, his red eyes narrowed in question.
Looking at those eyes, I suddenly remembered about Bell’s race, and I thought to myself, ‘Since the divine beasts are animals, and the beasts themselves are animals, they might know something, so why don’t I ask them first?’
Moreover, these beasts in front of me were of high rank.
I glanced at Ricardo and Bell and began to push my luck.
“Actually, I saw something interesting in the library that got me thinking.”
“Something interesting? What, more interesting than me?”
Bell pouted, looking puzzled. I patted him on the head to calm his tantrum.
“Hmph, so what is it?”
“Well, it’s a divine beast…”
I trailed off, and Ricardo said casually.
“Hmph, yes. I’ve seen the Divine Beast before, long ago. Perhaps he descended from our family?”
I exhaled a calm breath, trying not to glare.
“Uh, so which is it?”
Ricardo said, snorting.
“He’s blessed by the gods, but he just has strong animal senses.”
“Just animal senses?”
Ricardo asked, seemingly amused by my reaction to his question.
“Yes. Why, do you want the divine beast, I can’t give it to you, the Duke-“
“No, it’s okay!”
… Divine beasts are just animals, right?
‘Think about it. Of all the humans, I’m probably the best at dealing with animals.’
Humans in the capital don’t get to meet many beasts these days. I glance at Ricardo and Bell, who are snuggled up to me, and I feel more confident.
‘Mimi’s a cat, so maybe…’
I clenched my fists into tight knots. For now, I’ve got what I need to know about the divine beast.
Then…
“I wonder if you have anything to do in the capital. It’s been a while.”
I spoke up, unable to hide my delight at Ricardo’s suggestion.
“By any chance, do you know of any salons in the Empire?”
“A salon?”
“Yes!”
“There’s a salon I’d like to go to, but commoners aren’t allowed in, so…”
I stroked Bell’s hair and whispered my plans one after another.
Of course, I left out the part about Mimi, the divine beast, and my plans.
“So, let’s try that?”
“Yes!”
They both looked at me in surprise, especially Bell, whose mouth gaped open, ready to drool.
“Really?”
“Seriously!”
A few hours later.
A carriage bearing the seal of the Duke’s family stopped on Delt Street, the capital’s largest commercial district.
From the carriage, several suspicious and strange figures clambered out. The most mysterious of them all was a woman wearing a hat with a black veil to cover her face, and a seductive halter-necked red dress with open shoulders.
…That’s me.
‘I had it planned, but I’m so nervous!’
I exclaimed, my heels clicking as I walked, trying to hide my awkwardness. My shoulders were adorned with a delicate sprig of roses that tinkled with each step I took.
“Lady, I will take you directly to the place you have reserved.”
Lord Mayer escorted me carefully. I walked the long, dainty walk.
It was the first time I’d ever worn heels, but thankfully, thanks to the protective spell of the Silver Fox family, my heels didn’t hurt.
“Of course.”
I chuckled haughtily and followed them to where they were leading.
A silver fox, a giant jaguar, and Lord Mayer loyally guarded the perimeter. Sally and Jenny tugged at my dress, their faces unusually expressionless.
‘I feel like a noble…’
Like a loan shark aristocrat, that kind of thing.
I coughed a couple of times and pressed my hat deeper into my face. I mustn’t let my ugly face show up yet.
Reflecting on my silhouette in the glass window, I realized that it seemed to have some sort of presence.
As if I wasn’t alone in these thoughts, everyone on the street was watching this uniquely staged spectacle.
All eyes are on me.
My shoulders stiffened as I tried to straighten them, but my body went rigid…
“Is everything okay?”
‘A voice-altering magic tool, it’s so awkward!’
I’ve always been a herbalist, and I’ve always worn cute dresses that other people my age wear, but wearing something like this makes me feel weird and nervous.
But for the mission…!
Sally must have noticed my trepidation because she whispered, “You’re absolutely gorgeous, Astel!”
Bell, the silver fox with the long fur and bright eyes, looked at me and clung to the hem of my skirt.
“Ping, ping!”
It was a fox gesture, as if he was trying to get me to pick him up and put him in a warm hug. Bell’s eyes widened as he stared at me, who didn’t cuddle him.
The fox form was clearly showing off, knowing full well that it was a very cute face.
I wrung my hands and looked ahead. I could see Bell’s ears pricking up, but if I held or petted him, the whole concept of pretending to be a dainty lady would be ruined.
Easily discouraged, Bell trotted away, ears and tail fluffed.
Fortunately, a few more steps brought us to our destination.
“We have arrived, my lady.”
Lord Mayer’s words were true, and the ‘Salon de Mé’ was finally in sight.
The Salon de Mé was a well-known place among the capital’s nobility.
Not only this, but the salon as a complex art space had recently become quite popular in social circles.
These are places where art exhibitions and orchestral performances are held inside, and where simple sweets are sold.
However, for a wealthy commoner or lower noble to enter a salon, they needed an invitation of some sort.
In other words, I needed an invitation to enter the salon, but…
Lord Mayer addressed the knight guarding the salon’s entrance in a soft voice.
“Lord Mayer Hamburg. And this is the lady I serve.”
“You must be Lord Mayer!”
“My goodness, my lady, I have never met you before.”
“I am honored to make your acquaintance, Lady Hande, and those beasts by your side…?”
By nature, the salon does not admit unidentified figures. But with the beasts at my side, things are a little different.
“Lord Ricardo, head of the Jaguar Clan, and Lord Bell, heir to the Silver Fox Clan. Do you need proof?”
Lord Mayer turned to Ricardo and Bell.
“Do we need an invitation?”
The voice behind him was cold enough to send a shiver down my spine.
‘I never knew Lord Mayer was like that.’
After a moment of small admiration, a dark-haired gentleman with a neat pomade slicked back from the inside strode up.
“I am the manager of this salon. Please come in, lady.”
I didn’t say a word, just gestured with my chin and stepped inside.
The atmosphere in the bustling salon turned cold as if I’d thrown cold water on it.
It was no wonder that the mere mention of the great knight’s name could cause such a stir.
People’s gazes pierced through my veiled hat.
But I kept my gaze fixed on the art exhibits inside the salon, as if I wasn’t even interested in people.
‘Once I got in…’
I scanned the exhibit with great interest.
Every time I moved my head, the crowd in front of me parted like the Red Sea.
But Ricardo seemed determined to show off something more. He snorted as he crushed a welcome cookie carefully handed to him by one of the knights.
“…Crunch.”
His fur stood on end. No, Ricardo, I think you’ve overdone it…
“Argh.”
“Hic, Eek!”
Everyone was looking at us with admiration, but there were a few who went beyond that and started hiccuping.
It sure was frightening. But I forced my hand and stroked the jaguar’s ears gently.
Ricardo stuck out his tongue and licked the back of my hand as if he’d been waiting for it.
‘So squeaky clean!’
I heard a crackling sound, followed by a gasp of surprise. The murmur was twice as loud as before.
He’s right, Jaguar beasts are not so easily tamed.
My voice dropped to a low pitch and I spoke very slowly and gracefully.
“My baby is a little shy.”
… and of course, Ricardo was about three times my age, but…
…It could be a baby, couldn’t it?
