"Ugh... my whole body aches."
I don't know how many days I've been doing exercises that aren't even for my arms. That alone was enough to make my muscles scream, but then I had to try to sleep between the slides, thanks to an uncomfortable cohabitation with mealworms that lasted all night.
No, but how is a person supposed to sleep with a worm by their bedside? I can't do it. I'm a pampered city dweller who can't even stand the sound of insects because I dislike bugs so much.
I can't live like this. I feel wronged and sad, so I just can't. I'm going to run away from home. I'm going to leave this house!
"I've prepared another special meal today, Cashew Nut."
Before I could fully make up my mind, Kyle entered the study, gathering all the bugs from the corner of the house.
"Sen said that raw food might not be your thing. It's my fault."
It is. (Yes, it's your fault.)
"I was told that you might prefer dried yellow pollack this morning, and I'll prepare beef for dinner. It happens to be a festival period, so there's plenty of meat. Can I get you chicken tomorrow?"
...Should I reconsider running away?
Yes, he's very sincere. He's trying his best to take care of me, anyway.
As I slid down the slide and looked up at him, Kyle's face visibly brightened. He quickly placed a piece of dried yellow pollack in my paw, then picked up the bowl of water I had spilled and refilled it with clean water.
I nibbled and ate the pollack. It didn't seem to have been seasoned for animals, so it was a bit bland, but it was good to eat. To be honest, when I thought about the monstrous things that had occupied my food bowl until yesterday, this was a godsend.
It should have been like this long ago.
If only I had pretended to eat it by force... Oh, I'm choking.
I was choked up and pounded my chest with my tiny fist. Kyle quickly placed the bowl of water next to me.
"The atmosphere in the castle has been a bit chaotic lately. You're only going to stay here anyway, so there's nothing to worry about, but don't let that pervert break into your study..."
—Thump!
I almost stumbled while drinking water and nearly dunked my nose in it.
...What? A pet pervert?
Is he talking about me? No, what kind of crazy person came up with such a title and gave it to him?
"We have a guard stationed in front of the study, so you have nothing to worry about, Cashew Nut."
Sure. There's nothing to worry about. I'm that pet pervert...
When I tilted my head, Kyle lifted me up with an adorable expression and began kissing me wildly.
Hey, stop it! What kind of kisses do you shower on me more often than meals? Do your men know you're doing this? Huh?
He's supposed to be the "Northern Loser." He's said to be the strongest swordsman in Meinhardt, a man without blood or tears. He's said to be the greatest Duke on the continent, who cultivated the wasteland. You damn hamster otaku!
"Your Highness."
Then, someone knocked on the door. Kyle dropped me back into my house at the speed of light and straightened his back. As if he had become a completely different person, he said with a stern expression, "Come in."
What? Is he the same person?
I can never get used to it. He turned his back on me completely and received a report from the driver. It stated that the Second Prince, Belial Serena Meinhardt, would soon arrive in the territory.
The report was meticulous, detailing the welcome procession, the location of the decorations, the route to the dining area, and even the menu. Just listening to the contents, one would think a corruption audit was underway. Even Kyle's facial expressions were serious.
I knew he wasn't on good terms with the imperial family, and I even heard about it when I brought it up... How serious is it?
Just looking at his face, I would believe him even if he announced he was setting out to subjugate demons.
"We have to leave now."
Kyle glanced back at me. It was a look full of regret. I don't know how he hid that kind personality. Or maybe he's only kind to me. He's only kind to animals, so there's nothing wrong with that...
"I'll be back, Cashew Nut."
I held out my paw instead of answering. Give me another pollack.
"Eating too much is bad for you," he whispered.
...That's...
I decided to lie down and imagine what I wanted to eat. A three-patty hamburger, shrimp balls in hot pot, a T-bone steak bigger than my face, two pieces of pork belly on top of lettuce...
Just you wait.
When I return to my human form, I'll eat meat for three days and nights.
As I lay down and rolled around after finishing the remaining pieces of yellow pollack, a thought suddenly came to my mind.
Come to think of it, why did Kyle get along badly with the royal family? He's not the most fit, but he's the current emperor's son.
After all, there's a story that can't be heard without tears, so instead of being a prince, he's playing the role of a Grand Duke in this cold land.
Kyle Jane Meinhardt isn't a very important character in the original story. Moreover, he died quickly, so his past couldn't have been treated as important.
What does he want? If I listen to that, I might be able to change the future.
[Kyle's only wish is revenge.]
He wants revenge too...
There are only dreams of revenge everywhere.
The reason he rebelled against the imperial family was because of his origin. His birth mother was never accepted as a member of the imperial family, and she ended her life miserably.
However, this doesn't mean that Kyle and Belial were crippled enemies from the beginning. Belial must have provoked Kyle several times before, but Kyle endured it all. The North was in danger even without anyone daring to trample on it, and it was better to reduce variables as much as possible for his home.
However, despite Kyle's efforts, Belial's taunts succeeded. To be precise, he found an excuse to put pressure on the North.
At the right time, the system showed the part where the incident happened in the original game.
["Kyle Jane Meinhardt plotted a scheme under the guise of a festival. The chandelier fell on the Second Prince, Belial Serena Meinhardt, at a banquet on the last day of the festival, which is proof of this! The Duke of Klein regards Kyle as an enemy of the imperial family and declares that they will oppose anyone involved in Blake's estate."]
This is it. The Chandelier Incident!
On the last day of the festival, an incident happened to Belial that caused his family to declare hostility to the Blake estate. At this time, if it was the original story, Serena, who was Belial's maid – now called Sen – will talk to him for the first time. Maybe Sen healed Belial and they developed a bond?
If Belial and his maternal family, the Duke of Klein, join forces to oppose each other, the North will be even more thoroughly isolated than it is now. That must have been a big reason for Kyle's death. Therefore, this incident must be prevented.
Is it the last day of the banquet...?
The way to prevent it is simple. Whatever it takes, Belial just can't attend the grand banquet on the last day.
What should I do...?
I should meet Belial in person first, right? I also have to figure out what kind of person he is. I should also think about how to persuade him. If that doesn't work, I'll catch some weaknesses.
With that in mind, it was time to roughly remove the sawdust stuck between my front paws.
"Why are you parking the soldiers at the door?"
An unfamiliar voice rang out from outside the study. It was a soft, gentle voice that was almost beautiful. Soon, the door opened, and Kyle replied, letting the guest in.
"There is a trivial matter, so I told them to strengthen the guard."
In his businesslike tone, there was a hint of not paying attention to the newcomer. The man who followed Kyle in laughed lowly.
"I think there are unexpected changes in the Grand Duke's space."
Does he mean Kyle can't manage one of his own rooms? A cold smile faded from Kyle's face for a moment.
I left my shelter and climbed up to the side of the treadmill on the top floor to get a better look at them both. Then I saw the man sitting across from Kyle.
[Belial Serena Meinhardt.]
As expected, it was Belial.
Golden hair that shimmered like honey, bright green eyes, a lively and friendly appearance, eyes that drooped down like a gentle lamb, and a polite smile that seemed to come to him habitually... If I were to embody a prince from a fairy tale, I would think it would be just like that. Of course, he's a real prince.
"Rather, I heard that you have a strange beast in your study."
If it's a strange beast, he's talking about me.
As he listened, nibbling on the walnuts I had brought with me, Kyle's eyebrows twitched for a moment. Hey, hey, don't react.
"It is a beast cub that lives only in the coldest eastern forests. It's not something the prince needs to concern himself with."
"I heard a rumor that the beast will eat people when it grows up. The Archduke's courage is so great that he raises such a beast."
Belial's eyes crinkled as he smiled. Kyle stared at him expressionlessly the whole time.
It seems that invisible sparks are flying. The festival is just around the corner, so why are they making such an effort? Get along, get along.
"Or perhaps he had some other plan."
...I don't want them to get along.
"You can't take back a word once it's spoken, Prince Belial."
"You should say no, Grand Duke."
It was a clear provocation. It was also a malicious insinuation, suggesting that Kyle was trying to raise a demon beast and cause a rebellion.
But if you look at me, you wouldn't say that either. How long would I have to grow to attack the imperial city? I'm only half the size of your palm. I don't get angry because it's so unreasonable.
However, Kyle seemed to be in a different situation. Even without that, the cold air froze even stiffer. I rubbed my arms with my paws and looked at them.
...Hey, wait a minute.
No way, are they drawing swords? If he endured it three times, he was able to escape murder. Be patient, be patient.
"I'm going to hit you, Kyle. You are just like my mother."
Kyle's hand reached for his sword.
Hey, man! Don't kill him! Of course, I think he's a cheap guy to die for insulting my mother! Nevertheless!
I didn't have time to think about it for long. I jumped up, took a deep breath, and rolled down. As my round body slid down the slide, there was a thud, thunk, thump.
The sudden sound made both of their eyes turn to me. ...Pretending to be stunned.
"...Cashew Nut?"
Kyle jumped to his feet. When I didn't respond, he shouted to the guard outside the door, "Take the prince to his lodging! And bring in a doctor!"
He came to me urgently. Then I heard a squeaking sound, the door opened, and someone stepped into the study. It was Sen, who came in with a sample of my snack.
"...Your Highness?"
"Sen. Lead the prince to his lodging."
Kyle pulled me out of the hamster's house. Sen seemed to take a moment to examine the situation, then nodded and walked out the door with Belial.
The noisy study quickly became quiet. I could feel Kyle's worried gaze on me.
I'll be fine now.
It was a famous performance that will remain in history.
Why? Look at how easily he was deceived. If this isn't a famous act, what is?
I wriggled as if I had just woken up. Kyle breathed a sigh of relief as he looked closely at my face. He asked me if I was okay.
After all, this reaction from him looks better than him pretending to be indifferent.