Chapter 13
At the noblewoman’s question, Count Rusten, holding his teacup, forced a weary smile.
“…Seems the Duke of Noctis enjoys a stroke of luck now and then.”
After bidding farewell to the nobles, the Count returned to his carriage.
The moment it began to move, his face twisted in anger.
“Ha! Luck? What nonsense!”
This charity event was supposed to end in scandal — a counterfeit tea incident.
But despite all the bribes he’d paid, the Colton Trading Company — which was supposed to provide the fake tea — had been utterly destroyed by the Duke of Noctis.
He had cut all possible traces leading back to himself, so there was little risk of being exposed. Even so, he felt disgusted.
“If only this had gone according to plan, I could’ve secured my place with them for sure…”
Gnawing at his fingernail, the Count received a letter the moment he returned home.
As expected, it was from that person.
As he feared, the letter was full of harsh reprimands — but, unexpectedly, it also contained new information.
“The Duke of Noctis’s birthday banquet?”
Until now, the Noctis family’s birthday celebrations had always been strictly private.
But this time, apparently in an effort to improve their public image, they were inviting many nobles.
A sly gleam lit up the Count’s eyes.
“I’d better prepare a wonderful gift.”
“Chuut! (This time for sure!)”
Evi clenched both tiny fists and tightened her body.
“Gggghhhng.”
Her small white flying-squirrel body trembled as she strained with all her might.
Standing in the doorway, Baird cheered her on enthusiastically.
“Just a little more effort, ma’am! Don’t mind me! Even if there’s a pop sound, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it. So don’t worry and—!”
“Chuu!?”
What… what did that bear just say!?
Evi flared up and threw a peanut at him — but it didn’t even reach him, dropping harmlessly to the floor.
“Chuu-chu-chuu!”
It’s humanization practice, you idiot!
Recently, Evi had been practicing pheromone control for transformation — under the guidance of none other than Olga.
As it turned out, Olga was a brown wolf beastkin.
“Olga’s a knight, so she understands blessings well. Plus, she’s interested in you… a bit too much, even.”
That was how the Duke had explained it.
So these days, Evi was very busy.
She exercised alone early in the morning, then took pheromone lessons from Olga, and afterward, practiced humanization tirelessly.
She hadn’t visited the Duke at all.
More precisely — she didn’t dare to.
After that unfortunate scene with the tea merchant, she’d shown the Duke an embarrassing side of herself.
And on top of that, the divine blessing hasn’t appeared again!
After the meeting, she’d been so excited that she used the blessing recklessly — and then, as if someone had flipped a switch, it suddenly stopped manifesting.
Though she’d been deeply discouraged for a time, she decided to focus on humanization instead — since showing her growth might help the Duke consider adopting her.
Olga said if your body starts heating up, that’s a sign humanization is near.
To become human, one’s pheromones had to mature — which required releasing the old, immature ones first. That release caused the so-called “growth fever.”
Alright, let’s try releasing pheromones!
If I even have pheromones, that is!
…I must, right?
Evi clenched her tiny fists again, trembling with determination.
Baird watched with a dopey grin — twin tissues stuffed up his nostrils.
P-pervert bear!
Horrified, Evi hurled peanuts at him again.
“Chut! Chuutt! (Shoo! Go away!)”
But not a single peanut hit his shiny boots.
Tch. Scowling, Evi scurried toward him to retrieve her precious peanuts.
But Baird was faster.
With lightning speed, he scooped up all the peanuts and grinned wickedly at the stunned Evi.
“Now, if you want your precious peanuts back, just let me pat you once. Just one little—ugh!”
He didn’t get to finish. Olga had kicked him hard from behind, sending him sprawling.
She looked down at him as if he were some disgusting insect.
“Well, look who it is. The one harassing Lady Evi with that ugly mug of yours… Oh, I didn’t realize it was my dear brother—I mean, Lieutenant. My apologies.”
“Chuu?”
They’re siblings?
Clutching his lower back, Baird glared at her bitterly.
“You struck your superior officer’s spine! I could report this to the Captain, Olga!”
“Hmm? Can’t hear you~”
“What? You really want to be disciplined, don’t you!?”
“You always say that, but you never do. The Captain likes me better anyway. So really, you’re just jealous.”
“You—you’re going to be single forever with that attitude!”
“Uh-huh~ thanks for the self-introduction.”
Yep, definitely siblings.
Evi nodded, convinced.
Just then, as Baird looked on the verge of tears, a chubby female knight peeked out from behind Olga. It was Lisa.
“Don’t bully the Lieutenant too much, Olga.”
“Sir Lisa! You truly are an angel!”
Baird, overwhelmed, reached out both hands as if to shake hers.
“I knew you’d take my side!”
“I’m not taking anyone’s side.”
Lisa simply stepped aside smoothly and pretended she hadn’t seen anything. Then, smiling warmly at Evi, she and Olga set down the gift boxes they’d been carrying.
“Look at all these presents! They’re all for you, Lady Evi.”
“Chuu…!?”
For me!? Gifts? For me!?
Evi’s ears twitched wildly in disbelief as she dashed toward the boxes, eyes darting between them and Olga. Her pink nose wiggled in excitement.
“Chuu, chu-chuut? (Really? They’re really mine? You’re not kidding?)”
The impatient little squirrel’s face made Olga chuckle softly.
“They’re all yours, Lady Evi. Go ahead, open them.”
“Chuut!”
With a squeal of joy, Evi dove into the pile of presents, flailing her arms and legs like she was playing in the snow.
Oh my gosh! I actually got presents! Miracles do happen to squirrels!
“Dear God, Buddha—oh wait, wrong world. Anyway, dear deity of this world, thank you. I’ll be a good girl.”
Carefully — almost reverently — she began unwrapping them, trying not to wrinkle the wrapping paper.
When the contents finally appeared, a dazzling light seemed to spill out.
“……?!”
Evi nearly fainted.
A diamond-studded ivory rocking horse!
A jewel-encrusted set of fairy tale books!
A pumpkin carriage bed for babies!
And a lace-covered frilly dress!
Everything was absurdly luxurious — like something out of a dream.
As Evi stared in shock, Lisa smiled fondly.
“These were sent by the guests, to thank you for helping the charity tea event succeed.”
So it all worked out after all!
She had thought time was too short, but apparently, the event had gone smoothly.
What had once failed before her regression had now become a success — Evi couldn’t help feeling proud.
Still… these gifts are kind of scary.
What if she broke one just by touching it?
As Evi hesitated before the pile, Olga’s expression hardened.
“…I knew it.”
“Chuu?”
“These gifts are too plain, aren’t they?”
Huh?
“I’ll send them all back and have them bring better ones.”
“Chuuu! (Nooo!)”
Evi threw her little arms wide to shield the presents from Olga.
Her adorable defiance made everyone’s hearts skip a beat — especially Olga and Baird, who reacted dramatically.
“Kh… I—I feel like I might transform!”
“Ugh, I’m out of tissues…!”
They stared at each other in mutual disgust.
Olga crossed her arms, raising a brow.
“And why are you still here, Lieutenant? Skipping work again?”
“What? I have business here too—”
Baird paused, then glanced sideways at Lisa and lowered his voice dramatically.
“I’m here on official business.”
“Oh boy. Acting cool again, huh? What is it this time?”
Baird turned toward Evi.
She looked up from inspecting her gifts for damage, tilting her head curiously.
“Chuu?”
“Lady Evi. His Grace—uh, I mean, the Duke—has invited you to dine with him.”
“Chuuut?”
The Duke invited me?
As Evi made her way to the dining room, her mind was full of worry.
He’s not going to tell me to leave, is he? Or maybe he’ll ask me to pay him back for taking care of me!
Whatever it was, it had to be important. The Duke wouldn’t invite her to dinner just to make small talk.
There must be something really, really important—wow.
She froze upon entering the dining room.
A lavish feast stretched across the long table. She’d seen it before — but this time, something was different.
There’s even a silver plate at my seat!
When she went to her assigned spot, she found a cloche identical to the Duke’s waiting there.
Finally! At last! I get to eat something fancy instead of vitamins and nuts!
Overwhelmed, Evi bowed repeatedly toward the Duke, who sat at the head of the table.
“Chu-chuu, chu-chuu, chuu! (Thank you, thank you! Your Grace, you’re an angel!)”
She sat eagerly, heart pounding, waiting for the servant to lift the lid.
First, the Duke’s cloche was opened — revealing perfectly roasted duck breast, glistening with sauce, and a bowl of rich potato potage beside it.
That smells amazing! Is mine the same thing!?
Finally, the lid before Evi lifted to reveal—
A baby bottle.
Her same old nutritional drink, served elegantly on a silver platter.
“Chuuu!?”
When she looked up in disbelief, the Duke, spoon in hand, replied calmly,
“It has even more nutrients than the one you had the first day. Don’t leave a drop.”
“Chu-chu-chuut! (But I want to eat real food! There’s so much of it right there!)”
“No need to thank me. Just drink it.”
“Chuuuu…”
Her whiskers quivered with rage.
Just you wait. Someday, I’m going to bop you on the head for this!
Fuming, Evi grabbed the bottle with both hands.
But her grip was weak — she couldn’t even hold it steady.
“Chuuu…”
As she struggled, the bottle was suddenly snatched away.
The Duke had taken it, extending his hand toward her.
“Come here.”
“…?”
Evi eyed him suspiciously but cautiously stepped onto his palm.
But the moment she got close
Something clamped down sharply on the back of her neck.
