Chapter 31
At first, it seemed like she was afraid of me. But at some point, the situation completely reversed.
Eila became more and more firm — and bolder.
Scary.
Ever since we returned from subduing the monsters, Eila had been especially proactive every morning.
“The sky is clear, but the temperature is still low. So I recommend wearing these warm yellow gloves and earmuffs.”
“No!”
I protested weakly and took a step back. But Eila ignored me and pushed forward a pair of cute knitted earmuffs.
Before, when I said I didn’t like something, she at least pretended to listen. Now? Not a chance.
Maybe she had realized that I wasn’t as fierce as I looked.
“Eila, think about it. I’m over two meters tall. If I walk around wearing earmuffs and gloves that children wear, what do you think people will say?”
Eila shrugged.
“They’ll think you’re cute.”
That answer crushed my fighting spirit immediately.
“Then at least give me black ones…”
When I shook my head and refused the yellow, Eila looked troubled.
“What’s going on?”
Right then, Valentin walked into the room, fully dressed.
“Your Grace!”
I rushed toward him.
Yes, someone with proper taste!
Not to be outdone, Eila quickly presented the yellow earmuffs and gloves she had been holding so carefully.
“What are these?”
He lifted one glove that was clearly knitted with great care.
“They are what Sir Nathan will wear today.”
“Your Grace, please listen. Eila keeps insisting I wear these. They don’t suit me at all. If I’m cold, I can just wear the black earmuffs!”
I picked up the black gloves and earmuffs from among the yarn balls scattered on the bed and handed them to Valentin.
The option of not wearing any at all had disappeared long ago.
Eila didn’t stay silent either. While I went to grab the black set, she attacked Valentin with endless persuasion.
“Since this is the first outing you and Sir Nathan will have together, I strongly believe he must wear these. The color matches his eyes perfectly. I’m certain they’ll suit him.”
Valentin looked between me, Eila, and the yellow bundle in his hand like a judge delivering a verdict.
A tense silence filled the room.
He glanced once at Eila and once at me, then curved his lips into a beautiful smile.
The yellow earmuffs in his hand fluttered lightly like flower petals.
“They’re cute. Wear these.”
A victorious smile appeared on Eila’s face.
Y-you traitor!
After the monster subjugation, the Knights of Berenice were given a short vacation.
It was my first three-day holiday, and I was excited.
What should I do?
The second day was already decided. George had invited me to lunch.
A lunch invitation!
Just hearing the romantic phrase made me excited. I wished tomorrow would come faster.
Maybe I could take a walk with Charlie in the morning, and as for Levi’s lecture—
It’s a holiday. I should rest.
I tried to ignore the disappointed look Levi would probably have and instead thought about Valentin.
He was always busy — too busy even for ten bodies. So I expected him to spend the holiday managing the territory as usual.
But unexpectedly, he suggested going for a walk.
“A walk?” I asked.
“Don’t want to?”
“It’s not that. Where are we going?”
“Katon Street.”
When I saw the Katon tourist booklet in his hand, my eyes widened.
Katon Street was the center of Berenice — the economic heart of the North!
I had been sweating inside the castle and hadn’t even thought about going outside. My only “outings” had been training sessions in an open field with Valentin.
Finally, I might take a step closer to living like a proper civilized human being.
And the price of that agreement?
“It suits you.”
“Yes. I’m sure.”
Yellow earmuffs and mittens.
I closed my mouth tightly, refusing to look at Valentin as he tried to brainwash me into believing they suited me.
At this point, I had grown used to wearing ribbons around my neck and cute little vests.
I had even gained enough courage to choose ribbon colors myself.
But I never said I’d wear something this adorable.
And in a street full of strangers!
How strangely would people look at me? I didn’t even want to think about it.
I’ll just stay close to Valentin.
If you stand next to someone powerful, you automatically look more impressive. I just hoped his beauty would overshadow me.
“By the way, Your Grace.”
I pointed at the cover of the tourist booklet filled with pictures.
“What is this? An imaginary animal? Or does it represent Katon?”
It looked like neither a dog, nor a wolf, nor a bear. Only the face was drawn, making it hard to describe.
Yellow eyes. A slightly protruding snout.
“Wait…”
A chill ran down my spine.
I pointed at the same animal drawn throughout the booklet.
“Your Grace, I might be overthinking this… but…”
Valentin blinked his long lashes slowly and met my eyes.
“This isn’t me, right?”
Please say no.
There’s no way I’d be on a tourist booklet for the commercial center of Berenice. There must just be another animal that looks like me.
“Well… I’m not sure.”
His irresponsible answer came from beautifully curved lips.
“If you don’t know, then who does?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t—!”
Just as I shoved the booklet toward his face, the carriage came to a stop.
“Put that away and let’s get off.”
He looked far too pleased with himself.
I jumped out of the carriage first.
As expected, before my feet even touched the ground, people’s gazes gathered around me.
The ducal crest on the carriage was already eye-catching — and a giant beast stepping out of it? Of course they’d stare.
I waited for Valentin to step down and draw all attention to himself.
But before he could, a loud voice rang across the square.
“Nadani!”
A small boy was pointing at me.
“…Me?”
He ran toward me excitedly.
“Nadani!”
W-what is Nadani?! Don’t come closer!
Another little girl followed him.
I bent my knees so I wouldn’t scare them.
They were so small — barely reaching my chest.
“It’s really Nadani! The real Nadani is huge!”
The boy hit my hand playfully, unafraid.
The girl shyly asked if she could touch me.
Wait… is this okay? I used to make grown men run away in fear…
I glanced at Valentin.
He had already stepped out of the carriage and was watching with his arms crossed, clearly amused.
No intention of helping at all.
“Kids, what’s Nadani?”
But talking with children was difficult.
“Nadani is Nadani.”
“I see…”
That explains nothing.
Maybe the cute earmuffs were making me look harmless?
Then I noticed the doll in the girl’s arms.
A black furry doll wearing a tiny blue vest.
It looked strangely familiar.
The girl proudly held it up.
“This is Nadani!”
The doll had yellow eyes. Black fur.
“…That’s me?”
The girl giggled and showed me a crumpled paper.
On it were the words: “Berenice’s Cute Mascot Nadani Exhibition.”
“You can buy Nadani dolls, pencil cases, notebooks, and pajamas there! I got this Nadani from there!”
My mind went blank.
Nadani… from Nathan? That’s why it felt familiar.
I glared at Valentin.
He blinked innocently.
Definitely a repeat offender.
“When did I become Berenice’s cute mascot?”
“Since you accomplished great things in Shamandra?”
He answered as if he were singing.
I wanted to argue, but first I gently freed myself from the children tugging my fur.
No wonder the rumors in Shamandra had been exaggerated. The man in front of me had to be the cause.
“You exaggerated the rumors too, didn’t you?”
“Exaggerated? They were based on facts.”
He shrugged, as if nothing was wrong.
His golden hair moved lightly in the wind like butterfly wings.
“So you don’t like it?”
I followed his gaze.
People were watching me.
But instead of disgust or contempt, I saw something else in their eyes.
A little fear, yes — but also friendliness, curiosity, and warmth.
Children waved shyly at me.
Do I dislike being a mascot?
Of course not.
Being looked at with affection — that’s a good thing.
No one was swinging swords at me. No one was insulting me. No one was fainting in terror.
Since gaining this body, this was what I had wanted most.
So becoming the North’s mascot wasn’t a bad deal at all.
No matter Valentin’s intentions, it benefited me.
And yet, my chest ached.
I wanted to prove my usefulness to Valentin.
If I were useful, maybe he’d keep me by his side regardless of appearance.
Maybe he’d grow to like me.
That wish felt so recent.
So why couldn’t I simply be happy now?
Am I upset? Because he didn’t tell me beforehand? Because it feels like I’m being used?
He clearly hadn’t tried to hide it — he even brought me to Katon.
…Still, I wish he had told me first.
Lost in those confusing feelings, my expression gradually darkened.
Just as I lowered my head, deciding it must simply be disappointment—
A strong arm suddenly wrapped around my waist.
