Chapter 05
“A weasel?”
I told you, I’m not a weasel!
A small, white, weasel-like creature squeaked as it toddled toward me.
I could clearly hear the squeak-squeak sound coming from its body, yet at the same time, a voice flowed directly into my head.
“Did… that weasel just talk?”
I said I’m not a weasel!
A talking weasel? If it were a wizard’s pet, that might have made sense.
Its soft, downy fur brushed against my ankle, then it climbed up my clothes and settled comfortably in my hand.
I’m a ferret!
“Same thing.”
It’s completely different…
Squeak—!
The way it squeaked indignantly in my palm was oddly adorable.
“But where did you come from? Were you abandoned? No—who would abandon an animal that can talk like a human…?”
It couldn’t have climbed in through the window. This was the third floor, far too high for such a tiny body—especially in a building where each floor had an absurdly tall ceiling.
And a ferret that could speak human language? That was definitely not something you just lost.
Me! It was me!
The ferret tapped my palm with its tiny paw, and a familiar system window appeared before my eyes.
From now on, I’ll be staying by your side in this body to assist you, Lady Maya. I’ll also be in charge of managing your shop.
The small ferret spun around in my palm a few times before staring up at me with wide, round eyes. Its red pupils looked as though rubies had been set into them.
Well? Isn’t it cool?
“Well… it’s kind of cool, I guess. But how exactly are you planning to help me with that body?”
Even if I look like this, I can do everything the system allows!
As if trying to look reliable, the ferret puffed out its chest and patted it proudly with its tiny paws.
“By the way, what should I call you?”
Hmm… I don’t really have a proper name. Would you name me something that fits this world, Lady Maya? I’d be really happy if you gave me my name!
Calling it “System” felt strange.
Calling it “Shop Manager” felt strange too.
And with those expectant eyes staring at me, I couldn’t just give it some random, ridiculous name.
Something normal.
Something that suited a ferret.
Something easy to say…
“How about… Liri?”
That’s lame.
The answer came back without even a second of hesitation.
“I put some thought into that, you know!”
It sounds weak and insignificant.
“Looks like a perfect match to me.”
I am not weak or insignificant!
I stood up, still holding the ferret. Startled by my sudden movement, the ferret—no, Liri—tensed up.
I walked over to the vanity decorating one wall and held my hand up toward the mirror.
On the small child’s hand reflected in the glass, the even smaller Liri wriggled.
“Still think you’re not insignificant?”
……
Liri fell silent, understandably so.
In the mirror, Liri looked exactly like that—small, weak-looking, and unbearably cute.
Liri rubbed its face over and over with its tiny paws, then let out a sigh of resignation.
Even if I look like this, I’ll still be able to assist you closely, Lady Maya…! I’ll manage the shop, and all the items you purchase will be delivered through me.
“Then why did you have to turn into this? You don’t look very happy about it. If you didn’t like it, couldn’t you just choose another form?”
Earlier, when I’d bought something, it had appeared directly in my hand. That suggested it didn’t even need a physical form.
Th-that’s because… the error in your possession address was entirely my fault, so this is sort of a punishment, if you will…
“So you became something this insignificant as punishment?”
Being a ferret has a deeper meaning!
Liri’s eyes darted around as it scrambled for excuses, then it suddenly stiffened, lifting its chin defiantly.
This form lets me stay by your side in a way that feels familiar to you, Lady Maya. I also have another form.
“Another form?”
A human one. If you’re curious, I can show you!
A ferret turning into a human—I couldn’t even imagine it.
Besides, I was already perfectly satisfied with how it looked now.
“I’m good.”
I shook my head without hesitation.
Liri froze as though struck by lightning and began muttering in disbelief.
Even though I can change my appearance to suit your preferences? You’re really not curious?
“You’re perfect just the way you are.”
Even though I have a really cool human form?
“This fluff ball is just right.”
I’m a ferret!
“Right. A fluff ball.”
Kuuung!
Liri stared blankly into the air, mouth hanging open.
If this were a comic or a movie, there would’ve definitely been a dramatic sound effect right about then.
Was it really that shocking that I wasn’t curious?
It was already cute enough as it was.
Ignoring Liri’s shock, I gently stroked its back with my free hand.
The soft fur slipped through my fingers.
Liri seemed to enjoy it, too—it melted in my palm like a sticky rice cake.
“But you said it was a punishment.”
Yes…
“Even if becoming a ferret is one thing, how is being able to turn into a human a punishment?”
Umm…
Liri gathered its slack body together and stood upright. Its long, tiny body rose proudly as it looked up at me.
To us, a human body is completely unnecessary. We don’t need to eat or sleep, but humans do. Isn’t that incredibly inefficient?
And with that, it flopped back down.
Speaking of which… I’m hungry now. Do you have anything to eat?
“You’re demonstrating that inefficiency perfectly right now. And I’ve probably already eaten everything you could have.”
But you’re a young lady now! The noble daughter of the magnificent Featherway Ducal House!
I knew dukes ranked high in nobility. I also knew their heirs received corresponding treatment.
Still, I had been adopted just today. Was it really okay to casually claim such a title?
When I hesitated, stroking my chin, Liri sagged even more.
If I don’t eat anything, I’ll starve…
“Ah, fine, fine! I get it!”
I could probably sneak into the kitchen and grab a few nuts or something.
I stood up, tucked Liri into my pocket, and quietly opened the door.
Thankfully, the only person around was a maid watering plants at the far end of the hallway.
Avoiding her gaze, I tiptoed down the corridor and reached the stairs.
Leaning over the railing, I peeked downstairs—and immediately spotted Mary’s head below. I quickly pulled back.
“Th-that was close.”
Why are we sneaking around?
“If you don’t know, stay quiet.”
Even if I’d been adopted into this ducal household, I was still an outsider. And no one would be thrilled to see me wandering into the kitchen with some strange animal in my hands.
If you want to hide, I have something perfect, Lady Maya!
“Something perfect?”
Yes! An item that lets even someone with no talent for stealth hide flawlessly! Open the shop—there’s anything you want there!
Liri spoke like a merchant hawking goods—well, that’s exactly what it was.
Right. The shop was supposedly my service, after all.
“Let me see.”
Yes!
Liri immediately summoned a faint window before my eyes.
As usual, the items were cluttered across the screen.
As I searched, the scroll moved on its own and stopped at the item Liri had mentioned.
Sneaky Gentleman Thief Mask.
…Do all items have names like this?
I tapped the description.
[Sneaky Gentleman Thief Mask]
Grade: B
Price: 5,000 Coins
While worn, the mask conceals your appearance and sounds from nearby people.
Only effective against humans. Does not work on other living creatures.
“That’s expensive.”
Ah.
I glanced at my coin balance.
500 coins.
This cost ten times that.
“And this was your recommendation?”
I-I’m sorry…!
I pressed Liri’s head back into my pocket. It squeaked in protest as it disappeared.
I leaned against the stairway wall and waited quietly for Mary to pass.
But Liri clearly had no intention of staying still—it poked its head out again, looking around.
Then—squeak.
“Be quiet, Liri. What if we get caught?”
No, look!
“Look at what?”
Liri pointed behind me, squeaking urgently.
There was nothing there but the wall… or so I thought.
Turning around, I saw it.
A large painting hung on the wall.
It was enormous—possibly taller than I was.
The painting depicted a woman, but her face was covered with cloth, making her identity impossible to discern.
Who do you think it is?
“I don’t know… probably family. If it’s hung here, it must be someone important. The duke’s wife, maybe.”
Her face was hidden, but long strands of pink hair spilled down freely.
Had anyone in this household had hair like that?
I’d only been here for less than a day, but I hadn’t seen a single person with that color.
Whoever it was beneath the cloth, she was someone I had never met.
Yet, for some reason, my feet wouldn’t move.
Liri seemed to sense something strange as well—it stopped squeaking and stared at the painting with me.
Do people usually cover up the face of someone precious like that? Even a wife…
“True… but if it were someone they hated, wouldn’t they remove it instead of covering it?”
That makes sense…
“Have you ever seen the duke’s wife?”
No. I’ve been watching over you this whole time, Lady Maya, but I haven’t seen the duchess.
“So it’s not just me, then.”
It felt like standing before a single artwork in a museum, utterly absorbed.
No—
It felt as though that painting itself was gripping my ankles, holding me in place.
Then, a shadow fell over me.
“What are you doing here, talking to yourself?”
A low voice, cold and heavy.
A familiar voice.
