It happened in an instant—the red-haired man with crazed eyes grabbed the black primate by the collar. Duke, who hurriedly came to his side, tried to stop Caenian.

But what’s already in his grasp was a handful of Bonobono’s black fur. White flesh was exposed where the fur had been pulled out.

— Kihiing…

Bonobono clutched his pale chest and cried. The tearful primate’s eyes quickly turned frightening.

— Kikikik!

“Ugh! You rascal! Let go right now!”

“Oh my! Why are you suddenly fighting with Bonobono by pulling his hair! Stop……”

Caenian and Bonobono raised their voices. They pulled at each other’s hair through the cage bars.

“This fellow took my duck first!”

— Kiiii! Kik!

“Hey! You’re not letting go, huh? You dare grab the emperor’s hair?”

— Kikik!

“What? You’re being ridiculous! You let go first and hand over Betty quickly!”

The attempts to stop them from the side were useless. Caenian, though emperor, showed remarkable vigor for someone who had just reached adulthood. The sight of him fighting without dignity was spectacular.

Duke waved his hand to dismiss the servants. It was enough for only him and Potters to see the emperor’s dignity falling.

“Your Majesty… perhaps, it might be good to take a rest……”

After a full 20 minutes like this. Duke cautiously spoke to the panting Caenian. The emperor, whose appearance and clothing were in disarray, had bloodshot eyes. His gaze seemed to ask how Duke dared speak to him. It also looked like he might grab Duke’s white hair next.

“Huhup…!”

“Your Majesty, let’s resolve this through conversation. Bonobono doesn’t communicate well.”

Duke slowly backed away. He hid behind Potters, who had enough hair that he didn’t need to worry about it being pulled. Potters, who was poked in the side by Duke, added to the conversation. Only then did Caenian release Bonobono’s chest. Bonobono also lowered his arm, reading the situation.

“Now. Bonobono. If you hand over Betty willingly, there won’t be any bloodshed.”

— Kihik? Ki!

Clatter clatter!

Caenian pulled up a chair and sat in front of the cage. Bonobono, whose white chest was exposed, shook the cage bars.

“I see you still have some fur left to be pulled. Instead of glaring, you might want to look at your chest?”

— Kii! Kihi!

Clatter clatter!

No sooner had the physical fight ended than the verbal fight began. Duke and Potters looked at each other.

Shake shake.

“It doesn’t look like it will end soon.”

“I think so too. Shall we go have lunch?”

“Good idea. Since His Majesty ordered all ducks to be caught, there should be plenty of duck br*ast meat.”

The two backed away while whispering. Caenian was absorbed in interrogating Bonobono.

“Is eating others’ br*ast meat all you do? I personally prefer tender legs so I don’t mind… but your taste is a bit… well.”

“The Chancellor’s description of ‘tender legs’ doesn’t sound particularly pleasant either.”

“What did you say? My old ears can’t hear.”

“……”

The two, who had moved closer to the door, moved nimbly. Potters silently opened the heavy door. Duke quickly peeked his head through the door gap and quieted those outside. Duke walked gracefully down the corridor between them. Potters followed behind him.

“His Majesty really cherished that duck.”

“But it’s just a small animal. In three days, he’ll shake it off and return to his normal self.”

“Is that so? I feel somewhat uneasy.”

“Huh. Are you dismissing this old man’s insight? Sir Potters, want to make a bet with me? Three gold coins?”

“Oh. Is this the first time the Chancellor has proposed a bet? I’m in.”

“When will you give me the three gold coins?”

“My friend. His Majesty is bedridden, and you’re concerned about money now? You’re quite heartless.”

“It’s already the fourth day since three days have passed, isn’t it?”

“Oh my. My goodness! Our Emperor has been heartbroken over losing his duck for a week already! What shall we do! This is no time to be standing around!”

“…Let’s just forget about the bet.”

“Thank you. Young people have such good manners these days.”

Duke smiled brightly at Potters’ mercy. He patted his broad back and entered the emperor’s bedroom.

“Your Majesty, Duke Schubien is here.”

Duke, standing in front of the bed, bowed his head. Caenian gave him a glance. His once lustrous red hair was now dull. His empty black eyes were the same.

The always energetic Caenian Ruvan was not here.

“…Chancellor. The emptiness won’t go away. I’m truly ashamed that my mental strength was so weak.”

“Huhup… Your Majesty. Perhaps, would you consider filling that emptiness with a person rather than an animal?”

“A person? Chancellor. What are you trying to say?”

Caenian looked tired even speaking a few words. The corners of his eyes trembled finely. Duke, watching his reaction, held out a bundle of documents in his hand.

“Your Majesty, why not bring in an empress at this opportunity?”

“An empress? Chancellor. Is that something to say to me when I’m in despair?”

“Ahem… Your Majesty. The wounds of heartbreak can also be… perfectly… healed by another meeting. Which could be a good alternative.”

“Perfectly?”

Are you crazy?

Caenian narrowed his eyes. His gaze burned with words he couldn’t bring himself to say. Duke also knew the meaning well and avoided his gaze.

“Didn’t Your Majesty firmly dismiss Princess Rika of the Runda Kingdom previously?”

“So?”

“Since then, do you know that letters from those wishing to form a connection with Your Majesty have continued to arrive?”

“Can’t we just ignore them?”

“Well… if you welcome a companion, the companion duck will naturally……”

The news of Rika being dragged out during the banquet spread even across the continent. Then, various countries that had been eyeing Caenian since he was crown prince moved as if they had been waiting. The result was the list of noble ladies in Duke’s hand.

“Enough. I’m not interested.”

“You won’t be uninterested forever, Your Majesty.”

“Does the Chancellor wish for me to keep someone else’s precious daughter by my side as a substitute for Betty?”

“How could you say such a thing?”

“Isn’t that what you’re saying?”

Caenian’s tone was sharp. He might lack energy, but he hadn’t lost his emotions. His mind was also clear. It was just that the hole in his heart hurt. Duke took a step back at the shadow Caenian showed. His shoulders felt heavy knowing all the circumstances.

“Betty is probably living well after meeting her mother and siblings. Please, Your Majesty, regain your strength soon……”

“Chancellor, that’s just your imagination. I even doubt whether Betty safely escaped this vast imperial palace.”

Caenian’s expression changed moment by moment. The face that had been burning with anger was now full of worry. He held his forehead and closed his eyes. He sighed several times.

Duke swallowed hard. Who would have thought that one small duck would have such a big impact? With a heavy heart, he turned his head to the side. The duck’s exclusive cushion caught his eye.

“……”

The place where a bundle of white down should have been was empty. The duck that would purse its yellow bill when someone said something absurd was no longer here.

How could he reveal that the child had returned to her peaceful daily life?

Duke shook his head and looked back at Caenian. The wrinkles around his eyes deepened even more.

“Sigh… I wonder if she’s gotten involved in a big accident somewhere. I can’t sleep at night with worry.”

“Oh ho ho……”

Unlike Caenian, Duke knew how Bestia was doing. Over the past week, his family heirloom had transmitted various news to him as feelings. When Bestia received the necklace from Aesop, the energy of the freshwater pearl bead was also transmitted.

“I wonder if a cat took her… with those small duck feet, how far could she run when she can’t even fly……”

But this was something only Duke knew. Caenian couldn’t escape from the worry he had created for himself.

Oh dear. When one side is happy, the other side wastes away. What can be done?

Duke clicked his tongue inwardly. He felt sorry for Bestia, but he also felt sorry for Caenian. Having seen him in his childhood directly made it even more so.

“Your Majesty, this humble one has failed to understand your heart. Please forgive my oversight. I will surely bring you good news.”

“No, Chancellor. I’m the one who needs to come to my senses. I apologize for responding so sharply. I hear the atmosphere in the imperial palace has been terrible lately. I’ll return to state affairs tomorrow.”

“I’m honored, Your Majesty.”

Duke withdrew without achieving anything. For now, as Caenian said, letting him sort out his emotions came first.

Three days later, Duke, who had attended the state affairs meeting alone, kicked the air with a “Pah!”

“Well! He said he’d come to his senses the next day.”

The atmosphere in the meeting hall without the emperor was terrible.

“Really. Stuck between His Majesty and that child, I’m getting a pelican’s broken back.”

Duke sweated throughout the meeting. His shoulders naturally hunched under the ministers’ sharp glares. Since he was the one who had created the opportunity for Bestia to escape, he naturally felt self-conscious.

“There’s no choice. I’ll have to bring her back.”

On the tenth day after Bestia’s escape from the imperial palace. That’s how her re-entry to the palace was decided. Just like when she first entered the palace, it wasn’t by her own will, but by someone else’s decision.

* * *

“Gasp! G- Grandpa Chancellor!?”

Bestia, who was helping Garnet gather laundry, let out a squawk. A carriage stopped in front of the cottage, and Duke stepped out.

“It’s been a while, Bestia. Please forgive me for coming so suddenly.”

“Betty, who is this person?”

“Gr-Gr-Grandma. Th-That is… th-this person is……”

The very surprised Bestia stammered. As if that wasn’t enough, a strange feeling had been coming from the salt bead in her pocket. She also felt a tingling from her necklace when Duke appeared.

Why? I’m not feeling fear right now?

The confused Bestia clutched the necklace in her hand.

“Ho ho, I am Duke Schubien, who looked after Bestia during her stay at the imperial palace.”

“Oh my, I see. Thank you for taking care of our Betty. But what brings you here……”

Garnet, noticing Bestia’s strange behavior, stopped mid-sentence and looked worried. She looked back and forth between Duke and Bestia. Duke slightly bowed his head.

“I apologize for coming so abruptly. But I must take Bestia to the imperial palace, madam.”