“Do you like my touch that much?”

Because of this emperor who spoke nonsense. Bestia glared at Caenian.

“It would be best to remove any lustful thoughts about Betty from now on.”

“Pardon?”

“Our Betty is rather picky about people. Now, let’s focus on the meeting.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Who’s the one who really needs to focus on the meeting? Everyone lost their words. Only Caenian nonchalantly stroked Bestia’s head. He skimmed through the documents perfunctorily. Then his eyes met Bestia’s.

“Betty, you must have missed me so much that you can’t take your eyes off me.”

— Quaaaack? (I was glaring at you?)

He said something strange again. Bestia raised her wings to express her bewilderment.

“Thank you for coming back to me.”

Smooch.

— Quack! (Ugh!)

Caenian laughed and expressed his gratitude as he pleased, then pressed his lips against hers. The man who directly pressed his lips against the yellow beak smiled brightly. Bestia collapsed.

“Oh… Your Majesty. Can you communicate with Miss Betty without the board?”

“Count Revaniger. I have been connected with Betty in heart since our first meeting. We share the same vision for growing the Delta Empire into a better empire.”

— Quack! (Connected in heart my foot!)

At that moment, a man with a plump build and a face like a puffy bread opened his mouth. It was Nenson Revaniger, the Minister of Administration. Bestia, who had collapsed, got up with glaring eyes.

“Oh. Indeed, since changing the operational direction with the beastman-friendly policy, good energy keeps flowing in, Your Majesty.”

“Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, after you brought in the ape you named Bonobono, the crime rate in the capital decreased significantly.”

“Now that I hear the count’s words, that’s true. Of course, it’s also because of the night patrol you suggested.”

Caenian smiled brightly as the man with honey on his lips poured out sweet words. Stroking the duck’s head was just a bonus. Bestia’s head nodded forward in sync with his hand.

“The satisfaction of the empire’s citizens is very high, Your Majesty. Come to think of it, you brought Miss Betty during the New Year’s Parade, right?”

“That’s right. Some men were threatening Betty. If Betty had been a beastman!”

BANG!

— Quack! (You startled me!)

For a moment, Caenian made a terrifying face. The small duck’s body floated up and fell due to the vibration created when he slammed his fist down.

“That would mean our top priority policy, the beastman-friendly policy, is useless. That also means they don’t recognize me as emperor.”

— Quaaack. (Here comes another outburst.)

Ruvan III’s influence was still strong within the empire. It wasn’t easy to eradicate the anti-beastman ideology, a remnant of the beastman exclusion policy.

“It’s difficult to change the direction of the past 16 years immediately, Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty, this is just the beginning, and even that beginning is considered good.”

“We think so too, Your Majesty. As Count Revaniger said, good energy continues to flow in.”

Everyone chimed in with one voice at the young emperor’s anger.

“All of you. Are you sincere?”

Caenian looked at each of them one by one. His sharp gaze was full of suspicion. His voice also had an edge to it.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You’re already doing very well, Your Majesty.”

“Look at the long term. State affairs require time.”

Silence fell after the ministers’ words. It felt like the calm before a storm.

“Hmm. You all have years of experience, so your words must be right. I admit I was impatient. I apologize.”

After a while, Caenian opened his mouth. His eyes returned to normal as his anger subsided. The ministers breathed sighs of relief.

“We are honored, Your Majesty.”

“Things will gradually improve, Your Majesty.”

They knew Caenian’s childhood well. They had seen it with their eyes and heard it with their ears. They also vividly remembered the fear created by the former emperor.

“We will actively move to support Your Majesty’s beastman-friendly policy.”

Hence, those who spoke now were favorable to Caenian’s policy.

“Yes. I got excited for a moment. I also fully understand the ministers’ deep intentions.”

“We are honored, Your Majesty.”

The rest remained quiet. They were the ones who had followed Ruvan III’s direction. In a way, it was natural. For people to prioritize people. They didn’t understand Caenian. Some even harbored dangerous suspicions.

That Caenian Ruvan might not have the former emperor’s blood mixed in him. That after the former empress’s continued miscarriages, they might have brought in an orphan as an adopted son. And so on. These were thoughts bordering on treason.

“You who have been involved in state affairs longer probably know more than an emperor of just one year.”

Caenian also knew their dark intentions well. His gaze was fierce as he scanned the ministers who avoided his eyes. The corners of his mouth turned up obliquely. A chilling expression formed.

It’s surprising they haven’t called for impeachment on the grounds of neglecting state affairs.

“Changing what he built over 16 years in just one year is greedy. Of course, he ultimately failed too.”

Caenian, with a cool smile, stared pointedly at several ministers. Those who had amassed wealth by persecuting beastmen or harassed empire citizens using beastmen as an excuse avoided his eyes.

“Listen well, all of you. I will open a new era for the Delta Empire. To maintain our place in this vast land, internal harmony must come first.”

“You speak the truth, Your Majesty.”

“As you all know, the once insignificant Runda Kingdom has now become a thorn in our side. I believe you all know well how they grew so large.”

“We will keep it in mind, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t forget. I am constantly keeping an eye in all directions.”

Caenian solemnly conveyed his intention. The imperial authority was strong enough that no one could challenge it, but that was only within the empire. The atmosphere of the rapidly growing Runda Kingdom was concerning.

“Your Majesty, by the way, over there……”

It was a moment when the current in the conference room flowed heavily. Duke, who had been observing the situation, intervened. Everyone looked at him. Their eyes questioned why he was joining the conversation.

“Chancellor, what is it?”

Instead of answering, Duke lowered his eyes. Caenian’s gaze naturally followed him.

— Quack…… (Don’t fight……)

“This!”

“Yes……”

“Since when?”

“For quite some time.”

The duck on the cushion was trembling. It seemed like the sound of Caenian’s heart dropping could be heard all the way to the other side of the table. It was pitiful to see her blinking her blue eyes while watching his reaction. She seemed to have been startled by the men’s loud voices.

“Betty, it’s nothing. This place is always like this. Since we deal with important imperial matters, the atmosphere gets heavy and voices rise.”

— Quack? (You were looking at people with eyes that seemed ready to behead them right away?)

Caenian clicked his tongue at the squeezed crying sound. Even children are startled by heated conversations between adult men. How much more so for this adorable little duckling!

Ah! I’m such a fool……!

“I’m ashamed that I didn’t take care of you because I was only focused on my emotions.”

Realization came belatedly. Caenian let out a sigh. The moist look in his eyes directed at Bestia was a bonus.

“If Your Majesty hadn’t brought Miss Betty to this place in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened……”

“Chancellor, I just want to show Betty a peaceful side now.”

Bestia was moved to Caenian’s bedroom.

— Quaaa. Quack? (Politics is more difficult and complicated than I thought. But surely Runda won’t cause trouble? Even if their power has grown?)

Waddle waddle.

One duck paced around the same spot with her wings crossed. Though “crossed” might be an exaggeration since her wings were so short that only the tips touched.

— Quack? (Beastman mercenaries… I wonder if they’re types like bears or lions?)

Waddle waddle.

Still, her appearance was full of seriousness. She didn’t want to think about the worst-case scenario, but something felt off.

— Quaaack. (Grandmother Garnet said that when a woman harbors resentment, it’s not good……)

Rika kept coming to mind. She couldn’t forget the image of the princess, called the treasure of the Runda Kingdom, hissing with rage.

— Quack…… (Surely that won’t happen, but just in case……)

— Kihi!!!

Rattle rattle!

Bestia tried to recall what she had learned in beastman physiology class. She tried to apply what advantages and disadvantages beastman bodies had in combat situations.

— Quack! (Ah, why! Why since earlier!)

But one loud noise kept interrupting her thoughts. It was the sound of Bonobono shaking the iron bars since the moment she was moved to the bedroom.

Rattle rattle!

— Keeeek! Keeee!

— Quaaa? Quack! (Are you complaining about why I came back? I didn’t want to come back either!)

Although they couldn’t communicate verbally, everything was conveyed through their eyes. Bestia raised her chin and stretched out. She puffed up her chest feathers to express her dignity.

— Keee!!!

Rattle rattle! Bang! Squeak……

— Qua, quack?! (Eek! Why, why are you coming out?!)

Of course, that dignity was maintained only until Bonobono came out of his cage. Bestia, who quickly lost her confidence, lowered her eyes.

Grab!

— Quack! (Save this duck!)

As soon as Bonobono approached and grabbed her, Bestia fell flat on her back. She was terrified on the black palm, then clenched her fist with the tip of her wing.

— Quack! Quaaack! (I, I know that you spent more than thirty gold coins trying to help me escape! I know, I know!)