That’s why I wrote on the agreement to give you gold coins!

Though sorry for making him waste money, she had to speak her mind. She screamed with all her might, opening her yellow beak wide to defend herself.

Besides! Who asked you to help?

She glared to convey the words she couldn’t say out loud.

— Kihik! Keeeee!!

Squeeze!

— Quo, quoaaa! (What, what do you want? I’ll do anything I can for you!)

— Kihi?

Then she was tightly gripped by the large hand. Bestia surrendered immediately. In her duck form, she couldn’t handle a large ape. If she transformed into a human, it could be dangerous. Also, she didn’t want to hear him threaten to throw her in jail again out of spite.

— Quaack! (The emperor might come in at any moment, so I’m worried!)

— Ki!

— Quack? (That? You want that?)

— Kihit!

— Quaaack? (But that’s what the emperor gave me?)

Bonobono loosened his grip and pointed at something. It was a duck-specific cushion with all sorts of jewels hanging from it. It was an item that had changed after Bestia disappeared and returned.

— Quaaaa? (You’re interested in jewels too?)

— Kihik!

The original cushion was simply made of expensive fabric, but the current cushion was adorned with jewels and gold decorations.

It had been newly decorated to welcome the duck back to the imperial palace. Of course, the person who ordered the new decoration was Caenian, the master of doting.

— Quack? (But if I give that to you, the emperor will be extremely angry?)

— Kihit!

— Quoa? (You don’t care? Where does your confidence come from?)

Bestia didn’t particularly like the cushion that sparkled all over. The excessive treatment made her uncomfortable. She felt even more so because she wasn’t a real duck. The guilt of deceiving Caenian was considerable.

— Quack. (Then take it. I’ll try to explain it to the emperor.)

— Kihihit!

— Quoa. (Since we can’t communicate in this state, I’ll have to explain when I transform into a human. Well.)

The golden board that had become useless at some point.

Bestia glanced at it and then turned her head away. If they used that, they could have simple conversations, but Caenian never used it once. Hence, it was tucked away in a corner.

— Quaaack. (Anyway, if you’re not going to use it after making it, why did you make it in the first place.)

Bestia shook her head. Bonobono stretched his black arm toward the cushion. That’s when it happened.

Slam!

“Betty! I’ve come… What are you doing! Bonobono!”

— Kihik!?

— Quack. (We’re doomed.)

Caenian kicked the door open and entered.

* * *

A few days later, duck Betty disappeared and human Betty appeared.

“I didn’t summon you.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I know.”

“You came despite knowing? Has the Chancellor run out of errands for you to run?”

The emperor, who had been watching the duck being carried away in Duke’s arms with a desperate look, glared at the woman in front of him. Bestia found it absurd.

Earlier you were even tearing up saying you didn’t want me to leave?

The discriminatory treatment upset her. So she opened her eyes fiercely just the same.

“I didn’t come to receive work from Your Majesty.”

“I have no business with you either, so why don’t you just leave?”

His tone wasn’t particularly respectful. Those around him were anxious, but Caenian didn’t care. He wasn’t impressed from the first impression anyway, so there was nothing surprising about it.

“Unfortunately, I have business with Your Majesty.”

“Business? Perhaps Betty wants to come back? Bring her in at once!”

“Absolutely not.”

How can someone be so two-faced? He’s not a croissant with a crispy outside and moist inside.

“Of course! She must be missing me already after being apart!”

“…No, that’s not it, Your Majesty.”

Bestia felt the same way. She decided to accept Caenian as he was, with his favoritism toward her other self. After all, one person couldn’t change another’s feelings. She didn’t want to stress herself out over it.

“Then leave. I have no need for your business.”

But… even so, this was too much. How could his discrimination be so consistent?

“Sigh.”

Calm, stay calm.

Bestia exhaled deeply. She understood that his obsession with the duck stemmed from profound loneliness. She had sensed it when he spoke about the late empress.

At least I received plenty of love from my grandparents.

But he……

Caenian had no one to share his emotions with. Not even animals.

“It is related to Betty, but since you told me to leave, I’ll be going.”

“Hold on. How dare you turn your back? Come closer.”

“……”

After calming her emotions that had surged from the discrimination, Bestia continued softly. Fortunately, Caenian’s tone also softened as he seemed to like what she said.

“What business do you have? Don’t tell me it’s about Bonobono’s attempted cushion theft?”

“No, Your Majesty. Betty says she wanted to give that cushion to Bonobono.”

“Betty did? Why would she give away what I gifted her?”

“She said she wanted to share Your Majesty’s love with her animal friend.”

“……!”

“Your Majesty?”

“……”

Caenian’s eyes trembled at Bestia’s answer. He was speechless. Love. Friend. Those two short words seemed to make him hold his breath.

He may be emperor, but what does it matter? He seems to have everything but lacks what’s most important.

“Your Majesty, this is a gift from Betty.”

Having read the emotions on Caenian’s face, Bestia secretly sighed. She composed her stirring feelings and held out a box. A servant nearby took it and carried it to the throne.

“This is… a quill pen……?”

Caenian’s eyes widened as he opened the box. The white feather, slightly stiffer than down, was so short it would barely be visible in his hand. The owner of the feather was obvious to anyone.

“Yes, Your Majesty. She apologizes for its small size and says she’ll give you a much larger one later……”

“No! I cannot let her endure the pain of plucking feathers again!”

Caenian immediately cut off Bestia’s words. He furrowed his brow as if his nose stung. He looked overwhelmed with emotion. His face brightened as though he had never been gloomy.

“Ah… my duck. To do such a lovely thing. When will she come back?”

“Pardon? Next week, I suppose.”

“Is today Sunday?”

“It’s Wednesday, Your Majesty. Next week is still far away.”

“…Ugh.”

And he was shameless too. Bestia told the truth without compromise. She watched as Caenian’s shoulders drooped while he stared at the quill. It was quite… very satisfying.

“Your Majesty, would you like to try writing with it?”

A quick-witted servant suggested Caenian use the quill.

“No. I cannot risk damaging this quill in the slightest. Bring a glass display case.”

“I’ll prepare it right away.”

But Caenian’s thoughts ran deeper. What was deep was, of course, his duck obsession.

“Is that all?”

“…Pardon?”

“Is this quill all that Betty asked you to give me?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Then why are you still here?”

Conversely, his interest in human Betty was shallow, which slightly hurt Bestia’s pride. Every time Caenian acted like this, she felt a strong urge.

I am that duck!

She wanted to flatten that proud nose of his. But……

“Your Majesty, wouldn’t Betty want you to use the quill effectively?”

In reality, she suggested this with a bright smile. She didn’t want to be called a crazy woman again.

“You. Despite your ability to communicate with animals, I’d prefer you not presume to know our Betty’s thoughts.”

“I’m not presuming—these are Betty’s direct words, Your Majesty.”

“Says who?”

“Who else? Your Majesty, have you forgotten? I can understand Betty’s thoughts.”

…Should I just accept being the crazy woman of this district?

After their brief exchange, Bestia seriously considered causing a scene again. She glanced sideways with spiteful eyes and met Duke’s gaze.

You must endure, Betty. Deep breath. Sigh.

Grandpa Chancellor silently mouthed utterly unhelpful words. Bestia pretended not to notice and turned away.

“I find this untrustworthy. I should ask Betty directly.”

“Ask her when she comes next week.”

“I’ll see her tomorrow.”

“…Next week.”

“Tomorrow.”

“…How can 120 hours later possibly be tomor—”

“An emperor’s time passes faster than others’.”

What is he saying? Should I just run away again?

Just then, Caenian spouted nonsense in succession. Bestia burned with defiance. She imagined the man before her begging her to find the duck again.

‘Now His Majesty is wasting away. This old man earnestly begs you.’

But she recalled someone else’s words. Grandpa Chancellor Duke’s voice.

When she heard about the man who had imperiously ordered her around, her heart strangely ached. She also remembered those teary black eyes she had seen in the Memorial Hall.

That’s why she returned to the imperial palace. Bestia would have come even without receiving gold coins. She felt sorry for leaving without saying anything.

This time, I’ll definitely say goodbye before leaving.

“Oh. Ten hours have already passed. Your one minute is ten hours to me.”

“Then you’ll become a wrinkly old man faster than others, so you should prepare your successor right away, Your Majesty.”

Of course, the problem was that she only felt strongly apologetic when in duck form……

What can I do?

He only chooses to say hateful things.

‘Sorry’ and ‘hateful’ were separated by a fine line. Her heart wavered with the position of a single vowel.

“What did you just say?”

“Oh no……”

Her wavering heart had caused trouble. Bestia herself was shocked by her unfiltered remark. She saw Caenian’s face contort frighteningly.

I… am I really going to prison now?