“Bestia, it seems you’ve learned a great lesson from this incident.”

“Yes… I’m sorry.”

Bestia stood in the middle of the Chancellor’s office with Duke, holding the new agreement. She now entered and exited the Chancellor’s office as if it were her own home.

“No. It’s all my fault. I claimed to be your guardian but failed to guide you on the right path.”

“No, no. It was all my fault. His Majesty is still the emperor after all… I acted too much like when I’m a duck……”

“Ho ho. So you do know?”

“Ah. I’m, I’m embarrassed.”

Bestia’s cheeks turned red with shame. She buried her face in the agreement and hunched her body. She looked very much like a duck.

Duke, stroking his graying beard, reached out his hand. He felt sorry for the dejected Bestia. He was reminded of his granddaughter after she had eaten all the candy in the basket and been severely scolded.

“It’s alright. Just do better with what you’ve learned. His Majesty will understand you too.”

“Do you think so? Until he gave me the agreement, his expression was so frightening……”

“He was just pretending.”

“Pre-pretending?”

Duke deliberately spoke nonchalantly as he gently pulled along the dumbfounded-looking Bestia. They left the office and walked together down the corridor. The imperial palace at night, with the sunset already faded, was extremely quiet.

“He used to speak just as rudely himself. Long ago.”

“…What?”

Bestia didn’t understand the words of the old man who was patting her head.

“Anyway, it’s getting late, so let’s rest now.”

“…Yes.”

“Your lodging location has changed, hasn’t it?”

“Yes. But it’s still quite far from Grandpa Chancellor’s office.”

Knowing that remaining dejected would be a nuisance, Bestia put strength in her neck. She deliberately shrugged her shoulders too.

“Um… Grandpa Chancellor……”

“Hmm?”

But soon her fabricated confidence hit rock bottom. Bestia hung her head.

“Tomorrow… I don’t have the confidence… to face His Majesty……”

She noticed the spot where the duck’s footprint should be stamped on the agreement. The emperor had ordered her to bring this agreement with the duck tomorrow. Duke would probably be the one to do it.

She would have to be in duck form.

“His Majesty… will want to see a cute, waddling duck… With my current feelings, I simply cannot……”

“Oh my. Child.”

Tears filled the eyes that held blue irises. Duke lightly embraced Bestia who had started to sob.

“Everything will be fine. Just do as you’ve been doing.”

The imperial palace was a world of its own. Noble ladies always desire to enter the palace, so they learn and practice the rules in advance. But Bestia had never wanted to enter the palace, nor thought it possible.

“Sticking to my usual ways is what got me scolded.”

“What scolding? His Majesty didn’t even raise a cane like I used to in the past.”

“But he pointed out my rudeness……”

“Oh come on. His Majesty just wants to get back at you. It’s nothing.”

“……”

Grandpa Chancellor, are you completely abandoning me?

The gloomy atmosphere changed in an instant as Bestia narrowed her eyes and pouted. Duke chuckled and flicked his hand. It meant she should hurry and stamp her footprint on the new agreement. Bestia, who had obediently transformed into a duck, decided while inking her webbed foot.

This won’t do. I should leave the imperial palace soon for my own good!

Since I cured his illness, I should be able to go home, right?

But since he’ll make a fuss if I just disappear, I’ll detach emotionally and leave!

Even better if he kicks me out saying he’s tired of ducks!

— Quack! (Great!)

Four days later, Bestia became human again. She sought out a place she would normally only go to reluctantly when summoned.

“My goodness. Your Majesty, you look very well.”

Smile.

Whether she was lifting the corners of her mouth or her bill, Bestia felt a spasm around her lips as she smiled exaggeratedly.

“That’s unlikely.”

“Perhaps it’s because you spent such a good time with Betty these past four days.”

Smile.

“…It was good.”

Caenian was indifferent. That was because he had no interest in Bestia.

Why is she chattering away when I didn’t even call for her? Should I just kick her out?

His narrowed eyes clearly showed his annoyance. It seemed Duke hadn’t been giving her much work lately.

“If you wish, I can tell Betty to come for one more day, just leave it to me, Your Majesty.”

Smile.

“……”

Why does she keep smiling? Don’t they say when a person suddenly changes, it means they’re about to die?

Caenian looked behind Bestia. He wondered if perhaps the Grim Reaper was attached to her, though that was unlikely.

I guess it’s not her time to die.

“Oh my. Are you feeling unwell? Your expression suddenly……”

“You.”

“Oh my! Yes! Your Majesty. If there’s anything you want me to do, please feel free to tell me. It would be my honor!”

Bestia acted diligently, unaware that Caenian was calculating her lifespan. She excellently portrayed both concern and eagerness.

Kind, gentle, and friendly Betty. This was the strategy she had chosen after being thoroughly reverse-pranked.

“Get out.”

“Pardon? Which candle would you like me to put out?”

“…Ha. I mean you should get out. Stop disturbing my reading.”

But there was a problem. Bestia’s strategy lacked perceptiveness. Caenian’s furrowed brow and sharp retort revealed his true feelings.

“Ah… Ha. Ha. Ha. Me?”

Bestia was momentarily flustered. Her eyebrows wriggled like a worm that was stepped-on, and her voice trembled as a bonus.

Stay calm, Bestia. You’re a gentle lady and he is His Majesty the Emperor.

“Then I’ll wait outside, so please call me whenever you need me, Your Majesty.”

Smile.

“I won’t need you, so you can go far away. Servant. Open the door so Betty can leave comfortably.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

But the result was a forced exit.

Slam.

“Urgh.”

Bestia clenched her fist. She stayed near Caenian in a different way each day.

Her purpose was one: image rehabilitation. It would be even better if she could reduce his interest in the duck too. Because someday she would have to leave his side.

“Your Majesty, look at this. Isn’t it so cute?”

“Servant, I don’t recall allowing this woman in.”

“Your Majesty, Miss Betty said she had something to show you about Betty……”

About Betty? With that book? But the page she opened…

“You don’t think our Betty is a mammal, do you?”

“Oh my! Of course not, Your Majesty.”

I can at least distinguish between mammals and birds, you know? Who do you take me for, an idiot?

“Somehow I think you might.”

“I just wanted to show Your Majesty that there are other cute animals besides ducks.”

Despite his suspicious gaze, Bestia remained steadfast. She cursed inwardly but smiled outwardly.

The Best Actress Award of the year goes to me!

“Look at this, Your Majesty. Isn’t this otter sooooo cute?”

Beaming smile.

“No. Not at all.”

…Crack.

“Then how about a parrot? They can even have simple conversations. Isn’t that amaaaazing?”

“Our Betty can have full dialogues.”

…Crunch.

“Dialogues? Oh my, oh my. Your Majesty, how about a pig? This pygmy pig, even when fully grown, its size……”

“Its meat must be tender.”

“…Your Majesty, your jokes are quite mean.”

Caenian ignored the book Bestia offered. His gaze was fixed on something distant, and his answers were halfhearted.

Why is he talking about meat when I’m recommending pets?

Because of this, Bestia’s face became slightly distorted. She tried her best to maintain her smile by forcefully pulling at her twitching eyes, but there was an interferer!

“I’m serious though? You seem to want to recommend meat that Betty and I can enjoy together.”

“Pardon?”

“Give up. And leave.”

Her beaming smile didn’t last long. Bestia stood there looking stupid for a moment, then narrowed her eyes.

Do you miss my rude remarks?

“…I’m recommending a new pet for you, Your Majesty.”

Sweet smile.

A slight rebelliousness rose within her, but she maintained her composure as best she could. Life was precious, and she only had one.

“I don’t need a new pet. Betty is all I need.”

Betty’s opinion should be heard too.

Yes. I’m not needed.

“Your Majesty, as I mentioned before, Betty has a family. You remember, don’t you?”

“Are you doubting the emperor’s memory?”

“Oh no. It’s not doubt, just a kindness to remind you that she can’t stay with you forever.”

But her composure didn’t last long. Caenian was at his limit just as much as she was. The woman before him was irritating. Her constant chattering was enough to form scabs in his ears.

It seemed there were people in the world who talked as much as ducks. Perhaps the name ‘Betty’ came with such a personality.

“Are you in a position to show me kindness? You, who don’t even have a family name?”

“Your Majesty, does kindness require social status?”

Conversely, Bestia was dissatisfied with his discriminatory attitude.

If he knew I was that duck, he wouldn’t be so cold!

If only she hadn’t become a duck, or at least if she hadn’t been dragged to the imperial palace after becoming one, but the conclusion was always the same.

If only you hadn’t brought me here!

“Your Majesty, are you giving Bonobono his gold coins properly?”

Crack. The reins of patience loosened slightly. Bestia changed the subject with a twisted mouth. Her round eyes had somehow become sharp.

“What? Why is Bonobono suddenly being mentioned here?”