— Quack. (Huh?)

Bestia looked at Bonobono with a brightening face. The ape, who hadn’t even removed his eye crust, remained indifferent.

He looked quite handsome as a human. But as an animal…

Swish!

What? Did he just read my mind?

Why are you turning your back!

Rustle rustle.

Huh? Why are you covering yourself with a blanket?

— Quaaack…… (Ha-handsome Mr. Bonobono……)

Can beastmen read each other’s thoughts to some extent?

Startled by his resolute back-turning, Bestia squeezed out fake tears. After thinking throughout the day, she realized she needed Bonobono’s information network.

He was a master key that could move freely around the imperial palace. He also seemed to know a lot about beastman history. After all, the bookshelf he had been stationed at yesterday was in a surprisingly deep location.

In 79 days!

When the hundred days written in the agreement were up, she would have to leave the palace. A life of returning to her grandparents’ embrace and continuing her academy studies awaited her.

So before then, I must find my roots! My family!

— Quack Quack. (Mr. Bonobono, who is more handsome than the emperor. The records archive……)

The duck, reminding herself of her purpose, clung to the bars and cried. Bonobono covered his ears and shook his head at the sound accompanied by skillful flattery. But Bestia wasn’t one to give up so easily.

— Quack. Quack. (Help. Me.)

She hopped onto Bonobono’s shoulder and whispered in his ear. As a bonus, she quacked in a way that would soften the listener’s heart.

— Kihyu…….

Finally, Bonobono got up. His head-shaking face showed he was fed up.

“Didn’t we agree on once every two days? I, Famil! The deal is forg—”

Jingle, thud. Plop.

— Kihit.

“Go in! Hurry!”

— Kihi!

The method Bonobono used to bribe Famil was, of course, gold coins. With three shiny coins in hand, Famil quickly moved aside.

Unbelievable!

Acting like he had such a sense of duty!

Bestia, watching the situation from inside the black chest fur, clicked her tongue. There truly wasn’t a being in the world that wouldn’t shake out some dust.

— Quack. (I’ll tell everyone later.)

About the guards, the librarian—someone should raise their wages. It was clear they were all taking bribes because making a living was so tough.

— Quack. (Tomorrow I’ll ask Grandpa Chancellor how much the palace wage increase rate is.)

Perhaps the emperor, who was so generous to her, was a miser to others. Bestia kept quacking as she was carried in Bonobono’s arms down the stairs. Meanwhile, he remained silent.

Creak… Creeeak.

“Sigh……”

Bonobono only spoke after opening the double doors and entering. As soon as he put down the duck in his arms, he transformed into a human and let out a sigh.

“Th-thank you.”

Bestia, who had become human using the freshwater pearl necklace, immediately expressed her gratitude. She felt awkward because his expression didn’t look good for some reason.

“I’m getting gold coins every week thanks to you.”

“Ah… umm. Should I ask for ten instead?”

“Forget it. Just find what you’re looking for.”

The person who had once negotiated three gold coins while holding her in his hand was different now. His attitude suggested a complete lack of material desire, which made her tilt her head in confusion. Bestia bowed deeply once more.

“Thank you so much. Just 79 more days of imposing on you……”

“Find what you want and leave before then.”

“Huh? Uhh……”

Bonobono replied even more coldly. He seemed thoroughly displeased to be with her.

Is that why he put me in a carriage last time as if chasing me away?

Slightly hurt, Bestia pressed her lips tightly shut. With cold fingertips, she found the book she had been reading yesterday and resumed reading. Time passed quickly. After flipping through about ten volumes, she finally found a plausible record.

「The lady of the Flinn family, whom the empress designated as the head maid of Emerald Palace, was a beastman, and of the 58 maids under her, 40 were…….」

“There used to be so many beastmen in the past.”

During the reign of Ruvan III—that is, before Caenian was born—more than half of the servants were beastmen, according to the record. It was fascinating. Nowadays, beastmen were so rare you could barely find them even if you looked hard.

No matter how extensively the pro-beastman policies were promoted, it was difficult to change established perceptions.

“I guess it’s better to hide and live than to fear being stabbed in the back at any moment.”

Glimpsing her own uncertain future, Bestia turned the next page with a bitter feeling.

「Lina Flinn received the empress’s favor and was granted a separate count title, and her fiancé Meinus…….」

Thud.

“……?”

“Look what I found. Seems like an unofficial document called 『Comprehensive Directory of Beastmen』.”

She had been in the middle of reading when Bonobono, who had somehow appeared beside her, held out a bundle of yellowed papers.

“It’s more like… a bunch of paper trash than a book.”

“Valuable information is often found in things like this.”

“I’ll read it. Thanks.”

Even after Bestia took it, Bonobono didn’t leave her side. Pretending disinterest, he stood askew beside her and began reading another book.

Has he read everything on that bookshelf?

After glancing up at him, Bestia just shrugged.

He seems to dislike receiving attention.

She guessed that’s why he had been living pretending to be an animal. Pretending he couldn’t communicate to avoid mixing with anyone.

Flip.

“Cough cough. Du-dust…!”

Anyway, as soon as Bestia opened what barely resembled a book, she frowned. Only after waving away the billowing dust could she see the table of contents.

“Butterfly, dog, snake… wolf… it’s in alphabetical order?”

The 『Comprehensive Directory of Beastmen』 had pages divided by beastman species.

Why would someone create something like this?

She felt uneasy, but her hands moved faster than her eyes.

Flip flip.

After turning the pages, a single word lodged firmly in her blue eyes.

「Duck Beastman」

Finally, for the first time, she faced her own history. Her hands trembled so much she thought she might drop the book. Her pupils shook so violently it was hard to read properly.

“Give it here.”

“Ah……”

Bonobono took the book from Bestia’s hands. He supported it with his strong arm to help her read comfortably.

“Thank you.”

Bestia took a deep breath to calm herself and read the record.

「11th Family Head: Colin Flinn」

「Status: Baron」

「Special Note: Only daughter, Lina Flinn」

“…Is this all? What is this… there’s nothing special, so why exterminate them?”

The record was extremely brief. It seemed to have been a truly insignificant family. Unlike what she had prepared herself for, finding nothing special deflated her. Her voice turned sharp. She couldn’t understand.

Why on earth?

Was it not because they were at least a count family and feared their power would grow?

Her mind was complicated, and her disappointment substantial. Bestia read the page with no content over and over. She checked the next page too in case there was more, but that was it.

“…Really, just, if you’re a beastman, they just kill……”

Ugh.

Bestia couldn’t continue. The previous emperor’s actions finally hit home. She felt resentment toward Caenian as his face came to mind.

Even though as a duck, she had clearly seen and heard how he too had suffered.

If only the current emperor had never been born…!

It was an unavoidable resentment.

Flip.

As she bit her lip to hold back tears, Bonobono picked up another book. It was what Bestia had been reading earlier.

“Lina, Flinn.”

“……?”

“She was special. She received the empress’s favor.”

“…What do you mean?”

“It’s written in the chronicles you were reading.”

The empress’s favor?

Bestia focused her eyes and followed Bonobono’s fingertip. The sentence she had read without much thought now jumped out at her.

“Gasp… Lina Flinn! The head maid who received the title of count!”

“This seems to be the most recent and final record.”

“Th-that means… this person could be my mother!”

“Judging by the timing, that’s about right.”

A lady from a baron family was granted the title of count. And independently! Perhaps Ruvan III suspected that the family head, Colin, was using Lina to build power.

“Ah… it’s too, too… difficult.”

Bestia felt confused. Her mouth corners twitched up and down with a strange feeling that was neither purely happy nor sad.

“I’ll show you if I find more.”

Bonobono, who had been quietly watching her, stood up as if to return to his original spot. Clink. The precious metals hanging all over him collided, making a clear sound.

“Hey… I’ll help you find what you’re looking for too.”

“I’ll find my own things myself.”

Bestia grabbed the hem of his clothes as he turned away. He had seemed kind just a moment ago, but now he was cold as ice.

“U-um… but, what’s your real name?”

Embarrassed, Bestia let go of his clothes. Still, her curiosity was unbearable, so she gathered her courage.

“And why do you pretend to be an animal?”

Come to think of it, she had many questions.

“And you know……”

“Hey.”

Her intention to ask why he liked gold so much remained only in her mouth. Gulp. She barely swallowed dry saliva at his flat call and sharp gaze.

“You talk too much. Ren.”

“Ren? Is that your name? Then—”

“If you keep asking questions.”

“If I do…?”

“I won’t bring you here again.”

Yes sir! Mouth tightly shut, Mr. Ren!

* * *