Chapter 7. So It’s You?

Knock, knock-knock, knock, knock-knock!

“Did you hear that?”

Bestia took action immediately after becoming human. During the time when Caenian was busy and security was lax, she left a set of clothes in front of his bedroom.

“Is he sprawled out sleeping again?”

Bestia quickly retreated behind a pillar, afraid of being seen. This was right in front of the emperor’s bedroom. NRegardless of her role as the intermediary between the duck and the emperor, this was not a place where she was allowed to linger. Of course, the same applied to the records archive, but still.

Swish.

“Ah. He took it.”

An arm reached out through the slightly opened door and disappeared. It was the hairy arm of a primate.

“I’m cute whether I’m a duck or a human, but Ren seems to have too much variance.”

People are free to have their delusions. Having learned to love herself, Bestia nodded shamelessly. She leaned against the pillar with a satisfied smile, waiting for Ren to come out.

“I’m curious. He asked for black clothes, so I tried my best to match that……”

Will it suit him?

What if the clothes are too small?

More importantly… what if someone discovers he’s Bonobono?

“Tsk.”

Her mouth dried with anxiety. Whether the clothes suited him or not wasn’t actually important. One major worry eliminated all these trivial concerns—what would happen if the emperor’s pet was revealed to be a beastman.

“Then I’d be suspected too, wouldn’t I?”

Two beastmen deceiving the emperor as a pair?

That would surely lead straight to prison. Or perhaps they’d stand together at the guillotine.

Shiver.

“Ugh.”

“Why are you trembling?”

“Ah! Ren!”

Her skin crawled at the frightening thought. She jumped at the voice behind her. When she turned around, there he was. The clothes suited him well. He could have passed for a young master from some noble family. Though definitely not when he was in animal form.

Pfft.

“How is it?”

“What.”

“Coming out during the day in human form.”

“Pfft……”

Bestia laughed to herself and quickly changed the subject. Fortunately, Ren seemed too busy surveying his surroundings to pay much attention. He appeared uneasy, probably because the clothes weren’t his and his active hours had changed.

“It’s fine. From my careful observation, security is actually more relaxed during the day.”

Something she learned while running away with duck feet on fire.

Bestia shrugged her shoulders. She waited for a casual retort, but it was quiet. The man before her just stood there with a stiff face.

What is he thinking?

She also wanted to ask why he hadn’t thought of moving around during the day until now.

“…Let’s go. I’ve managed to sneak them out well.”

Knowing he wouldn’t answer even if she asked, she didn’t bother trying. Bestia started walking ahead.

“It feels like we’re on a picnic!”

The imperial palace has several large and small palaces. Half were for the imperial family, and the rest were for government affairs and those who entered the palace. The Rose Garden was one of these places.

Bestia, who had settled in one corner, exclaimed brightly. She had spread a thin cloth from somewhere and was grinning. Ignoring Ren’s stern expression, she also took out tea she had prepared in advance. Ren quietly looked up at the sky.

Swish. He let the warm sunlight shine on the back of his hand and stayed still. His black pupils absorbed the sunlight. His eyes, which had trembled slightly for a moment, found their place. Now he even showed a faint smile.

That expression looks like it has a deep story behind it?

Bestia glanced at him from the corner of her eye. Making such a face just from seeing sunlight didn’t suit a spy.

Rather, it suited a fugitive?

But he wouldn’t tell her anyway.

The outcome was easily predictable. Bestia decided to just brighten the mood. She wanted to enjoy the warm sunlight and cool breeze.

“Getting the materials out was easier than I expected.”

She had smuggled books from the records archive by mixing them with library books. The method she used to deceive the strict Famil was warm tea.

“Getting in was the hardest part, but thanks to you, Ren, that problem was solved too.”

When she gave him chamomile tea that made one drowsy, Famil nodded off. He seemed tired from Ren visiting every day recently.

“Here. Drink this. It’s black tea.”

Has he tried human food before?

Bestia held out the teacup with curious eyes.

“…Black tea.”

The man looked meaningfully at the clear black tea.

Ren slowly brought it to his lips. His thin lips parted, and the tea disappeared into his mouth.

“How is it?”

“Not bad.”

“Feels good to drink it after a long time, right?”

“……?”

Ren gave Bestia, whose eyes were sparkling, a strange look. It was a gaze that seemed to ask if she was crazy. It also seemed to mean she was pathetic.

“Haven’t you been able to eat human food all this time?”

Bestia blinked. She kindly explained what she meant. What she got in return was an even fiercer gaze.

“I’ll pass on your cheap sympathy.”

“Ah……! I’m sorry.”

Bestia’s face turned red. Someone getting hurt by words she casually uttered—this was the second time.

“I almost got caught!”

“……”

A week had passed. Under the same tree, the scent of black tea wafted strongly. Ren, who had received a teacup, remained silent. Today especially, he only savored the particularly black tea. Bestia, now accustomed to his silence, took out the books she had brought.

“Why didn’t Sir Famil fall asleep right away?”

“He probably got used to it from drinking chamomile tea every day.”

“But we’re running out of time!”

“My gold coins are also disappearing quickly.”

She spoke to herself, not expecting an answer, but a response came. Her hand, which was opening the page she had marked, stopped in place.

“…Ren.”

“……”

You only answer when you want to make a point?

Bestia narrowed her eyes. She was dumbfounded by Ren’s nonchalance as he pretended to read his book.

Anyway, how annoying!

If we were friends, I’d smack his back!

Her itchy fingertips twitched in the air. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it and only glared at him. Seen this way, Ren’s face was very serious.

Why is he looking for information about the Runda royal family in Delta?

I didn’t even know tiger beastmen existed.

Bestia forgot about reading the book and became lost in thought. After observing for over ten days, she concluded Ren was not a spy.

“Do you want to be friends with me?”

There was one reason she could say this with such confidence. What kind of spy would do something as childish as secretly stealing His Majesty’s snacks?

It happened. I saw it. It was ridiculous.

It was while she was taking a nap after searching for materials all night. A servant holding a tray peeked his head in. Ren, who had been sprawled out sleeping, smoothly got up.

Nod.

She witnessed the black market exchange of receiving snacks and handing over gold coins. It was ridiculous. On the tray were not only black tea but also various snacks and fruits, including foreign fruits she had only heard of, as well as cookies.

My goodness! What’s wrong with you? Were you just staying in the imperial palace for an easy life?!

This scene, unbelievable even through a duck’s eyes, continued for two days. It wasn’t something done once or twice. There was a sense of trust between them that suggested they had been trading for at least five years.

The imperial palace seems to be the final destination of corruption.

Then what about the Harael royal family and the tiger beastman?

It was exactly where one wouldn’t think to look. Bestia planned to become friends with Ren first and then gradually ask about what she was curious about.

“Don’t want to? If you don’t, just say so.”

“…Never had any.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“I said I’ve never had friends before.”

Asking to be friends wasn’t just because Ren wasn’t a spy. The true meaning was, in fact, like asking him to be her friend.

“I’ve never had any either.”

“……?”

“Beastman friends. You’re my first.”

Bestia smiled brightly and extended her hand. His black eyes shook greatly toward her fair white hand. Grip. Soon, Ren, who had grasped her hand, smiled mischievously.

“I heard men and women can’t be friends.”

“What are you saying? Did you read something weird in the records archive?”

“What do you mean by weird?”

“Huh? W-what, well… I wonder? What could it be?”

He even made jokes unlike his usual self. His eyes were serious, but the corners of his mouth were raised, making it exactly the face of someone teasing.

“Forget it. Anyway, we’re friends now. So we’ll help each other when times are tough, right?”

“So that was your purpose.”

“No? My purpose was to become friends?”

“I’ll say it was.”

“It really wasn’t!”

Bestia vehemently denied it and sharply pulled her hand away from Ren’s grip. The warm hand felt awkward like last time. Perhaps because he mentioned men and women, her face heated up for no reason.

“Anyway! Just read the book! We have to return this today.”

“Says the one who stole it secretly.”

“You…!”

Ren’s teasing didn’t lessen even though they were friends. Even when Bestia raised her hand, he didn’t bat an eye and continued. They looked more like siblings than friends.

Slap!

Even after getting his back hit soundly, he remained the same. Under the large tree, their bickering continued. They didn’t know someone was watching them from a distance.