Baby Squirrel Is Good at Everything

"It’s true, young master. The lady’s body… is not like yours."

The physician wiped the sweat from his brow as he explained himself to Carl, who was glaring at him as if daring him to lie.

"…So you’re telling me—"

"Yes."

"She really got a fever just from the rain?"

"Yes!"

Carl was stunned.

Sick.

That in itself was shocking enough—he had never gotten sick, not even once growing up.

She wasn’t even injured. Just got hit by some raindrops… and fell ill?

Carl looked down at Beatty, lying in bed, his disbelief still evident in his gaze.

Isn’t this just too fragile?

Soft breaths, heated and uneven from the fever, barely audible. He instinctively reached out, checking her breath against his palm.

At least she’s breathing.

"Achoo!"

"!"

Carl flinched at the sudden sneeze.

"Physician!"

"Y-yes! You there, bring more hot water—"

His sharp command sent everyone into a flurry of motion.

Amidst the noise, Carl remained standing by the bed, silently watching over the small figure, too feverish to even open her eyes.

"And this is supposed to be my little sister?"

Weak enough to fall ill from mere raindrops?

He had never seen—never even heard—of such fragility before.

Guess I have no choice.

Swish.

Carl reached out again, brushing his palm against her heated cheek.

Her delicate face, still round with youth, was flushed red with fever. Long lashes cast soft shadows against her pale skin.

For a long moment, he simply looked at her.

Then, resting his hand lightly on her damp hair, he murmured.

"I’ll protect you next time."

The words disappeared into the still air, unheard by the sleeping girl.

***

"Achoo!"

It was just a small sneeze—

"Hah! L-lady Beatty!"

Yet immediately, the entire mansion erupted into chaos.

"Are you feeling dizzy, my lady? Do you feel a cough coming on? Do you need to blow your nose?"

"Here, more blankets! Stoke the fire, quickly!"

"Herbal tea, medicine, warm broth—cocoa to wash down the bitterness, everything is prepared!"

One sneeze from the young lady, and the ducal estate went into full-blown emergency mode.

"???"

Beatty, utterly bewildered, looked around.

What… is going on?

Sure, she had been feverish the night before, but she had no memory of it. To her, it just felt like she had taken a deep, long nap.

"Phew. It’s a relief your fever has gone down, my lady."

"The young master looked terrifying last night…"

The physician shuddered.

"I thought I had been summoned to the battlefield."

He cleared his throat, trying to shake off the lingering terror before continuing.

"Though the worst has passed, you must still be careful."

Last night, Carl had remained by the bedside, silent but ominous, hand resting on his sword hilt.

The physician, hoping to never experience such pressure again, firmly instructed,

"Keep warm, take your medicine even if it’s bitter, and eat well, even if you lack appetite—"

The list of precautions went on and on.

Still, Beatty, touched by their concern, listened attentively.

"Above all, you must rest. Absolute bed rest!"

The physician repeated it to everyone, making sure they all understood.

"My lady, you must stay in bed, no matter what."

That’s easy enough.

Beatty nodded readily.

All I have to do is stay still, right?

How simple.

For most of her life, she had been confined to a room. Only recently had she gained the freedom to move around.

So staying in bed?

I can do that easily.

Confidently, she huffed out a breath and resolved to "stay still."

***

"What?!"

But barely had she settled into her decision before something happened that made it impossible to stay still.

"Father… The Duke is returning?"

"Yes! You’ve been waiting a long time, haven’t you, my lady?"

"Hehe, I knew you’d be happy."

The maids, smiling warmly at her surprise, began to chatter.

"Do you remember your great contribution, my lady?"

"Huh?"

"The soldiers ate all the tuberosum you sent and regained their strength! Thanks to that, they defeated the enemy!"

"The war is finally coming to an end. This is the first time in years the Duke is returning home!"

"Yes! He had to lead the troops personally, so he could never leave before…"

Chatter, chatter.

Piecing together their words, Beatty realized—her plan had worked.

The emergency shipment of tuberosum had reached the front lines, allowing the army to recover and secure another victory.

Now, with the war nearly over, the soldiers were returning home.

That means I completely erased the ‘First Retreat’ from happening!

Beatty clenched her fists triumphantly.

"Our youngest is finally coming home."

"My sister’s coming back, so we’re already preparing a feast!"

"I’ll finally be reunited with my husband!"

The maids were talking excitedly about welcoming their loved ones home.

I just wanted to ensure my own safety, but…

Her small action had changed history.

A future once filled with prolonged war had now shifted—

And had brought joy to so many others.

She had never expected this outcome, but…

It makes me happy.

Watching everyone’s hopeful faces, Beatty smiled and listened to their voices.

***

"We can see the fortress!"@@novelbin@@

"Ohhh! Aslan’s stronghold! It’s been too long!"

The soldiers cheered, from knights to foot soldiers to commanders alike.

"The damned war is finally over!"

For five long years, they had been away.

This war had been the longest northern campaign in living memory.

An unexpected war against the Empire. A coalition of small kingdoms invading with overwhelming numbers.

To overcome such odds, they had needed the invincible Golden Lion Duke and his legendary Golden Lion Knights.

Even Aslan’s finest retainers had been called to the front.

The Duke had led them personally, unable to leave the battlefield until the enemy was driven beyond the mountain ranges.

And now—

They had won.

The war was over.

"Things got dicey toward the end, though."

"Oh, when the supply depot burned down?"

"Now that we’re back, we’ll finally get to see that lady everyone’s talking about."

"The little girl who came up with such a genius solution… I’m curious to meet her."

The soldiers talked as they marched into Aslan’s domain.

Their return was clearly visible from the castle.

"The Duke’s army has entered the fortress!"

The news spread instantly, filling the estate with energy.

"Prepare to welcome them!"

"I can’t wait to see everyone again!"

The entire estate buzzed with excitement.

Except—

"Tsk."

There was at least one person who wasn’t smiling.

Count Zelot.

His expression was stiff, like he had bitten into something bitter.

Aside from him, however, nearly everyone else was brimming with anticipation.

And among them—

"My lady!"

The excited maid rushed in.

"Your father has returned!"

"!?"

Beatty shot up from bed.

Finally!

She bolted after the maid.

Thump, thump, thump.

The stairs, which she had climbed so many times before, felt impossibly long today.

"Hah… hah…"

By the time she reached the entrance hall, she was out of breath.

"The Duke left five years ago, didn’t he?"

"Yes, this is his first return in all that time."

The grand entrance hall was packed with people awaiting their lord’s arrival.

"Everyone, prepare yourselves! The Duke is entering!"

The murmuring crowd fell silent.

And then—

Creak.

The great doors opened.

"Ah…"

Beatty gasped.

At the front of the returning soldiers stood him.

A man who wore golden hair like a crown, with fierce, predatory eyes.

She had never met him in person, but she recognized him immediately.

Father.

He looked exactly like his portrait in the noble almanacs she had once pored over.

A man who resembled a lion, in both presence and gaze.

He walked forward, acknowledging greetings—

Until his eyes landed on her.

He stopped.

His gaze was unreadable.

And then, in a low voice, he spoke.

"Why is this child here?"

Thud.

Beatty felt something heavy drop inside her chest.