Baby Squirrel Is Good at Everything

"Really, it's fine! It's a perfectly good dish. You've had it before, haven't you?"

"Yeah."

"Then, then you know it’s safe to eat—"

Beatty stopped mid-sentence, startled by the Duke’s intense gaze.

His eyes seemed to burn with a simmering emotion, a feeling like molten lava that she couldn't identify just yet. Before she could fully grasp it, the Duke quickly masked his feelings.

"I had no problem."

"Then...!"

"But you're not like me."

A sharp sting.

For a moment, Beatty felt a pain in her chest as though something inside her clothing had poked her.

‘That's strange. It was a soft fabric.’

Without waiting for Beatty's puzzled reaction, the Duke turned to his aide and issued another order.

"Aide."

"It has been arranged to bring him immediately."

"...."

While they waited for the doctor, the Duke’s face seemed to reveal a hint of impatience.

Beatty was confused.

‘What’s going on?’

As she pondered this, the Duke, who had furrowed his brow, spoke to her with a warning tone.

"You shouldn’t eat things that haven’t been confirmed safe."

"Eh? But this has been tested thoroughly..."

It wasn't a few hundred people, but millions from across the continent had already confirmed it was fine.

"You should value your body."

Beatty’s eyes widened.

"My body?"

‘Could it be... he's worried about me?’

Beatty tilted her head in confusion.

Glancing at her father’s expression...

‘Hmm. No, that doesn’t make sense.’

The expression on his face was far too severe to suggest he was worried about her health.

No, it felt more like he was preparing to eradicate a germ, not worrying about her well-being.

‘Ah!’

In a sudden realization, Beatty’s mouth fell open.

‘Is it because he doesn’t want rumors spreading that something in the Duke’s family is spoiled?’

It made sense.

‘It’s much more plausible than worrying about the body of a troublesome daughter.’

The fact that he couldn’t trust the doctor or the dish, even if it had been treated for poison, indicated he likely didn’t trust her, the troublesome one, either.

‘Then I’ll just have to gain his trust.’

"Understood?"

Thinking she had pieced everything together, Beatty nodded.

"If there’s anything wrong with your body, speak up immediately."

"Mm, yes."

Hearing the Duke’s repeated inquiries, she saw them as formalities and opened her mouth again.

Beatty’s mind was filled with thoughts of how to prove the trustworthiness of her words.

"Well, more than that—"

She didn't immediately notice the Duke’s expression contorting as he spoke up suddenly.

"What do you mean by 'more than that!'"

Beatty’s eyes widened as the Duke raised his voice for the first time.

His rough tone sounded as though he was trying to suppress something.

‘Is he angry? Why?’

Beatty was baffled, unsure of what had triggered the Duke's anger.

"The important thing is the food supply—"

"Nothing."

With visible effort to suppress his emotions, the Duke spoke again.

"Health is more important than anything."

‘Health, yes.’

Though he didn't specify whom he referred to, it was clear.

‘After all, she’s a fragile girl.’

It was clear the Duke was talking about Beatty's health.

But...

‘I didn’t know. My father is so...’

Beatty was still unable to guess the unspoken words, coming to a misinterpretation.

‘...That he’d care so much about health.’

Could it be because of the harsh northern environment?

Or maybe because maintaining the soldiers' stamina on the battlefield was so important?

Either way...

‘My father really values health.’

Even if he was disappointed with his daughter, he clearly didn't want to see her in poor health.

Beatty, having arrived at this seemingly reasonable conclusion, nodded.

‘I'll have to be careful about discussing health in front of him from now on.’

With this resolve, Beatty obediently received the doctor’s examination when called.

***

"Are you feeling dizzy or experiencing any stomach pain?"

"No, not at all."

"Any nausea?"

"None."

Under the intense watchful eyes of the Duke, whose golden eyes glinted ominously, the doctor sweated heavily, making sure to check every tiny symptom.

"Your Grace."

"How is it?"

"Fortunately, Miss Beatty is fine."

"Are you sure?"

Shaken by the Duke’s sharp gaze, the doctor confirmed several times, shaking as he did, but found no abnormalities.

"The poison from Tuberosum usually lasts no longer than half a day, so you should be relieved now."

The doctor, after multiple confirmations, was finally allowed to leave after reassuring the Duke with his final, firm confirmation.

Once the doctor had finished and left, Beatty was left alone with the Duke again, who wore a serious expression. She hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up.

"Can I continue with what I was saying earlier?"

"Talking?"

"About the Tuberosum dish. It’s a groundbreaking solution to the chronic food shortage in the north—"

The words Beatty had diligently memorized flowed from her mouth smoothly.

"Ah, right."

The Duke’s response to her important proposal seemed to indicate he had almost forgotten about it, causing Beatty’s cheeks to puff up.

‘No, no. Stay calm.’

Composed, competent, reliable!

As Beatty tried to picture herself as the ideal business partner in her mind, she gathered her thoughts.

"I understand. But once that conversation is over, you’ll go straight to your room."

The Duke quickly emphasized that she should go to bed early once the discussion was concluded.

"...Yes."

Watching the Duke, Beatty once again confirmed her thoughts on him, "As expected, someone who values health."

"Then, let me say it again."

Beatty resumed her explanation that had been interrupted earlier.

She skipped over the benefits that the Duke would already be familiar with and focused on those who still didn’t know the true taste of Tuberosum...

"The Tuberosum potage. This is the Tuberosum-specialized sauce. And Tuberosum cheese baked in a wood-fired oven..."

Her research and recipe results flowed out, one by one.

Each dish looked delicious, especially for something made from the previously bland Tuberosum.

"The variety of dishes like this!"

"..."

The aide was impressed, but the Duke remained silent, and Beatty wasn't discouraged.

‘He must have noticed every single one of them.’

Just the attention was enough.

"Miss Beatty, I’m amazed. You’ve managed to make such flavorful dishes with the bland... no, with the less intense Tuberosum!"

"At this rate, others will surely enjoy Tuberosum too, right?"

"Yes, indeed!"

When it came to securing food for the people of the territory, it wasn’t just about quantity—it was about taste.

Though it might sound like an unnecessary complaint when the people could be fed, it was crucial.

‘No matter how hard we try, if the people won’t accept it voluntarily, it would be pointless.’

Simply claiming convenience of supply wouldn’t suffice.

To prevent it from being mere theoretical talk, there had to be an incentive for the people, who were accustomed to their regular meals, to accept it.

"These dishes are all made with ingredients that are easy to find, just like Tuberosum."

Taste, price, universality.

It was the overwhelming alternative in every aspect.

There was no need to worry about the merchants who hadn’t arrived with supplies yet.

"If people start eating this regularly, we won’t have to worry about food anymore, right?"

"Indeed...!"

‘The wild plants that once rolled around in the mountains are now turning into precious food that could be traded for gold!’

The aide realized the immense impact of Beatty’s knowledge, and his mouth hung open in astonishment.

"Impressive, Miss!"

Beatty beamed with pride at his sincere admiration.

Naturally, a smile crept across her face, and she brought up the deal she had been aiming for.

"This Tuberosum recipe is the price for the deal I’m offering."

‘A deal?’

The Duke’s chin tilted.

He recalled the shock of being addressed as "Lord" earlier.

"I have a deal you won’t regret."

‘That’s what she said earlier.’

The words coming from such a little girl seemed out of place.

‘A deal?’

‘Why?’

If she wanted something, he’d give her anything. Why did she need a deal?

The Duke tilted his head, deep in thought.

"Instead of giving the Tuberosum recipe, which will permanently solve the food problem in the Duchy..."

‘What could she want?’

She was the cutest thing in the world—so clever and smart. What could she possibly want?

The Duke thought of possible options in his head.

A better pastry chef?

Or maybe a newly born colt?@@novelbin@@

Perhaps she wanted a new wing for the mansion?

"Instead..."

Beatty swallowed nervously and opened her mouth.

"Please let me stay here, in the Duke’s residence."

The Duke, momentarily shocked by the slightly flushed face of the little girl, thought he had misheard.