Baby Squirrel Is Good at Everything

While calculating the enormous cost of her lodging, Beatty mulled over the Duke’s words again.

‘Until winter, he said.’

That meant she just needed to produce results before then.

If she could secure something of equal or greater value than the price of this deal, she would be able to extend her stay.

‘I need to get back to work.’

Nodding to herself, Beatty bowed politely and turned to leave the room.

“Take those back with you.”

The Duke gestured toward the cart of returned gifts.

“Ah, no, it’s fine.”

“Take them.”

“Really, I don’t need them.”

“……”

Beatty hesitated when she saw the Duke’s brow furrow slightly.

“Um… If I am allowed to receive a gift…”

“You are.”

His quick and decisive answer made Beatty chuckle. Then, cautiously, she asked,

“In that case… could you give me… that instead?”

Her voice was barely above a whisper, tinged with embarrassment.

For a brief moment, the Duke looked surprised, but he soon gave a firm nod.

This time, Beatty made sure she heard him clearly.

Her cheeks flushed with uncontainable joy as she exited the room.

***

The Royal Capital

News spread quickly—after five long years, the war had finally come to an end.

“We won!”

“Serves those Holy Kingdom bastards right for messing with us first!”

The elated voices of the citizens filled the air.

With victory officially declared, the triumphant King paraded proudly through the capital. A satisfied smile lingered on his lips.

“The people seem pleased.”

“It is all thanks to Your Majesty.”

“Haha. You flatter me.”

“I am merely stating the truth.”

The King, entertained by the pleasant words, smiled—only for his expression to harden at the next words spoken outside his carriage.

“I heard the Golden Lion was extraordinary again this time.”

“Of course! He’s the undefeated commander!”

“This victory is all thanks to Duke Aslan!”

Aslan.

The moment that name was uttered, the King’s face turned completely stone-cold.

“They are just ignorant subjects. Pay them no mind,” the Second Queen hastily reassured him.

But once the King’s expression hardened, it did not soften easily.

After some time spent soothing him, the Second Queen subtly glanced around before whispering,

“Do not worry, my dear King. I have already made all the necessary arrangements.”

“You have?”

The King lifted his head, intrigued.

With an enigmatic smile, the Second Queen turned to the young boy seated across from her.

“You know what to do, don’t you, Ritter?”

Her son, the strikingly handsome boy, responded with a bright smile—one that held the cold glint of a snake.

“Of course, Mother.”

His voice was light, but his words dripped with malice.

“It’s already been taken care of.”

***

Count Zelot’s Manor

Having been forced to vacate the ducal estate upon the Duke’s return, Count Zelot now sat in his relatively modest study, dissatisfaction evident on his face.

‘This is unacceptable.’

With no one around to see, his face twisted in irritation as he pressed his fingers to his temples.

“……”

After a long moment, he snapped his eyes open, glaring at the hunched figure standing before him.

“I told you not to come here for the time being.”

The frail-looking man bowed even deeper, his voice trembling.

“Y-Yes, My Lord, but… do not worry! I have told no one that my daughter set fire to the warehouse.”

This man was the father of the disposable pawn who had been used to set fire to the food storage.

“My daughter carried out her task properly—so properly that she didn’t even make it back as a corpse.”

Her body had been disposed of in the ducal estate’s underground network to eliminate any remaining evidence.

“So, what? Are you here begging for pity?”

“O-Oh, no, My Lord! I merely ask that you honor our agreement…”

The pawn who had impersonated an imperial spy and sacrificed herself had at least been somewhat useful.

But this man? He was nothing but filth.

“My daughter adored her younger siblings. She would have wanted them to be taken care of.”

The man wrung his hands, groveling shamelessly.

“Surely, My Lord, you will compensate us properly. I am certain my daughter would be grateful.”

“Indeed.”

At the Count’s crisp response, the man’s face lit up.

“Ah, thank you, My Lord!”

The Count lazily curled a finger.

“Heh. So you had my payment prepared already? Truly, you are most generous—”

Thunk.

“Take this as your ferry toll.”

“Uh…?”

The man looked down in confusion at the blade lodged in his stomach.

And then, the pain hit.

“Gah! K-Kugh—!”

As the man writhed on the floor like an insect, the Count merely examined his own sleeve, frowning in distaste.

“Tsk. My clothes are stained.”

Without so much as a glance at the dying man, he called for his butler.

“Clean this up.”

The butler, accustomed to such requests, nodded and surveyed the room before reporting,

“By the way, My Lord, there is a guest waiting for you in the reception room.”

“Ah.”

As if just remembering, the Count casually nodded before rising to his feet.

With a practiced smile, he entered the reception room.

Inside, a noblewoman sat poised with a dignified air, her intricately pinned hair emphasizing her refined demeanor.

“I have heard the details,” he greeted her smoothly.

The woman turned to face him.

With his usual insincere smile, Count Zelot addressed her—his long-time accomplice.

“So, you were sent from the capital.”

***

Meanwhile, at the Ducal Estate

‘Once I finish preparing this move, the next step is…’

Beatty rested her tiny chin on her hand, deep in thought.

‘How can I extend my stay here for the long term?’

Not just for a few months or years, but ideally, for at least a decade.

As she pondered her long-term lease strategy, she overheard the chatter of servants in the hallway.

‘Ugh.’

Wanting some peace and quiet, Beatty glanced around.

‘Oh!’

She spotted a tree branch extending right up to the window.

After scanning her surroundings to ensure no one was watching—

Pop!

Beatty transformed into her squirrel form and scampered up the branch.

The rustling leaves brushed against her fur, sending a pleasant shiver down her spine.

The crisp scent of fresh air filled her tiny black nose as she twitched it.

Her small but nimble paws grasped the sturdy bark with ease.

The tree was massive—tall enough to reach the third floor of the estate.

But Beatty wasn’t scared.

Not once had she ever fallen from a tree in this form.

‘Perfect!’

Something about climbing trees always made her feel unstoppable.

With agile movements, she darted up the towering tree, higher and higher.

“Chyu—.”

She exhaled in satisfaction.

Reaching the top, she let the gentle wind tickle her fur and stretched out her body, including her fluffy tail.

Shiver.

The cool breeze swept over her, relaxing her muscles.

She leaned against a comfortable branch, lazily flicking her tail like a gentle breeze.

Up here, high above everything, where the wind whispered and the leaves cast a soothing shade—

This was the one place where Beatty could truly be at ease.

‘No one can see me here.’

As she contentedly smoothed out the fur on her cheeks, she reflected on why she loved trees so much.

The truth was simple.

In the capital estate, she had learned to move unseen.

If the wrong servant noticed her, she risked being mistreated.

Instinctively, she rubbed her cheek against the tree, marking it with her scent.@@novelbin@@

‘Trees are the best.’

If she stayed out of sight, no one could get mad at her.

No one could stab her with sharp words.

That was why the trees had always been her refuge.

“Chuuu—.”

A secret hiding place just for her.

Beatty let out a pleased chirp and spun playfully around a nearby branch.

But as she indulged in the comfort of her solitude, her eyes landed on a nearby window.

‘Ah, right!’

Through the glass, she saw a large desk piled high with white documents.

‘I was supposed to be figuring out a way to stay here longer.’

She flicked her tail stiffly in determination.

Stretching her neck, she peered inside, trying to get a better look at the papers.

Click.

Suddenly, the window opened.

“!”

Startled, Beatty instinctively darted into the thick foliage.

“……”

The one who had opened the window was none other than Duke Aslan.

‘Father…?’

Her heart pounded as she unknowingly held her breath.

She hadn’t expected to run into him like this.