Baby Squirrel Is Good at Everything

With the northern mountains, a symbol of the Aslan Territory, in her view, Beatty's tail trembled with emotion.

"Choo-."

A long, relieved sigh escaped her lips.

Thank goodness.

It was truly a stroke of luck that the destination of the hidden cart was the northern Aslan Territory.

I was worried about what might happen on the way... but somehow, I made it.

Thanks to the cart, she had arrived at the territory without wandering aimlessly, simply staying close to it.

Though it was difficult finding food...

Her stomach growled loudly.

Throughout the journey in the cart, Beatty had endured without proper meals.

Being in a human city, her squirrel form had been safer, but an 8-year-old girl alone would be more dangerous.

In case of possible kidnapping, she had kept her squirrel form, and it had been ages since she tasted a warm meal.

I don’t even have any money.

It hadn't been easy to take anything with her when leaving the mansion, especially while avoiding others' gaze in her squirrel form.

Well, with my current appearance, carrying money would have been even more dangerous.

In fact, it seemed she would be much more exposed to crime if she had money on her.

Until now, the only thing she had eaten were the nuts she gathered from trees whenever the cart stopped.

Being a squirrel has come in handy.

The passengers, who had gotten used to traveling with a squirrel, would occasionally hand out snacks like seeds.

Though she had only eaten nuts, Beatty didn’t feel too much discomfort. Her fascination with the changing scenery as they passed through village after village kept her mind occupied.

The green fields were so beautiful.

As she nodded at the memory of the flowering fields she had passed on the way, a cool breeze from the north, even though it was still late summer, cut through her fur.

"Choo!"

The little squirrel sneezed, rubbing her nose, and thought:

Oh, I need to get inside quickly.

She raised her tiny head and looked up at the massive iron gates.

This is the Aslan estate.

True to its lion beastkin heritage, the imposing lion statue carved above the gates seemed to gaze down on visitors.

Beatty felt an unexpected nervousness and swallowed.

This is the first time seeing the Duke’s estate.

It was strange to actually see the family that had cast her aside.

With her tail tucked nervously, Beatty gathered her thoughts.

...But at least it’s a safe place.

Not many places wouldn’t covet a beastkin’s Signum.

Even noble families, if they offered enough tribute to the royal family, could raise their rank by possessing a Signum, so the only places that wouldn’t harm her for it were the Duke’s estate and the royal family.

One was the Duke of Aslan, the highest-ranking noble with no more titles to be gained. The other was the royal family, which was of a different caliber than the nobility.

It’s still better than being around Ritter, right?

Beatty had no intention of seeking protection from the royal family, especially not from Ritter, so her choices were limited.

I may not be welcomed, but...

Taking a deep breath, Beatty steadied her tail, which instinctively wanted to shrink, and steeled herself.

It’s okay. If I tell them I have the solution to the danger the Duke’s family is about to face, they won’t throw me out right away.

A sudden realization hit her as she glanced down at the soft fur of her tail.

Wait, with this appearance, they won’t recognize me.

She hadn't considered that before. Her real challenge now wasn't just convincing them with her information but actually entering the castle.

If they knew she was the Duke’s own daughter, even if she was unwanted, they might at least relay the message, but as an unknown squirrel?

"Choo...?"

What should I do...?

It didn’t seem like a random squirrel would be allowed to meet the Duke.

Although she was still 8 years old, she couldn’t just shift back into her human form in the middle of the street without any clothes...

Even if I’m only 8, being naked in public is...

As Beatty pondered, she suddenly heard some voices coming from above the gates.

"What's that dot in front of the gates?"

"What do you mean? Hmm? There is something. Hey, bring me a telescope!"

"No way! Could it be?!"

The voices grew louder, and Beatty’s ears perked up in alertness.

What’s going on? Did they spot the Signum? That can't be, from this far away, and it’s covered by fur.

Feeling uneasy, she instinctively moved in a zigzag pattern.

What is it?

Suddenly, the heavy iron gates began to rise slowly.

"!"

Startled, Beatty didn’t know what was going on but decided to quickly turn and run.

Thud, thud...

However, before she could get far, a loud voice behind her made her stop in her tracks.

"Lady!"

Huh?

Beatty froze, hearing a title she hadn’t expected. A knight ran out from the open gates.

"Lady! You mustn’t leave, young... no, Aslan Lady!"

Is she calling me?

Beatty's eyes widened at the unexpected title from someone she had never seen before.

The knight, clad in creaky armor, dropped to one knee.

"How could someone like you be wandering alone without an escort! You mustn’t be walking alone, Lady—huff!"

The knight, speaking in an urgent tone, suddenly stopped, covering his mouth as if realizing he had said something wrong.

"Cough, cough. Well, it could happen, I suppose. Of course. Ha-ha."

"?"

"Lady, I'm certainly not the kind of person to pressure you into doing anything, but look at my face. Even if you call me a boy, you'd probably believe it, wouldn't you?"

"..."

Beatty couldn't help but scrunch up her face as the knight, pushing his weathered face forward, asked her. Still, something about the knight's awkward demeanor made her lower her guard just a little.

Hmm?

As Beatty cautiously observed the knight, her gaze shifted.

What’s that paper?

She noticed a bundle of paper awkwardly sticking out from the knight's waist, which didn’t match his armor.

"Ah!"

Realizing where she was looking, the knight quickly shoved the paper back into his pocket.

"Ahem. My apologies, Lady, for my untidy appearance in front of you..."

Beatty tilted her head, growing more curious.

The knight, seemingly ignoring her probing gaze, hunched his large frame to make himself appear smaller and less intimidating, blinking his big eyes with a look of innocence. Beatty stared at his face, which bore a large scar across the nose, and opened her mouth.

"Choo choo...?"

How do you know me?

She must still be a little shaken by the unexpected situation.

Without realizing it, Beatty asked her question in squirrel form, then immediately clamped her mouth shut.

"My apologies, Lady, I didn’t understand what you said..."

The knight, clearly not understanding, scratched the back of his head with an apologetic expression.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, causing Beatty to stumble slightly.

"This nasty wind...!" the knight groaned in distress, clutching his chest.

"Lady, it’s dangerous out here! Please come inside so we can discuss things properly."

The knight extended a careful hand towards her.

"I’ll escort you inside."

Beatty blinked rapidly at the large hand that reached toward her.

Hmm...

Though she was still a little frightened and uncertain, she realized she had no choice but to enter.

Anyway, I have to get inside. At least this person knows who I am...

Making her decision, Beatty nodded and jumped up onto the knight's hand.

"...!"

The knight quietly raised his other hand to cover his mouth, clearly overcome with emotion.

She’s on my hand...!

Beatty looked up, puzzled by the knight’s reaction.@@novelbin@@

***

"Lady? Is it really the Lady who’s come?"

"Hah, it’s really the Lady!"

"Goodness, she’s so small. I just want to pinch her cheek."

As they moved further into the estate, Beatty was increasingly surrounded by people, leaving her confused.

The faces that looked at her with a strange flush seemed to turn red from the cold, but Beatty still couldn't help but wonder:

How do these people recognize me?

Her head tilted in confusion when something caught her eye.

A fluttering piece of paper caught in the wind.

[Looking for the runaway squirrel.]

Features
Appearance: Adorably suspicious.
Voice: Too cute to believe.
Clothing: Fluffy and irresistible...

Reward: [ ] Gold (Amount negotiable)

Duke Aslan’s Guarantee

Any physical injury, mental violence, or harm will result in revenge all the way to the ends of the continent.
Duke Aslan’s Guarantee

Hmm?

Before Beatty could fully read the paper, it was swiftly snatched up and hidden behind someone's back.

Not knowing what her aunt had set up as a cover for her escape, Beatty only caught the word "runaway" and thought it had nothing to do with her. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder why they were hiding it.

"Move aside!"

Just then, another person hurriedly pushed through the crowd and stepped forward.

"Wait, the butler?"

The woman, referred to as the butler, was dressed in perfectly pressed clothes, despite the hurried pace. Her hair was stark white, and the sharpness of her attire remained pristine.

The butler approached and stopped right in front of Beatty.

"...Goodness."

Looking down at Beatty in her squirrel form, the butler's face froze.

"Is this truly the daughter of Duke Aslan?"

Unable to bring herself to describe Beatty any further, the butler fell silent.

Did I look that shabby?

Beatty awkwardly untied the scrap of cloth she had been wearing and tucked it behind her back.

Though it was just a scrap of cloth she had picked up from the street due to the cold, she was well aware that she probably looked a mess.

"How could the Duke’s daughter be...?"

A trembling voice echoed from above.

Or is it because I’m a squirrel beastkin?

Beatty's tail drooped slightly.

Then, with a voice full of distress, the butler shouted.

"Lady, how could your cheeks be so gaunt?!"