Baby Squirrel Is Good at Everything

“That… that is…”

Pirina instinctively shrank under the weight of the golden eyes that shone like those of a judge.

Overwhelmed by the Duke’s presence, she quickly regained her composure and threw out the excuse she had prepared in advance.

“It… it takes time for the medicine to take full effect!”

“……”

“They say the elixir only reaches its full potency on a night when the Serpent Constellation shines brightest. Since that time is drawing near, I brought it now.”

Having hastily finished her explanation, Pirina couldn’t bear the oppressive atmosphere any longer and was ready to excuse herself as quickly as possible.

Step.

The Duke approached the table and picked up the vial of elixir.

“There is nothing harmful in it, I presume.”

“Of course not.”

Pirina maintained her expression meticulously, ensuring not a hint of suspicion could arise.

Not harmful to the body, at least.

The next moment, Pirina nearly collapsed onto the floor.

“Your words had better be true.”

The Duke’s voice carried a weight that made her feel as though she had just walked straight into the jaws of a lion.

If you value your life, that is.

Even though he hadn’t said it outright, she could practically hear the unspoken threat.

Shuddering, her lips trembling, Pirina barely managed to bow her head before fleeing from the office like a rat escaping a predator.

***

After the Tea Party

Beatty was walking down the hallway, Aether following alongside her under the pretense of seeing her off.

But why is he always wearing that eyepatch?

Glance.

As Beatty’s gaze shifted toward Aether, Carl’s voice rang out, sharp as ever.

“How long do you plan on wearing that thing?”

Is he seriously trying to use that to attract Tailfur’s attention?

Carl’s suspicious glare made Aether respond as if he found it absurd.

“You never seemed to care about it before.”

Even on the battlefield, Aether had worn his eyepatch in the army camp.

“You took it off when you fought.”

“Well, that was the battlefield.”

Aether knew better than anyone the effect his uncovered eye had on people.

“There’s nothing wrong with intimidating enemies, is there?”

…Intimidating people with just a look?

Even though beastfolk were known to inspire awe, it wasn’t as if someone could simply freeze their enemies in place with a mere glance.

Thinking that Aether was just full of himself, Beatty looked at him with a skeptical expression.

“Hm? Why are you looking at me like that, my lady?”

Sensing that the conversation was turning against him, Aether quickly changed the subject.

“Anyway, looks like everyone is busy.”

“Oh, right. There’s supposed to be a victory banquet soon…”

As she looked down at the bustling preparations in the castle, Beatty recalled what she had heard earlier that morning.

Huh?

She instinctively leaned forward for a better view of the lower lobby.

“Tailfur.”

“My lady, be careful.”

Before she could react, both her brother and the First Prince had grabbed her arms, stabilizing her.

But Beatty wasn’t even aware of the odd situation of being held between the two.

Because what she had just seen completely occupied her mind.

***

Meanwhile, in the Estate

“This is ridiculous. Even if this is the remote North, I didn’t expect such ignorance.”

“……”

Pirina, standing in front of a bowed Johanna, lifted her chin arrogantly.

“This is all because there is no proper lady of the house. Sigh. I suppose, for my sister’s sake, I have no choice but to step in.”

Looking down on the so-called ‘provincial backwardness’ of the North, Pirina puffed up her chest and declared,

“For now, you may consider me the lady of the house. Now, bring me the banquet preparation list.”

“I’m sorry, but…”

Even as Pirina tilted her chin condescendingly, Johanna maintained her polite bow but responded firmly.

“I cannot disclose internal family documents to someone who is not part of the Aslan family.”

“…What?”

It seemed Pirina had never even considered the possibility of being refused. Her face instantly flushed with embarrassment.

“How dare you insult me?”

“That is not my intention. However, the house rules are strict.”

“Tsk, so you think you can look down on me just because I was temporarily expelled? That was nothing but a minor misunderstanding, which has long been resolved!”

Pirina dramatically straightened her posture, boasting.

“Wouldn’t the Duke allowing me back into the castle prove it?”

“I have been informed of your re-entry permission, but I believe your residence is still in the annex.”

“You—! You insolent—!”

Infuriated by Johanna’s calm response, Pirina gritted her teeth and raised her hand.

Swish!

As the slap came flying toward Johanna’s cheek, she merely closed her eyes, prepared for the impact.

But then, a familiar voice rang out sharply for the first time.

“Stop!”

Tap tap tap—

Beatty came running down the stairs at full speed, shouting.

Hah! So she actually cares about her servant?

Pirina, sneering at her niece for trying to act like a proper noble, ignored her and continued swinging her arm.

…What the hell?!

But just then—

Shhh—

A chilling aura swept through the air, sending a shiver down Pirina’s spine.

Like prey caught in the gaze of a supreme predator, her entire body froze on instinct.

“……”

Even beyond the fabric of his eyepatch, the energy leaking from Aether was something that could not be sealed by mere enchantments.

“What do you think you’re doing to Johanna?”

Tap tap tap!

Beatty ran up and positioned herself between Johanna and Pirina.

Though, given her small stature, she barely blocked anything.

“My lady…”

Hearing the emotion in Johanna’s voice, Beatty turned briefly to reassure her.

Her tiny fist clenched tightly as she met Johanna’s gaze with eyes that seemed to say, Trust me.

Feeling as though she had been hit straight in the heart, Johanna clutched her chest.

Meanwhile, Pirina, now keenly aware of the growing number of onlookers, fanned herself in irritation.

What the hell? The Aslan heir and the First Prince? Why are they both taking her side…?

Frustrated by the impressive connections her worthless niece had managed to attract, Pirina covered her mouth with her fan and sneered.

“Niece.”

Clearing her throat, Pirina waved her fan lightly, putting on the air of a sophisticated noblewoman as she scolded Beatty.

“My, my. Have you already forgotten everything you were taught in the capital? Running around so uncouthly…”

What kind of noble lady ran so carelessly?

Well, considering she’s my sister’s daughter, it’s obvious where such vulgarity comes from.

Tsk. Clicking her tongue, Pirina cast a patronizing glance around her and muttered,

“This is what happens when one is raised by incompetent educators.”

Beatty blinked before speaking.

“Education?”

“Yes. Just look at yourself. The moment you stepped away from my guidance, your manners—”

“Is running considered vulgar?”

“Of course! A proper lady should never spread her legs in an undignified sprint. A lady must always walk gracefully, like a butterfly.”

Like me, for example.

Pirina proudly demonstrated a refined step.

Beatty silently watched before opening her mouth.

“Then what about raising a hand against someone?”

“…What?”

“Is that not vulgar?”

Caught off guard by the sudden turn of conversation, Pirina hesitated.

Why is she acting like this?

“That’s vulgar too, isn’t it?”

“T-that’s…!”

“Then who taught you to behave that way, Aunt?”

Receiving the very same insult she had just thrown, Pirina’s face turned bright red.

Where did she learn such speech?

It was the polished rhetoric of a noblewoman—something Pirina had never taught her.

Hmph!

Watching her aunt’s face turn various shades of red and purple, Beatty smirked internally.

Auntie is embarrassed.

A woman obsessed with nobility, dignity, and elegance—nothing could anger her more than being called undignified.

And Beatty had simply returned the words she had heard so many times in her past life.@@novelbin@@

“You insolent—! I was only trying to teach you!”

Fuming, Pirina finally burst out.

“Hmph! There’s a limit to how much one can twist someone’s goodwill.”

“…Goodwill?”

"Does she really think she has goodwill?"

Beatty had only meant to ask the question literally, but somehow, Pirina completely misinterpreted it, puffing up with renewed confidence.

“Of course. Compared to the capital, the North is hopelessly behind in fashion and refinement, isn’t it? And now, after such a long time, you’re finally hosting a major banquet. What if it turns out utterly unimpressive and damages the Duke’s reputation?”

At Pirina’s sweeping insult against the North, the expressions of the household staff surrounding them turned ice-cold.

But Pirina, as expected, had no interest in the opinions of lower-status individuals and continued speaking as she pleased.

“That’s why I, someone well-versed in the trends of the capital, am offering to help.”

She even furrowed her brows in dissatisfaction, as if she was the one who should be receiving gratitude.

Beatty looked around.

Behind Pirina, who was smugly showing off, the estate’s employees stood with barely concealed expressions of anger and frustration.

“……”

After a brief moment of thought, Beatty looked up.

Noticing the shift in Beatty’s posture, Pirina smirked and spoke condescendingly.

“Do you understand now? Just how refined and responsible my actions as a noblewoman are—”

“You’re saying the North is behind the capital?”

Beatty, having reached her conclusion, lifted her head and looked Pirina directly in the eye.