The Harvest Mouse Exits the Fairytale Together with Cinderella

"You should be grateful that you didn't wake up in the underground prison."

Young Lord Wellston clenched his teeth.

"Do you have any proof?"@@novelbin@@

Despite being caught stealing, the boy remained unfazed, speaking with brazen confidence. Elodie narrowed her eyes as she observed him.

Viscount Wellston had a habit of stealing.

As a harvest mouse in the royal palace, Elodie had often seen him pilfering valuables. The prince had been well aware of this, and when his knight once whispered the truth to him, he had merely shrugged and said:

"Leave him be. He's been like that since childhood."

"Is that really okay?"

"Where else am I going to find a servant as loyal and useful as the viscount? I can tolerate at least that much."

A minor case of kleptomania was hardly a concern. It was simply a tool—a weakness the prince could exploit at his convenience.

The more lenient the prince was, the bolder Viscount Wellston became. He was willing to do anything to secure the prince’s favor, executing his orders without hesitation, regardless of the means. Even without being asked, he proactively sought to please the prince.

And sometimes, the prince subtly encouraged his twisted devotion.

"Your Highness, I have something for you."

"And what might this be?"

"Silversone. You mentioned before that Silversone had dried up and could only be mined from the Sunset Hill family's territory, making it difficult to obtain."

"You have my gratitude. No one thinks of me like you do."

With no consequences, the viscount grew increasingly reckless. Would he have really stood idly by in a safe zone where interactions between beastfolk and humans were permitted?

Elodie doubted it.

And as expected, she was right.

Young Lord Wellston puffed out his chest as if daring them to search him. "I trust that someone as just and fair as yourself would not accuse me based solely on a child's words."

He then cast Elodie a look of feigned pity.

"A five-year-old should at least be able to pronounce properly…."

"……."

"They seem a little slow. I hope they at least understand what they're saying."

So that was his strategy—dismissing her claims by treating her as a simple-minded child.

Elodie responded immediately.

Before the boy could try anything else, she pointed straight at his jacket.

"It's hidden in th' inside pochwut. (It's hidden in the inside pocket.)"

At Eisen's signal, Howlf stepped forward and searched the boy's clothing.

Young Lord Wellston scoffed.

He had realized that Elodie had noticed the hidden pocket inside his jacket, but it wasn’t something that just anyone could open.

It had been specially crafted by his cousin, a rising talent in the Magic Tower.

The enchanted pocket could store items without leaving a trace. Even if the clothing was burned or torn apart, the contents would never be revealed.

Evidence? It would simply cease to exist.

The pocket could only be opened by reciting a specific phrase.

"See? There's nothing there. This child must have been seeking attention, throwing around baseless accusations. How do you plan to take responsibility for this—"

"Silumentarius!"

Click—

Elodie cut him off with a single word, and with a distinct sound, something unlocked.

Young Lord Wellston's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

"H-How do you—?!"

What, you think I haven't seen you stealing before?

I've seen it so many times I practically memorized your tricks.

Elodie clicked her tongue and tilted her chin upward.

"I cwan pwonounce pwoperwy too. (I can pronounce properly too.)"

Of course, she still had to put all her effort into enunciating each syllable correctly, focusing intensely to get it right.

From the now-exposed pocket in his jacket, something white and dust-like spilled out.

It scattered, bouncing weightlessly in the air.

‘Magic Cotton.’

At first glance, it resembled a living, sentient creature, but in reality, it was pure condensed mana.

More specifically, it was a rare substance that allowed even those with no innate magical ability to use spells.

Though it was only strong enough for basic utility magic—lighting candles, for instance—it held immense value for nobles.

It was so rare that even royalty struggled to obtain it, with some claiming it was a divine gift meant only for the chosen.

But in truth, Magic Cotton was only found in the Valkyrisen estate, located on the border between Terranolia and Animallia.

‘So that’s how the prince, a spoiled brat with no ambitions beyond looking handsome and lazing around, managed to learn basic magic.’

So this was the real story.

And to think he had passed it off as natural talent.

Now that she saw it, he was nothing more than a born swindler.

"There's nothing more to discuss."

Eisen waved a hand dismissively.

"Handle him according to protocol."

Howlf, who had been waiting for the order, immediately grabbed Young Lord Wellston and began dragging him away.

"L-Let go of me!"

No matter how much he struggled, the difference in strength was too vast. The knight didn't budge an inch.

As he was being dragged away, his face turned red with desperation.

"Y-Your Grace! You have to tell me what will happen to me! Please!"

"You didn't read the notice board?"

The notice board?

Elodie tilted her head in confusion as Eisen's aide approached her.

Seeing the towering figure moving toward her, Elodie panicked and hid behind Eisen.

'The eagle's huge…'

Sensing her fear, Eagles stopped his approach and instead clasped his hands behind his back, speaking calmly.

"It is posted at the entrance to the estate. You likely did not see it since you passed through without inspection."

The eagle aide retrieved a paper from his coat and handed it over.

23) Familiarize yourself with the list of restricted export items. Anyone caught smuggling them out will be banned from entry for three years. A second offense results in permanent exile. A third offense does not exist.

What? So he’ll just be banned for three years?

Elodie was about to think it was a lenient punishment—until she noticed the next clause.

23-1) However, for items designated as protected species, offenders will be warned in advance that their hand may be severed.

Elodie spotted Magic Cotton on the protected species list and silently bowed her head in mourning.

"Y-Your Grace, I am His Highness’s closest confidant! The prince will offer a massive reward for my release. P-Please, just one chance to contact him!"

"Do as you please."

Eisen barely paid attention, distracted by the way Elodie’s ears twitched every time he nudged them.

Young Lord Wellston hastily pulled out a communication orb, his eyes filling with desperate hope.

He tearfully explained the situation, begging the prince for mercy.

‘Ugh. I have to see that face again?’

Elodie grimaced at the all-too-familiar image.

"Your Highness, please, I have committed an unforgivable crime."

―Haah, Wellston.

The prince's voice hadn't changed.

He still sounded young, his tone higher than Elodie remembered, but his speech was as elegant and musical as ever.

―When did I ever ask you to do such a thing?

"But… but Your Highness, you told me you wished to use magic. I—I only acquired the Magic Cotton from Valkyrisen for your sake…."

―You planned this and stole for my sake? Did you truly believe I would want such a thing?

"But Your Highness, you enjoyed the gifts I brought you! You were pleased!"

―Wait… are you saying all of those were stolen goods? If I had known, I never would have accepted them!

The prince had only tolerated Wellston’s theft because it benefited him.

He had never asked where the gifts came from—so he could sever ties whenever it suited him.

Elodie watched the farce unfold, silently observing the prince through the orb.

"Duke Valkyrisen… it seems my servant has caused you great trouble. I sincerely apologize. I had no idea this was happening, but the fault is mine. I failed to discipline him properly."

The prince placed a hand on his chest and bowed.

As he did, his caramel-colored hair cascaded over his forehead, shimmering like liquid gold.

His pensive eyelashes cast delicate shadows over his verdant eyes.

―Do as you must, in accordance with your laws.