The Harvest Mouse Exits the Fairytale Together with Cinderella

“Hey, quiet down...! I’m unarmed right now!”

“It’s your fault for coming here unarmed, wandering around! What made you think you could show up without a sword?”

“Were you planning to come here for some romance?”

“Ah, right, how could a lion hold a sword? Get your claws out immediately!”

Given that he was the commander, his skills were likely not lacking.

But faced with overwhelming numbers while unarmed, Leopard was soon pushed into a defensive position.

Before long, as he was rolling on the dirt, the wolves began to kick him mercilessly.

“Madmen! This is insubordination...!”

“Ha, a beast dares to talk back to a human?”

The members of the Golden Order, upon seeing their superior and lover being beaten badly...

Instead of stopping it, they started laughing loudly, pointing at him.

“Hahaha!”

Well, this is a mess.

And yet, there aren’t even any dogs here.

Elodie, not wanting to know more about Leopard's chaotic personal life, tugged at Howlf's sleeve.

“Just bring the wolves over.”

Of course, she was not about to forget to reward those who had helped calm her nerves, even if just a little.

***

Edmund was moving from the annex library to the main palace when he heard a voice as soft as a gentle breeze.

The smooth, comforting voice was so sweet that no one could dislike it.

But upon hearing it, Edmund furrowed his brow slightly.

‘Looks like he’s finally made his way to Valkyrisen.’

Cesare Martino Silveria.

Edmund glanced back briefly to confirm who it was, then tightened his grip on the books in his arms and walked forward without hesitation.

“Don’t call me like that.”

“That’s too harsh, we’re childhood friends, after all.”

“I don’t have such things.”

“Is that really something you should be saying?”

The prince flashed a smooth smile and casually followed Edmund, acting as if he were used to it.

The heir to the Silvaria Kingdom had always shown excessive interest in him since they were young acquaintances.

He would approach without invitation, judge without asking, and get angry without reason.

Edmund found it tiresome and annoying.

Even though they knew they didn’t mix well, Cesare just couldn’t help poking at him.

“If you want to play the friend game, you can pick anyone from the many out there and form friendships with them comfortably.”

“The one I want to be friends with is right here.”

“Excluding me.”

“You really have a bad habit. You won’t try to socialize with someone of higher status.”

Was there some inferiority complex at play?

Edmund stopped and gave Cesare a perplexed look at his low mutterings.

It was surprising that he would even think such a thing.

He never particularly cared about social status when dealing with people.

He never went out of his way to express interest in others either.

If he ever felt like it, it was probably because those of higher status were rude to him in the first place.

Just like now.

“Ah, now you’re paying attention.”

The prince winked as if to say it was all just a playful joke to catch his attention.

“...”

Edmund didn’t feel like answering at all, so he turned away without hesitation.

But Cesare was persistent.

“I came here after hearing the news that you have an engagement now.”

“Seems like you heard some rumors.”

“Isn’t that so? I thought it was a pretty reliable rumor.”

“It’s absolutely not true.”

“Then who is that girl, the one who almost stole from my servant?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“I came to apologize. As the owner, I should take responsibility for my servant’s mistakes.”

“It’s already been handled according to Valkyrisen’s laws, and you’ve allowed it, so there’s nothing more for you to worry about.”

“...”

Is he trying to protect me?

The way he completely shut out his interest, Cesare tilted his head as if to say, ‘What’s this?’

Edmund was always the type to get angry when someone tried to harm the weak.

But the rumors about his fiancée never once crossed his mind.

‘The fiancée of the young master...’

So that’s a thing now.

‘They say she’s so beautiful that one look would steal your heart.’

It seems like he had heard those rumors.

Cesare’s lips curled into a strange smirk.@@novelbin@@

Well, maybe he had fallen for her at first sight.

Whether it was true or not, seeing Edmund try to hide it made him all the more curious to poke and pry.

“No, I must apologize.”

“...”

“Because that’s what a human should do.”

“Since when did you learn such virtues?”

Edmund sighed deeply and touched his throbbing forehead.

He then slid his hand down and wiped his face.

The golden eyes that showed between his fingers shone with a sharp, sword-like intensity.

“Your Highness.”

“...”

“No one in Valkyrisen should ever be treated as a mere plaything. No one on this land has the right to do that, not even someone as strict as the one who will inherit the throne.”

“You’re as rude as ever.”

Treating me like I’m an obvious villain.

With a gloomy look as if he felt slighted, Edmund didn’t flinch even at his words.

“Hmm.”

Cesare stopped his disgusting act and casually shrugged his shoulders.

The green eyes gleamed coldly through his curved, round lashes.

“I’ll ask just one thing.”

“Ha...”

“If you answer my question, I’ll leave right away without saying a word of apology, just as you wish.”

What kind of answer does he want?

Edmund gritted his teeth, forcing himself to endure as he tried to ignore the impulsive, reckless prince.

If answering the question would allow him to leave, there was no reason not to give an answer.

“My servant almost stole that ‘Magic Cotton,’ right? I never imagined it would be living here in Valkyrisen.”

“Are you asking why I hid it instead of putting it on the market?”

“No, if I released something so valuable carelessly, it would lose its rarity.”

Magic that anyone could use?

Who would want something like that?

“I didn’t ask something so obvious. What I want to know is, why didn’t you use it?”

As always, Edmund didn’t understand the prince’s question.

“Why should I use it?”

“There’s no reason not to. If you use Magic Cotton to learn basic magic, your value would increase.”

He had inherited the skills of the Duke of Valkyrisen, a swordsman beyond human limits.

And now, with magic too.

No matter where he went, everyone would admire him and praise his abilities.

Wouldn’t that be a waste?

“Why should I covet a power that’s not mine?”

“Why isn’t Magic Cotton, which belongs to Valkyrisen, yours?”

Edmund frowned, as if confused by such an obvious statement.

“Magical talent is rare. If I learned abilities that others dream of or hope for without effort or respect, it would be disrespectful.”

“...”

“If someone truly wanted that ability, I’d give it to them.”

“Aha.”

“I was fortunate to be born into a noble family and grow up enjoying many things. I don’t want to take what’s not mine and rob others of their opportunities.”

“Noblesse oblige.”

Hah.

Cesare sneered, clearly understanding the words but also feeling irritated by them.

He was certain that the only heir of the royal family with a blocked mind would never count ‘those who truly desire the ability’ as someone like him.

Cesare twisted his lips.

When his tightly sealed mouth opened again, it was with a sharp, cutting tone.

“Why, is it really that hard to understand? If you had learned basic magic, it might have helped when the former Duke died. Perhaps you missed your chance to save your parents because of your narrow-minded ideas...”

But he couldn’t finish his words.

Before he even realized, a sword had been unsheathed and was aimed at his throat.