Cold sweat trickled down his spine.
He’d somehow ended up with the unwanted title of “most sought-after beastkin.”
It felt like a warning.
A warning that if he fell into greedy hands, he’d be doomed to sit on display in someone’s cabinet, waiting helplessly for the day he was sold off.
“If word ever got out that beastkin really exist? The Duke’s precious companion cat would undoubtedly become the spark for a new war on the continent.”
“……”
“The Imperial Family won’t allow history to repeat itself.”
Justyn lowered his gaze slightly.
The High Priest’s words were true. The Imperial Family had not forgotten the erased chapters of history. That’s why the Crown Prince could instinctively sense it.
This cat before him was the last remaining beastkin in the land—and the only fuse left that could ignite the wrath of the gods.
“So I want to help you as much as I can. If you had a solid identity guaranteed by me, no one would dare question who—or what—you are.”
“…Is that your only motive?”
“Hmm. I’ll admit there’s a bit of personal sentiment, too. If this little cat friend decides to look favorably upon me, who knows? Maybe fortune will shine upon the future of the Empire. Hahaha!”
The heavy mood shattered like glass.
Ries stared at the Crown Prince like he’d spotted a dancing ant, but oddly, the pressure lifted a little.
So he does have something he wants.
Thank goodness. That meant Justyn wouldn’t end up in deep debt over this. When Ries glanced back at him, Justyn’s wariness had visibly lessened, too.
“So? Will you accept my offer?”
“…Yes. I’ll accept.”
He squeezed his crimson eyes shut, then opened them again.
That day, after a discreet and private conversation, Justyn willingly took the hand that the Crown Prince had extended.
Maybe he’d always secretly wished for this.
That one day, Ries—looking just like any other human—would be able to smile freely, without fear, without holding back.
***
Ries had thought the Crown Prince, like the High Priest, would quickly go about his way.
“Duke, spare me some time!”
He was wrong.
Three days had passed since they accepted the generous offer of a fabricated identity. The Crown Prince had made himself perfectly at home in the Duke’s mansion.
Does he not have work?
He’d brought up the idea of sparring a few times, and it turned out he wasn’t joking. He would drop by constantly, asking to spar with Justyn. And most of the time, Justyn didn’t refuse.
Whenever that happened, Ries would tag along and enjoy the outing as well. But every time, one thing kept catching his eye.
“Your Highness……”
“Ah, yes. I know exactly what you’re going to say, so you can stop right there.”
“Grrrgh…”
Three or four miserable-looking people could be spotted along every path they took. All of them were attendants the Crown Prince had brought with him.
Their desperate expressions—like they might cling to his ankle at any second—told Ries all he needed to know.
Of course he’s not actually free.
He was the Crown Prince of an empire, after all.
It was clear he’d left a mountain of work behind, pretending it didn’t exist. Ries felt a bit sorry for the subordinates who couldn’t even complain to someone so high above them.
Only a bit, though. It wasn’t like he had any intention of stopping the two from having fun.
Honestly? It’s pretty fun to watch.
A sword duel between the Crown Prince and the Duke? Who could not be curious?
That’s exactly why Ries kept tailing them around—just like everyone else, really. And it proved a universal truth: People think alike.
Thud thud!
One servant, spotting the two men heading out together from afar, practically set the ground on fire with his sprint.
“They’re going out again!”
“Ugh, but I’ve got laundry piling up…!”
“Mm… Sorry, Amy. I’m going to watch!”
“Hey! We were supposed to go together, you jerk!”
It wasn’t their first time, so word spread fast. One by one, people started joining the crowd to watch. It was only natural—they all had that instinctual urge to witness an intense match up close.
Of course, considering who the participants were, no one dared to watch openly.
There were two main strategies: either hide in the bushes far away and peek through the leaves, or sneak up to a high floor overlooking the training ground and poke your head out the window.
Every time, Ries would glance over at them with a complicated expression.
…Do they even realize they’ve been caught?
From what he’d seen, the Crown Prince could easily exchange dozens of blows with Justyn. His swordsmanship was clearly elite—just like his master, his instincts were sharp.
There was no way either of them hadn’t noticed all the sneaky movements.
“Haha, seems like the crowd’s grown again. What is it now, twenty?”
“There are twenty-three, not counting Your Highness’s attendants.”
“You counted them? Good grief, Duke—you really are something else.”
Not only had he noticed them, he’d counted them, too.
If word got out, they’d all run screaming. Maybe ignorance really was bliss.
Still, it worked out for the spectators. Neither the Duke nor the Crown Prince had ever scolded them for watching.
“Ries. You might get hurt—wait over there.”
As always, Justyn’s first priority was the safety of his companion. Once he finished his usual reminder, the two were ready.
Inside the well-kept training ground—on flat, open earth—they stood facing each other, swords held tight.
Their gazes met for several seconds. And then, just as a strong gust of wind swept between them, they lunged forward like it was a prearranged signal.
Clang! Clang—!
The sharp clash of steel rang out in rapid succession, like a perfectly orchestrated melody. Their elegant swordplay tore at the ground and sliced through the air, leaving behind mirage-like trails.
Ries, watching from afar as usual, suddenly turned his head in curiosity.
What are they talking about?
A faint murmur tickled his ears. Acting on impulse, he padded toward the group gathered in the distance.
“Who do you think’s gonna win this time?”
“Obviously the Duke!”
“Right? His Highness is amazing too, but the Duke’s swordsmanship is just flawless. I’d believe it if someone said it came straight out of a textbook.”
The first voices he heard loud and clear were praising his master.
Obviously.
Even while sneaking around, one could never let a compliment to their master pass without agreement. Ries nodded enthusiastically, fully in support.
Of course, as with all groups of people, there were always a few oddballs—those blinded by money, for instance.
“What about you?”
“Same here.”
“Tch. Well, that ruins the bet, doesn’t it? It’s way more exciting if there’s something on the line—like a bit of cash…”
“Are you crazy? If you can’t quit that gambling habit, go ruin your own life in some back alley den! Don’t drag the rest of us down with you!”
“I-I wasn’t serious! I was just saying, just saying!”
…Wow. Ries hadn’t expected someone to suggest gambling in front of both the Duke and the Crown Prince.
The world is vast… and full of lunatics.
With that enlightening realization, Ries finally arrived at the cluster of servants and knights.
He lightly tapped the hem of a maid’s dress, snapping her out of her conversation.
“Eek! …Huh?”
Startled, she jumped and shrieked—until she looked down and realized who had touched her. Her face turned puzzled.
“Y-You’re the Spirit Beast? Why are you here? The Duke’ll worry if you wander off…”
“Meow. Mrrowr.”
It’s fine, it’s fine.
Ries tapped his collar with a paw.
It had gotten damaged when he transformed during the standoff with Averitt, but Justyn had fixed it perfectly.
As long as he had this, his master would never lose track of him. It made him feel a bit self-conscious, but he’d wear it consistently—for Justyn’s peace of mind.
Not that the maid could’ve understood any of that, of course.
“Wow, just like they said—you’re so clever!”
“And adorable too! Just look at that gorgeous fur color!”
“Ugh, I really want to pet him… but I probably shouldn’t.”
Still, it seemed they interpreted his gestures well enough. Their faces lit up with joy as they chatted, and the atmosphere turned cheerful.
“Ahem. I-I guess he is kinda cute…”
“Melissa said he answered everything she asked, like some kind of miracle.”
“What? How could a cat do that?”
“He’s not just a cat—he’s a Spirit Beast.”
“Ughhh, I should’ve listened when she talked about him… That was such a golden opportunity.”
The knights weren’t any different.
Despite their intimidating appearances, their reactions were surprisingly friendly. Ries wasn’t sure why weird rumors had started floating around, but he lifted his chin proudly.
Ah.
…Right. He needed to get a grip. Damn feline instincts.
Meanwhile, the group’s conversations continued. The topics varied, but one in particular caught his attention.
“Hasn’t the weather been really nice lately? It’s gotta be thanks to the Spirit Beast, right?”
“Huh… now that you mention it…”
The weather?
Ries tilted his head, then followed the maid’s gaze upward.
The bright sky was dotted with a few puffy clouds, painted stark against the blue.
…She’s right.
The erratic, moody weather that used to change several times a day had quieted down lately. Hearing others mention it made him realize it, too.
“I really think it’s thanks to him.”
“Right? It all lines up with when the Duke came back!”
…Okay, now that might be a stretch.
Ries tried to protest internally, but of course no one could hear his thoughts. Even if he had spoken, it would’ve just come out as mewling.
Still—it didn’t feel bad.
Wasn’t this a sign that the place he’d live with Justyn was becoming more peaceful, more beautiful?
His tail, swept up in the mood, swayed gently through the air.
I hope it always stays like this.
The sunlight glimmered, as if answering his wish.
