I glared at the butler with a severely reproachful look. The butler, seemingly feeling wronged, protested.

“It’s because you keep looking at me with those eyes! Isn’t it creepy how the ferret has such human-like eyes? It seems to understand human speech too.”

“Kyuu.”

I suppose that could be true.

It seems I had unknowingly given away many signs that I was human. Honestly, I didn’t like the butler’s excuse, but I decided to be generous and understand.

‘Here, I get it. Let’s make up.’

My intention was conveyed simply by wagging my tail gently. After the butler and I reconciled, the butler brought up the main point.

“We need clothes for Lady Marian.”

“Kyuu?”

No, this human is talking nonsense right after making up.

‘What clothes does a ferret need?’

I like how I am now. Before, I felt embarrassed and awkward because I wasn’t used to it, but now I’m completely adapted and don’t mind at all.

As I made an indifferent expression and pointed to the apron hanging on my bed, the butler set his jaw firmly and elaborated.

“Not ferret clothes, but clothes for Lady Marian. Don’t you need clothes to wear when you transform into a human?”

Human clothes? I don’t think I’ll be wearing them that often.

‘It’s just more comfortable to stay as a ferret. Being human is more troublesome.’

There’s more to think about, more to prepare.

‘When I do transform occasionally, I can just wear Hadel’s shirt, no big deal.’

Thinking that, I tapped my tail decisively to indicate it wasn’t necessary. But an unexpected person sided with the butler.

“I agree.”

It was Hadel.

“Kyuu!”

I made a loud noise to indicate it wasn’t necessary. Since Hadel has been understanding my cries well lately, I thought he would understand my negative response.

Hadel met my gaze and nodded as if he understood. And then…

“Call for a tailor.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Kyuu kyuu!”

You, you understood what I said! So why are you pretending not to understand and giving orders?

I protested loudly, but both the butler and Hadel ignored me as if they had made a pact. The butler went even further and made this suggestion.

“And we’ll need time to introduce Lady Marian to everyone.”

This time too, Hadel nodded readily without a second thought.

“Prepare it grandly.”

“Understood, sir.”

“Kyuu!”

In the end, I was the only one screaming and making a fuss.

‘What is this nonsense?’

Weren’t you just saying we’re in big trouble because there’s no budget for winter preparations? What are you preparing so grandly?

“Kyuu kyuu!”

I jumped up and down on Hadel’s desk, saying not to talk such nonsense. To the point where anyone would say this ferret has a nasty temper.

But Hadel, who was facing me, just smiled with his eyes as if I was adorably cute.

I found that Hadel so annoying that I tried to unleash a flurry of hits with my short front paws. Hadel skillfully dodged my kicks, grabbed me by the scruff of my neck, and kissed me right there.

-Chu.

Here’s one cheese ferret… No, wait. This is not the time for me to be melting!

I had been unconsciously sucking in Hadel’s mana, but I suddenly came to my senses and shouted.

“You, really! Now you’re even bumping lips?”

At some point I had transformed into a human, and sharp words flowed out smoothly. Hadel answered without seeming particularly flustered, shrugging his shoulders.

“You seemed like you wanted to talk.”

How shameless! I got down from the desk, rubbing my lips vigorously with the back of my hand. As I put my arms through a nearby shirt, I grumbled.

“You understand everything even when I’m going ‘kyuu kyuu’, don’t you!”

“Still, I want to hear your voice.”

When he said it like that, I couldn’t say anything more.

‘Is it just my imagination? It feels like he’s speaking too honestly, as if he’s let go of the reins.’

His tone was sweet beyond measure, but his voice was excessively plain, making it puzzling to understand the intention behind such words. As I buttoned up the shirt, I bit my lip.

‘…Could it be that he likes me?’

Wanting to hear my voice, wanting me to be by his side – aren’t these feelings that arise when you like someone romantically? I inadvertently thought in that direction, but soon shook my head.

‘No way. We’ve seen too much of each other’s good and bad sides to like each other that way.’

To begin with, he probably wouldn’t be able to kiss so nonchalantly.

‘Ugh, my heart is pounding, but he doesn’t even know.’

I glanced at Hadel. Hadel raised an eyebrow casually as if asking what the problem was. Irritated by that look, I wrinkled my nose.

“Don’t just react so casually. I’m really worried about you, Hadel. I don’t need clothes or anything. I’m not even uncomfortable staying as a ferret.”

Hadel sighed through his nose and turned his head abruptly. It seemed like he was ignoring my words, which made me feel heated. I stood in front of Hadel, planted both hands on the desk, and argued point by point.

“And why do you want to introduce me to people? You’ve already shown me once, that’s enough. Your subordinates may have laughed it off, but there will surely be people who find it unsettling. Some of them might even attack you.”

“I still want to introduce you more.”

“Why!”

Why is someone who usually doesn’t insist on things being so stubborn about my issue? Even when I, the person involved, am saying I don’t want it!

Hadel met my gaze and spoke slowly and deliberately.

“I want everyone in this castle to get used to you.”

At those words, I tried to smile but ended up frowning, making a strange expression.

I understand that just as I’ve found my own place by Hadel’s side, Hadel is trying to do what he can for me. But…

“It’s enough if they get used to the ferret’s ‘kyuu kyuu’. It’s not like I can always be human anyway.”

Ever since I learned from history books that I’m already a person from long ago, I honestly didn’t want to form any more emotional relationships.

‘It wouldn’t be so bad to just be forgotten in history like this.’

Thinking that, a bitter smile formed on my face involuntarily. Hadel’s eyebrows furrowed at my response.

“Can’t you just always be human?”

“Are you joking? You know better than anyone that I can’t be human all the time.”

“I don’t joke around.”

Hadel slowly rose from his seat. His intense gaze made me try to step back unconsciously, but Hadel grabbed my arm, making it impossible for me to retreat.

With the desk between us, Hadel and I faced each other closely. Just as I was feeling relieved that the desk would prevent us from getting any closer, Hadel lightly jumped over the desk and wrapped his arm around my waist.

“If you’re about to turn into a ferret.”

-Chu.

“I’ll just kiss you again.”

-Chu.

With each word, a warm spark flowed in with a light kiss. I barely came to my senses and shouted, blocking his approaching lips with both palms.

“Weren’t we going to talk!”

At my words, Hadel shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m giving you the answer.”

What kind of answer is that? Of course, if he keeps kissing me, I won’t have a chance to turn into a ferret.

But that can’t be the solution!

I glared at Hadel, who looked nonchalant.

“Geez, really. You don’t lose a single argument. You’re usually so quiet.”

The inside of my palm tickled. It was because Hadel’s lips curved gently at my grumbling. I glared at Hadel again and said,

“Don’t laugh. I’ll get attached.”

“I’d like it if you got attached. So much that you’d want to live by my side forever.”

“I didn’t know you could say things like that?”

I thought at least Hadel would only ever say blunt things, if no one else.

When I treated his words as if they were empty, his forehead wrinkled slightly. I felt the arm around my waist tighten, and then my body was suddenly turned around.

Hadel sat me on his desk and carefully buttoned up the last button at my neck that I hadn’t fastened, saying,

“I want to see you in a dress.”

“It’s ordinary.”

There was no strength in my reply. Because I had been on the battlefield for the few years right before my death, I couldn’t even remember when I had last worn anything like a dress.

Hadel tucked my disheveled hair behind my ear and whispered in a calm voice,

“Of course, pants or skirts would be good too. I think tight-fitting riding pants would suit you well. We should buy boots too.”

The list of things to buy is subtly growing. I shook my head. The hair he had carefully arranged fluttered loose again.

“That’s why! I’m telling you a ferret doesn’t need such things!”

“I need it.”

At Hadel’s answer, I was at a loss for words and stared at him blankly.

‘Why do you?’

I needed more of an answer, but instead of answering, Hadel kissed the ends of my hair with a soft ‘chu’. Then he stepped back from me and said,

“I’d like you to understand that it’s too stimulating for you to walk around wearing just one shirt.”

For a long time, I just blinked my eyes, not understanding what he meant. Then belatedly, I blushed bright red and closed my legs. And glancing at Hadel, I muttered in a small voice.

“…Pervert.”

Hadel, standing at a distance just out of reach, crossed his arms and twisted his lips. Even in this situation, his calm voice upset me.

“I can’t say I’m wholesome, but it doesn’t seem like something a molester should point out.”

“M-molester?! I told you that was an accident!”

I’ve lived as a ferret for so long that I didn’t realize I wasn’t wearing clothes! I’m carefully wearing a shirt first now, aren’t I?

“Anyway, I…”

As I was trying to somehow form words of protest despite my poor eloquence while vigorously brushing back my hair,

-Chu.

“Hadel!”

Ah, why do you keep kissing me!