After saying that, instead of forcing an answer from me, Hadel left the room. Finding myself suddenly alone in Hadel’s office, I quickly rushed out.

‘No, what am I doing alone in the office.’

If it were the library, that would be different. Isn’t the office a place where Hadel’s subordinates come and go? If I sprawl out and happen to run into them, the embarrassment would be all mine.

Because Hadel had also impressed upon me that walking around in just a shirt was dangerous enough, when I left the office I wrapped one of Hadel’s thinner cloaks around my body and tied it at the waist with a cord. I tried to make it like a chiton that ancient people of all ages used to wear, and it looked plausible.

‘Ah, this is why I say living as a ferret is a hundred times easier.’

Why are there so many things to worry about just to go out the door?

‘This is all because of Hadel.’

Honestly it wasn’t Hadel’s fault, but I blamed him anyway. Today, even if stars fell from the sky, it would all be Hadel’s fault.

It was when I was walking down the corridor with heavy footsteps, making thudding sounds. The maids who were mopping the corridor raised their heads like meerkats at the sound of my footsteps and stared in this direction.

‘Ack! What is this!’

It was those young maids who usually squealed that I was cute.

‘To have our first meeting as a human while wearing a hastily made chiton and walking like a gorilla!’

I never intended to appear before them in human form in the first place, but what an unsightly display this is!

As I stood there, pale-faced and moving my lips wordlessly, they called out to me first in a cautious tone.

“Could it be Lady Marian?”

Would they believe me if I said no here?

While I hesitated for a moment, they all bowed their heads to me in unison. It meant they didn’t even need my answer.

“Hello!”

“N-nice to meet you for the first time!”

As I received their greetings, I felt a bitter taste in my mouth. I also wondered how far the rumors about a woman with pink hair named Marian had spread.

Anyway, since there was no point in pretending, I might as well be brazen about it. I put my hands on my hips and answered boldly.

“…It’s not the first time. You gave me a lot of chocolate when I was a ferret.”

“Th-that’s true. No, you really can transform into a human!”

They seemed to have heard rumors, but didn’t expect to actually see the subject of the curse in person.

And just like Hadel’s subordinates had done, they too showed a misplaced reaction.

“To become human with the prince’s kiss. How romantic!”

“…”

Everything seems to be romantic.

‘Romantic, they say. Does everyone think that way?’

Would they still call it romantic if they heard about how I almost ate raw bugs?

‘For me, every single moment was a survival struggle.’

I couldn’t eat bugs, but I couldn’t starve to death either. Then I saw bread I could eat and rushed for it, which was how I first met Hadel. After that, Hadel said he would make a scarf and fed and raised me.

‘But at some point I became so attached…’

I had promised to stay by Hadel’s side after realizing he was a lonely person with many wounds despite his outward appearance. Hadel must have decided to make me family in that context too.

Going beyond just family or looking at a beloved pet, now even a confession of liking me.

‘…Hadel did look pretty cool saying that.’

Come to think of it, I don’t know how I didn’t notice Hadel all this time. Isn’t everything about Hadel attractive? His broad shoulders, solid body, the loneliness of not letting anyone close.

‘No, what am I thinking right now? Get a grip.’

I shook my head quickly, having been unconsciously thinking about Hadel as if entranced. Isn’t the destination of such thoughts all too obvious?

‘At this rate, I’ll conclude that loving Hadel is only natural!’

But desperately searching for flaws in the other person to avoid falling in love is also quite unseemly. So I chose to stop thinking about Hadel’s confession altogether. After shaking my head vigorously until all thoughts disappeared, I found myself facing a group of maids staring at me with sparkling eyes.

Ugh, to be surrounded like this. I should have fled to the library before being surrounded.

The maid asked boldly, though hesitantly:

“Is the curse completely broken now?”

“No, I don’t know when I’ll turn back into a ferret.”

So I’m not suitable to be a grand duchess. You all should go and tell them I’m not suitable too.

I said that with such intention, but the maid looked at me with a sympathetic expression and said:

“Oh my. You should go get the Your Highness’s kiss right away then.”

“…Why on earth is that your conclusion?”

“You said you don’t know when you’ll turn back into a ferret! Then you need to get a kiss to fully transform into a human.”

“Well… let’s stop this.”

Did you all take lessons on how to respond to Hadel? I thought Hadel was speaking through you.

‘I said I’m more comfortable as a ferret.’

I never expected to become human like this and be able to casually converse with other people. I scratched my cheek.

‘There are too many variables for me to develop into a romance.’

Hadel doesn’t seem to care much, and the northerners seem to think it’s a curse that will eventually disappear. But looking at it coldly, I think there’s a greater possibility that I’ll go back and forth as a ferret for my whole life.

‘With such a body, I can’t even dream of having children…’

Hadel longed for family, so shouldn’t he naturally marry a beautiful lady and create a family?

Having thought that far, I shook my head vigorously again.

‘To think about children, what’s wrong with my head?’

I just received a confession of liking me. But children? This is delusion enough even for jumping to conclusions.

‘Whether Hadel was that serious in the first place…’

Again, again, again. I naturally start thinking about Hadel. I cut off my thoughts there.

And I strode off.

“I’m going!”

“Huh? Where are you going? His Highness the Grand Duke went this way.”

“I’m not going to meet Hadel!”

Do you think I’m some chick following Hadel around?

I thought they would be hurt by my fierce response. But they cupped their cheeks with both hands and screamed.

“Kyaa! They’re already on a first-name basis!”

“…”

Ah. I guess I can’t casually call his name now, like when I was a ferret.

‘It was better when I just made squeaking noises, if I’m going to be misunderstood so easily like this!’

The more I spoke, the more entangled I felt. I quickly moved away.

But I had nowhere in particular to go.

‘I’m hungry, tired, and just want to sleep.’

But I can’t sleep just anywhere, right?

Above all, it was too burdensome how everyone I met stared at me intently.

‘Isn’t there anywhere to hide!’

In the end, as I wandered around the castle, the place I headed to was Hadel’s room.

‘To think this is the only place to hide.’

I found myself ridiculous for coming back to Hadel’s room after telling him to go away. What’s even sadder is that when I opened the door, my favorite sandwiches and lemonade were neatly placed on the table.

“Hadel!”

This fatally charming man! Are you trying to lure me with food! If you thought you could entice me with such sandwiches!

‘Damn, he knows me too well!’

…That’s right. I was very weak to food. I was originally a ferret who approached Hadel because I couldn’t eat bugs.

As I devoured the sandwiches, I teared up at my heart rapidly leaning towards Hadel. I can’t find any flaws! He even has a bigger heart than me and is more considerate.

‘In the end, Hadel has no disqualifications.’

I’m just getting scared and not knowing what to do on my own.

‘Sheesh, really. I’ve never worried about romance problems when I was human, but to have such an overwhelming worry as a ferret.’

In my past life, I just got engaged because I was told to, and on the battlefield, I couldn’t think of anything other than surviving. In the end, I’m completely blank when it comes to romance.

‘It’s too difficult a problem. Teacher, please give me an easier problem.’

Asking for an easier problem from an imaginary being who might not even exist somewhere, I buried my head in the pillow I was hugging on Hadel’s bed.

How long had I been like that?

With a click, the door opened and Hadel quietly entered. I just raised my eyes slightly from the pillow to stare at Hadel as he came in.

‘Again, he’s so smooth on his own!’

It feels like I’m the only fool who’s been worrying so much.

As I glared at Hadel in frustration, Hadel walked over with light steps as if he didn’t feel my gaze and sat on the edge of the bed. Then he started kneading my bare feet stretched out on the bed with both hands and said:

“If you could make clothes to wear, why didn’t you do something about shoes?”

“…Leave me alone.”

“But your feet are hurt.”

Hadel’s fingers pressed firmly on the part between the thumb and index finger where calluses easily form. But since it didn’t hurt much, I tilted my head.

“It doesn’t hurt though?”

“Judging by the clear scabs, it’s a wound from today.”

“I’m telling you I’m fine.”

At my indifferent answer, Hadel sighed. Then he started kneading my legs again and said:

“If you want to be alone, I won’t bother you, but don’t walk around barefoot. If you want to go somewhere, tell me. I’ll carry you.”

“Do you think I’m a child?”

“I don’t do things like kissing with children.”

“…”

Trying to get on Hadel’s nerves, I was the one silenced by his reply.

I stared blankly at Hadel as he continued massaging my legs, then impulsively asked:

“Hadel, how far are you thinking with me?”