IBTBD 51

chapter 51

The western side of Heukryong Castle, the rose garden.

I sat alone at a table, facing Yeloise.

“Chuut…”

What in the world was happening?

I slowly rolled my eyes and looked around.

The garden was filled with roses of every type imaginable—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say every rose in the world was here.

“I’ve been at Heukryong Castle for over a month, but I’ve never been to a place like this.”

Even though I had freely moved down to the underground prison, I had never come this close to the imperial villa.

“Villa” was perhaps an understatement.

Even compared to the estates of many nobles, this place didn’t fall short.

The large fountain in the center of the garden, the statues that clearly bore the touch of a master craftsman…

“Wow, look at that craftsmanship.”

I could feel the wealth and power of the Duke of Kreutz’s family in my bones.

“You have a discerning eye. That was the last piece sculpted by the imperial court sculptor, a hundred years ago.”

Yeloise said this as she sat elegantly, savoring the aroma of her tea.

The imperial court sculptor was the top sculptor in the capital.

A masterpiece by such a great artist would be even more valuable.

But why was it here and not in the imperial court?

My question was answered almost immediately.

“I stole it from the imperial garden myself.”

Yeloise raised her lips in a soft smile as she said it.

Wow.

I quietly moved my lips in astonishment without making a sound.

“Even being the empire’s only princess, she stole something from the royal court…”

She truly was no ordinary person.

And even though I was just a squirrel, could she really say such things so casually?

But Yeloise continued without a care.

“If you’re worried about being executed for treason, don’t be. No one can enter this garden without my permission, and that statue has feet, but it won’t leave the garden on its own.”

“Chuu, chuut…”

I—was that supposed to be reassuring?

I nodded, pretending not to understand, like a typical squirrel would.

But this little act only seemed to draw Yeloise’s attention.

“Hehe, you’re being cute. I saw you whispering with Ria just now.”

Yeloise put down her elaborate teacup and said.

“Cherry, if you try to run, you might just irritate the princess. It’s better to stay calm. I’ll find a way to save you no matter what.”

“Chuut…”

Alright, Ria.

I’ll trust only you.

It was a farewell scene between Ria and me that would make anyone cry.

“So she was watching the whole time, pretending not to see?”

It was bad.

I could be punished for daring to try and deceive Princess Kreutz.

Yet Yeloise just stared at me quietly.

Then, slowly, she parted her enchanting lips.

“Do you want to get on this?”

She was pointing at a rose-patterned teacup with gold trim.

“It looks expensive just from the design…”

No, more importantly, was it okay to climb onto the tableware?

I hesitated for a moment, but I couldn’t dare refuse.

It was Yeloise who had given the order.

Refusing could very well cost me my life.

“Chuut…”

I hesitated, then stepped onto the saucer.

Yeloise’s expression changed in a subtle way.

Her enticing lips trembled slightly, then she clenched her teeth, biting her lip.

It looked like she was restraining herself.

“I knew it from the moment Ria tried to sneak her hand under her clothes to hide something from me. That child was hiding something from me.”

That child’s tastes were terrifyingly similar to mine.

Yeloise spoke in a soft, gentle voice.

“Chuut…?”

Tastes?

What was she talking about?

I quickly blinked, confused.

But then I noticed something strange.

Yeloise’s eyes were sparkling oddly as she looked at me.

“I almost want to put it in my mouth and roll it around.”

“Chuut!!”

What?!

I was so shocked that I stumbled back in fright.

As I was about to tumble off the table, twisting my leg…

“Cherry!”

Ria, who had been watching from a distance, quickly ran and caught me.

“Are you alright, Cherry?”

“Chuut. Chuchuut…”

I’m fine, Ria.

But did you hear that?

That crazy princess said she wants to put me in her mouth and roll me around!

“Chutt!”

I clung to Ria’s hand, urging her to run, but the situation didn’t improve at all.

Instead, I ended up sitting demurely again in front of Yeloise.

“The princess says that Cherry is cute like that.”

Ria reluctantly returned me to my spot.

“I trusted you… I trusted you…!”

I glared at her with reproachful eyes.

Then I remembered that, like all subjects, she too was powerless in front of Princess Yeloise.

Anyway…

“Chuu, chuut…?”

That was her way of saying I was cute?

I stared at Yeloise in disbelief.

“You’re dangerous, aren’t you?”

Yeloise’s eyes widened slightly as they focused on me.

Her brows were furrowed, yet her hand hesitated and wandered over the table.

“Was she really worried about me?”

With such a terrifying expression?

I still couldn’t get used to the way affection was expressed at Heukryong Castle.

The energy here must be… extreme.

“Chuut.”

I nodded strongly, signaling I was okay, and sat down.

She probably wouldn’t harm me.

Besides…

“Yeloise is the head of the Rose Guild, the empire’s top trading guild.”

It would do me no harm to look good to her.

It could even benefit me.

“Chuchuchuut.”

I let out a sly smile, hidden from Yeloise.

Hehe, if it’s come to this, I’ll take full advantage of it!

…And that was just thirty minutes ago.

“Chuut. Chuut…!”

Help me, Ria!

I cried out, looking at her.

“Oh my, this ribbon suits you quite well too.”

It was already the twentieth time.

Switching between necklaces and brooches, they were putting me through a fashion show.

“Is this what it means to ‘decorate’ a squirrel?”

It was different from just grooming a regular squirrel—these were accessories from the Western Continent, even many nobles couldn’t easily get them.

Look at that emerald.

I can see my face reflected in it.

Its luster makes it more valuable, I heard.

How much is all of this worth?

I gently retracted my claws, worried I might scratch the jewels.

“Chuut.”

Ria, help me.

I gave her a pleading look, but honestly, there seemed to be no hope.

She was actively helping the princess, saying, “Princess, how about this brooch?”

At this point, the only person who could save me—

“Chuchuut!”

Kenih…!

I thought of him and cried out.

“What are you doing right now?!”

I suddenly found myself lifted into someone’s arms.

“This solid chest…”

It was Kenih, the one I had been desperately seeking.

Today, there even seemed to be a halo behind him.

But the uninvited guest’s appearance was enough to ignite conflict.

“Ah, who do we have here? The noble Duke of Kreutz, no less?”

Yeloise, having lost me so suddenly, stood up, brushing herself off.

She then bowed politely—clearly mocking Kenih.

Even though they were siblings who hadn’t met in years.

Kenih didn’t care at all.

“Cherry, are you okay? Any injuries?”

He carefully checked me from head to toe while holding me.

The sound of Yeloise grinding her teeth reached us.

“You still haven’t lost your impudence.”

“And you still have the habit of coveting what belongs to others.”

Tension hung over the magnificent rose garden.

“Long time no see, Princess.”

Someone stepped between the Kreutz siblings.