The Northern Grand Duke’s Hamster

The surroundings were noisy. Along with the murmuring voices, I could feel dozens of eyes scanning me.

This kind of attention was uncomfortable. Let’s just talk it out, talk it out… No, actually, even talking is burdensome. Just mind your own business.

A guard looked me up and down as if I were some kind of weirdo, so I held up the back of my invitation for him to see clearly.

Belial Serena Meinhardt.

This person has been invited by His Highness the Prince. So don’t turn this into a spectacle and let him inside quickly.

“Please wait here for a moment.”

“I have an invitation, and you’re telling me to wait?”

Sen, who had been fidgeting with the nape of her neck—perhaps feeling awkward with her hair tied up—asked irritably.

“I’m telling you, His Highness gave it to me personally.”

The guard, who seemed to recognize Sen, responded curtly.

“A mere maid and some guy of unclear status show up with an invitation, and I’m just supposed to believe it? If you stole it and snuck in, the entire banquet hall would be thrown into chaos. Who’s going to take responsibility for that?”

“Do you really think that’s possible? And what if you check and find out it’s real? Are you going to take responsibility then?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll take— H-Highness!”

The guard, in the middle of his sentence, hastily bowed his head.

Turning around, I saw Belial standing there with his arms crossed, dressed in extravagant attire, looking straight at us. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. This guy really doesn’t miss a beat.

Belial’s green eyes narrowed as he alternated his gaze between me and Sen.

“Fits well. Do you like the clothes I prepared?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” I answered honestly.

“They fit so perfectly that it feels unnatural.”

To be able to match the size this precisely just by eyeballing it… This guy isn’t your average pervert.

“I have a good eye for these things. But why are you still out here instead of going inside?”

At this point, the guard had no reason to stop us anymore. It was in his best interest not to create trouble for himself.

With an awkward expression, he stepped aside to clear the way. Only then did Sen and I enter the banquet hall. As for the people behind us, they probably didn’t have invitations, but there was no way anyone could stop that face.

“…Wow.”

To be honest, the banquet hall was stunning. It felt as if all the wealth from the North had been poured into this place.

Even the gray ceiling and walls, which normally gave off a bleak atmosphere, looked bright and elegant under the countless lights. Below, people bustled about, and every table was overflowing with food and alcohol.

So, this is what they mean by a once-a-year extravagance.

Well, considering that even people from the capital had traveled here, this level of hospitality was probably necessary to entice them to return. The money they would spend during the festival period would likely make this more of a bold investment than a wasteful expense.

I fiddled with the stiff, uncomfortable collar of my outfit while scanning the room.

…One hour. Can I do it within an hour?

The time limit was more generous than before, but that didn’t mean I could afford to be complacent.

If I was unlucky, the chandelier might come crashing down the moment I stepped out of the banquet hall. I glanced up at the ceiling with suspicion.

[A special event just for you! ٩( ᐛ )و]

Holy shit!

I flinched and stepped back. That bright blue text popping up out of nowhere nearly gave me a heart attack. Can’t you give some kind of warning before appearing?!

[｡:ﾟ(;´∩`;)ﾟ:｡]

Yeah, yeah, I get it. It’s not like the system can knock or anything…

So, what’s this so-called special event?

[Celebrating your Miracle stat surpassing 10%! You can now access the ‘Nut Shop’! (※Note: All items are one-time use.※)]

Nut Shop?

…Why? I don’t even eat the walnuts I already have. I just shove them under the sawdust.

[Would you like to see the available products?]

The fact that it was explaining this much meant it was something significant.

I casually glanced around before giving a slight nod to avoid drawing attention. Sen seemed busy talking to Belial, and Kyle was seated at the main table, so I had a bit of breathing room.

I moved toward a table loaded with food and began picking out small portions of the most appetizing-looking dishes.

Soon, a system window popped up, displaying the items in the ‘Nut Shop.’

[Floating Pecan Pie ｜ Costs 4% Miracle ｜ Allows you to fly for 10 minutes.]

[Chameleon Pistachio Sablé ｜ Costs 3% Miracle ｜ Hides your presence for 30 minutes.]

[Antidote Chestnut Manju ｜ Costs 2% Miracle ｜ Neutralizes all poisons. Also cures hangovers!]

…Wait a second.

You don’t buy these with money? You have to pay with Miracle? Isn’t that kinda dirty? That’s practically my lifeline!

I scrolled further down, but most of the other items didn’t seem particularly useful at the moment.

Still, if a situation arose where I needed something desperately, it might come in handy.

For now, though, I only had 11% Miracle to work with.

…Oh?

Just then, something caught my eye.

[Long-Lasting Acorn Cookie ｜ Costs 1% Miracle ｜ Extends ‘Reload’ time by 1 hour]

It was an item that increased the ‘Reload’ time.

But seriously, it only extends it by one hour, and it costs a whole 1% of my Miracle? And it’s one-time use on top of that? The cost-effectiveness was so bad it was practically dead on arrival.

Fucking hell.

I could only hope I’d never have to waste my Miracle on this.

“Whatever, let’s eat first.”

Yeah, even a mountain is best climbed after a good meal. I was starving after going without food all day. I started devouring the mountain of food piled on my plate.

The chandelier I was worried about was hanging over the dance hall, and for now, no one was stepping onto the floor. Belial was busy chatting with the other nobles, and Kyle… wait, is he looking this way? Nah, no way.

I stabbed a piece of fish with my fork and popped it into my mouth. A tangy, slightly sharp flavor spread across my tongue.

Mmm. Not bad.

As expected of a cold region, the fish was fatty and rich.

Feeling adventurous, I tried a salad mixed with roasted vegetables and dried prunes. The tomatoes seemed like they’d be too mushy for my taste, but roasting them had completely changed the texture.

I thought the North would have a more subtle seasoning, but there’s actually a lot of spice.

Probably because the meats were on the fatty side. The monster meat, which wasn’t beef or lamb, was deep-fried until crispy and drenched in a spicy sauce. I took a bite, and it melted in my mouth before I even had a chance to chew.

…It was surprisingly delicious. I was honestly curious about what kind of meat it was. But something told me it was better not to know. Ignorance is bliss, as they say.

[(ㅠ(00)ㅠ)]

Don’t give me that look. If I don’t eat it now, I might never get the chance again.

So while everyone else was busy chatting, I was busy eating. When my throat got dry, I washed it down with some smooth champagne before making another round. When I felt my blood sugar drop, I indulged in cake topped with thick cream. Then I started all over again with soup.

Yeah, this is how you do it.

At a buffet, you’re supposed to take at least two hours to fill up. At least, that’s how I did it. The fact that I managed this much in just thirty minutes? That was me being incredibly restrained.

I dipped a piece of soft bread into a chocolate sauce and took a bite—when my eyes met Kyle’s.

His troubled expression made it seem like he was thinking, I wish my hamster ate this well too. Don’t worry, your hamster is eating just fine.

“You there.”

…Huh?

That’s not what this is about?

Kyle’s expression was more serious than I expected.

He raised a hand slightly, signaling to the people he had been speaking with to wait, then strode toward me with determined steps.

I thought there was a decent distance between us, but his long legs made quick work of it. Within moments, he was standing right in front of me.

“…Me?”

A chill ran down my spine. My instincts screamed that I was in deep shit. …No way.

“Haven’t we met somewhere before?”

We have. But since I’m not wearing a maid uniform, you must be unsure.

I averted my gaze and answered nonchalantly, “Nope.”

Please let it be nope.

“Think carefully.”

“I did.”

Kyle’s red eyes glowed dangerously.

Ah, he’s not buying it.

Come on, there are so many people here. Can’t we just let minor things slide? Catching a pervert here won’t make the world a better place or anything.

And besides, I’m not a pervert. I’m the victim here.

“Ban—”

No, no, no! No!

I lunged forward and clapped a hand over his mouth. Banmate?! Watch your words! That’s not it at all, okay? When I’m human, drop that damn label! Drop it!

Kyle looked down at me, his gaze unreadable. But the meaning was clear.

See? We have met before.

…This clever bastard. Setting a trap like this?

“The food in the North is really delicious.”

I threw out a casual remark and took a step back.

“So, I think I’ll go grab another plate—”

But Kyle wasn’t having it. He grabbed my arm in a firm grip.

With just one grasp of his large hand, I was completely immobilized. Damn, he’s strong. I guess not just anyone can be the Northern Grand Duke.

But no way, man. I’ve got no excuses left. I can’t just say, Oops, my mistake, wrong person. And telling him, Yeah, I’m actually your banmate hamster, is even worse. That would require me to bolt the second I said it, but I didn’t have that option right now.

…I was out of my mind for ever thinking I could get away with this.

“Let go of me—”

In moments like this, feigning ignorance was the best strategy.

Yes. I know nothing. This has nothing to do with me.

I squirmed, trying to slip free from his grasp when—

“My guest seems to be in distress.”

Belial had appeared out of nowhere, gripping Kyle’s wrist while looking at me. His handsome face was adorned with a triumphant smile.

Kyle glared at him with an expression that screamed he wanted to punch him, but instead, he slowly released me.

Thank god. If I were still a hamster, Belial might have lost a wrist just now.

“You called him your guest?”

“That’s right, Your Grace. He is a precious person to me.”

As I quickly slipped behind Belial, Sen approached, handing each of us a flower—one white, one red.

They must have grown through the frozen northern ground, as their petals were firmer than most. They almost looked like camellias.

“The flower ceremony is about to begin,” Sen whispered.

“After that, the main dance will follow. Have you ever participated in a flower ceremony before?”

“…No.”

“The white flower symbolizes ‘respect,’ while the red one means ‘affection.’ Usually, the white flower is given to Prince Kyle, and the red one is used for confessions or dance invitations.”

I nodded as I listened to her explanation.

A large basket had already been placed near Kyle’s seat.

The people of Blake territory would mostly give Kyle white flowers. Even the invited nobles would likely offer him a flower out of respect, considering he was both the host of the banquet and the ruler of this land.

So… I’m supposed to give this flower to Belial instead of Kyle.

From behind Belial’s shoulder, I could feel Kyle’s intense gaze boring into me. Why the hell is he staring like that? It’s suffocating.

“And now, we shall begin the flower ceremony!”

At the announcer’s declaration, two pairs of eyes locked onto me.

…Ah.

I think I just fucked up.