The Northern Grand Duke’s Hamster

“Cashew Nut, I’m really heading out now. I’m just going to the stables, so it won’t take too long.”

Kyle, holding me in his palm, spoke in a voice dripping with reluctance.

—Squeak. (Just go already.)

“Sorry for leaving so often. I should be paying more attention to you before I fully infuse my mana.”

—Squeak-squeak. (I said get lost.)

It had been ten minutes since he first said he was leaving.

I pushed Kyle’s face with my tiny front paw and turned my head away. But he didn’t seem to register my defiance as defiance at all. He gave me five more kisses before finally, and reluctantly, setting me down.

‘Finally, it’s over.’

I was exhausted. Damn hamster otaku.

Kyle gently placed me in my nest before turning and leaving the study.

As I tidied my fur, which had been messed up by all his affection, I stretched my neck to watch the door close. Then, I immediately used Reload.

‘System! You know where. That room.’

[o(￣▽￣)ブ]

My vision flashed white, and in an instant, the scenery changed. This was the new room I’d wrangled out of Kyle just a few days ago.

Dressed in newly bought clothes, I looked around. Large windows, a cozy fireplace, a plush-looking bed, a wooden wardrobe, and a desk. Even a warm rug on the floor.

It was so spotless that it was hard to believe no one had used this room before.

“He really put a lot of effort into this.”

I let out a breathy chuckle and closed the wardrobe.

All the clothes I’d bought that day were neatly hung inside. Small lamps, paper, and pens—items I hadn’t even purchased—were placed on the desk. The bedding was new as well. Oh, and even slippers.

Pulling back the thick curtains, I gazed outside for a moment before flopping onto the bed. Staring up at the ceiling, I was reminded of the first rental apartment I’d ever signed.

A tiny, cramped place I’d managed to secure purely with my own earnings from working day and night. It was barely bigger than a goshiwon,* and getting it had been hell. My uncle never gave me a single cent, so I had to scrape by on my own.

(*Goshiwon: A small, cheap dormitory-style housing in Korea, often used by students and low-income workers.)

That was the life I’d lived as Baek Soo-hyun. Never once had anyone supported me like this. I had always been alone, bearing everything and struggling forward by myself.

“…Maybe that’s why this feels so weird.”

Kyle’s generosity—giving me money, a house, even promising to protect me—felt completely foreign. I had demanded these things as if they were my right, but now that I actually had them in my hands, I felt unsettled.

“At the very least, I have to save you. If only to repay what I’ve received.”

I murmured to myself and turned onto my side. That was when I noticed the bedside table. Wait, what?

“You’ve got to be kidding me…”

I shot up and grabbed the bracelet sitting on the table. It looked exactly like that scammy bracelet I’d seen before, the one advertised as ‘Shocking! Magic-infused for health benefits!’

“So that’s why he kept going on about me being small and weak!”

I smacked my chest in frustration and shoved the bracelet into my pocket.

I was going to make him return this immediately. Rich or not, I couldn’t just let him get scammed like this. And it wasn’t even cheap!

“Damn it, Kyle!”

I stormed out of the room. He said he was going to the stables, right? Just wait, I’m coming to get that refund.

***

The once-warm air of Blake Territory had turned brisk after the lamb festival passed. But right now, the chill of the northern winds was nothing compared to the cold fury brewing inside me.

I marched toward the stables, my footsteps heavy with purpose.

As expected, Kyle was there, feeding the horses by hand. He had a fistful of sugar cubes and was offering them one by one to the stable’s inhabitants.

I took a deep breath and straightened my clothes. Act natural. Pretend this was just a coincidence. I hadn’t actually been told where he was, so it’d look weird if I just barged in.

“…Ahem. So this is where you were.”

I coughed lightly as I approached. Kyle turned at the sound of my voice.

“You’re hard to find.”

“Well, you know… I have a very busy schedule.”

“You didn’t stay in your new room. Do you not like it?”

“No, no. It’s great. …I mean, wait!”

I had intended to exchange a few more pleasantries, but the moment he brought up the room, I couldn’t hold back any longer. I yanked the germanium bracelet out of my pocket and waved it in front of him.

“What the hell is this?! Did you seriously buy this from the market? This is obviously a scam!”

“A scam?”

“Magical energy for health benefits? Do you really think something like that would be casually sold in a market?!”

“This wasn’t bought in a market.”

“What?”

Kyle let out a low chuckle and grasped my wrist, plucking the bracelet from my hand. He unfastened the small clasp.

“I had a mage, who was staying at the Tower until yesterday, craft it. It doesn’t release magic power, but it does bring good luck to the wearer.”

“…….”

With those words, Kyle fastened the bracelet around my wrist.

The silver chain, accented with a blue gemstone, was both lightweight and beautiful—far too exquisite for someone like me to wear. I had dismissed it as just another germanium bracelet and hadn’t thought to inspect it closely, but now…

“But why are you giving me something so precious?”

“You were injured because of the chandelier that fell during the grand banquet. And I wasn’t able to do anything for you.” Kyle’s gaze lingered on my wrist as he continued, “Consider this a belated apology and a token of gratitude. Keep it.”

So, it’s a luck-bringing bracelet. A way of saying, don’t get caught up in things like that again.

“You already gave me a room, though.”

“That was because you agreed to take care of Cashew Nut.”

“……Well, if you’re offering, I won’t refuse. But don’t ask for it back later just because it’s expensive.”

I deliberately spoke lightly and turned my head away. The whole thing was starting to feel a bit embarrassing.

“By the way, why are you here at the stables? You don’t need to personally manage them, do you?”

“I thought you might need a horse, so I was checking.”

Kyle placed the remaining sugar cubes aside and stroked a brown mare. The horse nuzzled into his hand and let out a contented neigh.

“Uh, I don’t know how to ride.”

“Then learn.”

“Who’s going to teach me?”

Kyle looked at me as if I’d just asked something absurdly obvious.

“I will.”

“……Aren’t you busy?”

“I can spare an hour.”

With that, he opened the stall where the brown mare stood.

I hesitated and took a step back. The only time I’d ever seen a horse up close was at a zoo when I was a little kid.

Kyle, unfazed, expertly placed a saddle on the horse and took hold of the reins.

“Get on.”

“My back still hurts a little…”

“I’ll keep the pace slow. Don’t worry.”

I stared at the horse for a moment, then scratched the back of my head. Eventually, I placed my left foot in the stirrup and climbed onto the saddle. Thankfully, since the horse was on the smaller side, it wasn’t as terrifying as I’d imagined.

As I tightly gripped the pommel, Kyle gently urged the horse forward. The well-trained mare moved obediently, following his lead out of the stable.

‘…This feels strange.’

The ground was solid beneath me, yet it swayed beneath my weight as if unstable.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” I mused, gazing up at the clear blue sky. “Just because I resemble someone? That seems like an excessive reason for all this support.”

Kyle didn’t respond immediately, so I kept talking.

“Think about it. No matter how wealthy or powerful you are—whether you’re the Duke, the ruler of this estate, or even the dominant force of the North—none of this should be taken for granted. I know that nothing in life comes free. I don’t believe for a second that all this kindness has no ulterior motive.”

I had lived long enough to understand this truth better than most.

People only treated others well when they expected something in return. That unsettling, restless feeling I had back in my room—it all stemmed from this.

What do you want from me, Kyle? What is it you’re hoping to gain?

Kyle seemed to consider something for a moment before finally speaking.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I said there was no reason.”

“……”

“You just looked lonely.”

I opened my mouth to respond, then shut it again.

‘…He thought I looked lonely.’

My grip on the pommel tightened as my brow furrowed.

“When I was younger—before I even turned fifteen—I wandered the North alone. I trusted no one. Trust became a weakness, and kindness was a trap that would inevitably be turned against me. So, I forced myself to handle everything on my own. But the northern winters were brutal, and even surviving became a challenge. Eventually, I had no choice but to accept help.”

Kyle’s voice was calm and measured. He seemed lost in old memories as he spoke. Then, he pulled back on the reins, bringing the horse to a halt, and looked up at me.

“No one can survive alone. No matter how powerful or capable they may be.”

His gaze held a quiet certainty as he continued.

“That applies to every species. Even the mighty dragons are protected by their kin when they’re young. And even when they reach adulthood, some of them still seek out human companionship to ward off loneliness.

“In the same way, I take in those who need help. And when I need it, I receive help in return. That’s all I’m doing with you.”

His words carried an idealism I had never believed in. The world wasn’t that simple, and it certainly wasn’t that kind.

But what if the people you help betray you? What if that betrayal leads to your death?

Could you still say the same thing then?

A bitter taste spread in my mouth. Knowing how Kyle died in the original story made it even harder to ignore.

An inexplicable weight settled in my chest. I swallowed it down and forced myself to speak.

“Then… don’t die.”

My voice came out slightly gruff.

Kyle chuckled as he helped me dismount.

“Alright. I promise.”

[You have become an important presence in Kyle Jane Meinhardt’s life.]

[Hidden Quest ‘Fated Bonds’ achieved!]

[Miracle Value has increased.]

[Current Miracle Value: 26.0%]

I ignored the glowing system notifications and looked up at Kyle.

Yeah.

I want you to live.

Not just because our fates are now tied together—because you’re someone worth saving.