MTLNOVEL 26
Before sunrise, the study was already bustling with activity.
Kyle, who usually enjoyed showering me with kisses, had reduced them from ten to three before completely immersing himself in his tasks, almost as if he had forgotten my existence.
In a way, that was a relief. At least he wasn’t an utterly hopeless otaku.
“Move that item over here. And the clothes too.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Good. Do it that way. The report?”
“It has been compiled, Your Highness.”
“Hmm. Good. Then, bring that one here now.”
“You mean the beast scholar? He might be in his room… but didn’t Your Highness say he spends more time outside than inside?”
Kyle furrowed his brow slightly but maintained a faint smile.
“Still, he said he would be joining us, so he should be waiting.”
“Understood, Your Highness. I’ll fetch him at once. Then, will Your Highness…?”
“I’ll review the beast-related reports in the meantime.”
After giving me a quick pat and a brief farewell, he began reading the documents.
Since this concerned survival, Kyle’s expression was more serious than ever. Even a small piece of knowledge could mean the difference between life and death.
I considered leaving behind the replica hamster, but that didn’t seem necessary. Glancing at him out of the corner of my eye, I discreetly used “Reload.”
‘Currently, my miracle percentage is around 26%…’
Even if I returned midway through the scouting mission, it would still take at least half a day.
How many acorn cookies would I need? Do they sell them in bulk? Well, whatever… I’ll figure it out when I get there. If it doesn’t work out, I can always pretend to head back.
Muttering to myself, I activated “Reload.”
[Good luck! (ෆ`꒳´ෆ)]
By now, I was used to dressing quickly. I seamlessly slipped into my clothes as if I had been waiting patiently in my room the entire time and followed the soldier back.
Kyle remained completely composed, focused on his book until I stepped into the study. Seeing him like this, he appeared not just serious but almost reverent.
“The northern winds are fierce.”
He gestured toward a box on the table with his chin.
“Put these on. We’re leaving immediately.”
I checked the contents of the box.
Inside were sturdy leather boots, a long coat with a hood, and a rather lightweight bow and quiver, all neatly packed.
“The bow and arrows won’t be of much use on this scouting mission. But wear the leather strap that secures the quiver. You need to get used to it.”
That sounded like a roundabout way of saying it would be terribly uncomfortable.
I held back a grumble and simply nodded. What choice did I have? If I had wanted comfort, I should’ve just stayed cooped up in the castle from the start.
“I also prepared something.”
I had been waiting for the right moment to give it, but I kept missing my chance. Now seemed like a good time to pretend I was returning a favor.
Feigning casualness, I reached into my coat pocket while secretly summoning the shop.
[LoveLove Corner~❤]
No matter how many times I saw this store name, I just couldn’t get used to it.
‘Anyway, let’s see… something for the hamster…’
[Fluffy Hamster Yarn! ｜ ❤×10]
[Tiny Precious Knitting Needle Set ｜ ❤×10]
[Make It Yourself! 79 Hamster Outfit Designs ｜ ❤×20]
Hey, hey! What the hell?!
Why are the prices like this?! They all have an extra zero tacked on! This is straight-up robbery!
[o(TヘTo)]
I was the one getting scammed, yet the shop was the one making a pitiful face. How ridiculous.
‘Well, at least I have more hearts than miracle points, so I can afford it…’
I should probably start stocking up whenever cheaper items appear. These sneaky tactics were relentless. That fake teary expression—put it away.
[Current Balance ｜ ❤×185]
As I carefully handed Kyle the mysterious yarn, stacking it into his arms, the LoveLove Corner refreshed with new items.
[Beast Encyclopedia ｜ ❤×200]
Yes! This was it!
I cheered inwardly.
‘Is this how they introduce new items? Constantly refreshing the shop, making sure I need hearts or miracle points each time?’
If that were the case, I could somewhat forgive their blatant price gouging. After all, these items were genuinely helpful.
The only problem was…
[Current Balance ｜ ❤×185]
…I was short on hearts.
Damn it. If they hadn’t ripped me off earlier, I could have bought it!
I barely restrained myself from shaking my fist at the air.
“Why? What’s wrong?”
Kyle, who had been reading Make It Yourself! 79 Hamster Outfit Designs as seriously as if it were an official report, glanced at my expression.
I quickly shook my head.
“Oh, it’s… nothing. Just something on my mind. Do you like the gift?”
“I’m not sure if he’ll like this kind of outfit. Ah, but this one is certainly cute.”
He flipped open a page and showed it to me. A pink cape with embroidered strawberries was displayed prominently before my eyes.
“Ah…”
No, you idiot. Of course, he wouldn’t like it. Speaking from an omniscient hamster’s perspective, he’d punch you. And I would know—because I am that hamster.
Out of all 79 designs, why did he have to pick the strawberry one? Are there no other options? No way… They can’t all be like this, right?
That damn strawberry. That cursed strawberry. In all my 27 years, I have never—not even by accident—worn something with such an obnoxious pattern.
“…I-I’m sure he’ll like it. But, uh… is that your taste, Your Highness?”
“Not particularly. Just imagining Cashew Nut wearing this makes me feel a little happy.”
Kyle’s face brightened slightly.
I immediately checked my heart balance.
[Current Balance ｜ ❤×186]
I had suspected it before, but now I was certain.
Making Kyle Jane Meinhardt happy generated hearts. And with those, I could either escape from danger or purchase useful items.
Especially The Beast Encyclopedia.
That book would definitely contain details on the northern beasts—their characteristics, hunting methods, weaknesses, and possible uses. It must have been added to the shop now because of the upcoming scouting mission.
As if to confirm my thoughts, a system message appeared.
[Overcome misfortune and danger with moments of happiness!]
[Happiness is just another form of a miracle. (๑˘ꇴ˘๑)]
Yeah, yeah. I get it. I’ll do it.
I swiftly unfolded the small crochet hook set and explained how to use it.
I had learned crochet once during volunteer work, making dish scrubbers to sell. Back then, I thought it was the most useless skill ever—but now, here I was, using it. Life sure was unpredictable.
“I’ll teach you more thoroughly later… but here’s the basic setup. Since you’re a beginner, Your Highness, I specially prepared a set with all the essentials!”
“Hm.”
“For now, since we’re heading out on a scouting mission, just take a look and put it away. And maybe cover up that damn strawberry design while you’re at it. Start with something simple—like a sweater, or pants.”
“He won’t find it uncomfortable?”
He can endure it once or twice.
“As long as you don’t force it on him.”
Kyle fell silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.
[Current Balance ｜ ❤×195]
…What the fuck.
Did he just imagine it way too hard? What exactly was he picturing? …No. No, I don’t want to know. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
“At least things will be quiet for a while, right?”
I matched his pace as we descended the stairs. Kyle, realizing I was referring to Belial, gave a small nod.
“Yes. Since nothing major has happened, things should remain calm for a while. At most, a year. At least, three months.”
“You make it sound like an annual event.”
“It’s no different from one.”
Kyle placed a protective arm around my shoulders to keep me from being jostled by the knights.
Honestly, it was comfortable. It also felt a bit like special treatment. Not that I was overly grateful or anything—after all, I’d return the favor sooner or later. Whether through miracles, happiness, or whatever else.
“He despises me. Just as I resent his bloodline. But as long as he can keep me under his heel, he doesn’t see the need to eliminate me.”
He wanted to torment Kyle, to keep him under his heel—but he wouldn’t kill him.
I could already guess the reason. I pursed my lips in irritation.
“He doesn’t want to manage the North himself, does he? I mean, it’s not like he’d do the work himself anyway.”
“Exactly.”
So he just wanted to leave Kyle as a glorified security guard? Damn it. I hadn’t pegged him as that kind of person, but actually… maybe I had. Either way, it was annoying as hell.
“This way.”
Kyle suddenly lifted me up and placed me on a black horse. The height difference from yesterday’s horse was striking—it felt a little strange.
I awkwardly reached for the reins and looked down at Kyle. Seeing him from this angle made him seem slightly different from usual.
He mounted the horse smoothly, then reached around me to firmly grasp the reins. When his chest pressed against my back, a strange sense of stability settled over me.
“Lean back.”
His voice was curt, but when he positioned his arms around me, I naturally ended up nestled within his embrace.
Honestly? It was a little cozy.
We weren’t that different in size, but his solid frame was unexpectedly comfortable to lean against.
“Well, if you insist.”
There was no point in struggling when I was a beginner at this. I relaxed and let myself rest against him.
“You really don’t get nervous, do you?”
“If I acted all awkward and hesitant, it’d only make things harder for you, Your Highness.”
“Fair point.”
As Kyle led the way forward, the knights fell into formation behind him.
Dakk, dakk. The sound of hooves kicking up dust filled the air, the ground vibrating beneath us as the horses began to move.
“About Cashew Nut…”
I hesitated before speaking.
To be honest, I have no knack for making others happy.
I could barely keep my own life together, constantly struggling just to scrape by. So how could I possibly know how to take care of someone else’s happiness?
“Why do you like him so much? He’s just a small beast, after all. I never expected you to take one in as a companion. And seeing how well you treat the mage, the veterinarian, and even me… it’s clear you care for him a great deal. I just find it surprising. In the North, aren’t beasts usually seen as threats to be eliminated or enemies to be conquered?”
I don’t know how to make you happy.
But I wanted to hear your story. I wanted to understand you.
“Blake’s people carve out their place in the North, but at the same time, they coexist with it. Humans are both conquerors of nature and a part of it. Destruction isn’t always the best solution.”
Kyle spoke calmly, his voice steady and sure.
“Beasts are dangerous. The moment you let your guard down, they can take lives in an instant, trampling over lands that took years to cultivate. Cashew Nut is no exception. If he ever becomes too dangerous to keep as a companion, then I’ll have to release him—or deal with him.”
No, don’t do that. There’s a person inside that hamster.
“But I couldn’t let something so small die over something that hadn’t even happened yet.”
Wait.
Did he just say that I—I mean, Cashew Nut—almost died?
“He was separated from his pack. He couldn’t even open his eyes properly, just shivering there helplessly. If I hadn’t picked him up, he wouldn’t have lasted an hour.”
“Did you pity him?”
“Yes. Is that strange?”
“No, well…”
Of course, it wasn’t strange. That was his choice. And objectively speaking, it had been a good one.
I never expected the ruler of the North to have such a humane side.
“Thank you.”
Kyle looked down at me, his expression caught between curiosity and satisfaction.
“Does Cashew Nut feel the same way?”
“Of course.”
“And how can you be so sure?”
“Because…”
I hesitated for a fraction of a second before smiling.
“Because I’m a beast scholar.”
And also… because I’m your one and only companion hamster.