MTLNOVEL 45
I wasn’t sure how giving Kyle the bracelet had affected the original story, but thanks to it, my Miracle gauge had exceeded 40%.
Reload now lasted a whole four hours. It was so generous that I could hardly get used to it.
Of course, whenever an emergency struck and I had to buy things in a hurry, my Miracle points would get shaved off again. Still, at this rate, I could at least hold onto the hope of one day reaching 100%.
[Character ‘Serena’ has been deleted.]
Of course, the biggest surge in Miracle points recently had come from something that didn’t sit quite right with me. And I still didn’t know much about it…
‘Just a little more, and I’ll have half.’
If I wanted to do anything in this world, I needed Miracle points. I couldn’t afford to hesitate just because things didn’t add up.
So, I would use them sparingly. I would hoard them ruthlessly.
“Do you see it?”
As I was timing the perfect moment to use Reload, I looked up from where I was lounging, propped up lazily. Kyle had approached the hamster house and was now holding out his wrist for me to see.
“Isn’t it beautiful? That one gifted it to me.”
He waved his wrist in front of me, tilting it back and forth to show off the jewel more clearly. …If I had known he would like it this much, I would have bought him something even better.
—Click. (What’s the big deal?)
“Look closer. They say it’s imbued with magic.”
Oh, so he even heard that part? His hearing was sharp.
“The same item, huh…”
Kyle fell silent for a moment. His face remained as expressionless as always, but there was a certain softness in his atmosphere.
Was he really that happy?
—Screech, crackle. (Alright, alright. I’ll buy you something even better next time.)
“Don’t worry too much. No matter what, I still like you the most.”
—Click. (Ugh.)
Even after coming all the way to the capital, his nonsense was still going strong.
Narrowing my eyes, I endured Kyle’s barrage of kisses, letting him get away with it. He looked so happy; he’d probably go for at least ten.
However, after he had kissed me about three times while holding me in both hands, a knock came at the door.
“Your Highness Kyle, I have brought the Imperial Mage.”
…The Imperial Mage? Out of nowhere?
“Let them in.”
Wait, don’t tell me he actually went through with showing me to that beast scholar? The engagement ceremony hasn’t even happened yet! I really had to hand it to him—his decisiveness was on another level.
Pouting, I kicked at his hand and slid down behind the hamster slide to hide. For a mere temporary lodging, the place was decorated extravagantly, offering more hiding spots than I expected.
Not that it made any difference.
“Just bear with it for a little.”
Kyle simply lifted the entire slide away and plucked me up.
—Crackle! (Let me go!)
“It’ll only take a moment. The way you repelled magic last time was strange, so we just need a quick check.”
—Screeeech! (I said no!)
I sank my teeth into his hand.
[Let’s become a humane hamster! (งㅠ∇ㅠ)ว]
Humane hamster, my ass! This wasn’t a beast scholar but a full-fledged mage! What if they stripped me of all my secrets and took me away?!
Of course, my resistance amounted to nothing. Kyle pulled out a small, transparent orb from somewhere, grabbed me by the scruff, and popped me inside.
Trapped inside, I pounded on the transparent walls. I even stuck my tiny fists through the breathing holes and flailed them furiously.
—Crackle! Click! (Let me out right now!)
This bastard—was he seriously imprisoning me now? I swear, I’ll just use Reload and escape!
“Is… is it violent? You did say it was a beast…”
The mage, who had stepped closer, examined me with suspicion.
Kyle, after observing my ferocious expression, let out a sigh.
“It’s not violent.”
“But Your Highness, it just bit you…”
“It’s only because it’s angry. Can you still conduct the examination like this? Without opening it, if possible. It would be best to avoid direct contact.”
“…I will do my best.”
A doctor, a vet, a beast scholar, and now even a mage. Just how many professionals needed to poke and prod at this tiny body?
This was beyond humiliating. Even during a medical checkup, a doctor wouldn’t have the nerve to inspect every inch of my body like this!
As I stared blankly into the void, resigned to my fate, the mage finally finished their examination.
It seemed the transparent orb Kyle had placed me in served to filter out magic, as the mage’s touch didn’t cause the usual repelling reaction this time.
“The examination is complete, but…”
“Alright. Go ahead and speak.”
“…Your Highness, your pet beast is protected by an incomprehensibly intricate and foreign magic. This is… a power that should not interfere with the world. I swear upon my life as a mage!”
Wow. He even staked his whole life on it.
‘Well, I guess I should trust the words of a mage with a solid reputation in the capital.’
But Kyle still looked at me with an expression full of confusion. His gaze practically demanded an explanation—how on earth could a creature smaller than his fist possess such power?
“Ahem. If Your Highness could leave it with me for a few days, I could conduct a more thorough study. Creatures from the North are still poorly understood, even here in the capital. A more precise examination is necessary.”
The mage’s eyes gleamed. His words sounded reasonable, but in the end, he was basically asking to take me as a lab rat.
Turning my back to avoid his gaze, which was now filled with pure scientific curiosity, I kicked at the transparent wall with my short legs.
Hurry up and let me out! He’s trying to take me away!
“I refuse.”
Kyle removed me from the orb and placed me deep inside the hamster house, all the way in the innermost hiding spot. Pushed inside rather unceremoniously, I awkwardly poked my head out to look up at them.
“B-But, Your Highness! This could be a groundbreaking discovery in beastology!”
“I have no intention of sending my beast anywhere.”
Kyle’s voice was firm, without a hint of hesitation.
For some reason, my nose tingled, and I rubbed it with my little paw while gazing at him fondly. He always looked even more handsome at moments like these.
[(～￣3￣)～]
…This wasn’t me simping. He really was just that good-looking.
The mage, after delivering a passionate speech, eventually left the room with lingering regret in his eyes, stealing glances at me over and over.
They say people who are obsessed with their field lose all fear. But I never expected him to be bold enough to try laying his hands on a grand duke’s pet beast. No sense of honor, that guy.
As soon as the door closed, Kyle extended his palm in front of the hiding spot.
“Cashew Nut, come here.”
—Screech, click! (What do you want now, bastard?)
“You endured well, so I thought I’d give you a treat. Don’t want it?”
He was holding a small cube in his hand. Judging by the color, it looked like compressed dried meat—probably meant to be easy to eat. In other words, it looked like it had absolutely no flavor whatsoever.
Most animal food was barely seasoned, after all. That was precisely why I binged whenever I used Reload—because the stuff I usually ate was bland as hell.
[(≖_≖ )]
Put that suspicious emoji away.
—Click. (Fine, whatever.)
I cautiously climbed onto Kyle’s palm.
Not eating wasn’t really an option. For the sake of this hamster fanatic’s mental well-being, I had to eat and play properly.
Nibbling on the beef cube he gave me, I watched as the little floating hearts dinged and increased. At least for now, Kyle Blake was undoubtedly the happiest man in the entire Meinhardt Empire.
***
“A tea party?”
“Yes. A banquet to celebrate the engagement.”
“A banquet…”
I furrowed my brows and pondered.
Belial might not be the crown prince, but he was still the son of the current empress, Serena. It made sense that the entire capital would be buzzing in anticipation of his engagement…
From what I had overheard, they were planning an unprecedentedly grand engagement ceremony. There was even a pre-wedding gala where foreign dignitaries had been invited. The capital had been in festival mode for a week because of it.
And now, on top of all that, they were throwing another banquet? Honestly, it just felt excessive.
“I think so too.”
Kyle, who had been watching my expression closely, let out a bitter smile.
“They claim it’s to strengthen ties with the noble families from the provinces, but that’s just an excuse.”
“They just want to show off how much money they have, don’t they?”
“That’s about right.”
Kyle lowered his eyes slightly, responding in a subdued tone.
“There are people out there starving for a single piece of bread, even at this very moment.”
The Blake territory in the North was a land of perpetual cold winds and scarce rainfall, making it unsuitable for farming. Even supplementing food supplies through beast hunting had its limits.
On top of that, the region was economically isolated. Kyle must have frequently witnessed his people suffering from hunger. To him, the extravagance of this place—where everything was abundant without any hardship—must have felt utterly distasteful.
“I received an invitation since I’m a provincial noble myself…”
“Are you going? You’re not really into this kind of thing, Kyle.”
Kyle furrowed one brow slightly. It was a habit of his—one that appeared whenever he was displeased or sarcastic.
“It’s one of Prince Belial’s favorite ways to bother me.”
Though he clearly found it annoying, he hadn’t said he wouldn’t go. He was already dressed neatly, waiting for the right time to attend the tea party.
I glanced at the invitation on the table, then at Kyle’s somber face. Was he going just to avoid getting criticized for bad manners in social circles?
“In the past, I would have ignored it and not gone.”
Well, reputation had never been a major concern for Kyle. His only priority was the well-being of the people in Blake territory.
“I’ve decided to follow your advice.”
“…Excuse me?”
“You mentioned this would be a gathering of provincial nobles. I need to identify those who are favorable toward me.”
Ah, I see.
Building proper relationships with the provincial nobles was essential, whether for bartering resources or forming alliances. It was also necessary to prepare for potential conflicts with Belial. Kyle understood that and was now adjusting his approach accordingly.
“Shu.”
Lost in thought, I snapped back as he leaned in slightly.
“I’ve decided to follow your advice.”
“…Right.”
“I said I’d listen to you more carefully.”
“…Sure.”
What does he want me to say, exactly, Your Highness?
A disrespectful remark nearly slipped out, but fortunately, I managed to hold it in.
“Do you have anything else to say to me?”
At this point, I had a pretty good idea of what he was waiting for.
With a resigned smile, I met his gaze.
“Well done.”
Only then did he finally smile.