SVPW 11

Chapter 11

Why did I end up back in this room again?

And as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“…It’s really sparkling.”

Lying flat on the cushion inside the cage, I stared up at the ceiling, which shimmered brilliantly.

Of course, I was more used to it than before.

After my conversation with the head maid, I ended up coming back here.

Partly because the information she gave me was tempting… and partly because I didn’t want to miss the chance to see others of my kind nearby.

There was risk, sure—but even if I went back to where I used to live like this, I’d have no future.

In this animal form, I couldn’t earn money… and I might even get caught and killed by hunters.

‘How am I supposed to face that human again today…’

Me, who used to live an extremely individualistic life to hide my identity—sharing a room with someone?

Uncomfortable!

‘Especially the petting…’

Even just being observed or talked to is burdensome, but if they stroke my fur, I really feel like a pet.

‘And since I borrowed a gem, I can’t even act too badly…’

That was the problem.

If I stayed here for another day, I’d need another gem—and the longer I stayed, the more gems I’d have to steal!

‘Stealing really isn’t my thing…’

I pulled out the sapphire I had hidden under the cushion and rolled it in my small paw.

‘Such a beautiful, radiant color.’

Just looking at it made me feel full, even without eating.

Tap, tap.

My little weasel legs twisted awkwardly as they moved to a rhythm.

‘Well… I’ll probably get a chance to repay this debt someday.’

I won’t even be getting paid, so maybe I can think of this as a substitute for wages?

Though honestly… with gems of this quality, my salary wouldn’t even come close—no, stop thinking about that.

I shook my head quickly.

And just then, the door creaked open.

“Hello.”

The Crown Prince entered, and when our eyes met, he greeted me with a picture-perfect smile.

At that moment, I glanced outside the window.

Of course, it was already dark.

Well, it had been quite some time since I came back to the room.

‘Being the Crown Prince must be pretty busy.’

Somehow, when I stopped seeing him as the owner of this luxurious room and instead as just another worker… he seemed a bit pitiful.

He even looked thinner than yesterday.

‘Who am I to worry about him?’

I shook my head sharply.

I’m the one who might die at the hands of a hunter if I can’t find food—why am I worrying about someone else?!

Get a grip.

The imperial family is my enemy!

“Weren’t you bored today?”

The Crown Prince asked gently.

His soft tone almost made me nod.

But if I did that, he’d probably go, “How do you understand me?” and throw me straight into a dungeon.

So I just blinked innocently.

“……”

He stepped closer to the cage and bent down.

Resting his arms on his knees, he leaned his face on them.

The slightly tilted angle and downward gaze annoyed me a bit.

‘Well, it’s always like this.’

When I’m in my small weasel form, people always look down at me.

And I don’t like that at all.

Out of petty defiance, I narrowed my eyes sharply.

The corners of his lips lifted.

“You seem full of energy. Doesn’t look like you’re sick.”

Just because I glared a little, why was he looking at me like I’d done something praiseworthy?

Feeling oddly embarrassed, I scratched the back of my neck.

“I’ve been thinking about your name.”

“Squeak! Squeak-squeak! (What kind of terrible name is it this time?!)”

At the word “name,” I instinctively let out a protest.

Even if all that came out was squeaking.

Ignoring whether he understood or not, the Crown Prince continued calmly.

“How about Ruby? After the gem I first gave you.”

“…Squeak?”

That was… actually not bad?

I paused to think.

Ruby was a gem I liked, and it wasn’t an embarrassing or weird name.

It’s a million times better than something like “Juju II,” right?

“Seems like you like it.”

He seemed to take my lack of aggression as a positive sign.

“Ruby.”

He called me in a gentle voice.

‘Ruby… hmm, not bad.’

Feeling oddly ticklish under my nose, I rubbed it lightly.

The Crown Prince tilted his head the other way and smiled more deeply.

“Ruby, Ruby… yes, Ruby suits you.”

Well, he was going to name me whatever he wanted anyway.

Might as well settle for something decent.

And honestly… I kind of liked it.

Without realizing it, my hand moved to the ruby necklace around my neck.

“Yes. That’s a ruby too.”

Seeing that, he reached out and gently patted my head.

I had planned to absolutely reject being petted…

But since he’d apparently spent all day thinking of my name, maybe I could reward him just this once.

I didn’t scratch or pull away—I just let him stroke me.

‘Well, that settles the name issue.’

Not that it really needed settling.

But since we’d be coexisting for a while… it made sense.

And just like that, my weasel name became “Ruby.”

‘Still… why do I feel like I’m forgetting something…?’

The next day, I realized what I had forgotten.

“Ruby!”

At the shout of the Third Prince, Michael, my body flinched—even though I was currently in human form.

At the end of the hallway, I saw Michael shouting loudly, and beside him, Ludwig was bouncing around excitedly.

“Ludwig…”

That name felt familiar…

‘Ruby! Is that the signal?!’

‘Ruby?’

‘It’s short for Ludwig Spencer Verdi III.’

Damn it, how did I forget that?!

Only now did I remember—Ludwig was also called Ruby for short.

“Woof! Woof!”

Watching Ludwig charge toward me, tail wagging furiously, I felt a bitter sensation rise.

‘So… I have the same name as that guy…?’

My hands trembled.

I shouldn’t have ignored that uneasy feeling yesterday!

“Hey! You! Yeah, you!”

Yes. Me.

I tried to avoid eye contact with Michael, but of course, the moment he saw me, his eyes lit up and he called out.

“Just keep walking… that finger isn’t pointing at me.”

I tried to ignore him, but he ran toward me without a shred of hallway etiquette.

“I told my brother, just like you said—we’re going for a walk with Ludwig!”

I’m busy, you know? I don’t have time for your TMI.

I need to sneak into the princess’s palace!

“I see.”

Status really is everything.

If he weren’t a prince, I’d have ignored him completely.

“Yeah! We’re going to spend time in the garden with Ludwig and my brother’s weasel!”

“Oh, that’s great—wait, weasel?”

“Yeah! My brother’s weasel!”

That’s me. That’s literally me.

‘So I have to go spin around and entertain people like some performing pet?!’

Shouldn’t you ask the pet’s opinion?!

The words rose to my throat—but seeing Ludwig happily rubbing against my legs and Michael’s sparkling eyes, I couldn’t say anything.

‘Well… fine. I did say I’d help.’

If I had to do it anyway, might as well do it cheerfully.

“I hope you have a good time.”

“Yeah! You’re coming too, right?”

“…Pardon?”

Cold sweat ran down my back.

I have to exist as both the weasel and a maid at the same time?

“That’s… uh… I’m not sure?”

That’s impossible!

“I really want you to help set the mood!”

What is this, a date?

Am I a clown?

Seeing my hesitation, Michael quickly added,

“It’s because it’s my brother’s precious pet! We have to make sure the weasel is comfortable!”

“…Hmm.”

Well… at least he cares about animals.

I gently patted Ludwig’s head as he kept nuzzling me, thinking hard.

“So when is this happening?”

“Now!”

“…Now? Wait, what?!”

“We’re going right now!”

“Why are you telling me this only now?!”

“We just decided!”

My face went pale.

Which meant…

“Has His Highness gone to his room?”

“He said he’d finish his work first, so he’s probably on his way now.”

That’s something you should’ve said immediately!

In that brief moment, I prayed the distance from his office to his room was as long as possible.

“…Alright. I’ll figure something out.”

“Figure out what?”

Michael tilted his head innocently.

“Just… some things.”

I avoided his gaze.

That’s right.

This crisis… is mine alone.