Chapter 17
“Why does my head hurt so much…?”
A thick, swamp-like headache weighed down on me, as if I’d been dragged out of a bog.
It felt like I’d gotten completely drunk last night…—yeah right!
“Huh?! When did I fall asleep?!”
My mind snapped awake.
How could I possibly sneak into Princess Terea’s room… and then fall asleep?
I must be insane!
The moment I remembered the situation I was in, I quickly forced my eyes open.
“Squeak!”
My heart nearly dropped.
“……”
“……”
Why… why… why…
Why is this person awake?!
The very first thing I saw upon opening my eyes… was a pair of violet eyes staring right at me.
I blinked, wondering if this was a dream.
Yeah. Not a dream.
I was sure I’d just been scared half to death, but maybe a screw in my brain had come loose—because I didn’t feel any sense of danger at all.
Instead, I found myself smiling faintly.
Yep. I’ve definitely lost it.
It was almost a satisfied smile.
When I let out a quiet chuckle, the princess—who had been staring at me intently—suddenly widened her eyes.
She looked surprised… but also a little happy.
What?
That was definitely not the reaction I expected.
For a moment, we just blinked at each other in silence.
No, wait… wait a second… something’s weird!
I mean, sure, I’m trying to figure out how to get out of this situation—but why is Princess Terea so calm?!
Shouldn’t she be startled? She just woke up and there’s a random weasel beside her!
“Zen……”
At last, she spoke.
I froze at the unfamiliar name.
“Zen.”
She reached out.
Her pale, fragile-looking hand stopped on my forehead.
Her thumb slowly brushed upward across it.
What is with this person…?
This is definitely a strange reaction, right?
“I’m sorry… I don’t want to dream anymore…”
The strength drained from her body.
Her eyes trembled faintly before her eyelids closed.
“……”
The last thing I felt before her eyes fully shut… was how utterly exhausted and sorrowful she looked.
…She’s kind of pitiful.
There must be countless skilled doctors in the palace, yet they couldn’t cure her illness?
Is it really because of that jewel, like the head maid said?
I unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
At least there wasn’t a big commotion.
Since she hasn’t opened her eyes again… she must’ve fallen back asleep, right?
Alright then—time to quietly slip out.
I decided to climb off the bed.
“Squeak?”
But my body wouldn’t move.
What?
That’s when I noticed the princess’s arms wrapped around me.
Why… why won’t they loosen?!
Her arms tightened around me.
The more I struggled, the stronger her grip became.
Wait, how does someone who looks this weak have this much strength?!
And she’s holding on really well?!
Even my flexible body was completely restrained!
Fine—if it’s strength, I’ll fight back with strength!
I gathered all my power and tried to pry her hands off.
“Squeeeak…!”
“Where are you going?”
“—!”
My determination instantly crumbled at the sound of her voice.
Ah… you’re awake, I see.
Well, it’d be stranger if she didn’t wake up with all that struggling.
Meeting those violet eyes again… this was seriously awkward.
“You’re not Zen.”
Who even is Zen?
Princess Terea seemed more clear-headed now.
There was more life in her gaze as she examined me.
Still drowsy—but definitely more aware.
As I was observing her, she slowly propped herself up with her elbow.
Huh?
Her arms were still wrapped around me.
Are you afraid I’ll run away?!
I tried struggling again, but before I knew it, she had already sat up and lifted me to her face.
My body dangled in the air.
I tried making a threatening expression.
It had zero effect.
“Why are you in my room?”
You know… even if you ask me that, I don’t have an answer.
Animals can’t exactly talk, you know.
“Hmm…”
As if she could understand me, she tilted her hand side to side, examining my body.
My legs dangled helplessly.
Excuse me, could you put me down now?
“Did you get lost? Aren’t you hungry?”
That caught me off guard.
Does she like animals? And… she seems more normal than I expected.
She was nothing like I remembered.
Her voice and movements were weak, but the uneasy aura I once felt was gone.
Instead, she felt… warm.
Especially those eyes…
I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I just stared back.
Grrrrr…
“……”
“…Do you want something to eat?”
Of all times, my stomach had to growl now?
It must’ve reacted to her words.
Just to be clear—I don’t actually need regular food.
So this fake hunger is just—
“Squeak.”
Well, since it’s come to this… I might as well stay.
Get a free meal and find out where the jewel is.
Two birds with one stone!
I wagged my tail energetically.
The princess smiled softly.
She pulled the cord by the bedside.
A bell rang.
“Your Highness!”
The door flew open almost instantly.
A maid rushed in, clearly anxious.
“Bring something this child can eat.”
“…Pardon?”
The maid looked surprised upon seeing me—but only for a moment.
“It seems hungry.”
“Ah… yes!”
She looked relieved at the princess’s condition.
“I’ll bring it right away!”
She hurried out.
Seeing how calmly she handled a random animal appearing… she must be used to strange situations.
Well… if I were her, going through those episodes repeatedly…
I looked up at Princess Terea’s delicate face with a hint of sympathy.
* * *
Grassland.
That’s what the table looked like.
Completely covered in green.
I couldn’t hide my displeasure.
Sure, I shouldn’t complain about free food… but still—
Do they think I’m a herbivore?!
That’s just insulting.
“These are fresh vegetables and fruits grown in the palace garden.”
“They look delicious.”
There were now even more attendants.
Five maids and servants surrounded me.
I felt like a zoo animal—but I was getting used to it.
“Where did this weasel come from?”
one of them asked.
“Perhaps Zen sent this little angel.”
“……”
The moment she said that, the atmosphere turned cold.
So this ‘Zen’ really is something important.
I casually popped a cherry tomato into my mouth.
Sweet and tangy juice filled my mouth.
…Not bad.
Maybe vegetables aren’t so bad sometimes.
I reached for a slice of apple, ears perked up.
“Your Highness…”
“It’s not something only I can see, is it?”
“Oh! Of course not!”
That sounded… strange.
So she usually sees things others can’t?
“Maybe Zen returned to me using this body. Otherwise, how could it be so obedient?”
“Th-that…”
The maid sounded troubled.
“Maybe it’s true. When I fell asleep with the sleep incense earlier… I didn’t have any nightmares.”
So that’s it.
That smell earlier—
It was sleep incense.
I thought it was just a nice scent.
Next time, I need to be careful.
Crunch, crunch.
Apple juice burst in my mouth.
This is good too.
“Since you’re awake, shall we call the royal physician?”
“No. I feel fine right now.”
She rested her face on her arm at the table.
Slowly, she leaned closer…
Until our eyes met at the same level.
Why are you staring at me like that…? That’s intense.
Everything I thought about her had completely changed.
She wasn’t cold or sharp at all.
Her eyes curved gently.
“Shall we live together?”
Oh my god.
