The Harvest Mouse Exits the Fairytale Together with Cinderella

Elodie had always thought about it.

Edmund resembled Sera.

Why?

Because they were both beautiful, not only on the outside but also within?

Because they were strong and talented?

Of course, those were similarities as well, but what truly stirred something in her was something else entirely.

It was the way they didn’t dwell on those who had harmed them.

Sera has gotten much better now.

But before time was reversed, do you know how bad it was?

She had ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) been willing to let Count Bluewood go unpunished.

In this lifetime, it seemed she had awakened because Elodie had been beaten by the count and nearly killed.

She had finally realized that if people like that weren’t dealt with properly, the harm would inevitably be passed on to those she held dear.

It wasn’t intentional, but...

Either way, it was something that always bothered Elodie.

Edmund doesn’t seem to have grown at all.

He had no mercy for those who harmed the weak or the people around him, yet he didn’t seem to care about the prince who had used him.

That was why she couldn’t help but see a shadow of the old Sera in him.

And of all people, it had to be Cesare who had targeted Edmund.

I have to protect him...

"Hm? Ed."

Had he sensed her silent plea?

Edmund, who had been treating the headmaster’s words like nothing more than a dog’s barking—though, to be fair, he did have the tendency to listen to dogs—gave a small nod after a moment’s hesitation.

—I’ll do as Elodie says.

Phew, thank goodness!

Elodie let out a quiet sigh of relief.

They had to make this public. That way, the prince would face an even greater punishment.

He can’t just get expelled and walk away from this.

It was already established that Cesare had cheated, but all that meant was that he wouldn’t be able to graduate.

He was still the only direct royal with the right to inherit the throne.

Even if this incident has damaged his reputation, it won’t be a fatal blow.

That was why she had to escalate the situation to the point where the King of Silvaria himself had to intervene.

And then...

"Hmm, just come to the academy already. You need to arrive before the graduation ceremony, so it’s best to leave now."

—Alright, I will.

Did he take it as an invitation to attend Sera’s graduation?

Edmund agreed without a hint of suspicion.

Good, just as planned.

Elodie smiled in satisfaction.

We have to get everything we’re owed before we leave!

After all, Edmund more than deserved it.

While the young girl secretly plotted with a sly glint in her eyes, she maintained an innocent, cheerful smile.

***

Edmund arrived at the academy.

Elodie immediately shoved him into the headmaster’s office.

"Go inside and testify. Got it?"

Though Edmund looked a little bewildered, he obediently followed her instructions.

The door to the office closed behind him.

Elodie let out a deep breath and leaned against the wall, sliding down into a squat.

"Well? Think he’ll come storming back out?"

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Beside her, Karon also crouched down and sat beside her.

"I doubt it."

"What makes you so sure?"

"He knows you asked him to do it."

That was true.

Elodie had made a request to the headmaster—to hand Edmund an exam the moment he stepped inside.

She knew he’d pass it effortlessly, even without preparation.

He was a born genius who never neglected his studies.

He had never attended a formal institution, but his intellect far surpassed the level of any academy graduate.

Of course, once he inherited the dukedom, no one would care about his academic record anymore.

His competence as a leader would speak for itself.

Still, she couldn’t let Cesare leave him with the stain of being a dropout.

"I’ve done everything I can."

The rest was up to him.

If he didn’t want this, she wouldn’t force it on him.

Who knew how much time had passed?

"Huaaam."

Elodie yawned lazily, tilting her head back against the wall with a light thunk.

And suddenly, she felt a small weight on her shoulder.

"...Huh?"

Karon had leaned his head against her shoulder.

He didn’t press down with his full weight.

He simply rested there quietly, as if trying to soak in her warmth.

Elodie didn’t push him away.

She had grown used to Long-Long, the cold-blooded creature that always clung to her for warmth in the winter.

Karon’s darkened eyes, heavy with exhaustion, blinked slowly.

"Tired?"

"Yeah."

Well, that made sense.

While Geno and Elodie had been running around busily, Karon had been stuck at the academy, force-fed unnecessary knowledge.

And not just any knowledge—things like the academy’s 300-year history, the kind of topic so dreadful that no one would bat an eye if he fell asleep standing.

"I listened properly."

"Really?"

"Mhm."

Karon’s voice stretched slightly at the end, laced with a faint hint of childish petulance.

Oh, right. I did say I’d give him a reward if he behaved.

Amidst the whirlwind of recent events, Elodie had almost forgotten.

"Do you want anything?"

"Hmm..."

"You haven’t decided yet?"

Karon, still resting his head on her shoulder, gazed up at her in quiet contemplation.

"How much is possible?"

Despite the bold question, he didn’t seem to expect much of an answer.

Elodie scoffed.

"Say whatever you want. Honestly, I’d even gift you an entire mansion if you asked."

"Oh, really."

Yet, instead of being impressed, the boy responded with surprising indifference.

"I’ll tell you later."

...Later?

What difference would it make whether he said it now or later?

"Why? I’m telling you, I can get you anything. Well, except maybe a castle..."

Hmm, though now that she thought about it, if it were a really old, abandoned castle, it might be possible. How much would that cost?

Just as she was calculating the price in her head, Karon let out a small chuckle. His crimson eyes, as bright as wild berries, met hers as he suddenly asked,

"Did I seem like a fairy?"

...What?

Out of nowhere, he was bringing up a slip of the tongue from ages ago.

"That... uh..."

Because you were like a fairy godmother...

She couldn’t exactly say that outright.

Which was how she’d ended up, in a moment of panic, calling a boy four years older than her a fairy.

Damn it.

"W-Well, when you were Long-Long, you were kind of fairy-like... adorable, even."

It was the best she could do to cover up her mistake.

Then, subtly leaning back, she muttered,

"But right now, it’s kind of... overwhelming."

His face was way too close.

If he weren’t Long-Long—cute, pretty, and endearingly silly—she would have shoved him away without hesitation.

Yet Karon, seemingly satisfied with her answer, closed his eyes with a peaceful expression.

"Mm. I’m good at waiting."

"Excuse me? Are we even having the same conversation?"

Every response he gave was completely off-topic.

Was she talking to someone who didn’t speak her language?

"I’ll do my best."

Wow, he really was monologuing till the end.

"Yeah, yeah. Do whatever you want..."

Elodie finally gave up on trying to interpret his words and just answered at random.

***

"How did it come to this...?"

Edmund muttered in a dazed voice as he stood beside Elodie, looking half out of his wits.

The young man, who had just stepped down from the podium, held an honorary diploma rolled in red velvet.

Well, because I made sure it happened this way?

Realistically, he could have refused and left whenever he wanted. But she was grateful he had gone along with her plans.

Of course, an honorary diploma wasn’t officially recognized, but it was proof that his name had been cleared.

Elodie, seeing that Edmund had somehow ended up graduating alongside Sera, patted him on the shoulder.

"Good job. You were amazing up there."

"...Yeah."

Edmund looked down at the diploma in his hands, still unable to fully grasp reality.

For a moment, his thumb slowly brushed over the soft velvet surface.

He had never wished for this.

He had never thought of himself as wronged.

Back then, he had been young, mentally cornered, and unable to fully control his strength.

So he had simply chosen to step back before causing any more trouble.

He had never once regretted that decision.

And yet, now that something like this was placed in his hands...

"Oh! Sera’s up there!"

At that moment, Sera, who had been seated among the professors, stepped onto the stage.

Elodie’s eyes sparkled as she quickly shoved the recording sphere into Edmund’s hands.

"Record this! You’re taller than me!"

"Ah..."

Edmund hesitated for a brief second—before suddenly letting out a small laugh.

A radiant smile bloomed on his lips, as bright as a spring flower in full bloom.

How could he have known that, after nine years of winter, spring would finally return?

"Alright. I’ll do my best."

And so, he lifted the recording sphere and diligently captured Sera’s speech as she stood before the graduating class.