The Harvest Mouse Exits the Fairytale Together with Cinderella

Karon’s expression became unusually serious.

The boy, who had been lost in thought with his brows furrowed, asked:

"Is it someone important to you?"

Important?

It was obvious.

Geno had asked Elodie the same question when they were younger.

"Do you really care about her?"

And the child had answered instinctively, as though it were an undeniable truth. That answer had been deeply etched in Geno’s mind, it had been that impactful.

"He said she was everything to him."

"Everything..."

"He said if that woman could be happy, he’d be willing to give up his soul for her."

How could someone say such embarrassing, chilling words without a second thought?

That statement instantly crushed the naive desire the boy had to remain Elodie’s unique and irreplaceable presence.

He had been a formidable opponent—so much so that his ambitions had once included taking Seraphina’s place as her protector, but he had quickly realized it was impossible and had given up on it.

"Have you finally given up?"

"..."

But the boy didn’t respond to the taunt and simply left the infirmary.

Geno, having not expected an answer, shrugged and made his way toward the training grounds.

***

Karon, was it?

I need to see exactly what kind of person he is with my own eyes. So, don’t get too close, and don’t become too familiar until I arrive. If he sneaks into your bedroom, no matter what he says, don’t listen to him. Kick him out, understood?

Elodie broke out in a cold sweat as she read the letter that completely filled the page with instructions.

She hadn’t wanted to hide what happened with Karon from Seraphina, so she had written honestly. But had this sparked deep resentment?

Actually, during the last exam, I caught someone cheating. But it seems like I was the only one who noticed it.

No matter how you look at it, it doesn’t make sense that cheating at the Imperial Academy had never been discovered. I thought it was just my imagination.

But unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be the case.

I think it needs to be addressed immediately, but I also want to return to Elodie’s side, so I’ve been conflicted about it.

It could cause trouble for Duke Valkyrisen, after all.

But I can’t just pretend I didn’t see it. If they try to cheat in the graduation exams too, I’ll have to deal with it, right?

I won’t name names for now because it could be a misunderstanding. Still, this could leave a fatal stain on someone’s reputation.

So, I’ll stop writing now and focus on my studies, so I can show Elodie my best self at the graduation ceremony.

When Elodie finished reading the letter, she instinctively realized:

‘It’s the prince.’

She already had an idea of who had been cheating.

‘No wonder it felt strange.’

How could Cesare keep maintaining the top position without fail?

The Teranolia Imperial Academy gathered the best geniuses from all over the continent.

‘And he never seemed to study properly, either.’

He never missed a social gathering.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Given his impressive connections that Elodie had witnessed in her previous life, it made sense.

‘In the end, he’s exactly the same as he was before I returned to the past.’

The prince hadn’t changed at all.

The prince who had covered up his natural magical talents using the stolen Magic Cotton, which the servant had taken.

And the prince who had never wielded a sword but somehow managed to obtain a sword that enhanced his swordsmanship, making it appear as though his talent had always been there.

Such a prince would have surely found an inventive and outrageous way to claim the top spot.

While Edmund was unmatched in swordsmanship, Cesare was unparalleled in deceit.

‘His talent lies in deceiving others.’

If there was a competition for the most pitiful abilities in the world, he’d definitely win.

Elodie clicked her tongue, reading the letter again.

‘Does Cesare not know that Seraphina figured out his cheating?’

Of course, it was still possible that he didn’t know.

But if Seraphina were to uncover the evidence and try to expose him...

‘He wouldn’t just sit idly by.’

If Cesare used trickery, it would be so subtle, dirty, and despicable that others would hardly notice.

That much could be easily inferred from his past actions.

Elodie opened a new piece of paper and quickly wrote a reply.

She filled it with comforting words, assuring Seraphina that she could study without worry.

Then she handed it over to Squirrel.

"Send this for me."

She needed to see Seraphina immediately.

She couldn’t disturb her, though, so it would have to be done secretly.

***

"Hey, you guys come along too."

Elodie called out to the Magic Cotton.

"You can’t fly around like that at the academy. Move carefully, and if you get caught, pretend to be dust on the floor, got it?"

"Kkyuu..."

One of the Magic Cottons made a deflated sound and pressed its cheek against Elodie’s, as if protesting.

"Ah, why? Honestly, if you guys don’t bathe, you really do look like dust. If you roll around on the floor, you’ll blend in perfectly."

"Kkyuuk!"

"Now that you’re grown, you’re starting to talk back."

Elodie grabbed the Magic Cotton, which seemed to understand her words, and gently pulled it, stretching what she assumed to be its cheek.

It was oddly addictive, and she found herself doing it for a moment when, unexpectedly, she ran into Karon in the hallway.

"Where are you going?"

"Huh? How did you know...?"

"You were moving sneakily."

His intuition was impressive.

Elodie hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting around, before finally admitting the truth.

"I thought Seraphina might be in danger. It might not be anything, but just in case, I want to go check."

She would never have admitted that to anyone else.

But because it was the fairy grandmother, she could be honest.

The fairy grandmother had granted every wish Elodie made for Seraphina, after all.

Because of that kindness, she could be open with him.

"I’ll go with you."

"What?"

"It’s dangerous."

Elodie was startled, freezing for a moment, before shaking her head furiously.

"I’m good at hiding, so I’ll be fine. In the palace... well, I mean, when I turn into a harvest mouse, I get small enough to not be noticed."

On the other hand, a black mamba would still stand out, no matter how well it hid.

But the boy didn’t back down easily, as if he had his own reasons.

"How will you get to the academy?"

"Well, Edmund is from there, so maybe I can ask him..."

"I’m from Valkyrisen too."

It took a moment for Elodie to realize the full implication of his words.

He was a beastfolk, but with the Valkyrisen bloodline, everyone thought he was human.

He must have risen through the ranks that way.

‘Since he’s a snake, when he’s in human form, he doesn’t have ears or a tail, so he doesn’t look like a beastfolk.’

The Valkyrisen beastfolks had all managed to deceive others that way.

Elodie found ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) herself somewhat charmed by the idea.

"I couldn’t attend the academy because I was ill, but now that my condition is improving, I’ll tell them I want to visit."

It would be a time when they were accepting new students, especially with the graduation exams coming up.

It would make more sense for Edmund to visit naturally than for him to suddenly show up at the academy.

‘But I don’t want to drag the fairy grandmother into trouble again in this life.’

In her past life, she had no power, so she had no choice but to rely on him.

"You told me she’s important to you."

"Huh?"

"If she’s that important, I want to help."

Elodie blinked her large eyes and stared at him in confusion.

What did Seraphina being important to her have to do with him wanting to help?

Then the memory of her past life surfaced.

"I’ve never seen you wish for something for yourself. That girl, she must be very special to you."

"Yes! Seraphina is the most precious and shining thing I’ve found in a life full of misery. I just want her to be the happiest in the world."

"If you say so, then I suppose it must be true."

Elodie had always wished for Seraphina’s happiness.

She always wished for things for Seraphina.

And the fairy grandmother had never once refused her requests.

Even if the outcome was not always good.

In other words, the fairy grandmother had always granted whatever Elodie wished for.

For Elodie, Seraphina was the most precious and shining existence, so the fairy grandmother had granted her wish.

‘In my past life, I was the heir to the Ratson family, the only hope left, so I guess it made sense for her to grant my wish.’

But now?

Now...?

At that moment, while Elodie was lost in deep thought, seeing the image of the fairy grandmother overlapping with Karon, the boy spoke up.

"Can I go with you?"

"Uh... uh."

Elodie flinched, startled by the cold, leather-like sensation of his hand wrapping around hers, and, caught off guard, ended up agreeing.