The Harvest Mouse Exits the Fairytale Together with Cinderella-Chapter 108

Marriage partner.

No, to be precise, someone had once said that they were already bound together by soul, so marriage was unnecessary.

How deeply must someone love another to say something like that without even blinking?

Shock, awe—those were the only emotions Julian could feel.

‘And that person... was Lady Ratson?’

Julian was speechless.

"Sera has been living in Valkyrisen because she supposedly fell for a beastfolk and eloped, right?"

Elodie began, scanning the room.

Everyone had frozen in place as if they had been struck by a curse that turned their bodies to stone.

"Then, at the very least, that must mean she knew this beastfolk for quite a long time while still in Terranolia."

It was now common knowledge that the only heir to the Ratson family had disappeared from Terranolia—only to be found again.

"But unless they were involved in a crime like I was, beastfolk can’t stay in Terranolia for long."

They could obtain temporary permits, but the maximum extension was one month.

A long-term stay was impossible.

The only place in Terranolia where beastfolk were allowed to live was Valkyrisen’s domain, a neutral land known as the Land of Peace.

So, if Sera had fallen in love with a beastfolk before she moved to Valkyrisen, then...

"There’s only one possible answer."

Elodie pointed to herself.

And sure enough, the more they thought about it, the stranger it seemed.

Could someone really fall in love, promise marriage, abandon their family, and move to Valkyrisen—all within a single month?

Perhaps there were people in the world reckless enough to do such a thing...

But not Seraphina Bluewood.

Everyone in the banquet hall knew that.

They had all seen her reject suitors mercilessly, cutting them down with words sharper than any blade.

That was why they had found the rumor so compelling.

Had she been so deeply in love with a beastfolk that she had ignored all other romantic advances?

But then they realized...

If she had only had a month to meet this so-called lover, then...

‘That’s impossible.’

‘Lady Bluewood would never do that.’

‘In a month? She probably wouldn’t even get past exchanging names.’

‘If someone actually managed to have a conversation with her in that time, they should be proud.’

But, contrary to their expectations...

Elodie had won her over in a single day.

Not just that.

She had received a true love’s kiss, broken a curse, and become Sera’s soul-bound partner.

Of ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ course, she didn’t mention any of that. Instead, she just winked at Sera playfully.

"Sera never knew any other beastfolk before going to Valkyrisen."

And in response, Sera pulled Elodie into her arms and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Of course not. From the beginning until now, it’s only ever been you."

The nobles finally understood the situation.

A child who had been raised in an abusive household had found someone just like her—a lost soul who had forgotten her family and her past.

And they had found solace in each other.

Not a scandal.

Not a dirty rumor.

But a beautiful, moving story about two people who had become each other’s one and only anchor.

And yet, someone had deliberately twisted that story, turning it into malicious gossip.

‘To intentionally distort something so pure... how could they...?’

Many of the nobles felt guilt creeping in.

But others thought it was all pathetic.

And those who had been waiting for Sera’s downfall?

They were filled with disappointment.

Among them, one person, however, was furious.

"Are you kidding me? You could have just said she was like your family and that you’d stay with her forever!"

"Why are you mad at me?"

"If you’d said it that way from the start, I would’ve helped clear up the misunderstanding!"

Julian had truly believed she had fallen for a beastfolk.

He had been worried.

Seraphina—the walking disaster of romance—might have accidentally said something reckless in front of the entire nobility.

But in the end, her partner was Lady Ratson?!

Now that he thought about it, it had felt odd.

There had been no romantic tension in Sera’s words when she talked about this supposed lover.

And now, Julian was stunned.

She had nearly gotten herself exiled, and yet she had personally added to the confusion.

"This child and I share a bond that goes beyond family," Sera said.

Because they were soulmates.

For once, Sera—who always seemed indifferent to the world—spoke with utmost seriousness.

"...Haa."

Julian gave up.

Rubbing his temples, he shook his head in exasperation.

And Elodie—who was still snuggled in Sera’s arms—narrowed her eyes at him.

Then, she suddenly asked,

"Hey, do you like Sera?"

"...What nonsense are you talking about now?"

Love makes people alike.

That’s what they said.

And looking at Julian, she could see it.

He was calculating but also surprisingly sentimental in certain ways.

Not purely good, not purely evil—just human.

"If not, why are you so interested in her?"

"The only thing that interests me is her brilliance."

"What? How can you only care about her abilities? She’s this beautiful!"

"What am I supposed to do with that information?"

These two are ganging up on me.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Julian let out a deep sigh and stormed out of the banquet hall.

‘Guess not.’

Elodie scratched the back of her head, realizing she had completely misread the situation.

Looking at Julian’s reaction, she could tell—he was pragmatic yet still held some sentimental attachments.

Neither overly kind nor overly cruel.

‘The Emperor of Terranolia was a mad tyrant.’

But at least his son didn’t seem to have inherited his father’s disposition.

That was a relief.

‘Then why was the Crown Prince so insignificant in the future I know?’

Elodie tilted her head, deep in thought.

And at that moment—

"Then, in the end, every single one of those rumors was false."

"And it’s clear that someone spread them deliberately."

The students in the banquet hall murmured among themselves.

They avoided saying names out loud, but everyone knew who the culprit was.

Rose Bluewood.

And, of course, the one who had been waiting for this moment to ruin Sera—Prince Cesare.

‘Hmm.’

Elodie listened carefully to the shifting public sentiment, then nudged Geno’s side.

"What?"

"Hey, don’t you think this situation is awfully similar to when Edmund Valkyrisen left the academy?"

She spoke to Geno—but her words were meant for someone else.

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

"Do you think maybe Ed was framed too?"

***

As the prince's downfall was laid bare for all to see, the case of Edmund Valkyrisen's resignation from the academy was brought back into focus.

The moment public opinion began questioning whether he had also been falsely accused, the headmaster wasted no time—he immediately summoned Geno and Karon.

And, naturally, Elodie followed them, even though no one had invited her.

"It’s pointless to contact him."

Geno scoffed as he spoke, his brows furrowing in irritation.

"And seriously, why are you calling us? What kind of little brother carries around a direct communication link to his older brother?"

"......"

Karon was silent for a moment. Then, without a word, he handed the headmaster a recording orb linked directly to Edmund.

"Wait... that actually exists?"

"He forced it on me."

"And you actually kept it?"

Geno mock gagged beside him, making retching sounds—before nearly having his fingers broken again.

—Karon? It’s rare for you to contact me first...

Edmund's voice, warm and affectionate, answered the call.

But the moment he saw who was actually calling—a middle-aged man with a graying beard—his expression went cold instantly.

A stranger might have suspected a personality disorder given how fast his demeanor changed.

"So, Prince Cesare of Silveria has been officially expelled."

—I see.

His face clearly said, ‘And why should I care?’

He was obviously displeased that they had used his brother to reach him.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, the headmaster hurriedly continued.

"There was never a proper investigation into your case back then. The academy deeply regrets—"

—No need. I did hear some... inappropriate remarks at the time, but in the end, I was the one who used violence.

—I took responsibility for my own actions and withdrew voluntarily.

"But, Young Lord, the academy would gladly welcome you back—"

—I’m too old for an academy now.

"We regret the injustice you suffered due to our oversight. If you simply take a final exam, we will grant you an official diploma—"

—No, just because I was wrongly accused doesn’t mean you should create an unfair precedent.

Edmund coldly cut off the headmaster’s attempt to use him as a tool to restore the academy’s reputation.

"I told you it was pointless," Geno muttered, shrugging.

—If there’s nothing else, I will be ending the call.

"W-Wait, hold on!"

The headmaster broke into a nervous sweat, staring at Edmund’s indifferent face in the recording orb.

And at that moment—

Elodie suddenly pushed forward, inserting herself into the frame.

"Ed."

—......Elodie.

At the sight of the child, his golden eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Then, in an instant, that cold, hardened gaze melted into pure warmth, like golden sunlight breaking through the clouds.

—Yes, what is it?

The headmaster felt something strange.

...Was the young lord ageist?

Why did he only seem to be gentle toward children?

"If you don’t need a diploma, then there’s no need to take the test," Elodie said.

"But at least tell the truth about what happened back then—so that people finally hear it properly."

—Hmm...

"I know you don’t care about what others say about you."

"But seeing people slander you for something you didn’t even do makes my blood boil."

A man with a legendary level of integrity, a person so upright that people joked about him being guilty just for existing...

Yet his record was stained with an expulsion over violence?

All because of the prince?

Elodie’s voice was filled with earnestness as she asked again.

"Please, Ed?"