In the Beastkin Kingdom...
Princess Ellyna—currently disguised as the younger, carefree Ellyn—lay sprawled on her bed, legs swinging as she flipped through the ancient skill book she’d borrowed (stolen) from Hazuki. Her glowing eyes shimred faintly, using her Absolute Eye to decipher the mysterious runes on the page.
Near the window, sitting prim and proper with a cup of herbal tea, Mrs. Faria, her royal attendant and personal maid, peeked over her glasses with a sly smile.
"Princess... you didn’t intentionally forget to return the book to that young man, did you?" she asked, her tone sweet yet teasing.
Ellyn tilted her head, playing innocent. "Oh, this?" she said, holding up the worn leather-bound to. "Tehe~ Uncle didn’t ask for it back. He said he couldn’t read it, rember?"
Mrs. Faria gave her a knowing look. "Indeed, since it’s written in an ancient language, unreadable to most. But you, with your Absolute Eye... you’re the only one who can. Quite convenient, hmm?"
Ellyn giggled and rolled onto her back, the book resting on her chest. "It’s not my fault he didn’t insist. Besides..." her voice trailed into a mischievous mumble, "...he already got the skill, didn’t he?"
Mrs. Faria raised an eyebrow. "Ah yes. Elental Control, wasn’t it? And you passed it to him with—"
"A kiss!" Ellyn interrupted, suddenly flushed and defensive.
"A kiss on the lips," Faria corrected, smirking. "A rather... intimate thod, don’t you think?"
"I-It’s just how my power works! I didn’t enjoy it or anything!" Ellyn huffed, her cheeks puffed in frustration.
Faria chuckled gently. "Of course, Your Highness. And I’m sure that’s why every powerful man across the kingdoms desires your ability—not the kiss, but the skill transfer, hmm?"
Ellyn’s ears twitched.
And despite her grumbles, a soft, shy smile crept onto her face.
Ellyn flipped another page, her eyes scanning with excitent.
"Uncle can’t use any active skills, so he can only learn passive ones like Elental Control," she explained while kicking her feet in the air. "But ? Now that I’ve read through more of this book... I found out most of the skills inside are ant for !"
Mrs. Faria’s eyebrow twitched. "So... Princess, you’ve already learned almost every skill in there?"
"Yup~!" Ellyn chirped proudly, closing the book with a satisfying thump. "And guess what? The skill I gave Uncle? I can still use it too! That ans I’ve got so many of the rarest skills now! Hehe~"
Mrs. Faria blinked. "Oh?"
Ellyn suddenly bounced up from the bed and stood tall, her eyes glowing faintly. No smirk—this ti, she smiled softly but confidently.
"Let show you sothing cool!"
Her Absolute Eye shimred, and magic energy swirled around her.
"Skill—Transformation!"
In a flash of light, her body shifted—her figure transford into a stunning, mature catfolk woman, embodying elegance and charm. Her curves were perfectly proportioned, and her fluffy ears and swaying tail completed the look.
"How about this one?" she asked with a grin, posing proudly.
Mrs. Faria’s teacup nearly slipped.
Then, another shimr.
Ellyn transford into a rabbitfolk girl—long, silky ears and the sa elegant figure. The unique part? Her skin remained smooth and bare of fur, just like before—only her ears and tail changed.
"Or maybe this~?" Another glow.
Now she was a graceful fox girl, her fiery tail flicking playfully behind her.
"Every form I take still keeps —just with a little extra charm," Ellyn winked, spinning in place.
Mrs. Faria couldn’t help but clap lightly. "You truly are sothing else, Princess. I see now why powerful n desire your skills—and perhaps... more than just the skills."
Ellyn stuck out her tongue. "Eww, gross. All those creepy nobles and bloated man can keep dreaming. Hmph!"
Then she fell back onto the bed, sighing happily.
"But Hazuki... he’s a dummy, but at least he’s not after my power. That’s... kinda nice."
"Faria?" Ellyn called out softly, still lying on her bed with her arms tucked behind her head.
"Yes, my lady?" Faria responded, setting down her teacup gently. Her tone was calm and respectful—as always—but laced with curiosity.
Ellyn stared up at the ceiling. "Do you think... we could go outside again soti soon?"
"For what reason?" Faria asked, tilting her head slightly.
Ellyn turned her gaze away. "No reason. It’s just... I’m kinda bored."
Faria’s lips curled into a teasing smile. "Bored? Or is it that you’re missing your fiancé?"
Ellyn flinched slightly, her cheeks puffing out in defense—but she didn’t say anything.
The silence hung in the air.
Faria chuckled softly. "So it’s true, huh?"
Ellyn rolled onto her side, hugging a pillow. "...I just want to see him again."
"Hmm, you made the sacred pinky promise with him in your child form," Faria said, rising from her seat and walking to the window. "He likely still thinks you’re just a little girl."
Ellyn sighed. "That’s his fault."
Faria glanced over her shoulder. "Perhaps. But when the ti cos... will you show him who you really are?"
Ellyn looked down at the pinky promise ring on her finger.
"...Maybe."
"You know, my lady," Faria said with a knowing smile, "you’ve already reached the marriageable age for royalty. Most princesses your age are already engaged—so even wed."
Ellyn hugged her pillow tighter. "Hmm... maybe. But I don’t think Uncle would want that... even if he knew my real age."
Faria tilted her head. "Oh? Why not?"
Ellyn’s Absolute Eye flickered faintly—partially activated, enough to reflect the truths she’d glimpsed before.
"...Because Uncle isn’t from this world. He cos from a place where marriage laws are stricter... especially regarding age." She turned her gaze downward. "To him... soone who looks like must seem like a kid. Even though I’m not."
Faria’s brows lifted slightly. "Now that’s interesting..."
Ellyn pouted, pressing her face into the pillow. "Rember back in Yumia town? When I told him he could sleep at our house...?"
Faria chuckled imdiately. "Oh, yes. I recall."
"He totally freaked out!" Ellyn sat up, mimicking Hazuki’s voice with a dramatic flail. "’Whaaat!? No way! Don’t say that! That sounds super dangerous! I’m not trying to get arrested in a fantasy world too!!’"
Faria burst into laughter.
Ellyn huffed. "He yelled about how it’d make him sound like so... um... ’dangerous man who likes kids.’ I think he said a word like ’ped—’ sothing."
"Pedo?" Faria asked delicately, raising an eyebrow.
"That’s the one!" Ellyn grumbled, crossing her arms. "He was so dramatic."
Faria gently covered her mouth as she laughed. "He’s quite... peculiar."
"Peculiar is one word," Ellyn muttered. "...But at least he’s not trying to use like the others."
Faria softened, watching the princess quietly for a mont. "You care about him, don’t you?"
Ellyn didn’t respond.
But her tail swayed slowly behind her.
( End of Chapter )
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