Chapter 66

"Is something wrong, Cordelia?"

Leonhardt, looking worried, furrowed his brows. On top of his golden hair, two small, round ears covered in soft fur sprouted.

"There are ears on Your Highness's head, just like when you are in your lion form..."

"What?!"

As Leonhardt was surprised, the two animal ears twitched in response to his movements. Cordelia tentatively reached out her hand towards Leonhardt's head.

"Your Highness, please forgive me."

She gently touched the ears with her fingertips.

"They are soft and warm. What on earth is this..."

The fluffy animal ears felt good to touch, but the problem was their location. If Leonhardt walked around the palace with these ears, he would undoubtedly be stopped. While it was rare to see them in Liorbern, there were countries on the continent where people with animal features lived. Leonhardt, with his current animal ears, looked exactly like the beastmen described in stories.

"Can you retract these ears?"

"…How am I supposed to retract them, exactly?"

"……"

"……"

Both of them fell silent. Unlike a cat's claws, humans don't have the ability to retract and extend ears. Leonhardt's ears drooped in frustration.

(Ah, they're kind of cute...)

Despite the situation, Cordelia couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart. The adorable animal ears on the head of the regal Leonhardt were an unexpected combination that made her heart race.

"…Ah, maybe if you transform into a lion cub first and then back into a human, you might return to normal?"

"That's a good idea. Let's try it."

Leonhardt nodded, but there was no sign of him transforming into a lion cub.

"…It's not working. I'm trying to do it as usual, but I can't transform into a lion cub."

"…That's terrible…"

This might be a serious problem. Leonhardt and Cordelia looked at each other, and Cordelia groaned.

"Your Highness, what should we do? Maybe if we sleep overnight, you'll return to normal..."

"I'm not sleep-deprived, so I'm not sure. It's possible that with time, everything will return to normal..."

"…Could it be because I used the holy sword to produce flames?"

"That's the only thing that makes sense, given the timing."

Cordelia was overwhelmed with regret.

With the animal ears, it would be impossible to carry out his duties properly. He might even be identified as a beastman and not allowed into the palace at all.

As she was at a loss, Leonhardt gently patted her head.

"Cordelia, don't blame yourself. I asked you to use the holy sword. These ears are due to my carelessness."

"But..."

"It's okay to not be so pessimistic. Fortunately, my father knows about my ancestral traits. For a while, I can tell others that my hair was singed and wear a hat to cover it up."

"…Yes."

Cordelia nodded awkwardly. Regardless of the cause, the first step was to deal with the situation and find a solution.

(Your Highness is so resilient and steady, even in such a situation...)

His brightness and strength surely brought Cordelia a great deal of comfort. She needed to be strong to avoid causing Leonhardt more trouble.

"Shall we go back to the palace and explain the situation to His Majesty for now?"

"Yes, let's do that. I came here in my lion cub form. Could you lend me a carriage?"

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After seeing Leonhardt off in the carriage, Cordelia headed to the study. Leonhardt would likely not be able to move freely for a while.

To find a solution and check on him, Cordelia needed to go to the palace. She processed as many documents as possible and gave instructions to the servants to ensure the estate would be fine while she was away. As she was busy, a maid burst into the study, looking flustered.

"Cordelia, it's terrible! Prince Leonhardt has disappeared from the carriage!"

"What?!"

Cordelia couldn't help but exclaim at Hanna's cry.

"His Majesty's carriage arrived, and when the door was opened, there was no sign of the Prince?"

"Yes! Instead, a cat-like creature jumped out of the carriage from somewhere."

"That cat..."

is the Prince, Cordelia couldn't bring herself to say.

(Darn it. If he can't freely transform into a lion cub from human form, he might have turned into a lion cub involuntarily...)

It was too late to regret it. Cordelia desperately tried to think of a way to handle the situation smoothly. If Leonhardt had returned to human form, he could handle it himself, but the problem was if he couldn't transform back from the lion cub form.

The lion cub Leonhardt loved the "scent" Cordelia had, just like a cat pounces on catnip. He would surely come to Cordelia.

(Then I should stay at the estate to avoid missing him)

With a plan in mind, Cordelia stood up from her chair. She calmed the flustered servants with plausible excuses. As she was busy, a rough cry echoed from the entrance.

"AAAAAAH?!"

"What's happening now?"

As she hurried down the corridor, a familiar voice—more like a growl—reached her ears.

"RAAAH!"

"What are you doing, are you going to attack?"

In the entrance hall, a person and a creature faced each other. A lion cub in a threatening stance and a young man she had met at the palace, Bernald Gramwell, the kingdom of Eltoria's resident military officer.

(What? Why is Bernald here? What is this chaotic situation?)

While screaming in her mind, Cordelia turned to the lion cub.

"Den… No, Leo. Don't be so angry, come here, please."

"…Gyau?"

Leo—Leonhardt—twitched his body. The moment he tilted his head and his green eyes met Cordelia's, he dashed over.

"Meow!"

"Leo, are you okay—huh?!"

The moment his paw touched Cordelia, the lion cub's body was enveloped in light and transformed into a human. Leonhardt, with his hand on Cordelia's shoulder, looked quite surprised.

"…It's been a while, Cordelia…"

"…Your Highness, are you okay…?"

Not knowing how to move or speak, Cordelia froze.

"…What is going on here…?"

Bernald, as if speaking for everyone's confused hearts, muttered.