The Harvest Mouse Exits the Fairytale Together with Cinderella

Seraphina Bluewood
Not long after returning from the Bluewood estate, Seraphina had officially become Bluewood!

However, reclaiming her family name didn't bring any immediate changes.
After all, it was just a matter of documentation.
Still, Sera had now begun her formal studies as an heir to fully reclaim the family.

With the support of House Valkyrisen, she was steadily learning from the basics, catching up on everything she had never been taught.
After all, she had never received a proper education at Bluewood.
“Is this your schedule?”

But when Sera set her mind to something, she always saw it through.
Elodie’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when she saw the schedule Sera had written out.
She was only sleeping four hours a day.

And apart from sleep and meals, her time was filled with etiquette lessons and heir studies.
“Sera, you’re going to die at this rate!”
“Haha, are you worried about me?”

Worried? Of course she was!
Even if Sera were a complete stranger, Elodie would still stop her from living like this!
“I don’t have a choice. Compared to nobles who were educated at academies or under private tutors, I’m way behind.”

There were so many things she had to learn.
Sera shrugged as she spoke.
“I don’t even know how to dance or ride a horse.”

“……”
Elodie understood.
She knew exactly how Sera felt—wanting to make up for lost time, for the years stolen from her by others’ cruelty.
And if Elodie knew anything, it was that sleeping at least eight hours a night was non-negotiable.

If she didn’t get enough rest at this critical age, she’d regret it for the rest of her life!
In her past life, Sera had already been small and frail, always getting knocked around and struggling.
Now that she could finally eat well, she should also sleep well and grow strong.

Sera frowned at Elodie’s insistence but soon let out a soft chuckle and patted her head.
“Alright.”
No one gets full after just one bite.

Step by step, she would climb higher.
Elodie often visited Sera while she studied, sitting quietly beside her and reading a book.
Before long, Sera would lift Elodie onto her lap and stroke her hair, despite the uncomfortable position.

“It’s strange. The moment I hold you, all my exhaustion disappears, and I feel rejuvenated. My mind clears, and my heart feels at peace…”
She would whisper about how Elodie felt like some sort of miracle cure.
“Is this the power of the Ratson family? Just being near you is healing?”

Elodie wasn’t sure if Sera was being serious or if she was just hopelessly blinded by her own fondness.
She certainly looked serious…
‘Then again, considering Magic Cotton, it’s not entirely impossible…’

Hadn’t she already shown signs of strengthening those around her?
Of course, it wasn’t like she had the power to heal wounds or cure diseases.
But according to Sera, her presence boosted energy, enhanced focus, relieved stress, and reduced fatigue.

‘Well, I guess that’s something.’
It certainly sounded like an incredible study aid.
Wanting to support Sera as much as possible, Elodie made her way to the library.

And then—
‘Huh?’
For some reason, Sera and Edmund were sitting together.

‘What are they talking about… without me?’
Turning into a harvest mouse, Elodie stealthily crept closer.
Could it be… was there some romantic tension in the air?

“I’ve spent a night in Ratson territory before.”
“That’s a lie. How would that even be possible?”
“I had nowhere to sleep, so I passed out in the town square. When I woke up, I was surrounded by the townsfolk.”

“……”
“If I could have frozen that moment in time, I would have.”
“Ugh….”

Sera clenched her fists, trembling.
Was she… jealous?
Edmund, expressionless as ever but somehow looking victorious, lifted his pinky finger and continued.

“They worried about me spending the night in the cold and gave me a bowl this big filled with soup.”
“Must have been wonderful for you?”
“It was incredibly warm and cozy….”

“That’s enough.”
No romantic tension here.
And yet, Elodie couldn’t find a way to interrupt them.

She just… didn’t get it.
‘So he… was homeless for a night? And someone gave him soup?’
It sounded pitiful enough that even a passing harvest mouse might shed a tear.

‘And he’s bragging about this?’
And why was Sera even jealous about this?
So what if a random harvest mouse gave him soup?

Elodie turned back into a human and jumped into the conversation, puffing up her cheeks in displeasure.
“Soup? What’s so great about soup? I can get you all kinds of soup if you want!”
Then she clung to Sera, rubbing her face against her cheek as if demanding attention.

Suddenly, the entire mood shifted.
Sera, beaming like she owned the world, hugged Elodie tightly.
“Jealous? Me? No way. I only need Elodie, hmm? Sorry for getting distracted.”

“What? Am I cuter?”
“Obviously. There’s nothing in this world cuter than you.”
Edmund, watching the pair, silently pulled out a handful of sunflower seeds and held them out to Elodie.

Without thinking, she opened her mouth and ate one.
Nom.
Seeing her reaction, Edmund wordlessly continued feeding her.

Precise. Efficient. Methodical.
Nom. Nom. Nom.
Her cheeks began to puff to the extreme.

“Don’t feed her before a proper meal.”
Sera snatched the bag of seeds away from Edmund.
“In any case, your story is useless. I’ve never seen a mouse cuter than Elodie.”

“That is true.”
Edmund glanced at his now empty hand, sighed, and nodded.
It seemed that, despite his usual demeanor, he had a soft spot for small and cute things.

If a single night in Ratson territory had left such a deep impression on him…
‘So that’s why he keeps throwing sunflower seeds at mice…’
At least now she knew.

Still, that didn’t make it any less weird.
Then, suddenly, Edmund spoke with a serious expression.
“Lady Bluewood, I have a request.”

“Go on.”
“I may have some old notes from my childhood lessons. If I find them…”
“Yes?”

“Would you lend me Lady Ratson for half a day?”
“Not even for half a day.”
“……”

They were fighting over her.
Was this what people called “being surrounded by flowers”?
But no matter how beautiful or dazzling the new flower was, Elodie wouldn’t be swayed.

The scales had been tipped from the start.
“That’s how it is.”
Elodie patted the visibly disappointed Edmund in sympathy.

***
“Where are you going, little one?”
“Nothing.”

“There’s nothing that way.”
“Exactly. Nothing.”
Elodie ignored Howlf, who was trailing behind her, and stomped forward.

She was quickly picked up.
“Little one.”
“Ugh!”

Turning into a mouse, Elodie scurried away.
Did he really think he could catch her? She had fifteen years of experience in escaping!
But the thirty-year-old wolf caught her in one swift move.

“Squeak… (Let go….)”
“Woof. (You're heading toward the Serenity Palace, aren’t you?)”
For the record, beastfolk could understand each other, regardless of species.

Elodie, dangling from his grasp, grumbled.
“Squeak. (Yeah.)”