The Harvest Mouse Exits the Fairytale Together with Cinderella-Chapter 147

Those cornered had the look of people whose lives were over.

“Please, my lady—show us mercy...”

“Living out our lives as probationary servants? Please... be lenient...”

Elodie scoffed at the sight of the servants groveling on their knees, faces pressed to the floor.

First of all, she recognized them.

Just how viciously must they have tormented Sera for their faces to still be burned into her memory?

Second, it was clear they had always chosen their targets carefully.

Only those who couldn’t fight back.

Or those like Sera in her childhood—soft-hearted and meek.

That must be why they couldn’t accept the new power dynamic now.

If you're going to be rotten, at least be smart or perceptive about it.

Isn’t it obvious?

So much had changed.

This wasn’t someone they could beg into forgiveness. And this wasn’t the kind of situation where that would work, either.

Sigh. Guess I’ll have to step in.

They clearly weren’t understanding Sera’s polite explanations.

“Of course, right? You wormed your way into favor with the Countess, navigating her moods, and clawed your way up. Must be killing you to see it all come crashing down.”

Elodie had been standing beside Sera like a bodyguard and now stepped in, casually joining the conversation.

Her sudden agreement seemed to leave the servants stunned.

“And especially you—the head maid. You finally climbed to the top of the maids’ hierarchy, and now you have to start all over from the bottom? That’s rough.”

“E-Exactly...”

Yeah, they probably felt like everything they’d built was nothing more than a sandcastle.

Elodie nodded empathetically, continuing in a sympathetic tone.

“It’s the kind of shame that makes you think you’d rather just die.”

That wasn’t it at all.

“I mean, if someone told me to work under someone who used to torment Sera—or even just someone who opposed her—I’d probably say ‘just kill me now,’ too.”

“...”

“So what you’re saying is that you’re so loyal to the former Count and Countess that you’d rather face the law? Is that it?”

“...”

“God, if it weren’t for me, who else would understand your feelings without you even saying a word? I get it, really.”

She didn’t get it at all.

The ones who’d been clinging and begging were now visibly rattled by her words.

“I know a bit about the laws of the Bluewood estate. Let me think...”

Elodie closed her eyes and made a dramatic groaning sound, as if she were digging through her memory.

“The punishment for insulting a direct blood relative of the family varies depending on the severity... but if it’s abuse of the only heir...”

She paused, drawing out the moment.

“...Life imprisonment? Hmm. No, that’s not it.”

Elodie tilted her head thoughtfully. “There’s no precedent for this, but...”

Just as the servants began to fidget anxiously from the tension, she opened her eyes wide and chirped brightly,

“It’d be immediate execution, obviously!”

“H-How would you even...”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“Come on, even you could figure that out with a bit of reading.”

“...”

“So, who wants to be the first to show their resolve?”

Elodie reached into her clothes and pulled out a hammer.

She swung it experimentally at the wall—smashing through it with ease—then said calmly,

“I’ll make it painless.”

As expected, the result was entirely predictable.

Not a single one of them chose trial. Every last one accepted demotion to probationary status at the Bluewood estate.

Even the head maid.

Even Alfred, the head butler.

“Alfred, is this what you’ve been calling chopped firewood? With hands like yours, I don’t even know what you’re good for. Should I have you pull weeds instead?”

“...”

“What’s with that look? You do want to pull out all the weeds on the back hill by yourself, don’t you?”

“N-No, ma’am.”

They were reaping every seed of resentment they had sown in the past.

***

The matter was settled.

Emperor Leo III of Animallia chose to remain in the Holy Nation for a short while after everything had concluded.

Before, Elodie hadn’t really paid much attention to him.

But now, she kept glancing at the emperor with a vaguely bitter expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“Mm... nothing. He just reminds me of someone.”

“Ah, the 64th prince, you mean?” 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The 64th... prince?

Was ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) that even a real number?

“He ran off to Valkyrisen and gave himself the ridiculous name Leopard, apparently.”

Leo III gave a small, wry smile as he said it.

“So he really is your son?”

She’d been feeling an aversion since earlier because of how much they looked alike.

That man was actually his biological son?

And a lion, no less—an imperial prince—who renamed himself Leopard?

Elodie stared at the emperor, her eyes heavy with judgment.

“How many princes do you even have?”

“Regrettably, not quite a hundred.”

“Hm.”

How many wives did that imply?

She didn’t dare ask.

Leopard had once proudly declared himself the alpha male of the lion lineage.

Which meant, out of nearly a hundred princes, he genuinely believed he was the strongest.

What incredible confidence.

I think I’m starting to understand how a lion beastfolk became emperor.

It probably wasn’t just symbolism, like the lion being the king of beasts.

He must’ve married into half the noble houses on the continent.

Of course, that alone wouldn’t be enough to seize the throne.

He was likely born with extraordinary strength and abilities too.

Still, knowing Leopard was his son made it hard not to jump to conclusions.

Remembering all those kids' names must be a full-time job.

Elodie’s face grew increasingly sour.

That’s when the emperor suddenly spoke—not to her, but to the Ratson High Priest, who was seated in a special harvest mouse-sized chair in front of Elodie.

“So, Your Holiness... have you considered taking in a son-in-law?”

“Hah. Get lost.”

Maximilian flatly rejected the emperor with a royal-level dismissal.

Leo III, expecting a reaction like that, wasn’t particularly offended—even when it came in the form of outright profanity.

Still, he pressed on, a bit too persistently.

“Come now. My grandson is about the same age, isn’t he? I gave up early on because I heard there was already a young lord chasing after her, but it turns out that was just some clever scheme...”

“And now you’re scheming, Your Majesty.”

“She’s ten now. It’s time to start thinking ahead, don’t you think?”

“I have no intention whatsoever.”

“You’re making that decision without even seeing him? He takes after me—quite the handsome fellow. As the Crown Prince’s eldest son, he’s bound to become emperor one day—”

Dear god. Did he really just say that?

If he became emperor, he'd probably marry so many women he’d lose count—and father nearly a hundred children.

Elodie cringed and hid behind Maximilian.

Not that her tiny frame did anything to conceal her.

“I’d rather die before I approve!”

She might’ve been the size of a thumb, but she was fierce.

With that single firm declaration, even the lion tucked his tail between his legs.

“No need to react that harshly.”

“My daughter is to become the next High Priestess.”

“She can be both High Priestess and Empress!”

“...”

“Alright, alright. No need to look at me like that.”

That look clearly meant: Go die in a ditch.

In any case, the emperor left the Holy Nation after a short stay.

He took with him some of the spies from House Mouseton, which had been his main reason for coming in the first place.

Apparently, he intended to cross-examine them with the former Count of Bluewood for testimony.

Not that it really mattered. They’d already uncovered everything they needed.

Well—he wasn’t a Count anymore. Elodie figured they should just call him Graham from now on.

She thought the name was far too dignified for him.

In any case, the emperor left...

And with the spies taken care of, the reconstruction of the Holy Nation—briefly stalled—was back on track.

But Elodie had no time to focus on that.

Why hasn’t Karon sent word yet?

She’d sent him off to distract Nyx for a while, but he hadn’t returned or made contact.

He did say it might take a while, but...

It was taking way too long.