Mirabelle searched her memories.

The oldest women of the territory.

It sounded intimidating.

Yet the memories that surfaced were simply of kind elderly ladies offering sweets and gentle smiles.

That... she could probably handle.

Their duty was to advise the Duchess.

"Their wisdom has guided every Duchess of Luchsenstein for generations."

"They are the only people permitted to openly challenge a Duchess’s decisions without committing treason."

Mirabelle raised an eyebrow.

"...Good to know."

The Duchess finally set her feather quill aside.

"Once both the military and the Council recognize you...

...I’ll officially pass the ducal signet ring into your care.

The duchy will become yours."

She paused.

"A festival will be declared throughout Luchsenstein."

Mirabelle smiled:

"That actually sounds nice."

"You won’t be attending."

The smile vanished again.

"What?"

"The people will celebrate. You’ll go into the forest."

Mirabelle blinked.

"Alone?"

"With your mates nearby.

But the final steps...

...you’ll take by yourself."

The Duchess’s voice grew quieter. More mysterious.

"Deep within our territory lies the Territory Core."

Mirabelle’s ears perked up immediately.

She had never heard of it.

Not from her own memories.

Not from the original Mirabelle’s.

"It has watched over Luchsenstein since before our bloodline ruled these lands.

You’ll place your hand upon it. You’ll offer your blood before the spirits of the land.

If the land accepts you...

...it will recognize you as its Duchess."

For a long moment, the study fell silent.

Even Pebbles stopped floating.

Mirabelle glanced at him.

For once, the little spirit simply raised both tentacles defensively:

"I have no influence over this. It’s entirely on you."

What?

It could influence the Beast Goddess’s approval...

...but not the Territory Core’s?

Mirabelle swallowed.

"And if it doesn’t?"

Her mother looked directly into her eyes.

"Then no ceremony and no signet ring will ever truly make you its ruler."

A black hole seemed to open inside Mirabelle’s stomach. It began pulling everything into itself.

The feeling of impending disaster.

Of something completely beyond her control.

Not only did her body get pulled into that void. Even her mind — normally so clear and composed — was suddenly filled with uncertainty.

Her mother reached across the desk and gently took her hand.

The warmth of her touch became an anchor, keeping Mirabelle from disappearing into that darkness.

"I’m here."

The Duchess gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"You won’t have to face this alone. And then there’s your grandmother. Your mates.

...and everyone else. We all want this to succeed." She smiled softly. "Just take it one step at a time."

The lynx female nodded.

She didn’t know this kind of maternal warmth.

Yet somehow... It healed something inside her she hadn’t even realized had been broken.

Suddenly, the Duchess’s ears perked up.

"Oh.

I almost forgot. I have something for you."

She opened one of the desk drawers.

The octopus mascot immediately floated closer, curiosity practically radiating from him.

Mirabelle noticed.

’Aha... So the system isn’t actually omniscient.

...Reassuring. And somehow even more terrifying.’

Her mother pulled a sealed envelope from the drawer and handed it to Mirabelle. It felt surprisingly heavy in her hand.

Fascinated, she studied the elegant seal, behind which dried lavender blossoms had been carefully fastened.

It was from Elowen.

A faint scent of orange and lavender rose from the letter.

Curiosity washed away every other emotion inside her.

"I still have quite a bit of planning to do." The Duchess returned to her documents. "You may go and read it."

Mirabelle beamed at her mother.

"Okay."

With that, she left the study.

Pebbles floated after her, barely a single tentacle’s length behind.

The cool air of the corridor soothed her frayed nerves. Mirabelle took a long, deep breath.

Mirabelle settled onto a cushioned bench tucked into one of the bay windows lining the castle’s long corridors and unfolded the letter.

The parchment crackled softly beneath her fingers.

Pebbles floated down onto her head, spreading all of his tentacles wide as he leaned over to peek at the letter with her.

She barely felt his weight. Only the occasional tickle around her ears reminded her he was there.

Dear Mirabelle,

First of all...

I MISS YOU.

No, seriously. Who gave you permission to become a responsible future Duchess while leaving me behind with all these chaotic females? I did not approve this arrangement.

Now sit down, because I have gossip.

Lots of gossip.

First: I finally chose a mate!

His name is Brutus.

Yes.

Brutus.

I know what you’re thinking.

That sounds like someone who solves problems by headbutting them.

You would be correct.

He’s a rhinoceros Beastman.

The first time I saw him, I genuinely wondered if mountains could walk.

He’s enormous.

Broad shoulders, an even broader chest, and arms that look like tree trunks.

He’s terrifying.

Well...

To everyone except me.

Mirabelle...

I’ve never seen anyone switch personalities that quickly.

Around everyone else he’s all growling, glaring, and looking like he could start a war simply because someone breathed too loudly.

Then I walk into the room...

...and suddenly he’s carrying me because I "might get tired."

He opens doors.

Moves chairs.

Makes sure I eat.

Yesterday I casually mentioned that my feet were cold.

The next thing I knew, he’d somehow acquired an entire fur blanket that was apparently "warmer."

I have absolutely no idea where it came from.

I’m beginning to suspect he simply punches reality until it gives him what he wants.

Anyway.

I adore him.

He’s ridiculously sweet.

Please don’t tell him I said that.

His ego is already large enough.

Mirabelle couldn’t help but look up from the letter.

For a long moment, she simply stared out through the tall castle windows.

Somewhere outside, birds called to one another across the inner courtyard.

A gentle breeze drifted through the corridor, carrying the scent of fresh bread from the kitchens and making the dried lavender blossoms attached to the letter rustle softly against the parchment.

In her mind...

A picture formed.

Petite Elowen.

Standing beside Brutus, who was nearly twice her size.

Standing beside what sounded less like a Beastman and more like a moving fortress.

Mirabelle tried to imagine the cheerful bunny female next to a rhinoceros the size of a siege engine.

...

How?

How were those two even physically compatible?

She snorted quietly to herself.

Then she pictured Brutus silently carrying Elowen around because she might get tired.

...

Actually.

She could see it.

Completely.

Apparently giant, terrifying Beast males all shared one universal weakness.

Now!

Lysandra.

Mirabelle turned the page, the parchment crackling softly between her fingers.

Her smile faded. Lysandra.

She is absolutely unbearable. She keeps talking about her jaguar.

Every.

Single.

Day.

Apparently they’re already making plans to travel together after everything settles down.

She wants to visit Zasar...

...and Bregenz.

Honestly, I think she’s mostly excited because she gets to show off her handsome mate in every territory they visit.

Oh!

She also insists she doesn’t miss her brother at all. Not even a little.

Absolutely not.

Then she immediately asked me to ask you whether he’s behaving himself.

Totally unrelated, of course.

So...

She had probably known.

Or at least suspected.

Mirabelle stared absentmindedly at the elegant handwriting while her thumb traced the edge of the paper.

Would Lysandra have tried to set her up with her own brother?

...

Honestly?

Probably.

And strangely enough...

Mirabelle couldn’t even be angry about it.

If she had a brother she genuinely believed was a good man... Wouldn’t she want one of her friends to marry him?

She sighed.

"...I’m still going to lecture her."

Just a little.

Actually... Quite a lot.

As she continued reading, the sounds of the castle slowly faded into the background.

Nymeria still hasn’t chosen anyone.

We’re all convinced Queen Asena is going to corner her during the Royal Hunting Party and ask why she still hasn’t taken a mate.

Honestly?

I’d pay money to watch that conversation.

Mirabelle’s ears drooped slightly.

She understood Nymeria completely.

Only a few days ago, she herself would’ve run from every Beast male who came anywhere near her.

But things were different now.

Pebbles’ words echoed in the back of her mind. Assassination probability. Survival rate...

She frowned.

Perhaps angering a queen wasn’t the smartest strategy...

At least not until one had enough terrifying Beast husbands to make everyone reconsider their life choices.

Hopefully Nymeria would survive the Royal Hunting Party without accidentally declaring war on the monarchy.

Speaking of the Royal Hunting Party...

I CAN’T WAIT!!

We’re finally all going to be together again!

I miss everyone so much.

Even you.

Although you’re probably too busy becoming important now.

Now for the biggest surprise.

Caelia chose...

TWO mates.

Yes.

Two.

A crocodile Beastman named Xer...

...and a flamingo Beastman named Cyril.

Who somehow despise each other.

I witnessed them arguing yesterday.

Xer stood there with his arms crossed, looking like he was about to drag Cyril into a swamp.

Meanwhile Cyril kept fluffing his feathers, insisting that "standing properly" required elegance.

Xer called him a decorative bird.

Cyril responded by saying at least he didn’t look like "a grumpy log with teeth."