The Harvest Mouse Exits the Fairytale Together with Cinderella-Chapter 81

Elodie’s eyes widened.

She hadn’t expected him to say it outright himself.

"If the poison itself isn’t weakened, none of this matters. I have to become strong enough to endure it. That’s the only way I’ll survive. If I just keep holding on, and then it mutates into something even stronger, I could die instantly."

"..."

"So, stop."

Elodie exhaled a long breath before releasing the protective barrier that had been shielding him from the poison.

The moment she did, Karon’s face twisted in pain.

But there was nothing more she could do for him.

She stood up, pulling out the basin and washcloth she had prepared in advance.

As she wiped the sweat from his brow, struggling slightly with the effort, she spoke softly.

"You know... Karon, I understand that you’re pushing me away because it’s hard for you."

"..."

But Ratson blood can weaken poison.

It can even create a body capable of withstanding thousands of different poisons without harm.

It can even bring dead plants back to life.

"So... won’t you just trust me and wait?"

Instead of pushing her away all the time.

But Karon, who was always drowning in new waves of excruciating pain, couldn’t respond.

Even though he had heard everything she said.

***

Karon’s eyes snapped open.

"..."

He jolted upright.

Something cool and damp slid from his forehead and landed softly on the bedsheets.

He stared down at the wet washcloth, still soaked with moisture, leaving a damp spot where it fell.

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Traces of someone’s care.

Not the cold, lifeless remnants of a corpse, but the warmth of a living person.

Karon picked up the washcloth and slowly stood.

His body still carried traces of poison, yet something felt... different.

Was this what it meant to feel light?

Instead of feeling like he might collapse at any moment, it felt as if he had fought off an illness and was standing on his own two feet again.

Even though his condition ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) only worsened by the day.

"Did I already develop resistance?"

The pain had subsided far too quickly.

Logically, he had suffered enough to feel like he had died and come back to life.

And yet, looking back, this poison didn’t feel painful at all.

That was the impression it left.

He slowly lowered his gaze and examined his skin.

The dark poison that had once stained his body had completely vanished—a sign that his body had adapted once more.

Turning his arm, he noted a faint yellowish tint to his pale skin.

He looked away.

Sunlight streamed through the window.

Even without birdsong, it was clear that morning had arrived—because someone had fully drawn back the blackout curtains.

Karon slowly walked toward the window.

Tracing the remnants of someone else’s presence.

He brushed aside the curtain and peered outside.

And there, in the garden—

"Ah."

Small, red flowers had quietly bloomed.

Planted in the dead of night.

Left behind by Elodie.

When Elodie woke up that morning, she found herself locking eyes with a black snake.

...What?

A strange sense of déjà vu washed over her.

Hadn’t something like this happened before?

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But this time, the snake didn’t startle or attempt to flee.

It simply sat there on the windowsill, staring at her.

Did it climb up the wall?

Hadn’t he been writhing in pain just a few hours ago? When did he even get up?

It felt like he had slithered here the moment she opened her eyes.

Elodie slowly edged closer.

The snake remained still.

Does he think I won’t recognize him?

Well, most people wouldn’t.

Even if they knew Karon suffered from periodic bouts of agony due to his poison, no one would immediately assume he was a Black Mamba beastfolk.

There were plenty of venomous creatures—frogs, spiders, even monkeys.

Besides, as the third prince of Valkyrisen, people would never expect him to be beastfolk in the first place.

Elodie decided to play along.

"You’re the snake from before, aren’t you?"

She cautiously extended a hand toward him.

Karon flicked his tongue and studied her hand before slowly slithering onto it.

...Gasp!

Elodie froze in place, screaming internally.

Not in fear—but in exhilaration.

He finally opened up!

She had only ever known people who showered her with unconditional affection and interest just because she was of Ratson blood.

But this one had taken so much effort.

It was impossible not to be touched by the moment.

If he realizes I know it’s him, he’ll probably shake me off and bolt.

Just like last time.

Despite being a snake, he would somehow manage to leap and disappear in an instant.

Elodie decided to feign ignorance.

Which was fine.

Because she was still just five years old—no one would find it suspicious if she didn’t put the pieces together.

...But why don’t I feel uneasy at all?

A snake was winding up her arm, and yet she didn’t feel the slightest bit of discomfort.

Shouldn’t she have at least shuddered?

Shouldn’t her skin have crawled at the sensation?

Especially since they were natural enemies.

But strangely, it wasn’t bad.

No, actually...

It was kind of nice.

She had always imagined snakes would be cold, slimy, and unsettling.

But instead, he was smooth, soft, and even a little squishy.

She had noticed it before, when she picked him up last time.

But now, she was sure.

She had finally freed herself from any useless fear.

...That was, until she remembered Butler Dogren.

And the one she had never seen but whose name had been forever burned into her memory—Butler Catlix.

Her hair stood on end.

Okay. So I’m not fearless.

It was just Karon.

For some reason, he was fine.

Elodie hesitated, then reached out and tapped the black snake’s head with her fingertip.

This time, he didn’t flinch in shock or recoil in alarm.

Instead, his glassy, jewel-like eyes gleamed as he accepted her touch.

And then...

He moved first.

Lowering his head, he rubbed it against her palm.

"...!"

Shock.

Was he serious?

Did he think she wouldn’t realize?

Because this had to be his real feelings.

She hadn’t expected much when she planted the flowers in his garden.

She knew she couldn’t fully heal him yet.

She just wanted him to at least find some comfort in seeing them.

But had it really made him this happy?

Why is this adorable?!

As a snake, his eyes were perfectly round, making him look like a stuffed animal.

His red pupils weren’t eerie at all—more like strawberry jam melted in sugar.

If he were just a snake, she might have even wanted to keep him as a pet.

...But she couldn’t keep beastfolk.

Because he was a person.

Get it together. He’s a person.

Elodie struggled with the disconnect between Karon the human and Karon the snake.

She cleared her throat and quickly said,

"So? You get it now? That I’m really strong?"

She had to cover her tracks before he realized she had recognized him.

"Remember when I healed your tail before?"

See? She could endure his poison just fine.

And someday, she would get rid of it entirely.

So wouldn’t he just trust her already?

The black snake simply stared at her.

Not confirming, not denying.

Of course, since he was pretending to be a snake, he couldn’t exactly answer.

But at least—

At least he didn’t throw something at her or run away this time.

There was still hesitation in his gaze, still wariness.

But—

There’s plenty of time to fix that.

Elodie giggled and tapped his nose.

This time, he flicked his tongue rapidly in surprise.

...Cute.

Yes.

Elodie decided she would just accept it.

He was cute.