Among the long-established families of the kingdom, some harbored an abundance of deep secrets. Count Leonard was no exception.

The Count had only one daughter, and people naturally assumed she would become the next heir. However, that changed when rumors started circulating about the Count’s plan to adopt a distant relative.

The rumors eventually reached the ears of the protagonist herself – Lena Leonard. Without delay, she burst into her father’s study.

“Father, is it true you plan to adopt that dimwit Rio?”

Count Leonard sighed when he saw his daughter screaming as soon as she opened the door.

“Lena, don’t call him like that. First, calm down and take a seat.”

“I can’t calm down! How can you adopt someone while I’m here?”

Letting out a heavy sigh, Count Leonard rose from his seat. When his eyes met Lena’s, she flinched back.

No matter how much Lena was in her prime, facing the straightforward forcefulness of the leader was impossible. Lena silently closed the door and stood upright before her father.

“Lena Leonard.”

“Yes…”

“What are the conditions to inherit the lineage?”

Becoming Leonard’s successor held two meanings. Inheriting the Count’s title and estates as a human, and also…

“For one with Leonard’s blood to wield the Lion’s pride… they must have a companion.”

It meant becoming the leader of the Lion clan. While some held the Leonard surname and some did not, they were all shapeshifters of the same clan.

The Count heaved another deep sigh at Lena’s response. At present, only two werelions were in their prime to succeed as heir – Lena and Rio.

“But I’ve tried my best. What else can I do when no family is willing to give their son as a son-in-law?”

Both were still unmarried, so neither could officially become the heir. However, Rio already had a fiancée, which put him significantly ahead of Lena, who hadn’t received a single love letter.

“Adopting Rio is for your sake.”

“How is that for my sake?”

Lena understood her father’s words but couldn’t believe it was for her sake. She felt a sense of betrayal – perhaps the Count had wanted to make Rio his successor all along.

“If you give up your position as heiress, marriage proposals will come like a tidal wave.”

“Father!”

Ages ago, humankind expanded dramatically, spreading destruction across vast forests, and the homeless beastfolk had to divide into two factions. Count Leonard’s great-grandfather chose to suppress his instincts and live in the human world.

But the beastfolk could never be fully human, and their scarce numbers made finding a mate difficult. Consequently, prime males sought female companions to strengthen their clans, not the lioness assuming the leader role.

“I don’t want my daughter to grow old and die without a companion.”

Despite his stern tone, Count Leonard’s eyes looking at Lena were those of a caring father. Lena’s mother, a deer shapeshifter, was frail and passed away when Lena was very young. The Count wished for Lena, the sole remainder of the woman he loved, to find happiness with a companion even if she had to give up her birthright.

Hearing her father’s sincerity, Lena could not remain stubborn. But she had consistently strived to become the next count and leader. To lead Leonard’s name on par with human noble families, she studied tirelessly while discreetly honing her physique. As shapeshifters were half-beast, none would follow a leader weaker than themselves. She couldn’t simply abandon all her previous drive and toil.

It took a while before Lena spoke again.

“Please give me… a chance. Because some shapeshifters don’t reveal themselves, I will look for a companion myself. Just one month.”

“…This week. Only until the end of this week..”

“This week is too short…”

Count Leonard narrowed his eyes. Neither a week nor a month was a long time to find a companion. It was easy to guess why Lena insisted on one month.

“If you plan to go to the Spirit Forest, I won’t allow it. If you can’t persuade anyone within this week, give up.”

Caught in her ruse, Lena bit her lip. All the shapeshifter clans that chose not to live in the human world had migrated to the Spirit Forest. Reaching there required ten days of traveling. Though she’d never visited, she’d heard numerous shapeshifters resided there.

But to find a companion there, she must follow the rules of the beast – constant duels until all competitors retreat. It was natural for Count Leonard not to send his daughter to such a dangerous place.

“I understand….”

If she persisted further, she wouldn’t even get the short week reprieve. With slumped shoulders, Lena left her father’s study.

“My lady.”

The one who called out to Lena was the butler, Colon. The middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed mustache was a dove shapeshifter who had been part of the household before Lena was born.

“It’s a decision that your father pondered for a long time.”

“I know… why am I a daughter?”

Lena responded gloomily. Thinking calmly, with the education that her father had provided so far, it was clear that he saw her as the successor. If only she had a husband…

To become the leader, she needed a husband, and to have a husband, she had to give up becoming the leader. Where else could such a solution be found?

“Please don’t say such things. You have no idea how delighted the Countess was when you were born as a lioness.”

Just like how Count Leonard, a lion shapeshifter, married a deer shapeshifter, it was rare for companions to be of the same species. Rather than intentionally avoiding the same species, the limited interaction between shapeshifters and avoiding close relatives led to cross-species marriages becoming commonplace.

The second generation typically inherited the species of one parent, with a few exceptional cases inheriting hybrid traits. After several generations in a diverse shapeshifter environment, hybridization became inevitable.

However, certain species were predetermined to become clan leaders, as in Leonard’s case. Count Leonard’s frail wife was overjoyed that her first child was a lioness. Unfortunately, she passed away before her daughter could freely roam the savanna.

“Wouldn’t she have been even more delighted if I was born with a mane…?”

At Lena’s feeble rebuttal, Colon’s eyebrows arched down. Although she was born with the strength to devour a dove in a single bite, what stood before him now was not a mighty lioness but a young and petite lady.

Becoming the clan leader as a female was no easy task. To compensate for her physical shortcomings, she had to excel in other abilities. Furthermore, Leonard belonged to a prestigious noble lineage. Being publicly recognized as the heir meant one lacked nothing by human standards.

How much he wished she was a son. Before Colon could find comforting words, Lena suddenly lifted both hands and slapped her cheeks.

“There is no time for idle thoughts. Please prepare a carriage!”

“As you command.”

Lena rushed energetically to her room to prepare for the outing. Seeing Lena quickly regain her spirit, Colon smiled warmly. That was so characteristic of Lena, but he wasn’t sure if that good mood could last after the outing. He could only hope that Lena would overcome it.

Back in her room, Lena chose a dress somewhat different from her usual attire – A pink dress that she had never worn, tucked away in the wardrobe. The dress boasted extravagant frills, a style that Lena despised.

Hearing the rustling noises of changing clothes, Emily entered the room.

“Emily, I need you to do my hair!”

“What’s the occasion? You barely even wash your face.”

Emily’s eyes widened in surprise at Lena’s request. Lena had saved her as a stray white mouse roaming unrestrained in youth, and Emily had faithfully served her ever since. With such exceptional loyalty, Emily was more like a confiding friend.

“When was I ever… that bad….”

Emily burst into laughter at Lena’s sulking. What had gotten into the lady whom she usually chased around with a hairbrush? Nevertheless, Emily skillfully curled and styled Lena’s hair, which was often tightly tied up, and added some makeup.

Looking at her oddly unfamiliar self in the mirror, Lena felt somewhat awkward.

“How do I look?”

“Lovely! Whoever did this must have great skills.”

Objectively speaking, the guise Lena had donned looked stunning. Her platinum hair and vibrant golden eyes. With her round features and full lips, she cut a sweetly pretty picture. Even the bright pink hue flattered her well. Emily had always felt displeased that Lena wore plain clothes daily, saying comfort was paramount.

“But where are you going? A date?”

“No, hunting!”

Lena left the room, leaving the mouse Emily speechless.

With a week to find a mate, there was no time for leisurely dating. This was a hunt. A duel for dominance, and she alone!

“I can do it!”

The thunderous roar echoing through the corridor made the sparrows perched on the tree branches scattered into the sky. With brisk strides unbefitting her dress, Lena headed to the carriage parked at the entrance.

Lena’s search for a companion began by visiting nearby noble families. The first was the leopard clan Pardus. Their third son, Varick, was Lena’s best friend.

“Are you crazy?”

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