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Chapter 3
“Hmm? Why are you sitting in front of the door?”
It was Redmond’s pathetic aide, Allen.
“Ah!”
Allen let out a small exclamation as though he had realized something.
“You must want to run away after recognizing His Grace’s cruelty, right? Sorry. If I try to save you, I’ll be the one to die. Still, no matter how cruel he is, surely he wouldn’t go that far with a cute kitten.”
I glanced at the door behind him but turned away. As sloppy as Allen looked for a duke’s aide, getting caught trying to sneak out could provoke the cruel duke.
I’d just have to leave later—quietly.
“Still, have hope, kitty. You’re the first one to survive even after seeing His Grace’s blood. Normally, people die before that happens, but, well…”
I decided to pretend I hadn’t heard Allen’s terrifying chatter. For someone so bumbling, there really was a reason he could stay as the duke’s aide—he said horrifying things so casually.
“Oh right, aren’t you hungry? I brought food and water.”
Food?
“Meow?”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t eaten all day, just ran around endlessly. My stomach even seemed to be growling. I glanced around and quickly followed Allen.
“Uh, kitty? That’s not really…”
When I hopped up on the tea table, Allen looked troubled. He didn’t seem pleased about a cat perching on the duke’s tea table to eat.
But what could I do? I was a lady, after all. I had dignity. No way was I eating off the floor.
When I stubbornly stared at him, Allen finally gave in.
“Well, since His Grace personally brought you here, I guess it’s fine. Besides, cats do like to climb everywhere.”
He rationalized it and set down a dish on the table.
Ugh!
The moment I saw what was inside, I leapt back and clutched my nose.
“Meow! Meow!”
The dish was filled with scraps of food all jumbled together. Just the sight of it made me want to vomit. I glared at Allen.
“You’re not eating?”
Don’t tell me you expect me to eat this garbage?
Even if all that came out was “meow,” I scolded him loudly to make my disgust clear.
What kind of person feeds table scraps to a cat? Is that how the Redmond dukedom treats its animals? Do they feed their horses like this, too?
Allen furrowed his brow and listened intently.
Of course not. They’d feed their horses the best hay. But the duke’s cat gets garbage? Does that make sense to you?
When I finished my angry meowing, Allen nodded thoughtfully.
“Oh, so you’re not hungry. Or maybe you’re just bored? That’s a shame, I have to go work now, so I can’t play with you. His Grace piles work like a mountain, you know.”
His grumbling sounded suspiciously like disguised complaints about the duke. In fact, I realized that whenever he opened his mouth, it was to badmouth Artipe.
No, I just wanted clean water and real food… sigh. What’s the point, you don’t understand me anyway.
As I sighed, Allen suddenly gasped.
“Oooh~ That sigh was so cute!”
I turned my head away, feeling more disgust than when I first saw the food scraps.
Then Allen gave me a bizarre smile and suddenly started petting me all over.
What do you think you’re doing?!
I scrambled belatedly, trying to push away his hands, but he persistently stroked me everywhere.
Take your hands off me right now!
“Wow, you really are prickly. My own cat’s the same, very aloof. I’ll introduce you someday. It’d be nice if you two became friends.”
Despite his casual tone, his hands moved with lightning speed, sneaking in pets whenever he found an opening.
“Heck, what if you two fall for each other? Ugh, I don’t want to be in-laws with His Grace.”
He babbled nonsense and gave me a creepy look.
“Still… if you had kittens together, they’d be adorable. The fur color’s so unique too, just like Lady Charlize’s hair.”
…!
At the mention of my name, my frantic struggling froze. Even in this wretched form, this bumbling aide had instantly recognized me.
“When I first saw Lady Charlize, I was shocked by how beautiful she was. Her face practically shone with light.”
Ahem, well, I do hear that often.
By now, I was used to compliments about my looks, but they never got old.
While I was distracted, Allen quickly stroked my fur again and again.
“Haa… anyway, I have to go. My evil employer keeps me working overtime every day.”
He whined to the very end before finally leaving and shutting the door.
Alright. Now I can finally head to the library…
But when I leapt off the tea table, my eyes fell again on the disgusting food scraps. My face twisted.
Maybe I should head to the kitchen first and steal some proper food.
* * *
It was past midnight when Artipe finally returned to the estate.
“You’re back, Your Grace.”
Allen trailed behind as Artipe strode straight toward the bedroom.
“Have you eaten?”
He asked in his usual flat tone. Even though it sounded like a careless throwaway line, Allen was overwhelmed with emotion.
His Grace… cares about my meals?!
He was still a little bitter about being thrown out of the carriage that morning. But with just those words, all his resentment melted away.
“I did, though simply. With all this work, I don’t know why I’m busier now than ever, even though you’ve returned.”
He grumbled happily, but Artipe’s next cold remark shattered his brief moment of joy.
“Not you. I meant Shasha.”
“Sha—Shasha? Who’s… oh! You mean the cat you picked up earlier?”
“Yes.”
Allen’s lips drooped in disappointment, but he dutifully replied.
“I left food, but she wouldn’t eat it, so I left it there.”
“If she lived on the streets, she should be hungry. Why wouldn’t she eat?”
“Maybe she’s just not hungry. Cats usually eat when they want if you leave food out. I’d know—I have a cat myself.”
Allen puffed up proudly, showing off in front of the novice cat owner.
Artipe didn’t respond. He thought briefly, then gave a short order.
“Summon a veterinarian tomorrow.”
When he entered the bedroom, he went straight to the bed instead of to his desk, unlike usual.
“Where’s Shasha?”
He moved with urgency, but the cat was nowhere in sight.
“What?”
“Shasha. Where is she?”
Allen peeked in at the bed. There were tufts of silver fur stuck to the sheets, but Shasha wasn’t there.
“Oh, uh… cats usually hide in places like… maybe under here.”
Flustered, Allen lifted pillows and looked under the bed.
“Shasha! Where are you?”
His voice was desperate, his back damp with cold sweat.
If she doesn’t show up soon, I’m a dead man!
While Allen was fighting for his life, Artipe relied on his finely honed senses as a Sword Master to locate her presence.
He moved quickly and found her by the window sofa.
Moonlight spilled through the glass, catching on her silver fur.
“Shasha.”
Even at his low call, Shasha remained curled up tightly, lost in dreams.
Her pink nose twitched with a soft purrr. Seeing it, Artipe unconsciously reached out. His fingers brushed her damp nose, and he startled himself by jerking back.
But Shasha didn’t stir.
He stared for a moment, then touched her nose again. Still no response.
This time, he pulled out the little paw tucked under her body and gently kneaded it.
“Meow…”
Annoyed in her sleep, Shasha whimpered and shifted slightly.
Without realizing it, Artipe smiled faintly.
“Your Grace! Maybe we should send people out to find Shasha—oh, she’s right here? You could’ve just said so…”
Allen stumbled forward, face pale.
“Be quiet.”
Artipe scolded without realizing he’d been the one pestering her, then gently lifted Shasha into his arms.
Such a small, thin cat fit so easily in both hands.
He thought to himself, I’m glad I walked by that street this morning.
But when he turned, his eyes fell on the tea table. His expression darkened instantly.
“What is this?”
Allen poked his head over his shoulder.
The food scraps he’d given Shasha earlier still sat there.
“That’s her food, of course! I gave her all the things cats like best.”
His eyes sparkled, waiting for praise.
“Are you telling me… you fed my cat a pile of food scraps mixed together?”
But praise never came.
