IPBW 10

Chapter 10

“On the day your blood runs thickest… you shall become nothing more than a beast.”

Back then, the Emperor had tried everything to break the curse that the first Duke had borne after slaying the Demon King. He had wanted to save his dearest friend.

But now—after generations had passed—the Emperor’s descendants were desperate not to save the Redmonds, but to destroy them.

“You don’t mean to tell me you won’t use the Crown Prince—who didn’t even attend his own father’s birthday banquet because of the missing Lady—do you?”

The Crown Prince’s love for Lady Charlize was no secret.

The aloof prince, who had never cared for women, had fallen for her at first sight and pursued her relentlessly until at last they were betrothed.

That knowledge had once shredded Artipe’s heart, which was why he had always turned his gaze away whenever she was mentioned.

But now—

“Find the Lady.”

Since the Crown Prince had failed to protect Charlize, Artipe could no longer turn away.

“And investigate whether the Rettel family carries any curses of their own.”

“Curses, in House Rettel…?”

The silver cat found on the bed the very day Lady Charlize vanished. The same day that Sasha appeared, a cat who could communicate with people.

It was possible.

“Sasha can communicate with humans.”

“W-what? Surely not…”

Allen’s pupils quivered violently.

No matter how careless he might appear, Allen was still the Duke of Redmond’s steward. And he was clever enough to understand at once what his master was implying.

“B-but that doesn’t make sense. Since coming to the capital, Lady Charlize has never gone more than a week without being seen.”

“And now she’s been missing for days.”

“Even so… it doesn’t add up. If this is the first time, how could she possibly…?”

Allen trailed off, uneasy.

He knew how hard Artipe had fought to keep his reason whenever the beast overtook him. He knew what had happened when Artipe had let down his guard, even once.

The memory alone made it impossible to believe that Lady Charlize and Sasha were one and the same.

“Yes… perhaps you’re right.”

At that, Artipe fell silent, sinking into thought. He said nothing more until their carriage reached the mansion.

“The Lady must be found first and foremost.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The carriage halted. Artipe gave his short order and strode directly to his chamber.

His head throbbed.

Charlize should have drunk holy water before transforming, so that she might hold on to her reason.

Of course, Sasha was a cat, not a wolf, so the same accident could never happen again.

Still…

“Haa…”

That wasn’t what mattered.

Charlize’s whereabouts—

That alone tore at his mind until he was on the verge of madness.

If only he had used her title as the Crown Prince’s betrothed as an excuse to station guards under the guise of attendants. If only he had thought ahead.

Neither House Rettel nor the Imperial family had been able to protect her. Unforgivable. Impossible.

Artipe opened the chamber door with a chest full of suffocating regret.

The darkness of the room peeled back under the light. The blankets on the bed stirred faintly.

“Meow~”

Sasha rubbed her eyes and greeted him with a drowsy chirp.

“I woke you. Go back to sleep.”

He longed to ask her outright—are you Charlize?—but he couldn’t.

If she truly was, she would never confess so easily.

After all, she had been exposed—transformed into a cat who could communicate—and yet had not revealed herself or asked for help.

That means she doesn’t trust me.

As he stroked her fur, Sasha pressed her face into his palm and drifted back to sleep.

Then I will make you trust me.

“Sha~sha~ the doctor’s here~!”

The veterinarian, Joffrey, had once again paid a visit to the Redmond estate.

Outwardly, it was for weekly health check-ups. But Sasha knew the truth.

It was all because of that accursed treat, the “Churup,” that she had rejected. He kept coming back, desperate to refine it until she approved.

‘She’s not sick, only far too thin. I’d like to examine her weekly. Of course, I won’t charge a thing.’

That sly suggestion he had whispered to Allen still lingered in her ears.

‘Sasha, next time I’ll bring a Churup you’ll love.’

If not for that, she might almost have believed his concern was genuine.

“Sasha, why won’t you eat it? Want to try this one? Different formula. Please, Sasha.”

Joffrey’s manic eyes sent a shiver down her spine, but she held her ground.

I’m a person, not a cat. I can’t eat cat treats.

“Still refusing?”

Allen entered the room.

“Yes… I’ll have to try completely new ingredients.”

“Our Minami adored them. Sasha just has an awfully fussy palate.”

Minami?

Sasha turned, startled by the rustic name, and her gaze collided with another cat’s golden eyes—this one nestled in Allen’s arms.

A fluffy, light-brown cat with gleaming amber eyes.

—Are you Minami?

“Meow~?”

Instead of replying, Minami leapt straight from Allen’s arms and bounded toward her.

“Minami?” Allen called, but the cat ignored him.

W-wait, what?

Up close, Minami was larger than she had expected. He bumped his nose against hers without hesitation.

And then—

Ack!

He rubbed his whole body against her, nearly knocking her over.

Her legs trembled as she fought to hold her ground, but his bulk won out. Before she knew it, his tongue rasped over her fur.

A-Allen! Get your cat!

“Minami!”

Before Sasha could fully recover, Joffrey’s startled cry rang out.

Minami whimpered, shedding fat tears. His paw—caught in Joffrey’s grasp—was streaked with red.

M-Minami…

Sasha froze, unable to approach as he cried in pain.

But Joffrey calmly disinfected and bandaged the wound.

“There, all done. You’ll be fine, won’t you, Minami?”

When it was over, Allen nearly threw himself forward in panic, but Minami turned away coldly, as if nothing had happened.

Soon after, Sasha felt his golden gaze settle back on her. Slowly, he approached again.

Her heart clenched.

No, don’t come closer. You got hurt because of me. Why aren’t you avoiding me?

But Minami only lowered his head gently and brushed his nose to hers once more.

This time, tenderly. Slowly.

Is this… your way of saying you understand? That you forgive me?

“Meow~”

It was as if he said yes.

Sasha’s chest warmed.

Thank you. And… I really am sorry.

“Looks like they’ve made up,” Joffrey said, smiling faintly.

Allen nodded with relief.

But even after reconciling, Minami stuck close to Sasha, pressing himself against her side.

Why are you glued to me? Do cats usually cling like this?

At her question, Minami suddenly bolted upright.

H-hey, I didn’t mean you should leave—wait, where are you going?

He bounded across the room and slipped through the special cat-door Artipe had installed just for her.

“Minami?! Where are you going?! Come back here!”

Allen’s desperate cry echoed behind.

But Sasha had already dashed after him.

I’ll bring him back!

“Not you, Sasha! Don’t you dare—!”

Allen’s shout faded as she chased Minami through the grand halls.

Minami, stop! If Artipe sees you—he’s so twisted, I can’t guarantee he won’t like another cat as much as me!

She had already reached the first-floor foyer when she froze.

There, standing before her—

…Brother?