IPBW 12🍎

Chapter 12

For some reason, even the strength of Arteph’s arms around me felt weaker than before.

—Y-you traitor!

He had pretended to be worried, but now he was shamelessly groping me, kissing me, stealing my innocence, and then planning to hand me over?

—Let go! I’m leaving this house. You’ll see, I’ll survive on my own without your help and turn back into a human, just wait and watch!

As I struggled to break free, Arteph’s crimson eyes turned toward me. The moment our gazes met, he sighed.

—What, not letting me go?

“Your Grace. Throughout history, the Redmonds have endured countless injustices at the hands of the Imperial family.”

At Arteph’s words, the hall erupted into murmurs.

Most of them were people from House Retel, who had come with Leandro. They were shocked—after all, Arteph had openly criticized the imperial family in a public setting.

And worse, I was still the crown prince’s fiancée. Their horror was only natural.

“Each time, the Redmonds endured. And this time will be no different.”

His firm gaze suddenly sharpened, and he continued,

“And the Redmonds… never abandon their family nor sacrifice them just because things are difficult.”

Leandro’s face hardened.

He knew, as I did, that Arteph’s words were aimed at the crown prince and the means he had used to secure our engagement.

—What a thing to say, stabbing right where it hurts…

The truth was, the engagement had been my decision.

Still, I worriedly glanced at Leandro. His face was twisted with rage, as though he would lunge at Arteph any second.

—Arteph, that was cruel.

This wasn’t about my family. The blame lay solely with the crown prince.

I smacked Arteph’s chest with my tiny paw-like fist.

“Your escort will see you out, just as before,” Arteph said flatly.

He carried me back into the bedchamber. The knight was gone; it was just the two of us.

“Honestly, I should be offended,” Arteph muttered, lowering me onto the bed—though he didn’t look offended at all.

—What are you talking about? I’m the one hurt here. How could you dig into such a raw wound like that?

Father and even Leandro had begged me not to accept the engagement with the crown prince.

I pouted and turned my head away. Arteph gave a short laugh.

“Why are you angry? If anyone should be, it’s me.”

I ignored him and sat with my back to him.

“You actually thought I’d hand over my cat? What on earth do you take me for?”

—For someone with zero empathy, who carelessly stabs people in the heart about their family wounds, that’s what.

“Lord Retel’s offer wasn’t bad. If this doesn’t get resolved soon, I might even have to tap into our family’s coffers for the sake of the vassals.”

—‘Not bad’? It was a great offer. And if you’re considering opening your vault over it, then stop acting so tough.

Still facing away, I grumbled. Suddenly, he turned me around in his arms.

Our eyes met—his narrowing, mine widening to glare right back.

“Shasha.”

—What.

“You were insulting me just now.”

—Well, who told you to hurt my brother’s feelings?

“I didn’t hand you over, no matter what he said. So why are you sulking? Like some cat furious its master was rejected.”

—…

Damn him. He was spot on.

Though truthfully, it wasn’t about Leandro being slighted—it was Arteph’s jab at my engagement that stung most.

—Fine… thank you. I guess I just… took it out on you. Sorry.

Arteph said nothing, only looked at me quietly before brushing his hand over me.

Why do they call him a cruel, cold-blooded duke? He’s nothing but warm and gentle like this…

“I don’t understand a word you’re saying. I’ll get the cards.”

—Ugh.

I pressed my paw against his hand, signaling that I was fine without them.

“You don’t need them?”

I nodded. His gaze slowly trailed over my body.

—W-what? Pervert! Stop looking!

“With that tiny body of yours trying to tap out words with the cards—it did look exhausting.”

—Then think of a better method.

“So you were insulting me.”

—Not right now.

Instead of getting the cards, Arteph lay down beside me, pulling me tightly into his arms. He began kneading my soft paw pads.

—I told you not to do that! Stop squishing my paws, you brute!

His arms, solid as stone, locked me in completely.

—Move your rock-like arm! Do you even realize how fragile this little cat body is, and yet you’re crushing me with that beastly frame of yours?

No matter how much I struggled, Arteph didn’t budge.

“Stay still. This is your reward for not being sold off.”

—You’ve got to be kidding me…

Outrageous, but for tonight, I let it slide.

Resigned, I lay my head against his arm and surrendered my paws to him.

Though honestly, my neck hurt. Was I lying down or sitting?

“Though Retel left today, neither he nor the crown prince will give you up so easily.”

—Mm…

The thought soured my mood. My family and even my fiancé were targeting me.

They say it’s because they love me… but still.

Leandro had stroked me affectionately just moments ago, but if given the chance, he would still take me away.

“Your expressions as a cat are amusingly varied. Don’t worry. I have more than enough strength to protect what’s mine.”

That was the strange part—running from my family, yet being protected by the detestable Duke of Redmond.

“Do you know how strong the Redmond Knights are? Your personal escorts are among the best of them.”

At the mention of escorts, the image of Leandro clashing with that scarred knight came back to me. I sat bolt upright.

—Arteph, that knight earlier…

“Meow meow, nyao nyao?”

“What are you saying?”

—The one with the scar here, across his eye. Sir Alcott, wasn’t it?

I traced the scar across my face.

“You mean Alcott?”

—Yes!

I nodded furiously. Arteph’s expression turned questioning.

“Why bring him up?”

I crossed my arms into an X.

—No escorts. Don’t need them.

Who in their right mind had escorts following them inside their own house? Even as a lady, I didn’t. And now, I was just a cat.

“I’ll deal with it. I already know what punishment to give him.”

—Wait, what?

I shook my head frantically.

“You’re not telling me to kill him, surely. Strip him of knighthood and exile him, then?”

—Cold-blooded duke, that’s what you are.

I sighed and gestured a square in the air, telling him to bring the cards.

Slowly, painstakingly, I tapped them out:

“Sir Alcott did nothing wrong. Don’t punish him. And I don’t need escorts—dismiss them all.”

“No.”

—Meow??

“There were escorts, and still things happened today.”

Again, I tapped furiously.

“I was the one who went up to him.”

“Exactly. What kind of fool approaches danger without a thought? Do I need to assign you a nanny as well as knights?”

—Did you just call me a fool?!

I stabbed at the cards furiously:

“Fool is you. Duke assigns bodyguards to house cat.”

The short, choppy phrasing sounded like an academy student’s writing, but it got the point across. And judging by his stunned face, it worked.

“Ha! If you were a sturdy wolf, I wouldn’t have to worry. But you’re this tiny speck—I can’t help it!”

—So you admit you’re fussing? Not my fault, your fault. Even if a dragon came, you’d still panic, coward.

I darted back and forth to tap the words, panting by the end.

When I looked up, Arteph was staring at me, struck speechless.

Victory.

I smirked. He scowled, lips pressed tight.

“Fine. Do as you please. Just see if you don’t come running to me in fear.”

He shot to his feet, bristling, and stormed toward the door.

—He doesn’t even realize he’s doing it all for me.

I flopped onto the bed, closing my eyes.

—Word’s probably already out. The mighty Duke of Redmond feeding his cat like a doting fool.

Muttering inwardly what I was too tired to card out, I suddenly felt something brush close—then retreat.

A soft kiss.

Opening my eyes, I caught a glimpse of Arteph’s retreating back, striding away.

—Seriously.

I chuckled under my breath and rubbed my forehead.