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Chapter 01
“Ahaha!”
Inside an old countryside manor, a mocking laugh echoed through the halls.
“That’s right. A villainess abandoned even by her own family now.”
Azure spoke with a bitter smile. It was ridicule directed at herself.
Azure Heartless. Once, she had been a beauty capable of toppling nations and the shining flower of high society.
But that flower had long since withered.
Nothing remained beside the woman who once possessed dazzling wealth and honor.
All that surrounded her now were a shabby rural estate, clothes so worn they could hardly compare to her former elegance, and empty liquor bottles rolling across the floor day after day.
Only a few years ago, she had indulged in every luxury imaginable. As the only daughter of the Duke of Heartless and the Crown Prince’s fiancée, she had enjoyed immense wealth.
To Azure, all of that had seemed natural—things she was entitled to from birth.
Her life only began falling apart after conflict broke out with the young lady of the Lopez family.
“Funny, isn’t it? A noble lady becoming obsessed with a man, causing endless trouble, only to be exiled to a countryside like this.”
In the end, even her fiancé had been stolen by the Lopez young lady—her childhood friend.
It took no time at all for Azure to be branded a villainess.
Everyone turned their backs on her. Everyone pointed fingers.
She could never return to high society and was destined to live and die in this remote countryside.
“……”
Watching Azure lament her circumstances, Neya thought:
Too… too…
She’s pitiful!
How could someone be this miserable?
To young Neya’s eyes, Azure only looked tragic.
To Neya, Azure was a mother who lacked nothing.
The prettiest mother. The kindest mother.
And also…
…very good at drinking!
Neya wanted Azure to be happy.
Happier than all those other people!
That was why Neya planted both hands on her hips and boldly declared:
“Don’t worry, Mom! There are lots of men in the world!”
Neya made a decision.
For this pitiful villainess—
For her mother—
She would help her find a new love!
“……”
Naturally, the reaction from everyone around them was icy.
* * *
“Cute!”
“Hey, you’ll wake her up! Keep it down!”
The employees gathered together bickered among themselves.
In the middle of them was a cat curled up asleep on a woman’s lap.
Its pure white fur looked impossibly soft, and judging by its size, it seemed very young.
Truly, it was a cat adorable enough to make anyone clutch their heart.
“She’s seriously so cute~. Should I just take her home?”
“Don’t even think about it. You know how expensive a Catsha is.”
“Tch. I should’ve been born a noble.”
One employee grumbled.
Even raising an excellent companion animal ultimately depended on social status!
The others agreed and began adding comments of their own.
“Shh!”
Amid the commotion, the employee whose lap the cat was sleeping on urgently raised a finger.
The room instantly fell silent.
But it seemed the cat had already woken.
The white cat blinked twice, stretched lazily, and let out a yawn.
Then—
The moment it jumped down from the employee’s lap—
Poof!
A cloud of white smoke enveloped its body.
The cat that landed on the floor had transformed into a human child.
A little girl who looked no older than seven.
Her fluffy white hair was tied into low twin tails, and her blue eyes sparkled like gemstones.
Just as in cat form, she overflowed with adorableness.
“How is it possible… no matter how many times I see her…”
One employee muttered.
Everyone in the room watched the child with flushed faces.
Catsha, Neya.
She had lived here since birth and was loved by the staff more than any other Catsha.
Naturally, it was obvious what kind of personality she had grown up with.
Crossing her arms proudly, Neya announced:
“Big sisters! I’m hungry!”
Her confidence was overwhelming.
The moment she spoke, the employees around her scrambled noisily toward the door.
“Wait! I bought something delicious for Neya already!”
“Hey, today’s my turn!”
“I’ll bring toys too!”
“Bring lots~!”
As if used to this treatment, Neya waved cheerfully.
The room emptied in an instant.
“Hup.”
While waiting for them, Neya plopped into a chair.
Not much time had passed, but waiting was always boring.
To pass the time, she looked around the room.
The building, as luxurious as a noble estate, was clean and spacious.
This place was a shop that managed and arranged adoptions for Catsha—beastfolk who could transform into cats.
Although Catsha could take human form and possessed intelligence equal to humans, many nobles still disliked them.
As a result, they were treated more like animals than people.
I wonder what snacks the big sisters will bring!
Of course, Neya—who had grown up entirely in the Cat Shop—knew nothing of the world outside.
The staff treated her kindly.
Meals and snacks were plentiful.
Her bed was comfortable.
There were lots of things to play with.
At least to Neya, the seven years she’d spent growing up in the Cat Shop had been very satisfying.
“Neya.”
While she waited, one employee entered the room.
“The boss wants to see you.”
“Dad?”
“Yeah. I’ll take you to him—come with me.”
Neya’s face brightened instantly.
She hopped down from her chair and tightly held the employee’s hand.
* * *
“Dad!”
Passing through the door the employee opened, Neya rushed inside.
Seeing her, Alex, who had been reviewing documents, smiled.
With a gentle expression, he opened his arms.
“Come here, Neya.”
Without hesitation, Neya jumped into his embrace.
Alex caught her easily and settled her onto his lap as though accustomed to it.
Alex was the person Neya liked most in the world.
He was the owner of the Cat Shop and also a noble from a fairly reputable family.
Because of his neat appearance and kindness toward all Catsha, young Catsha often called him “Dad.”
Neya was no different.
Holding Neya’s cheeks, Alex spoke with concern:
“Have you been eating your snacks properly? How have your cheeks become this hollow?”
“No way! I eat really well~! The big sisters keep giving me tasty things!”
“I’m relieved you’re loved so much. Though that’s only natural. Who wouldn’t treasure you?”
At his words, Neya burst into giggles.
Hearing affection like this was an everyday occurrence for her.
“Why did you call me today? I already have lots of new clothes!”
“Unfortunately, I didn’t call you to give you gifts today. But I do have even better news.”
Better than presents?
Neya’s eyes sparkled.
“Neya, your adoption has been decided.”
“…!”
Her expression lit up immediately.
Among the Catsha here, adoption was considered a wonderful thing.
The staff constantly filled them with dreams about families.
“It’s a ducal household.”
“A duke’s family…!”
Counting on her fingers, Neya looked up at Alex with shining eyes.
“That’s right below the Imperial Family!”
“Just as expected from Neya. You’re smart.”
Alex smiled and stroked her hair.
“I’m sure you’ll be loved there too. Who could help but love someone like you?”
“Hehe.”
“If every child were like Neya, this dad wouldn’t have any worries.”
“The other kids are nice too! They listen to you well, Dad!”
“That’s true.”
“…Except for one.”
Alex’s endlessly gentle voice suddenly turned cold.
Neya knew exactly who he meant.
“…Did Hugh get into trouble again?”
Hugh.
A friend who had grown up alongside Neya.
A rare Catsha born with magical power.
Although he wore a bracelet meant to suppress his magic, Hugh could still cast spells.
The staff constantly struggled because of it.
Whenever he had the chance, Hugh used magic.
Even knowing those actions displeased Alex.
In fact, Hugh often did things intentionally because Alex hated them.
Looking worried, Neya stared up at him.
Alex quickly returned to his usual smile.
“Our pretty Neya doesn’t need to worry about that. Your adoption day isn’t far away, so live normally until then.”
“…Okay.”
Neya nodded weakly.
* * *
After finishing her conversation with Alex, Neya headed toward a quiet hallway.
Carefully avoiding the staff’s notice, she sneaked toward her destination.
The place she arrived at was a solitary confinement room.
Usually, troublesome Catsha were isolated there as punishment.
Of course, most Catsha in the shop were obedient.
So punishment was rare.
Except for one.
“Hugh!”
Neya tapped the glass window with her fist.
Inside sat a black-haired child.
Her childhood friend—Hugh.
It was daytime.
Since Hugh was nocturnal, he should have been asleep.
Instead, he sat on the floor staring outside.
Unlike his usual lazy, carefree expression, his brows were furrowed in irritation.
Hearing the tapping, Hugh turned toward her.
“Hugh, are you okay? They said you used magic again!”
“……”
Rather than answering, Hugh stood and walked closer.
After silently studying Neya through the glass, he spoke bluntly:
“Why are you here? If you get caught, you’ll get scolded too.”
“But… because you’re alone again…”
As though used to her concern, Hugh sighed.
Neya’s eyes became watery.
“You promised me you wouldn’t use magic anymore. Why did you do it again?”
“……”
Hugh pressed his lips together, avoiding an answer.
Only after seeing Neya’s desperate expression did he finally speak.
“…Don’t go.”a
