IPBPBD 09

Chapter 09

Kubard replied with a displeased expression.

“Are you just here to pick a fight with me?”

“As if. Anyway, the man really was suspicious, so I tailed him for a few days. Turns out, he was up to some rather interesting business.”

Heinkel bared his teeth in a sly grin.

Kubard knew very well that Heinkel wasn’t smiling out of amusement.

“He was an assassin. As you might’ve guessed, the target was the young duke.”

With that, Heinkel laced his fingers together.

“Do you know what’s even more amusing?”

“What is it?” Kubard asked, trying to hide his unease.

“The very duke that you and the other retainers have been searching for so desperately? Funny thing is, that man already knew his whereabouts a month ago.”

Apparently, he was weak to torture and confessed everything easily. He even added things he didn’t need to.

“Now do you see why I’m telling you this, Lord Baron?”

Heinkel’s mocking tone made Kubard’s head throb.

He understood the point.

Even if you caught a witness, it would be nearly impossible to reveal the count behind it all.

The mastermind could always just cut off the tail and escape. This was a warning.

Count Monteiro was to be restrained—kept from recklessly meddling with the ducal house.

That was something easily brought up at a council meeting. Not a difficult task.

The real problem was the duke’s safety.

“If what you say is true, isn’t His Grace still in danger? Shouldn’t we bring him here and protect him…?”

But Heinkel cut him off firmly.

“What’s the point of dragging him here against his will? Leave him be. Soon enough, he’ll realize it himself.”

It was a cryptic statement. Kubard asked what he meant.

But Heinkel, as though his business was concluded, rose to his feet.

He bid farewell with a light bow.

Kubard tried to hold him back, but Heinkel left the parlor without hesitation.

His task here was done.

The rest was up to Baron Hyre to handle.

As he left the baron’s estate, Heinkel recalled the young duke he had encountered a few days prior.

“I like things the way they are now. I won’t go back.”

“‘You like things now,’ is it—”

Heinkel let out a laugh, hollow as air escaping.

Burdened as he was, the boy was still acting spoiled.

Wasn’t it pitiful? Even more so because Heinkel had no intention of helping.

The boy needed to realize it himself.

That his foolish choice could bring great harm to others.

Looking at the pathetic young duke, Heinkel made up his mind.

He would wait patiently—until the boy came to him, seeking him out in regret.

“Well. As long as he doesn’t die, it’ll be fine.”

Heinkel smirked. At least things wouldn’t be boring for a while.

His steps toward the ducal manor were unhesitant.

Emilina’s day began with checking on Kir’s condition.

Since Kir sometimes transformed into a cat, there was no helping it.

After all, the Klein couple had no idea Kir was a beastman.

To live with him, Emilina had told them a lie.

And today was one of those days.

“Kir, you really are too much.”

At her grumble, Kir, who was licking his paw on the bed, tilted his head.

“Meow?”

“No matter how I think about it, this just isn’t fair.”

She sighed with a troubled look.

Wondering what was wrong, Kir twitched his ear with a hind leg and padded toward her.

Emilina scooped him up in her arms.

“See, this is what I mean. When you turn this cute, huh? Of course I’d want to smother you with affection first thing in the morning!”

As she said this, she rubbed her cheek against Kir’s face.

The soft fur against her skin felt wonderful.

So squishy. And those pink paw pads she had only recently discovered—utterly addictive.

Grinning like a fool, she giggled.

Kir shivered at her creepy smile.

But Emilina didn’t care.

She kept petting him until she was satisfied, then finally set him down.

“So, when will you turn human today?”

She muttered while still poking at his cheeks with her finger.

Kir hissed and quickly backed away, looking exhausted.

“Sorry. Your cheeks are just too pokeable. I couldn’t help myself.”

“…Meow.”

Kir gave her an exasperated look, as if saying, When did I ever ask for this?

It almost sounded like a sigh, which made Emilina laugh awkwardly.

Still, she coaxed him again, unwilling to give up.

“Come on, can’t I pet you a little more? You don’t turn into a cat that often these days. Please?”

At that, Kir bristled, tail standing straight as he scuttled backward.

He trembled, looking at her like she was some kind of pervert.

Emilina’s face fell with hurt.

“Geez, too mean. I only do it because you’re so cute.”

“Meow!”

But he wasn’t swayed.

Kir turned his head sharply and darted into the empty box he used as a nest.

It fit him perfectly, his little head poking out adorably.

That his refuge from her hands was such a cozy box only made Emilina laugh.

But reality hit her—she couldn’t cuddle him anymore.

She slumped to the floor, hugging her knees.

“Ugh. That only makes me want to pet you more…!”

For some time now, whenever Kir became a cat, he no longer let her touch him.

She could guess why.

Once she started, she would pet him for hours until he was completely worn out.

What else could he do but run?

After all, wasn’t it cruel to ignore such cuteness?

And since no one knew when he’d change again, she had to make the most of every chance.

So, perhaps it wasn’t surprising that Kir eventually avoided her altogether.

At first, she had felt betrayed.

Hadn’t he once curled up on her lap, purring affectionately?

But every time she pouted about how he’d changed, her sly grin and twitching fingers made him bolt.

In hindsight, wasn’t it only natural he’d avoid her?

Wait. Thinking about it now… I really do sound like a pervert, don’t I?

Feeling guilty, Emilina made a silent vow.

She would restrain herself next time.

Though, truthfully, such vows never lasted beyond her heart.

No one knew this. No one.

An hour later, Kir was finally able to return to human form.

“Noona.”

“Eek, you startled me!”

Aside from her constant surprise, it had become a familiar routine.

“Can I get some clothes…?”

Kir hurriedly covered himself with a blanket, voice trembling with embarrassment.

Emilina still hadn’t gotten used to this.

Every time he transformed, he was completely naked, and her heart raced out of control.

The awkwardness was unbearable—sometimes she even wished for separate rooms.

But the Klein house only had two bedrooms, so they had no choice but to share.

The couple had objected at first, of course.

But Emilina had persuaded them, emphasizing Kir’s unfortunate circumstances and his young age.

In the end, her softhearted parents reluctantly agreed—on the condition it was temporary.

So now, living together, Emilina fetched the folded clothes and handed them to him.

Soon dressed, Kir tapped her shoulder.

“Noona?”

She rolled her eyes toward him.

There stood Kir, neat and proper again.

Really, no matter how many times I see him, his face is perfect.

If cat-Kir was pure sweetness, boy-Kir was refined elegance.

Even the shabby clothes she had given him looked anything but shabby on him.

Emilina gazed at him with satisfaction.

Then a thought struck her.

“Come to think of it, hasn’t your cycle gotten shorter lately?”

“Yeah. I think I’m starting to control it a little.”

“That’s a relief. I’ve been nervous about Mom and Dad finding out.”

“…I’ll try harder.”

“No! That’s not what I meant! Just do what you can. Don’t force it.”

She added hastily, watching his expression.

But it was too late—his face had already darkened.

Kir knew.

He knew her parents weren’t exactly happy about him.

When the black cat had disappeared, they had openly shown their relief.

There was no way he couldn’t notice.