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Chapter 4
By all accounts, what sat before me was nothing but food waste.
“Starting tomorrow, I’ll prepare two or three carefully plated dishes to suit Lady Shasha’s tastes.”
Sensing the subtle drop in tone, Allen swiftly corrected himself, his voice quick and obsequious.
“No—prepare the same meal as mine. Take that away.”
“Understood. I wish you a peaceful night.”
Allen vanished as fast as his legs could carry him, fearing further reproach if he lingered.
Artipe gently set Shasha down on the bed, pulling the blanket carefully over her small body. He should have gone to wash, yet strangely, his feet wouldn’t move. For a long moment, he simply stood there, watching her.
Warm sunlight. A soft spring breeze. Birds singing as though in chorus.
I stirred lazily beneath the covers, basking in the gentle atmosphere. The blanket felt warmer than usual, a soothing fragrance drifting around me. A scent that was… unfamiliar.
Unfamiliar?!
My eyes shot open—and there was a man before me.
“Myaaak!”
I sprang up, only to see him leaning against the headboard, calmly watching me.
“Bad-tempered, light-fingered, and now lazy as well.”
It was a face I knew all too well—the notoriously ill-tempered Duke Artipe Redmond.
You—you! What are you doing in my bed—
“Meow, meow, miaow…”
I meant to shout, but only feline cries spilled out.
And then, the memories of yesterday crashed back in.
The world has truly abandoned me…
I had secretly hoped that, like yesterday, I would awaken human again. But no—vain hope.
“Still sleepy?”
Without warning, his large hand enveloped my face.
“Unfortunate. But you need to wake now. You’ve gone too long without food. And you’ve had more than enough sleep.”
He rubbed my face as if it were the most natural thing, then drew out a handkerchief and wiped his palm.
“Sleep so long, and even your eyes crust over like this.”
Heat flared in my cheeks.
Y-you…!
I leapt down from the bed, too mortified to speak.
He could’ve just cleaned it off without announcing it!
He followed at an unhurried pace.
“Where are you going?”
Hmph, none of your business.
Even in the carriage yesterday, he had tried to talk with me as though expecting an answer. Now too, he continued speaking to a cat as though it were perfectly normal.
Clearly not right in the head.
“We’re going to eat.”
My ears perked. Hunger roared back with a vengeance. But I knew what his “food” meant.
What—more trash?
“Today, veal steak.”
I froze mid-step.
“Soft, tender. Practically melts in your mouth.”
I knew. Oh, I knew too well. Veal steak, delicate and juicy, impossible to tire of. Just picturing it, my mouth watered.
“Shasha.”
Unable to resist, I turned and looked up at him.
“Come. Let’s eat veal steak, Shasha.”
So… you named me Shasha?
“Meow, meow, nyaoow?”
Walking side by side with him toward the dining room, I asked.
Since I could do little else, and he insisted on talking to a cat, I might as well join in.
It’s close to my real name. Did my fur remind you of me?
“Yesterday you were aloof. Today you chatter endlessly.”
So even to a cat, his tongue remained sharp.
Fine. Of course not. I know how much you hate me.
“At this pace, the veal will grow cold.”
I scowled. No matter how hard I walked, this tiny body’s strides were pitifully short.
And yet the noble ladies adore you. For what reason, I’ll never know.
“So. Do you dislike being held?”
What kind of question—? You grope me every time!
Of course, not intentionally. But each time he picked me up, his hands pressed here, brushed there—none of it dignified.
If only you were turned into an animal yourself, then you’d understand!
Bickering thus, we entered the dining hall.
Veal steak!
I darted forward eagerly. The Redmond estate staff peeked curiously, whispering among themselves.
“Adorable…”
“So tiny…”
I was accustomed to compliments on beauty, but being fawned over for “cuteness” like a child left me flustered.
Standing before the table, I glanced expectantly at Artipe.
Pull out the chair for me.
He tilted his head, uncomprehending.
The chair. I can climb myself if you just pull it out.
“You intend to eat at the table?”
Of course… oh.
Reality struck—I was a cat. Even pampered with veal steak, cats did not dine at tables.
A wretched fate indeed.
The floor. Naturally. I know. But why does it sting so much?
Head drooping, I sulked.
“Where is Shasha’s meal?”
“At the far side, my lord.”
The maid pointed politely—toward a bowl placed at the far corner of the grand hall.
I followed her gesture.
…
Once again, despair.
This was the grand Redmond estate, second only to the Imperial Palace. Its dining hall was magnificent—and my “place” was that lonely white dish in the far corner.
I’ll just… endure. I can.
Better to starve with dignity than eat like that.
“Shasha.”
…
“Shasha.”
…
A full day unfed, and veal steak’s fragrance taunted me. Surely I was extraordinary for resisting so far.
Just as I praised my own resolve—suddenly, I was lifted.
“Myaak!”
“Shasha.”
I dangled helplessly, staring straight into those crimson eyes.
D-don’t scare me like that!
“Why chatter so much yesterday, and fall silent now?”
Not like you understand me anyw—Y-you lunatic!
I flailed wildly as his hands supported me beneath the arms, pressing close around my chest.
Hands off, pervert! Even my maids don’t touch me like this!
My thrashing made no difference. His grip did not waver.
“Each time I hold you, such fuss. I wonder if you’re even truly mine.”
Mine?! You wish!
I would not—could not—lose my dignity to the Duke himself.
“Tireless, aren’t you.”
“Myaak! Hissss!”
“Shall I put you down?”
“Meow!”
His gaze softened oddly.
“…Or perhaps I should keep holding you.”
No!
“…Then down it is.”
Yes!
After a pause, he set me atop the table.
What are you doing?!
“Stay still. You’ll shed fur everywhere.”
Unbothered, he began cutting into the steak.
I sulked, trying to focus elsewhere.
Already lost my “purity”—chest, arms, even my bottom. All that remains to guard is above the neck.
Knowing Artipe, he would never stoop to kissing a cat. Surely not.
And then—something bumped against my lips.
…?
A small piece of meat.
I blinked up at him. He gave a slight nod.
“Open. Say ah.”
