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Chapter 6
“It’s hard to believe she was picked up off the streets—there’s absolutely nothing wrong with her health!”
Artep fixed Allen with a long, sharp stare as the latter reported Sasha’s medical results.
“Ah, but the doctor did say she’s extremely thin, probably from barely eating outside. I also received a list of foods that are good for cats. Would you like to review it yourself?”
To be precise, Artep wasn’t staring at Allen’s face. His gaze was drilling into Allen’s uniform—covered in strands of shimmering silver fur.
“Did you roll around with my cat or something?”
The sudden remark made Allen’s jaw drop.
“P-Pardon?”
“In my bedroom. With my Sasha. Just the two of you. What exactly were you doing, for your clothes to end up like that?”
The tone carried such a peculiar nuance that Allen was rendered speechless. To anyone listening, it would sound as if he were being accused of an affair with the nonexistent Duchess.
“Does your silence mean you’re admitting guilt?”
“N-no, of course not!” Allen swallowed hard, forcing himself to stay calm against this tyrannical interrogation.
“I did not roll around on the Duke’s bed with the Duchess—no, with Sasha!”
He felt utterly wronged. Yes, his uniform was disheveled, but he had a good reason.
During the examination, Sasha had resisted violently, lashing out in fits. Allen had sweated buckets trying to help hold her still.
“Strange. For someone who claims he only went to the clinic, you were gone an awfully long time.”
“As Your Grace well knows, Sasha has quite the… spirited personality. There was no helping it.”
“Did you just call my cat bad-tempered? To my face?”
Artep’s eyes flashed dangerously. Conveniently, he seemed to have forgotten that he was the one who had said that very thing before.
“……Of course not. Surely there isn’t an angel in the world like Sasha.”
Though unsatisfied, Artep exhaled and found a new thread to tug.
“Then what about all that fur stuck to your uniform? What did you do, examine her yourself instead of the veterinarian?”
“Ah—no. The vet gave me a brush.”
“……?”
For the first time, Artep’s cold, severe expression faltered. His eyes widened, almost comically.
“So… you brushed her?”
“Yes. At first she resisted strongly, but then she seemed to enjoy it and settled down.”
Artep’s face froze in shock.
“She has incredibly soft fur—”
Allen trailed off when he realized the atmosphere had grown too ominous. This silence wasn’t the same kind that fell when Artep was simply angry; it felt different, heavier.
“You seem to have far too much free time. If you’ve got the leisure to brush cats, then you can also submit the estate report by the end of the week.”
“Th-the end of this week? But isn’t that usually reviewed in the second week?”
“Do you object?” Artep’s icy glare cut through him.
Allen forced out the only safe answer.
“O-of course not, Your Grace. I’ll work through the night if I must.”
“…Leave that behind.”
“…Sir?”
“The list of foods for Sasha.”
“Ah… yes. Then, I’ll really go and start organizing estate business now.”
Allen muttered hopefully, but Artep ignored him, already absorbed in the food list.
“So unfair…”
Allen slouched, dragging his feet miserably as he left the office.
Later that night, Artep returned to the bedroom. Sasha was curled up fast asleep.
He shook her awake.
“If you admit your wrongdoing, I’ll let this go without issue.”
Groggy and half-conscious, Sasha squirmed until he propped her upright.
“Open your eyes, Sasha. You’re being scolded right now.”
She cracked her eyelids open with great effort.
Artep sat across from her, hair damp from a recent bath, face stern as if delivering judgment.
“Nothing you’d like to say to me?”
Sasha blinked. What in the world is he on about now? I’ve been stuck here all day, failing to escape again. The doorknobs are too high for this tiny body. If I had at least turned into a big cat, I wouldn’t have to suffer like this.
Yawning wide, she rubbed her eyes. Artep let out a disbelieving laugh.
“That attitude? Don’t tell me you don’t even realize what you’ve done wrong. How can you look so smug?”
Sasha began to have serious suspicions.
Until now, she had assumed Artep was simply lonely and talked to her as a distraction. She had tried to understand, since she was under his roof.
But no—this man genuinely believed cats could converse with people. His delusion was dire.
“Sasha. Say you’re sorry. Quickly.”
“Meow…”
“Was that a sigh? Hah! To think my cat would not only be shameless but also have no conscience!”
Maybe this was why Artep avoided social gatherings. If word got out that the Duke of Redmond was mad, rivals would descend like vultures.
Sasha, strangely moved by pity, looked at him with soft eyes and offered:
—Sorry. There, happy now?
“Meow, meow meow?”
Yet Artep’s expression did not ease. If anything, he looked… sulky.
“That doesn’t sound remorseful in the slightest.”
Startled, Sasha rolled her eyes. Sharp for a lunatic.
“Well, since you clearly don’t know, I’ll tell you,” he said, as if being generous.
“My cat spent time in my bedroom with another man, rolling around in my absence.”
—What…?
“Did you enjoy yourself?” Artep’s lips curved in a bitter smirk, though his eyes looked wounded.
Sasha was struck dumb. After a pause, she let loose random sounds.
—Meow meow meow meow!
“Meow meow meow meow.”
He stared hard at her.
“Mm. Do you finally understand your mistake?”
—Meow.
“Good. Since you’ve apologized, I’ll let it pass this once. But remember, you belong to me.”
Satisfied, Artep lay back in bed.
Sasha stared in disbelief. How is this family still thriving with such a lunatic at its head? Maybe he’s brilliant at work despite being insane.
“Sasha. Come here.”
He lay on his side, patting the space against his chest invitingly.
—…?
The robe had shifted, exposing sculpted pectorals. Her gaze was irresistibly drawn to his chest and the taut lines of his abdomen.
“…Sasha?”
She jerked her head up, horrified at herself. I must be losing my mind.
“Come on, Sasha. I’m tired.”
His voice was husky, hand reaching for her.
—No, stay away!
She darted back, cheeks burning. This is wrong. Completely wrong.
Sleeping in the same bed as a half-naked man—one who wasn’t even her husband—was beyond unacceptable.
—I’ll sleep on the sofa from now on.
But before she could leap away, Artep’s hand caught her midair, pulling her back to him.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
—The sofa.
“…Or do you need the litter box?”
“Hiss!”
“…Thirsty, then?”
—Absolutely not.
Why is he so obsessed with me staying beside him? Just go to sleep already, you’re exhausted!
Artep narrowed his eyes.
“Don’t tell me… you plan to sleep elsewhere?”
—Yes! Exactly that!
His face darkened.
“No. That won’t do.”
His tone brooked no argument.
—I don’t want to sleep with you! And if you knew I was Lady Retel, you wouldn’t want to either. You despise me!
