Chapter 59
My heart nearly dropped.
When I turned around, Eloise—whom I thought had been asleep—was already awake, gazing down at me.
Her turquoise eyes, shining faintly in the dark, were as piercing as the first time I saw them. My startled heart felt like it was twisting in my chest.
“Um, well…”
“So, what were you two whispering about yesterday?”
“When… when did you wake up?”
“When you and Etienne went out.”
I tried to calm my pounding heart and rubbed my head against Eloise’s calf.
“If you were awake, you could’ve said something~”
“Lizette, you really know how to use your cuteness to your advantage.”
Though her words sounded scolding, Eloise’s eyes had already softened.
She crouched down and gently scratched under my chin.
“So, where did you go?”
If I said I’d gone to the Count’s estate, I’d have to explain why.
I didn’t want to keep secrets from Eloise, but if she knew about the operation, she would definitely scold me.
“I went to look for your happiness.”
“Don’t think you can just brush it off like that.”
I racked my brain for an answer but couldn’t find a good one.
“I can hear you thinking, Lizette.”
“Hehe… then, can you just let it slide for now?”
I pressed my face into her palm, and she let out a soft sigh that tickled my fur.
“Honestly… fine. But no dangerous stuff, okay?”
“Mm. I promise.”
“And no sneaking out, either.”
“Ugh.”
I wasn’t sure how many times I’d have to sneak out again, so I couldn’t answer easily.
“Lizette, I didn’t hear a response.”
“What if I report after I act?”
“No.”
“Siiigh. Okay, I’ll tell you beforehand.”
Satisfied with my answer, Eloise smiled sweetly and began stroking my head over and over.
Maybe because I’d gone out late at night, her gentle touch made me sleepy, and my eyes began to close on their own.
The things I’d set in motion kept piling up like snowballs, leaving me exhausted.
Before I knew it, I fell asleep in Eloise’s arms as if I had fainted.
I was so tired I didn’t want to get up, but the blinding light kept tormenting me.
“Mrrgh…”
I finally forced my heavy eyelids open—it was already morning.
Eloise, who apparently didn’t have Crown Princess lessons today, was leisurely sipping tea and reading a paper.
Hearing my grumbling, her turquoise eyes lifted toward me.
“Did you sleep well?”
“I want to sleep more. Why’s the sun so bright today?”
“Because spring’s coming.”
“Already?”
It had still been early winter when I entered the palace—how much time had passed for it to be spring already?
“The capital where the Imperial Palace is has the shortest winter—only about a month long,” she explained.
Then, she placed a plate of scones in front of me.
Feeding me breakfast right after I woke up had become routine—so much so that even Eloise was used to it now.
Next to it, she poured the reddish-brown tea that was always served in the Empress’s Palace.
Slurp.
I lapped at the tea first, feeling the warmth spread through my body.
It was such a pleasant sensation—like soaking in a hot spring. The tea’s delicate aroma and slightly tangy flavor had become familiar by now.
“Elli, this tea… I couldn’t get it at the Duke’s house, could I?”
“Monclair?”
The way she said it, it was as if she meant, Do you really think the Monclairs wouldn’t be able to get something like this?
“Do you like it that much?”
“It’s just… I’ve gotten used to it. I’d feel empty without it now.”
“If you want it, you can have as much as you like.”
So even a fruit said to be monopolized by the Empress could be obtained if one desired it—that’s Monclair for you.
Honestly, being a Monclair cat was far wiser than being a palace cat.
The Imperial Palace had subtle restrictions, but at the Monclair estate, I could truly do whatever I wanted.
“I can’t wait to go home.”
“Just a few more days. Be patient a little longer.”
The Monclair estate really did feel like home now.
Even though I’d been comfortable here at the palace, it didn’t compare to the Duke’s mansion.
“There are no lessons today, so after your check-up, a walk in the central garden sounds nice.”
“Is it as pretty as the Monclair garden?”
It was the Imperial Palace, but the Monclair gardens were more beautiful than even the royal ones I’d seen in my past life, so my standards were high.
“It’s said to be the most beautiful in the Empire.”
If Eloise herself said that, then it must be truly stunning. My excitement grew.
“I need to hurry and go see Payson!”
I quickly crunched down the rest of my scone and gulped my tea.
Eloise laughed softly and wiped my mouth with a handkerchief.
“The garden’s not going anywhere, you know. Take your time.”
“Yeah, but I’m already ready to go!”
Though I’d just woken up, my eyes were already sparkling with energy.
Sophie, who was clearing the dishes, let out a small laugh.
“The young lady is ready as well, so you can head to the prince’s palace right away.”
“All right. Prince Marcel said we could come whenever, so let’s go.”
Eloise bent down to pick me up—but then suddenly stiffened.
“Elli, am I… heavy?”
“…You could stand to eat a bit less.”
Her answer came a second too late. So I had gained weight.
Well, considering I’d been eating well, lazing around, and being carried everywhere, it was inevitable… though I had been moving around more lately.
Still, that small resentment flared even more when Payson finished the examination.
“You’re overweight.”
“What? That can’t be right! Check again. Maybe the scale’s broken?”
I climbed back onto the scale indignantly—but the number didn’t change.
I’ll have to start using the cat wheel again once we’re home.
“You should exercise more, Lady Lizette. And cut down on snacks.”
“That’s so mean…”
There are so many delicious things in this world!
When I found out I wasn’t just a regular cat but a beastkin who could eat almost anything, I’d been thrilled!
“Though, you have been eating quite a lot lately,” Eloise admitted.
“Lady Eloise, please help keep an eye on her diet. It’s fine that she’s not picky, but too much of anything can cause problems. Other than that, all her results are good.”
“By the way, Doctor Payson—can you tell how old Lizette is?”
“Judging by her test results, around ten to twelve years old.”
Ten to twelve, huh. Quite a range.
The ‘Beastkin King’s Illegitimate Child Report’ listed me as eleven, so Payson was pretty much right.
“Then I’ll go with eleven.”
“Sure, whatever you like. What about your birthday, then?”
I didn’t know why Eloise was suddenly asking that, but I thought about it seriously.
Neither the March date in the report nor my real-world birthday really appealed to me.
“October 21st.”
The day Etienne found me—the day I transmigrated.
Etienne seemed to realize it and gave me a small smile.
It was as if light sparkled around him, like he was under a spell. He just kept getting more handsome by the day.
“All right.”
“Lady Eloise, why ask about Lizette’s age and birthday?” Marcel asked the question I’d been wondering myself.
“I plan to register her in the noble registry. Once she becomes a recognized beastkin, of course.”
A recognized beastkin—that must mean when I fully awaken.
A noble, me? Wow. Having a good caretaker really pays off.
“And her family name?”
“Monclair, obviously.”
Eloise looked at Marcel as if to say, Why would you even ask?
Lizette Monclair. Just thinking about it gave me shivers of excitement.
“Will Duke and Duchess Monclair allow that?”
“If not, I can always register her as my daughter.”
…That didn’t sound quite right.
Everyone in the room, including me, looked at Eloise with the same expression, but she didn’t seem to care and simply took another sip of tea.
“Dr. Payson, if the examination’s done, Lizette and I will take our leave. We shouldn’t take up more of His Highness’s time.”
“Ah—yes, of course. You may go, my lady.”
“Then, Your Highness, we’ll be going now.”
Eloise instinctively reached out to carry me, but remembering the “exercise” remark, she withdrew her arms.
My front paws, which had reached up to be held, flailed awkwardly in midair before dropping to the floor.
“Lizette, let’s walk from here.”
“Uh, okay!”
Feeling a bit awkward, I followed Eloise out of the reception room.
As she’d said, winter here really was short—the biting wind had softened.
Still, the air was cool enough that little puffs of breath appeared when I exhaled.
Eloise looked down at me with pity, but she didn’t pick me up.
“Are you very cold?”
“A little.”
My fluffy white fur helped keep me warm, but it wasn’t nearly as comforting as the warmth of Etienne or Eloise.
