Chapter 03

Early that morning, Mary came by and brought Ronell a bowl of warm corn porridge.

It was bland and completely unseasoned, but Ronell couldn’t have been happier.

At least she didn’t have to sneak into the mansion today.

“Young Master Lloyd went hunting this morning.”

As she picked up the now-empty bowl, Mary smiled gently.

“Really?”

“Yes. The Countess went with him as well, so you can play however you like today. Just don’t make too much of a mess.”

“Thank you!”

After bowing politely, Ronell happily ran out into the garden.

Morning was slowly giving way to afternoon.

The bright sunshine pouring down made it feel like the skylarks would surely come to visit.

Animals had always liked Ronell.

If she sat quietly, sparrows would land on her shoulders.

Sometimes squirrels came to give her acorns as gifts.

Occasionally, rabbits would hop into her lap and make themselves comfortable.

Sure enough…

The birds that had been gathered together came hopping toward her the moment they saw her.

“Hello! Have you all been well?”

Ronell greeted them warmly.

The birds chirped excitedly as they surrounded her.

One landed on her head.

Two perched on her lap.

“Mm-hmm! I had breakfast this morning too! It was delicious!”

The sound of fluttering wings filled the garden.

Holding out her palm to a little bird that wanted to perch on it, she continued cheerfully,

“And the Countess and Young Master went out today. They’re not here.”

“Oh! And yesterday a really, really pretty cat came to see me!”

“It comforted me.”

“It was kind… gentle…”

At that exact moment—

A cat suddenly dropped down from above and began smacking Ronell’s arm with its tail.

Smack! Smack!

The startled birds scattered in every direction as Ronell rubbed her stinging arm with watery eyes.

The tail kept striking her.

“It doesn’t look very kind.”

One bird whispered.

“It doesn’t look gentle either.”

Several others nodded in agreement.

Unable to understand what they were saying, Ronell blinked in confusion before reaching out and scooping the cat into her arms.

“Meow!”

Ruby struggled wildly.

After resisting for quite a while, the cat finally gave up.

Pouting, Ruby glared murderously at the birds.

“She’s mine.”

The possessiveness blazing within those sapphire-blue eyes intimidated every bird present.

“We were here first…”

One bird scratched the dirt with its tiny claws in protest.

Now that the cat had calmed down—at least comparatively—Ronell spoke softly.

“Did you make it home safely last night?”

Ruby had been about to continue acting offended…

But the moment Ronell hugged her tightly…

A contented purr escaped without permission.

Oh no…

This isn’t supposed to happen.

Ruby had come to punish the future butler for daring to “cheat” on her while she wasn’t around.

Instead…

Her hands feel so nice…

My body is relaxing all by itself…

“I had a good breakfast today.”

“I hope you got to eat something delicious too.”

Obviously.

I had the freshest premium salmon.

Remember that.

Ruby nodded proudly while burrowing deeper into Ronell’s embrace.

The meaning was obvious.

Pet me more.

Ronell gently stroked the cat’s back.

Ruby shot another threatening glare toward the birds.

Perhaps they finally got the message.

Though still chirping indignantly, they retreated to a safer distance.

“What are you still standing around for?”

“Shoo.”

“You’re so mean!”

Ruby cursed them with her eyes.

The birds protested noisily.

Only Ronell remained blissfully unaware of the silent argument as she continued stroking the cat.

The food was delicious.

The weather is lovely.

Her arms are warm.

Her hands are gentle.

Life is good.

Ruby was just about ready to settle down for a nap…

When she realized the hand petting her had suddenly stopped.

“Stay here, kitty.”

“And you birds, don’t come out.”

Her future butler gently set her down.

Ruby froze.

So did the birds.

All of them quietly watched Ronell.

The girl’s thin legs were trembling ever so slightly.

What’s wrong?

Ruby blinked…

Then perked up her ears.

“Hey, idiot!”

A voice dripping with malice echoed through the garden.

The garden gate slammed open.

Lloyd swaggered toward them.

“So? Didn’t you freeze to death last night?”

“I’m sorry.”

“For not freezing to death?”

Ronell silently shut her mouth.

Lloyd sneered.

“Yeah.”

“You really should be sorry.”

“Why are you still alive?”

Ruby didn’t hesitate.

The white cat shot through the air like an arrow.

Slash!

Sharp claws raked across Lloyd’s cheek.

“AAAGH! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!”

Lloyd grabbed Ruby with one rough hand—

—and threw her.

Ronell, who had frozen in shock, snapped back to her senses just in time.

She lunged forward.

Rolling across the ground, she caught the helpless cat before it could crash onto the earth.

Dust filled her mouth.

It tasted bitter and dry.

Twigs jabbed painfully into her back.

One thorny branch pierced her skin, making tears spring to her eyes.

“M-Mother!!”

Screaming, Lloyd ran toward the mansion.

“Mary! Where’s my gun?!”

“You haven’t put it away yet, right?!”

“No!”

Ronell cried out in panic.

Quickly clutching Ruby against her chest, she hurried toward the stone wall.

Jumping over and over, she desperately tried to lift the cat onto the top.

Comfortably cradled in the arms of her future butler, Ruby blinked in confusion.

…What exactly are you doing, Future Butler?

“Kitty…”

“Hurry and run away.”

“Please.”

Ronell desperately tried to help Ruby escape.

With her free hand, she waved frantically at the birds.

“Shoo! Go!”

The birds dodged her hand.

Though they chirped worriedly and clearly wanted to stay…

They eventually flew into the nearby trees to hide.

The only one completely unconcerned…

Was Ruby.

Watching her frantic future butler with lazy amusement, the cat leisurely swished its tail.

As if I’d lose to that rotten little brat.

What are you so worried about?

I should’ve scratched him harder.

Ruby was still annoyed she hadn’t left deeper claw marks.

“Kitty…”

But Ronell clearly didn’t feel the same.

The tiny blonde girl looked as though she were about to cry.

“Lloyd’s going to bring a gun.”

“You have to run.”

“Please…”

Ruby’s tail twitched.

If I leave now…

Won’t something happen to her?

Bang!

A gunshot echoed through the garden.

Ronell instinctively curled around Ruby.

No…

The kitty can’t get hurt…

Lloyd had once injured a raccoon simply because Ronell had been holding it.

“Hurry…”

“Run away, kitty.”

She whispered quietly.

Lloyd’s footsteps grew closer.

“Move, bastard.”

“Before I shoot you in the back.”

Ronell slowly turned her stiff neck.

Lloyd’s eyes were wild with rage.

Blood dripped from the scratches on his cheek.

A bright red welt marked the spot where Ruby’s tail had struck him.

“I said move.”

“I’m really going to shoot.”

Lloyd raised the gun with practiced ease.

Ronell didn’t hesitate.

Mary had once told her…

Cats always landed safely.

She was suddenly grateful she’d eaten breakfast.

Yesterday, she never would’ve had the strength to do this.

Using every ounce of strength she had—

Ronell threw Ruby over the stone wall.

Cats are agile…

She’ll be okay…

She has to be…

“Hey!!”

“Why’d you let my prey get away?!”

Lloyd grabbed the back of Ronell’s neck and shook her violently.

“My mother was kind enough to let you sleep inside the house…”

“And now you’re stealing from us too?!”

His rough grip made her stomach churn.

Biting her lip, Ronell silently allowed herself to be dragged toward the mansion.

✦ ✦ ✦

Ruby had never expected Ronell to throw her.

Instinctively, she landed perfectly on all four paws.

Her feline reflexes never failed.

Future Butler!

What on earth were you thinking?!

That was the perfect chance to rip every last hair off that brat’s head!

Ruby angrily pawed at the ground.

Then…

She froze.

A voice drifted over the wall.

“Hey!!”

“Why’d you let my prey get away?!”

“…”

“My mother was kind enough to let you stay inside the house…”

“And now you’re stealing too?!”

Who are you calling your prey?!

And she didn’t steal anything!

What kind of insane nonsense is that, you rotten little brat?!

Grinding her teeth, Ruby crouched to leap back over the wall.

Then she stopped.

No.

That won’t solve anything.

If she went back now…

Everything would simply repeat itself.

Ruby slowly lowered her raised paw.

She couldn’t stay with Ronell forever.

And honestly…

The luxurious feather bed back at the Duncan estate was far too comfortable to abandon.

The moment she left again…

That awful little brat would hurt her future butler.

Ruby flicked her tail.

It had become slightly messy from being carried around in Ronell’s arms.

Fine.

Then I won’t make her my future butler.

I’ll make her my butler.

Just wait for me.

Unaware that Ronell had already been dragged inside the mansion, Ruby let out a loud, determined meow.

Tonight.

Or tomorrow afternoon at the latest.

I’ll bring my old butler, Reinhardt…

Or that grumpy granddaughter of his, Aeshila.

There’s more than enough money.

Surely I can rescue my next butler!

With that resolve, Ruby sprinted away.

Crisp autumn leaves crunched beneath her soft white paws.

When Ruby returned to the Duncan estate…

The very first place she rushed to was Reinhardt’s study.

Butler!

Where are you?!

Answer me, Butler!

Ruby meowed loudly.

Normally Reinhardt would come running immediately.

But today…

Nothing.

Annoyed, Ruby slapped the floor repeatedly with one paw.

Is he in the study?

He must be!

She searched the room.

No Reinhardt.

Frowning, Ruby dashed back into the hallway.

Whenever Reinhardt wanted peace and quiet, he was always here.

Why wasn’t he anywhere today?

Humans!

They’re never around when you actually need them!

If Reinhardt had heard that complaint, he would have burst into tears.

Ruby raced down the thickly carpeted hallway.

Where did he go?!

Just then—

Click.

A nearby door opened.

Elegant high heels stepped onto the plush carpet.

Someone clicked her tongue twice before speaking in a lazy voice.

“Honestly…”

“This cat sheds everywhere.”

“…Lady Aeshila, cats naturally shed a great deal.”

“Oh?”

“I heard they don’t go bald.”

“Maybe I should transplant all this fur onto Grandfather’s head.”

“I don’t believe Mr. Duncan is going bald.”

A lazy reply followed.

“He will.”

“I’ll rip every last strand out myself—”

She suddenly stopped.

“Hey!”

Ruby was desperately tugging at the hem of Aeshila’s robe.

The cat’s frantic behavior made the irritation in Aeshila’s crimson eyes slowly turn into confusion.

“What?”

“You usually pretend I don’t even exist.”

Ruby smacked the fabric twice with her paw.

Thump. Thump.

Urgent meows echoed through the hallway.

What do you think?

Go save my butler, human!