Chapter 05

Of course, the one she was referring to wasn’t herself—it was that ungrateful white cat over there.

After hearing her words, the butler politely excused himself and left the drawing room.

Left alone, Aisila stared at the finely crafted wooden door before resting her chin in her hand and glancing down at Ruby.

“So… just where exactly have you brought me?”

Meow!

I don’t know human geography! I only care about my butler!

Ruby began vigorously smacking Aisila’s shoe with his front paws.

What an ungrateful cat.

Maybe I should cut off his salmon supply next month.

Allowing the cat to vent his frustrations on her foot, Aisila murmured,

“You smelled it too, didn’t you?”

Meow.

Just what has the Artes family’s butler been doing to reek so strongly of blood?

Even she could detect the faint metallic scent.

There was no way a cat’s nose had missed it.

Looking down, she saw Ruby biting at the leg of her riding pants while whining anxiously.

His large blue eyes were filled with worry and anger.

Their color looked strangely blurred, like watercolor paint deliberately soaked with too much water.

They looked ready to spill tears at the slightest touch.

Unable to wait any longer, Ruby released her and rushed to the door, frantically scratching at it with his claws.

The piercing screech made Aisila grimace.

With a sigh, she opened the door.

The white blur shot out like an arrow.

“What trouble are you planning to cause this time?!”

Whenever that troublesome pet cat caused chaos, it was always beyond imagination.

Painful experience had taught her that absolute truth.

Aisila hurried after Ruby.

“Mary! Mary! That’s it! That’s the thing that scratched my face!”

At that very moment, a spiteful voice echoed from the hallway.

Ruby froze and turned around.

Watching quietly, Aisila smiled faintly.

Well…

There was no way that brat was the person Ruby had chosen as his next owner.

This is getting interesting…

While recalling everything she knew about House Artes, Ruby let out an irritated cry and sprinted down the corridor.

Moments later, another round of screams erupted from somewhere ahead.

Apparently he was scratching someone again.

Ignoring the commotion, Aisila calmly organized her thoughts.

House Artes.

The Count and Countess had one legitimate son—

Lloyd Artes.

…Ah.

Come to think of it, there was also an illegitimate child.

“Mary! Mary!”

“Y-Young Master… Please, calm down… Kitty, stop—”

“You stupid animal! No matter what you do, that bastard child is finished because of you!”

Oh?

Ruby’s white tail twitched.

Even the paw he’d been using to repeatedly smack Lloyd’s head froze in place.

Jumping gracefully off the boy’s head, Ruby dodged Lloyd’s retaliation before running straight toward Aisila.

His large blue eyes were watery with distress.

Waaah…

Seeing the pitiful look, Aisila gave a small nod.

I understand.

Anyone who couldn’t figure it out by now would be an idiot.

It seemed that the person Reinhardt’s beloved cat had chosen…

…was the illegitimate daughter of House Artes.

“She’s finished because of you!”

So that’s it.

She’s being abused.

Now she finally understood why Ruby had desperately tried to drag her here.

The maid named Mary comforted Lloyd, whose cheeks were bloody and whose hair had been completely ruined.

When reminded that there was an honored guest from House Duncan present, the boy—surprisingly enough—managed to retain the tiniest shred of common sense.

Grinding his teeth, he finally left.

Outside, evening slowly gave way to night.

Late for some.

Not late at all for others.

Aisila’s crimson eyes glimmered coldly as darkness settled over the estate.

Descending the staircase, she spotted the gatekeeper lingering in the hallway.

His grin stretched from ear to ear, clearly delighted by the unexpected pouch of money he’d received.

“I have a favor to ask.”

When she promised to pay him even more if he delivered a note to the Duncan estate, the gatekeeper immediately fetched paper and a pen.

She elegantly signed her name.

Aisila Duncan

Lowering the paper, she looked at Ruby.

The cat sat dejectedly with his paws covering his ears, whining quietly.

“Cat.”

“…”

“Get up.”

Ruby’s ears immediately perked up.

Aisila slowly nodded.

There wasn’t a second to waste.

The child was hurt.

There was no time to sit around waiting.

A smile spread across her lips.

She was an uninvited guest, yet she was already considering turning the entire manor upside down.

As the heir to House Duncan, openly causing trouble for one of the Empire’s prestigious noble families would naturally be difficult.

Which meant…

If she couldn’t make trouble openly…

There was only one answer.

Cause the trouble first.

Pay for the damages afterward.

Fortunately, spending money was one of the things she excelled at.

Smiling with narrowed eyes, Aisila looked almost like a pale knight charging into battle beneath the night sky.

“Let’s go find your master.”

Yes! That’s exactly it, human!

Ruby meowed happily, ears standing tall.

Leading the way with his long legs, the Persian cat dashed forward.

Aisila followed behind him at a brisk pace.

The heels of her boots mercilessly struck the luxurious carpet.

The white smile on her face promised disaster.

* * *

A sudden knock.

Ronell slowly opened one eye.

The Countess stopped what she was doing.

“What is it?”

She had clearly ordered Mary to make sure no one entered.

Grinding her teeth, the Countess glared toward the door.

Jeren’s voice came from the other side.

“My apologies, Madam. But an unexpected visitor has arrived this evening.”

“Who is it?”

“Lady Aisila Duncan.”

Anyone living in the Ederka Empire who didn’t know the Duncan name might as well be a spy.

Hearing the name of the heir to the Empire’s wealthiest family, the Countess forced down the surge of anger rising inside her.

No wonder the butler had rushed over in such panic.

“Tell her my husband is away on business.”

“She says she would like to meet you instead, Madam.”

Me?

Why me?

The question crossed her mind.

But refusing the request of the Duncan heir was impossible.

Clicking her tongue, the Countess frowned.

She was about to throw the cane onto the floor when her eyes landed on the trembling child before her.

“Stay as quiet as a dead mouse.”

“Y-Yes…”

“…No.”

Grabbing Ronell by the back of the neck, she dragged her into the neighboring room.

Momentarily surprised by how light the girl’s body felt, she shoved her into the wall cabinet.

“M-Madam… I’ll stay v-very quiet… Please, the closet—”

The plea wasn’t even finished before the Countess slammed the door shut.

I don’t want to hear it.

She locked it as well.

If that child wandered out and embarrassed her in front of such an important guest, the scandal would spread through noble society in no time.

Just imagining it gave her a headache.

Throwing the cane carelessly onto the floor, she stepped outside.

The butler hurriedly bowed.

Rolling the key in her fingers, she asked,

“Where is she?”

“She is waiting in the second-floor drawing room.”

“Very well.”

No matter how powerful the Duncan family was, how little did their heir think of House Artes to arrive without even requesting a visit first?

She deserved a sharp remark.

But when the Countess pushed open the drawing-room door—

“Hm?”

“W-Where did she go…?”

Damn it!

A terrible premonition gripped her heart.

She immediately spun around and broke into a run.

Her chest tightened.

No.

It couldn’t be.

Surely…

Surely that woman wasn’t insane enough to search another noble family’s estate.

She had at least that much etiquette and common sense—

“You’re late.”

Standing in front of the room where the illegitimate child was locked away…

…was a woman.

Beside her stood a white cat, lazily swishing its tail.

“Lady Duncan… Why are you here—”

“Mitchell.”

“Sorry for the delay, Lady.”

The Countess whipped around in shock.

A woman wearing horn-rimmed glasses walked past her toward Aisila Duncan.

Who was this?

Another visitor?

Suppressing her astonishment, the Countess immediately protested.

“Lady Duncan! This is outrageously rude—!”

“You certainly have a loud voice.”

Aisila replied indifferently, gesturing toward her secretary.

Mitchell immediately retrieved a cigarette from her bag.

Placing it between her lips, Aisila lowered her eyes.

Her black eyelashes, dark as the night itself, shimmered softly.

Like grains of gold glittering beneath the surface of a river.

Green smoke slowly curled upward.

She removed the cigarette, twirled it between her fingers, and smiled.

The Countess instinctively flinched.

She wasn’t dull enough to miss the murderous intent burning beneath those crimson eyes.

“Searching another family’s manor is—”

“I know.”

“It’s rude.”

“…Then why would you—”

“So?”

“…”

“What are you going to do about it?”

The next instant—

Aisila turned.

And kicked the door with perfect precision.

Crash!

The Countess could only stare in horror.

Stepping over the shattered wood without hesitation, Aisila entered the room.

“So this is where you are.”

She spoke softly.

From inside the closet…

…came a faint sound of crying.

Someone was desperately trying to suppress their sobs.

Unable to bear it any longer, Ruby furiously scratched at the closet door.

“Lady Duncan! This is unacceptable!”

“Move.”

Ignoring the screaming woman, Aisila spoke coldly.

Ruby quickly stepped aside.

Once she confirmed he was clear, she raised her foot again.

CRACK!

With a single kick, the lock shattered.

Tossing the broken lock aside, Aisila grasped the closet handle.

A tiny hiccup sounded from inside.

The child had been startled.

Meow! Hurry up and open it, human!

Ruby slapped his tail impatiently against the floor.

Taking a deep breath—far softer-hearted than the cat—Aisila slowly opened the door.

Just as she expected.

It was horrifying.

A battered child sat curled into herself, her arms wrapped around her head in a desperate attempt to protect it.

The tearstains covering her cheeks made anger surge through Aisila’s chest.

“Little one.”

The child slowly lifted her head.

Seeing the terrified expression on her face…

Aisila unconsciously let out a quiet sigh.

Beneath swollen, reddened eyes…

…soft green eyes, like the first sprouts of spring, quietly shimmered.

A spring that had been cruelly crushed.