Chapter 2
The Villainous Family’s Munchkin
Before it got any later, it was best to turn back into a human and explain everything.
But, of course, I didn’t have any clothes, so I couldn’t just appear naked… Ah.
I looked around again and spotted a bed in the distance.
It wasn’t polite to sneak into someone else’s bed, but given the circumstances, I had no choice.
I was about to slip into the bed and transform back into a human.
Knock-knock—
Of course, someone knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
The man replied as if he had been waiting for it.
…Because someone entered immediately, I completely lost my timing.
I couldn’t just turn back into a human now and blurt out, “I’m actually a person!”
I decided to watch the situation and wait for the right opportunity, peeking out just enough to overhear the conversation.
A man, who appeared to be a butler, neatly held some documents and began reporting.
“Monsters have recently crossed over to the Serval Mountains.”
…Monsters?
My ears twitched without me realizing it.
“I’ll handle that soon enough.”
“And there are rumors among the servants that there has been an intruder at the Kavelug Duke Mansion. Items and food seem to disappear every night.”
…The Kavelug Duke Mansion?
Wait a second.
“I apologize, but it seems the Duke should take strong measures.”
My eyes darted back and forth between the two.
A cold, snowy place… the Kavelug Duke Mansion.
Right. Why hadn’t I realized sooner?
Now, memories of the books I had endlessly read in the library started to return.
[‘The Duke of Kavelug’ is a cruel murderer with a cold temperament.]
[The Kavelug Dukes, drunk on their own power, had led a rebellion and were exiled to the north…]
When I had read this far, I think Becky had hurriedly closed the book, glancing at me nervously.
“That… it is rumored that the previous Duke of Kavelug led a rebellion, but that’s not true, so please ignore it. But it’s true that the Duke of Kavelug is very powerful…”
And as if that wasn’t enough, she went on to say things I didn’t want to hear.
“Since you often read books about the royal family, you know that all royal family members have golden eyes, right? Exceptionally, the Duke of Kavelug in the north also has golden eyes.”
Golden eyes.
Could it be…?
The man who had been petting my head… was he the Duke of Kavelug?
The… northern duke?
For some reason, Becky always seemed excited and even supportive whenever she talked about him. I had grown used to her words over time.
But I never imagined the Duke of Kavelug could have such a neat and tidy appearance.
I had always pictured him as enormous and terrifying.
Sure, he looked cold, but…
Before I could think further, I noticed a crumbling sound from his hand. I looked over—and the pen he was holding was shattered into pieces.
A pen thicker than my leg.
“Yes. I’ll find the intruder and execute them. Very thoroughly. Tearing them apart and displaying them in front of the mansion might be nice too.”
His face looked like it could rip something apart at any moment—dark and menacing.
‘…’
Correction. Yes, he does match the terrifying, enormous image I had imagined.
Definitely a villainous family.
But… if I think about it, wouldn’t I also be considered an intruder?
The thought sent a chill of sweat over my entire body.
There’s no way I’d turn back into a human here. Absolutely not.
I burrowed completely into the blankets.
The current intruder might be someone else, but if I were misunderstood, my intact limbs could be torn apart.
“I understand. Ah, I see the new cat is already getting used to things, ears twitching.”
…Apparently, my cat form had made my ears poke out of the blanket.
“…Ah, that was a joke.”
I heard the Duke’s flustered voice belatedly, but my ears didn’t register anything.
I covered my eyes with my paw pads. If I were human, I probably would have been crying by now.
‘Becky, I’m sorry…’
I ran to survive, only to immediately face a life-threatening situation.
“So, what does our cat plan to do?”
I tried to curl further into the blanket, even into a corner, but curiosity made me peek.
‘He can’t possibly want to raise me.’
No matter how much of a murderer he was, he was still human.
Seeing such a tiny creature in the cold must have made him curious.
He had treated my injuries, but there was no way he intended to keep me as a pet.
I peeked out, glancing at the neatly wrapped bandages on my front paw.
The bleeding had stopped; I should be able to go outside soon.
But as soon as I arrived, I fainted, so I didn’t remember the portal’s location.
Still, my fur was fluffy, and I could probably survive in the snow.
First, I had to leave this mansion…
“We’ll raise it.”
Excuse me?
“See, I thought so.”
Both of them spoke as if it were obvious. Meanwhile, the Duke stared at me intently as I peeked out.
“With those short legs, it might stumble somewhere, and its fur could get dirty.”
“Meow?”
Without realizing it, I tapped the blanket with my paw and emerged.
Even if we just met today, calling me short-legged? That’s harsh.
You don’t know, but I’m not a cat—I’m a human!
But the cry from my chest probably sounded cute to them.
The Duke’s lips curled into a smile, and the butler looked pleased.
“The cat seems pleased too, peeking out right away.”
No, that’s not it.
“Yes, yes. I’ll give it the best treatment in the empire. A proper room too.”
For me…? But I’m a cat right now.
I didn’t even know if I was human or cat anymore.
As I helplessly opened my mouth, golden eyes met mine, cheeks flushed.
“…Even the fangs are cute.”
‘…’
Behind the shy smile of the cold northern Duke, snowflakes fell against the transparent window.
…How am I supposed to get to the south?
I kept my cautious gaze forward.
The Duke seemed to pull a leash—and suddenly, several people lined up in front of me.
The servants straightened their backs tensely, and the Duke finally spoke, pointing to each one kindly.
“I’ll introduce them. From here, the butler, head maid, and head chef.”
Wait… is he really talking to me?
Apparently so! The Duke not only introduced the key members of his household but also quickly averted his gaze whenever our eyes met, blushing like an awkward, inexperienced boy.
…It was almost like he was introducing them to his wife.
I had thought the Duke of Kavelug was expressionless, just as cold and cruel as described in books.
But now, his expressions were more varied than anyone in his household.
Yes, the servants he introduced matched the cold and grim demeanor described in the books.
Any careless remark could have led to an instant draw of knives.
‘…’
I retreated to a corner of the bed, puffing my fur and glaring at them.
Not that I was threatening, and the bed belonged to the Duke, but it was my best defensive posture.
The servants didn’t seem bothered, approaching cautiously.
‘…What do they want from me?’
I backed up gradually.
Already at the corner of the bed, I hit the wall with my rear and sat down.
I swallowed hard, looking up at those who came closer. My ears flattened and body shrank instinctively.
Perhaps… unlike the servants, the Duke made a strange expression to try and calm my pure-animal instincts.
No, that was definitely it.
My eyes darted around briefly.
‘Raising me… does that mean as a toy?’
I had heard that in the north, animals were either livestock or monsters to be exterminated.
Judging from the predatory gleam in their eyes, they looked like hunters eyeing prey.
A toy… or, perhaps… an experiment?
The head maid, who came closest, took a deep breath.
Her chest puffed up, and she finally spoke, her tone excited:
“Your Highness, the cat is so cute!”
…Huh?
The fur on my back, bristled from tension, instantly relaxed.
