Chapter 5
The Villainous Family’s Munchkin
Thump—thump—
My heart raced uncontrollably with tension.
I had usually hidden in the corner of the bed at wake-up time, but today was different.
I deliberately sat at the edge closest to the door, staring intently at the door that would soon open.
“Good morning, Marie!”
“Meow.”
And when the maids arrived exactly at wake-up time, I responded as if we were close. Immediately, their eyes sparkled with admiration.
No one could know. This was an operation I had meticulously planned days ago.
The maid in charge of my litter box grabbed her dedicated scoop and began inspecting the sand.
Thump—thump—thump—my heartbeat quickened even more.
Soon, the maid scooped up a handful of the sand, smiled brightly, and exclaimed:
“You’ve made a big one today!”
I could swear flowers seemed to bloom around her face.
Yes, not only had I placed three fake “potatoes” made of water in the litter box at dawn, but I had also rolled stolen broccoli stalks from last night to make them look like real waste.
While all the maids were thoroughly fooled by my grand plan and focused on the litter box, I silently slipped out of the room.
“Marie?”
“Marie!”
Only then did the maids realize something was wrong, but it was already too late.
I ignored them and ran straight ahead, just like I had when escaping the Fontine mansion.
Today was truly perfect for a getaway.
“Marie, you can’t enter the corridor yet!”
Two knights guarding the hallway panicked and tried to grab me.
But I had already anticipated this. I calmly flipped onto my back and displayed my belly cutely.
“Aww?”
“…Oh my goodness.”
The knights, forgetting their duties, covered their mouths in astonishment like young girls. I took the opportunity to easily escape.
The remaining challenge was the first-floor door leading to the external garden.
If I could just get past that firmly shut door, I could outmaneuver the knights guarding the garden.
‘Then I can reach the portal!’
To the south!
Escape was imminent. I ran joyfully, oblivious to my paw pads cracking.
‘…Ugh.’
Then, I hesitated for a moment at a light reflecting from the window.
Standing before me was the butler, adjusting his glasses and blocking the door.
“Marie, aren’t you scheduled for a walk with the Duke today? Come with me!”
The butler knelt awkwardly on one knee, seemingly ready to catch me.
He had never appeared here at this hour before. A completely unexpected variable—but I didn’t panic.
I leapt onto his shoulder and bounced over him. I had long realized his athleticism was mediocre.
“Ma-Marie!”
Even the usually perfect butler stammered, helplessly reaching out. I saw it all with my own eyes.
‘Hmph. We’re not close enough for you to hold me yet, Butler.’
I leisurely opened the door handle with my tongue out.
Thanks to leaping onto the butler’s shoulder, my short legs were able to reach and pull down the door handle.
No time to waste. Seeing the servants chasing me, I sprinted across the external garden.
The sharp northern wind pierced through my thick fur and chilled my skin.
It had felt warm the last time I was carried in Tionis’s arms, but today it was bitterly cold. Still, I could endure it.
My fur, which had just been fluffy, was now tangled and blowing in the wind, slightly obstructing my view. My paw pads were stiffening, but it wasn’t a major problem.
The knights at the main gate looked tense, but I could slip between their legs or leap over their shoulders like before.
The portal faintly visible beyond the gate.
‘If I just reach it…!’
“No, Marie.”
“Meowk!”
I had been running well!
My body stretched out abruptly, my paws thrashing in midair. Someone had grabbed my scruff.
…This villain!
How did he know that grabbing a cat’s scruff would stretch their body like this? Truly evil.
The one holding me brought me in front of his face. His golden eyes glimmered beautifully.
‘I-is it… Tionis Kavelug again?’
The servants were still behind me, yet Tionis had somehow appeared.
I had no idea how or where he came from.
I vaguely remembered Becky saying he was a sword user manipulating magic.
A sword user—and he’s this fast? I’m a cat!
‘The portal was right there…’
My hopes vanished as the portal ahead seemed to blur. My ears drooped in disappointment.
“You finally loosened the bandages, and now your pads are all ruined.”
Tionis casually took my front paws, pretending to be upset as he touched them.
I wanted to growl, but for some reason, a purring sound escaped my mouth. Strange… maybe his hands were too warm.
“Let’s go to the room. I’ll heal you.”
And so, another escape attempt failed. Today marked the ninth attempt.
The servants were mortified at losing me.
At least Flan seemed concerned seeing me limp with my scruff held. That offered some comfort.
“All done.”
Tionis personally applied disinfectant and wrapped bandages around my four paw pads. Being a Duke must leave him with too much free time.
I expected a maid to handle this, but Tionis shooed all the servants away and brought me into a room alone.
A room fully decorated in pink.
‘Is it… a little odd for the Duke and a cat to be alone in here?’
I lightly batted his hand away and turned my head, even lying down to show I was “angry.”
Thinking back, there were more than a few strange things.
If the books I read at the Fontine mansion were correct, the Kavelug Dukes had a long, twisted history with the royal family, even committing treason.
It was surprising the Duke retained his title despite all that.
In the frigid north, the Kavelug family—true to form—was icy. Tionis Kavelug, the Duke, was extremely cold.
Even Becky had said he was like an ice block. I had seen it myself; she shivered while telling me.
‘And yet, he’s so gentle with me.’
From the first moment until now, Tionis had always been kind to me.
“Marie. Don’t leave.”
His voice trembled slightly from behind. My ears twitched automatically.
…Why does he sound so wounded?
He carefully fiddled with my bandaged paws.
When I turned my head slowly, he had his lips tightly pressed together, staring down, unable to meet my eyes.
Perhaps Becky was mistaken, but even the servants’ chatter confirmed Tionis was typically cold and reserved.
‘…Maybe he has a secret fondness.’
He had placed small, cute toys in my room.
Perhaps he had gone a little mad in the northern cold and developed a taste for cute things—like me, a small, adorable cat.
When I twitched my eyebrows, Tionis cautiously placed his hand over my paw, despite his cold appearance.
I wasn’t going to fall for that.
‘Don’t make me stay trapped and feel annoyed.’
Naturally, I placed my paw back on top of his hand.
He lifted his hand again, and this childish back-and-forth continued for some time.
“Marie. Does this mean you outrank me?”
After dozens of struggles, Tionis let out a wry laugh and asked.
‘…Is that how it works?’
I didn’t care. For now, my paw was above his hand.
In the end, I had bested this cold Northern Duke.
Pleased, I looked at him triumphantly. He returned my gaze.
Then he gently placed me on the soft bed.
“Rest, Marie.”
And walked out.
‘…Just like that?’
Why?
Frustrated, I collapsed on the bed, staring at the door pitifully.
Perhaps he was upset over losing the hierarchy contest? …No way.
I couldn’t sleep like this!
I carefully climbed down the steps connected to the desk and pressed my ear to the door.
I already knew many servants were waiting outside.
“We may need more stairs from the floor to the bed.”
“Yes, sir, Duke.”
I wondered if something special was happening, but Tionis’s instruction was trivial.
The problem was the secret conversation he had with the butler afterward.
“Ah, Duke. About the intruder outside.”
“Have you found them?”
“…Sorry, not yet, but we have an idea who it might be.”
“Good. When caught, display their head as an example in front of the mansion.”
Their voices were low enough that no one else could hear, yet I pressed my ear to the door and caught every word as clearly as if whispered beside me.
“…Yes, this is the cold Northern Duke.”
I had grown arrogant thinking he was kind, but perhaps I should be humble.
I was glad I didn’t bite his hand.
