Chapter 195
The timing was too perfect to call it a coincidence.
“I’m not entirely sure. The healing ability was only revealed recently…”
During the epidemic, everyone already knew that Ceres, the owner of the Tamer artifact, had healed people. They also knew it was thanks to the Tamer artifact’s power.
Of course, all of that was actually Ceres’ time-rewinding ability, but to the outside world, it was known as the Tamer artifact’s power.
Druk.
“Where are you going?”
Acerian Crown Prince suddenly stood up, and his aide cautiously asked. There was no external schedule today.
Smiling faintly, he picked up his coat and started walking.
“To meet my master.”
“Unnie, what’s this cat’s name?”
“Call it whatever you want.”
[Meow!]
Yulia showed interest in the newly appeared cat, Eliette.
She really seems to like animals. Whenever she sees something small, her eyes light up like stars.
[Hiss, hiss!]
“Unnie, the cat’s angry.”
“…Eliette.”
Eliette, hissing at the suggestion to call her whatever she wanted, prompted Ceres to reluctantly tell Yulia the cat’s name.
They had planned to put her back in the extra-dimensional space soon. If Yulia knew her name, she might insist on keeping the cat nearby. That would be exhausting.
“Eliette? That’s the cat’s name?”
“Yeah.”
Once summoned, she refused to go back into the fan. Since it had been a while, Ceres had let her stay out for a bit instead of immediately tossing her back.
‘Probably a mistake.’
It would be troublesome if Yulia got too attached.
[Meow~]
The cat circled around Yulia, rubbing her body gently as if showing affection.
The cat had already figured it out. Persuading her wasn’t as effective as charming Yulia directly.
“Looks like the kitty likes me! So cute.”
“…Too perceptive.”
Watching Yulia pet the cat, Ceres quietly clicked her tongue. My Yulia’s already hooked, completely hooked.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, Butler Colin entered the room.
“Miss.”
“What is it?”
“The Crown Prince has arrived.”
“…Is it morning already?”
“Pardon?”
“No… just wondering why he came at this hour.”
He always came early in the morning, startling everyone awake.
‘Ah, I’m already tired.’
Being around him always triggered some sort of subtle power struggle.
Ceres shook her head slightly and followed Colin to where the Acerian Crown Prince was waiting.
“Why you?”
[Meow.]
As Ceres reached for the door of the parlor where the Crown Prince waited, she frowned at the presence of Eliette, sticking closely to her feet.
Seeing the cat nonchalantly licking her paw as if innocent, Ceres clicked her tongue. The little one must have gotten curious about something again. Who could stop her?
Click.
When she opened the door, the Crown Prince was there, sipping tea and seated as comfortably as if it were his own home.
“You seem free today, coming at this hour.”
“I came to see my master, so I must adjust my time accordingly.”
Master…?
“…Could you please put ‘Tamer’ in front?”
Also, the one who always came early in the morning and disturbed everyone’s sleep really had no right to talk about “adjusting time.”
“So, what brings you today?”
“I came to deliver news that might interest you.”
“…?”
“The orphanage director you asked about earlier. I received a report today; apparently, he’s become a complete wreck. His body is decaying, and his mind is not in order.”
“Ah.”
So he came just to talk about that? Ceres already knew, so she merely nodded lightly.
“Hm, not surprised at all.”
“Not really. I’m quite shocked.”
The Acerian Crown Prince’s eyes narrowed sharply, clearly determined to catch even the slightest change in expression.
“Seems it was your doing after all.”
“No, it wasn’t me.”
Ceres said firmly.
‘It really wasn’t me.’
It was that person’s doing…
[Meow.]
…Here we go again.
Eliette was already circling around the Crown Prince’s feet. Ceres exhaled silently.
“Hm, so even the cat’s tamed?”
“Well, not exactly by my intention, but that’s what happened.”
[Meow.]
The cat raised her paws, kneading the Crown Prince’s lap as if asking to be held.
He smiled faintly at her gesture but then immediately turned his attention elsewhere.
[Why?]
Why won’t you hold me?!
Seeing her effort fail, Eliette wagged her tail and kneaded even more.
Yet the Crown Prince didn’t give her a single glance.
‘That person really doesn’t like cats.’
Knowing Eliette’s true nature, Ceres realized that the cat form was extremely endearing. A fluffy, pure white coat like hers would tempt anyone to pick her up.
Still, he showed no interest. Clearly, he dislikes cats.
“Then let’s consider the orphanage matter closed. You have no more business there, right?”
“Yes.”
As the Crown Prince stood and started to leave, Eliette quickly ran in front of him and dropped something from her mouth.
“Hm?”
It was a tiny red stone. He showed brief interest, then continued walking.
“Take it with you.”
“This?”
“I don’t give it to just anyone.”
[Meow!]
Acknowledging Ceres’ words, Eliette circled her once more. Finally, the Crown Prince picked up the red stone.
What is it, that it must be taken?
Although they hadn’t known each other long, Ceres knew he wasn’t someone to speak unnecessarily.
“Carry it with you. It won’t hurt to have it.”
“Alright. My master said so.”
“…And put ‘Tamer’ in front.”
He smirked, holding the stone tightly, and left.
[Meow. A handsome one leaves.]
Once he disappeared, Eliette mewed sadly.
“You keep bothering just anyone?”
[Not just anyone. A handsome one.]
“So that’s why you gave the lucky stone?”
[A handsome one deserves luck.]
…A god like this? If you’re ugly, you can’t even have luck? No wonder she’s stuck living inside a fan.
The red stone the Crown Prince carried away was a “lucky stone.” It subtly contained her divine power of curses and luck.
‘I’ve always given such stones to those I like.’
Her standard of “liking” being based on appearance was ridiculous. She had given stones to Alti and Kai as well. Both had shown little interest, likely discarding them immediately.
‘There’s one who didn’t get one…’
There was indeed one.
“Why didn’t you give it to my disciple?”
[Disciple?]
“Enoch.”
Her disciple, Enoch, was the only close one who hadn’t received a red lucky stone. He was actually quite handsome too.
[He’s half. I’m not interested in half-breeds.]
“Half?”
[You don’t need to know.]
Ceres glared at Eliette, who was avoiding eye contact and pretending to be mischievous.
“But…”
[Why?]
“Are you going to keep speaking like that?”
I told her not to use that tone. And calling someone a half-breed? Into the extra-dimensional space you go!
[Ah! Don’t put me in!]
