Chapter 42
I heard that tonight’s banquet would be held alongside an opera performance.
In the original story, both the Crown Prince and Marianne were supposed to attend this event — but in the end, they didn’t.
That’s why I could safely let Eloise go.
‘Those two are going to have a huge fight today.’
Romantic leads can’t always get along perfectly. It’s those moments of conflict that make their love stronger.
Earlier, the Empress had hinted that she would be escorted by Marcel tonight.
Naturally, that meant Eloise and Marcel would end up together.
“See you later, Lisette. I trust you’ll behave yourself.”
I waved one paw from Sophie’s arms.
When the Emperor’s carriage arrived, he escorted Eloise as naturally as if he were her father.
Of course, that kind of affection was only because of Monclair’s status.
He was just like the Crown Prince — treating people as tools.
“Lady Lisette, shall we head inside?”
“No. We’re going to follow them.”
“…Pardon?”
“This will be a secret between Sophie and me.”
Slipping out of Sophie’s arms, I began tailing the Emperor’s carriage.
Even though I’d sent Eloise off with peace of mind, I still needed to see her alone with Marcel for myself.
Only then could I decide how to plan the next phase of my operation.
The carriage was faster, but I could track them by scent.
Eloise’s light, flowery fragrance was so distinct that I could pick it out even in a garden full of blooms.
Sniffing my way forward, I arrived at the Imperial Opera House.
The problem was—where exactly was Eloise sitting?
In old movies, the nobles always sat in those fancy opera box seats…
“Eek!”
As I peeked through the bushes near the theater, someone suddenly grabbed me by the scruff of the neck.
I twisted around—and saw a very familiar face.
“Hi, Étienne.”
“What are you doing here?”
“…Fo… following someone?”
Étienne let out a long sigh, then picked me up properly and carried me inside—straight through the front doors and into one of the box seats.
“What? Étienne, you were invited?”
“I’m the next successor. Not exactly someone the Emperor can ignore.”
“Ohh. So rank does have its perks.”
Nestled in his arms, I scanned the opposite boxes for Eloise.
A dazzling white glow shone from across the theater—thank you, Your Majesty, for making her so easy to spot.
“But usually, shouldn’t you sit next to them?”
“It’s easier to react if something happens when you’re positioned across from them.”
“But that’s so far away!”
“I can leap over there in one jump.”
He said it so casually, like crossing the theater midair was nothing more than stepping over a puddle.
Étienne drew the curtain on the right side of our box, casting us in shadow.
“Won’t this block the stage view?”
“You said you’re following someone. It won’t affect the opera.”
Thanks to his considerate setup, I could watch without being seen.
At first, the seating order was Emperor, Eloise, Empress, Marcel—but then the Empress whispered something to Eloise and the seats changed: Emperor, Empress, Eloise, Marcel.
“Long live Her Majesty the Empress.”
“What’s going on in that little head of yours?” Étienne asked.
“I’ll tell you later.”
A chime rang, announcing the start of the opera, and the lights dimmed.
But a cat’s eyes shine best in the dark.
Watching Eloise and Marcel chat quietly together, they looked quite good together.
The opera singer’s beautiful voice barely registered—I was too busy watching them.
Before I knew it, the performance ended, and thunderous applause filled the hall.
“Étienne, I’m planning a little operation.”
“Mm?”
“If I ask for your help, will you lend a hand?”
“…I’ll think about it.”
That was about as positive as an answer as I could hope for.
My “Eloise & Marcel Romance Operation” had too many unpredictable variables to manage alone—I’d need all the help I could get.
Before the curtain call ended, Étienne rose from his seat.
“Don’t do anything tonight, got it?”
“Huh? Why?”
“I’m going out on a covert mission with Marcel. I won’t be in the palace.”
Somehow, the prince always seemed busier than the crown prince.
I nodded vaguely.
He probably meant in case something happened—but I’d been fine for days, so I wasn’t too worried.
“Just behave for one day, all right?”
For Eloise, that “one day” could turn into a week.
Her tangled mana needed to be released daily—if not, it would revert to chaos.
I nodded enthusiastically, and Étienne looked relieved as he carried me back to the Empress’s palace.
✦✦✦
When Eloise returned from the opera, she immediately began getting ready for bed.
Just before sleeping, she reached into a cloth pouch and pulled out a small pill—something I’d been curious about for a while.
“Eli, what’s that medicine?” I asked.
She quietly gazed down at it in her palm.
“It’s for calming the nerves and easing pain.”
“Are you in pain?”
“For most non-awakened people, it wouldn’t hurt, but…”
She trailed off, then swallowed the smaller dose with some water.
When I nestled beside her, the warm blanket settled over us.
“Sleep well,” she murmured.
“You too, Eloise. Sweet dreams.”
After a few minutes of her slow, steady breathing, the room fell silent.
I opened my eyes and waved a paw in front of her face.
No reaction—only the soft sound of her sleeping.
‘If I don’t do anything tonight, her mana will definitely tangle again.’
For a while, I had trusted Étienne’s methods, but without him around, I couldn’t shake my worry.
I didn’t want Eloise to see me at my most unstable.
But I also couldn’t delay her magic awakening any longer—she’d already suffered enough.
So I clenched my little paws and began massaging her.
Starting from her hands—nearly untangled now—I worked up her arms and legs.
That faint, tingling sensation told me that mana was gathering in my paws.
“Huff… huff…”
Just a little more and her hands would be fully unbound.
I knew it was risky to push further, but I couldn’t help myself.
‘Just once more. One last time, and then I’ll stop.’
The moment I pressed both paws against her right hand—
Bang!
Our mana collided, exploding outward.
A burst of blue flame shot through the air, and the shockwave threw me clear off the bed.
“Meoww!”
My whole body tingled—my muscles ached. That feeling… it meant my body was changing.
Then I heard it—a soft groan.
“Ugh…”
The shock had made Eloise frown, her eyelids fluttering as if she might wake up at any moment.
I had to hide—fast!
In the spacious bedroom, the only place big enough to conceal me was the wardrobe.
Pain surged as my muscles twisted.
“Aghh…”
When I reached for the handle, a child’s hand came into view.
Startled, I yanked open the door, slipped inside, and shut it tightly.
I took a deep breath. The pain gradually began to subside.
“…Li… sette?”
Her voice cut through the silence.
I touched my face, ears, and head—sure enough, cat ears and a tail remained.
A half-human, half-beast—something this world had never seen.
The words “demon cat” flashed through my mind.
“Lisette, where are you?”
Her footsteps drew closer.
If only I could turn back into a full cat right now.
Following Étienne’s advice, I took deep breaths, trying to focus on the sounds outside.
Her voice grew more desperate, her slippered steps anxious.
“Lisette…”
“I—I’m here.”
I couldn’t bear the tremble in her voice—it sounded like she might cry.
So I spoke up, still hiding behind the wardrobe door.
“Why are you in there?”
“Because… I turned big again. I’m not cute like this.”
“I told you before—it doesn’t matter what you look like.”
She repeated the same gentle words she’d said once before.
Inside, fear and hope warred within me—fear that she’d reject me, and the greedy wish that she might still find me beautiful.
“Really?”
“Mm-hm. Really.”
Her calm voice soothed me.
Just as the wardrobe door began to open, a storm of thoughts raced through my mind.
‘What if she doesn’t find me pretty anymore?’
‘What if even Eloise abandons me?’
I wanted to grab the door and keep it shut—but there was no handle on the inside.
