Chapter 3
Hearing that, Shane immediately understood what Neya was talking about.
*They said a Catsha ran away not long ago.*
If she was close to that Catsha, it made sense why she was so down.
“…”
After a moment of thought, Shane spoke.
“Well, for a young Catsha, wandering alone could be dangerous, but…”
Before he could finish, Neya’s eyes welled up with tears.
Seeing her look like she was about to burst into sobs any second, Shane hurriedly continued.
“I said *could be*! I’m not saying it’s definite.”
“Then…?”
“From what I heard, your friend isn’t an ordinary Catsha, right? If a human mage can stand on their own just fine, and this child is a Catsha on top of that, there shouldn’t be any particular danger. Don’t worry too much.”
“…!”
At that, Neya’s face instantly brightened. Just those words seemed to put her completely at ease.
“That’s right, isn’t it? Hue is really good at magic! And he runs super fast too!”
“Yes, yes.”
As if her gloom had never existed, Neya quickly regained her energy at Shane’s words.
*Children really are easy to handle.*
Watching Neya suddenly become lively and start chattering about this and that, Shane quietly thought to himself.
*Of course, “not dangerous” only applies once they’re old enough to make proper judgments.*
Shane subtly avoided Neya’s gaze and looked out the window.
Honestly, how likely was it for such a young Catsha to survive alone? But Shane didn’t add that part.
The atmosphere at the mansion was already grim enough; he couldn’t add another source of gloom.
“…”
Thinking of the other person at the mansion, worry clouded Shane’s expression.
It was an order, so he had no choice but to bring her—but how long could such a delicate child last beside the Duchess?
He was filled with nothing but concern.
* * *
The journey to their destination was longer and more grueling than expected, so by the time they arrived at the mansion, a considerable amount of time had passed.
“Neya.”
Shane gently tapped the sleeping Neya to wake her.
“…!”
Neya’s eyes snapped open immediately.
“We’re here?”
“Yes.”
The moment she heard that, Neya flung the carriage door open and hopped out. Her complete lack of hesitation actually flustered Shane.
Meanwhile, Neya ran forward, her face full of anticipation.
*A noble mansion!*
There was only one reason Neya was this excited.
*I heard all nobles live in huge castles like princesses!*
*They wear pretty dresses and eat tons of delicious food. I hope I get adopted soon!*
Young Catshas dreaming of adoption often gathered and exchanged hopeful words like this.
It wasn’t entirely wrong. Most nobles visiting the Catsha shop took one as a companion for their young children. Very rarely, some were even adopted as heirs and lived as nobles.
That’s why Neya couldn’t help but be full of expectations.
She ran excitedly like that, but…
*What is this…*
Seeing the mansion before her, Neya’s expression instantly turned to disappointment.
“Neya, there are hardly any people around here, so wandering off alone is dangerous.”
Shane, catching up, lightly scolded her. But right now, nothing was reaching Neya’s ears.
The mansion in front of her wasn’t like a princess’s castle at all—it was an old-looking two-story house.
Above all, the surroundings were an empty forest with not a soul in sight. It absolutely didn’t look like a place a noble would live.
“This is the ducal mansion…?”
“Of course not.”
Shane immediately denied Neya’s words. There was no way a house fit for commoners could be the Heartless ducal mansion.
Shane took a key from his pocket and opened the door. Seeing that, Neya grew even more disappointed.
Surely, in front of a noble’s mansion, there should be crowds of knights guarding the gate. Even the Catsha shop had guards protecting the Catshas. This place didn’t even have that level of security.
Neya tried to hide her disappointment and stepped inside.
Unlike the shabby exterior, the interior was surprisingly tidy.
It wasn’t the extravagant mansion Neya had imagined, but the cozy, warm atmosphere slightly brightened her expression.
Neya looked around curiously, then asked Shane,
“Um, where are the people who help with chores?”
“…?”
Shane answered awkwardly.
“Maids come a few times a week to handle housework, but today isn’t one of those days. I’m the only servant here.”
“Huh? I thought noble houses had maids and knights and stuff?”
“…”
Only then did Shane realize.
*She really came knowing nothing…*
He felt a sense of dismay. He’d assumed Alex would have explained at least some of it. Neya was simply full of questions about the situation.
If he told her the truth and she started crying to go back, it would be troublesome—but it would be better to explain properly before she met *her*.
With that thought, Shane spoke.
“There’s something I need to make clear, Neya.”
“Yes?”
“This isn’t a noble mansion.”
“…?”
Neya’s eyes widened.
“I thought I was being adopted into a ducal house?”
“It seems there was a misunderstanding in the adoption process. You are indeed adopted by the Duchess, but she can’t live in the ducal residence, so she’s staying in this mansion right now.”
“W-Why?”
Shane smiled and said,
“Because she committed bad deeds and was chased out.”
“…”
“I was just about to introduce you anyway. Come this way.”
Shane casually led the shocked Neya.
They arrived at a room on the first floor.
Shane knocked a couple of times and opened the door.
“…”
Seeing the scene inside, Shane sighed. Since Neya was behind him, she couldn’t see yet and just looked puzzled at his reaction.
“Sorry, just a moment…”
Leaving those words, Shane entered the room alone.
The door wasn’t fully closed, creaking open slightly. Unable to resist her curiosity, Neya peeked through the gap.
Despite it being broad daylight, the room was dark—all the curtains were drawn.
The first thing she saw were liquor bottles rolling on the floor.
Looking past the numerous bottles, Neya’s gaze moved upward.
A woman was slumped over the table.
“Duchess.”
Shane lightly tapped the woman’s shoulder.
Only then did she lift her head. Long golden hair cascaded down.
She was a woman so beautiful it felt out of place amid the messy surroundings. Her golden eyelashes fluttered each time she blinked.
*Wow…*
She looked disheveled from just waking up, but to Neya, she was the most beautiful person she’d ever seen.
Shane scolded her.
“Have you been drinking on an empty stomach again? Are you trying to die young?”
“Shut up. If you’re going to nag, get out…”
The woman muttered a curse in a hoarse voice. Shane, used to it, didn’t seem to mind.
“…?”
Then, the woman’s red eyes suddenly turned toward Neya.
Seeing Neya, she uttered one sentence.
“What’s that.”
Her tone showed not the slightest interest.
“I told you before. It’s a gift from the Duke.”
Shane flung the curtains wide open. Sunlight instantly filled the room.
The woman sneered and brushed her hair back.
“Ha, when they chased me out fearing I’d harm the family, and now what—a gift?”
No matter what she said, Shane ignored it and cleared the scattered bottles.
“Make sure to send a thank-you letter. You need to look a little better if you want to return to the mansion, right?”
“I’d rather grow old and die here than crawl back to that place.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she turned her gaze away. Paying no attention to Neya at all.
“Gift or whatever—make something for my hangover. My stomach’s churning.”
“Tell a maid to do that.”
Having roughly collected all the bottles, Shane headed back toward the door.
Before leaving the room, he added one more thing.
“At least exchange greetings. You’ll be living together from now on.”
“How ridiculous.”
The woman immediately scoffed.
“I’ll be right back, Neya.”
Shane said that and signaled to Neya with his eyes—as if to say it was okay to enter.
After he left for the kitchen, Neya hesitantly stepped into the room.
“…”
The woman rested her chin on her hand and stared openly at Neya. Her expression was utterly indifferent.
Neya fidgeted with her hands. She repeatedly clenched and unclenched her dress hem, then finally met the woman’s eyes clearly.
With a flushed face, she uttered one word.
“Mommy!”
