Chapter 4
No matter how you looked at it, that was nothing but food waste.
“Starting tomorrow, I’ll prepare two or three carefully plated dishes to suit Sasha’s taste.”
Allen, having instantly caught the faint drop in tone, quickly changed his words.
“Just prepare it the same as my meal. Take that away.”
“Yes. Have a peaceful night.”
Thinking he might get scolded again if he dawdled, Allen disappeared in a hurry.
Artif gently set Sasha down on the bed and carefully tucked the blankets over her.
He should go wash up now, but strangely, his feet wouldn’t move. For a long while, Artif just looked at Sasha.
Warm sunlight, a gentle spring breeze, birds singing like a melody.
I woke peacefully to this atmosphere and wriggled happily under the covers.
The blanket felt warmer than usual. There was even a lovely, soothing scent. A scent I didn’t recognize…
“A strange scent?!”
My eyes flew open. And there, a man was right in front of me.
“Meow!”
I shot up, startled, and the man leaning against the headboard looking at me opened his mouth.
“Bad temper, sticky fingers, and now lazy on top of it all.”
It was a familiar face—the ill-tempered Duke Artif Redmond.
— You! What are you doing in my bed…
“Meow, meow, miaow…”
When I tried to demand answers, only cat sounds came out.
And then I remembered what had happened yesterday.
— The world has abandoned me…
Deep down, I’d hoped that like the last time I turned into a cat, I’d just wake up human again. But it was a vain hope.
“Still sleepy?”
Before I could dodge, Artif’s large hand cupped my face.
“Sorry, but it’s time to wake up. You’ve gone far too long without eating. You’ve slept enough.”
After rubbing my face, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his hand.
“Sleep that long, and of course you’ll get such big eye gunk.”
At his words, my face instantly burned red.
— Th-that… argh!
Too embarrassed to say anything, I jumped off the bed.
He could’ve just removed it and stayed quiet. Did he have to point it out?
People could be so tactless.
While I grumbled inside, Artif stood up too.
“Where are you going?”
— Hmph. None of your business.
He followed me at an easy pace, trying to talk. Yesterday in the carriage too—he kept trying to converse with a cat.
Definitely not in his right mind.
“To eat, of course.”
My ears twitched. Hunger I’d forgotten came rushing back.
But I knew what he meant by “food.”
— You’re just going to give me more food waste.
“Today it’s veal steak.”
My steps toward the sofa froze in place.
“In case you don’t know, veal is extremely tender.”
I knew. Oh, I knew all too well. Veal steak melts in your mouth, its juices unforgettable.
Why was it impossible to get tired of it? Just thinking of it made me salivate.
“Sasha.”
In the end, I couldn’t resist temptation and looked up at him.
“Let’s go eat veal steak, Sasha.”
— You… named me Sasha?
“Meow, meow. Nyaa?”
Walking side by side to the dining room, I asked him.
With nothing else to do in this cat form, I was actually glad to have someone to talk to, even if he was weird.
— My name is similar. Did you name me after my fur color reminded you of me?
“Yesterday you were aloof, today you’re chatty.”
Typical. Artif had always had a bad personality, and even with a cat he was insufferable.
— Right. Of course not. I know exactly how much you hate me.
“With those short legs, the steak will get cold before you arrive.”
I glared at him.
I really was trying to keep up, but in this tiny body, my stride was limited.
— Your attitude is awful. Why do noble ladies even like you?
Ridiculously enough, Artif was considered the Empire’s top bachelor. As if personality weren’t the most important thing in a lifelong partner.
“Can’t understand it. You don’t like being carried?”
— Would you? You touch me all over when I’m not even wearing clothes!
Of course, he wasn’t groping on purpose. But whenever he picked me up, his hands inevitably pressed here and there.
— If you ever turned into an animal, you’d understand how I feel.
Bickering, we arrived at the dining hall.
Veal steak!
I darted inside. The Redmond servants peeked at me with curious eyes.
“So cute…”
“Too tiny…”
Their eyes sparkled as they whispered.
I was used to being praised for my looks, but being openly adored like a child was mortifying.
Ignoring them, I stood in front of the table and looked at Artif.
— Pull out a chair for me.
He tilted his head, puzzled.
— Pull it out. I can climb up myself.
“You don’t mean to eat at the table, do you?”
— Of course… not.
Right. I was a cat.
Even as a pampered cat eating veal steak, the table was off-limits.
How utterly pitiful.
Sure, eating on the floor makes sense. I know that. But why does it sting so much?
Holding back all this time, I suddenly felt tears prick.
Lowering my head, I sulked. Then Artif asked a maid:
“Where’s Sasha’s meal?”
“Prepared over there, sir.”
She gestured politely to the far corner.
My gaze followed her hand.
— …
And I sank into despair again.
This was the Redmond ducal mansion. The grandest estate in the capital besides the imperial palace, with a dining room to match.
And way over in the far corner of that vast hall sat… my little white dish.
— …Sigh. Guess I’ll just endure it.
I couldn’t bury my face in a bowl on the floor. No one might recognize me, but I knew who I was.
“Shasha.”
— …
Of course, I wasn’t going to starve to death out of pride. Still, I could turn back human any moment. I’d hold out as long as I could.
“Shasha.”
— …
I’d fasted a whole day, and now even with veal steak under my nose, I was resisting. Impressive, really.
Just as I congratulated myself, suddenly my body lifted off the floor.
“Meow!”
“Shasha.”
Dangling in the air, I locked eyes with Artif.
— D-don’t scare me like that!
“You chatter nonstop, but now you won’t answer?”
— You can’t even understand m—y-you lunatic!
Then I realized how his hands were holding me and squirmed furiously.
He’d slid both hands under my armpits and around my chest, lifting me up.
— Let go! Hands off my armpits and chest, you pervert!
Even when maids helped me bathe, they never grabbed me like this.
I pushed at his hands, but of course he didn’t budge.
“Every time I hold you, you throw a fit. Makes me wonder if I’m really your owner.”
— Owner?! Who said you were! Put me down!
Of all people, I couldn’t lose my dignity to this Redmond duke.
“Never runs out of energy, does she.”
“Meow! Hiss! Hisss!”
“Want me to set you down?”
“Meow!”
I begged with all my might, and his gaze turned unreadable.
“…Or maybe I’ll just keep holding you.”
— No!
“…You do hate it. Guess I should put you down.”
— Yes!
After murmuring as if in thought, he sat at the table and set me on top.
— What are you doing?
“Don’t shed. Stay still.”
He began cutting the veal steak.
— He was never a good man, but at least he wasn’t this weird before.
Resigning myself, I tried to focus on other thoughts, ignoring my hunger.
He’s already stolen my chest, my armpits, even my bottom. From the neck down, I’ve lost everything. Fine. I’ll guard at least my head.
Given his personality, there was no way he’d kiss a cat.
Just then, something poked my lips.
— …?
It was a small piece of cut meat.
Looking up, I saw Artif nod slightly.
“Say ah.”
