Chapter 10
‘On the day your blood runs the thickest, you shall become nothing more than a beast.’
At that time, the emperor had done everything in his power to break the curse the first duke received after slaying the Demon King.
But as time passed, the emperor’s descendants—who once struggled desperately to save his friend—were now impatient to destroy Redmond instead.
“To say we won’t use the crown prince, who didn’t even come to his father’s birthday banquet because he was searching for the missing lady, would be a lie.”
The crown prince’s love for Charlize was well-known.
Though he had never shown interest in women, he fell in love with Charlize at first sight, persistently courted her, and eventually, the two became engaged.
That fact alone had torn Arteef’s heart to pieces. So whenever it involved Charlize, he had forced himself to look away—until now.
“Find the lady.”
There was no way Arteef could ignore it, not when the crown prince had failed to protect Charlize.
“And look into whether there’s a curse that runs in the Retel ducal family.”
“A curse… in the Retel family…?”
The silver cat found on the bed the day Charlize disappeared, and Shasha—who arrived that same day and could communicate with people.
It was possible.
“Shasha can communicate with humans.”
“What? Surely not…”
Allen’s pupils shook violently.
For all his apparent carelessness, Allen was still the Duke of Redmond’s aide.
Which meant he was sharp enough to instantly grasp what Arteef was suggesting.
“B-but that’s impossible. Ever since the young lady came to the capital, she’s never gone more than a week without being seen.”
“And yet, she’s been missing for several days now.”
“That still doesn’t make sense. If this were her first time, then communication shouldn’t even be possible…”
Allen trailed off, faltering under Arteef’s gaze.
He knew how hard Arteef had struggled to maintain his sanity when he transformed into a wolf.
If he recalled the accident that occurred when he had let down his guard after believing himself in control, then it was only natural to find it hard to believe Charlize had truly become Shasha.
“Yes. That’s right.”
Arteef seemed lost in thought, as if recalling that incident, and remained silent until they reached the mansion.
“The first priority is to find the lady.”
“Understood.”
The carriage halted, and Arteef gave only that curt order before heading straight to his bedchamber.
His head throbbed.
Charlize should have drunk holy water before turning into Shasha. Only then could she keep her reason intact.
Of course, Shasha was a cat, not a wolf—so at least the same kind of disaster wouldn’t happen.
“Ha…”
But in truth, that wasn’t the most important thing.
Her whereabouts.
The thought of Charlize’s unknown fate gnawed at Arteef’s mind until he was on the verge of madness.
If only he had known this would happen, he would have insisted on placing guards by her side under the guise of protection—as her status as the crown prince’s fiancée would have justified it.
That both the Retel duchy and the imperial family had failed to protect her was utterly unacceptable.
With a heart weighed down by crushing regret, Arteef opened the chamber door.
As light spilled into the darkened room, the blanket on the bed stirred.
“Meow~”
As Arteef approached the bed, Shasha rubbed her eyes and greeted him.
“I woke you, didn’t I? Keep sleeping.”
He wanted, more than anything, to ask outright if she was Charlize. But he held back. If she truly was Charlize, she would never admit it so easily.
Even after being caught suddenly transformed into a cat that could speak, she hadn’t revealed her identity or asked for help.
‘That must mean she doesn’t trust me.’
When he stroked her fur, Shasha pressed her face against his hand and drifted back to sleep.
Then I will do whatever it takes… to earn your trust.
* * *
“Shasha~ The doctor’s here~”
The veterinarian, Joffrey, visited the Duke of Redmond’s mansion.
Officially, it was for my weekly health check-up. But I knew better.
He was only coming so often because I had rejected his grandly presented treat, “Churup,” and he was trying to improve it until it pleased me.
‘I know you’re not gravely ill, but you’re so thin that I worry. Could I come once a week for a check-up? Of course, since it’s my idea, I’ll come free of charge.’
I remembered the sly proposal Joffrey had made to Allen.
‘Shasha, next time I’ll definitely bring you a tastier Churup.’
If not for those words, I might have been fooled.
“Shasha, why won’t you eat…? Want to try this one? I adjusted the ratios. Please, Shasha.”
The madness flickering in Joffrey’s eyes was a little frightening, but I resolutely ignored him.
I was human, after all. I couldn’t eat cat treats.
“She won’t eat?”
Allen entered the room and asked.
“No… I think I’ll have to try adding completely new ingredients.”
“My handsome boy loved it. Shasha just has a picky palate.”
Handsome boy?
I turned my head away from the tiresome humans—only to snap my gaze back at Allen, startled by the tacky name.
And there, in his arms, was a cat staring straight at me.
A cute cat with pale brown fur and golden eyes.
Are you… Handsome boy?
“Meow, mew?”
In response to my question, he leapt down and bounded toward me.
“Handsome?”
Allen called after him, but the cat ignored him completely.
Wh-what the—?
From afar he had seemed like a fluffy, adorable cat, but up close, he was much bigger than I expected.
Before I could dodge, he butted his nose against mine.
…?
Then suddenly he began rubbing himself all over me.
Aaah!
I braced myself, but his bulk kept knocking me over.
Stop it!
While I struggled to steady myself, he even started licking me.
Pft, Allen! Control your cat!
“Handsome!”
Just as I was flailing, my vision cleared.
“Oh no… our Handsome, Joffrey, our Handsome is—”
Still dizzy, I glanced around, uneasy, as Allen’s trembling voice reached me.
“Don’t worry, it’s just a scratch. You’ll be fine. Oh no, poor boy. Come here, let me see.”
The atmosphere had shifted ominously.
As I crept closer, a terrible premonition gripped me.
…!
Handsome was shedding huge teardrops. The fur of his foreleg, gripped by Joffrey, was stained red with blood.
H-Handsome…
I froze mid-step when he whimpered in pain.
“There, all done. See? It’s okay now, isn’t it, Handsome?”
I stayed back, watching in silence as Joffrey bandaged his paw and finished the treatment.
“Poor Handsome, you must have been in pain.”
Allen rushed toward him, eyes brimming with worry.
But Handsome brushed past him indifferently, as if he’d never been crying.
“Aw… He’s just holding back because he’s hurt. Thank you so much, Doctor. Please bill the Bendingk family.”
“No need. You purchased plenty of ‘Churup’ today, so I’ll waive the treatment fee.”
Handsome ignored Allen completely and looked at me instead, padding over again.
‘Why… why are you coming to me again?’
I was the reason he got hurt, so the fact that he wasn’t avoiding me didn’t bode well. Animals had hierarchies, after all.
A moment ago, just from rubbing against me, I’d been knocked off balance. If he saw me as an enemy…
Handsome, I swear I didn’t mean to hurt you. It was an accident. I’m sorry.
When he sat before me again, he slowly lowered his head. Then, very gently, he tapped his nose against me.
…?
Blinking in confusion, I stayed still. Handsome nuzzled my face tenderly.
Wait… are you being gentle because you know I don’t like rough play?
“Meow~”
He answered as if to confirm.
I see. Thank you. And I’m really sorry I hurt you.
Even though turning into a cat didn’t mean I could truly understand them, somehow, I could feel what he meant.
“They made up.”
“Looks like it.”
Joffrey and Allen smiled warmly at us.
But… why are you sticking so close to me? Do cats normally like sitting pressed up against people?
I asked, clueless about feline habits. But suddenly Handsome sprang to his feet.
I didn’t mean I dislike it… Where are you going?
Without warning, he bounded toward the little door Arteef had made especially for me and darted outside.
“Handsome? Handsome! Where are you going? You can’t!”
Allen’s desperate cry echoed, and I bolted after him.
I’ll bring him back!
“Shasha! No, you can’t either!”
Allen shouted, but I was already chasing after the fast-disappearing Handsome.
Handsome! Don’t go! Arteef’s personality is twisted—if he meets another cat, I can’t guarantee he won’t like it as much as me!
By the time I realized it, I had already reached the grand entrance hall on the first floor.
Handsome, you’re really in trou—
But as I searched for him, I froze at the sight of a familiar figure.
Brother…?
