Chapter 26
Why’s he suddenly acting all friendly? I don’t get it. Does he have a different personality in his human form than in his cat form?
The face of the boy who had been feverish and thrashing about, insisting he didn’t trust me, flashed before my eyes. Sure, I knew that outburst wasn’t entirely sincere, but still—who would’ve thought that after just one nap, he’d be rubbing up against me like he’d been waiting for me all along?
Is this mood swing thing puberty? Well, at fourteen, it makes sense for it to hit.
When dealing with a teenager, one must broaden their patience and generosity to the utmost.
Having settled on that mindset—Well, I guess it’s possible—I awkwardly placed my hand on the cat’s back.
When I stroked his fur rather absentmindedly, he pushed his head into my palm. It seemed he wanted me to pet his head instead of his back.
…Weird. This is practically a personality swap. His ability to change his attitude is on another level.
I pushed the thought aside and gently scratched the little cat’s head. The soft sensation slipping between my fingers brought me a sense of peace.
But unlike me, who had quickly regained composure, Davina and Mikhail’s expressions were strange. They were openly glaring at the cat with wary eyes.
“What’s with the eyes, you two?”
“What do you mean, miss?”
Mikhail schooled his expression into polite innocence. To be honest, his ‘normal’ face was just as sharp as his ‘menacing’ one, so to others, they probably looked the same.
Davina, lips jutting out in displeasure, stated firmly,
“I don’t like cats.”
“The cat can hear you. You shouldn’t say things like that.”
“He might not even be a cat.”
“…”
Good grief, this wild-beast-like little sister. That sharp instinct of hers…
I froze for a moment in surprise, but the one in question, Lili, remained perfectly calm.
The cat deliberately rubbed his face against my thigh, then turned toward Davina and spoke.
“Meow.”
“That little—!”
As sworn enemies in the original story, Lili and Davina’s compatibility was predictably awful. Still, when you’ve been around someone since childhood, even grudges tend to mellow.
Determined to get them to get along, I picked up Lili and approached Davina.
The closer they got, the more tense the air became. It was the kind of atmosphere you’d expect when two animals fight over territory.
“Davina, what’s the cat’s name?”
“Why would I need to know a wild animal’s name?”
“Didn’t you just say he’s not an animal?”
“…Hmph.”
“What did your sister name him again?”
Davina pursed her lips stubbornly for a moment before giving in.
“Lili. Lili Vallienor.”
“That’s right. Lili’s a Vallienor too. That means you’re his older sister, right? And what’s an older sister supposed to do for her younger sibling?”
At my neat little hierarchy explanation, the cat’s golden eyes twitched.
You’re telling me I’m the youngest? It’s already humiliating enough for me, the crown prince, to be living as a cat, and now you’re saying I rank below this brat? His gaze screamed that sentiment loud and clear.
Davina, on the other hand, seemed delighted to be the “older sister,” grinning wickedly down at Lili like a textbook villain.
“You’re supposed to tease your younger siblings as much as possible. Just like big brother does to me.”
“…No.”
Figures. I knew she’d like this.
“No? Why not?”
“That’s because Jeremiah is wrong. Think about how you treat Davina.”
“…You’re supposed to be nice.”
“Exactly. So, let’s make up now.”
“Hiss…”
I grabbed one of Lili’s paws and reached it toward Davina. Understanding my intention, Davina’s hand twitched.
After a brief hesitation, she extended her small hand—only for the pubescent cat to reveal his nasty temper without restraint.
“HISSS!!”
“You damn cat!!”
…Ha.
Life really isn’t easy.
The reconciliation ceremony blew up spectacularly, and feeling suddenly exhausted, I returned to my desk and picked up an invitation. Work was a thousand times better than childcare.
All morning, my room was a battlefield. The cat’s hissing and the child’s shrill screams tangled together into an unpleasant harmony.
I deliberately kept my head turned and focused on replying to the invitation. My ability to concentrate had improved so much that Mikhail seemed quite pleased.
“Looks like the morning’s work is done. Let’s go see Jeremiah.”
“Yes, miss.”
“No fighting—stay put quietly.”
“Yes, sister.”
“Meow!”
Both Lili and Davina answered resolutely without taking their eyes off each other.
I didn’t even have to see it to know—they’d definitely be fighting for dominance the moment I stepped out.
Well, it’s not like they’d get hurt. Kids grow up by fighting anyway.
Thinking optimistically, I turned away—then a bad thought struck me. Sure, they wouldn’t get hurt, but my room could end up wrecked.
“You two, listen well. If I find a single thing broken when I get back, you’re both banned from my room forever.”
“…Okay.”
“…Meow.”
“And if you try sneaking in, I’ll have Mikhail stand guard so you never set foot inside again.”
“That’s too much.”
“Meow!”
“All you have to do is behave.”
I flashed a gentle smile before turning away. After a warning that clear, even beasts should understand.
“Phew, finally some peace.”
Mikhail’s cool eyes glanced over my profile. He clearly had something he wanted to say.
“What’s that look—that I have a lot to say but won’t say it face?”
“May I speak, miss?”
“Go ahead. Anything.”
“The cat understands human speech surprisingly well. I suspect it’s been raised around humans.”
“…Ah.”
Not one hundred percent certain, but my internal AI pinged at the thought, making me freeze mid-step. I tried to act casual, changing the subject subtly.
“It’s still a secret from Father. I’ll tell him soon. He wouldn’t forbid me from keeping it, right?”
“I doubt he would.”
Again, Mikhail’s tone was reluctant. I narrowed my eyes at him, wanting to scold him for his uncharacteristic disloyalty, but too many suspicions held my tongue.
Instead, I casually tossed out a work-related question.
“How’s the imperial family these days? Any noteworthy news?”
“The imperial court is always noisy with matters big and small.”
His eyes lengthened slightly—a barely perceptible twitch of facial muscles—but I still rushed to justify myself.
“Roxanne, the imperial princess, will be arriving soon. I just want to prepare well. Even minor news will help.”
“The latest intelligence says that last week, the First Empress changed her lover, and that a month ago, His Majesty the Emperor took in a young concubine, followed by two more.”
Wait, isn’t the beloved empress changing lovers a top-secret matter? And he knows about it?
“Is that… common knowledge? Is the imperial family more open than I thought?”
“Hardly. Aside from those involved and House Vallienor, no one knows.”
I see. Not exactly something I wanted to know.
If Vallienor can get such classified intel faster than anyone, they must have one of the largest underground intelligence networks.
Well, they are a generations-old shadow family. That’s probably basic for them.
“What about the princes and princesses?”
“Crown Prince Richard’s whereabouts are currently unknown. He was last seen leaving for the detached palace to practice swordsmanship. No news since.”
“Where’s that detached palace located?”
“Near the residence of the First Empress’s family, Duke Nepherion’s estate. Not far from here.”
“Oh.”
The pieces clicked together, and I couldn’t help but let out a sound of realization.
So he killed the legitimate heir on home turf? Is this boldness or stupidity?
Is this really the same cunning character from the original?
If the assassination actually succeeded in these circumstances, it’s basically shouting I’m the culprit! Please arrest me! I honestly can’t tell if he’s overly confident or just reckless.
While turning that over in my head, we reached Jeremiah’s room.
I almost knocked right away but decided to keep my dignity and call for a maid instead.
The maid guarding the door went inside for a moment, then returned with a pale face.
“Miss, young master Jeremiah is under strict orders not to be disturbed during heir training.”
“Who gave that order?”
“Count Pavel, with the duke’s consent.”
“Oh… is this because of that?”
The picnic kidnapping incident.
Mikhail and I exchanged a glance. His blood-red eyes had turned cold.
Keeping a calm smile, I asked,
“And the reason? There must be an explanation.”
“They said that for the month he’s staying in the annex, they’ll be conducting special training for heir education.”
“Did Jeremiah agree to this?”
“Yes, miss.”
A chill washed over me.
They must already know about the Caitlin Baron affair. To avoid giving me any excuse to interfere, they’ve completely cut me off.
Hmph. So that’s how they want to play it.
