Chapter 10

Not long after, the kitchen started to grow noisy.

It was still dark before sunrise, but it was too loud to sleep.

With no choice, I staggered around and ended up watching all the busy servants at work.

In the utensil room, they polished silverware.

In the dairy room, they churned cheese and made butter.

Some servants hurried upstairs with brooms, while the laundry room was busy starching large bed sheets.

I thought Klaus was the most diligent one in the castle since he woke at dawn, but I was completely wrong.

The laundry room, where hot irons moved back and forth, was so warm I almost wanted to stay there forever, though it looked a bit dangerous.

Everywhere I went, the servants welcomed me.

Among them, I spotted Lydia, still wearing the same apron as earlier.

Kids should sleep more to grow, but I had no idea how she was already up again after only a few hours.

After wandering around, I returned to the small room in the kitchen where I had spent the night.

Now something like jam was boiling instead of broth, filling the air with a sweet smell, but I couldn’t fight off sleep anymore.

In the end, I fell asleep there again.

Around lunchtime, chaos broke out once more.

Head Chef Britta shouted loud enough to shake the entire kitchen.

“Has anyone seen the sacred creature!”

…Are you looking for me?

I stretched lazily and got up.

I’m exhausted after missing sleep earlier.

“The sacred creature has gone missing overnight! By imperial command! Search every corner!”

That imperial command again.

Fine, whatever.

Tobi’s gone anyway, and if you want to throw me out, do as you like.

As I wandered out, a kitchen servant quietly cupped both hands in front of me.

I stepped onto them calmly and was immediately carried to Britta.

I can’t let someone else get punished because of me again.

“My goodness, sacred creature. Why were you in the kitchen? Were you hungry?”

Britta quickly checked that her hat was properly in place, then picked me up right away.

She rushed toward the Emperor at incredible speed.

Whoa, Chef.

You’re this fast?

In an instant, we arrived at the heavy doors of the Audience Chamber.

I held my breath.

Since Tobi was kicked out, I must be next.

Am I going to the bear enclosure like the Emperor once planned…?

The guards opened the massive doors.

The air of the Audience Chamber felt strangely familiar.

It’s only been a day, and yet I’m already this attached…

“My goodness, Mari!”

When Britta carried me inside, the first one to run over was Michaela.

She wore a pale sky blue dress, but didn’t care about getting it dirty as she hugged me tightly.

“Where were you all night? In the kitchen? Oh my, what’s all this ash…”

Ugh, I’m such a disgrace as a cat.

I must have gotten covered in ash from the mess with Lydia, and I couldn’t groom myself because I was worried about ingesting poison powder.

Britta answered in my place.

“I’m not certain about the night, but it seems she was in a corner of the kitchen since dawn. I deeply apologize for causing such a disturbance across the palace.”

As Michaela brushed ash from my ears, she asked,

“Was our little sacred creature warm enough? She gets cold easily, I’m worried.”

“In that case, Your Highness, she must have stayed in the auxiliary kitchen. We kept broth boiling overnight, and jam was cooking all morning.”

Michaela took out a silver coin and handed it over.

“Thank you. If the sacred creature visits the kitchen again, please take good care of her.”

“Of course. It seems she hasn’t eaten properly, so I’ll prepare something right away.”

After Britta left, I licked Michaela’s sleeve with guilt.

The kind young queen carried me toward her brother and spoke in an exaggerated tone.

“Oh my, Your Majesty. Our little sacred creature looks so frightened. How pitiful…”

But Klaus looked genuinely displeased.

Today he wore black, making him look even bigger and more intimidating.

As he turned his head, his golden hair shone even brighter against the dark clothing.

“She dared to harm the First Princess of the imperial family. Even her life would not be enough to atone for that crime.”

“Harm? Your Majesty, she’s just a baby cat who played a little. If you intend to scold her like this, then give her to me instead. I’ll take her to Grayhin, give her a room, assign attendants, and raise her comfortably.”

Back when I didn’t know Michaela well, that would have sounded like a dream.

But Klaus’s blue eyes flashed with killing intent, and suddenly I just wanted to survive.

I thought he wouldn’t even bother refusing, but he spoke firmly.

“I said no.”

Ugh, he’s terrifying…

At that moment, heavy footsteps echoed as Lucas appeared.

He must have just returned from hunting with the Emperor, still wearing a thick cloak lined with gray fur.

He reached out and stroked my back, then gently brushed my tail.

Then he asked in a sweet voice,

“Little kitty, why did you run away? This palace has many frightening things.”

Ha, and your Emperor is the scariest of all.

But I knew how to behave.

Even if I scoffed inwardly, I lowered my eyes pitifully and pressed my front paws together.

The handsome prime minister and the young queen widened their eyes.

“Your Majesty, it seems the sacred creature is apologizing.”

Lucas chuckled in disbelief, and Michaela kept stroking my head, clearly delighted.

But Klaus’s blue eyes remained cold as ice.

I acted cute with a soft “meow,” but he frowned.

“Unbelievable.”

Then he turned away and went into his residence.

What now, am I really going to the bear enclosure…?

But it seemed I still didn’t understand Klaus well enough.

Michaela clapped her hands and laughed.

“It looks like His Majesty will forgive Mari, don’t you think, Lucas?”

Lucas smiled and clicked his tongue.

“How could he hold out when Your Highness nags him all day? Still, this little Mari is quite remarkable.”

“Right? She’s so clever and adorable! Can’t I really take her with me?”

Lucas smiled faintly.

“He said no. It would only give the temple a reason to complain.”

As Michaela pouted, Lucas added,

“But since her caretaker is gone, you could act as her temporary caretaker while you’re here. How about that?”

Michaela’s blue eyes lit up with joy.

“Really? That’s wonderful! But I’ll have to return in a few days…”

Her words made me feel sad too.

Of course, as a queen, she couldn’t stay in her family home forever.

“We’ll think about a successor as well.”

And just like that, I survived again.

Michaela’s arms were warm and kind, but I was worried about Tobi.

Where did he go?

Did he return to being a temple attendant?

If so, that would be a relief…

* * *

Michaela’s residence was busy all day with visits from noble ladies.

Each girl arrived dressed like a doll, expressing regret that the queen would soon return to Grayhin.

Once she left, they would lose their excuse to visit the palace, and that meant they wouldn’t get to see Klaus either.

Foolish girls…

Your Emperor Klaus the First is best admired from afar. It’s safer that way too…

One of the girls gifted me a soft wooden brush.

After all the guests left, Michaela reclined on her bed and gently brushed my fur.

“Oh my, your fur is so soft and fine. There’s no cat as beautiful as you in all of Kella, or even the entire continent.”

When Michaela leaves, and with Tobi gone, how am I supposed to live?

I trembled slightly, and she covered me with her cloak.

“Are you cold? I’ll call a tailor tomorrow and have a fur shawl made for you.”

I shook my head.

What I meant was that I needed you, not a shawl, but she laughed brightly.

“Our little sacred creature is so modest. When I leave, will you think of me whenever you wear it? Winter in Kella won’t last much longer.”

Even when spring comes, nothing will be as warm as Michaela’s embrace.

She got ready for bed and lifted the feather blanket.

“Mari, come here!”

I quickly climbed up and pressed against her shoulder.

Her soft cheek rubbed against my face.

As we shared that warm moment, there was a knock.

Knock knock.

Michaela blinked.

“Who is it?”

“Your Highness, a servant from His Majesty’s bedchamber.”

She stood up, puzzled, and put on her cloak.

“What is it?”

She opened the door slightly and asked.

The servant bowed deeply.

“I apologize for the late hour, Your Highness, but His Majesty is looking for the sacred creature…”

Michaela looked slightly annoyed.

“For what reason? I was told I would care for the sacred creature during my stay in Kella.”

The servant simply lowered his head, unable to answer.

In the end, I had to step out of the warm bed myself.

If the Emperor calls, what choice do I have?

“I’ll come with you…”

Michaela hesitated, uncomfortable stepping out in her nightwear.

“Meow!”

I answered bravely and jumped into the servant’s arms.

He held me awkwardly, as if it was his first time holding an animal.

Then he bowed to the queen.

“I will take my leave. His Majesty has already retired, so it should not be anything serious.”

Just as she looked puzzled, I grew curious too.

If he’s already in bed, why is Klaus calling for me?

Did he wait until now to punish me?

At this hour?

As we passed through his residence and entered his private quarters, I grew more and more uneasy.

But the servant set me down at the door and disappeared without a sound.

Ugh, what am I supposed to do…

As I hesitated at the entrance, Klaus’s cold voice echoed.

“It’s not a good habit to change where you sleep so easily.”