Chapter 11

What?

I tilted my head and walked over to the fireplace.

The Emperor’s residence was so cozy and warm that it felt like I could melt right into the rug by the hearth.

Just earlier today, hadn’t he been glaring at me like he wanted to eat me alive?

Klaus looked down at me with an indifferent face.

When I heard the sound of him tapping the bed with his palm, I thought I misheard.

Of course, there was no way he’d invite me twice.

After hesitating for a long while, I finally climbed up and sat at the very edge of the bed.

His low voice, heavy with sleepiness, echoed by my ear.

“Stay where I can see you. In Kella, being by the Emperor’s side is the safest.”

…What?

Is he letting me off?

Why all of a sudden?

But if the chamberlain doesn’t give up that awful plan, I’ll have to keep causing trouble like that forever.

Ugh, what a rough life for a cat.

I don’t even know what’ll come first, dying from eating random things trying to turn human or getting kicked out after earning Klaus’s hatred.

* * *

Returning to the Emperor’s bedroom after just a day felt so comfortable that I slept soundly through the night without waking.

After Klaus left early as usual for hunting, Michaela hurried into the audience chamber.

Today she wore a baby pink dress, and she looked like she had stepped right out of a romance comic.

“Mari!”

After greeting me warmly, the Queen asked a servant in the Emperor’s quarters.

“Was everything peaceful through the night.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Michaela barely maintained a neutral expression in front of the servant, but the moment she turned around, she burst into laughter.

“His Majesty, did he simply call you to his bedside?”

When I nodded, her small hand came down and stroked my head for a long while.

“With that peculiar personality of his, he probably couldn’t say it outright, but it seems he finds you quite adorable. I’m glad you’re here. Please take good care of His Majesty.”

Ah… no, Michaela.

You know it’s already a miracle if I can keep myself alive, don’t expect too much…

To entertain Michaela and also experiment with ways to become human, I spent the morning rolling around here and there.

As lunchtime approached, Emma came into the audience chamber to see Michaela.

“Your Highness, did you sleep well.”

“Yes, Emma. And you?”

“I’ve been staying for a few days in a temporary residence next to my uncle’s quarters. I plan to return when Your Highness departs.”

As she listened, Michaela’s eyes suddenly sparkled.

“Ah, Emma!”

What now?

I had a bad feeling about this.

“Would you take over the sacred creature caretaker position after I leave?”

Oh my god.

Don’t do it, Michaela!

I don’t like this girl!

“The sacred creature caretaker position?”

“That’s just how it sounds. You’d basically be Mari’s personal caretaker.”

Your Highness, she’s the niece of that suspicious chamberlain!

“Oh my, may I really? Won’t the temple send someone else?”

I shook my head wildly, but Michaela was too focused on Emma to notice me.

“Probably not. Oh, I should check whether the attendant who was dismissed managed to return to the temple.”

Hearing that at least Tobias might be okay, I finally stopped shaking my head.

Emma brightened and asked again.

“Oh, then does that mean I’ll officially stay in the palace with my own quarters?”

“Yes, Emma. Please take good care of my brother.”

For the first time, I glared at the Queen.

If she’s going to keep entrusting Klaus to just anyone like this, I refuse!

Just then, Lucas appeared.

Michaela stepped forward and spoke cheerfully.

“Lucas, I’d like to recommend Emma Schmidt for the position of Imperial Sacred Creature Caretaker once I leave.”

Lucas’s black eyes gleamed as he smiled softly.

“If it is also Miss Emma’s wish, then of course.”

“Thank you, Prime Minister. I will serve with all my heart.”

I shook my head vigorously at Lucas.

Even though he clearly understood what I meant, he only smiled and replied.

“No can do, kitty. The Prime Minister of this country is far too busy to take on the caretaker role as well.”

Hey, you jerk!

At least assign me a kitchen servant!

Do you really think that noble lady will even bring me a bowl of water?

But what could a cat who couldn’t speak do?

I sulked and followed Michaela to the banquet hall, while Emma happily trailed behind us.

It was when dessert was served after the meal.

Britta, the head chef, approached the Emperor carrying a tray with bottles and several glasses.

The white chef’s hat on her head shone with dignity.

“Your Majesty, this is a milk liquor that pairs well with the shortbread prepared for dessert. It contains nuts, so I will serve something else for the Prime Minister.”

It seemed the moment had finally come.

“Thank you.”

Klaus replied for once.

As he took the glass, I glanced toward the servant passage some distance away.

Sure enough, Lydia was peeking out and watching from there.

She looked afraid that the Emperor might notice something strange after drinking the liquor.

She must have been uneasy about using a different ingredient after losing the original one.

But Klaus simply drank the milk liquor with a perfectly calm expression.

The chamberlain also looked anxious, caught between expectation and fear.

What he hoped for would never happen.

Next, Michaela received a glass.

I calmly licked some cheese while watching her tilt the glass.

When it was Emma’s turn, the chamberlain quietly stood up.

“Emma, could we speak privately for a moment?”

It seemed he planned to cleverly remove his relative from the table.

After that, only a few ladies would remain at the head table. What a despicable man.

However, unlike his intention to avoid strong liquor, that drink was probably nothing more than blackberry wine.

At this rate, Klaus might become known as an invincible Emperor who couldn’t be harmed even by poison.

After finishing the cheese, Michaela picked up the empty plate and asked.

“Mari, are you done? Want some fruit?”

Ah, Michaela.

Isn’t there anything more creative to eat?

The Emperor will survive, but how am I supposed to turn human!

What if I’m not a beast person at all and just a regular cat?

This is seriously driving me crazy.

* * *

Night fell.

The nasty chamberlain carefully observed the Emperor as he entered his residence.

“Your Majesty, your complexion doesn’t seem well. Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Klaus looked briefly puzzled, then shook his head bluntly.

“No. Withdraw and rest.”

I stuck out my tongue at the chamberlain as he reluctantly left.

It was my own version of “bleh,” but of course he couldn’t understand.

What a shame.

Contrary to the chamberlain’s expectations, Klaus’s complexion was as pale as ever, and just as the chamberlain had complained about Lucas, the Emperor who hunted daily always looked pale anyway, and his limbs were perfectly fine.

I had only meant to check if he was in his usual condition, but before I knew it, I was staring blankly at him changing his clothes.

Ugh.

Get a grip, Im Mari.

Where are you looking!

For the first time, I was grateful that I was covered in fur as a cat.

Otherwise, my flushed face would have been completely obvious.

Unaware of my situation, Klaus climbed onto the bed comfortably.

The dull sound of him tapping the bed echoed through the room again.

After calming my foolishly racing heart, I moved to the side of his head.

But when I thought of the chamberlain’s restless expression, I couldn’t fall asleep at all.

Something might happen again in the kitchen tonight.

What if the chamberlain makes Lydia prepare another drink or throws her out for ruining things?

After Klaus fell into a deep sleep, I finally slipped out of the Emperor’s bedroom.

Sneaking into the servant passage, I found the corridor suitably empty.

First, I went to the small kitchen where I had first met Lydia.

Just like before, broth was simmering, and there was even a cushion placed there as if someone thought I might come down.

But there was no sign of anyone.

After silently thanking Britta, who must have placed the cushion, I headed down to the servants’ quarters.

I had never been there before, but I really wanted to check if Lydia was okay.

I walked back and forth along the corridor several times, unable to tell which of the many small rooms was hers.

Then I heard a sharp slapping sound.

Oh my god, that horrible Baron Pensler!

There’s no way he hit a child with that huge body, right?

It wasn’t hard to find where the sound came from.

The servants’ quarters were lined with poorly soundproofed wooden doors.

But the voice that followed was unexpectedly a woman’s.

“So tell me why you’re the only one running errands for the chamberlain! Did you sell your body to that esteemed baron?”

How could someone say that to a ten year old child.

I lay flat in front of the door and listened.

“That is absolutely not true. I only happened to meet him while staying late in the kitchen to clean. After that, I only made the milk liquor twice as the chamberlain ordered. I swear.”

“And you expect me to believe you received a silver coin for just that?”

“I-it’s true. The chamberlain simply showed me kindness…”

“Enough! Either way, it’s unfair that only you received a silver coin for something anyone could do. This money will be used as shared expenses for the kitchen staff.”

Lydia let out a choked sob.

“Please, I beg you. My mother has been suffering from pneumonia for a long time. I really need that money.”

Poor Lydia.

Even if it was something anyone could do, she clearly worked late into the night and earned it fairly.

Anger surged through me, and I extended my claws and scratched at the door furiously.

There was a sharp intake of breath inside, then the door opened slightly.

A slightly older maid stepped out, her face hidden under the hood of her cloak, lowering her head in confusion.

“How did the sacred cat come all the way here…”

Behind her, Lydia raised a finger to her lips in a ‘shh’ gesture.

Lydia, don’t worry.

I can’t speak anyway…

But I can take that coin back for you.

I lunged at the girl called the leader and bit down hard on her wrist.

“Aah!”

For the first time in my life as a cat, I found myself wishing harm on someone.

The coin rolled out the door, and I quickly chased after it and grabbed it.

“M-Milord sacred creature! Please come back!”

The maid couldn’t even shout properly and called out in a hushed voice.

I quickly ran upstairs.

At this hour, servants couldn’t come upstairs without a reason.

I decided to sit on the landing and wait until things calmed down.

With Lydia’s precious silver coin tightly hidden under my paws.

After a few doors opened and closed, the place finally fell quiet.

Then I carefully got up and went to Lydia’s room.

When I gently scratched the door, she appeared.

Her face was swollen from being hit earlier.

“Sacred creature, why are you here again…”

I jumped onto the bed and placed the coin down, and Lydia’s tears began to fall.

“Did you help me?”