Chapter 26

Everyone held back their laughter, reading the room.

In truth, no one but Klaus found it amusing.

“Our clever sacred creature’s reckless outing has also been determined to be an attempt to distance herself from Emma Schmidt.”

Our Prime Minister, well done.

My eyes lit up as I listened to Lucas, and Klaus seemed convinced enough to give a small nod.

“Mm.”

“Therefore, that maid’s outing, though coincidental, turned out to be extremely important for Kella. By chance, she encountered the sacred creature and was able to guide her back to the Imperial Palace.”

The Emperor narrowed his eyes and asked,

“Are you certain it was merely coincidence.”

“It’s certain, Your Majesty. In the city, a shop was loudly advertising that they had taken in a high bred pet cat that had lost its owner. It was my oversight that I didn’t consider the possibility that our little sacred creature had gone that far alone.”

Just as I tensed, worried the blame might fall on the grocer or Lucas again, the Prime Minister quickly stepped in.

“I was grateful and impressed that the merchant protected our sacred creature from wolves in the fields, so I have already rewarded him.”

I didn’t know how much of the truth Lucas had uncovered, but that was some impressive spin.

Still, when it came to not wanting anyone to die, I was on the same side as the Prime Minister.

So we both kept our mouths shut.

Klaus asked with a dissatisfied look,

“So then, Prime Minister, despite contributing to placing the sacred creature in danger, you suggest that this child should be forgiven.”

“Well… the sacred creature moved of her own will from the beginning. Of course, I firmly believe that every step she took was guided by good intentions.”

At that, Klaus’s icy blue eyes suddenly fixed on me.

W-what…

Can you not look at me like that all of a sudden.

It’s kind of a lot, Your Majesty.

Lucas unnecessarily added fuel to the fire.

“Though I had my suspicions, it’s clear that the sacred cat contributed greatly until I obtained concrete evidence. Would it not be appropriate to commend her for that.”

“Mm.”

Klaus nodded deeply.

Just as I was getting uncomfortable with the conversation shifting toward me and was about to run—

Klaus opened his mouth and said something completely absurd.

“I grant the sacred creature of Goddess Favia the Gaidar Royal Guard.”

What?

Not just me, but everyone was too stunned to speak.

It was Lucas who broke the frozen silence of the Audience Chamber.

“Your Majesty… it’s a most generous gesture, but I’m unsure if it’s what the sacred creature desires. Would it not be better to ask what she wants.”

Klaus tapped his knee as he sat on his high seat.

Ugh… I didn’t want to recognize that gesture.

But since I did, I had no choice but to go to him.

I leapt lightly onto his lap, and everyone gasped.

No one had expected the Ice Emperor to place a cat on his lap.

Klaus stroked my head with his heavy hand and whispered sweetly, as if he had swallowed a handful of sugar.

“Is there something you want.”

Ugh, stop.

Just act like you usually do.

Resisting the urge to shake my ears, I hopped back down.

As I headed toward Lydia, I realized the rumors about the Prime Minister being a genius were not exaggerated.

Because Lucas was smiling, as if he had expected exactly this.

I walked up to Lydia and gently placed my paw on her bowed head.

Klaus let out a strained sound and asked,

“Do you wish for that child to be pardoned.”

I nodded, then placed my other paw on her head as well.

Lucas spoke with a hint of amusement.

“It seems the sacred creature wishes to keep the child by her side. As there happens to be a vacant attendant position, perhaps that would be suitable.”

Lydia, forgetting her fear of the Emperor, whispered to Lucas,

“M-me… you mean me?”

Klaus tapped his knee again.

I ran over and jumped onto his lap. Even though it was the second time, I could feel everyone flinch.

Klaus asked sweetly,

“You want me to give you that child as your attendant?”

I nodded, and he clicked his tongue slightly as if he had no choice.

Then he looked down at Lydia with a displeased expression.

“Lydia, was it. From today onward, you are appointed as the Imperial Sacred Creature Caretaker.”

Lydia didn’t answer. She remained with her forehead pressed to the floor, completely still.

“Raise your head.”

Even at the Emperor’s command, Lydia’s small head stayed frozen in place.

Her shoulders twitched slightly, then even that stopped.

Klaus frowned and asked,

“Do you even know how to care for a sacred creature.”

Lucas stepped in again.

“Your Majesty. I intended to report this separately, but Her Majesty Princess Michaela has requested the reinstatement of the former caretaker Tobias Meyer. As it has now been revealed that the previous incident involved poison, would it not be appropriate to approve this.”

“…Did he not return to the temple.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. However, it seems he fell out of favor there due to remaining in the palace. He has recently been expelled and is now helping at a fabric shop in the city.”

There was no reason for a dismissed young attendant to appeal to Klaus.

I climbed up his shoulder and boldly licked the blouse covering his neck.

Klaus let out a small laugh, and everyone froze as if they had seen something forbidden.

“Stop that, Mari. Is this how you ask me to bring Tobias back.”

I nodded endlessly, purring.

Klaus sighed.

“Grant the sacred creature’s wish.”

He probably had no idea what kind of expression he was making.

The long hearing finally came to an end.

Only after Lucas left in a good mood, assisting Klaus, could I approach my small friend who had practically been glued to the floor.

Lydia hesitated, withdrawing her hand before touching me.

“May someone like me truly touch a sacred creature so cherished by His Majesty…?”

I jumped onto her lap, licked the back of her hand, and rubbed my face against her for a long while.

Britta, who had been watching everything with the expression of a kind aunt, approached Lydia and patted her head.

“This is good news, Lydia.”

“Th-thank you, Head Chef. Can someone like me really become the sacred creature’s attendant? I thought I was surely going to die… everything that happened here feels like a dream.”

“Good child. Goddess Favia is watching over you.”

Britta embraced Lydia in my stead.

Only then did the girl begin to cry tears of relief and joy.

Thank you, Britta.

And just like that, I gained a new attendant.

* * *

Ah, today was one of the best days of my life as a cat.

Lydia was given a room at the very end of the fourth floor where the Emperor’s chambers were.

To me, it seemed drafty and poorly insulated, but Lydia touched the blanket over and over with a dreamy expression.

Then she suddenly pulled her hand back, as if afraid she might wear it out.

Seriously, stop that.

“Meow.”

I climbed onto the bed and meowed, and Lydia smiled brightly as she stroked my head.

“I’ve never seen such a clean blanket before, Sacred Creature.”

To me, it just looked slightly yellowed, but if she liked it, that was enough.

Lydia spoke seriously.

“I heard His Majesty greatly dislikes it when you change where you sleep. Please don’t come to my room at dawn anymore. Instead, I’ll make sure to play with you during the day.”

Of course she would.

“Meow.”

I nodded, letting out a satisfied sound.

We spent some cozy time together in Lydia’s warmer new room.

Only when the sunset began to glow outside the window did I finally leave her bed.

As I lightly jumped down, Lydia quickly stood and asked,

“Are you going to eat, Lady Mari?”

So I led Lydia, who followed closely behind me, to the Prime Minister’s room.

I scratched at the thick door, and a warm voice came from inside.

“Wait, Mari.”

Lydia, not realizing where we were, flinched at the sound of Lucas’s voice and whispered,

“S-sacred creature. If you are meeting the Prime Minister, should I step away for a moment?”

There was no need, but since she seemed uncomfortable, I nodded.

She immediately ran off before the door even opened.

The moment Lucas opened the door, he lifted me high into the air, tossed me up slightly, and cooed at me like a baby.

Then the handsome Prime Minister showered me with kisses until he was satisfied.

After thoroughly bothering me, he gently set me down on the bed, though his large hand lingered on my head.

“How did such a pretty kitty like you end up in Kella, here in Herera. I’m so glad I didn’t send you to the bear enclosure that day.”

As if answering, I rubbed my head against his palm. Lucas then lifted me again and held me in his arms.

Even though he always doted on me, this level of direct and constant contact was rare, and it made me a little shy.

Holding me with one arm and stroking me endlessly, he said,

“Did you see the way His Majesty looked at you earlier. Saying he would give you the Gaidar Royal Guard, haha. Isn’t that a bit much.”

I didn’t know what the Gaidar Royal Guard did, but I was certain it was useless to me.

“Meow.”

I cried in agreement, and Lucas laughed.

“Do you even know what the Gaidar Royal Guard is. It’s the personal guard of the princess in Herera Palace for generations. Somehow, the way His Majesty looks at you reminds me of how he used to look at Her Highness when she was much younger. Haha.”

Lucas seemed to be in a very good mood.

After holding me and playing with me for a long while, he set me down on the bed and looked into my eyes.

“Mari, you’re clever, so you understand what I’m saying, right?”

When I nodded, his dark eyes suddenly grew deeper.

“When His Majesty was young, he lost his youngest sibling. He had a little brother even younger than Michaela.”

Only then did I remember what Klaus had said before.

‘I don’t like losing what is mine.’

His voice had sounded so sad back then.

Lucas continued gently, as if persuading me.

“It left a wound that never healed. Even now, he blames himself. He believes he failed to protect that child. But at the time, he was only eleven. He wasn’t even the Crown Prince, just one of many sons with imperial blood.”

“Meow…”

Lucas smiled again and asked,

“Will you stay with us, safe and well, for a long time?”

Sorry, but I can’t see the future.

So I can’t make promises like that.

Instead of answering, I walked over and licked the collar of his blouse.

“After losing his youngest sibling, this is the first time His Majesty has allowed someone who is not family to stay close. I’m glad it’s you, but you’re so small and fragile that it worries me. If I feel this way, how much more must His Majesty feel.”

But even as Lucas spoke so seriously, I could not have predicted even in a thousand chances—

that our difficult, tsundere Emperor might suddenly become obsessively attached.