Chapter 6

The Emperor’s bedroom, which I entered for the first time, was less extravagant than I expected.

A faint yellow flame flickered in the fireplace, and beneath the extinguished candles lay an overwhelming pile of unfinished documents.

As I passed through the arched doorway, the scent of wood filled the air.

The forest like smell that always clung to him clearly didn’t come only from the hunting grounds.

A heavy velvet curtain hung over the wide bed supported by pillars.

I slipped through the gap in the curtain, but the bed was so tall that I couldn’t see anything.

Ugh, if I get caught like this, I’m definitely getting hit.

I quietly jumped onto the Emperor’s bed.

Klaus was asleep, leaning slightly against a large pillow.

Over the thick and soft blanket, he wore loose ivory colored sleepwear I had never seen before.

I thought he would wake up immediately at my presence, but his thick golden lashes remained firmly closed.

Maybe he was tired from secretly getting up every night to check on me.

I stood quietly at the edge of the bed and looked up at him.

I wanted to make sure he was really sleeping peacefully and not in pain.

I had only stood there for a moment when his tightly shut eyes suddenly opened.

The sharp blue gaze quickly softened as it recognized me in the firelight.

Klaus let out a low sigh.

“Lump, it’s you again.”

His expression was closer to relief.

Since Klaus seemed perfectly fine, I had only come all this way to interrupt his rest for nothing.

I was debating whether to run away when he asked.

“Are you hurting somewhere again?”

Now the one who might be in danger wasn’t me anymore.

I tilted my head slightly, and he tapped the bed beside him.

“Come here.”

I couldn’t help but hesitate.

I thought I’d get scolded just for entering this room.

When I didn’t move closer, he propped himself up on one elbow.

Through his loose linen sleepwear, I could glimpse his firm muscles shaped by hunting.

I lowered my gaze in embarrassment, forgetting for a moment that I was a cat.

Klaus urged again.

“I said come closer.”

W-why do you keep telling me to come closer?

Your Majesty, I’m not the kind of person who just climbs into a man’s bed like this.

I’m not that kind of girl… or cat.

Since I couldn’t say that, I just shook my head.

Klaus sighed again and fully sat up.

Then, with clear hesitation, he reached both hands toward me.

His awkward hands fumbled as they touched me.

He seemed to have no idea how to hold me, awkwardly grabbing under my arms and almost tickling me to death.

After several attempts, he finally managed to lift me.

His vivid blue eyes shone up close.

They were deep and captivating, like I could be pulled into them.

Keeping eye contact, he asked.

“Where does it hurt?”

I shook my head, and Klaus let out a small laugh.

“So you’re pretending to understand since you’re a sacred creature. Fine, go to sleep.”

Then he placed me on a large cushion right beside his pillow.

For a brief moment, his large hand rested over my back.

As if telling me not to leave.

Soon, his steady breathing filled the air.

The bed was so wide that my tiny body wouldn’t disturb him at all.

But the Emperor, who had fallen asleep so defenselessly, kept me awake.

It wasn’t because of his appearance in sleepwear making me nervous, absolutely not.

It was because I was worried about his life.

So this was all out of loyalty, I want to make that clear even if no one asked.

* * *

I opened my eyes as I sensed Klaus leaving the bed.

Morning light softly filled the room.

He tried to leave quietly so as not to wake me, but it was pointless.

The space outside the curtain quickly grew noisy.

I could hear water sloshing nearby, probably servants preparing water for washing.

I was dozing again while listening to the sound when suddenly the curtain was pulled wide open.

“H-huh… S-sacred creature, were you sleeping here?”

The attendant stuttered, more startled than I was.

Surprised?

Well, I didn’t expect this either.

It seemed Klaus had already gone out hunting.

Lying alone on the vast bed, I didn’t feel like getting up.

This is the softest place I’ve ever been in Kella…

Maybe because of me, the servant stood there awkwardly holding out a clean sheet, unsure what to do.

Seeing that he couldn’t even ask me to move, I sighed.

So I quietly climbed down to the floor.

Outside the bed, servants were bustling around with dusters and brooms, cleaning everywhere.

When I left the private quarters and went to the Emperor’s residence, Tobi was waiting for me.

After settling near the fireplace, I fell into a deep sleep again.

Klaus would return from hunting around lunchtime, so from then on, I’d have to stick close to him and watch if anyone tried to give him something suspicious to eat.

To do that, I’d better get plenty of rest while he’s away.

After waiting all morning, the Emperor finally returned.

I quickly followed him as he headed toward the banquet hall.

“Mari! Did you sleep well?”

Michaela had appeared out of nowhere and greeted me.

But instead of going to her, I stayed near Klaus’s feet, and Lucas teased me.

“Has His Majesty allowed the sacred creature to stay close? It seems oddly attached to you.”

Michaela grumbled.

“I heard the servants gossiping, and apparently His Majesty let Mari into his private quarters to sleep with him. She might be the first female living being to enter his bedchamber.”

Klaus immediately defended himself.

“She came at dawn, and I thought she might fall ill again from the cold, so I didn’t turn her away. Isn’t this all because of that useless oath you forced on me.”

As I watched the Emperor trying to act dignified, Tobi brought another bowl of porridge.

It seemed he had cooled it in advance so Klaus wouldn’t force me to eat it while it was hot.

I licked the nutty sweet potato porridge and kept an eye out in case anyone tried to serve something suspicious specifically to Klaus.

But nothing unusual stood out.

After the meal, Klaus and Lucas stayed in the audience chamber for a long time, taking turns meeting an endless stream of visitors.

During that time, I stayed right beside Klaus’s desk.

Even though I wanted to move to the fireplace because it was cold, I endured it.

Tobi asked.

“Mari, are you not cold today?”

I shook my head firmly to strengthen my resolve, and Tobi smiled brightly.

“Our sacred Mari is truly remarkable. Even Lady Katarina couldn’t express herself this clearly.”

Speaking of my mother cat, I still didn’t understand why Katarina was considered a sacred creature.

We couldn’t communicate at all.

If Katarina had ever gotten a divination right, it must have been pure luck or thanks to someone like Lucas.

I shook my head again to show I was different from Katarina.

Klaus, who had been resting, suddenly spoke up.

“Does the sacred creature often express itself like that.”

He had dismissed me the night before, saying I was only pretending to understand.

Tobi answered honestly.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Sometimes she expresses what she likes and dislikes.”

Then Lucas, standing beside the Emperor, asked playfully.

“Kitty, do you think this Prime Minister is handsome?”

I looked up at Lucas’s deep black eyes.

His sharp nose, thin lips, pale skin, and broad shoulders.

It was hard to say no.

I nodded slowly, and laughter erupted around us.

“As expected, our sacred creature has good taste.”

Lucas lifted me onto his shoulder, and Klaus shot him an annoyed look.

What, what is it.

“Lump, you think the Prime Minister is handsome?”

When I nodded again, Klaus’s blue eyes flashed.

“What part of him is handsome. He never sees the sun, so his face is always pale.”

“That’s because Your Majesty makes him work too much…”

Lucas protested, but Klaus cut him off immediately.

“Then he should join me for morning hunts, as I’ve told him many times.”

Lucas let out a deep sigh.

“I stay up late working every night. I even handle the drinking banquets that Your Majesty should attend…”

He stopped complaining under Klaus’s sharp gaze.

“Either way, this furball has terrible taste.”

Hey, my standards aren’t that low.

I was dumbfounded, and Lucas was offended too.

“Ha. Then let me ask. Mari, who is more handsome, His Majesty or me.”

…Are you a child?

And I can only answer yes or no, what do you expect me to do.

As if he read my thoughts, Lucas changed the question.

“Alright. If His Majesty is more handsome, raise your right paw. If I’m more handsome, raise your left paw.”

He even demonstrated by lifting my paws one by one.

“Mari, this is your right paw. And this is your left paw.”

Prime Minister.

I know my right and left.

But seriously, you’re doing this…

I lay on Lucas’s shoulder, waiting for Klaus to stop this nonsense.

Finally, Klaus spoke.

“Fine. Let’s see it.”

What?

At the absurd response, Tobi forced an awkward smile, his face pale.

“H-ha… Sacred creature, please answer carefully…”

Fine, here!

With a whatever attitude, I raised my right paw and tapped Lucas’s face.

He stared at my paw and asked.

“W-what. Mari, did you just raise your right paw?”

Of course, I’m always on the Emperor’s side.

I don’t even know what my next life will be, so I can’t risk my life carelessly.

And even if Klaus is insane, he’s undeniably more handsome.

Facts are facts.

When I repeated the same action calmly, Klaus seemed satisfied.

“You clearly raised your right paw.”

For once, warmth seemed to enter his cold blue eyes, and he immediately gave an order to the chamberlain.

“Baron Pensler, send twelve barrels of the finest wine to the Temple of Favia. It is a reward for sending us the sacred creature.”

…Now you say that?

Tobi, however, didn’t question the Emperor’s reward at all and bowed deeply.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Seeing Tobi’s brightened expression, I was glad I raised my right paw.

Contrary to my worries, the afternoon remained peaceful.