Chapter 09
In the original novel, until the Crown Prince fell in love with the heroine, he always felt an inferiority complex toward Marcel.
From Marcel’s mana resonance with Etienne, to practically everything else.
‘Maybe that’s why his relationship with Eloise was so poor, too.’
“Meow.”
In the quiet air, only my cry rang out.
The hand that had stopped stroking me began to move busily again.
“They must be looking for a good master who can care for this little one properly.”
“Well, they wouldn’t leave it to someone who slaps others just to vent their anger. Not unless Marcel were an idiot.”
As expected of the so-called villainess. She even went around slapping the wrong people.
Eloise calmly stroked my fur with her fingertips, as though the story wasn’t about her at all.
“If this little one has disturbed Your Highness’s important state duties, I must apologize.”
“Do you think I came all the way here just because of a cat? I haven’t even begun the real business, yet you’re telling me to leave?”
Only then did I realize his words meant “If you’ll only talk about the cat, then get lost.”
Ugh, nobles are so complicated. I was grateful I hadn’t transmigrated as some young lady of high birth.
“I only worried it might trouble Your Highness.”
“…Ha. I’m sick to death of the young lady’s words.”
The Crown Prince sighed heavily, his handsome features twisting in annoyance.
Unfortunately, even that face sparkled. Of course, male leads had to be handsome.
But honestly, I preferred the sunshine-like Marcel over this Crown Prince who was as cold as a polar glacier.
Marcel… my Butler No. 1, are you doing well?
Did you eat steak comfortably after leaving me in this miserable place?
“……”
“……”
Unlike the fresh air of the greenhouse, the atmosphere here was freezing cold.
Naturally so—two icy aristocrats were glaring daggers at each other.
Wasn’t this supposed to be a greenhouse tour? At this rate, I’d freeze to death. Save the cat!
“M-meow…”
“…Marianne is nothing more than a lover. I came to say that our engagement remains unchanged.”
Hearing my cry, the Crown Prince’s voice softened slightly as he got to the point.
In the novel, he had hidden his mana resonance training with the heroine, afraid it would become a weakness.
“You’re even considerate of me, who’s resting at home. Truly meticulous of you, Your Highness.”
“Young Lady.”
“My father will uphold his promise to His Majesty. You need not worry. I’m fine as well.”
Eloise spoke calmly, lightly stroking my back.
Her touch was gentler than Marcel’s, I had to admit.
Feeling good, I purred loudly.
“…For someone who says she’s fine, you were awfully harsh in venting your anger.”
“If you’re referring to the daughter of Viscount Crimson, I merely tried to brush away the insect on her cheek.”
What a lie. Even without seeing it happen, anyone could tell that was nonsense.
“Don’t spout absurdities.”
“It’s the truth. I even sent her a gift to express my apology.”
“Yes—by gifting her a villa. I heard she smiled brightly despite her swollen cheek.”
Wow. That’s villainess level. Slap someone once, then make amends with a villa.
“Because I am a Monclair.”
The pride in that name was palpable.
“Still, doesn’t it seem strange for a noble lady of Monclair to keep such a cat?”
“What do you mean?”
“A noble lady shouldn’t keep a stray cat of unknown pedigree.”
Oh? Wasn’t that throwing shade at himself?
After all, the Crown Prince was born between the Emperor and a commoner—a half-blooded royal.
I understood his inferiority complex toward Marcel, who was born from the Empress, but did he really need to phrase it like that?
Sure enough, Eloise’s perfect brow furrowed.
“So that is why Your Highness holds ‘that woman’ in your arms?”
Eloise, usually so indirect, spoke bluntly this time.
A fitting counterattack, since the heroine was also a commoner.
“Because she is so noble, isn’t she more useful than a lady whose abilities haven’t even awakened?”
That bastard. He was ripping open her wounds.
My body moved before my mind—I pushed the teacup hard toward the Crown Prince with my paw.
Clatter!
The cup fell to the floor with a loud crash.
“Lizette!”
Eloise’s startled cry rang out.
The Crown Prince’s pristine white uniform was stained red-brown with tea.
‘Gentle Bastard.’
That was the nickname readers gave him: genteel and refined on the surface, but stacking up karmic debt with his words to the heroine.
Every sentence out of his mouth built more karma.
Readers couldn’t wait to see him crash and burn.
Thinking he must have said the same sort of things to Eloise, I could almost understand why she turned twisted.
“Your Highness, are you all right?”
Eloise lifted me from the table, her voice calm as ever. Only when she had cried my name earlier had she shown real emotion.
“I’m fine.”
“My apologies.”
The Crown Prince brushed the tea from his trousers.
Hmph. It wasn’t even that hot.
I hadn’t been able to hold back after hearing that karmic insult.
I’d wanted to scratch his face, but reason stopped me, so I settled for throwing the teacup instead.
Luckily, only the three of us were in the greenhouse, so it didn’t become a bigger scandal.
“Forget it.”
The Crown Prince rose to leave, apparently finished.
Eloise stood to see him out, but he waved her off.
“No need for a send-off. It would only draw more attention.”
Eloise quickly gave a graceful curtsey in place of seeing him out.
His green eyes stabbed into her before vanishing from sight.
Only the lingering scent of tea remained in the greenhouse.
“…Looks like we won’t be enjoying a greenhouse tour after all, Lizette.”
“Meow.”
Serves us right, really.
It was a shame not to enjoy such a luxurious greenhouse, but I was the one who broke the cup. Who else could I blame?
Eloise returned to her seat, stroking me quietly.
Her fingertips trembled slightly, but her voice remained steady.
“What upset you so much?”
I didn’t even know myself.
I’d just been furious at his words—measuring an engagement in terms of usefulness.
Maybe it was some PTSD from people who’d treated me like a tool in my past life—family, a few part-time bosses.
At least I’d learned the hard way that staying silent only made me a fool.
I rubbed my head against her cold hand.
“Meow.”
That bastard Crown Prince. He’s probably still building up karma with the heroine right now.
I hope he suffers terribly later. Worse than in the original.
“Meo—!”
Wait! What if he says he’s fine now but later blames House Monclair?
In the novel, the villainess bullied the heroine, and the Crown Prince confronted Duke Monclair about it.
It had been satisfying to read, but now that I was involved, it was terrifying.
What if I caused Duke Monclair’s crisis to arrive sooner?
“Lizette?”
“Meeow…”
As I fretted, cold fingertips tickled my head.
Sigh. Surely he wouldn’t complain that a cat spilled tea on him. He’s the male lead, after all—he wouldn’t be that petty.
Click, clack.
The sharp sound of footsteps rang out, and Eloise’s hand stilled.
I lifted my head, sensing a chilling presence.
There stood the Duchess, looking as if Eloise had aged twenty years.
“So, you’ve driven the Crown Prince away. Well done.”
“Meow!”
Driven him away?! He left after saying everything he wanted!
I meowed in protest, but the Duchess’s teal eyes cooled dangerously.
Her gaze was even icier than her daughter’s, making me shiver instinctively.
Eloise hugged me closer and replied,
“Thank you for the compliment, Mother.”
At that, the Duchess spun around and strode out of the greenhouse.
Just two lines exchanged, yet the temperature in the greenhouse seemed to plummet.
Compared to that, even the Crown Prince’s conversation felt human.
Eloise sat upright, as if used to it, calmly staring at the flowers.
“Shall we head back now, Lizette?”
Her voice carried a trace of moisture when she said my name.
When I nodded, she rose slowly.
Our short greenhouse visit would be remembered only for cold tea.
It needs to be warmer!~