Chapter 13
I touched her hand again, but only the chill wrapped around my paw. Or… was it a little lukewarm?
Maybe I was just too exhausted and felt it wrong. Ah well. Time to sleep now. I worked hard in this little body.
“Meow.”
With this, I’ve repaid the kindness of being nursed.
Dragging my tired body, I nestled down beside Eloise and closed my eyes.
Now I could finally sleep with peace of mind.
I must have been completely worn out last night, because when I opened my eyes it was already midday.
Without letting on that I was awake, I quietly observed Eloise as she read.
She looked perfectly fine, as if her illness last night had been a lie. That was a relief.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
Even as Sophie entered the room and poured tea, Eloise’s eyes never left the book.
Curious what was so captivating, I stole a glance at the cover.
Since this was inside a novel, the title was written in Korean, making it easy for me to read:
The Influence of Politics on Economics
‘…Come to think of it, Marcel once said she read difficult books from a young age.’
Leaving the boring-looking book aside, I looked up at Sophie, with whom I was getting more familiar.
“Oh my, Lady Lizette, you’ve woken up?”
“Nyaa~”
Ordinary looks, neat posture, and a gentle, soft-spoken tone—she had all the qualities of a maid.
When our eyes met, she gave me a bright smile.
Still, Eloise kept her eyes fixed on the book and muttered softly:
“Sleepyhead.”
“Meow!”
Who do you think is to blame for me oversleeping?! I’m so unfairly wronged here!
“I’m glad Lady Lizette seems to be adjusting well.”
“As if it matters—I won’t be staying here long anyway.”
“I wish you’d stay longer, though.”
“…I didn’t know you liked cats. How about you raise her instead?”
“I don’t want to fall into the Second Prince’s bad graces, my lady.”
At Sophie’s reply, Eloise clicked her tongue lightly.
“Now that I think of it, the Madam seems interested in Lady Lizette too.”
“Mother?”
Only then did Eloise lift her eyes from the book, glancing between Sophie and me with a frown.
That expression reminded me of the cold face of the Duchess I had seen yesterday.
Like mother, like daughter—they really did resemble each other.
“She asked me a few things about Lady Lizette.”
“Is that so? I’d rather she not bother.”
Muttering, Eloise turned her gaze back to the book. Sophie bowed politely, then moved toward the door to leave.
In that moment, I hopped off the bed and dashed toward the crack of the door.
After seeing the Duchess yesterday, I had thought of a way to survive.
And to put that plan into action, I needed to move quickly.
“Meow.”
I cried beneath Sophie, making my presence known.
“Ah! Lady Lizette?”
She looked startled to see me.
I couldn’t just sit around waiting endlessly for Marcel to show up.
What if the villainess darkened further or the family collapsed in the meantime?
And what if, even if Etienne came to save me, he arrived too late—after I was already dead?
“Lizette?”
Eloise’s teal eyes widened slightly in surprise, focused on me.
Well, since it’s come to this, I had to try something.
Thus began my plan: “The Villainess Family Rehabilitation Operation.”
Isn’t this a common novel development? A story about mending broken family relationships that had gone astray due to clumsy expressions of affection.
The Duchess clearly cared for Eloise. Maybe the rest of the family did too.
If her family bonds improved, Eloise wouldn’t cling so desperately to the position of Crown Princess. Then she wouldn’t torment the heroine.
And even if it was just by proxy, I didn’t want Eloise to be lonely. Being alone is… sad.
“Meow!”
I cried toward Eloise, who was staring at me.
There were limits to what I could do in a cat’s body, but I wanted to try.
If things still flowed according to the original story despite my efforts, then I’d cleanly give up—either live as a stray or go find Etienne.
“Is Lady Lizette going out?”
Sophie crouched down, trying to meet my eyes.
I nodded, then trotted out the door and back in a few times.
“Meow~”
“I think she means she’s going out.”
Hearing Sophie, Eloise gave me a blank look, then returned to her book.
“Do as you please.”
Truly the words of a cynical master. But at least it meant permission.
Following the magnolia fragrance I had smelled yesterday, I padded down the hallway. Sophie trailed behind me.
The first target of my grand operation was the Duchess herself.
The magnolia scent led me down the stairs, straight to the first-floor drawing room where Marcel had abandoned me yesterday.
Sound of voices leaked out—it seemed there were guests.
“…His Highness the Second Prince… rumors about the Ducal family…”
“He merely stopped by to leave a cat with Lady Eloise.”
The Duchess was having tea with several noblewomen.
As I peeked into the room, Sophie gestured nervously for me to come back.
But if I were going to behave, I wouldn’t have come here in the first place.
“Meow.”
“Oh my, could this cat be…?”
“Well, Lizette. Exploring the mansion, are we?”
I nodded and went to sit neatly at the Duchess’s feet.
Sophie fidgeted anxiously, then bowed deeply.
“My apologies, Madam.”
“It’s fine. We were speaking of Lizette anyway. Don’t worry—return upstairs.”
“Ah… yes.”
Hesitating, Sophie finally left the drawing room.
A maid, quick to read the room, brought over a side chair and placed it beside the Duchess.
I leapt onto the chair, settling myself there. All eyes turned to me.
“Truly clever.”
“…Indeed, she does seem sharper than other cats.”
The Duchess smiled gently at me.
“Oh my, this is the first time I’ve seen the Duchess praise anything.”
“Is that so.”
“She’s so pretty, quiet, and intelligent—it’s no wonder you’re fond of her.”
At those words, the corners of the Duchess’s lips twitched slightly.
Noblewomen seasoned in the social world wouldn’t fail to notice such a change.
“Her fur looks soft as white snowflakes.”
“And those mismatched eyes—one emerald, one sapphire—how exquisite.”
“Just look at her sitting calmly in her seat. Better behaved than my youngest child.”
The ladies gushed praise over me. But too much flattery can be poison.
“She’s far more beautiful than the cat said to have been gifted by the Crown Prince to his lover.”
The Duchess’s sharp eyes narrowed, and everyone’s attention shifted.
The foolish woman who had spoken seemed oblivious to her blunder.
“Was there such a rumor, Lady Scott?”
“Oh my, Lady Fennel. You didn’t know? It’s not a rumor—it’s true.”
I’d bet all five blueberries I hid this morning that Lady Fennel knew but was pretending ignorance.
The Duchess remained silent, her eyes resting on Lady Scott as if urging her to continue. The woman, oblivious, prattled on excitedly.
“Just a few days ago, I ran into that woman at a dressmaker’s. She was holding a white cat in her arms! When I asked a few questions, she bragged that His Highness the Crown Prince had given it to her.”
She probably only answered because she was asked. Would the timid heroine really boast in front of a noblewoman?
Clicking my tongue softly at foolish Lady Scott, I noticed the Duchess’s gaze shift to me.
“Our Lizette is much better, I’d say.”
“Meow?”
At such a doting remark, I tilted my head, peering up at the Duchess.
This isn’t the kind of person she was supposed to be… is it?
“Of course. After all, even their masters can’t compare.”
Lady Fennel chimed in, but Lady Scott, oblivious to the mood, kept chattering.
“Oh my, raising cats has become all the rage among young noble ladies thanks to that woman.”
With such poor sense, I wondered how she survived in high society at all.
Still—the heroine owning a cat, and it even becoming a trend?
That wasn’t in the original story. If my presence was changing the plot, then maybe this Villainess Family Rehabilitation Operation had hope after all. It meant the future could change.
“Her Majesty the Empress even told that woman to bring her cat to the next Imperial tea party.”
“Surely that’s nonsense. The Empress wouldn’t concern herself with such passing fads.”
At the mention of the Empress, the Duchess frowned, tapping the sofa’s armrest slowly.
“Oh my, a passing fad? Lady Fennel, did you not know? The story of His Highness placing a necklace on the cat spread, and now jewelers are even selling pet accessories.”
I couldn’t help but reasonably suspect that the source of these rumors was this very woman.
