CHAPTER 07
“It’s outside!”
That was the first thing Aslan shouted the moment he stepped out.
It was Aslan’s first time outside in five years. He’d always stayed by my side, never stepping past the open doors, scared of the outside world like a true house cat.
No matter how small the estate was, it was still easy for a child to get lost. I gripped Aslan’s hand tightly and warned him firmly.
“You have to hold Mommy’s hand tight so you don’t get lost.”
“Okay!”
Contrary to my worries that he might be scared of the outside world, Aslan eagerly walked with his little steps, busy sniffing the air.
I looked at him curiously and asked,
“This is your first time outside. Aren’t you scared?”
Without hesitation, Aslan looked up at me and replied,
“But I’m with Mommy.”
In Aslan’s eyes, there was a pure, unwavering trust that I would protect him. My heart tightened with emotion.
How did something so adorable and precious come from me?
‘So this is what happens when my genes aren’t involved.’
To think someone could take away the mother of a child who’s this happy just being with her—and let that child grow up to become a villainess.
Suddenly, I hated Mars who killed me, and Duke Eckhart who incited me to seek revenge. In my mind, I gave both of them a good slap across the face.
Once again, I felt the duty to live this life to the very end.
Hand in hand, we walked over to where the sapling was planted.
Normally, maids would’ve set up the place for us, but today was just for the two of us. I laid out the mat myself and opened the picnic basket.
“Wooooow!”
As I took the food out one by one, drool started forming at the corners of Aslan’s mouth.
If I wasn’t careful, he might dive straight into the plates again. I quickly handed him a small sandwich.
“Start with this.”
“Do I eat this with my hands?”
“Yep, that one’s okay to eat with your hands.”
“Hmm…”
You could see the confusion all over his face. Why is it okay to eat sandwiches with hands? Aslan seemed deeply troubled. As I served the rest of the food, I added,
“Finger food is meant to be eaten with your hands.”
“What’s finger food?”
“Well, like sandwiches. And these too.”
Tada! I showed him a plate of canapés and snacks.
Aslan stared intently at the plate, trying to memorize the shapes, sniffed them as well, and then nodded with understanding.
“I got it! If it looks like that, I can eat it with my hands!”
“Good job.”
I patted his head.
He giggled and started munching on the sandwich happily.
I poured cold brewed tea into my cup and orange juice into his, then picked up a sandwich for myself and took a bite.
A simple sandwich with thick ham and cheese—nothing special. But sunshine really is the best seasoning. As I glanced over at Aslan, I saw crumbs stuck to the corners of his mouth. I pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his mouth gently.
“How is it? Tasty?”
“Yeah! It’s really good! It didn’t taste like this when I stole ham before!”
“Food always tastes better outside.”
Aslan devoured everything I handed him.
Canapés, bacon-wrapped cheese, scones, mini tarts, and even cookies for dessert.
He must’ve planned to eat it all, but staring at the remaining food, he looked devastated and raised his hands.
“Mommy, I feel like I’m gonna explode.”
“Who told you to eat that much…”
“It was yummy!”
“You don’t have to eat it all.”
Anyone would think I’ve been starving the kid.
Still, since he at least tasted everything, Aslan looked full and extremely happy.
“So this is what good food tastes like. I used to think Grey made weird stuff sometimes.”
Grey was our estate’s chef. But ever since we had a cat in the family, he studied cat food alongside me.
Thankfully, his human dishes suited Aslan’s taste just fine now that he was human.
After clearing the plates, I rubbed Aslan’s round belly. He let out a small burp.
“Geez, you little glutton.”
“Well, this picnic only happened because of me, so I deserve it!”
“How is this because of you?”
“If I hadn’t broken the flowerpot, the tree would still be inside, and Mommy wouldn’t have come out either!”
‘Still shameless as ever, even after turning human.’
His logic was so magical, I didn’t even want to argue.
I chuckled and looked toward the sapling planted in the garden.
‘It’s settled in well.’
If Aslan hadn’t broken the pot, it would’ve kept growing inside. Thinking how it would grow big here in the garden, maybe I did owe it to Aslan.
Suddenly, Aslan stood up and pointed at something.
“Mommy, what’s that?”
“Huh?”
My eyes followed his finger—to a swing hanging from a big tree.
Wait, what? We didn’t have a swing in our garden.
I stood up with Aslan and walked over to the tree.
“Was this always here…?”
Could Aslan turning human have changed the objects in the garden too? Just as I was thinking that, a person jumped out of the bushes.
“Oh! Milady! Young miss! Good day to you!”
“Jack.”
He was wearing a straw hat, twigs and leaves clinging to his clothes. He must’ve been working nearby.
“Jack, was this swing always here?”
Wiping his sweat with a towel, Jack replied,
“Oh, that? I put it up yesterday while replanting the sapling. You can see the tree really well from here, right?”
Aslan’s eyes sparkled, and he showered Jack with praise.
“Jack! You’re amazing! You’re so talented!”
“Haha! There’s no corner of the estate my hands haven’t touched. I’m glad you like it!”
“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
Jack moved away to not disturb us. I turned to Aslan.
“Aslan, wanna try it?”
“Yeah!”
“I’ll push you.”
He ran to the swing and sat down excitedly. I stood behind him.
“Hold on tight, okay?”
“Wheeee!”
I gave him a firm push, and a delighted scream burst from his mouth.
“Mommy, I’m flying!”
Even without seeing his face, I could imagine the sparkle in his eyes—brighter than when he had snacks in front of him.
“Push me higher!”
“No way, it’s dangerous.”
I cut him off instantly. Aslan turned around and puffed his cheeks in protest.
I felt a bad hunch—and it didn’t even take three seconds to come true.
“Then I’ll do it myself!”
“What do you mean—WAAAH!”
Whoosh. Aslan flew just inches over my ducked head.
The wind was intense from how fast and hard he’d swung.
‘That almost hit me… I could’ve flown from the impact.’
Aslan really could swing on his own. How was he going that high? I couldn’t believe it, even though I was watching it happen.
‘Who did he get this… smartness from? No, wait, that’s not the point.’
Clutching my pounding heart, I managed to sidestep and yelled,
“Aslan! That’s dangerous!”
“I’m fine!”
“I said it’s dangerous!”
“This is so fun, Mommy!”
“Aslaaaan!”
Seriously, who does he take after!? He never listens! What if he falls?!
Just then, the worst happened.
“Whoa—!”
As they say, jinx it and it’ll happen. Aslan slipped off the swing and was flying through the air.
“Aslan!”
I ran to catch him. If I misjudged the position, he’d hit the ground hard.
How far is he flying!?
I kept my eyes fixed on him as he traced a perfect arc through the sky.
At the moment I stretched out my arms to catch him—
“No…!”
Damn it! My arms were too short. He was falling just a hand’s length away from my fingertips.
He’s going to get seriously hurt!
My heart dropped.
But contrary to my fear, Aslan twisted in the air like a circus performer and landed smoothly on all fours before hitting the ground.
“Hup!”
He looked up at me—not scared at all, but thrilled. Then he looked at me, sprawled on the ground with arms outstretched, and smiled brightly.
“Mommy, I’m awesome, right?”
“…Yeah. You’re awesome…”
If there was a pause in my answer, it was just your imagination.
Thud. I collapsed, exhausted, with a smile stretched across my battered face, nodding from where I lay on the ground.
I was prepared for raising a child to be hard.
But raising a five-year-old cat turned human… was way harder than I ever imagined.
