IBVC 02

Chapter 02

My favorite novel, “Running Away Is Useless”, was so dark that it was practically the poster child for the hashtags #Tragedy and #Regret.

The male lead, the crown prince, had a fateful encounter with the female lead, a commoner. But he already had a fiancée—an “evil woman.” So he tied the heroine down in a contractual relationship, used her, then slowly realized it was love and suffered miserably for it. He even waged war against the beast-kin kingdom because of her.

“Meow.”

When I tried to move my body for a better look at the two of them, instead of a groan, an awkward mewl came out.

Since my whole body still hurt, unfortunately—or maybe fortunately—it wasn’t a dream. The important thing was: I was alive.

Maybe being picked up by Marcel was a blessing from heaven.

Though the novel was steeped in tragedy and regret, those two were supporting characters, far removed from such misery.

“How did such a tiny kitten fall off a cliff?”

“It must’ve been abandoned. Look, its eyes are different colors.”

“Really? Would a mother cat abandon her kitten for that? It’s just pretty, that’s all.”

Marcel gently scratched my head with his finger and smiled. A smile even more beautiful than the illustrations.

As expected, he was perfect for the role of a caretaker. Barely able to move, I rubbed my face against his finger.

Handsome, kind, wealthy, honored, and powerful—who could ask for a better master than the sub male lead who had all five traits?

“Such an affectionate one. Are kittens normally like this?”

“Marcel, don’t be fooled. That thing must be over ten years old. Just born coquettish.”

“Haha, ‘coquettish’? Etienne, you’re being harsh. She’s a little lady.”

“Lady, my foot.”

“You rushed over to save her yourself, didn’t you, Eti?”

When Marcel called him “Eti” again, Etienne’s eyes slanted upward as if they’d reach his forehead.

Despite the grumbling, Etienne was a warm-hearted boy who always cared for others.

Knowing his original role in the novel, I wasn’t hurt by his prickly words.

“Myaa~”

“See? She knows you’re kind, Etienne.”

Of course I knew.

When the heroine was half-forced into the beast-kin kingdom, Etienne had been the one who helped Marcel rescue her.

“Kind, my ass.”

“There you go again. It’d be nice if you were more honest. Little one, please understand him. He’s just twisted inside.”

“Marcel, I just… don’t like cats.”

Etienne disliked cats?

Now that I thought about it, I couldn’t clearly remember if that was mentioned in the story. Strange, since I’d reread that novel countless times.

Maybe I hit my head when I fell off the cliff.

The imperial palace was the best place to live.

Unlike the moldy, musty semi-basement I used to call home, here the rooms always smelled fresh, and warm meals came at regular times.

And the best part? No more juggling part-time jobs at convenience stores, cafés, and restaurants to pay rent and bills.

I was infinitely grateful to have become the prince’s pet. Well—aside from the war looming in the future.

The thought of a war between humans who wielded magic and the beast-kin was horrifying.

“Marcel, your left side is open.”

“Haha, that gap was intentional.”

Clang!

Blades infused with mana clashed.

Marcel’s warm yet powerful mana tangled with Etienne’s cold and sharp one, resonating with a low hum.

Both humans and beast-kin could resonate with the mana of their fated partner.

Mana resonance drastically amplified magical ability and unlocked hidden powers.

That very setting was the central pillar of the original story.

“Huaahm~.”

Watching Marcel and Etienne train their resonance made me yawn lazily.

Now it was boring, but at first, feeling their mana had startled me terribly.

Even without magic being cast, I could sense some invisible “power.”

When I realized through their conversations that it was mana, it finally sank in that I was in a fantasy world.

“How can you lead your people if you’re that naïve?”

“You’re just too sly.”

Marcel was the second prince of the Calenia Empire and the sub male lead, while Etienne was heir to the wolf beast-kin clan.

Traditionally, the Calenia royal family made as crown prince the one who resonated with the beast-kin heir. Yet Marcel, not the crown prince but the second, was the one who resonated with Etienne.

There were reasons for this, but in the end, the emperor’s will decided who would be crown prince.

“Mi-hu.”

“Looks like the little one is getting bored.”

As I recalled the novel, Marcel ended his training and walked over to the basket where I lay.

His hand stroked my head, making me purr loudly.

Watching from the side while wiping his sweat, Etienne frowned deeply. What was with him again?

“Meow—”

It had already been a month since I’d started living with Marcel and Etienne.

At first, walking on four legs felt awkward, and it was hard to believe I was inside the world of a novel.

But now I was pretty used to being a cat, and my battered body had mostly healed.

Thanks to Marcel and Etienne’s care, I had adapted safely.

“Is she getting bigger? The basket looks too small now.”

“Mrrrow.”

Still, being stuck in a basket was frustrating.

It wasn’t that I disliked it—it was cozy enough—but I longed to wander freely.

“I think we should switch baskets. That way she can rest more comfortably.”

“You’re spoiling her, Marcel. Let her walk around already.”

“Really? Then tomorrow I’ll have the palace servants take her out for a stroll.”

Mostly, Marcel’s attendants and maids looked after me, while he only occasionally checked in on the parlor where I stayed. The only odd thing was that he always brought me along to training.

Etienne, on the other hand, seemed genuinely to dislike cats, as he always showed mild distaste whenever he looked at me.

“Etienne, why do you keep asking to bring her to training if you hate cats so much?”

What? It was Etienne who wanted me there?

“…Warning. If she knows the opponent is stronger, she won’t attack.”

“Haha, even if she did, she couldn’t leave a single scratch.”

Exactly. Picking fights with someone who’d later grow strong enough to bite a lion beast-kin’s throat would only hurt me.

Marcel lifted me out of the basket and set me on his lap, stroking my fur.

Oh, yes. That was good.

The attendants and maids were all kind, and under the best master, all I did was play. Life was blissful.

It felt like my painful previous life—running from my family’s contempt and barely scraping by—was finally being healed.

I wished this happy cat life would go on forever.

“But Marcel, how long do you plan to keep calling her ‘little one’?”

“There’s someone else who’s supposed to name her.”

“What?”

“Mya?”

What was he saying? Why wouldn’t my caretaker name me himself?

Don’t tell me… he planned to send me away?

“I’ve been thinking about it since I brought her to the palace. Etienne also said he hates cats.”

“Hey, even if I said that, you’re the one keeping her. Why does it matter?”

“Haha. Etienne, you act upset now that she might be leaving.”

So it was true. He wanted to send me away…!

Marcel, I don’t mind being called “little one”!

I kneaded his solid thigh with my tiny, fluffy paws.

“T-that’s not it! I mean, I’m the one who saved her, and she’s still not fully healed—”

Flustered, Etienne muttered objections on my behalf.

Playing along, I flopped dramatically onto Marcel’s lap, trembling my little paws.

“Meeww…”

I pulled out a skill I’d once seen on social media: ‘The Desperate Sick-Leave Plea.’

I softened my gaze, let out a weak cry, and made my paw shake slightly.

In my past life, I’d been so broke I’d worked through fevers, but who knew I’d use that here?

It must’ve worked, because worry clouded Marcel’s face as he looked down at me.

“Oh no, you’re still sick? You ate a whole steak this morning and ran around, so I thought you were fine…”

…Nothing I could say to excuse myself. Not that I could say anything besides meows anyway.

Where could I find a home better than the imperial palace, or a master better than Marcel?

Sure, he was surrounded by good people, but there were also plenty of humans who abused helpless animals!

Remembering those horrific animal cruelty news stories from my past life, I shivered.

“You’re shaking worse. Gren, call the veterinarian.”

“At once, little lady cat! I’ll be right back!”

The head attendant, Gren, dashed out like the wind, while a maid brought a warm towel.

“Your Highness, at least wrap her with this…”

“Thanks. Our little one has already charmed everyone in the palace.”

Though he joked, Marcel’s eyes brimmed with concern as he tucked the towel around me.

Hmm… maybe I overdid it. Embarrassed, I squirmed deeper under the cloth.

Etienne let out a small sigh.

“So, who are you planning to give her to?”

“Lady Monclaire.”

…Who?

Even under the towel, that name rang loud and clear.