IBVC 07

Chapter 07

The Duke, who only ever scolded Eloise. The Duchess, cold even though her daughter might have been hurt. And the younger brother, who criticized his own sister.

The three of them clung together like they were the only real family, cornering Eloise.

Eloise’s eyes trembled, and soon a single teardrop fell.

“So, Lizet… it’s okay if you want to run away. But… thinking about how harsh the world is, could you stay with me, just for a little while?”

That drop felt like it landed straight onto my heart, making it ache.

She reminded me of myself in my previous life.
Part of a family, yet feeling like the only one left out.

Maybe Eloise’s sharp temper was because of them.

“Meow.”

If I escaped the duke’s mansion now, I’d probably just become a stray, rummaging through trash bins.

But more than that, I’d been afraid of being bullied by the villainess or dying in some family-destroying calamity—that was why I’d planned to escape.

“I’ll find a way to return you to Seal.”

“Meow.”

That’s a promise. She said she’d send me back to Marcel.

As long as she didn’t torment me, I could stay by her side for a little while.

I really didn’t want to end up as a stray. I didn’t want to live harder than in my past life.

I rubbed my face against the slender arm dangling beneath the sofa.

“I hope you’ll help the young lady too.”
“She’ll need you.”

Etienne and Marcel’s voices echoed in my ears.

Fine. I owed them my life, so I’d repay the debt by staying with her for a while.

Eloise stroked my head gently with a weak hand.

“Meow.”

I could always run away if I had to. And if things got dangerous, Etienne promised he’d save me.

This was just temporary shelter. I’d think of it as me “taking care of Eloise” for now.

Maybe then I’d understand why Etienne and Marcel tried so hard to help the villainess.

But not long after, I immediately regretted that decision.

Two days passed, not much different from the day after the runaway incident.

The only change was that instead of a wooden box beside the bed as my spot, I now had a soft cushion.

I ate meals with Eloise in her room, wandered around while she read books or wrote letters.

I was so absorbed in exploring the room that I didn’t notice when trouble suddenly struck.

Smack!

A sharp sound echoed through the room.
Startled, I looked toward the source while playing with a ball of yarn near the fireplace.

A maid preparing tea was holding her cheek and sobbing.

“Hic… My lady, what did I do so wrong to deserve this?”

“Do I have to explain even that to you?”

Eloise’s arrogant words cut through the air as she tugged on the bell cord.

Before long, her maid Sophie entered with a knock.

“You called, my lady?”

“Take her away.”

With just two words, the maid’s future was sealed.

The maid, still protesting her innocence, fell to her knees before Eloise.

“I-I was wrong, my lady. Please forgive me.”

“For what?”

“Th-that is…”

The maid trembled but couldn’t say what her mistake was.

I couldn’t tell if she really had done nothing wrong, or if she knew but refused to admit it.

Seeing Eloise’s true villainess side made me nervous, and I hid under the sofa.

“If you can’t even say what you did wrong, what exactly am I supposed to forgive? What are you waiting for—get her out.”

“I’m sorry, my lady. Come with me.”

Dragged by Sophie, the maid’s shiny black shoes scraped helplessly along the floor.

The door closed, and the soft sound of pearl-adorned blue shoes moved silently across the room.

They stopped right in front of the sofa. Above me, fabric rustled as her dress shifted.

Did she sit down?

As I watched her shoes, I noticed a small bottle that had rolled beneath the sofa.

It hadn’t been there this morning.

The glass bottle, no larger than my paw, contained tiny brown droplets.

Sniff sniff.

As I pressed my nose against it, a sweet yet bitter scent filled my nose.

“Keck! Kkek!”

My nostrils burned, and it felt like my throat was closing up.

Hot! It hurts!

“Meow! Myaaah!”

“Lizet?”

Her clear voice reached me, and her turquoise eyes peeked under the sofa.

But my vision was already fading into darkness.

The only thing vivid was the pain—like my entire body was on fire.

“Me… meow…”

Hadn’t I just gotten here? Was I going to die again already?

If I’d known, I would’ve run away back then. I shouldn’t have been swayed by the villainess’ words…

Damn Marcel. Damn Etienne.

Cursing the two men was my last thought before I blacked out.

“-…so, is that why?”
“Yes.”

Muffled voices stirred faintly in my ears.

Had I died and come back again? Or was I still stuck in this novel?

I tried to open my eyes, but they were heavy, like pinned shut.

Instead, the voices grew clearer.

“My lady, do you have any guesses?”

“…Seneca.”

“Oh dear. Even the scent of seneca is lethal to a kitten. You’re lucky it wasn’t worse.”

“Is that so.”

“But how could such poison appear in your room…”

“Pretend you didn’t hear that. Talking about it will do no good.”

So it really was poison.

And yet I was still alive. Maybe cats really do have nine lives.

Was this the count’s family behind the heroine again?

In my hazy mind, the story resurfaced.

After the heroine became the hero’s lover, his supporters tried all kinds of schemes to make her the Crown Princess—but failed every time. Because their enemy was the Monclairs.

Instead, their attempts backfired, and the heroine wept, begging them to stop. But I hadn’t realized they went as far as assassination attempts.

“The antidote’s been given. She’ll gradually recover. Don’t worry.”

“Good. You should go rest.”

“You too, my lady. You’ve stayed up all night watching over her.”

This new voice sounded full of concern.

He must be a veterinarian, but he didn’t seem afraid of Eloise.

After a pause, Eloise muttered softly.

“…It’s only because the 2nd Prince entrusted her to me.”

“Of course, my lady. Naturally.”

“Dr. Etmann.”

“Yes, I’ll take my leave now. Call me if anything happens.”

Click. The door closed, and a gentle hand stroked my head.

“You’ve had it rough, haven’t you.”

Eloise’s voice was damp with emotion.

“This is why I said I couldn’t raise you…”

Her words were half a soliloquy.

I wanted to meow, to say it was okay, that I’d woken up.

But my throat was still burning too much to make a sound.

“If left alone, you’d eventually disappear on your own. Why are they all so desperate to torment you?”

This had gone beyond torment. Just because she was the Crown Prince’s fiancée, there was no reason to kill her.

In the original story, she had committed many misdeeds and paid for them—but she hadn’t done anything yet.

Maybe she was spoiled and misbehaved, but poison? That was too much.

The villainess I had feared now looked a little pitiable.

But the drowsiness from the drugs soon dragged me back under.

By the time I finally opened my eyes, bright sunlight was streaming into the room.

In the midst of the luxurious scenery, Eloise was watching me from the sofa.

My vision seemed fine, and the fiery pain that had wracked my body was gone.

“Meow.”

My voice came out fine too. That veterinarian, Dr. Etmann, must really be skilled.

“Are you okay, Lizet?”

Hearing my cry, Eloise approached.

Now I realized—I had taken her bed.

Her eyes had dark circles beneath them, showing how tired she was.

And yet, though she was supposed to be a villainess, she had stayed up all night nursing me. It softened my heart.

“Meow~.”

I stretched and meowed, and for just a moment, Eloise seemed to smile.

“That’s a relief.”

“Meow!”

Aside from the stiffness in my body, probably from the poison, I felt alright.

Eloise gave me a once-over, then tugged on the bell cord.