Chapter 24
Sophie, ever the diligent maid, carefully finished dressing Eloise.
Once she had tidied away the jewels and gowns, only then did Sophie squat down in front of me.
“I like you a lot too.”
On the hand she held out lay a cookie for cats—one she sometimes gave me.
I snatched it up, ate it with a flick of my tongue, and purred contentedly. Sophie smiled back at me with warmth.
When the Duchess had mentioned the mad beasts of the North, I worried I might be treated the same way. But that turned out to be needless worry.
Neither Dr. Etmon nor Sophie had changed their attitude toward me. What a relief.
“I heard you’ll be dining in the hall this evening.”
“Mm. Because a greedy little thing is in my room, you see.”
Greedy? That was unfair, but with the cookie in my mouth, I couldn’t argue.
I simply looked up at Eloise while crunching noisily.
“Should I prepare some digestive medicine for you?”
“Just in case.”
“Understood.”
After changing into a lighter dress, Eloise sat down on the sofa and stared at me.
I was licking the cookie crumbs from my paw when our eyes met.
“Lizette.”
“Mew?”
The sound slipped out before I could stop it. I was starting to feel confused about my identity.
Her gaze flicked between Sophie and me, but soon fixed back on me.
“You like Sophie, don’t you?”
“Yeah. I like Sophie. She’s kind and gentle.”
“…And what about me?”
Ah. This was one of those moments—the same silent pressure I’d felt when the Duchess demanded affection.
In the original novel, Eloise had always been extremely possessive about what was hers.
The answer here was already written.
“I like Eloise more. You’re kind, warm, and beautiful.”
And rich too. If not for the destiny set in the novel, she’d make the perfect mistress to serve.
A fleeting smile brushed her usually cold face, as if satisfied with my reply.
To see her so pleased—over something she insisted was only temporary—what would happen when we parted later?
Wait a second. Wasn’t I also starting to think about staying here for good?
“Mew-oww!”
“Lizette?”
Eloise jumped in surprise at my sudden cry and hurried to me.
I must have grown terribly attached over the past few days—her, and me both.
“Are you hurt?”
“No, no, Eloise. I’m fine.”
Even though I insisted, Eloise examined me closely, then scooped me into her arms and sat back on the sofa.
From rehabilitating the villainess’ family to tending Eloise’s recovery… I really had been working hard.
And all the while, not even thinking of returning to the Imperial Palace. The palace or the Monclaire Duchy—that was the question.
“Hey, Eloise. Will you really send me back to the palace?”
“Circumstances have changed a little, but I’ll keep my promise.”
She spoke of the promise she had made on the first day—to somehow send me back.
I must have closed my eyes for just a moment, but when I opened them again, I was facing a table overflowing with food.
From crisp salads to golden roasted fish and glistening cuts of meat—
The delicious aroma made my nose twitch.
Sniff sniff.
“You’re awake, Lizette.”
“Mew.”
Only Raul and the servants were in the dining hall. The Duke and Duchess hadn’t yet arrived.
Raul frowned at me as though displeased by something.
“If your eyesight is poor, Raul, wouldn’t it be better to wear glasses?”
“I see just fine. Especially when it comes to watching that cat fawn over my sister.”
“Enough, both of you. Quarreling at this age, when you never did as children?”
The Duke entered with his wife at his side, clicking his tongue.
He sat at the head of the table, the Duchess on his right, Raul on his left.
Finally, Eloise sat beside her mother.
I was placed in a small seat prepared next to Eloise.
“It’s been a while since we’ve all gathered together.”
Glasses were filled with wine, orange juice, and water.
The attendants neatly sliced the dishes and served portions onto each plate.
Before me too was set a plate with delicately flaked fish and a small glass filled with drink.
Looking around, I saw the family already starting on their salads.
Only the sounds of utensils clinking and chewing broke the otherwise heavy silence.
“I hear it called you a bastard.”
“Cough—! Cough, cough!”
At the Duke’s blunt comment, I choked. A maid rushed to pour me water.
Eloise rubbed my back, glaring resentfully at her father.
“Quite the departure, considering Monclaire children usually said ‘Papa, Mama’ for their first words.”
Was that praise, or an insult? With his stern face, it was impossible to tell.
The only thing clear was that he was a handsome man, even in middle age.
Everyone in this novel world seemed unfairly attractive.
Once Eloise was sure I had recovered, she quietly returned to cutting her meat.
“Tch. Always eating so poorly in your room—you don’t even look strong enough to hold a knife. From now on, no more meals taken alone.”
“Dear, you should eat your steak while it’s still warm.”
At his wife’s words, the Duke clicked his tongue but turned back to his food.
Now I understood why Sophie had suggested digestive medicine.
Despite his brusque tone, the Duke clearly worried about Eloise. Classic cliché.
Chomp chomp.
But the tension made it impossible to enjoy the taste.
From the delicate seabass that melted in my mouth to the juicy steak bursting with flavor—
The table brimmed with delicacies, yet my throat felt dry, making every swallow difficult.
“Bring out the dessert.”
When we had eaten our fill, the dishes were cleared away.
The next moment, the table filled with nothing but blueberries.
Fresh blueberries, blueberry tarts, blueberry cakes, blueberry panna cotta—
“These are the blueberries I didn’t even give the Second Prince. Eat.”
What kind of new torture was this? Was I supposed to thank him? My head spun.
Unable to withstand the Duke’s burning stare, I forced my mouth open.
“Th-thank you for the food?”
Though it ended like a question rather than a statement, he nodded, satisfied.
I silently cursed myself for ever bringing up blueberries and popped one into my mouth.
Soft, sweet flesh spread across my tongue—but it didn’t bring the usual joy.
Chomp.
I chewed slowly. Was Eloise feeling as uncomfortable as I was?
For me, this awkward family dinner had been an attempt to ease tensions. For her, it must have been the one place she most wanted to avoid.
I turned my head toward Eloise. She wasn’t touching her cake, just looking at me.
“Was the banquet delicious?”
“Yeah.”
Seeing her smile brighten, I felt like I could’ve said the same even if I’d eaten plain flour paste.
To think she could still smile at me in this situation… I’ll try harder.
“Eloise, about the renovations you mentioned for your parlor the other day.”
“Yes, Father. It’s been unused for years anyway, so—”
“Do as you like. When have you ever asked my permission before making trouble?”
His first words sounded kind enough, but cutting her off made it sting.
Coupled with his stern face and harsh tone, it felt more like scolding.
“And stop confining yourself to your room. Walk around the estate. The cat—Lizette too. If either of you fall ill, it’ll be this house that loses face with His Highness.”
“Mew? …Yes.”
Flustered, a meow slipped out, but what did it matter?
I now had the right to wander the mansion freely.
No more lectures from the butler.
Perfect conditions to start investigating the servants behind the scenes.
The time had come to turn my sharpened blade of revenge upon the butler.
“Why do you eat so little? Tch. So small, you couldn’t even catch a mouse.”
“Lizette was only entrusted to us temporarily by His Highness, Father.”
“As if he’d take back what he’s given. He’s not the Crown Prince.”
The Duke seemed to care about me in his own way.
Like an uncle who pretends to dislike pets but secretly adores them.
And so, the uncomfortable dinner ended with the Duke’s grumbling.
Back in her room, Eloise changed into a negligee and downed her medicine along with a digestive.
At least the good news was that the amount of medicine she needed was slowly decreasing.
Sophie, holding out a cup of water, asked anxiously:
“Are you sure you don’t need more?”
“I’m fine. Even if I try, my body won’t take more.”
“Shall I tell the Madam?”
“No need. I haven’t gotten worse.”
“Understood. Rest well, my lady, and you too, Lady Lizette.”
Once Eloise lay down in bed, Sophie snuffed out a few candles and quietly left the room.
In the bluish dark, I waited for her to fall asleep.
