Chapter 31
As soon as the Duchess finished speaking, the Duke ordered the door of the first-floor drawing room to be opened.
The guests in the ballroom divided into two groups.
One group, curious, followed the Duchess upstairs, while the other, duller sort, went with the Duke to play cards.
“Lizette, Raul is still young, so tease him only a little.”
“Eloise, aren’t I the younger one here?”
“Well… that’s true.”
Eloise sighed softly as she followed the Duchess, glancing at her younger brother.
Raul, noticing this, narrowed his eyes dangerously.
Meanwhile, we arrived at the drawing room that was to become my playroom.
The blue ribbon was still neatly tied to the door.
“Lizette, go ahead and untie it.”
Finally released from Eloise’s arms, I tugged on the end of the long ribbon with my teeth.
With a soft rustle, the ribbon loosened, and the maids opened the double doors wide.
The first thing that caught my eyes was the pastel-toned wallpaper and beige wooden flooring.
The grand piano—hard-won during the renovation thanks to my hunger strike—stood right where I wanted it.
“Oh my goodness.”
“Remarkable.”
“Truly worthy of House Montclair.”
Admiring gasps echoed from the nobles following behind.
On the plush, high-quality wool carpet stood the cat tower and cat wheel I’d seen in the design plans.
Made from the finest wood, they were so massive that they took up nearly half the spacious drawing room.
This isn’t a playroom—it’s an amusement park.
It was a place where one could play all day without ever getting bored. Once again, I marveled at the greatness of House Montclair.
“Lizette, why don’t you climb up?”
The moment Eloise gave permission, I darted up the shelves built into the wall.
The view from above was even more spectacular. What stood out most was a crystal half-dome hammock. I slipped into it from the cat tower, sliding in as if it were made just for me.
Somehow, the crystal wasn’t cold but pleasantly warm, melting the tension in my body.
“My, how adorable.”
“I’d heard this house cherished cats, but this is astonishing.”
“I could never do this much for my cat at home.”
As the nobles murmured among themselves, I quickly snapped out of my daze and returned to Eloise.
I rubbed my head against the lace of her dress.
“Eloise, thank you. It’s the best present ever.”
“Oh my, how sweetly she speaks.”
“To think such a clever and adorable cat could ever be called a demon cat.”
Revealing my playroom not only showcased the might of House Montclair but also made these people see me for what I truly was. The Duchess’s “hunt” was nearly a complete success.
Eloise knelt and stroked my head.
“Goodness, did the young lady… just smile?”
“I think she did!”
Just as whispers grew louder, a commotion rose at the back of the group.
The nobles quietly stepped aside, making way.
Marcel appeared, dressed in a dark navy uniform, holding a white rose. Beside him was Etienne—it had been ages since I’d last seen him.
“Marcel! Etienne!”
Before I could stop myself, I called out the names I’d only dared whisper in my heart.
Too late to take it back, but what did it matter? I’d already decided to be a shameless, ill-mannered cat.
I bounded toward them, but Eloise quickly rose, her gaze sharp with reproach.
“We’ve come in Her Majesty the Empress’s stead to offer congratulations, but the young lady’s expression seems… irreverent.”
“Peace to Calenia. Please, Your Highness, refrain from speaking words that could be misunderstood.”
“Let’s just call it a misunderstanding. My elder brother wished to come as well, but he is too burdened with state affairs. The young lady understands, I trust.”
As I circled excitedly around Marcel and Etienne, Eloise’s stare grew colder and sharper. My nape prickled with heat until I finally slunk back to her side.
Etienne’s face looked slightly sulky.
“Since His Highness is also here, let’s allow the others to return downstairs and continue enjoying the ball.”
The Duchess clapped her hands, guiding the nobles away.
Left behind were Eloise, Marcel, Etienne, and me.
“I truly didn’t expect you to come.”
“How could I not, after seeing those pawprints? These flowers would look lovely decorating this room.”
“Sophie.”
The waiting maid, Sophie, accepted Marcel’s rose.
“There are things I want to say, but tonight is far too busy. Tomorrow, are you free?”
“Tomorrow?”
“I told you before—something about Lizette has been bothering me. Once I confirm it, I’ll explain.”
“Ah, thank you. I’ll have refreshments prepared here tomorrow, Your Highness.”
While the two spoke, I crept toward Etienne, who was still watching me with that moody look.
He seemed taller than the last time.
“Thanks for coming, Etienne.”
“You… aren’t the same.”
“Huh? Anyway, don’t tell me you forgot our promise. You said you’d come rescue me—why didn’t you show up at the tea party?”
I pelted him with words, almost accusingly. Etienne muttered under his breath, barely audible.
I leaned close to catch it.
“…I did go.”
“Really? Then why didn’t you appear?”
“I saw you managing just fine. Scolding the Crown Prince, telling him to train his cat properly.”
If he saw that much, he must have been nearby. But no matter how I thought about it, I had no memory of meeting him then.
“Then why didn’t I see you?”
“Because I went in my wolf form.”
“Oh.”
That explained it.
Even in wolf form, Etienne was still young—probably no bigger than a medium-sized pup.
And with so many cats and dogs around that day, spotting him would’ve been nearly impossible.
Satisfied with that thought, I nodded. Etienne’s golden eyes, however, clung to me intently.
“I never told you I was a wolf beastman.”
“I—I heard Marcel call you the beastmen’s chief! That’s how I knew!”
“You remembered that?”
Damn. Because I knew the original story, I’d accepted it without question.
Had I actually heard that back at the palace? I couldn’t recall clearly, but I’d reacted too naturally.
I glanced nervously at Eloise and Marcel.
“It seems best to verify in person, since it’s an old case.”
“Indeed.”
The two were deep in a serious discussion, oblivious to our exchange.
A cold sweat trickled down my back as I looked again at Etienne.
His golden eyes, pupils wide, were frightening.
“And also… you smell like a dog.”
That was the best excuse I could come up with.
Etienne looked utterly dumbfounded at my words.
But it wasn’t entirely an excuse—I truly did smell dog on him, even in his human form.
So I was only speaking the truth.
Just then, Eloise, finished with her conversation, scooped me into her arms.
“Lizette, let’s go down to the central hall.”
“Okay!”
On the first floor, everyone was dancing to the orchestra’s music.
In the center, the Duke and Duchess, as hosts, led the atmosphere with grace.
Eloise slowed her steps, her turquoise eyes chilling.
“Young lady, may I have this dance?”
“I must hold Lizette.”
“Let Etienne take her. After all, it is an honor for a prince to ask.”
“You were the one who sent Etienne here, saying he dislikes cats.”
Marcel scratched his cheek with an awkward smile. Just then, a small hand suddenly slipped into my fur.
Startled, I struggled, but the grip was far stronger than expected—I couldn’t move.
“I’ll hold her. It wouldn’t look right for Mother to refuse His Highness’s invitation.”
“Raul, you’re frightening Lizette.”
“I’d prefer, sister, if you cared more about the family’s dignity than about a cat.”
“Come now, Eloise. The next song is starting.”
Before the siblings’ quarrel could flare up, Marcel swiftly pulled Eloise to the center of the floor.
They looked so beautiful together. Where had things gone wrong between them?
But more pressing was my limp body, dangling uncomfortably.
“Young lord, that’s not how you hold a cat.”
“And how would you know, Lord Etienne, being a wolf?”
What the—why were these two at odds? The boys glared at each other with sharp eyes.
And there I was, squashed uncomfortably between them.
“Young lord, if you don’t adjust soon, my paws will touch the floor.”
“A cat doesn’t stretch like cheese—oh!”
Seeing my body dangling long, Raul hurriedly adjusted his hold.
Not as comfortable as Eloise’s arms, but better than before.
“Hand her over.”
“I heard you dislike cats.”
“Even so, I’ve spent more time with Lizette than you have.”
“And I’ll be spending more time with her here at the ducal house.”
The truth was, Etienne had never once carried me. Neither had Raul.
