Chapter 56
“According to Payson, it’s just temporary emotional distress — she’s under a lot of mental stress today, so her mana’s fluctuating a bit.”
“…When you go inside, don’t do anything. Just go straight to sleep.”
Worried that Lisette might have another incomplete awakening today, Etienne warned her firmly.
But as always, the cat who was best at causing trouble ignored his warning — and did exactly that.
Etienne sensed the violent surge of mana and rushed straight to the Empress’s palace.
“You talk so much, yet never listen, do you?”
“Etienne—wh-what do I do? Why did I turn into a person? I still have ears and a tail! Am I really… a demonic cat?”
He should have told her no, but the words wouldn’t come out of his mouth.
He agonized over which would hurt her less — to say she’d had an incomplete awakening, or to say she was a demon cat.
Neither was a real answer, so instead of replying, Etienne focused on calming her mana.
I just hope this doesn’t make her lose her spark…
Even after that, there were still days when Lisette turned half-human, half-beast — but instead of becoming discouraged, she caused even more chaos.
Naturally, that meant Etienne was busier than ever.
Assisting Marcel was already enough work, but now he also had to clean up Lisette’s accidents, monitor her mana, and search for a way to resolve her incomplete awakening.
Even two bodies wouldn’t have been enough — but Etienne did his best. He saw it as his responsibility toward her.
Still, the little cat’s mischief never seemed to end.
“So, we have to find it — the reason for the broken engagement. You’ll help me, right?”
Now she wanted to break off Arno and Eloise’s engagement so she could set up Marcel with Eloise instead.
Etienne barely managed to hold back a sigh. He didn’t regret saving her, but…
Despite struggling with her own identity, Lisette still had the courage to challenge the world — something Etienne found astonishing.
Her heterochromatic eyes gleamed brightly.
I’ve just accepted my fate… but you keep trying to go beyond yours.
Etienne began to think that if it were Lisette, she could even overcome her incomplete awakening.
When she turned half-beast again, and he saw her anxious expression, he finally mustered the courage to speak.
“You’re a beastkin.”
“Hey, Etienne… do you think there’ll ever be a day when I can fully turn into a proper human?”
“…Someday.”
Just as Etienne believed, Lisette never gave up — she kept looking forward.
The difference between the boy who accepted his fate and the girl who defied hers shone like the countless stars in the dark night sky.
Following those stars made Etienne feel as if he, too, might someday change.
For Marcel and Eloise’s sake, Etienne promised Lisette his unconditional cooperation.
“First, let’s start by raiding the Crown Prince’s office.”
As Lisette wished, Etienne actively helped her investigate the Crown Prince’s office.
At least until they found the report about the illegitimate child from the Beast Kingdom.
“I—I’m fine. It’s fine. Why did the king abandon me? Was it because I couldn’t awaken? But I’m still his child! Even if I wasn’t gifted, wasn’t leaving me to die in the northern mountains too cruel? If I’d been a better daughter, would it have been different? Was it my fault? Is it a sin to be weaker than your parents, Etienne?”
Her voice trembled, filled with tears — something completely unlike her usual self.
Etienne chose his words carefully, speaking slowly, each syllable deliberate.
Tears didn’t suit Lisette, and yet seeing them made a sharp ache bloom in his chest.
“Lisette… none of this is your fault. You’ll succeed in awakening one day. And when that happens, they’ll regret everything.”
Just those few words changed Lisette’s eyes.
The sky and forest, dark as if a storm were coming, suddenly seemed to brighten again with sunlight.
“You’re right, Etienne. I’ll awaken — and live so well that Leopold will regret it!”
As expected, she didn’t submit to her fate — she chose to fight it.
Etienne’s heart pounded as he saw the starlight in her eyes sparkle again.
The young boy didn’t understand what this feeling was; it just felt strange and unfamiliar.
Lisette, now reinvigorated, immediately tried to cause more trouble.
“Can you go with me tomorrow night to raid Count Ronsbleur’s estate?”
Hearing that, Etienne wondered if the pounding in his chest was actually anxiety and fear for the future.
“The faster we move, the less we’ll have to compromise with reality.”
“You’re… kind of weird.”
“So what if I am? You like me anyway.”
Only then did Etienne realize the truth.
At first, it had been sympathy. Then curiosity and responsibility.
But those feelings had quietly turned into something more — something special, something that made his heart race.
He couldn’t stop watching her, worrying about her, wanting to be near her.
He wanted to see her smile.
If this was what people called liking someone—
“Yeah… I like you.”
Etienne liked Lisette.
“Uh, yeah. I like you too, Etienne.”
The golden eyes looking at me were so bright and sincere that I instinctively averted my gaze.
I hurried to follow behind Eloise, who was walking ahead.
Maybe it was because I’d only ever met scumbags in my past life — I wasn’t used to eyes that straightforward.
Etienne probably only meant it as friendship, but the way my heart kept fluttering made me feel like I was imagining something I shouldn’t.
In my past life’s terms, he’s like a middle schooler, and I’m a grown adult… so it’s natural that it feels strange.
Even if I had the body of a young cat, my mind was still that of a university student — it made sense.
I shook my head to chase away the awkward thoughts.
As I trotted beside Eloise, she extended a hand to me.
“Come here, Lisette.”
By now, her embrace felt completely natural — I snuggled right in.
Her scent — a mix of fresh forest air and light floral perfume — cleared my mind.
“But my lady, didn’t you give up the sword long ago?”
“I did. But Her Majesty the Empress said that a future crown princess must always be prepared for the unexpected.”
Technically, the empire was still in a ceasefire, so they couldn’t afford to let their guard down.
In the original story, even when war broke out, the imperial palace remained untouched — but since no one here knew the future, they had to prepare for every possibility.
“Then it’s up to me to protect the North well enough that you’ll never need to draw your sword again, my lady.”
“You haven’t been in the capital long, have you? Isn’t the North guarded by the wolf beastkin clan and Marquis Oslo?”
“Seems like you’ve forgotten who’s known as the best swordsman in the empire.”
“…Please, Your Highness, just stay safe.”
As Eloise and Marcel chatted, we arrived at the central training grounds.
I recognized it — it was where Marcel and Etienne often came to train.
“Welcome, Eloise.”
When we arrived, the Empress was already there, waiting.
Next to her stood a broad-shouldered man who greeted Eloise and Marcel politely.
“Peace upon Calenia. It’s been a while, Your Highness, Lady Eloise.”
“Surely you don’t mean… you’re personally going to observe Lady Montclair’s swordsmanship?”
“Well, isn’t it best to relearn from the person who taught you in the first place?”
Apparently, since Marcel and Eloise had been childhood playmates, they’d shared the same swordsmanship teacher.
The middle-aged man smiled kindly, faint wrinkles creasing his face. On his shoulder gleamed the insignia of the Imperial Knights.
“My apologies for troubling you, Marquis Grave — you must already be busy with the knight order.”
“Haha, what else does a commander do but train knights? Besides, I’m hurt, Your Highness — don’t you call me Master anymore?”
“It’s been so long since I last held a sword… I seem to have forgotten the title, Master.”
Eloise trailed off awkwardly, but corrected herself quickly with proper respect.
Marquis Grave laughed heartily.
Then he picked up one of the practice swords nearby — and without warning, tossed it straight at Eloise.
“If you’ve even forgotten my title, I’ll have to see how dull your skills have gotten, my lady.”
“If we’re correcting titles, then you should change yours as well, Master. It’s been ages since you became a marquis — calling me ‘my lady’ is outdated. ‘Miss Montclair’ will do.”
Even while holding me in her arms, Eloise easily caught the flying sword.
“You’ll always be my little lady. Your reflexes are still sharp. As for your opponent… hmm, that boy will do.”
“Master, he’s my knight.”
“The Crown Prince’s knight is still an Imperial knight — meaning he’s under my command, Your Highness.”
“That’s not what I meant…”
Marcel glanced at Eloise, as if to say something without words.
Catching his meaning, Eloise sighed in disbelief.
“Ha… Lisette, watch closely. His Highness seems to think my sword has gone rusty.”
She placed me beside the Empress and gripped her sword properly.
Even dressed in a gown, she looked graceful — and utterly breathtaking.
