Episode 7
I froze.
The scent was like Mamela’s, and the voice—I had heard it somewhere before…
As I searched my memory, I realized.
He must be Mamela’s family.
A rush of thoughts filled my head.
Did he see me falling? Did the bushes hide me well enough?
But above all, one thing stood out strongest:
“If I’m discovered, Mamela will be in trouble…!”
I held my breath and checked to see if my ears or tail were sticking out of the bushes. Luckily, I was small enough that nothing was showing.
Up above, Mamela’s startled voice called out:
“B-brother?”
“Mamela, what’s going on?”
The gentle, low voice was so close that I jumped again.
“He’s really right in front of me…”
I wanted to peek through the bushes to see Mamela’s family. But if I did, it might cause trouble for Mamela. So I pulled on my whiskers to fight the urge.
“Just endure a little longer…”
I forced my body stiff and stayed still.
Unfortunately, my hind legs were caught on a tree branch, forcing me into a painful split. And I couldn’t even move to adjust, afraid of making a noise.
Mamela’s voice came again:
“M-my handkerchief flew away earlier… Did you see it?”
“No, I didn’t. Should I help you look?”
I listened blankly to his voice.
Strangely, although I had heard this voice before, it felt different this time. Softer, gentler. Almost like another person.
Mamela quickly spoke again, sounding flustered:
“N-no, that’s fine! Brother, where are you going so late?”
“Something came up. I need to go to Marzen in the capital.”
“You’ve been leaving a lot these days… You must be very busy.”
Hearing Mamela’s weak voice, my paw slipped a little. Luckily, I caught myself, but my heart pounded as if I had made a huge noise.
Fortunately, her brother didn’t notice. If he had, he would’ve torn through the bushes and grabbed me by the scruff.
Instead, he answered gently:
“…Mamela, I’m sorry I can’t stay with you. When I come back, how about we have dinner together?”
“Really? I’d love that!”
Her voice suddenly brightened.
Her brother let out a soft laugh, faint and short-lived.
“Good. Then I’ll be off.”
“Yes. Take care, Brother.”
At last, his footsteps faded away.
When his presence was completely gone, Mamela came running.
“Aril, are you okay?”
She pulled me out of the bushes. Meeting her golden, worried eyes, I finally sighed with relief.
But my legs were numb from the awkward position, and my hips ached.
Mamela checked me over carefully. I had fallen from high up and crashed into the bushes, but luckily, I wasn’t hurt—just dirty, with leaves stuck in my fur.
She quickly brushed off the leaves and hugged me tight.
“Sorry, I came too late, didn’t I?”
“Meow.”
I showed her the handkerchief I had been holding in my mouth.
Looking up at her with expectant eyes, I wanted her praise. But her expression turned complicated. She slowly stroked my back.
“Aril, thank you… That handkerchief belonged to my mother. If I had lost it, I would’ve been so sad.”
“Meow!”
I rubbed my head against her hand. Mamela stroked my chin in return.
“But from now on, don’t ever do something so dangerous again, okay?”
Then she hugged me close against her chest and hurried back home, glancing around to make sure no one was watching.
The door shut behind us, and the familiar scent of home filled the air. I lifted my head from her arms.
Yona was standing there, holding something in both hands, looking confused.
“My lady? Where have you been? And what is that fluff ball in your arms…?”
“Aril fell from the window.”
“What?! Oh heavens! Is Aril alright? He’s so tiny—what if he had broken a bone? Should we call a doctor right away? Oh dear, what do we do?!”
“Calm down, Yona. Aril’s fine. Look.”
Mamela lifted me up to show her.
“Meow.”
Yona examined me from head to tail—even my bottom—until I flicked my tail in protest.
“Looks like nothing’s wrong. Thank goodness.”
Mamela glanced at what Yona was holding.
“What’s that in your hands?”
“Ah, Lord Ansel told me to deliver this to you.”
They sat down on the sofa. Mamela placed me on her lap and took the small box.
I wasn’t interested, so I just tugged on the lace of her dress to play.
But then I heard Mamela gasp and looked up.
“Wow… This is a Garnet Diamond from Ludavito.”
“The lord said he prepared it especially for you.”
When Mamela opened the box, a brilliant red jewel shaped like a flower sparkled under the light.
I was mesmerized. The jewel’s glow reflected across the room, scattering beams of color.
I couldn’t resist chasing the shining lights on the floor, my fur glowing as the colors touched me.
Mamela laughed out loud.
“Yona, look at Aril! Isn’t he adorable?”
“He must find the light fascinating. Really, he’s too precious.”
“If things were different, I’d hire a personal painter to capture every moment… What a shame.”
While I played with the lights, they continued talking.
“When Brother returns, I’ll have to thank him. Actually, I even saw him earlier… If only I’d known then.”
But soon the jewel was put back in the box, and the glowing lights disappeared.
“Ah, I almost caught them this time…”
I pouted, then lay down beside Mamela. She stroked me warmly, and my sulky mood melted away.
Later, Mamela appeared in front of me, dressed more neatly than usual.
“Aril, how do I look? Clean? Not strange?”
“Meow?”
I tilted my head. I didn’t really understand.
Behind her, Yona said:
“My lady, you look twice as beautiful as usual. Don’t worry.”
“That’s a relief. Still, I’m nervous. It’s been so long since I had dinner with my brother… Maybe eating alone is easier after all.”
“But you’re happy, aren’t you? It’s a rare occasion. You’ve been waiting for this.”
“…That’s true.”
Mamela squatted to stroke my back. I relaxed under her hand, and she smiled.
But something felt strange today. Yona wasn’t smiling at all. Normally she laughed when I acted cute.
Instead, she looked deep in thought. After a while, she spoke:
“My lady, maybe you should ask the lord to spend more time with you. If you asked sincerely, I’m sure he would…”
Mamela’s hand froze. I looked up at her. The smile on her lips had faded.
“…No, it’s fine. Brother is busy. I don’t want to bother him.”
“My lady…”
“Besides, I’m not always alone. Sometimes he’s here, and now I have Aril too. I don’t feel as lonely anymore.”
Though she said it lightly, her expression was stiff. She stroked me again, as if nothing was wrong.
“…Something’s off. Mamela doesn’t seem happy, and the mood feels heavy…”
Uncomfortable, I tugged on her dress with my teeth.
“Meow.”
“Hmm? You want me to pet your head?”
She placed her hand on my forehead and smiled again. Then she said cheerfully:
“By the way… Maybe during dinner, I should tell Brother about Aril.”
Yona’s face changed instantly. Her eyes widened in shock.
“…What? What did Mamela just say that made Yona react like that?”
