Antagonized Bachelorette Enjoying a Simple Life - Chapter 104
The next evening, even with a banquet scheduled, Catherine figured it was best to have a light meal beforehand. What if the feast featured something like dragon heart steak or human skull stew? She'd be in for a rough night.
"Miss, you're off to meet Lord Chezare tonight, right?"
Roze slipped in the question casually while preparing her usual ten evening specials. Catherine shot Dan a glare. He shrugged helplessly and looked away.
"Lovers' quarrels are like slicing water with a sword. I hope you both air out your grievances and make up soon."
If only it were just slicing water, Catherine thought. Lacking the words to explain, she simply nodded.
After a long meal, Dan and Demian were the first to excuse themselves.
"Alright, time to get up. It's time for the useless Mr. Demian to prove his worth. Very precious time, indeed."
Demian followed Dan with a face as dark as a condemned man heading to the gallows.
Roze's expression brightened dramatically as she chattered on.
"I'm so glad Mr. Dan's here. No more watching Demian roll around. We're using the useless Mr. Demian this time to fix up the mansion's worn and broken parts. Thanks to him, I won't have to kick him as often."
Roze... what have you been doing to Demian all this time?
Dan had blended seamlessly into the household from the moment he joined. Catherine had introduced him to Demian and Roze as "an old acquaintance hired for this opportunity," and they'd accepted it at face value. Yaong, however, seemed to sense his true nature with its monster instincts—though it was too busy tumbling around to blab.
As Catherine headed to her room to prepare for the outing, Dan entered carrying something wrapped in long cloth. Unwrapping it revealed a luxurious gold dress adorned with delicate white lace and a long navy-brimmed hat. It was refined and elegant at first glance.
"That's the dress from the ball."
"But for a first meeting, shouldn't you make a good impression? I had it custom-made in anticipation of this day."
Such high-end attire couldn't be made in three days. Catherine asked suspiciously,
"When did you have it made?"
"Around the time you bought this mansion?"
Right, you were the real estate agent who showed it to me. Nicely played. She bit back a retort.
"Did Mother always attend banquets in outfits like this?"
"She..." Dan's face grew serious as he struggled to answer. "She went naked."
He hurriedly added, "Of course, just occasionally, for a change of pace."
Naked to an archdemon banquet enjoyed on a century-scale. It was too absurd to accept, so Catherine changed the subject.
"Even if it's a banquet, there don't seem to be any dress code rules."
"I'm not participating, so I don't know the details, but I think there were."
"Then there's no need for a human form, right?"
Dan, hanging the dress in the wardrobe, eyed Catherine uneasily.
"Probably. I suppose."
Do the other demons attend in human form? When she'd eavesdropped in the Abyss, they all had. But she couldn't judge from one glimpse.
And Asmodeus knows my face—that's a problem.
It should be fine, but it nagged at her. More than that...
Chezare might see me and struggle to keep a straight face.
Screw it. Catherine tapped into the vast mana of the Void Dominator, Lilith, shedding her human form effortlessly. Magic came as naturally as breathing now—no more pain in her core. Like Chezare, she used formless magic, a privilege of master mages, transforming into a cute, adorable kitten.
This form is perfect.
A yellow kitten with pink jelly would be so cute, cute, cute—ideal for winning favor.
Dan? Go get Yaong's necklace from Roze.
A naked cat felt off; better to accessorize prettily. But Dan's feet stayed rooted despite her command. His conflicted gaze made Catherine bare her teeth.
What? Spit it out.
"...No, how could I. We have a long road ahead. Haha. Lady Catherine truly has a unique mind!"
Don't insult me pretending otherwise.
"Phew. Good thing you caught the insult."
For all his words, Dan fetched Yaong's necklace. Catherine, now a majestic kitten, perched atop the Marcus Circle.
Walking on four paws felt novel, but the low viewpoint was annoying. Being shockingly cute comes at a cost.
"If trouble arises, don't panic. First, escape the Abyss—that's when I can help."
Got it.
"Stay quiet as I asked. I won't say get along, but don't show hostility."
"Are you my mom?"
"No. Remember the emergency kit I gave you? Use it only in dire straits."
Catherine nodded, recalling the five mysterious orbs Dan had given her last night: "I'll give you something amazing—use it when your life hangs by a thread."
"I'll be waiting."
Catherine raised one paw in feline farewell.
Nyaa!
She prayed for edible food only.
Amazing. How effortlessly magic flowed now.
Catherine gazed at her reflection in the black waters covering the Abyss floor. Her deep green eyes were typical of a stray cat.
But they'll turn vivid purple when I use magic.
Like Chezare and the other demons. The color still felt alien to her.
Getting to the Abyss needed no discussion. Instinct carried her there naturally. The familiar void welcomed her.
As always, it was empty. On the pitch-black surface stood a single white sign: Meeting location changed. Go below. Beside it, a large hole like a tunnel.
Catherine hesitated.
Do I go in?
Suspicious, but no choice. She squeezed her eyes shut and leaped.
A chill wind whistled. Fresh air—not Abyss-stale—filled her lungs. She opened her eyes, gasping deeply.
She was in the sky. Atop a massive clock tower spire.
Oh my devil...
What was this? Hazing for the newbie? Bullying like in those novels?
As Catherine flailed midair, noisy voices came from behind.
"Someone's here."
"A cat? Mammon? Is it Mammon?"
"Already forgotten, Belial? Mammon arrived first."
Catherine turned slowly. Atop the sky-piercing spire, on a vast banquet table, sat familiar faces.
Red tablecloth, soft candlelight, white dishware, fresh chrysanthemums.
"Then what's that fist-sized kitten?"
Someone grabbed her scruff. A prim middle-aged gentleman with a monocle smiled amusedly.
"Hmm. Did Lilith birth a cat instead of a nephilim?"
Asmodeus.
Catherine blinked blankly.
Not hazing—they're really banqueting here.
She peered below. Dazzling architecture made her eyes widen. Familiar, yet...
Best to greet first.
Nyaa. Hello.
The spire-top banquet fell deathly silent. Heart pounding, Catherine sought Chezare.
This form may be humble, but I'm Lilith.
There he was—the most beautiful and radiant among the four demons. But only his face was familiar. Everything else was alien.
Gazes indifferent as ants on rock. Expression icy as frost. No trace of the affectionate eyes or attention she knew.
He wasn't her Chezare. Not the demon who'd shared his soul and vowed eternity.
Just Leviathan, an archdemon kin who could kill her.
Too much.
How could he flip like a pancake? Was their bond—deeper than blood—already dead?
Catherine glared daggers, eyes blazing.
Asmodeus placed her gently on the head seat.
"A cat, eh? Entertaining. This is your spot."
"My, really Lilith? Another odd one this time."
No demon questioned her feline form. Archdemon caliber, I like it.
Cool autumn wind rustled her whiskers and the tablecloth.
This moment felt dreamlike—her, a kitten, seated here.
"Protagonist's here. Let's begin."
A clear voice rang out. Catherine focused ahead.
They looked ordinary human. Dressed for a formal ball, more proper than her dress—signaling no lighthearted affair.
A kitten amid these serious faces. Perfect combo.
"Wine for all."
No servants, yet red liquid filled glasses. They raised theirs; Catherine pawed hers atop.
"Pffft."
Belial beside her shook with laughter.
Asmodeus stood, toasting her.
"Welcome to the Abyss banquet, our dear sister, Lilith."
As five gazes converged, Belial threw her head back, cackling.
"Though this isn't the Abyss!"
Catherine looked down again. Now she knew.
White spire, seven ivory towers around. Central garden with broken-winged angel statue thrusting sword skyward.
Solemn night, eerie grandeur.
She remembered. The Holy Agripa Papal Palace.