Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Cat Servant Designs
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[Cat features, fur optional, primarily black and white, design at your discretion as long as it doesn't violate local customs (if unsure, something like Sir Rachel's maids would be ideal)...]
"Hmm... Not bad."
I read the paper written in a neat, angular font listing the conditions and the male and female body measurements, murmuring softly to myself.
One thing I really liked was that fur was an option.
I could make it without fur, of course, but the process was such a hassle.
Procuring raw cotton or wool before spinning, creating the fur, then painstakingly attaching it to fabric and wrapping it around the frame? No thanks—I didn't want to deal with that myself.
If I had a hot glue gun, maybe, but no such luck.
And buying pre-made fur from elsewhere? The texture never quite satisfied me.
Most importantly, when it came to leather and fur, natural materials from protein-packed animals offered the best feel and comfort.
Even in a modern world advanced in animal rights and technology, with all sorts of synthetic leathers and fibers, genuine leather thrived because replicating that unique wearability and texture was so damn hard.
"Isn't the hallmark of servant uniforms something plain and tidy? I tailored the concept to that, so naturally, it should stay within those bounds, right?"
"Quite right, sir."
Plus, the client was refreshingly straightforward.
Handing me creative freedom while clearly stating their desired vibe and boundaries made things easy.
"With these specs, I should have them ready before the grand masked ball. But if time gets tight, what should I prioritize?"
I doubted it'd come to that, but better safe than sorry.
For instance, if jail access got extended or I collapsed from exhaustion right at release, things could get crunch-time.
"In that case, could you prioritize the headbands and tails? They're tricky for anyone else to make..."
"If you add that note here..."
"Ah, got it."
I slid the paper toward the chief bailiff, who bowed his head and scribbled a few tiny words in the corner.
"There."
"Thank you."
Nothing more to jot down, so I folded the paper haphazardly and tucked it into my pocket.
"No more questions from me. Anything else from you, Chief?"
"None. And time's running short anyway."
"Understood."
It was a shame to leave the chair—far comfier than the jail floor—but I wasn't in a position to argue, so I pursed my lips slightly and stood.
"Milord, hold on a moment. One last thing before you go."
My butt had just left the seat, half-risen awkwardly, when the chief bailiff reached out to stop me.
I stared at him blankly and eased my rear back down.
"What is it?"
"Mind a small scratch on your skin?"
"Fine by me... but does it hurt?"
"Not much. Just leaves a mark, so I asked in case you'd hate that."
"As long as it's no bigger than my palm."
"Beg pardon, then..."
"Go ahead."
The chief bailiff rose from his chair, leaned in, and extended his hand toward me.
"Ow!"
The moment his fingertips touched my cheek, a sharp sting hit, followed by a dull throb.
"That bad? Shouldn't be..."
"No... just startled me. So, what's this for?"
"A bruise on your face."
"A bruise?"
He withdrew his hand, straightened up, narrowed his eyes, and shrugged.
"Tradition. Shows you spoke your mind with noble spirit, and we did our due diligence."
"Hmm... You nobles have some annoyingly elaborate customs."
"Can't be helped. Knights and nobles live or die by face."
"Fair enough."
Anything involving face-saving meant endless hassles.
Lots of perks came with it, sure, but I'd pass on both, thanks.
"Now can I go?"
"One more: Glower at me resentfully all the way back to your cell."
"Got it."
I narrowed my eyes, twisted my lips slightly, and shot him a light glare.
"Oh ho... Truly Count Hume's son. Perfect angry face."
"Should I be flattered?"
"Nobles always smile or always scowl—can't go wrong."
"Heh..."
I twisted just the corner of my mouth into an awkward grin.
Walking around like that all the time sounded like a mental illness, but if it wasn't bad...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Hmmm..."
A night when sleep stubbornly refused to come.
Sipping the tea Sera had brought at my request, I gazed out the window. A lopsided moon, nibbled on the right like an ugly circle, hung in the eastern sky.
Not precise, but past midnight, surely.
The darkness blanketed everything in cool silence, yet my mind was eerily alert.
Anxiety keeping me up? Me, of all people?
First time in my life. Unsettling.
"Tch..."
My heart started pounding again.
I savored the black tea's aroma and took a light sip.
"......"
The mother I'd seen so far wouldn't mean it.
The Count Hume couple I'd observed wouldn't truly defy His Majesty.
Mother, the House of Hume—they'd never choose to fracture the realm.
Father neither.
More rational than anyone, they'd purged ruthlessly for the Empire's sake. No way they'd pull this idiotic stunt, stain their hands, and ruin the stabilized Empire.
Some deal between them, exploiting the situation—that had to be it.
So William emerging unscathed from jail was a given.
"Haa..."
And yet, the anxiety lingered.
The "what if" clung like a leech, impossible to shake.
"Hey there?"
"Eek!"
A finger poked my lost-in-thought cheek.
I hadn't noticed her sneaking right up behind me—jumping in shock, I whipped around to find my sister standing there with a sly grin.
"Haa... Sis, can't you knock?"
"Where's the fun in that? Got to see my little sis's adorable face like this."
I calmed my racing heart and mildly scolded her in a shaky voice, but she shrugged it off casually and plopped down across the tea table.
"Seriously..."
I appreciated the friendliness, but this stealth approach? Hard pass.
I liked lively, sure, but surprises? Not so much.
Weird antics from eccentrics were one thing; this just annoyed me.
"Huang Palace after 12 years—holding up? Impressions from your stay?"
"Not much to say. Furniture's nicer, but our old estate wasn't bad."
"Good to hear."
She smiled in relief, draped an arm over the chair rest, and propped her chin.
I eyed her somewhat flippant pose and pointed at her right hand.
"Sis, that letter you're holding—when do I get it?"
"Tch... First time we meet today, can't we ease into it? I went through hell sneaking in unnoticed."
"You could've sent it by letter. Or asked an Imperial Knight."
"Personal delivery's best for this. My little sis asked me herself."
"......"
I narrowed my eyes and stared at her steadily.
Here I was, dying inside, and she was all laid-back—getting under my skin.
"Eee..."
No reaction but the stare, so she made a cute whine, pouted sulkily, and dipped her head.
Then she obediently handed over the letter.
"Doing all this for my sis, and guys come first...? This big sis is so sad, tears are coming..."
"Thanks a ton for helping, sis—you're precious too. But priorities by situation, right?"
"Hmph—spare me the lame excuses."
She snorted and turned her head toward the window.
I gave an awkward smile, watching her.
I wasn't dismissing her effort, but comparing to someone in jail? No contest.
Imperial Knights' lockup, no less—infamous for its brutality, known to all ages and genders. William was the worry.
"Sigh... What's so great about that guy? Pretty face aside, he's a stiff, scrawny pretty boy without any gravitas."
Ignoring her full-body pout, I carefully broke the wax seal as she grumbled William-bashing my way again.
I agreed on some points, but one or two glimpses wouldn't reveal his charms, so plenty I couldn't.
"Hmm~ Stick around him, and you might change your mind?"
If she'd seen his serene mad ramblings or that face after his tête-à-tête with the former Duke of Devonshire, she'd rate him high too.
"And he's cuter than he looks—got this sneaky puppy vibe."
Or mostly innocent pup—might she hate that?
Didn't matter; I liked both.
That gap between puppy and wolf? Made my heart flutter deliciously.
"Hee hee..."
"Can't comprehend..."
Smiling at memories of his contrasting gazes, I caught her frowning and shaking her head.
Her "unfathomable" reaction? Music to my ears.
Meant she saw William as harmless.
"Hmmm..."
I shifted from her steady gaze to the letter.
Carefully drew out the neatly folded paper inside and unfolded it.
A long report in sharp, highly legible script.
"Hoo..."
I stared at it and let out a deep breath.
How was William faring, I wondered...
Hoping no major hardships, I slowly read the first line.