Chapter 88 - The Cat's True Feelings
"Frey, wake up."
"Mm...?"
Feeling a bit stuffy, I opened my eyes to find Serena shaking me gently.
"It's time for you to go."
"...Already?"
Her words hit like thunder. I threw off the blanket in a panic and checked the clock—it was pointing to 5:30.
"You need to leave before the sun rises."
"Oh, right."
I wanted to protest that she was kicking me out too soon, but then I remembered that Serena's memories changed when the sun was up. I quickly got out of bed.
"Kkuu, kkuuu."
As I hastily threw on my coat from the floor, I spotted the owl on the desk pecking at something with its talons.
"...Aigoo."
I approached carefully and picked up the limp cat doll, muttering to myself.
"Guess it'll be sulking for a while."
How do you cheer up a cat doll that's not even a real cat? No idea.
"Serena, I had a great time today. I'll be heading out now."
"Wait. I have something for you."
As I tried to slip out of the room, Serena hurriedly threw on her clothes and got out of bed.
"Here. Take it."
I tilted my head, puzzled, and she held something out to me.
"This is..."
"I made it while you were sleeping."
In her hand was a glowing moon-shaped crystal.
"Mm... Is it no good?"
"...No, it's a hundred times better than the fake gifts I'll get at tomorrow's pretentious birthday party."
I snatched the crystal from her hand, and Serena beamed brightly.
"I'll walk you out. We still have time."
"Yeah, thanks."
I replied softly and took her hand as we left the room and headed down to the entrance.
For some reason, it feels so calming...
I wasn't sure why, but fiddling with the moon crystal Serena gave me settled my mind. Or maybe it was holding her hand.
"Huh...?"
We descended the stairs, fiddling with the crystal, and opened the front door. A familiar carriage was waiting outside.
"Isn't that... our family's carriage?"
I'd caught a random street carriage for secrecy and speed, so why was the Starlight family carriage parked there so blatantly?
"...Kania?"
The answer came as soon as I cautiously opened the carriage door.
"Good morning, Young Master."
For some reason, Kania was sitting demurely inside.
"It's time to return to the mansion."
I blinked blankly for a moment, then she spoke in a low voice from her quiet seat.
"Ah, yeah... right."
It wasn't wrong, so I nodded and climbed in. Suddenly, Serena blocked me with a smile.
"Wait here a moment."
"Huh?"
"We girls need to talk."
With that, Serena slipped into the carriage where Kania sat with a stiff expression and closed the door.
"...What the hell."
Curious about their conversation, I gathered Star Mana in my ears to eavesdrop, but a double barrier of black magic and moon mana blocked me. What could they be talking about to go this far?
"Lady Kania, your loyalty is truly impressive. Coming all this way this early to see him off."
"Thank you for the praise."
While Frey floated question marks outside, Serena and Kania exchanged polite words inside the carriage. Though the air was thick with chill despite the civility.
"Oh, right. I heard Frey recently got a pet?"
As an inexplicable pressure crushed the carriage, Serena suddenly lifted the corner of her mouth and asked Kania.
"Are you referring to Lulu?"
"Yes, that poor thing. How is she doing?"
"Yes, I checked before coming here. She was sleeping soundly. Though there were a few nail marks left."
"That's a relief. I'll look into that Misfortune Mark in my spare time too, so hang in there."
Serena smiled at the reply, then suddenly turned icy and whispered.
"By the way, looks like you're about to lose your spot as his pet too."
Kania bit her lip for a moment before replying softly.
"The sun will rise in a few minutes, Lady Serena."
"It's fine. I've accounted for everything."
Serena smirked and glared at Kania.
"I have zero interest in watching a passionless sideshow."
"......."
Kania fell silent at the words, then asked quietly.
"Are you sure there's not a shred of affection in it?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know better than anyone, Lady Serena."
With a faint smile, Kania continued.
"That daytime Serena erased her 'worry' for the Young Master because she was shocked by his affectionate antics toward me."
"That's just Frey putting on a 'show' for my sake. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Is that so?"
Kania's lips curved fully now as she stared straight at Serena, who was lightly fanning her face.
"You've seen the Young Master cheat plenty of times. You stayed composed because you saw through it as acting."
Serena said nothing, so Kania pressed on with sharp eyes.
"But deciding to put on those affectionate shows with me to erase your 'worry'... and you being 'shocked' by it..."
"I get what you're implying, but..."
"...means the Young Master has feelings for me."
Ignoring Serena, Kania finished, and Serena gripped her fan before speaking.
"Affection as a pet, right?"
"I doubt the continent's greatest genius couldn't distinguish that."
"Who knows? I'm not sure."
Serena tilted her head innocently, then whispered softly to the hardening Kania.
"After making 'real love' with Frey at dawn today, petty affections like that all blur together."
Kania unconsciously clenched her fist at the words, and Serena smiled with her eyes.
"Frey's not some freak with warped desires, Lady Kania. No matter the transformation or rubbing, there's an uncrossable wall."
"I transform only for the Young Master. No ulterior motives... Eek!"
Kania flushed as she spoke, but stopped and clutched her stomach when Serena prodded it with her fan.
"Fine, I won't complain about you sticking close. You do help Frey, after all."
"...As the Young Master's confidante, I take orders and permission only from him. So I don't need yours, Lady Serena."
Serena watched Kania leisurely, but smirked mockingly as she ground her teeth.
"But if you cross the line... be prepared."
As Serena moved to leave, Kania asked softly.
"And if the Young Master crosses it first?"
Serena turned with disbelief, but Kania continued calmly.
"As his loyal butler and servant, I'd have no choice but to yield. So please understand."
"No need to ask forgiveness for something that won't happen."
Smiling back, Serena unleashed moon mana, shredding Kania's sound barrier, and stepped out.
"Goodbye, Frey."
She kissed Frey and walked leisurely back to the entrance. The moment she opened the door and entered the mansion, the sun rose.
"...Uh, Kania? What did you two talk about?"
The Young Master in the carriage asks cautiously. I can't bring myself to answer and bow my head, muttering inwardly.
What... did I just say?
I'd said so many uncharacteristic slips and shown embarrassing behavior. After a long self-recrimination, I felt his gaze and peeked up at him.
"...You okay? Kania?"
Ever since revealing the penalties and truths, my master looks at me with worry, as always.
"It's been over a week since I gave you life force? Is that why you're off?"
"Young Master... I don't need..."
"No, last time you went three months without, so for the next half-year, it's weekly without fail. Otherwise, big trouble."
From the young age he took me into the Starlight family, he's given his life force generously. Even after I halved his lifespan, with only 2 years and 6 months left, he worries about me, a mosquito sucking his life.
If the Young Master crosses the line first... what was I thinking?
Why does he worry about me? In past loops, I obstructed him constantly with curses and schemes, drove a nail into his heart with suicide before his eyes. I'm no better than a mosquito draining his scant life force. And...
From his reaction then, he must suspect.
When he got the hidden opportunity in the forest near the mansion, he spoke with a nuance that he already knew the truth—about my parents and his mother's horrific connection.
Yet he just worries and helps me.
"See? Your face looks exhausted... That's from lacking life force. So..."
"...Excuse me a moment, Young Master."
Lost in thought, I stood and approached him, still wearing that worried expression.
"...Kania?"
"Sorry, Young Master."
I sat right beside him and leaned in slightly, deep in thought.
I thought even feeling this was a sin...
My heart is still filled with guilt. That's why I planned to confess everything and be with him only at the very end. I thought I deserved only to assist quietly from the side, not stand beside him.
...Human hearts can't be helped, it seems.
But no matter how hard I try, it ends in vain. It's sinful and irreverent, but now that heart is overtaking the guilt.
"What's wrong? You're making me shy."
Staring at him lost in thought, he smiles bashfully—a pure, innocent smile I'd never seen in past loops. Untainted.
"May I lean on you for a bit, Young Master?"
"Of course."
He accepts my unintended words readily. Hesitating, I gently leaned on his shoulder and murmured thanks, reaching a conclusion inwardly.
"Thank you, Young Master."
You, who has every reason to hate me yet doesn't, loving me instead...
...I think I've fallen in love.
"We've arrived!"
"Mm..."
The coachman announced boisterously that the carriage had reached the Starlight mansion. Kania, asleep against Frey's shoulder, slowly opened her eyes.
"S-Sorry! Young Master!"
"No, no. It happens when you're tired."
Kania, dazed for a moment, spotted the drool on his shoulder and flushed crimson, bowing deeply.
"See? Better get that life force soon, huh?"
"N-No!"
As Frey eyed her worriedly, Kania waved her hands frantically.
"I don't know why, but my mind suddenly cleared. Skip treatment this week."
"Mm... Really?"
"Yes, Young Master."
Frey eyed her skeptically, but as she quickly exited, he smirked inwardly.
I knew it, so I infused life force while she slept.
Frey was expert at this; a few coughs of blood stabilized the needed amount.
"...Urk."
But free from two penalties and one special? As Frey stepped out, dizziness hit, and he staggered.
"This... can't be helped, even to prepare for tomorrow."
Glancing at Kania, he gripped the carriage and opened the system shop for the first time in ages.
Description: Permanently increases life force recovery speed. (Total amount unchanged)
"Was hoping to avoid buying it, but no choice."
Muttering at the window, Frey purchased the skill. Vitality surged through his heart.
"...Urgh."
"Young Master!?"
He clutched his chest and collapsed. Kania, beside him, supported him in panic.
"Ah, this is just the backlash from applying the Life Force Recovery Speed Increase skill. No worries."
"Really?"
"For real? See, no blood."
Easing Kania's dubious gaze, Frey relaxed and headed into the mansion.
"No way... really..."
Meanwhile, Lulu, meekly sitting by the window, spotted Frey and muttered shakily.
"...Is it because of me?"