Chapter 131
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Scene 131Cat
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Huh?
The door to my office was open.
I always locked it with a locking spell whenever I left for the day.
No one with any sense would dare pick the lock on my office...
Obviously, the culprit was Blanche.
No one else could disarm it so cleanly.
For now, I pretended not to notice and stepped inside.
The first thing that caught my eye was the high ceiling. The history of Meikahel University was depicted in murals, making it clear at a glance that this was a room for someone of high status.
The marble floor gleamed spotlessly, reflecting the sunlight.
This was the view I saw every morning.
In other words, nothing seemed particularly out of place.
I scanned the room like a spot-the-difference puzzle, but nothing had changed.
Which made sense, in a way.
Given Blanches meticulous personality, she wouldnt leave any obvious traces.
What intrigued me was what she was trying to hide. And it was clearly something I wasnt supposed to discover.
Hmm.
For now, I decided to start my usual routine.
Maintaining composure was one of the virtues I valued most as a possessor.
Whatever Blanche was hiding, I just needed to focus on my own tasks.
I hung up my coat and promptly removed my jacket.
Bang.
Count! Ill explain everythurk?!
Blanche burst through the door and quickly turned her head away.
S-Sorry! But why are you undressing?
Im getting ready to exercise.
Before starting work, I always worked out in my office.
It was a routine I couldnt skip for even a day.
It was also my vow never to revert to the original Tristan.
Blanche looked flustered, faced with my bare upper body.
You can look if you want.
I wont.
So you plan to talk to me without looking? How rude.
In the end, Blanche looked at me with a strained expression.
Her eyes wavered, unsure where to focus.
Ugh, seriously!
Helga appeared in the office behind her.
Why are your feet so fast?
Youre the slow one. Who told you to wear those shoes anyway?
This is my uniform! Its a full set, shoes included!
Helga rubbed her exposed ankle above her high heel, looking displeased.
Ugh Do you know how hard it is to run in heels? I thought I twisted my ankle chasing you. If I got hurt, itd be your responsibility, right?
...
...
Is that so? When I linked arms with you, I thought my shoulder was going to shatter
Youve got soft bones. Anyway, yeah.
A normal persons collarbone wouldve been smashed.
Huh? Youre not normal. Duh.
Neither are you.
Right. Were not normal peoplewere extraordinary beauties.
The two bickered.
Even as Blanche responded to Helgas grumbling, she anxiously scanned the surroundings.
I watched silently, then spoke up.
Blanche. So, what were you going to explain?
Pardon?
Didnt you just say youd explain everything to me?
Oh that.
I grew curious about what excuse shed come up with.
More precisely, I was intrigued.
She always projected a cool image, and Id never seen her desperately making excusesnot even once in the original story.
Anticipating her response, I placed my hands on the chair and stood on my head.
I began my workout, bending and straightening my arms repeatedly.
Finally, Blanches voice came.
A cat?
When I lifted my head to look, she averted her gaze and continued.
Y-Yes. Theres actually a cat outside I saw it enter the office through the window. So, I had no choice but to open the door and come in to catch it. Im truly sorry for not telling you first.
I see.
It was a fairly plausible excuse.
But for a cat that got in, its awfully clean in here.
Youre right.
Wheres that cat now?
It probably ran off.
Hmm.
I straightened my bent arms and stood up with the momentum.
Understood. But dont enter or exit without my permission next time.
Y-Yes Im deeply sorry.
Blanche bowed deeply.
Now go. I need to finish my workout.
Yes.
As Blanche moved to leave, she fidgeted restlessly, glancing arounduncharacteristic for her.
Whats wrong?
Well
I asked the hesitant woman.
Are you so worried about that cat that you cant leave?
Yes.
Surprising.
Pardon?
I gave her a prideful smile.
Ive rejudged you, Blanche. I didnt know you had that side to you.
...
I dont know how she took my words, but Blanches face turned bright red.
D-Dont insult me! Im not cute! And hearing that from you doesnt make me happy at all!
Insult? Youre misunderstanding something.
Pardon?
That side I mentioned means you have a compassionate side. Besides I sat in the chair.
Stroking my chin, I added.
I never said you were cute.
Eek?! Realizing what shed said, Blanche hung her head.
But Id clearly seen her face before she did.
It was the face of a child frustrated to tears after her mistake was exposed.
Unable to stand it anymore, Helga spoke up.
Jeez Instead of beating around the bush, why not just be honest?
Pardon?
Say you want to see more of our Counts bare body.
What?!
Blanche was appalled.
Are you spouting nonsense?! Do you think Id do something like that?!
Come on, we all know. Our Count is generoushed allow it if you asked.
Helga flashed a sly grin.
Oh, looking is free, but touchings off-limits. Wiping the Counts sweat is a privilege for his loyal retainer like me. Heh heh Or if you became his royal guard like me, he might let you lick the sweat off the floor.
Count!? D-Do you really make her do such perverted things?!
No. I dont.
I was learning this for the first time now.
The thought of Helga drinking sweat off the floor gave me chills.
I pressed my temple with my finger.
Listening to them was giving me a headache, so I had no choice but to decide.
You two. Youre disturbing me.
Pardon?
Yes?
Get out. Now.
When I gave them a cold glare, Helga pleaded as if the sky had fallen.
N-No way! If Im not here, wholl drink the Counts sweat today?!
My sweat isnt a beverage. And I never told you to drink it. Out.
I have the right to watch your workout! No, its my destiny! I wont back down!
Yeah, I figured youd say that.
Blanche.
Y-Yes?
Handle Helga.
I held up three fingers.
It meant three Meikahel punishment coins.
Blanche immediately understood, nodding with a slightly brighter expression.
At the same time, she slipped her hand to Helgas waist and twisted.
?!
My turn now.
Let golet go!
Come with me, cutie.
Urk! Let go! Ill report you for sexual harassment!
Go ahead. Cutie.
Youll see! Someday, Ill definitely eat you up!
With that third-rate villain line, Helga was dragged out.
Once they left, the office fell silent.
Now I could finally have the space to myself.
But there was still one unresolved issue in the room.
How strange
I pushed my chair back.
Peering under the desk, I said.
I wonder how a cat managed to get all the way in here.
Ahaha
A woman huddled under the desk with her knees hugged to her chest let out an awkward laugh.
Beautiful eyes like a winter lake looked up at me.
Did it get lost?
No, its not that
Cats talk now?
Ugh
At my icy remark, Bella responded by waving her hand in the air like a cat.
Meow, meow