Edited

40.

As Norma said, Antoinette’s cuteness was quite lethal.

‘Really cute.’

Furthermore, as Norma said, it was the same as when I saw her in Katam.

‘Is she really a mutant?’

Up close, although her arms and legs were chubbier than a cat’s, and her paws were round, at a glance, she looked like a regular black kitten.

“Wow!”

Archie, who had recently been behaving like an adult, with all sorts of worldly-wise words, behaved like a child without hesitation at the appearance of the adorable baby cub.

I quickly stopped Archie from reaching out his hand towards Antoinette, who was being held by Sir Bains, the knight. Archie glared at me, and I let out a sigh.

Perhaps because he was in front of Norma, Archie sat relatively quietly in his place with a huff.

Even though it was a cub, a beast was still a beast. Even though Antoinette was cute, she looked fierce at first glance. It wasn’t usual to see her scratching Sir Barnes’ chest with sharp claws.

The baby leopard seemed afraid of unfamiliar places. After messing up Sir Barnes’ chest in a short time, Antoinette, upon spotting Norma, immediately left him without hesitation and gracefully climbed onto Norma’s thigh.

“Me! Me! I want to hug her too!”

Archie, with eager eyes, watched Antoinette, who was quietly whimpering, then raised his arm and shouted enthusiastically.

“Ahem.”

I reprimanded Archie with a slightly stricter tone than before.

“Don’t worry, my lord. Antoinette is smart and won’t bite anyone.”

Norma reassured while patting Antoinette’s bottom. At the same time, Norma cleared his throat with a cough, and Antoinette growled softly.

… That’s your thought, not Antoinette’s.

I thought as I watched the busy Antoinette, who was vigilant of people, and I saw her glance at me with a sharp look.

“She doesn’t seem particularly dangerous. It seems like Antoinette follows orders well.”

It was the moment I was about to tell the Diazi knights to take care of each other.

As Antoinette, who had been vigilant around, looked towards me and stared at me intently, I felt embarrassed and momentarily lost my words under the fleeting gaze of the baby cub.

“Antoinette. Master.”

At that moment, Norma lowered his head and whispered affectionately to Antoinette, then gestured towards me.

‘What, what is it?’

Antoinette glanced at Norma and then turned her gaze back to me. Without blinking, she looked at me, then suddenly jumped onto the table.

Feeling startled, I blinked, and before I knew it, Antoinette was standing in front of me. It was a swift movement, typical of a leopard.

“…What is it doing?”

I hesitated at the thought of her being a predator, and Sir Dogman gently reached for his sword.

But Antoinette, standing before me, was calm. It seemed like she was examining me to confirm if I was indeed the “master.”

“That’s right. Antoinette. She is the master of Macfoy.”

Norma, with a proud expression, applauded.

“What’s going on?”

Antoinette, still staring at me, wagged her plump tail. It was so enticing that I found myself reaching out my hand involuntarily.

Then Antoinette gently rested her head on my outstretched hand.

“…!”

The playful behavior was a stark contrast to her previously aggressive actions. It was adorable to hear her contented breathing and see her close her eyes.

“Wow… Antoinette seems to like my aunt.”

Archie muttered beside me as if filled with envy.

…Is that so? Does she like me? Somehow, I felt a bit elated. Although I had fond memories of animals from my childhood, the unexpected display of affection from Antoinette made my heart flutter.

“It must be nice for Aunt. Antoinette seems to dislike that knight, but she seems to like Aunt.”

Children’s honest words could sometimes be cruel. Fortunately, Antoinette had been less aggressive towards Von, who had been responsible for feeding her all along.

‘So far, I’ve been the one feeding her. It’s all pointless.’

Archie’s transparent assessment wounded Von deeply.

‘You’re doing great, our baby.’

While Von nursed his wounds, Norma found solace.

“It seems like Antoinette likes the Lord.”

“Is that so?”

I asked as I awkwardly stroked Antoinette.

“Yes. It’s the first time she’s allowed anyone other than me to pet her.”

“Oh, really…”

That’s how it is.

As a gesture of gratitude, I gently stroked Antoinette’s forehead. After a while, Norma, who had been looking at us with a pleased expression, spoke again.

“I hope if the Lord shows her affection, it will make her happy.”

He murmured in a soft voice. Though his voice was discreet, it was heard clearly by everyone in the reception room, as they were all captivated by the baby leopard, leaving their son-in-law in silence.

Everyone widened their eyes and turned to the speaker. Even the speaker’s cheeks flushed.

“Yes. Pretty.”

Similarly captivated by Antoinette, I replied absentmindedly.

Then Norma burst into laughter, slightly delayed. Spaces with babies were always cheerful. I brushed off Norma’s laughter, unaware that the people around me had frozen like statues.

‘Oh, my.’

Von was particularly shocked.

‘The tone… Is she asking Antoinette to find her beautiful? Or is she asking herself to be found beautiful?’

Von desperately hoped it was just his imagination and glanced around nervously.

“…”

Unfortunately, it seemed everyone had the same thought. Above everyone’s heads hung hundreds of question marks.

‘I guess I’m not the only one who heard that. What is Lord Diazi really thinking? Does Lord Diazi know?’

While everyone was nervously exchanging glances as if an earthquake had struck, the three people and the beast sitting around the tea table remained peaceful.

‘Even if I say it like this, he doesn’t even doubt it. Isn’t he really cute?’

Fluttering with excitement—

Norma’s mood was once again at its peak today. Just looking at your fingertips makes me happy. Just blinking your eyes makes me laugh.

‘I hope you’re enjoying being with me too.’

When her expression darkened at Archie’s words earlier, Norma’s heart plummeted. She didn’t want to experience that feeling again.

Fortunately, she looked at Antoinette and her expression softened, even finding her adorable. Only then could he relax.

‘At least it’s settled with Antoinette.’

Before coming to Macfoy, Norma had diligently taught Antoinette something.

“Dear. Look here.”

He brought out various purple items, including purple beads similar to Aisa’s eyes.

“She’s someone I like. You have to listen to her well. I heard that she admires those who listen well. You need to look pretty for both of us later.”

After a brief recollection, Norma smiled brightly.

‘”Now I just need to win over Miss Aisa.’

With this thought in mind.

At that moment, Antoinette began to show interest in Archie. Seeing Antoinette following even Archie with purple eyes, Norma was truly impressed by her intelligence. She was thrilled with the results beyond her expectations.

Seeing many familiar purple items, Antoinette seemed to become more excited, bouncing around here and there. Archie, smitten with Antoinette, followed her around the reception room, bouncing around.

Harry Forn, who usually remained composed, comically followed Archie, saying, “Master, please be careful.” However, as it seemed like an accident waiting to happen, Archie and Antoinette were soon chased out of the reception room.

Following Archie, Mr. Forn and Mrs. Seymour quickly left the reception room one after another.

‘It’s a bit disappointing, but it’s finally quiet now.’

I thought to myself as I finished the remaining tea.

“Now then…”

As I began to rise from my seat, I glanced at Norma, who was sitting elegantly across from me.

“Lady.”

T/N: It was in the previous chapters while everyone calls Aisa Lord Norma decided to call her Lady when alone do you guys remeber Katam.

Just as I was about to say I would leave now, Norma was a bit quicker. Calling me “Lady,” he leaned towards me unexpectedly.

He approached as if whispering in my ear. His lips were so close to my ear that I instinctively flinched.

“Lady Aisa.”

This time, his voice was so faint that it wouldn’t be heard by anyone else. It was so close to my ear that I couldn’t help but feel startled.

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

“…”

“I came here to be on your side.”

For a moment, I stared blankly at his golden eyes, which were so close that they almost reflected my face.

‘Ophelia, speaking to me.’

Norma probably met the twenty-five-year-old Ophelia that I didn’t know.

‘Did he think I would ask? Well, if I knew nothing, I might have asked about you.’

Soon, I chuckled awkwardly and spoke.

“No, I don’t.”

And without blinking, I said firmly. I know ‘Ophelia and the Night.’

“I, as the Lord of McFoy, know everything.”

After I spat out those words, I felt a slight sense of crumbling in the corners of my mouth.

He looked at me blankly after my response. I felt the same, but in my case, it was almost as if I couldn’t escape his warm golden eyes.

It was a moment when neither of us could avoid each other’s gaze.

Norma reached out his hand as if entranced. Somehow, his expression as he looked at me seemed sad, so I couldn’t even think of avoiding his gaze or dodging his touch.

His hand approached my cheek. It was still slender and beautiful, with neat fingers and round nails. Even the pinkish hue at the tips of his fingers was uniquely reminiscent of Norma Diazi.

“I don’t want you to be sad.”

Norma murmured again in a voice so soft that only I could hear.

For a moment, I couldn’t understand what he meant. You’re the one with a face that looks like you might cry, not me. Do I look sad?

That’s impossible. I’m thinking of the one I despise the most.

It was a powerful moment, but there were people around us.

‘O Mother.’

With Norma Diazi’s sudden actions and our Lord responding in kind, and all the servants witnessing it, the situation was turned upside down once again.

No one had the presence of mind to stop it. No, stopping it wasn’t even an option. Although I had wondered before, now I was certain.

Norma Diazi was breaking new ground.

‘Norma Diazi is deliberately provoking our Lord.’

Erica let out an unusually loud gasp.

And finally, there was someone who lost their temper; it was the overly dedicated Sir Dogman. Fortunately, he didn’t draw his sword. If Norma, as the eldest son of Diazi, had drawn his sword, it would have been a disaster.

Glenn, who belatedly came to his senses, stumbled with his words, shouting with a bewildered expression on his pale face.

“What, what is this! Diazi Knight, step back! How dare you lay hands on anyone!”

Anger mixed with Glen’s shouts brought me back to reality. It was only then that I realized how close we had been and recoiled. I belatedly felt my chest pounding wildly.

‘This is insane. The situation has completely reversed. Norma Diazi, who used to worry me so much in Katam, is now trying to comfort me.’

I brushed away my thoughts while thinking about that.

‘No, but why whispering all of a sudden?’

Annoyed for no reason, I glanced at Norma, but he was no longer looking at me. Whenever he persistently looked at me, Norma was now staring at the door for no apparent reason.

“Who is it?”

Norma muttered softly. Just as Norma’s muttering ended, loud noises began to be heard from afar.

My temples twitched with a familiar pattern. Soon, the pounding footsteps and the sounds of “No! Stop! Ugh!” grew closer.

And finally.

Bang―.

“What is Diazi doing here?”

Why are you here when it’s not even your house?

I rubbed my forehead. It was a rare sight to see Kano.

Seeing him casually open the door without even disarming himself, I realized that I needed to regain my composure seriously.