Chapter 8 – Life in Confinement
Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter
What will he undergo? Has the outside world changed? Will anyone be searching for him right now? Even if they had been given cold treatment, he was still a prince of the country, and even if not, his attendants have been wiped out – he hoped there was at least one person who can grasp the meaning of this.
Who would do this in the first place, and what would their purpose be? Was the reunion with the beast, whom he never intended to see again, a coincidence? If it was inevitable, what did it signify…
Elias, who was motionless and seated there alone, lost in thought, suddenly heard footsteps approaching the door and turned to look.
It was Kitty, after all, and she had apparently brought him some food. On a tray that she was dexterously balancing with one hand were several round silver-covered plates, cutlery, and what appeared to be drinking jugs and cups.
Elias expected to see something – specifically, a clue to escape – the moment the door opened, but the door leading to the outside corridor seemed to be obscured by something like a curtain on the other side, and Kitty slipped through it. The part of the room that could be seen through the curtain was rather dimly lit.
Realizing that Elias was peering out, Kitty flattened her ears and growled. It would appear that she has been commanded to keep him sequestered in here. Elias involuntarily winced at her uncharacteristically agitated eyes.
The prince was forced to take a seat on a soft sofa by Kitty after being led to the rear.
When the coverings were lifted, pancakes, bean soup, and an animal steak were within. The soft, warm, appetizing aroma tickled his nostrils.
Elias took a quick look around before turning to gaze at Kitty.
“Is that you? The one who played the cowardly spy.”
Elias’ favorite dish was evident in every single thing that was presented in front of him. Or, to be more exact, they were the foods he liked the best when he was a young boy. He never brought Kitty to the scene of the eating, but back then Elias foolishly returned and updated Kitty on every aspect of his life. It was not unusual for her to at least know his food preferences.
Kitty wagged her tail gleefully and stared at Elias.
…After smelling the aroma of food, he finally realized that he was starving. He docilely reached for the food only to stop himself.
“You wouldn’t be so foolish as to lock me in… but I hope you didn’t put anything strange in the food.”
A white hand swiftly reached out from beside him and snatched the cutlery as he murmured. Elias could see Kitty quickly cut a piece of food with graceful motions, wave it once in front of him so he could see it well, and then she brought it to her lips. She chewed it with a delicate expression on her face, and then swallowed it and let out a squeal before exhaling.
“I get it. I was a fool to have suspected.”
Kitty, however, did not offer him the fork and knife back but continued to slice the meat. Even when she was finished, she still kept her hand on it, taking a piece with her fork and eyeing Elias intently.
He finally realized what she was trying to do and his face reddened.
“Don’t be ridiculous, w-who would―mugu!?”
Apparently, Kitty was one step ahead of him. She maneuvered the steak dexterously into Elias’ mouth, which had been left open for him to rant and rave. And that too, only the steak was slipped into his mouth so he wouldn’t bite down on the fork.
Talking with something in your mouth was the pinnacle of vulgarity. Elias chewed quietly while wearing a disapproving expression, then he swallowed. Kitty, who was entranced and watching him eat, still had a look of anticipation in her eyes.
“…I guess it doesn’t taste bad.”
He reluctantly shared his thoughts. Kitty’s eyes sparkled as she reached for the next piece. Elias suddenly tried to stop her.
“Nonsense, don’t tell me you’re planning on making me eat all of them like that―mogo!”
It seemed that the more he talked, the more things were stuffed into his mouth. While seeing Kitty’s tail wag and indulging in the succulent scent of freshly baked food and the crisp texture of the meal in his mouth, Elias perked up but his temper was drained.
That was why he hated this fellow.
He silently chewed the meat and glared at the beast.
Being with this one would disrupt his pace.
As expected, the whole meal was fed by Kitty’s hand.
Once when he was on the verge of spilling some of his food, Kitty would naturally climb onto his lap and try to lick it off, so it was difficult to drive her away. Consequently, Elias learned that the least harm he could do was to cooperate with Kitty to the utmost of his ability, and he waited with his mouth open, humiliated and dumb like a chick being fed.
“I’ll keep what has happened today in mind, you know.”
He said grudgingly, to which Kitty responded with a carefree meow.
After finishing the meal, Kitty left again.
This time she did not come back readily. A jug of water and a glass were left on the table. Elias was restless, sitting on the sofa, drinking water, and wandering from place to place. Whether it was morning or night was unclear. There were no clues at all to indicate the passage of time. He was bored to death.
Having done his business and washed his hands, he returned to his room and stared at the entrance, not knowing when someone would come in. While bracing himself for who might come in at any moment, his body must have been fatigued from being placed in an unfamiliar and unusual space. He fell asleep in that state.
Elias’ life was divided into two time zones.
One was with Kitty, and the other was without her.
Kitty apparently assumed responsibility for everything related to Elias’ care.
She will bring him meals, wash his towels, clothing, and sheets, and occasionally clean his room.
Overall, she remained devoted to Elias as she had in the past, although she started acting uncooperatively the moment he did anything that involved leaving the room. Elias was content to hold onto her, his throat clearing, as she was his sole connection to and access to the outside world.
“Don’t go, Kitty. This room bores me to death. Being alone is driving me insane. Hey, it’s about time you filled me in. Why are these things happening to me? What on earth is your master up to by making me a prisoner?”
Kitty’s ethereal eyes fixed silently on Elias. He even snapped his words in a threatening manner.
“You don’t think you can get away with this, do you? Listen, I will never forgive or forget anyone who has humiliated me. Do you understand that? They may even turn on you.”
Kitty continued to regard him with tenderness as she loosely wagged her tail. It was time for Elias to learn, albeit regretfully, that his threatening demeanor was not quite as effective with this beast.
Elias promptly grasped her hand and pulled her back as she was ready to leave the room as if to signal that her job was over.
“Kitty, Kitty! Where are you going? You’re leaving me all alone!”
The beast turned to face him and gave him a dazzling look. Elias found himself in a bind. An individual can be consumed by unknown malice. If there were at least a window, the sight reflected in it would provide some stimulation and comfort, but even that was not permitted in this room. Kitty provided everything necessary to live. But time alone in the absence of Kitty was simply fruitless and impersonal. The period spent with her and the period spent apart. It was not worthwhile to go to the bother of putting it into words as to which would be preferred.
“Why don’t you answer me, why don’t you tell me anything―Ah, but still, you don’t have to speak in words. At least stay with me. You’re the only one I can count on―”
At that moment, it seemed to Elias that Kitty had a triumphant smile on her face in a split second. However, when he strained his eyes to see if it was real, she slipped out of Elias’s hands and bowed reverently. Elias involuntarily backed away as her forehead pressed against the back of his standing leg.
Kitty looked up with a smile on her face before disappearing again, leaving her master in a state of turmoil.
“Kitty―!”
His outstretched hand failed to reach her.
Behind the closed door, the woman with that veil, that demonic voice, was laughing like a mad woman―That was what Elias thought he heard, even if it was only a faint sound.
