Chapter 29
“Ugh, you’re driving me crazy! You’re cute! Too cute! And way too clingy! Can you back off a little?”
Gremory’s lips drooped after getting flicked on the forehead. Was it really such a big deal to stick around a little?
Just as she decided to give Isollen some space, Gremory transformed into a cat. Only then did Isollen finally show her some attention.
“Oh my, so cute! You can transform like this too? Adorable! Can I pet—”
“Figures. Humans are obsessed with appearances. Tch. Whatever. I don’t need your attention anymore.”
The offended cat leaped out the window and vanished. Isollen muttered, “What’s her problem?” before sipping her tea.
Cheshion was furious about the recent incident. He extracted information from the mage who had tried to kill Isollen. The woman spilled everything even before the torture began.
“A guild! There’s a guild! They take any dangerous request! Some guy recently made an exclusive contract with our assassin guild! Paid a fortune!”
Cheshion gathered every detail—the guild’s location, members, and movements. After leaving the torture chamber, he called an impromptu meeting in the bamboo grove.
“That woman was sent by Severian, who doesn’t know about the secret contract between Father and me. Worse, she’s part of a guild of elite mages.”
Gremory propped her chin on her hand and asked,
“Why stay put? Shouldn’t you be storming the palace to get revenge on that damned crown prince?”
“I want to, but I can’t. I made a magical contract when I left the palace. I can’t interfere with the royal family.”
“But they can mess with you? That’s a one-sided deal. You should’ve read the terms before signing.”
As a witch who thrived on unfair contracts, Gremory couldn’t help but criticize. Iris stifled a laugh beside her.
“Anyway, I plan to wipe out the assassin guild as a warning to Severian. To show him even their so-called elites can’t touch us.”
“What a tedious plan.”
“According to the mage, they hold weekly meetings every Tuesday to receive and report missions. Today’s Tuesday—I’ll ambush them.”
“Not bad. But how do you plan to fight elite mages?”
“Mori, I’m a royal with combat abilities. Don’t underestimate me.”
Cheshion flashed a confident smile, and Gremory nodded. But something still felt off.
“I’m coming with you.”
“No, Mori. Stay here.”
“Why?”
“I’m leaving the estate to you. That mage mentioned having a lover. If she doesn’t return to the guild today, they might attack.”
“Another puppeteer?”
“No details on the lover. Her story kept changing. Might’ve been a bluff to scare us, but better safe than sorry.”
Gremory sighed. She would’ve preferred interrogating the mage herself to uncover the truth. But—
“Let me handle her.”
“Already done. Got all the info I needed.”
“Tch.”
A missed opportunity.
The meeting continued with the knights. Cheshion calculated the travel time and decided to depart that night with twelve of his most agile and experienced knights.
Despite the rushed schedule, the knights prepared swiftly. As the sun set—
“I’ll be back. Take care of the estate, Mori.”
Just as Cheshion turned to leave, Gremory grabbed his sleeve.
“Mori?”
“……”
Worry. Yeah, she was definitely feeling worry.
“Wait.”
Gremory snatched an emerald ring from Isollen’s hand and infused it with her magic, turning the gem blood-red.
“Wear this. It’ll protect you.”
Isollen’s face turned crimson.
“Hey, you witch! That’s my family heirloom! What did you do?!”
Cheshion chuckled as he forced the ring onto his pinky.
“Tsk, calling her a witch? Such harsh language is banned in this household.”
“Grr! I’m gonna lose it! How am I supposed to explain this to my dad?!”
When Isollen lunged for Gremory’s collar, the witch turned into a cat and fled.
“Shouldn’t have let me take it so easily if it was that precious.”
Watching Isollen’s blood pressure spike was just a bonus.
Cheshion left, and night fell.
Gremory sat on the estate’s roof, lazily swishing her tail.
The warm spring breeze felt nice. She gazed at the Milky Way, reminiscing about the past—stargazing with Renia.
‘Back then, I had nowhere else to go, so I stayed by Renia’s side. Then we became friends.’
Now, she could go anywhere in the human world. Yet, for some reason, she wanted to stay here.
—Lady Mori, what are you thinking about?
“How I need to protect my prey in this estate.”
—Pfft! Prey? You’re awfully fond of your so-called prey. Staying up all night guarding them? That’s proof you feel warmth toward humans.
“What? Me? Feel warmth toward humans?”
—Yep. Watching you grow attached to them is my joy in death.
“What kind of nonsense is that? You’re already dead.”
—Just saying.
Gremory glanced down at the estate. The delicious scent of fear was thickening, centered around the nuns.
She leaped down to feast on it—but the moment she appeared, the fear dissolved.
“Oh my, where did this adorable cat come from?”
“Hungry? Want some milk?”
The nuns burst into laughter, surrounding her.
‘Huh? I didn’t even eat their fear yet!’
As Gremory tried to escape, the nuns blocked her path.
“Sweetie, it’s dangerous tonight. Stay with us.”
Grabbed by the scruff, Gremory was cradled and petted by a nun.
‘Damn it, these weak humans dare pet—… mmm…’
Iris snorted at the sight. So much for not feeling warmth toward humans.
While Gremory was melting, Isollen—uneasy alone—wandered outside, spotted her, and burst into laughter.
“What’s this? Why’s everyone— Pfft. Ahaha!”
The nuns blinked.
“Do you know this cat, Lady Isollen?”
“Yep. She loves being petted, so go wild.”
Gremory fumed. She wanted to bite Isollen, but her body was too limp to move.
‘Damn it, they figured out my weakness.’
Mustering her strength, she wriggled free and darted back to the rooftop. The once-concentrated fear had now scattered into nothingness.
And so, the estate remained peaceful until dawn.
The real problem arose elsewhere. Through the ring she gave Cheshion, Gremory sensed something had gone wrong.
