It was enchanting enough to leave such profound aftereffects.

Lost in thought, he soon realized that he was continuously recalling the touch of her lips.

Another resigned sigh escaped his lips.

It seemed that for the next few days at least, this sigh wouldn’t end.

A few days had passed since returning from the Dimitri family’s banquet.

I was excited about an outing for the first time in a while.

‘Adrian must be looking forward to it too, right? He said it was his wish to go out with me.’

Perhaps because I was too excited, I finished preparing for the outing way too early.

I arrived at the first-floor lobby much earlier than the appointed time.

While waiting for Adrian, I heard a cute meowing sound.

Meow―.

I turned my head towards the sound.

The first thing I saw was a huge frame in the lobby’s parlor.

‘What, it’s that painting I dislike.’

Every time I saw it, I felt creeped out. The huge frame filled one whole wall of the parlor.

‘Is it depicting a forest? And why is it set at night? Why make such a disturbing painting so large…’

I frowned at the eerie feeling the painting gave off.

‘Huh? It’s a cat?’

Only then did I notice a cat sitting below the frame.

Its smooth brown fur and golden eyes focused on me as it sat with its paws together.

I couldn’t tell if it was an illusion, but there seemed to be a faint glow around the cat’s brown fur.

As if mesmerized, I took a step towards the mysterious cat.

“Um… hello?”

I met its eyes from a distance, and the cat slowly blinked its golden eyes.

It then approached, sniffing around, and started rubbing itself against my leg.
I knelt down and stroked the cat’s head.

“Why is there a cat here? And you’re quite handsome.”

The cat seemed to understand and stared into my eyes.

It started purring contentedly as I touched its chin.

“You’re quite friendly. So cute.”

Suddenly, my eyes caught sight of bloodstains on the corridor.

Startled, I quickly checked the cat for injuries.

Sure enough, it had a large wound on its belly.

Yet, the cat seemed unbothered by the pain, rolling on its back and rubbing its head against my hand.

“Where did you get such a wound? I’ll treat it and then let you go. Just wait a…….”

As I stood up hurriedly, a familiar voice came from the central staircase.

“Rebecca, are you here?”

It seemed Adrian was coming down the stairs.

I looked over and then back, only to find the cat and its bloodstains had vanished without a trace.

‘……What? Did I just hallucinate?’

Blinking slowly, Adrian, who had spotted me, hurried over.

“You were here, Rebecca. I went to the Duchess’s quarters and was told you headed to the lobby, so I came here straight away.”

“Adrian, there was a cat here just now…….”

“Really?”

Adrian smiled, his face bright with excitement.

He seemed so happy about our outing.

I decided it was better to tell him about the cat later.

“……Adrian, it’s been quite a while, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s been about three days since the banquet ended.”

“That long, huh?”

“I was worried I might have made you uncomfortable that day…”

Adrian paused briefly, then smiled warmly in his usual way.

“I was really happy you called me today.”

I nodded slowly at Adrian.

“Uncomfortable? No, not at all. Just…”

It just felt strangely unfamiliar.

As I fell silent, Adrian gently prodded.

“Just?”

I chuckled softly and shook my head.

“Never mind. Did you do what I asked earlier?”

Today was the day ‘that item’ I had been eyeing for a long time was finally appearing in the auction market.

I had asked Adrian to gather the latest information on my investment rivals, Henry and Camilla.

Adrian handed me a document with a slightly troubled expression.

“Here, the latest investment fund information for Henry Bart and Camilla Dimitri.”

As I read through the document, my brow furrowed.

“It wasn’t this much until yesterday. They doubled their investment in just one day?”

I rubbed my chin and pursed my lips.

“This exceeds the investment I prepared…”

“……It seems our financial information has leaked to Henry and Camilla’s side. I apologize, Rebecca.”

Adrian bowed in apology, then furrowed his brow.

“But it’s really incomprehensible. As you know, half-blood demon servants can’t break their secrecy oath with the Twins family.”

“…….Who knows. Maybe someone who’d gain from Henry and Camilla knowing my information did it.”

“Hmm?”

Adrian tilted his head, puzzled by my calm demeanor.

“Rebecca, you might not be able to beat Henry and Camilla at this rate. Are you sure…… you’re okay with that?”

Adrian asked cautiously, his expression worried.

“It’s fine.”

I walked ahead a few steps and then turned back to Adrian with a faint smile.