It feels like I’ve stepped too deep into this empire.

I glanced at the sofa visible in the distance.

Killian, offering me his bed, slept on that uncomfortable sofa every day.

He, unnecessarily, became my protector, guarding me against everyone who wanted me dead, struggling to unravel the oracle and secrets entwined with me.

I also gained a mother named Irina Scott and discovered the existence of a wealthy benefactor I had never anticipated meeting.

And that’s not all; the righteous Baron was sheltering Irina in his mansion after she was targeted by Lady Gisela, and he was also taking care of Sanua Nelas, whose divine power was crucial in making me human.

I became the ninth child in the oracle pointed out by Fabian Nelas, and everything about me was deeply connected to this empire to the point where I couldn’t disentangle myself.

Escape…

How can I escape?

Killian spared me, a cat, at the risk of being labeled a traitor to the empire, and the righteous rich man swore a master-servant relationship with Killian, swearing to serve him to the death.

Fabian Nelas lost his life, tore apart a part of the oracle thoroughly, and hid it to ensure the survival of the cat’s lineage, while Sanua was training to unleash her abilities and create a stable power.

Irina knew the future of the empire but, instead of attempting to escape beyond the empire, she was scouring the entire castle to find me.

No one abandoned me, and no one refused to help.

Perhaps running away alone, after receiving help at the risk of each other’s lives, wasn’t something I could do.

That’s what humans do.

If we reveal the truth about this oracle, it’s not too late to escape.

“Pewoo.”

I let out a long sigh, as if pushing the breath all the way to the tip of my toes, and dismissed the escape plan I had harbored.

First, let’s find the torn oracle and uncover the truth.

And in it, Killian would be crowned Emperor without being poisoned by the black magic potion.

I stretched out my front paws again resting my chin on them, and contemplated my revised plan.

Lying on the soft bed, I nestled into the blanket, getting lost in my thoughts as drowsiness began to wash over me once again.

* * *

A thunderous roar echoed.

The dark beast, summoned from the Hekren of the Lebar continent, exuded an aura of pure malice.

Standing boldly among the giant leaves, the black lion bared its razor-sharp teeth in a roar that could have shattered a pane of glass before slowly cowering under the whips of its keepers.

“Remarkable.”

Emperor Adolf, who found himself putting such a rare dark creature in his meadow, laughed approvingly.

Killian, while glancing at the dark creature suffering under the whip, turned his gaze to the emperor, his father.

“Now, let’s take it to the Retallus Meadow.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

At Kilian’s command, the keepers stopped the whipping, and within the iron-made enclosure, they began moving the lion.

Emperor Adolf, lowering the teacup, asked Killian with a hint of inquiry.

“Do you pity the lion being whipped?”

Seated in his golden-adorned chair, it felt like his father was carefully examining his reaction.

Killian nonchalantly observed the dark creature being dragged out of the cage, then looked back at his father.

“I just dislike the noise.”

“Your Majesty, Chief Minister Leno MacMillan greets you.”

Before Killian could finish speaking, Chief Minister Leno MacMillan entered the greenhouse and respectfully greeted.

Although he seemed rushed, upon seeing Killian, he immediately bowed in greeting.

“Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

As if gesturing for him to come closer, Emperor Adolf snapped his fingers, and Leno MacMillan approached, whispering quietly to the emperor.

Father’s expression seemed to tighten, and he glanced at Killian.

“Wizards are wandering everywhere.”

It seemed that news of the wizards searching the realm for Sanua Nelas had reached the emperor’s ears.

Looking into his father’s eyes, who suspected if Killian was behind bringing the Court Duhcen into the palace, Killian casually smirked.

“I ordered them to do so.”

Leno MacMillan, hesitating, felt the emperor’s gaze on him.

The nobles who intentionally incited the royal family to think that way must exist.

If there were those consciously monitoring the wizards, it would be easy for them to get caught sooner or later. Therefore, it was better to instruct them to move around openly rather than hide.

Even if it was revealed, it wouldn’t be a significant loss.

“…”

Finding someone who closely monitors the movements of the wizards isn’t that easy.

One of the people who was placed in a position to watch out for the wizards was Leno MacMillan, and it was to his advantage to know that he was the first to bring news of the outside world to his father.

“He told me you needed an herb, that if I took it, I could stay young and have good health for a long time, so I thought I’d give it to you.”

Killian casually responded while sipping his tea.

“Really, is there such a thing?”

“I’ve only seen it in books, but Count Duhsen said he didn’t know how to thank you for allowing him to come here, so he asked me to see if I could find it for him. It seems you’ve mobilized all the wizards you know.”

“Hahaha. Court Duhcen mobilizing everyone to search. Well, I suppose I should do the same to find a purpose in this empire.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. There was such a reason. Hahaha!”

When Emperor Adolf burst into satisfied laughter, Leno MacMillan followed suit, laughing belatedly, nodding his head, and even applauding.

Killian, as if recalling a thought that suddenly crossed his mind while observing Leno MacMillan, opened his mouth.

“Oh, Captain of the Guard. What happened after that incident?”

The nearby Captain of the Guard, Norman Biern, hurriedly approached.

“What do you mean, Your Highness?”

“The strong magic was detected in the palace, and it was said that we should thoroughly examine the palace.”

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t find anything, Your Highness.”

Killian nodded with a suspicious expression.

“Did the Magical Affairs Department make a wrong judgment?”

“As for the consequences of that matter, Norman? Did you not report anything after that?”

Adolf Emperor, frowning, looked at the Captain of the Guard.

The Captain of the Guard, Norman Biern, exchanged glances with Leno MacMillan and quickly composed his expression.

“Y-Your Majesty! I apologize! We were trying to report after sufficient discussion, but…”

“Discussion? What kind of discussion could there be? Did I ever allow you to have thoughts?”

“Your Majesty! My statement was rash. Please forgive me! I will quickly dismiss and report!”

Norman Beirn swallowed hard and knelt, seeking forgiveness at Emperor Adolf’s pointed question. Dealing with the temperament of his father, who wants to keep everything happening within the palace under his control, is a delicate matter.

“Return to your post, Norman.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Captain of the Guard, with a forced smile, returned to his position.

“Your Majesty! A new flower has arrived! But where is that dark creature?”

Gisela Lady, entering the greenhouse deeply, greeted, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

She looked around for the dark creature and, naturally, seated herself in the empty chair next to Emperor Adolf.

“I sent it to the meadow, so you should go and check it out soon. How is the preparation for the masquerade?”

“I am preparing diligently. If Her Majesty the Empress were here, she would have done this job splendidly, hmm.”

“Leave aside the official duties, as a woman in urgent need of self-care, there’s no need to discuss it further.”

“Oh dear, such cold words… Then I feel frightened, Your Majesty.”

She playfully squeezed Emperor Adolf’s arm and, releasing it, looked at Killian.

“Are you looking forward to the masquerade one month from now, Your Highness?”

Killian, silently observing her who had just mentioned his mother, smiled leisurely as if he had the taste of his mother in his mouth.

“I am greatly looking forward to it, Lady Gisela.”

She, feeling that her wishes were finally coming true, began to smile brightly.

While sipping his tea in silence, Killian recalled Leno MacMillan, Lady Gisela, and Norman Biern.

At first, he had just thought of killing them.

On the day he ascended to the throne.

But his mind changed.

* * *

“She’s sleeping.”

Killian returned to the bedroom and found her peacefully asleep.

It would be good for her to eat something at least.

He sat down on the edge of the bed with a thump.

“Wake up,”

Hoping to see her large eyes open soon upon hearing his voice, he expected the deep green eyes, bathed in the golden sunlight, to turn towards him.

Her eyes were a mysterious harmony of colors unseen before, cast under the golden sun.

They were the only vibrant color in this castle adorned with weariness.

“…”

Killian hesitated, reaching out his hand after calling her several times.

“Just wake up for a moment and have some food…”

He gently shook her, but suddenly froze.

He realized she was asleep, but she was still a cat, not a human.

No matter how much he tried to wake her up, she wouldn’t open her eyes.