Chapter 42
“Different? In what way do you mean?”
“Have you ever seen a race with round pupils?”
“…No, not even once.”
“Right, neither have I. But what if Sia is human? Then it’s possible.”
Not just the cat werebeast tribe, but most carnivorous werebeasts had pupils that were vertically slit. Even among those with different shapes, only herbivorous werebeasts like sheep, cows, and horses had horizontally elongated pupils.
He had seen round pupils for the first time through Sia. Moreover, he could not communicate with Sia through the animal telepathy of werebeasts.
Humans, who appeared in myth, were legendary beings, but they weren’t entirely imaginary. The fact that human blood flowed within werebeasts was proof enough.
It was just that, having been so deified, they didn’t actually know much about humans themselves. They simply imagined, vaguely, that humans would look very similar to werebeasts in their humanized form.
For that reason, Nox was able to realize Sia’s true nature from just the letter. He was the one who had always sensed something off, right beside her.
“So, no one else can know about this.”
“…Yes, I understand.”
Cedric clearly understood what Nox was asking of him.
“The staff may not be interested in Miss Sia, but just in case, it would be better to avoid contact as much as possible.”
“Hmm, yes, that would be best.”
“Then, starting today, how about having your meals not in the dining room, but in your private drawing room, Master? The staff can bring food only as far as the corridor, and I will personally serve within the drawing room.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“But, Master, if Miss Sia truly is human, just as the oracle said…”
Cedric swallowed hard before continuing.
“…It means we cat werebeasts have already claimed a human, so I am worried. There’s gain and loss in everything, isn’t there? Of course, meeting Miss Sia is enough of a gain, but the possibility of loss is frightening.”
Cedric truly wished that nothing ominous would happen while Nox was alive. He’d told the staff countless times that the misfortune of black fur was just a superstition, but what if something bad were to happen now?
If even those of low birth were to point fingers at a man more worthy than anyone else…
Seeing his expression darken, Nox stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder. After giving him a light double tap, he spoke quietly.
“I have Sia by my side now.”
“Master…”
“I’m not the only one with inauspicious black hair in this place anymore. Just knowing that gives me the strength to do anything.”
Cedric swallowed the rush of emotion rising in his throat at Nox’s resolute tone. His master, who had always endured as if everything were his own fault, had changed. The sharp glint in his eyes was now that of someone with something to protect.
He bowed deeply and respectfully, offering silent thanks to Sia in his heart, over and over again.
“I, Cedric, will serve both you and Miss Sia equally from now on. Please leave it to me.”
“Yes, I have always trusted you.”
* * *
Having woken from sleep, Sia was, as always, being hurriedly washed by the maids. She always thought it was strange that, for people who didn’t even want to touch her, they never skipped a single step.
Finding it somewhat amusing, Sia let out a soft laugh with her eyes closed. At that, the hands fixing her up stopped. The room grew so quiet she could feel it on her skin.
Sia opened her eyes. The woman who had been about to apply cream to her face jumped in surprise, backing away in a hurry.
“Oh?”
Sia realized the woman in front of her was the same one from yesterday.
“Ah, is that kitten from yesterday alright?”
“…Yes, thank you so much. My little brother is fine.”
So she calls him her younger brother. Well, it makes sense, pets are like family. After this trivial thought, Sia began rubbing the remaining cream into her own face.
“The water was really cold. I hope he didn’t catch a cold?”
“…Excuse me, what do you mean by ‘catch a cold’?”
Sia, who had been lightly patting her face, turned in surprise at the woman’s question. The woman, eyes wide, unlike the other staff, didn’t avoid her gaze. Or rather, she seemed to be trying very hard not to look away.
“How can you not know what a cold is…?”
On Earth, both humans and cats caught colds. Did cats here not get colds? Or was there simply no cold virus in this world?
Gosh. No way, surely not.
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