The Cat Who Weeps in the Dark - Chapter 79

By the time her shift ended, it was already evening. Katie dragged her exhausted body outside.

That day, Katie had thrown herself into her work with unusual passion, even taking on trivial errands she would normally avoid.

Helion watched her with interest. Then, as if testing her limits, he began issuing mischievous orders.

Having her search every floor from the basement to the rooftop—for no real reason—was almost playful. Later, he escalated to tasks more fitting for a servant, like washing carpets or scrubbing the coffee cups he’d used.

But Katie wasn’t the type to take offense at such things. If anything, she moved with eager compliance.

Standing still only invited unwelcome thoughts. Keeping busy with these petty tasks was far better.

Still, Helion’s reaction was a little strange.

‘So she’ll do all this too? How obedient.’

He narrowed his eyes at her, then suddenly let out a deflated laugh. But Katie paid no mind—or rather, she had no room to care. She had to hurry to the kitchen for his next errand.

The day passed in such a frenzy that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Katie trudged out of the palace. Yet before she could take a single step toward the dormitory, she found herself face-to-face with someone waiting for her.

“Katie, my lady!”

“…Wayne?”

Katie stared at the man in surprise. The small-statured figure with thin silver-rimmed glasses was unmistakably Wayne.

“What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to lay low for a while?”

She frantically scanned her surroundings. Fortunately, no one was around. It seemed everyone had crowded into the dining hall for dinner.

Only then did Katie let out a relieved sigh. She had thought about seeing Wayne just a few hours ago—but not like this. Their relationship held far too many secrets for such a blatant meeting.

“Don’t worry, my lady. I come with a message from His Highness Damian. No one will think twice about a mere errand boy.”

“Damian told you to relay a message to me?”

Damn. Even before hearing it, her mood soured. She didn’t know the details yet, but she was certain it wouldn’t be anything pleasant.

“Let’s not talk here. Is there somewhere quiet inside, like a lounge?”

Seeing Wayne awkwardly laugh and deflect only made her more certain.

‘This is the worst. No doubt he’s sent some perverse remark or another.’

Suppressing a sigh, Katie led him to the lounge. Fortunately, the waiting room used by knights during shift changes was empty.

“Shift change is over, so everyone’s busy on duty. No one will come in—now, speak. What did Damian tell you to say?”

“Well… it’s not exactly good news. Are you prepared to hear it?”

“The moment Damian’s name left your lips, I braced myself for something absurd. Short of the sky falling, I won’t be shocked. Just say it plainly.”

Even after this, Wayne hesitated for a long moment. Then, as if steeling himself, he leaned slightly toward Katie.

“Have there been… people troubling you lately?”

“Define ‘troubling.’ No real harm done, but yes, a few have been irritating.”

“Damian was the one orchestrating it.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

Katie’s brow furrowed instantly.

“Damian’s been spreading strange rumors about you, my lady. That you seduced him with your body, then got cast aside. He’s been deliberately inciting hostility among the knights.”

“That bastard.”

So that explained it. There had always been those who disliked her, but never had they harassed her so openly. Damian must have been the one fanning those flames.

It was childish beyond words. No different than throwing a tantrum because she’d rejected him.

“I don’t need to hear the rest to guess. He wants me to meet him to ‘quell the rumors,’ doesn’t he?”

Of course, meet was a generous term. She didn’t need to hear it to know—he’d undoubtedly demanded her in his bed.

“Will you… be returning to Dawn Palace?”

“Am I insane? The more this happens, the less I want to go. And besides, I can’t anyway.”

“Well, transferring posts isn’t that simple. Especially since you’re His Highness Helion’s guard knight now—they won’t just swap you out without good reason.”

That wasn’t the real reason, of course. It was because of their deal. But Katie simply nodded. She had no desire to explain the sordid details of her arrangement with Helion to Wayne.

Yet Wayne still seemed to have something left to say. His restless fidgeting—lips parting and closing, fingers nervously clawing at his trousers—was anything but ordinary. She strongly suspected Damian’s message was just an excuse, and this was the real purpose of his visit.

Katie mouthed the words silently.

‘Is there more?’

Wayne nodded, then dropped his gaze. His hands clenched and twisted the fabric of his pants, knuckles white. Sweat had seeped into the crumpled cloth—he was terrified.

After a long silence, he finally looked up. His lips trembled as he shaped each word with deliberate care.