Published at 3rd of September 2021 07:01:12 PM

Chapter 26

The maids of the Ducal residence all looked down on me, but even so, Emma was an exception. Her attitude towards me went beyond just ignoring.

Its bordering on hate almost like jealousy?

Either way, it was nothing that would do me any good.

Your hand hasnt gotten better yet? Amoide said.

Yes.

To prove my point, I showed him how weak my hand still was.

It still hurts even if I move it slightly.

Its true. Of course, its gotten better in the long run, but the pain hasnt completely disappeared.

I think something passed by just now, he said suddenly, squinting at something behind me.

Just now?

Looks like a pile of dust.

What? I turned around to look at the pile of dust in question. There was a fluffy ball of black fur that could be seen rolling around in a corner of the garden, or rather, running around freely.

Oh, thats Noir, I said and explained further. If you look closely, it has legs, see? Its a cat.

As I explained slowly, the energetic ball of fur continued to run around everywhere. It flitted around so quickly that we couldnt actually see its legs.

Its fast.

Thats because Noir is very agile for its size.

Youre quite proud of it, arent you?

Of course. After all, Noir is smart enough to hide itself in a huge mansion like this

Realizing what Id just said, I covered my lips with my hands. Amoide stared at me and asked, Hide?

Um, well, its like that, Amoide.

[ Do cats really pose a danger to Amoides health? ]

[ Theres no way to be sure about this, but its best to be wary of everything. ]

This was what Raymond said when I asked him about cats. They werent directly harmful to his health. But at the same time, Noir wouldnt be helpful either.

Even so, I couldnt find it in me to kick it out.

Amoides health was always on the back of my mind whenever I secretly took care of Noirs meals, so I tried to raise it in a secluded place that no one would find.

Sneaking a glance, I tried to gauge his reaction, but it seemed that he sensed my gaze, and his eyes met with mine.

What?

I really didnt know. Ill find someone to adopt Noir, but until then, dont throw it out. Please?

Despite my earnest request, he didnt answer me right away. I looked nervously at him, then asked, Are you going to kick Noir out?

If I tell you to, will you do that?

Pardon?

I couldnt understand his question. While mulling over what he meant, he repeated it again.

I asked if youd throw it out if I told you to?

His bright, cold eyes were fixed onto mine. Somehow, I couldnt look away.

If youtold me to

Would it be easy for you to give it up?

With that, I couldnt say anything in return.

You said youd comfort me whenever Id have a hard time. But, that didnt mean anything much to you, it seems, Amoide said. If youre going to go back on your words so easily, then just dont say anything in the first place.

Thud.

An invisible knife stabbed through my chest. With that pointed tongue of his, Amoide had a knack for using his words to hit where it hurt the most.

No! I screamed with an embarrassingly shrill voice. I mean, Ill take responsibility for Noir.

Meooow.

As if reacting to what I said, the black cat flounced over to my feet and rubbed his face against my dress. The white lace lining my clothes quickly got smudged.

Noir, if you do that, my clothes will get dirty, I said as I tried to avoid the cat. Itll trouble the people who wash my clothes.

Why are you worried about that?

Though I was only mumbling to myself, I was surprised to hear Amoides reply.

Well

Id been in charge of laundry before, so I knew how troublesome it was.

Back then, I had to put all the dirty clothes in a large basin, step on them repeatedly and scrub them with my bare hands until the grime would come off. And so, I knew very well how hard it was to deal with white, frilly clothes.

Thats why I worried about it subconsciously.

Theyre paid to do it anyway. Why are you so worried about getting your clothes stained?

He repeated his question with a look that said he really couldnt understand me.

Its a maids way of thinking, thats why.

I personally didnt experience it here, but Rona would complain about my clothes from time to time even though she wasnt directly in charge of my laundry.

Still, its unfair. My clothes were nothing compared to Camillas. Her dresses were all heavily adorned with countless laces, frills, and even jewelry. They were also made with thin and delicate fabrics, so they were definitely tricky to wash.

What do you mean worry, I answered in a roundabout manner.

Why would he ask me that in the first place?

Wanting to avoid Amoides inquisitive stare, I turned to Noir instead. But then, after rubbing its face on my dress for so long, Noir changed targets and brushed himself against Amoides leg.

Noir, no! I cried out in panic, scrambling to take the cat away from him. Kitty, youre not allowed to come near him.

Then, towards Amoide, I spoke, Noirs dirty. You might get sick.

So, youre the only one allowed to touch it?

Because its just me

How thoughtful of you. Eventually, he laughed as if he understood my intentions clearly.

Dont go near the catI wouldnt know what to do if your hand gets scratched. Stay away from the fur, too. Theres no harm in being careful.

Youre worried? Thank you very much for your concern.

The sarcasm that dripped from his tone was clearly palpable.

Just who am I worried about? I answered indignantly, but then Amoide suddenly froze as he looked at me.

You

Yes?

Dont move.

His voice was frighteningly low.

Whats wrong?

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I must have offended him again. Why else would he act like this? While I was struggling to grasp the change in mood between us, I suddenly felt something strange.

It tickles.

Theres something cold and slippery

on my shoulder.

Wait a minute?

Something cold and slippery? And its moving?!

Oh? Uhh

I told you not to move, he repeated with an even lower voice, but now, I wasnt alarmed by him. I could feel something scarier slinking on my shoulder.

I didnt dare lower my gaze.

Yet I couldnt help but take a look as my curiosity got the best of me. When I did, it was a much more terrible sight than I would have thought. As soon as I lowered my gaze, I met the gleaming yellow gaze of a reptile. Its eyes narrowed into thin slits staring straight at me.

Hissss.

Covered in green scales, the reptiles head was shaped like a diamond, and at the center was a fluttering tongue sticking out very near my face. Its sharp protruding fangs were also visible.

Mommy.

I wanted to scream, but I couldnt make a sound. How the hell?

The snakes green scales were indistinguishable from the color of the grass. Half of its body was curled around the fence where vines crept, gazing as if it had climbed down a wall.

And in a blink of an eye, the other half of its body was all over me.

UhAahh

Dont be scared.

Thats easier said than done!

In my mind, I was already screaming my head off. Still, I tried not to think about it and tried to ignore the snake slithering over my shoulders, though obviously, I couldnt!

It can feel another beings fear through its skin. Youll be regarded as prey if you keep being afraid.

Youre just scaring me even more, why would you give me such useless information?! I screamed even louder in my mind as his calm voice did nothing to soothe me. At the same time, I could feel my body trembling as my heart pounded loudly in my ears.

Even though the snake drew in closer, I could no longer hear its hissing because of the loud ringing in my ears. I could feel that my heart was about to burst out of my chest. Just then, I glanced down and felt something strange.

Hissssss. The snake lifted its head and slid down leisurely.

Wait a second.

Where exactly are you going?!

Ahh!

The snake started burrowing itself into my dress.

Amoide

It was at that moment

Selena.

Amoide, who I thought was a few steps away, suddenly turned up right in front of me. Because the tip of his nose was only a hairs width away, I could feel his breath on my forehead.

Stay still.

With no hesitation at all, he placed a hand over my chest, into my dress.

Wh, what are you

What the hell is happening?

Moments after, I could feel the snakes wriggling at the same time his hand came through the front of my dress. Startled, I didnt have time to process everything that happened.

Dont move a muscle, Amoide warned again.

Even if he didnt say so, I was already planning on it.

I said, stay put.

He placed his other hand on my shoulder and held on tight.

Hwik.

Just then, the hand inside my clothes grabbed the snake.

Uhahh

At the same time, a strange sound slipped out of my lips. A snake in my clothes, a bare hand grasping onto it the two intertwined in a fierce battle of dominance. I couldnt help but think this was all bizarre.

Wh, what do we d-do?

As the snakes head was caught, its body immediately curled over Amoides forearm.

Inside my clothes, I could feel the snakes scales creeping over my body, as well as the strength of the hand that clasped it.

While the snake was ice cold, the hand was burning.