Chapter 13: A Cute Encounter

“Are you being serious? Take it easy, will you?”

I was dumbfounded by Xavier’s words. What’s with this electric guitar riffing sound in the middle of the night?

“Don’t go fishing for people who are sleeping like tonight.”

“Fishing for what?”

“I followed you just to say this. Well then, sleep well.”

Before I knew it, he gave me a silent bow. Coming to my senses, I realized the Duke’s back was disappearing into the darkness.

‘Ugh, that… that original jerk!’

I threw a punch and a flying kick at his retreating back in my mind. Still, my anger didn’t subside.

“Hmph, how ridiculous!”

I roughly pushed aside the tent flap and entered the barracks, where Maya was sitting on the bed, dozing off as her head bobbed up and down. She had washed, dried, and even ironed my Nike tracksuit set.

I carefully laid Maya’s head on the bed pillow.

Coo, coo.

From the cage hanging in the corner, a gray pigeon tilted its head and stared at me. It was a bird the mercenary captain had lent me, to use as a homing pigeon.

If I sent it now, the mercenaries would probably receive it by the time they reached Pins.

Carrying the cage outside the barracks, I opened the cage door and tied a sky-blue ribbon to the pigeon’s leg.

“Take care.”

The pigeon pecked at the ground a few times before flapping its wings and flying vigorously toward Pins.

The mercenary captain would come to pick me up in about four days.

Returning to the barracks, I lay down on the sofa opposite the bed to try to sleep. My eyelids, heavy with fatigue, seemed ready to close at any moment. But the Duke’s dry voice kept ringing in my ears.

‘I understand you’re being serious now, so take it easy and go back.’

Ugh, how infuriating.

‘Don’t go fishing for people who are sleeping like tonight.’

Gah!

Kicking the air in frustration, I suddenly sat up straight.

Does he think I’ll take it easy just because he told me to?

The more he tells me not to, the more determined I am. Whether the Duke throws a fit or not, I’ll do what I need to do.

‘Before I leave, I’ll make sure to hear a thank-you from that original jerk’s mouth!’

＊

The crisp, dewy scent unique to dawn filled the air. Stretching, I stepped outside the barracks and looked up at the deep indigo sky where the sun was beginning to rise.

Had I slept for two hours? My body felt heavy as lead, but I had to force myself to get up to carry out my plan.

“Yaaawn, that annoying Duke made me lose sleep.”

It had been a while since I’d worked so hard, and it was exhausting. What good was being an experienced jack-of-all-trades if my stamina didn’t keep up? At least I had built up some strength in the training ground, and I was thankful for that much.

Looking at the dark circles under my eyes, I could already tell Maya would make a fuss. Leaving her to rest, I dragged my heavy steps toward the cooking area.

Even as I walked, the low voice that had persistently bothered me since dawn echoed in my head.

‘I understand you’re being serious now, so take it easy and go back.’

‘Don’t go fishing for people who are sleeping like tonight.’

“Just you wait.”

I’ll make you surrender with an amazing breakfast. I’ll show you the willpower and effort of a Korean!

Since it was still early morning, the neatly arranged open area of the cooking station was empty.

“Okay, first place.”

Feeling smug for no reason, I wiped my nose with my index finger and entered the cooking area.

I passed the pantry and sink to reach the counter. Next to the counter was a separate space used as a refrigerated storage area, where magic stones emitting cold air were placed.

“Did we have any leftover samgyeopsal from yesterday…?”

Planning to use the samgyeopsal for a quick meal, I entered the refrigerated storage.

“Meat is perfect for breakfast. Chicken porridge? Chicken noodle soup? What should I make… huh?”

But there was an unexpected guest.

It froze in place, holding a chunk of samgyeopsal half its size in its mouth, with one front paw raised. It seemed to have been caught red-handed trying to steal it.

“Russian blue?”

A cat breed I had dreamed of as an online butler.

I had never been able to afford or find the time to own one because of my busy and penniless life. Seeing its adorably cute appearance made my inner cat-loving cells bubble with excitement.

“Hello?”

I tried talking to it, but the cat only glared at me with sharp eyes. Its slender ears twitched before folding back, and it hid its tail under its arched body.

“Are you shy, Yanghee?”

Ohoho, I had already decided that if I ever got a cat, I would name it Yanghee. I had always wanted to call a cat that name at least once.

As I approached, the cat lowered its sleek, bluish-gray body and began growling fiercely.

“Grrrr.”

“I’m not a bad person.”

“Hiss, hissss.”

Thud.

The cat hissed but accidentally dropped the samgyeopsal it had been holding in its mouth. It looked startled, its eyes wide like saucers.

“Hehehehe.”

The cat’s dumbfounded expression was too much. Afraid it might run away if I laughed too loudly, I covered my mouth with both hands to stifle my laughter.

The cat also froze in place. Shocked, it looked around at its own body, then started spinning in circles, chasing its tail.

“Meow, meow. Meow?”

“Oh, you silly little thing…”

At my words, the cat stopped chasing its tail. It slapped its tail on the ground a few times and stared straight at me with narrowed pupils.

“Are you mad? Sorry, you were just too cute.”

Suddenly, the cat slinked toward me with elegant movements. Its four legs moved so gracefully, befitting a noble cat.

It came right up to me, and our eyes met. Its beautiful teal eyes were mesmerizing.

“Wow, you’re so pretty!”

I think my heart’s going to explode!

I crouched down and opened my arms.

“Come to me. Or should I say, come to your big sister? Hehe.”

“Meow.”

“I’ll give you a hug.”

Alright, it’s coming!

The cat padded toward me with its soft, plush paws, staring at me intently with its round eyes. It raised one front paw and placed it on my knee.

‘Oh, is it going to let me hug it?’

Whack, whack.

“Huh?”

What I got instead were two quick cat punches.

As I sat there, dumbfounded after getting smacked, the grayish-blue cat tilted its chin upward and elegantly strutted past me.

“Wow, what the heck.”

Did I just get slapped by a cat?

Unbelievable.

I got cat-punched! I love it!

“Did you hold back your claws and pretend to be tough because you were being nice to me?”

“Meowwww.”

When I tried to pet its head, the cat flinched and leapt onto a pile of boxes. It kept glancing at me warily while licking its paws. Trying to act indifferent, its shiny eyes couldn’t tear away from the samgyeopsal on the ground.

“Hmm. You want this, don’t you?”

At my words, the Russian Blue flinched, lifting its rear and lowering its chest.

‘What a smart cat. It’s like it understands human speech.’

Smiling to myself, I took out fresh samgyeopsal and brought it to the counter. Thinking boiling would take too long, I sliced it thinly and placed it on the grill. The sizzling sound and delicious smell of cooking meat filled the cooking area.

By the time I plated the cooked meat, the cat had emerged from the storage area. Whenever I looked at it, it pretended to lick its fur, but when I turned away, it crept closer.

I diced the golden-brown samgyeopsal into small pieces, placed them on a plate, and set it on the table. As soon as I stepped away from the counter, the cat dashed over like lightning.

‘Hehe.’

Pretending not to notice, I let it have its way. It eagerly devoured the meat, its tiny mouth glistening with grease as it ate happily.

Taking advantage of the moment, I gently patted its plump, fluffy backside. Its soft, bouncy butt was irresistibly cute. It was a bit damp, probably from the morning dew.

“You like getting your butt patted too, don’t you?”

The cat, engrossed in eating, suddenly raised its small head. Its eyes widened as it noticed my hand patting its backside. Then, with its ears flattened, it began crying.

“…Meow, meow.”

“Yanghee, what’s wrong?”

“Meow, meowmeowmeow!”

The cat cried even louder, pushing the plate away with its head.

“Are you hurt?”

“Meow, meow!”

Shaking its head, it backed away, hiding its rear. Its teal eyes drooped, looking teary.

“Are you blaming me now?”

“Meow.”

“……”

What an unbelievable cat.

“Come here. Are you hurt? As far as I know, eating a little meat should be fine. Does your stomach hurt?”

Even as I gently coaxed it, the cat bristled and backed away.

“Yanghee!”

“Kiki!”

Kiki?

A familiar voice made me turn around. Standing at the cooking area’s entrance was Rexton. He looked even more haggard than me, as if he hadn’t slept. Was the Duke working him too hard this early in the morning?

“There you are, Kiki.”

“Kiki? Is this cat yours?”

“Ah, yes. The Duk—”

“Hiss.”

Suddenly, the cat hissed fiercely.

“Ah, it’s m-my cat.”

Rexton’s trembling fingers reached out to grab the cat, but Yanghee kept hissing, clearly displeased.

Something felt off. Blocking the cat with my arm, I questioned him.

“If it’s really your cat, why does it seem so upset? It looks like it’s protesting.”

At my words, Rexton withdrew his hand. His face grew even paler. I started to doubt whether he was really the cat’s owner.

“Are you sure this is your cat?”

“Lady Graham, it’s just that—ugh!”

Whoosh.

Yanghee leapt into Rexton’s arms. Startled, Rexton awkwardly supported the cat’s backside, sweating profusely.

“S-see? Satisfied?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Maybe it’s on edge because of me.”

“Meow!”

The cat, seemingly uncomfortable, smacked Rexton’s face with its paw. After taking the hit, he lifted it under its armpits with both hands.

Seeing him struggle with the cat, I figured he must really be its owner.

“So, what brings you here, my lady?”

“I came to volunteer. Oh, by the way, could you pass a message to the Duke for me?”

“What should I tell him?”

“Tell him not to worry about me and that I’ll handle myself.”

I smiled at Rexton, who silently stared at me after I spoke.

“Understood. Then I’ll take my leave.”

Holding the cat aloft, Rexton bowed and left. Yanghee’s sulky expression caught my eye.

Aw, so cute! I don’t want to let it go.

“Um…”

Rexton, who’s about to leave the cooking area, flinched and turned back to me.

“Can I come visit Yanghee—I mean, Kiki?”

“Pardon?”

“Is that not allowed? I really like cats.”

His brown eyes widened, then narrowed.

“Meow.”

“No, it’s not allowed.”

The aide was firm. There wasn’t a hint of hesitation in his refusal.

But, cat, why are you being so firm about it too?