Chapter 55

While thinking about the favor entrusted to her by Daria, Cordelia gazed at Femina.

During the time she played with Nini, it seemed that Femina had forgotten her troubles and looked very happy.

"Her Highness Femina, you really like Nini, don't you? Have you always liked cats?"

"Yes, I do. Cats are such cute creatures."

While gently stroking the soft fur, Femina spoke with a cheerful tone.

"When I was little, there was a cat I played with occasionally."

"Occasionally? Was it a stray cat rather than a pet?"

"Probably. It came and went as it pleased, often not showing up for days, but it would come back when I had forgotten about it or when I was feeling down, and it would stay with me."

"It must have been a kind cat."

Cordelia imagined the younger Femina, even smaller than she is now, snuggling with the cat. She smiled at the heartwarming scene.

"Yes! It was very kind and cute. Even though it was a stray, it had beautiful golden fur, round ears, and a unique face and tail that were different from other cats."

"Golden fur, round ears, and a unique tail..."

The cat's features were too familiar, and a specific image came to mind.

(That cat must have been His Highness Leonhardt in his cub form...)

Leonhardt apparently couldn't fully control his transformation into a lion back then. When he was in his cub form, he would wander around freely, following his whims. It seems that he would secretly check on his sister Femina from time to time, worried about her.

"Wasn't that golden cat very smart, as if it understood human language?"

"Yes! You're right. It would respond to me, as if encouraging me after hearing my stories."

"That's how it was..."

The interaction between the cat and the girl was actually between brother and sister. It was a somewhat unusual scene, but it seemed to be a warm memory.

"Because of that cat, I fell in love with cats. I haven't seen it in years, but come to think of it..."

Femina looked around as if searching for something.

"Is Rere not here today?"

"Rere is quite whimsical."

Cordelia was taken aback. Rere was the nickname for Leonhardt in his cub form. To Femina, she had explained that "Rere is very active and adventurous, so he often goes out to play."

"Yes, that's a shame... Rere looks just like the golden cat I used to play with."

"Is that so?"

Of course, it was the same cat. Cordelia, inwardly sweating, nodded with a straight face.

(...I feel bad for Her Highness Femina, but I can't tell her the truth...)

Leonhardt's regression to his ancestral form and his transformation into a lion were important secrets. Only a few people knew about it: the king and the second queen, his parents, and Hailoot, who also experienced the same regression. Even Femina, his sister, couldn't be told the secret.

"Indeed, it was a rather unusual cat, but was it really that similar?"

"Hmm, I've forgotten some things, but I think it was quite similar. However..."

"However?"

"It was much larger. The cat back then was so big that I couldn't even hold it in both my arms. But Rere is only slightly larger than Nini, a normal-sized cat, right?"

Femina looked at Nini, comparing the size of the cat in her memory with Rere.

"So, it must be a different cat. A small cat can grow, but the reverse is strange, isn't it?"

"Yes, it must be a different cat."

Cordelia sighed in relief.

(...Back then, Her Highness Femina must have been small, so the cub seemed larger to her...)

Cordelia smiled wryly, deciding to let Femina continue with her misunderstanding.

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Although she was a bit surprised by the talk about Rere, Femina thoroughly enjoyed playing with Nini and then left.

(I'm glad she seemed to be in a better mood than when she arrived.)

While the incident with Daria wasn't made public, the relevant parties were aware of the facts. With her mother's mistake, Femina would likely face some criticism. Even though her brother Leonhardt was concerned, Femina must be going through a lot of difficulties.

(Still, Her Highness Femina is trying hard not to show her sadness.)

Cordelia hoped to be a support for Femina in any way she could.

(...It's a bit nostalgic, isn't it?)

Thinking back, over ten years ago, when Cordelia was still very young, she was eager to help her sister Priscilla. However, Priscilla's constant demands and the troubles caused by her led to Cordelia's sisterly affection wearing thin.

(...Her Highness Femina is not my blood sister, but...)

This time, through Leonhardt, as step-siblings, she hoped to build a good relationship.

That was Cordelia's wish.