Chapter 9

"Quietly"

The same words were repeated.

Eventually, when she spotted her wife from a distance—there were about ten children sitting at her feet.

(Children? What on earth are they doing...)

She must be meeting someone.

However, she had always believed it to be a secret rendezvous with a grown man.

"Let's start with a review of yesterday. What word goes in the blank? Everyone, try writing it down."

Rafina wrote the word on the ground with a stick.

The children, unfamiliar with the task, scratched the dirt with great effort.

"You all got it right! You're understanding it well."

Rafina walked around, looking at each child's work, and clapped to praise them.

"...Teaching them to read and write?"

"It certainly appears that way."

The Countess teaching the children of the territory to read and write.

This was not just acceptable; it was praiseworthy.

But wasn't she the 'Poison Flower of the Capital'?

Wasn't she sent to the border for ruining the social scene with her nightly escapades with different men?

"Well, as promised, I brought snacks today. I made them with lemons from Toni's house. Toni, tell your mother they're very delicious and might even be good enough to sell. I'll also teach you the recipe."

"Really!? Mom works every day and is treated terribly by a mean boss..."

"If the lemon products start selling, your mother will likely be in a position to hire people. Knowing her hardships, she'll probably be a kind employer."

"Okay! I'll help too!"

"Good for you. But remember, for children, studying is also part of their work."

She had also worked as a laundress.

She had processed the lemon peels that were supposed to be thrown away.

And she had been teaching the children.

Was everything he thought about Rafina wrong?

"What makes her a 'poison flower'..."

"Yes. We must reflect on this."

"Indeed."

Rumors from the distant capital were unreliable.

He had been misled by trivial information and formed an opinion about someone he had never met.

He should have reflected deeply, not just a little.

"I want to have a proper conversation with my wife."

"I will arrange it immediately."

"Thank you."

He wanted to hear her thoughts on education in the territory.

He wanted to know if there were other uses for the lemons that grew wild around here.

He also wanted to discuss ways to address the shortage of staff in the castle.

But more than that...

(Rafina...)

He wanted to know more about her.

Berion had never been interested in his wife until this day.

*

He immediately adjusted his schedule.

This afternoon was set aside entirely to spend time with Rafina.

While he was working in the morning, a bit nervous, the door to his office was knocked on.

"Come in."

It must be the steward returning from an errand.

He gave a casual response while looking over some documents.

"Excuse me."

"Ah... What?"

The door opened, and it was not the steward but Rafina.

She entered hesitantly, carrying a large basket in both hands.

Incidentally, she was not in her usual subtle disguise.

This was the first time he had seen her face without freckles since the wedding.

"What is it?"

He had already informed her through a maid that he wanted to have lunch and talk with her this afternoon.

She had agreed, but it was still early. This was an unexpected visit.

What could be the matter? Was she here to cancel?

"Ah, no!"

The lid of the basket Rafina was carrying was gently opened from the inside.

He tensed for a moment at what emerged, but the tension quickly dissipated.

"Don't just come out. Go back in."

It was a ball of brown-striped fur.

"A cat?"

"Yes. I wanted to ask for permission to keep this cat in the castle."

Rafina placed the basket down and picked up the cat.

She then turned to Berion and began to explain the situation.

This tabby cat had recently started wandering around the castle's kitchen.

Though it now has a beautiful coat, it was initially quite dirty and thin.

The kitchen staff, feeling sorry for it, began to feed it despite knowing it was wrong.

As the cat's coat improved and it became more affectionate, it was doted on by the kitchen staff.

However, the kitchen is not a place where animals are allowed.

Even if they told it to go elsewhere, it wouldn't understand, and none of the staff had the means to keep a cat at home.

It was around this time that Rafina, who often visited the kitchen with lemons, came along.

She asked if they could keep the cat at "home" and brought it there.

"I will take full responsibility for its care. Please, I beg of you."

This was the first request she had made since their marriage.

It was not for a dress or jewelry, but for a cat.

"Is it not possible...?"

He glanced at the cat.

The cat, oblivious to Berion's gaze, was relaxing in Rafina's arms.

"No, it's fine."

"Really!?"

"Make sure it doesn't go into dangerous places like the armory."

"Yes, sir."

If the cat wasn't afraid of Berion, there was no problem with keeping it in the castle.

It would be even better if it caught a mouse or two.

"That's great, Sasami!"

"Sasami?"

"That's the cat's name. It apparently loves the name Sasami."

"I see."

He kept his thoughts about the strange name to himself.

"Then, Sasami, shall we go to the room?"

"Meow!"

Sasami slipped out of Rafina's arms.

Its movement was fluid, almost like a liquid.

It made its way to Berion's feet and then rolled over on its back.

"Wha—"

"Oh!"

After stretching out like it was doing a cheer, it started to bite and kick Berion's feet with its hind legs.

Though covered in hard scales, it didn't hurt or tickle, but the situation was unfamiliar and confusing.

"Hey, be careful."

Berion's feet were powerful enough to kick down a tree.

If he accidentally stepped on the cat, it would be crushed.

He couldn't move.

Looking to Rafina for help, she was just smiling.

"Originally, this cat is very friendly. Sasami can tell that you are a kind person, my lord."

"..."

It took a moment to understand what she said.

And almost unconsciously, his mouth moved.

"...You're not a cat, are you?"

"Huh?"

Berion had been completely relaxed in his office.

He had forgotten to cover his unusual form with the usual cloth, revealing his strange appearance, similar to the desert lord he had killed.

However, Rafina showed no sign of fear.

Not now, and not even at their wedding, when their cheeks had touched as part of the marriage vow.

He had thought she was paralyzed by fear.

But now...

—You are a kind person

She thought he was kind.

Berion had always seen Rafina as the 'Poison Flower of the Capital.'

"Oh, yes, well, I am human, of course."

As he slowly realized what he had said, Rafina seemed to understand as well.

Her freckle-free white skin turned red.

"Sasami, don't be a bother."

"Meow!"

Rafina picked up the basket, and Sasami nimbly jumped back into it.

"Thank you for taking care of Sasami. I'll see you later."

"...Yes."

His wife and the cat left.

Alone in his office, Berion felt a strange sense of elation.

(Is this what marriage is like?)

He had never felt anything beyond the strategic value of marriage.

Especially after his curse changed his appearance, this belief had become more pronounced.

But now that he was actually married, it wasn't as bad as he thought.

Berion resumed his interrupted work.

He wanted to finish as soon as possible to spend the afternoon with his wife.