Chapter 14

"Still... so big..."

The three brothers had come to Joshua's house.

The mansion, belonging to the wealthiest merchant in the Palais territory, was so grand that even the lord's residence couldn't compare in terms of size and luxury.

The reception room they were led to was in Joshua's private residence, and the tea served had the royal mark, indicating it was a royal favorite.

"I kept you waiting! Lady Emma!"

Joshua entered with high spirits and naturally pushed William, who was sitting next to Emma, aside to take his place.

"Joshua, this tea is delicious."

The ever-steady Emma was already on her third cup of tea and smiled.

"That's great! I'll make sure to prepare some for you to take home."

Joshua smiled and instructed the maid.

"Joshua, I came here today because I have a favor to ask."

Emma looked at Joshua intently.

"I accept!"

Joshua answered with a bright smile.

"You haven't even heard what it is yet?"

William, exasperated, interjected.

"How could I possibly refuse a request from Lady Emma!"

For Joshua, a request from Emma was a reward. After seeing how popular Emma was at the tea party the other day, he couldn't afford to waste time wooing her.

"Are you a cat?"

Joshua was surprised after hearing Emma's request.

"Are you a cat lover, Lady Emma? ...I'll get you one right away! How many do you want?"

"Joshua... what we're asking for is... an introduction to a merchant who deals with cats..."

Georg also interjected, exasperated. They couldn't possibly ask Joshua to buy a birthday present for their father.

"However... a cat costs as much as a house?"

"Ugh..."

Joshua could afford it, but it was too expensive for the three brothers.

"There are no merchants in the Palais territory who deal with cats, so with all the arrangements and transportation, we don't have much time."

Reality was harsh. In a place as rural as Palais, the idea of keeping a cat was nonexistent. Cats were now a luxury item for the nobility, who had no worries about food, monsters, or money.

"If it were in my previous life, I could have just picked up a stray cat..."

Emma reminisced about her past life. Her hometown was so rural that there were plenty of stray cats, and they would often end up as part of the family. In this rural area, the lack of cats was a serious problem for the Stewart family. A world without cats was like a bubble tea without the tapioca and milk tea.

"Stray cats... Ah! I heard a rumor about stray cats."

Joshua started talking, recalling something.

"For the past few years, there have been multiple sightings of cats in the Skyte territory. It was said they had escaped from some mansion, but there was no owner, and they were hunting monsters in groups."

"But... since cats are so expensive, wouldn't someone have captured them by now?"

A cat that could buy a house wouldn't be left alone. It would be more profitable than finding treasure or winning at gambling.

"Those cats were particularly large and fast, and no one could catch them."

Cats capable of hunting monsters could also avoid being captured by humans.

"Big... cats"

Emma's eyes sparkled.

Big cats... what a wonderful sound... I want to pet them.

"The Skyte territory... is quite far, Lady Emma."

William looked at Emma's eyes and tried to dissuade her.

For now, they asked Joshua to send for a cat catalog and then headed home.

The three brothers didn't have an allowance system; they would ask their father for anything they wanted. Their father would likely buy it for them and be happy, but it still felt wrong.

On the way back in the carriage, the three of them discussed ways to raise money, but they couldn't come up with a good plan.