“You probably already know this, but… I can’t cancel a law that’s already been publicly declared. I believe you’ll understand that.”
Abigail spoke carefully. Of course, it wasn’t that Leonard didn’t understand his words. If a law was publicly declared and then canceled within just a few days, it was obvious that it would become a laughingstock not only among the nobles but also among the citizens of the empire.
“Instead, I promise you this. The law will proceed as originally planned, but I’ll ensure no lives are harmed because of it.”
“…I’ll trust you.”
In truth, what Leonard had been worried about wasn’t the national inspection targeting the cats itself, but the possibility that Yellian and other cats might suffer as a result. If Abigail promised that no innocent lives would be sacrificed, then Leonard had no further grounds to oppose it.
“I owe Yellian a debt. Tell them I’ll repay it later.”
“What?”
Leonard narrowed his brows at Abigail’s words. Abigail shrugged his shoulders, as if he couldn’t understand Leonard’s reaction.
“What’s wrong? Surely, you’re not jealous, are you?”
“…….”
“Seriously? You’re jealous over something like this?”
Leonard glared at Abigail, who had an expression of disbelief, and spoke in a low voice.
“Don’t call Yellian’s name so gently like that.”
“Good heavens, Leonard, what on earth has gotten into you? I thought you’d learned some social skills thanks to Yellian, but instead, you’ve turned into an even crazier bastard.”
“What did you say?”
Leonard, displeased with Abigail’s words, twitched his eyebrows. Whether Leonard reacted or not, Abigail shook his head and fell into despair. He dramatically beat his chest as if to show Leonard, but Leonard didn’t even blink an eye.
“Then I’ll be going now.”
“What a heartless guy you are.”
Watching Leonard stand up, drawing a firm line, Abigail grumbled discontentedly, but nothing changed.
Leonard left the audience chamber with a considerably lighter heart. While walking down the long corridor, he spotted Anderson approaching from a distance.
“Leonard. What brings you here?”
Anderson called out Leonard’s name with a welcoming tone upon spotting him, but soon his expression hardened. He likely recalled the image of Leonard arguing fiercely with Abigail yesterday. In truth, Anderson was a friend of Abigail’s, and it was through Abigail’s introduction that he came to know Leonard. So, naturally, when Abigail and Leonard fought, it was only expected that Anderson would take Abigail’s side more.
“I came to apologize to Abigail.”
“…What?”
He seemed greatly surprised by Leonard’s words. Until now, whenever there were minor disagreements with Abigail, it was always Anderson who mediated or Abigail who backed down first; Leonard apologizing was unheard of.
So, it was only natural that Anderson was quite taken aback. Leonard spoke again to Anderson, who was still looking at him with a suspicious expression.
“You didn’t mishear. I came to apologize to Abigail for what I said yesterday.”
“…Well, I’ll be damned. Miracles do happen.”
Anderson let out a hollow laugh. Leonard, seeing this, lightly clicked his tongue. He wondered what they thought of him. But since he wasn’t entirely unable to understand their feelings, he didn’t argue further.
“So? Did Abigail say he’d cancel the law?”
“No. He was quite firm about not being able to cancel it.”
Leonard shook his head as he recalled Abigail’s words. At that, Anderson let out a long sigh. It seemed he, too, had been through a lot of mental strain in his own way.
“I see… From Abigail’s perspective, canceling a law that’s already been publicly declared isn’t an easy task. You should understand.”
“I have to. Still, he said he’d ensure no innocent lives are harmed, so I’ll trust and wait.”
“Good, that’s a relief. If Yellian has to undergo the inspection, let me know. I’ll talk to Abigail to make sure it’s conducted as safely as possible.”
“Thanks. Let’s meet again next time.”
After briefly thanking Anderson for his consideration, Leonard followed with a farewell. Anderson, perhaps realizing that Leonard was eager to return to Yellian, let out a hearty laugh and bid him goodbye.
“Ah, I almost forgot. Give this to Yellian.”
“What is this?”
“It’s a nutritional supplement good for cats. Well, to be precise, Yellian isn’t exactly a cat, but it won’t do any harm, so let them have it.”
“They’ll probably refuse to eat it. They’ll get annoyed, asking if I think they’re a real cat.”
“Even so, try to make them eat it. It’s a supplement close to a miracle elixir, said to even save dying cats.”
“…Really?”
Leonard was intrigued. Even though he knew there was no way such a supplement could exist to save a dying cat, the current Leonard was desperate enough to clutch at straws. So, he carefully tucked away the small pouch Anderson handed him.
“Thanks.”
“If you’re grateful, tell Yellian I’ll come see them soon.”
“No way. One guy says he’ll repay a debt, and another wants to meet them. Seems you don’t get it, but I have no intention of letting my lover be passed around so easily, so forget it.”
“Ha… What a jerk…”
Though Anderson usually boasted a much milder personality compared to Leonard, at this moment, he couldn’t hold back and muttered a sharp comment. Leonard lightly ignored his words and walked past Anderson. He wanted to see Yellian as soon as possible. Thinking of them, his steps quickened with every stride.
* * *
Leonard returned to Duke Abrams’ estate with a much lighter and more relaxed heart than yesterday. As he hurried back with urgent steps, a suspicious ‘thud!’ sound came from inside. Startled by the loud noise, Leonard quickly flung the door open.
“Yellian!”
“Ouch, ouch…”
As soon as he opened the door, he saw a small bedside table by the window tipped over, with Yellian curled up beside it.
Yellian was busy rubbing their limbs, likely having collided with the bedside table when it fell. At the moment, Yellian had, for once, taken on a human form. Though Leonard wasn’t certain, it seemed that while napping on the bedside table in cat form, they suddenly turned human, and the table couldn’t bear Yellian’s weight, causing it to collapse.
On sunny days, Yellian often napped on the bedside table near the window, basking in the sunlight for photosynthesis.
“So, you’ve finally turned human again?”
“I know, right? Turning human so suddenly, of course, it’s great! Really great! But it hurts. Ugh, what kind of bolt from the blue is this while I was sleeping?”
“I knew it.”
“Knew what?”
“I figured you’d be sleeping on the bedside table, turn human, and fall off with a thud.”
“That’s true, but can you not say it like that? It’s annoying.”
Watching Yellian grumble, Leonard shrugged his shoulders. At the same time, he glanced over their body. Naturally, they were completely naked at the moment, wearing nothing. Seeing their bare body after so long, Leonard felt a tightness below.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“My whole body aches, but I think I’ll be fine after a bit. I didn’t fall straight onto the hard floor; there’s a soft rug on the ground, so I didn’t hit too hard.”
“That’s a relief.”
As if to prove their words were true, Yellian quickly seemed fine again. Their face was clear, as if they’d never been in pain. As soon as Leonard confirmed they were okay, he lowered himself to sit beside them.
“Then, can I kiss you?”
“What?! S-Suddenly?”
“I’ve held back for too long. It’s not like you’ve been that damned cat for just a day or two.”
“That was out of my control… I didn’t want to be like that either, mmph.”
Yellian’s grumbling lips were blocked by Leonard’s lips.
Comment