Chapter 9

Chapter 9 

While Theodor lay fast asleep under the effects of the anesthetic, Rosalyn and Anton were in the steward’s office. Anton was on all fours, both knees on the floor. Slowly, he raised one arm and the opposite leg straight in the air, exhaling steadily.

“Good. Inhale and bring them down again. Now lift the other arm and leg,” Rosalyn instructed.

Anton obediently followed her lead. They were doing what’s known as the bird-dog exercise.

As a form of rehabilitation training, it was a weight exercise that could strengthen muscles without straining the body. The bird-dog in particular was perfect for training the abdominal and back muscles gently.

“Is something this simple really effective?” Anton asked, skeptical.

“Yes. Ten reps on each side is all it takes. Just be careful not to let your back sag.”

Though it looked easy, bird-dog wasn’t a light workout. Just as expected, by the time Anton finished one set, he was completely wiped out.

“Phew… I take back what I said about it being simple.”

“We’ll rest for 15 seconds and then go for a second set.”

The word ‘second set’ made Anton’s blue eyes widen slightly in alarm. Still, gritting his teeth, he pushed through and completed the ten reps before collapsing.

“Huff… I’m dying…”

“You did great! For your first time, you’ve got real potential. Stick with it, and the pain will vanish.”

Rosalyn praised him brightly, unfazed by his gasping. Praise was a powerful motivator. Her words made Anton’s face light up with hope.

“Truly? Thank you.”

“Oh, Head Butler Anton, I actually have a favor to ask.”

Rosalyn broached the topic gently.

“Yes, milady? What is it?” he asked with utmost politeness. Ever since she had offered to help his back pain, Anton had placed his full trust in her.

Rosalyn recalled Theodor’s gaunt back as she massaged him earlier that day.

A consistent diet was important but so was helping him gain weight.

‘He needs proper nutrition management.’

The bread and pancakes served for breakfast weren’t bad, but they were modest and far too carb-heavy.

“I’d like to revise His Highness’s meals. I want to diversify the menu.”

“Pardon?”

“It would be great to add protein and healthy fats. Some meat, maybe nuts instead of just bread.”

Anton hesitated, an uneasy expression on his face.

“Hm… meat, you say…”

“What’s the matter?”

“The budget is tight.”

Just how little money was the palace providing this villa?

“Even once a week would help. If it comes down to it, I’m fine with reducing the budget for my own meals.”

Theodor’s recovery was the top priority. At that, Anton jumped in protest.

“I couldn’t possibly cut back on your meals, milady! I’ll figure something out.”

***

‘How is he planning to get meat with no budget?’

Anton wasn’t the type to make promises he couldn’t keep. He must have had something in mind. Once the exercise session ended, Rosalyn made her way to the front steps of the villa.

With Theodor fast asleep, she had nothing pressing to do, so she figured a walk would do her good.

‘Honestly, why did he insist on moving that snowman in the first place…’

She sighed. He must’ve been desperate to awaken, even if it meant hurting himself. Though it was only four in the afternoon, the sky was already tinged with dusk. This northern region saw early sunsets.

At the base of the steps stood the snowman she and Theodor had made. Its surface glowed faintly red in the sunset’s light.

Rosalyn gazed at it silently.

The snowman, standing all alone by the door, looked strangely forlorn. Maybe it was because of the mismatched leaf eyes that reminded her of Theodor. Or maybe it reminded her of herself, dropped into this world with no ties, utterly alone. The thought made her feel unexpectedly lonely.

‘I am relieved.’

Since she had gone in this world, she’d been too focused on surviving to feel things like loneliness. To be able to feel it now meant, at the very least, she was regaining some emotional breathing room.

She walked into the snow-covered garden and began rolling a snowball.

She wanted to give the lone snowman a family. That way, it wouldn’t feel so lonely. Neither would she. And maybe, not entirely out of the question, neither would Theodor.

As she worked, a strange rustling sound reached her ears.

Rustle.

It came from the direction of a large tree.

Instantly, she thought of Arch, who always stood like a phantom beneath that tree’s shade. But Arch should be in Theodor’s room right now, standing guard.

Unease prickled at her. She cautiously lifted her gaze toward the shadowy spot.

But no one was there.

She exhaled in relief and bent down again to resume rolling her snowball…

Rustle.

The sound came again.

‘What is that?’

Rosalyn crept toward the tree.

“Huh?”

A brown cat sat beneath the shadows.

Meow!

It cried, wary eyes fixed on her. Only then did she notice its right front leg was stained dark red. The metallic scent of blood hit her nose.

‘It’s hurt…’

The cat repeatedly licked its wound, flinching each time its tongue passed over it.

“I’ll help you.”

She knelt slowly and approached the cat. Perhaps because of the injury, it didn’t run. She pressed her mana-charged fingers gently to the wound.

Fwoom.

Golden light seeped into the injury. The bleeding gradually stopped. The wound closed, leaving only a small scar. It was not perfect, but impressive for a trainee mage.

“It won’t hurt anymore.”

The cat stared at her in wonder.

Its tiny face, fixed on Rosalyn, was covered in scratches. It looked like a stray with nowhere to go. Rosalyn reached out to stroke its head.

Twitch

The cat flinched at first, but then slowly accepted her touch. After a while, it returned to the darkest part of the shade and curled up, closing its eyes. Soon, a soft purring sound filled the air.

‘So that’s its sleeping spot.’

She hadn’t known there was a cat living in this villa. Rosalyn returned to rolling her snowballs with renewed energy. By the time the sun had fully set, she had built two smaller snowmen. That would be enough to keep the original one from looking lonely.

She glanced toward the shadow under the tree, but the cat had already disappeared.

Growl.

Her stomach growled, reminding her it was time to eat. She headed back to her room. On the table sat a tray of dinner. One of the attendants must’ve left it there.

But a savory, meaty aroma wafted from the tray.

‘Is that… meat?’

Atop the plate was a roasted bird. Judging by the size, it looked like a wild pigeon. It had been cooked to a perfect golden brown, and the scent was mouthwatering. Had Anton gotten it for her? But how had he found it so quickly?

She had made the request barely a few hours ago. Puzzled but grateful, Rosalyn began eating.

And from the next day onward, roast bird appeared without fail in Theodor’s meals as well.

***

Assassin Arch stood in the darkened room, gazing silently at his right hand. Moonlight streamed through the window, glinting off a small scar on his skin.

He was stupid.

Even if it had been a long time since he’d last taken on his true form, this kind of mistake was inexcusable. He had forgotten that this time of year was hunting season. Without thinking, he had stepped into a hunter’s trap and gotten injured.

Arch’s gaze drifted toward the bed where his master, Theodor, lay sleeping.

Anton had asked him to hunt wild birds for Theodor. He wouldn’t have done it otherwise, never would he return to that accursed true form. The form of the Cursed Feline Tribe.

In the Empire, cats were considered cursed, evil creatures. As such, those born of the feline tribe were hated and feared wherever they went.

Mute and of feline blood, Arch had suffered abuse from a young age. Even when he tried to hide his true identity, his inhuman agility and strength would eventually give him away. Then came the beatings, the exile.

Roughly two years ago, after finally settling in a village, his secret had been discovered again. The villagers beat him senseless and drove him out.

Wounded and near death, he’d collapsed in the snow after wandering endlessly in his true, feline form.

That was when Theodor had saved him.

[“A cursed feline… You’re just like me.”]

Had Theodor rescued him out of pity? Sympathy?

It didn’t matter. He was the only human who hadn’t tormented him for what he was. From that day forward, Arch lived for Theodor. He served him, followed his orders without question.

He would do anything for his master. With his fast, agile body, Arch became Theodor’s silent shadow.

When Theodor ordered him to eliminate the teachers sent by the Tower of Magic, Arch killed them all so ruthlessly, without a shred of guilt or hesitation. He was simply obeying the one who had saved him.

Even when Theodor had ordered him to kill Rosalyn at the tower, Arch had drawn his blade without emotion. She had meant nothing to him.

Afterward, Rosalyn had flinched and avoided him every time they crossed paths. He was used to that gaze. He expected it.

And yet… she had healed him.

Arch recalled the moment in the garden when they met by chance.

After catching several wild pigeons in the forest, he had quietly delivered them to the villa’s kitchen. Despite the pain from the trap wound on his front leg, it didn’t matter. 

That pain was nothing compared to the torment he had endured before meeting his master.

Trying to suppress the pain, he had limped to his favorite spot, the shadow beneath the large tree in the garden and began licking his wound.

Then she appeared.

“I’ll help you.”

Rosalyn hadn’t avoided him this time. She hadn’t cursed his true form like others did. Calmly, she had healed his wound.

Arch had looked up at her, astonished. She had even reached out to pet his head.

Though he flinched at first, he accepted her touch. It reminded him of the day, two years ago, when Theodor had saved him.

Now, Arch stood in the dark, staring at the scar on his hand.

“…”

The only sound in the room was the quiet breathing of Theodor, deep in sleep. Arch approached the bed and gently pulled up the fallen blanket, covering his master once more.

And just like always, he quietly took his place in the shadows and stood guard.

***

Thanks to the addition of roast bird to his diet, consistent meals, and occasional walks, Theodor’s health gradually improved. After about a week, he even began to gain a little weight.

Still, he kept his distance from Rosalyn. More precisely, he avoided any physical contact with her. Even so, Rosalyn was relieved to see him recovering, even little by little. He was probably ready to start some basic stretching now.

‘Let’s try some light stretches starting today.’

With hopeful thoughts, she headed to Theodor’s room with his breakfast tray as usual.

When she reached his door.

‘Hmm?’

Clack, clack.

Unlike usual, the door was locked. A strange feeling pricked at her.

“Your Highness?”

She called gently. From inside the room came Theodor’s voice.

“…I don’t want to eat today.”

His voice was low and hoarse, almost hollow.

What? He’d been eating well until now. Why the sudden change?

Rosalyn stood frozen in place, unsure what to do.

‘Wait a minute… could it be because of that?’

A memory flashed through her mind, an incident from the original novel.

(TN: Wait, no. Don’t tell me Arch is the second male lead?? No, no, no… pleaseee! 😫)