Their heads both whipped towards the door so fast they almost looked like the girl possessed from ’The Exorcist’.

"..."

"..."

"...What does your master do to criminals? Hang them, chop their heads off, or torture them to death? Because I’d rather have a quick death..." Gawain muttered.

Agatha closed her eyes, exhaled once, and made a decision she would regret for the rest of her life.

"...We’re out of time," she grabbed him. "Hide under my skirt for now."

Gawain stared at her like she had just suggested jumping out the window. "I’m sorry but not interested—"

SMACK.

"JUST HIDE, YOU USELESS LUMP OF ROPE!"

"...YES MA’AM—!"

In a flash, he shifted back into his snake form and slithered under, coiling tightly around her legs just as the door opened.

Agatha straightened instantly and bowed. "Master Soren, you’re back."

A low hum answered her.

"Hmmm."

He stepped inside, his presence filling the room effortlessly as his gaze fell on the sleeping leopard.

"...Does she always sleep here?" he walked closer.

"No," Agatha replied smoothly, though her entire being was under attack from a very wriggly, very inconvenient snake. "This is the first time she has slept this late."

She resisted the urge to twitch, scream, or kick.

Beneath her skirt, Gawain moved just slightly causing her smile to twitch, still her expression did not change.

She needs to maintain her professionalism.

She would not scratch,

She would not react,

And certainly, she would not commit murder.

’Do not react.’

’Do not react.’

’Do not—’

"...Good," Soren murmured.

Without another word, Soren bent down and gently scooped Blanca into his arms.

She stirred then immediately snuggled into him, still asleep.

Agatha’s eyes softened for a moment as she watched.

Soren’s usual serious expression eased, his hand gently brushing against Blanca’s ears.

It was a rare sight indeed but also a dangerous one.

"You must still be tired, Master," Agatha said carefully, taking a small step closer. "Allow me to carry the lady instead—"

She already knew the answer but she just needed him gone.

Right now.

Before she strangled someone.

"No need," Soren said, cutting her off smoothly. "You can retire for the night."

Agatha bowed again. "Yes, Master."

She stayed still, waiting, until he finally turned and left the room with Blanca in his arms.

The door finally closed.

"..."

Agatha remained frozen for three seconds.

Five.

Ten.

Then she immediately stepped back, lifted her skirt slightly, and glared down. "Get. Out. NOW."

Gawain immediately uncoiled himself and dropped to the floor, shifting back into human form, looking like he had just survived a near-death experience.

"...I saw my life flash before my eyes," he whispered.

Agatha exhaled slowly, finally scratching her leg. "...You were the least of my concerns."

Gawain blinked. "...That hurts."

Silence settled between them.

A rare, fragile silence that lasted exactly three seconds because apparently Gawain can’t keep his mouth shut.

"...Also," Gawain added helpfully, "your legs are very uncomfortable."

Agatha turned slowly and smiled. The kind that made people reconsider their life choices.

"...Get out."

"Mind telling me where I should go out then?" he smirked, leaning casually like he hadn’t just risked both their lives five seconds ago.

Her smile instantly vanished.

Just like that.

Agatha closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, then rubbed her temples.

’Why did My Lady keep this man?’

’For the sake of entertainment?’

’For letting me suffer?’

’Or for character development?’

All of the above, probably.

"...Let’s go," she said finally, her voice carrying the quiet resignation of someone who had already accepted her fate.

Gawain blinked. "Oh?"

"For now," she continued, already walking past him, "you’ll be hiding in my room."

He raised a brow, amused. "Your room?"

She didn’t even look back. "Yes."

"..."

"...And before you misunderstand anything—"

"I already am," he said, staring at her like she was offering a suspicious, shady, offer.

She stopped and looked at him coldly. "...Say one more unnecessary word," she said calmly, "and I will personally escort you outside before kicking you at the edge of the island."

He straightened up immediately. "...Understood."

"Good."

She resumed walking as he followed, quietly this time, for once.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

I tossed.

I turned.

I aggressively flipped to the other side like I was auditioning for a cooking show titled "How to Roast Yourself in Bed."

’Why was it so hot???’ I frowned into the pillow.

’Did Agatha mess with the thermostat again?’

That woman had two modes: freezing tundra or surface of the sun. There was no in-between.

...Or—

’Did Gawain sneak into my bed again?’

My eyes snapped open, fueled by pure violence and zero hesitation. I was fully prepared to launch a preemptive kick, only to freeze, leg hanging mid-air.

It wasn’t Gawain.

It was Soren.

I slowly blinked then looked around. We were in his room, in his bed, and I was very much in his arms, being hugged like some kind of oversized emotional support leopard.

"..."

Oh... He’s back already.

Wait...

How many days has it been?

Three days??

Excuse me???

Since when did he start speedrunning his responsibilities???

I was still planning to go to the capital. I even mentally scheduled it. There were two whole days left for me to roam freely, spend money irresponsibly, and absolutely not cause problems.

"..."

And now he’s here.

Great.

My plans? Ruined.

My freedom? Questionable.

My personal space? Currently under attack.

I sighed softly.

’There goes my peaceful, productive, non-chaotic schedule.’

’...Or does it?’

I paused then slowly turned my head slightly and looked at him.

He was still asleep, suspiciously peaceful for someone currently committing kidnapping by cuddling.

"..."

A smile slowly crept onto my face. ’Should I just ask him to go to the capital together?’

I mean, logically speaking, it’s safer, more efficient, and—

...he would definitely pay for everything I suddenly feel emotionally attached to.

"..."

Yes.

This is a very strategic decision.

A financially responsible one, even.

I nodded to myself slightly, as if I had just solved a complex political issue instead of plotting how to turn someone into my personal wallet.

’...Wait. That sounded bad,’ I frowned. ’No, no. Not a wallet. He’s a... temporary sponsor.’

Yes. That sounded better.

I glanced at him again, still peacefully asleep.

’...He looks rich today.’

The thought came so naturally it concerned me a little but not enough to stop, though.

A slow smile stretched across my face. The kind of smile villains wear right before they either start a war... or go shopping on someone else’s budget.

His eyes suddenly snapped open.

"..."

Oh.

He was awake.

And he was staring directly at me.

At my very normal, completely harmless, definitely-not-plotting-anything expression.

There was a pause.

A long one.

"...What are you planning again this early?" he asked, his voice low and slightly husky from sleep, like he’d already accepted that whatever I was thinking would cost him something.

Before I could even attempt to look innocent, he pulled me closer then buried his face into my fur like I was some kind of premium pillow.

’Excuse me???’

Was I—

Was I being used???

As a pillow???

"NYANG NYANG NYANG!"

Translation: I’M NOT A PILLOW!

He didn’t stop. If anything, he nuzzled more. "...Warm," he murmured against me.

"NYANG!"

Translation: PERSONAL SPACE!

His arm tightened around me, completely ignoring my protests. "...Too early," he said lazily.

’Too early for what???’

’Basic respect???’

I squirmed but he adjusted his grip.

I tried to push him away but he pulled me back like I weighed nothing.

"..."

This man.

This audacity.

"NYANG NYANG!"

Translation: LET ME GO!

"...No."

I flicked my tail in protest but he caught it.

"..."

Every instinct in my body went silent like a system crash.

I slowly tapped my OmniSync with the dignity of someone who had just lost all physical authority in this situation.

I typed. "...Let go of that."

"...No."

"...That’s attached to me."

"...I’m aware."

"..."

’Unbelievable.’

I turned my head and glared at him with the full force of someone who was seconds away from committing a felony.

He just looked back, looking very calm, amused, and very much awake now.

’Is he really enjoying this...?’

"...So," he said quietly, thumb casually stroking my fur, "what are you plotting?"

I narrowed my eyes but immediately smiled so bright that people might want to double check their will.

"I want to go outside..."

He raised a brow. "...That sounds dangerous."

"—With you."

"..."

Now that got his attention. The corner of his lips lifted slightly. "...The capital?"

I nodded furiously.

"..." He hummed, thinking, and still holding me hostage, by the way.

Then—

"...I see."

’Do you??’

’Do you really???’

Because I had a whole itinerary forming in my head and none of it involved me paying.

He shifted slightly, pulling me even closer like I wasn’t already trapped enough. "...We’ll talk about it later," he murmured.

I puffed up. "THAT’S NOT A YES!"

"...It’s not a no either."

"..."

I stared at him.

He stared back, still holding my tail, and still not letting go.

Okay fine. This conversation is over.

He wouldn’t let me go to the capital? Fine.

I took a very deep breath.

The kind that signals either maturity or chaos.

I definitely choose chaos.