Hold a cat with both hands that appears to have lifted its guard that way. I put one hand through my armpit and held my butt back with the other.
"... you're used to it a lot"
"I'm not used to it. Well... I like animals."
"Yeah."
"Oh, is that crazy?
Is it still weird that I'm an animal lover? I thought so, but Al shook his head sideways saying no.
"That's not true. I think the structure of you and the small animals is quite picturesque.... a little more, if that cat is cute"
"I think it's cute enough."
"... I don't really understand Lili's aesthetic. So? What are we gonna do now?
Hearing Al's words, I bowed my head while holding the cat back.
"I'm sorry. You invited me because of you. But I want to make allowance for this kid. May I return to the mansion?"
It is not acceptable to ruin the prince's invitation. I knew that, but I couldn't help but care less about the cat I held. My breath feels a little rough, and I want to clean it anyway and feed it to you.
"Excuse me. I'm really sorry. I'll take as many reprimands as I want later. So..."
"Fine."
A quiet voice sounds from overhead. When I looked up, I was smiling in the face that Al had no choice.
"You said you'd cooperate. You deserve to be responsible for your words to the end. I don't get angry. I'll come with you to your mansion."
"Is that good?
"Of course. It would be harsher for me to dissolve on this occasion. I did my best to free up the day. Don't keep saying goodbye."
"... thank you"
"You should hurry if you want to help. Shall we go back to the carriage?
"Yes."
Nodding at Al's words, hurry back to the carriage.
"... a little more, good luck"
Speak to the cat you hold. The cat that subsided in his arms was soothing. I wiped some dirt with the handkerchief I had, but I don't think I should disinfect it properly.
Let your people rush you back to my mansion.
"Lady?"
Luke came out to pick me up wondering that I had returned a lot earlier than I had planned.
"What's going on? Did you even have a fight with His Highness?
"No, I'm not! Not... please, look at this girl!
"This kid? Huh! Okay. Would you mind in your lady's room?
"Of course!
I notice the cat I hold, and Luke changes his blood phase. Al also took the three of us into my room.
Normally, it's an emergency to say hello to my father and mother in the mansion. After settling down, he decides to talk about the situation and makes Luke prepare for first aid.
"... I hope you're okay"
I stretched out some lukewarm water and cleansed the cat of distorting her face to pain.
Use three large towels to wipe your body and even handle the scratches. Fortunately, there was not a single deep scratch, and when I put water in the plate, I mouthed it with great joy. The bait gives what Luke asked the cook to prepare.
At first he was a vigilant cat, but he couldn't beat hunger, and eventually started eating snacks and meals.
"Good. He ate me..."
"If you have an appetite, you'll be fine for one second. And the wound was shallow."
"Right..."
Now he stares at the cat eating indifferently, exhaling in a ho. That appearance was completely different from what was about to die earlier, full of life force.
"Good."
I also thought about getting them to use therapeutic magic if the wound seems too bad, but this doesn't seem necessary. The idea of therapeutic magic is that if you can heal enough wounds with your own strength, you don't use them to prevent them from blunting your self-regenerating power.
If you use too much magic, you won't even be able to heal the simple wounds. Of course if you are seriously ill you should use it without hesitation, but in minor injuries the risk is higher the other way around.
It was therapeutic magic that was not only convenient.
"... lady"
"What?"
Luke called in a stiff voice as he caressed the cat's back, reassuring him.
My husband and wife are here.
"Your fathers?
"Yes."
"... let me through"
Order Luke. Could you have come over here, mindful that your greeting home isn't there yet? Or did Al come to say hello from the other side because he's with you? Waiting, Luke led me in, and my parents came in the room. Behind it is also Brother Hugo.
My father turned first to Al and lowered his head.
"Your Highness. My daughter always takes care of me"
"I'm sorry I'm late to say hello this way. It was an emergency."
Al said, my father nodded.
"We've heard from Luke. Lili, you picked up the cat, didn't you?"
"... Yes"
Apparently, my parents came because I brought my cat home.
Bad flow. I nodded with that in mind, and my father said.
"What you picked up was that clumsy cat.... I guess I'm done with the scratches. Bring him back where he was."
"Father..."
Frowning, Brother Hugo, who was behind my father, also agreed.
"If you want a cat, let's have a more adorable, duke-house-worthy cat. So give me back that dirty cat.... it doesn't suit us beautifully."
"Brother, are you still saying that?... Father. Though this child has finished taking care of his wounds, if he leaves him in the field like this, he will surely die. I can't afford to reach out and abandon him once and for all. I promise I'll take care of her responsibly until the end, so please forgive me for putting this kid in our house."
"If you want, like Hugo said, that's what we can do to prepare a more beautiful cat, right?
"It doesn't make sense if you're not this kid. Father, I want to help this child. I don't think it's temporary to help. It's not the same thing to let go here. I think abandoning it is the same thing. Please. If it means you're uncomfortable, I'll keep you out of my room. So..."
"... ok"
He looked like he'd been thinking about it for a while, but at the end of the day, my father nodded.
"I never thought what you were so desperate to ask of us was' I want my dirty cat at home '. All you ask for is' new dresses' and 'jewels' and we thought that would be all right, too. Apparently, you've grown up a lot without our knowledge."
Speaking emotionally, my father turned his attention to Al.
"I think my daughter changed just after she got engaged to you. I suppose I should thank His Highness."
"No. I didn't do anything. The only reason I changed was because Lili tried so hard to change herself. Instead of thanking me, I want you to acknowledge her efforts."
"... ok. Lili, I know about the cat. Let's talk to the people at the mansion. Later, tell me your name."
"... Yes!
The name, the place, made my eyes almost moist.
It was a pleasure to know that my father had admitted that it was really good to have this child. When the errand was done, my father took my mother out of the room, leaving only Brother Hugo.
"Brother."
"Lili, I didn't admit it."