Chapter 154. From Lucy’s Perspective: Someone to Love Ellen

It was around the time when Ellen was about to complete her studies at the Mage’s Tower.

Lucy was deeply saddened when she learned that Ellen, her favorite human, would be staying at the Mage’s Tower for two years.

Not being able to see Ellen for as long as two years. While the humans at Evitern Castle were kind—except for one—Ellen was always Lucy’s favorite human.

But as a cat, she couldn’t swim across the sea to Rosretzia Island. Lucy decided to wait patiently until the day Ellen returned. The thought of Ellen hugging her tightly, saying she missed her, automatically made her feel better.

Lucy, a cat with patience and maturity, lived as usual in Evitern Castle even without Ellen, receiving plenty of affection from the servants. The humans who were completely smitten by Lucy’s beauty acted as if they would give her their liver and gall.

Of course, there was always one exception.

“What? Get lost.”

As always, with a haggard and worn-out face greeting the morning, the ill-tempered one rudely blurted out at Lucy who had climbed onto the bed. Lucy leaped right up to Enoch’s face and sharply slapped his cheek with her front paw. As a final act of mercy, she didn’t use her claws.

Enoch grimaced horribly as he sat up, then grabbed Lucy and dangled her in the air, glaring at her with piercing eyes. Then, in a voice full of morning fatigue, he grumbled.

“You crazy cat. Why do you keep barging into my bedroom every morning and making a fuss?”

“Meow.”

Lucy retorted as if to say, how could you not know? Since Ellen had left to complete her studies at the Mage’s Tower, Enoch had been living a dissipated life every day as if to soothe his empty heart. Sleeping late, not eating proper breakfasts. Lucy didn’t like Enoch’s decadent lifestyle.

So she came in person every morning to scold him, but this foolish guy didn’t understand her ocean-deep intentions.

“Cat, I don’t know why you keep bothering me, but I really hate having my morning sleep disturbed. I’m letting you off because you’re Ellen’s cat. Otherwise, you’d already be cat soup.”

“Meow!”

How dare he say such harsh things! Lucy lashed out, swinging her front paws wildly. This time she was really angry and extended her claws. Enoch sneered as if it was ridiculous and carelessly dropped Lucy.

Landing softly on the plush bed, Lucy glared fiercely at Enoch’s dissipated back as he got out of bed and threw on a robe over his n*ked body. That nasty bastard. Just you wait. I’ll definitely get my revenge.

For the next week, Lucy’s revenge was carried out successfully. Climbing onto the desk and knocking over cups to break them, dropping flowerpots, interfering with paperwork, spilling ink, and so on… Each time, Enoch would get angry, cursing “You crazy cat” and whatnot, but he couldn’t bring himself to harm Lucy.

That was because Lucy was Ellen’s precious cat, and the servants of Evitern Castle were the same in not daring to scold Lucy.

As Lucy became increasingly arrogant due to the humans’ laissez-faire attitude, that day suddenly approached.

The day when Enoch could visit Rosretzia Island once a month to meet Ellen.

As that day approached, Enoch’s demeanor changed 180 degrees, surprisingly starting to live a healthy and proper life. His face, which was always gloomy, became so full of life that Lucy inwardly found it absurd and thought how nice it would be if she could tattle to Ellen about how this guy was behaving.

At the same time, she made plans to secretly hide in the carriage, unbeknownst to Enoch and the other humans. After all, Lucy missed Ellen just as much.

And so, finally, on the day Enoch and his aides were to head to Rosretzia Island.

Lucy quietly snuck into the luggage compartment without anyone noticing. If she could make it to the port without being discovered, it would be half a success. Sneaking onto the ship would be the problem, though.

Thus, the carriage carrying three people and one cat headed north, rattling along. Lucy, who had been watching the scenery outside through the small window of the luggage compartment, ended up dozing off. Forgetting that she should have hidden herself in one of these bags.

“You crazy cat, what are you doing following us here?”

“Meow!”

Lucy, caught as soon as they arrived at the port, snarled while dangling from Enoch’s hand as he shook her. Lucy was defiant. Was there a law saying cats couldn’t travel? Lucy missed Ellen too, and she could endure traveling by carriage and ship just fine.

“If Ellen finds out you came all the way here, she’ll think I’m abusing you.”

“Meow!”

“Damn, I can’t just abandon it here either…”

Enoch Bayern was quite detestable, but he wasn’t a bad guy who abused animals. Lucy was certain that Enoch would end up taking her along.

Sure enough, Enoch sighed as he tucked Lucy under his arm and muttered in a resigned voice.

“Don’t move and stay still, cat. If you cause trouble and fall into the sea, I won’t save you.”

“Meow.”

Lucy obediently replied, happily swishing the tip of her tail. The blue sky was clear without a single cloud, and the early summer breeze blew refreshingly. It was good weather for smooth sailing.

Ten minutes later, Lucy boarded the ship heading to Rosretzia along with Enoch’s party.

Lucy docilely followed Enoch’s instruction to stay quietly in the cabin and not come out. She could endure this much discomfort as she was in a very good mood thinking she would soon meet Ellen.

The ship that sailed smoothly arrived at Rosretzia Island about half a day later. Lucy, who woke up to the sound of the steamship’s engine, stretched out her front paws and yawned. Just as she jumped down from the sofa, the cabin door swung open.

“Cat, come here.”

“Meow―”

Lucy trotted towards Enoch, who was beckoning at the door, with her tail straight up and just the tip slightly curved. It meant she was very happy, but Enoch wouldn’t know that. He picked her up, holding both sides of her body, and now quite skillfully carried the cat as he walked.

One person and one cat left the cabin and came out onto the deck. Lucy, who immediately spotted Ellen waiting at the port, struggled with joy. Enoch cursed and held Lucy tightly.

“Stay still, cat. Do you want to fall into the sea?”

“Meow!”

Lucy, who had been fidgeting the whole time while getting off the ship, slipped out of Enoch’s arms as soon as his feet touched the ground and leaped into Ellen’s arms.

Ellen, who was already shocked to see Lucy, embraced her with a mix of joy and bewilderment. Unable to contain her excitement, Lucy rubbed her cheeks against Ellen’s clothes and cried, “Meow, meow.”

“Lucy, how did you come all the way here? It’s dangerous for a house cat to travel so far.”

“Meow!”

Lucy bravely replied that it was fine to Ellen’s words mixed with a helpless laugh and worry. She had been a stray cat before, so this was nothing.

“That crazy cat snuck into the luggage compartment on its own. I didn’t bring it.”

Enoch, who approached by now, grumbled discontentedly. His expression was already thoroughly sour as he watched Lucy and Ellen enjoying their reunion. That damn cat, maybe I should have abandoned it after all.

“Cat, you’re in the way, move aside.”

“Meow!”

Enoch, who had been robbed of his first hug with Ellen, ordered irritably, but Lucy paid no heed. Instead, she burrowed even deeper into Ellen’s arms, as if to show off, annoying Enoch.

This mischievous cat… it must be doing this on purpose. As Enoch muttered fiercely, Ellen stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. At that, Enoch’s face softened as if it had never been fierce, and he slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

Ignoring the annoying cat, he lightly kissed Ellen’s lips and looked at her with loving eyes as he asked.

“You’re free until tomorrow, right? What do you want to do today?”

Lucy narrowed her cat eyes, seeing through the ulterior motives of this lewd guy who seemed to have something in mind. Men, really. They only have one thing on their minds.

“Hmm, how about we go for a picnic nearby? I’ve prepared for a picnic.”

As Ellen glanced back slightly, Laila, who had been standing quietly like a shadow until then, lifted the picnic basket in her hand about a handspan. Only then noticing Laila’s presence, Enoch raised an eyebrow and then nodded.

“Alright, let’s go.”

So, three people and one cat set off for a picnic in the southeastern fields of Rosretzia Island. The weather, clear but not too sunny and pleasantly cool, was perfect for enjoying a picnic.

Lucy drank some cool water and heartily chomped down the cat food Enoch had bought at the northern port of Rheinfelden.

When she felt the need to relieve herself and was digging in the soil a little distance away from the group, she heard Ellen calling worriedly. Lucy quickly finished her business and trotted back, pretending as if nothing had happened.

Suddenly hearing a snicker, she turned to see it was none other than Enoch. This, this guy! Lucy opened her mouth wide and hissed angrily. Enoch mocked Lucy, as if for her to hear.

“Cat, aren’t you embarrassed now?”

“Meow!”

Watching the two bicker as usual, Laila almost choked trying to hold back her laughter, while Ellen shook her head. Fighting on the same level as a cat at every turn.

Enoch and Lucy stayed at the Mage’s Tower’s lodgings, where Lucy’s popularity was sky-high even in the Mage’s Tower. Lucy, feeling very good, graciously allowed Enoch and Ellen to spend time alone at night. Though she wondered if she had been too considerate when she saw Ellen looking very tired when she woke up late the next morning.

As the short time spent at the Mage’s Tower and on Rosretzia Island passed, the day finally came for Lucy and Enoch to leave.

Ellen, who had come to see them off at the port, gave Lucy one last tight hug. Lucy, not wanting to part from Ellen, cried sadly, “Meow, meow.”

“Goodbye, Lucy. I’ll miss you.”

“Meow―”

The one who abruptly interrupted this sad moment of farewell was none other than Enoch. He quickly grabbed Lucy and handed her over to his aide, then pressed close to Ellen and asked.

“What about me? Won’t you miss me?”

Ellen’s lips moved for a moment with a bewildered expression.

He still hasn’t changed, being jealous even of a cat.

“Of course…”

“Of course?”

“I’ll miss our cute Lucy the most!”

“Meow!”

Laila, who almost burst out laughing again, hurriedly bowed her head and covered her mouth.

A voice like a beast growling fiercely came through Enoch’s clenched teeth.

“Are you joking?”

“It’s a joke, Enoch. I’ll really miss you a lot.”

Ellen replied, holding back her laughter, and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. Enoch flinched slightly and then finally hugged her back with a long sigh.

Shortly after, Enoch’s party boarded the ship, and Ellen stood at the port waving until the large steamship became a mere dot.

Enoch stood on the deck until Rosretzia Island was no longer visible, then took out a cigar and put it in his mouth. As he was about to light it with a gas lighter, the fearless cat approached, meowing.

“Go inside the cabin, cat. Unless you want to be blown away by the sea breeze.”

“Meow!”

Lucy barked that it was nonsense. Does this guy think I’m some piece of paper? Lucy sat down, tapping her tail on the floor, and glanced up at Enoch’s profile with the cigar in his mouth.

He looked so happy for two days, and now he’s back to his gloomy face.

While he was a disappointing guy in many ways, she had to admit that he genuinely cared for and loved Ellen. Lucy suddenly recalled a distant past.

‘…I wish someone would really like me. Could I ever have someone like that? What would it feel like to be loved?’

That was what the girl, always covered in ashes from her maid work, had dreamed of. That loneliness that Lucy, as a cat, couldn’t fully fill.

Enoch Bayern was an annoying guy, but there was no doubt that he would never let Ellen be lonely. So, she could generously overlook his failure to recognize and appreciate her divine presence.

“Let’s go inside now, cat. I need to get some sleep.”

“Meow.”

Lucy quietly accepted his hands lifting her. Knowing that this ill-tempered guy was actually quite gentle.

― End of ‘From Lucy’s Perspective: Someone to Love Ellen’.