At first, I thought something was wrong with my hearing, and then I wanted to hold my forehead and sigh.

‘A marriage proposal.’

Did Richard truly love me passionately? Probably not. If Richard proposed to me, it would likely be out of pity.

‘But he shouldn’t change his life course out of pity. I’m not someone who needs to be pitied.’

I was content with my life. So pity? That should be directed toward someone else, not me.

To convince Richard of this, I prepared to question him, “Richard.”

“Yes?”

“Why do you want to marry me?”

At my question, Richard smiled with a slightly pained expression around his eyes.

“Why, you ask? Because I like you, that’s why.”

“But you never said anything like this before. Your decision to propose must be recent.”

I spoke carefully, trying to draw out his answer.

“You saw me being punished and…”

“That’s right. I didn’t have the courage before. I thought you couldn’t return the feelings I had for you, and I was happy enough just being by your side. I was content to live forever as the knight who protected you.”

At Richard’s admission, I looked up to face him. His answer was a bit different from what I’d expected. He knew me better than I thought and harbored deeper feelings.

Facing me as I was at a loss for words, Richard smiled gently. Though he had been trembling before speaking, now he smiled with an easy warmth—the face of someone speaking unfiltered truth.

“But watching how you treat that cat, I realized something. That you could love me too. You don’t lack emotions—you just don’t recognize them yet.”

“Richard…”

To think that my growing to care for and love Kyle had given Richard hope.

I lowered my head and fidgeted with my fingers. It was the first time I’d felt so frustrated by my lack of eloquence. Awkwardly, I laid out my honest thoughts.

“I thought you wanted to save me through marriage out of pity. I was going to tell you not to do that…”

“That’s not entirely wrong either. You don’t look happy at the temple.”

I shook my head.

“I am happy. I find joy in helping others, and I have a cat who welcomes me when I return to my room.”

“Can’t I be the one who welcomes you?”

“…!”

His question left me dumbfounded. Richard welcoming me like Kyle does? I couldn’t imagine it at all.

Richard, seemingly having anticipated my reaction, took my hand.

“I’m not insisting that you accept my feelings unconditionally. I can’t force my emotions on you. I know that.”

Then he naturally slipped a ring from his pocket onto my finger. It had a simple design with a blue gem the size of a fingernail. This too clearly showed his consideration for my dislike of ostentation.

After placing the ring on my finger, Richard respectfully kissed the back of my hand.

“But when you’re struggling and need someone to lean on, when you need warmth, when you want to throw everything away and run—can’t I be the one to hold your hand?”

“That would make you unhappy.”

“Being by your side is my happiness.”

Richard spoke with a serious expression.

“You don’t have to marry me right away. No, you don’t ever have to marry me. But please promise me this. Whenever you feel that way, think of me first.”

He was staking his life on this. He was saying his feelings would never change, so please promise him just this much. It was truly a promise with no guarantees.

Blinking as I looked at Richard’s handsome face, I smiled slightly and waved my hand.

“That’s impossible.”

“What…”

“I have Kyle, you know.”

“What?”

At my words, Richard jerked his head up. Then, exhaling in relief, he said:

“You scared me… Kyle is just a cat.”

“Hmm.”

In my mind, Kyle ranked far above Richard. But saying that would truly hurt him, so I just pouted my lips slightly. Then I nodded agreeably and said:

“Alright. I’ll think of you right after Kyle.”

“That’s enough for me.”

Richard held my hand tightly and smiled with genuine happiness.

‘Can someone really be that happy just staying by another’s side?’

What kind of emotion was that?

It was a feeling difficult for me to understand.

* * *

After making our promise, I opened the door of the cat daycare with the ring still on my finger, and we were greeted by Noel, red-faced and panting heavily.

“Huh? Lord Marquis, why are you sweating so much?”

To my surprised question, Noel laughed exaggeratedly while fanning his face with his hand.

“Hahaha, I played a bit with His Majesty and got out of breath.”

Wait, did he really play until his whole body was drenched in sweat?

‘He must really love cats.’

I felt both respect and remorse. All this time I thought I was an excellent caretaker, but in reality, I wasn’t even half as good. I’ve never played with Kyle so energetically!

‘Right! When we get back to the temple, I’ll play with Kyle more enthusiastically!’

Just as I made this resolution, Kyle trotted over and rubbed his face against my ankle with an adorable meow.

“Meow.”

“Kyle!!”

My goodness! Rubbing his cheek against my foot. What’s happening?

Overcome with emotion, I hugged Kyle tightly. Then I bowed my head to Noel.

“Thank you for playing with our Kyle! Kyle must be in a really good mood. He’s not usually this affectionate.”

“Haha, it was my pleasure.”

Humble too. In my mind, Marquis Noel Ferol was upgraded from just a good person to an absolutely wonderful person.

‘How sad that someone who loves cats this much can’t have one.’

He said he couldn’t keep cats because of his wife’s allergies.

‘But wouldn’t it be okay if a cat stayed just for a very short time? Or maybe I could create a sacred object to alleviate her allergies?’

I’d never made one before, but it seemed possible. I smiled brightly and held Kyle out to Noel.

“Would you like to take Kyle for a few days? He seems to follow you well.”

“What? Really? I’d love to…”

Noel’s eyes sparkled like stars. Just as he looked ready to take the cat right away, he unexpectedly met Kyle’s eyes and shuddered like he’d been struck by lightning. Then he immediately changed his words.

“Ah, no!! I understand completely. That majestic-looking Emperor is actually a child who gets terribly lonely. Right now, His Majesty wants to be with the Holy Maiden more than anyone else!”

“What?”

After my awkward response, I understood Noel’s meaning a beat later and smacked my forehead.

“Oh, I see! I’m sorry, Kyle. I’m still not a good enough caretaker to read your feelings properly!”

To my sincere apology, the kind Kyle responded:

“…Meow.”

Feeling both sorry and grateful to Kyle, I hugged him tightly. As I was rubbing my face against his soft fur:

[‘The Dragon Trampler’ is laughing so hard He can barely breathe.]

In such a touching moment, the deity was laughing uncontrollably.

‘Why on earth?’

I tilted my head in confusion, but no further answer came. Noel waved to us with a completely exhausted expression.

“Please return safely.”

“What? Yes.”

Wasn’t he coming with us? Though puzzled, I reflexively bowed my head. Then I descended the stairs of the cat daycare shop.

‘I feel like I’m forgetting something important.’

I habitually played with Kyle’s nape and ears, and wiggled his soft paws. That’s when it happened.

[‘Kyle’ is curious.]

[‘Kyle’ is angry.]

“Huh? …HUH?!”

After tilting my head at the two suddenly appearing message windows, I jumped up in shock.

“Kyle! Don’t eat that. It’ll hurt you!”

Kyle was gnawing at the ring on my finger like he was trying to swallow it!

The ring itself wouldn’t come off and be swallowed, but the gem might fall out and be ingested. I jerked my hand away in surprise. The movement caused my robe to slip off, revealing my silver hair under the sunlight.

“Cioranne!”

Richard screamed and quickly pulled my robe back over me.

His excessively cautious behavior made me freeze. After blinking blankly for a moment, I looked up and asked in a serious tone:

“Richard, what’s going on? Why can’t I walk around outside?”

“Well…”

Richard wore a dismayed expression. I stared at him steadily, not averting my gaze. After looking uncomfortable, Richard finally began with a sigh-tinged voice:

“They say you healed a non-believer.”

“Yes. I was punished for it. So what?”

“His Holiness has declared that beast-folk are wicked beings who tempt even the Holy Maiden, and that anyone who exchanges even a single word with them will be branded a non-believer and expelled. So people who suddenly can’t use beast-folk’s help anymore are becoming disgruntled.”

“…What?”

At Richard’s answer, I turned deathly pale.