Upon returning to the mansion, the tailor from the salon had arrived. 

 “I was sent to take His Highness’s measurements for a tailcoat.” 

 “I thought it would be good to have one tailcoat made. I already have many fitted ones.” 

 Claire shrugged. Cedric went to the room with the tailor to have his measurements taken. 

 “Where’s Isabelle?” 

 “She’s taking a walk in the garden.” 

 Claire immediately turned her steps toward the garden. It would be good to deliver the news to her, as she must be waiting. 

 As she walked with somewhat light steps toward her, Zeno blocked her path. 

 “Woowoowoo.”(Where have you been? There’s a sweet smell.) 

 Zeno approached her and sniffed. Claire laughed ticklishly and pushed away his snout. 

 “That tickles!” 

 “Grrrrrr. Grrr.”(You went to eat something delicious alone?) 

 “You couldn’t eat it anyway.” 

 “Grrrrrr.”(What do you mean? I can eat everything when I turn human.) 

 “Alright. I’ll buy some next time. I was looking around the city because I had something to do.” 

 Zeno sighed deeply and walked ahead. He seemed quite upset — how should she make it up to him? 

 A cat appeared behind him. Claire followed with her hands behind her back, watching it trail after Zeno. 

 “Zeno, there’s a cute one following you?” 

 “Grrrrrr.”(It’s annoying. This is all Master’s fault.) 

 “It seems to like you. Has it recovered?” 

 “Meow.”(I feel refreshed.) 

 “That’s good. You can stay here until you’re completely better.” 

 “Meooow.”(I’ll decide whether to stay or not. But since you said that, I’ll stay a bit longer.) 

 “Alright, thank you.” 

 Claire smiled brightly at the cat rubbing against her legs while speaking haughtily. 

 “Meooooow.”(I like you. You’re a good human.) 

 The cat held its head high pretentiously as if it had never purred and followed only Zeno. Claire chuckled while watching their backs. 

 “Woowoowoo!”(Won’t you go away?) 

 “Meow.”(Who says I’m following you?) 

 “Woof!”(Go away!) 

 “Meooooow.”(I’m going my own way.) 

 They continued to bicker. It was fortunate they seemed to have become friends in such a short time. 

 “It’s good you can stay somewhere warm while we’re in the capital.” 

 “Woowoowoowooo!”(What are you saying! Living with this one?) 

 “Meow!”(Hey! I have my own place to go! And you’re talking like this is your house.) 

 The cat that turned away with a huff came to Claire. It rubbed against her legs, acting coy. Claire bent down and picked up the cat. 

 “I won’t tell you to leave, so stay as long as you want. But you can’t bring other friends, okay?” 

 As she stroked its nape with her finger, it slightly closed its eyes and kneaded her hand. 

 “I won’t be here long, so I hope you’re comfortable while you’re here.” 

 “Meooooow.”(I love it.) 

 Purr purr purr purr. 

 The cat started purring. Its body seemed to melt under her touch as it went limp and held onto her arm tightly. 

 So cute! 

 Claire earnestly petted the cat. Watching this, Zeno bared his teeth and warned: 

 “Grrrrrr.”(Just try bringing them. I’ll chase them all away. You shouldn’t overdo it.) 

 “Don’t worry. I rarely need to use my abilities these days.” 

 Perhaps that’s why her body felt consistently light. 

 “Zeno, shall we go play in the garden?” 

 “Woof!”(Who do you think would like that?) 

 Zeno’s tail was honest. His wagging tail moved faster and faster. 

 Claire walked quickly to stand beside him. When she put the cat down, it stretched fully and stood next to Zeno. 

 “Really? You don’t like playing?” 

 As she asked Zeno and reached out to gently stroke his head, his ears lowered softly. 

 His perked ears folded neatly every time her hand touched them. 

 “Grrrrrrrr.”(Don’t touch.) 

 “Don’t lower your ears while saying that. You like being petted.” 

 Finally, Zeno showed his belly to her hand. 

 “Meooow.”(No dignity at all.) 

 The cat sat and groomed itself, licking its paw. Despite those words, Zeno couldn’t even raise his body under Claire’s touch and panted. 

 “Woowoowoo.”(Damn it! Master’s touch is too, too……!) 

 Claire smiled broadly at Zeno’s despairing cry. Life seemed so fun these days. 

 ❖ ❖ ❖ 

 Isabelle sat in the garden drinking tea, trying to clear her thoughts. 

 ‘What should I do with the jacket?’ 

 She couldn’t throw it away, but keeping it seemed strange too. 

 Returning it made even less sense. Or did it? Since it was originally his, maybe it would be better to return it after having it cleaned. 

 It was nothing special, but her thoughts kept circling and her head felt complicated. 

 It was just a common jacket. It wasn’t particularly outstanding, nor was the design pretty enough to catch the eye, yet it kept catching her attention. 

 Finally, she couldn’t stay in her room and came out. Though she wasn’t one to enjoy walks, she would have gone mad if she hadn’t at least come to the garden. 

 “Why do I keep thinking about it?” 

 Isabelle frowned at the trees that had taken root lushly in the garden. 

 Everywhere she turned her head, fresh green filled her vision. Benjamin’s eyes naturally came to mind, and she couldn’t shake off the smile he had shown while looking at her. 

 “It’s irritating. So irritating.” 

 Not once had she ever been captivated by someone. 

 Isabelle was bewildered by this change she was experiencing for the first time. Having never liked anyone before, she naturally hadn’t considered such emotions. 

 She couldn’t possibly like him after meeting just once. 

 “I should throw it away after all.” 

 If something was bothering her, she could just get rid of it. Just then, noisy sounds were heard. 

 ‘Seems they’re back.’ 

 Why did it take so long just to buy clothes? 

 She, who had many things to ask, jumped up from her seat. 

 Claire appeared at the mansion’s entrance with Zeno. There was also a cat she must have picked up somewhere. 

 ‘What’s that now?’ 

 Somehow, it seemed like there were many animals around Claire. 

 She tilted her head sideways and approached them. 

 “You’re later than I expected.” 

 “I had lots to do. I sent it to Sir Benjamin. He’s probably having his measurements taken right now.” 

 “……I didn’t ask.” 

 When Claire told her what she had wanted to know without being asked, she felt somehow embarrassed. It was as if her thoughts had been exposed. 

 ‘She reads minds like Father.’ 

 Though that couldn’t be possible. She had always been quick to pick up on things since childhood, so she must have guessed this time too. 

 “Zeno, fetch!” 

 Claire threw a branch with a snap. 

 A divine beast wouldn’t do that, would it? Isabelle crossed her arms and watched Claire, wondering what she was doing. 

 “Woof!”(Got it!) 

 Zeno, his tail spinning so fast it was barely visible, came to Claire with the branch in his mouth. 

 Isabelle wore a puzzled expression at what had happened so suddenly. 

 Zeno, feeling self-loathing at having instinctively fetched the branch, soon took his position ready to run again as Claire picked up the branch once more. 

 ‘……Is that a divine beast or a dog?’ 

 Why was everyone in this mansion so…… strange. It was too strange, but they looked like they were having fun. 

 “Oh, Isabelle. Strange stories might appear in tomorrow’s newspaper, but don’t worry about it.” 

 “What do you mean?” 

 “I sent it to Sir Benjamin in your name. I couldn’t reveal that you’re here. So I paid under my name.” 

 “Everyone will be excited to gossip.” 

 “Right. And at the Harvest Festival, Sir Benjamin will attend as your partner wearing that outfit.” 

 “That’s something I already knew.” 

 Isabelle narrowed her brows while crossing her arms. She wished Claire would either talk or throw branches, not both, but Claire maintained eye contact with her while playing with Zeno. 

 “I had Sir Benjamin’s clothes fitted for my sister’s love. You could say I’m helping as an ally who understands your ardent love?” 

 “……That sounds plausible.” 

 “Oh, Sir Benjamin said he’s coming soon. He wants to thank you for the jacket.” 

 “……Now?” 

 Isabelle immediately looked down at her clothes. Though she usually wore elaborate outfits, after going into hiding, she had taken to wearing comfortable clothing. 

 There was no one to see her anyway, and no one to criticize her attire, so today too she had naturally come out in a comfortable dress. 

 “Why are you telling me this now?!” 

 “I just heard it myself when coming to the garden.” 

 Claire said, blinking her eyes. That sight was so aggravating that Isabelle walked quickly to enter the mansion. 

 “I thought you hated Sir Benjamin, but I guess not? Seeing how concerned you are.” 

 “Th-that’s not it! I’m a princess. I have to maintain appearances in front of others.” 

 Though she said that, her heart was anxious. Since hearing that Benjamin was coming, Isabelle’s heart had been beating wildly. 

 “I’ll buy you time here, so take your time getting ready!” 

 Isabelle bit her lip at Claire’s voice coming from behind. Her slightly excited tone was clearly teasing her. 

 But Isabelle’s mind was too full of Benjamin to care about that. 

 That day, just that one day. Yet for Isabelle, that day was still continuing.