Worry wasn’t something to keep bottled up—it was meant to be shared. And it was even better when the other person was smart, discreet, and had a bit of wisdom under their belt.
If they were reliable on top of that, then it was perfect… or so he thought. But Ries hesitated. Was he really reliable?
—You’re having weird thoughts again.
…Still, the guy had an incredible knack for picking up on things. Ignoring the sharp, knowing stare thrown his way, Ries mentally added another point in Sefiut’s favor.
He sprinted down the long corridor. Just knowing he had someone else to share the burden with made his steps feel lighter.
—It’s not like I don’t have a few guesses.
That was the last thing Sefiut had said.
He never got to hear what those “guesses” were, but Sefiut had promised to tell him once he was sure. That was good enough—for now. The only thing that annoyed him was how stubbornly tight-lipped the man was.
Still, Sefiut had promised he hadn’t seen anything, hadn’t he? Ries never even considered the possibility that some long-dead ancestor might lie just to take his descendant’s side. Deciding there was no point in tiptoeing anymore, he made up his mind to act like usual.
A tragic decision that future-Ries would label “I was a dumbass for trusting him” and “elite-tier self-justification.” But of course, present-Ries had no clue.
In any case, they’d made a deal to meet up more often under the pretense of going for walks. So for now, he’d managed to reclaim a sliver of peace.
Better get back quickly.
It hadn’t even been more than an hour, yet it felt like ages since he’d seen his master. Probably because he’d spent the whole time on edge, worried he’d been caught.
Just as he was about to quicken his pace, Ries ran into a familiar face.
“Oh! It’s you, kitty.”
He’d seen her around a few times.
Apparently, she recognized him too—color slowly returned to the pale maid’s face.
She’d taken a few steps back but now crept closer, glancing around to make sure no one was nearby.
“How’ve you been? It’s been a while.”
She bent down and whispered like she was telling a secret.
Then, almost in a trance, she reached out and gently stroked his head. Once, twice, three times—until she suddenly flinched and pulled back.
“Ah, I really shouldn’t be doing this…”
Her once-bright face twisted into a guilty frown. Ries scrunched his nose and stepped back.
He’d actually enjoyed the petting, so it was a bit disappointing—but still, this was a huge step forward.
Ever since it got out that he belonged to Justyn, most of the servants couldn’t scramble away from him fast enough.
He understood. They were scared of Justyn. He didn’t like it, but he got it.
But people were creatures of habit. The more they saw a lone cat wandering the halls, the more their reactions mellowed.
They couldn’t pet him like they used to back when they thought he was just a stray, but at least now they acknowledged him.
Granted, he couldn’t play tag anymore—which was really just him chasing them around—but Ries was content.
Guess being small, white, and squishy really helps.
Soft, harmless-looking animals had a way of lowering people’s guards.
Even so, there’d still be moments like this—people petting him on instinct and then freaking out afterward. Ries quietly raised his paw and smoothed down his face.
“Mya.”
He stretched out his neatly tucked back legs. He’d said his hello, and now it was time to head back.
But then, something unexpected made him stop. The maid began rummaging through her pocket and pulled something out.
“Here. This is for you. Sewing’s a hobby of mine, and I made this thinking of you. I’ve been carrying it around, not knowing when I’d see you again… so I’m really glad we ran into each other today.”
She smiled and held it out to him. Pinched between her fingers was a tiny bunny doll, clearly hand-stitched with care, and even smaller than her palm.
Ries stared at it. …His chest suddenly felt warm and ticklish.
“…Do you not like it?”
Her wide smile faded into an awkward look. He immediately swatted his paw toward her hand.
With a sigh of relief, she passed the doll to him. Ries carefully took it between his teeth.
He made sure not to bite down too hard. Wouldn’t do to poke a hole in a gift he’d just received.
“Oh, and, um… let’s keep this present our little secret, okay?”
As a yes, Ries bumped his forehead into the hem of her skirt. A soft, happy laugh bubbled up from above.
“Mrrrph.”
This time, Ries gave her a proper farewell. He blinked slowly, then padded away on light steps.
He could feel his tail perk up and sway side to side. It felt better than he’d expected—having someone who used to keep their distance come up to him first with a smile.
Someday, he hoped Justyn could feel this too. Once the curse was broken, he would. Ries would make sure of it.
With renewed resolve, Ries’s eyes sparkled.
***
“…Ries.”
He burst into the room, eager to see the one who would welcome him back. But what he was met with instead was a set of oddly curious eyes.
“Nya?”
The bunny doll slipped from Ries’s mouth with a soft thud as he looked up at him.
The only part of Justyn’s face Ries could ever see were the eyes behind the twin holes of his mask. But as they spent more time together, Ries had gotten better at reading his moods just from his gaze alone.
That’s how he knew—Justyn wasn’t simply happy to see him home.
…Did I do something wrong?
No, that didn’t make sense. He hadn’t made a mess, hadn’t gotten lost, and he wasn’t even back that late.
While he tilted his head in confusion, trying to piece it together, Justyn slowly stepped closer and crouched down.
Then, he reached out his hand. Ries figured he was about to get a pat on the head, naturally—but that wasn’t it.
“……”
Instead, the bunny doll that had landed on the floor was gently scooped up and rested on Justyn’s black-gloved palm. Already small, the plush looked even tinier nestled in his large hand.
Justyn stared at it for a long moment, expression unreadable.
“Looks like someone gave you a present.”
His voice was calm, almost flat as he pieced it together.
“I’m glad to hear the servants are treating you well.”
On the surface, the words were kind—something you’d say with a warm smile.
“…Mnyaa?”
But the eyes behind the mask told a different story. They were unsettled. Anxious. Maybe even… vaguely hurt?
Ries worked overtime trying to figure out how to react. While he flailed for a response, Justyn suddenly seemed to come to a decision. He lowered the hand holding the doll. Ries could clearly hear him swallow.
“Is there a doll you want? I’ll buy it for you—no. I’ll make it myself.”
“?”
Ries didn’t even have time to react.
If he had a mirror, he would’ve seen himself wide-eyed, jaw slack, wearing the dumbest shocked expression imaginable. He knew it. But his face refused to behave.
So wait…
He mentally rewound the conversation, step by step. And then—bam. Realization struck.
…Is he jealous?
Ries stared up at Justyn. The man had just declared with complete sincerity that he’d make a doll for him, and yet those crimson eyes—like polished red pearls—were shifting side to side like a guilty child’s.
Ries barely resisted the urge to scratch at the floor. It felt like butterflies were fluttering in his stomach.
He let his tail sway freely behind him, head held high, and took a confident step forward.
You’re way too cute for your own good.
It was the kind of thing that sounded absurd to say about a full-grown man, let alone one dressed in black and wearing a mask—but Ries didn’t care. Or rather, he didn’t have the presence of mind to care right now.
He hopped onto the sofa and gave a playful swat at the fishing rod toy laid neatly on top.
A glossy wooden stick with a string dangling from its tip, and at the end of it, a paper fish fluttered weakly.
The edges were wearing out—probably enough to make Justyn wonder if it was time to remake it. Ries batted at it again, then turned to glance over his shoulder.
“The fish? Got it. I’ll make you a new one right away—just hang on.”
The bunny doll had vanished from Justyn’s hand without a trace. He must’ve set it on his desk.
Ries felt a little guilty for the maid who’d gifted it to him… but with his master looking this delighted, how could he possibly ask for it back?
I’ll just have to thank her even more next time.
