CH 5.03

Peridot’s reaction when she sees the roses she worked so hard to breed all over my amusement park will be fascinating to watch. The thought of fighting someone with all my might for the first time in a long time made my heart race.

It felt exactly like when I was informed that my junior, who was missing group projects with various excuses such as attending his grandfather’s funeral or assisting his father’s chicken store, was at a hunting bar*.

*(Hunting bar is where you go with a group of guys or girls and get hooked up with other girls or guys by “hunting”)

For your information, I had spent the entire night in the central library at the time.

It could be considered TMI, but our professor stated that day that team members’ cooperation points are included in group assignments.

I stormed out of the library, feeling like an ancient Mongolian woman on a hunt for her husband, and found that junior at a bar.

But that junior had the audacity to approach me and say:

“You should have fun once in while! Don’t be petty.”

Needless to say, my eyes turned upside down at that time.

“This is my present.”

“Yes?”

It was then.

Lacius extended a long box to me, who had become combative as I recalled my previous slaughter.

A gleaming blue ribbon is tied around the top of a white box embellished with luxurious pearls.

It was so luxurious that there were even pearls at the end of the ribbon.

“You seem to have a knack on picking places where I am not present, so this would be very useful. I requested a special production from the Imperial Ministry of Magic.”

Lacius explained in a friendly tone, handed me the gift, and gently touched my cheek.

I looked down at the box in my arms, a little bewildered.

“Can I open it right now?”

“Go on.”

Just hearing the words “special production request to the Imperial Ministry of Magic” made me think it would be expensive.

It’s not just expensive, it’s also a very rare item.

I knew that celebrities didn’t like to have ready-made items, so they usually commissioned luxury brands to make customised orders, but it didn’t seem real when I became the one doing it.

“A fountain pen?”

“It’s a pen that never runs out of ink. It can be used anywhere, at any time, and on anything.”

“Wow, truly?”

“On marble, on fabric. Everything is possible, even on a rock.”

Oh my goodness. This is exactly what I’m looking for!

With just this, there was nothing to be afraid of.

Villainess #4 suffered greatly because paper and pens were difficult to come by in the desert.

“I requested it a long time ago to give it to you as an engagement gift, but I was able to get it today because it got completed earlier than expected. You said you went through a lot in the desert.”

“You remember that?”

“Of course. After all, it is about you.”

Lacius raised his eyebrows in response to my surprised question.

Wow, this is quite touching.

There’s no way something this amazing could have appeared out of nowhere.

He must have made the request a long time ago.

‘As an engagement present for me.’

Why does that make my heart race?

I scribbled a small note on the back of the princess’s card to commemorate the gift. White butterflies flew up when I drew a small swarm of butterflies and tapped them with my fingertips. It vanished quickly, like a bubble, but it became an eye candy.

“This is truly incredible. Thank you very much.”

“I’m hoping it’ll be useful.”

Fluttering.

The last butterfly that didn’t disappear landed on Lacius’ nose bridge. It’s a cute scene, but Lacius’ expression is solemn, so I burst out laughing. He brushed off the butterfly with a puzzled expression, as if he didn’t understand why I was laughing.

I suddenly remembered something I had completely forgotten as I watched the last butterfly vanish into thin air.

“Oh, right! I have to paint a painting for the princess!”

“Painting?”

“I promised her that I would make her a female Cat. Oh my goodness, I almost forgot.”

I’m glad I remember it now.

“I also need to draw a theme park—!”

“You seem to be very busy.”

“Uwahh, I completely forgot about them.”

“Evershal’s land preparation work is in full swing. After you draw the blueprint, I believe we can proceed with the details.”

“Yes, I have to start working hard right away.”

I hurried to the painting room, blaming myself.

“What— Cat?”

When I opened the door to the painting room, however, I noticed a large figure basking in the sun by the open window. Cat opened one of his eyes slightly as I approached.

“Do you enjoy the sun?”

-Yeah.

Hmmmm. The cat let out a long yawn before lowering its head and covering its eyes with its tail. It indicates that he is tired.

I planned to draw as quietly as possible so as not to wake Cat.

“Hoo.”

But I couldn’t stop myself from sighing. I sighed again as I dip my fingers into the palette to collect the paint. The ears of Cat perked up.

I took out a white canvas, set it on the easel, and sighed once more. Cat then bent its back and stretched out, as if it couldn’t take it any longer. He then approached me and tapped my elbow with his pitch-black, prickly nose.

-Why.

“Cat. I have a problem.”

-What exactly is it?

“There’s this man I don’t know, but he knows who I am.”

-Is this a romantic relationship? That is something I cannot hear.

“No, simply listen first. So, this guy claims to like me. But I’ve never met him. I’m not even interested in getting involved with him. His face is more than enough for me based on my preferences. But dating him would be like walking on thin ice.”

-If you want me to consume him—

“No way, not that…”

Ugh, am I really consulting Cat about this?

I sighed and stopped speaking.

In fact, this was something I couldn’t talk about with anyone.

Who would realise that the current Shay and the former Shay are not the same person?

“Is this why everyone believes in God?”

-Maybe. You are a God to me.

“Eh?”

-Because you made me. You are God, the world, and everything to me.

It was a soothing tone. Above all, there is a genuineness to it.

My chest felt warm, as if I had drank a very thick hot chocolate.

I threw away the palette and wrapped my arms around the soft purring Cat’s neck.

Of course, as soon as I did that, Cat struggled to get away and eventually escaped.

-My fur.

“Sorry, I’m sorry. Well, you should stop being so adorable.”

-Fur

“I apologise. Should I brush your fur for you?”

Tak. Tak. Cat threw a temper tantrum and slammed its tail hard on the floor.

That explains why it’s a cat.

I muttered to myself and scratched Cat’s neck in silence. Cat finally calmed its upset heart after about ten minutes of service.

-Actually, I had something to say to you as well.