JSOML 03

Chapter 03

The place where Lery had come to, the ‘Centineo’ Empire.

The ‘Centineo’ Empire was located on the continent of ‘Arcana,’ and on that continent, there had long been a myth about the ‘Seven Guardian Gods’ who ruled over it.

The Seven Guardian Gods, in the forms of animals, had protected the peace of the continent.

Because the Guardian Gods could not manifest themselves directly, they bestowed their divine powers upon ‘Saints and Holy Maidens’ or ‘Contractors’ in each nation.

Therefore, only they could inherit the throne.

‘Centineo’ worshipped ‘Lycaon,’ the Wolf Guardian among the seven gods, and was so full of faith that they erected statues of him everywhere.

In such a place, raising a ‘cat’ that was not a canine animal was practically taboo.

But the Crown Prince of the Centineo Empire, ‘Theodore Lustia Centineo,’ was different.

Despite everyone’s opposition, he insisted and raised a cat as his companion.

Because he had been helped by a cat when he was young, he had become a ‘cat mad lover,’ and it had been a year since he started living with Lery.

Today as well, as he looked down at Lery lovingly without fail, his aide Luke pleaded, swallowing his tears.

“You must go now.”

“Mm~”

“Today’s agenda is about deciding on Your Highness’s marriage partner! What?!”

“Mm, yeah.”

This frustrating man!

Aide Luke pounded his own chest with his fist.

But the greatly anticipated Crown Prince only gazed endlessly at the sleeping cat.

Theodore brushed his forehead back leisurely. Light spilled from his cascading hair.

His facial features revealed in between shone white under the sunlight, and his gentle, smiling eyes were charming.

If there was one regrettable thing about him, who was perfect in every way, it was that Lery always came first, above all else.

“Are you going to live alone your whole life?!”

“Why alone? I have Lery.”

“No! Your Highness!”

“Why~? Luke.”

Theodore giggled, mimicking Luke’s manner of speech.

He has time to joke around at a time like this?

Frustrated by his slick attitude, Luke unfurled a scroll containing the list of Crown Princess candidates.

“We’ve received a letter stating that these individuals, possessing the basic qualifications for the next Crown Princess, have been strictly selected!”

“Is that so?”

Theodore replied nonchalantly.

Then Luke twitched his eyebrows and read the list aloud, emphasizing each character.

“Crown Princess Candidate Number 1: Olivia Lancer.”

“She doesn’t have blue eyes, though.”

“……Crown Princess Candidate Number 2: Emelia Cochran.”

“She doesn’t have pink jelly, though.”

“Ha. Crown Princess Candidate Number 3: Bella Lopez.”

“She doesn’t have a tail, though.”

“Your Highness Theodore!”

“What is it, Luke?”

At Theodore’s childish responses, Luke frantically scratched his own forehead.

What should he do? His Majesty the Emperor was pressing him to finalize the marriage.

Meanwhile, due to their commotion, Lery, who had been sleeping, perked up her ears.

‘He said he was the best butler,’

‘Looks like my owner is the Crown Prince.’

……With a cat lover thrown in.

Suddenly, an alarm sound came like an uninvited guest.

[SYSTEM: Synchronization between ‘Juena (Human)’ and ‘Lery (Cat)’ is in progress.]

[Currently 11% in progress……]

“Mya……. (So annoying…….)”

It was the system window again. Even after waking up, the reality of being a cat remained unchanged.

Lery irritably tapped the pink jelly on the floor.

Sensing her movement, Theodore immediately spotted Lery and carefully opened his lips.

“Lery, you’re awake?”

His voice was full of concern, perhaps surprised because Lery had thrown a tantrum last night and then fallen asleep in an instant.

And for good reason—for the past few weeks, Lery, who had been lacking energy, hadn’t eaten anything and had only slept.

Had she thrown a tantrum last night because she was sick? His worry deepened.

Lery, who had no way of knowing his inner thoughts, felt somewhat sorry.

‘……He probably didn’t mean any harm either. Was I too harsh?’

He is the Crown Prince, after all.

When Lery reluctantly met his gaze, he narrowed his large eyes gently and spoke softly.

“Why did you sleep so long? Did you dream of me?”

“MYAK! (EW!)”

Repulsed by his cringey words, Lery covered her mouth.

How could he say things like that so casually? It was enough to give her goosebumps even though she didn’t have any.

‘It’s dizzying, really…….’

Lery backed away to distance herself from him, even just a little.

At that moment, a translucent system window appeared above his face with a clear chime.

[SYSTEM: Would you like to view the character information for ‘Theodore (Crown Prince)’?]

[YES/NO]

‘What is this now……? It’s not even an otome game.’

Lery narrowed her round eyes. She didn’t particularly want to know, but it seemed necessary.

So she reluctantly pressed the ‘YES’ button.

Immediately, Theodore’s information window appeared like a card.

[~Character Information~

Name: Theodore Lustia Centineo (age 25)

Career: Currently the Crown Prince of the Centineo Empire, 1-year butler to the cat ‘Lery’

Keywords: Only-kind-to-Lery man/Hot guy/Clingy man/Face genius

Special Notes: The only person in the Centineo Empire who raises a cat as a companion pet. After being helped by a cat in the past, he became someone who can’t control himself around cats. (View Details)

Affection Level: ♥♥♥♥♥+ (Affection level indicates the character’s fondness towards the cat ‘Lery’.)]

Lery was at a loss for words after reading the character information.

The information window briefly summarized how he had become obsessed with cats.

While reading the information half-heartedly, Lery paused at the ‘Affection Level’ display.

Not only was it filled with hearts, but there was also a ‘+’ attached.

Feeling Lery’s intense gaze, Theodore turned his head somewhat shyly.

“Staring at me like that makes me embarrassed, Lery.”

“MYAANG……. (He’s truly crazy…….)”

Watching him look happy, Lery thought that perhaps she had ended up with an even more extraordinary owner than she had initially thought.

‘But what’s this ‘View Details’?’

Lery turned away from Theodore’s face and focused on the system window again.

The [View Details] button was written unusually small, almost as if she might have missed it.

Thinking there must be a reason it was written so small, Lery quickly pressed the button.

But,

[SYSTEM: ※Warning!※ Your current stats are too low to use the ‘View Details’ system.]

Only a warning message appeared.

‘What stats! I’m not really a monster in a game!’

Annoyed, Lery flattened her triangular ears sideways.

Unable to access the information she actually needed, she felt her irritation rising.

Meanwhile, unaware of Lery’s change in mood, Theodore gestured to Luke.

“Luke, have them bring that special meal you mentioned earlier.”

“……The special cat meal?”

“Yes.”

“No, Your Highness. That’s not what’s important right now…….”

“I’ll go after you give that to me.”

At his firmness, Luke rang a bell. A maid waiting outside the door immediately entered.

Taken aback by the swift turn of events, Lery’s eyes widened like candies.

“Mya……? (Special meal?)”

“Lery, I told them to put only the things you like.”

He answered with a smile.

Satisfied, Lery gently placed her front paw on him. As if handing him a passing certificate.

‘I can’t resist a special meal.’

She was feeling hungry anyway, so Lery’s mouth unconsciously twitched.

Her cute appearance brightened his face too. It seemed this was the joy of raising a cat.

Lery’s fan service continued until the maid brought the special meal.

“Your Highness, here is the special meal.”

“Bring it closer.”

Lery’s eyes sparkled like pebbles at the plate the maid brought.

But she soon wrinkled her nose. A strong, unpleasant smell stung her nostrils.

Frowning, Lery stealthily backed away.

“Lery, it’s your favorite fish, boiled thoroughly. With good medicinal herbs.”

What? No way.

While a horrified Lery moved away from the food, the oblivious Theodore scooped up a generous amount of fish and brought it to Lery’s mouth.

The unidentified food gradually asserted its presence right before Lery’s eyes.

“You need to eat.”

“MYA! (Would YOU eat this?!)”

With a fish head floating in it!

‘I thought she’d bring steak, salmon, or even bread at least……. Yeah, I’m the fool for expecting cat food.’

Disappointed, Lery turned her head away sharply at an angle.

Theodore dejectedly put down the spoon. He had prepared it, expecting her to like it, but he had no idea what the problem was.

Luke, who had been anxiously watching them, could no longer hold back and pleaded with him.

“Your Highness, you really must go now.”

“Yeah.”

“No, don’t just answer me……. My head might be on the line.”

“Can’t have that.”

However, his gaze was still fixed on Lery.

“No, Your Highness. Please worry about my life just a little bit too.”

“Just take one bite, okay?”

Lery glanced briefly at Luke. He looked like he was about to cry any moment. Since she was partly to blame for this situation, she suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

Lery reluctantly closed her eyes tightly.

‘I’ll just close my eyes and take one bite.’

Then she lowered her face towards the bowl where the fish’s eyes gleamed sharply.

Holding her breath, she stuck out her tongue, and a fishy, salty taste assaulted her taste buds.

At the same time, she felt a sudden wave of nausea. She couldn’t understand how cats could eat something like this.

“Good job.”

Finally satisfied, Theodore stroked Lery’s head.

As she blankly received his touch, a clear sound was heard.

[SYSTEM: Theodore’s (Crown Prince) disappointment has significantly decreased!]

The notification window scattered stardust as if celebrating.

‘He must have been really disappointed yesterday. But he crossed the line with the butt thing.’

She felt a little sorry for him, but before considering his feelings, Lery was the human ‘Juena.’ Even if circumstances had led her to this state.

“You must go now.”

After the commotion had settled, Luke urged her on, thumping his feet. His tone implied he could delay no longer.

Lery also nodded her sticky-rice-cake-like head in agreement.

Okay, I took one bite, now go!

“Just one more bite.”

But Theodore didn’t budge an inch, like a stone.

‘Just go already. Isn’t this basically dereliction of duty using me as an excuse?’

Just as Lery was nonchalantly pushing the bowl away with her front paw,

“This is Ian.”

Knock knock. A dignified voice came from outside the door.