Don't Be Obsessed With Your Cat Butler - Chapter 19
“Have you returned, Master?”
Cedric, who had been waiting for Nox, quickly approached and greeted him. He was quite surprised to see the long black hair of the woman slumped in Nox’s arms.
He had thought it was just a rumor, but to think that a black-haired woman actually existed.
“Yes.”
Nox turned Sia’s face, which looked off, to get a better look—and flinched slightly in surprise. Only the whites of her eyes were showing.
“…Hm.”
Not wanting to make a fuss in front of his subordinates, Nox lightly tapped her cheek with the back of his hand. Her eyes rolled back into place, revealing her pupils.
“Ahem.”
Startled by the bizarre sight, Nox cleared his throat. Just then, Sia, realizing they had arrived, let out a breath of relief and spoke.
“C-Can I get down?”
“…Wait.”
Still holding her waist tightly, Nox leapt down from the horse.
“Kyaaah!”
They landed quickly, but Sia dangled from his arm, flailing.
“Hey.”
“Ugh, why is that horse so tall?!”
Her nerves frayed by fear, Sia forgot the situation and shouted. Alarmed, Nox quickly set her down. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she collapsed in relief.
“Oh no, Milady!”
Cedric, who had been watching, rushed over in concern, and Nox also bent down, startled, to help her up.
But Sia was faster. She lifted her head sharply, glanced around, and quietly raised herself up.
“…Where is this?”
She had thought Karin’s house was rather elegant, but this place was beyond imagination—luxurious and vast, far beyond simply ‘classic’. Even the entrance door alone was radiant.
“Welcome, Milady. I am Cedric de Greenwood, head butler of the Blois Duchy.”
“Ah…”
Only then did Sia realize she was sitting on the ground during his self-introduction. She quickly stood up and, seeing the knights still encircling her from a distance, turned her gaze to Cedric.
“Ah, I’m… Sia. Just Sia.”
She felt it would be better not to say ‘Yoo Sia’. The surnames here seemed similar to European ones in many ways.
“Lady Sia, I see.”
“The term ‘Lady’ is a bit…”
That term likely didn’t mean the same thing as it did in Korea. It probably referred to an unmarried woman of noble birth.
“But…”
Cedric also didn’t know how else to address her and glanced subtly to gauge his master’s reaction. Watching silently, Nox cut in.
“We can sort out titles later.”
“Ah, yes. Shall I guide you to the dining room, then?”
“Do so.”
Nox began walking first. Cedric followed. Sia hesitated, unsure what to do, then quietly followed them. Only then did the knights encircling her disperse in relief.
But that relief was short-lived. As soon as she entered, she found herself under the unpleasant gazes of the household staff, just as numerous as the knights.
By now, it was impossible not to notice: they clearly hated black hair. No, they despised it.
Sia couldn’t understand why this man had brought her here. Judging by his attitude, it didn’t seem like he had come to arrest her…
Surely he didn’t bring her just because they had the same hair color?
But if she had to live surrounded by such openly hostile gazes, she, too, would have wanted to bring someone like herself.
Lost in thought as she walked, she absentmindedly rubbed the leftover catnip powder from her hands onto her skirt. It had been leftover from what she’d given Karin earlier.
That one small action changed the servants’ attitudes. As they visibly flared their nostrils, Sia quietly reached into her pocket and pulled out the mint candy tin, shaking out the remaining catnip into her hand.
She rubbed it between her hands as if washing them, then swept her hair back behind her ear.
Their gazes clung to her, then quickly scattered. Even Cedric’s walking pace wavered slightly. Nox, walking at the very front, was no exception.
The intoxicating scent of the herb filled the air. He had to resist the urge to turn around. But with all the staff watching, he forced himself not to react.
