The Elven Duke Reluctantly Marries The Cursed Lady - Chapter 16
The red ribbon Hydrangea gave Violette was a magic tool with different spells woven into it.
Aside from the spell that restricts her movements so she could not escape the estate, there is also a spell that keeps the ribbon clean, a Defensive spell in case someone tries to harm her, and a Tracking spell to track her movements.
It was a unique item that Hydrangea made for the woman who would become his wife.
He had been diligently working on it since his engagement was decided.
It was the masterpiece of Hydrangea von Laudense, the strongest mage in the Kingdom of Lilliphiltia.
Violette had been scratching at the ribbon since earlier, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not get it off.
“Give it up. That ribbon is absolutely impossible to take off.”
[Wh-what did you say~~!!]
Hydrangea chuckled when he saw Violette’s tail stand on end.
Her cat form is so cute even when she’s bewildered or angry.
It was a pain making that ribbon magic tool, but it was totally worth it.
[I’ll never… Forgive you for tying this ribbon on me!]
Violette glared with all her might even as she shook and trembled all over.
To avoid further damaging her mood, it would be best not to mention that there are more than twenty other spells on her.
[Anyway, I cannot stand to be in the same room as you any longer than this!]
“If that’s how you feel, then you may go as you please.”
But only within the perimeter of the Laudense Ducal estate.
The door opened at the snap of Hydrangea’s fingers.
[Wah! Co-could this be… Magic?]
“Yes, it is indeed.”
Violette’s eyes sparkled like jewels as she looked back at Hydrangea.
[That’s imp— not impressive at all!]
She was excited upon seeing magic, but caught and composed herself halfway through.
[Th-then, goodbye!]
“Sure. Rest well, my dear fiance.”
Violette stuck out her tongue in response. The reply was so childish that Hydrangea couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Violette let out a frustrated grumble and walked out of the room.
After the storm had passed, Hydrangea rang the magic bell to call for the lady attendant Verbena.
◇◇◇
There was only one lady attendant in the Duke Laudense estate which lacked a mistress.
Her name was Verbena Ranunculus. She was also the woman who served as Hydrangea’s nursemaid. At 47 years old, she claims that her plump figure is a mass of tolerance.
Although her usual tasks are to instruct the maids on etiquette and to assist the butler, her current orders were to focus on the preparations for welcoming the bride-to-be.
“Your Excellency, it’s rare for you to call for me at this hour, isn’t it?”
“Yes, well I have something to talk to you about.”
“Is it about the cat who was running along the halls?”
“Indeed, it is about that.”
Violette seems to be vigorously running around the mansion. I would like to check on her later.
“This may sound unbelievable, but that cat is the woman who will become my wife.”
Verbena’s expression was tinged with shock.
“Y-your Excellency… Could it be that you have finally succumbed to your great love of cats? I-it’s true that she may be the most beautiful cat that I have ever seen, but…”
“You’ve got it wrong!”
I may love cats, but I’ve never dreamed of marrying one. This is very important, so I must stress this point to her.
“Her name is Violette von Northpole.”
“I-isn’t that the name of the Young Lady from the House of Count Northpole!?”
“Correct. Because of a curse, she turns into a cat when a member of the opposite gender touches her.”
“My, what an unfortunate Lady!”
Verbena believed his story about the curse almost immediately. It seems her earlier impression of him as a pervert who wanted to marry a cat was only temporary.
“So, I would like to entrust Lady Violette’s care in your hands.”
“It would be an honor.”
“I’ll leave it to you then.”
For the meantime, Hydrangea emphasized that she keeps the matter of the curse a secret.
Since Violette was very lively and energetic, he also knew that Verbena could not take care of her needs alone so he ordered her to promote a few of her trusted maids to become her ladies-in-waiting.
“There’s also the thing about the curse, so make sure that no man gets close to her.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“Oh, and please capture Lady Violette right away. If the curse comes undone, it would surely cause a huge commotion.”
“A commotion?”
That is, when the curse wears off, she would appear naked.
Verbena instantly turned pale.
“Th-then she must be taken to her room immediately.”
Hydrangea stopped Verbena just as she was about to run off. Taking a crystal from a drawer in his desk, he checked Violette’s location.
“Right now, it seems she’s running through the kitchens.”
“Oh no! That place is full of men!”
“I’ll lend you this crystal, so go and look for her.”
Verbena instantly took off to protect Violette.
30 minutes later, Verbena came back while taking deep breaths.
“Th-thank you for this crystal, Your Excellency. I have already taken Lady Violette to the room we have prepared for her.
“Good work. I see you have captured her without incident.”
“Yes…”
Verbena had crawled on the floor and did her best to persuade Violette to go to her room.
“So Lady Violette was really affected by a cat curse.”
“You had your doubts?”
“Rather, I was half-convinced, Your Excellency.”
It seems the curse hasn’t worn off yet. When he received the crystal, Hydrangea saw Violette sleeping while curled up in a basket lined with a velvet blanket.
“I prepared it for her since she told me she felt more at ease inside the basket than on the big bed.”
“S-so cute…!”
“Yes? Did you say something, Your Excellency?”
“N-no, it’s nothing. You may take your leave now.”
“Then, please excuse me.”
For a while, Hydrangea watched through the crystal as Violette slept.
