The small creature tilted its head, its golden eyes gleaming with an intelligence that seemed almost unnatural.
Victoria's lips curled into a surprised smile. "How were you even able to get in, cutie?" she asked softly, crouching to get a better look. "You're a girl, aren't you? Judging by that pink bow on your head... you must be." She gently reached out, stroking the soft white fur. "You're so adorable."
She let out a light laugh, her voice warm. "Your presence really lifted my mood this morning. I was already dreading facing those horrible people again today, but now… I think I can handle it."
Her gaze then drifted toward the corner of the room where the gift boxes had been arranged neatly the night before by the servants. But something was wrong. Her eyes narrowed.
The golden necklaces, the sparkling earrings, the diamond rings....everything glittering among the gifts had vanished.
In an instant, Victoria forgot all about the cat and sprang to her feet, hurrying over to the boxes.
Did a thief break in? she wondered, her brows knitting together in worry. But then she frowned. No... the door was locked. The windows too. She took a step back, mind racing. If someone did break in, surely I would've woken up.
A chilling thought crept into her mind.
Or… was I knocked out somehow? Is that why I didn't hear anything? But how would someone have even gotten in? Her hands clenched, frustration and confusion darkening her face.
"Meow~"
The sound drew her attention back to the white-furred feline. She turned and walked toward it, scooping it gently into her arms.
"You have such beautiful eyes," she murmured, her voice softer now as she looked into the cat's glowing golden gaze. The way it stared at her....it felt as though it was peering straight into her soul.
"But I'll have to let you go," she said with a reluctant sigh. "I don't even know how you got in here… but it's all right. I'll just set you free. Right now, I'm still worried about my life, let alone take care of a pet. My life is a mess, and owning something as precious as you… feels like a dream I can't afford yet."
"Meow~"
The sound came again, softer this time, almost sorrowful. It tugged at Victoria's heart in a way she hadn't expected.
"You're really pulling at my heartstrings, little one," she whispered, gently cradling the cat closer. "But getting out of this house might just be the greatest favor I could do for you. There are things coming… things no creature should have to witness."
A knock at the door interrupted the moment.
"Good morning, young lady," came the familiar voice of the head maid. "Your brothers are preparing to leave for the academy. They've asked that you hurry so you can all depart together."
"Do you require assistance getting dressed?" the maid called again.
"No, thank you," Victoria responded, her voice carrying a note of weariness. "I'll handle it myself."
She knew all too well what awaited her outside....forced smiles, thinly veiled disdain, and the charade of family. She'd have to face her eldest brother, and only then would everyone else drop the pretense and play nice.
With a sigh, she placed the cat gently on her bed.
"I'll worry about the stolen jewelry later," she muttered under her breath. "Maybe I can replace them using something from my locket. But right now, I have other things to deal with."
She stroked the cat's head affectionately. The little creature closed its eyes in bliss as her fingers brushed through its fur.
"Wait here for me, golden eyes," Victoria whispered. "I'll take my bath and then I'll set you free. You deserve better than this place."
With that, she stood up and dashed into the bathroom, her robe fluttering behind her.
The moment she stepped inside, she filled the bathtub with warm water and scattered rose petals over the surface. The scent of fresh blooms calmed her nerves. From her enchanted locket, she summoned a bar of strawberry-scented soap...her favorite. Fruits were her small obsession, and anything that touched her skin had to carry the fragrance of the things she once could never afford.
She sank into the water slowly, letting its warmth envelop her. Her hair floated around her, and she began to wash it with practiced movements, letting the fruity aroma soothe her weary spirit.
Soon, Victoria stepped out of the bathroom with a warm smile on her face, her silver hair damp and clinging softly to her skin as she gently towel-dried it. A faint aroma of strawberries lingered around her.
"I'm back, Golden Eyes," she called softly as she made way into her room, a small smile playing on her lips.
But the smile quickly faded.
The cat was gone.
Her gaze swept the room in disbelief. The spot on the bed where she had placed the feline was now empty.
"Where did you go?" she whispered to herself, her eyes scanning the room with growing urgency. She crouched and checked beneath the bed, pulled open the wardrobe doors, even looked behind the heavy curtains but the white cat with the pink bow had vanished completely.
"Wait! Am I hallucinating?" she muttered, a frown creasing her forehead. "No, I definitely held a cat in my arms. I stroked her fur, looked into her eyes....she was real." Her mind raced, struggling to make sense of the sudden disappearance. "Did I dream it? But it felt too real."
A voice outside her door snapped her back to the present.
"Young lady, please hurry! If you delay any longer, the Alphas will punish us servants. They should have been at the academy already," the head maid called, her voice tinged with panic.
"I'm coming!" Victoria called back.
She turned toward her wardrobe, quickly selecting a long, flowing yellow skirt adorned with delicate floral embroidery and a matching top. She dressed swiftly, ignoring the tight fit of the fabric as it clung to her curves. Then she blow-dried her damp hair and parted it into two neat ponytails, tying them with soft silk ribbons. Slipping on her polished black shoes, she took a final glance in the mirror and nodded to herself.
"All done," she murmured, then rushed out of the room.
The head maid stood waiting just outside. Victoria didn't waste a second.
"Did you see a stray cat pass through here?" she asked urgently. "White fur. Pink ribbon on her head."