{Continent of Alaz, Roman Empire, Province of Light, the capital Lutezia, the courtyard of the Starlight family.}
{In the chambers of the governor's third wife.}
A young girl, no older than sixteen at first glance, glided through the deserted corridors of a magnificent estate. Her soft yet hurried steps echoed against marble walls adorned with antique frescoes. The air was saturated with the scent of lavender and the freshness of a sea breeze drifting in through open windows.
She wore a Victorian-style maid's dress—an odd anachronism among the columns and statues of ancient Roman architecture.
Yet even more surprising was her appearance: sharp feline ears with white fluff inside peeked out from beneath her thick black hair, and a black, fluffy tail swayed in time with her steps.
The girl was clearly in a hurry. Her breathing had quickened, and her cheeks had flushed pink from her brisk pace, making her even more attractive.
At last, she reached the massive door leading to her mistress's chambers.
The maid stopped, caught her breath, and carefully smoothed the folds of her dress. Hesitating for a moment, she knocked.
The knock was so quiet that it was barely audible even to herself. Nevertheless, the response came quickly. From behind the door came a gentle voice, like the chime of silver bells:
"Come in."
The servant smiled and carefully opened the heavy door, secretly hoping the hinges would not creak. She was visibly nervous and did not want to disturb the occupants of the room in any way.
Upon entering, she saw her mistress. A beautiful woman with silvery hair and a radiant smile was bathed in sunlight, like the embodiment of happiness itself. She wore a simple white dress that emphasized the grace of her figure. Eyes the color of a summer sky were fixed on two small bundles of cloth she held in her arms.
The scene was so harmonious that the poor maid felt guilty for intruding upon their idyll.
"It's you, Cassia! How wonderful that you're here. I've been waiting for you so much," the lady said joyfully, never taking her loving gaze off the two infants.
Although Cassia had followed this woman since childhood, she still could not believe that someone so beautiful and untainted could exist in the mortal world.
She made a deep curtsy, feeling her heart flutter with anticipation.
"I am here to serve you, Lady Catherine," Cassia said with slight nervousness.
In response, Catherine chuckled softly and gently reproached her subordinate:
"Why are you always so formal? Come now, Cassia, there's no need for excessive politeness. You know I treat you more like a younger sister than a servant."
"I am not worthy, my lady. Please allow me to fulfill my role; it is an honor for me."
"All right. All right. As you wish," Catherine snorted displeasedly, then immediately changed the subject. "I called you so that you would be the first to see my beautiful children."
Cassia's narrow pupils widened with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Her black, fluffy tail wagged uncontrollably from side to side, and her ears twitched slightly, betraying her excitement.
Though she would never say it aloud, she was genuinely happy that this honor had fallen to her. She would finally see the two little humans, flesh and blood of her mistress.
The young maid was already imagining how she would spoil her new young masters.
Shifting awkwardly, she asked in a voice trembling with excitement:
"May… may I hold them?"
Watching Cassia's behavior, Catherine laughed approvingly. She understood her subordinate perfectly—trying to maintain propriety while being far too impatient and curious.
"Fufu-fufu. I know you're eager, dear, but wait a couple of days. They're still very fragile, they can't even hold their heads up yet. I promise you'll be able to play with them as much as you want soon."
"Wonderful. I mean… I would be honored, my lady!" the cat-girl said, blushing slightly.
"Fufufu, you're so cute when you pout, Cassia. Don't be upset—help me choose names for them instead."
"Look at this sweet little angel. What do you think?" Catherine asked, pointing to the girl with the same silvery hair as her own.
The baby paid no attention to the adults' conversation. She laughed wholeheartedly, tangling herself in her mother's hair as if under a light drizzle. Her chubby cheeks puffed adorably, and her blue eyes sparkled with happiness.
Cassia leaned closer to examine the charming baby.
"What a beautiful girl!" the maid exclaimed in admiration. "It's like I'm looking at you as a child. So bright and full of life. I think her name should mean exactly that."
"Fufufu, I had the very same thought," Catherine smiled, gently stroking her daughter's silvery curls. "I wanted to name her Grace. It means radiant, elegant, blessed by the gods."
"Grace… That name suits her perfectly, my lady. I'm sure she'll grow up to be an absolute beauty," Cassia agreed immediately.
"Fufufu... you're right. And what about this little rascal?" Catherine said tenderly. "What do you think? I have an idea, but I'm not sure."
The maid shifted her gaze to the black-haired boy with deep, whirlpool-like blue eyes. His gaze never left his mother for even a second. He seemed utterly enchanted, staring at her with devotion, as if trying to unravel the secrets of the universe.
For a moment, Cassia wished the baby would look at her the same way. She couldn't help but think of how many hearts he would break in the future, how many young maidens would be irretrievably lost in those bottomless eyes.
When she leaned closer, the boy was distracted and suddenly reached for her black ears, catching the servant completely off guard.
Everyone knew that the ears of the catfolk were extremely sensitive. They were an erogenous zone, no different from the chest or thighs. Naturally, touching them was taboo.
But the boy did not know that.
Feeling a small, warm hand where it should not be, Cassia felt shivers run down her spine. The touch was soft and gentle, like the brush of a feather.
"Mrrr…" — an involuntary purr escaped her chest.
The young maid experienced a mix of shame and embarrassment as she received the attentions of the young lord. Had it been anyone else, they would have already lost a hand, if not their life—but this was her mistress's son.
'He's just a child, I can forgive his mischief. It's not because I enjoy his caresses at all,' Cassia justified herself inwardly.
Her reaction seemed to delight the boy immensely. His face lit up with a joyful smile, and satisfied sparks danced in his eyes. He laughed and continued to enjoy his new "toy."
"Fufufu, my little devil is already charming the ladies," Catherine teased the young maid at once. "Cassia, it seems you've become his first admirer."
The girl blushed, though she kept her face composed. To avoid worsening the already awkward situation, she hastily changed the subject:
"My lady, we must choose a name! Umm, let me think. The baby has black hair but white skin. He's very calm, yet playful as well. In a word—contradiction. Yes, I think I know what name would suit him! It should be Gray," Cassia blurted out in a burst of sudden inspiration.
The idea came to her so naturally, as if the heavens themselves had offered the suggestion.
Catherine's eyes widened at her words. Even her gentle voice trembled with surprise:
"H-how? Gray? Are you joking, Cassia? That's exactly what I wanted to name him! Confess—you were eavesdropping, weren't you? Tsk, such a naughty maid…"
"N-no, my lady, it's just… just… It seems like the name fits him perfectly. As if the gods themselves want him to be called that," Cassia explained shyly, her ears twitching slightly in the baby's hands.
"Fufufu, you certainly have a vivid imagination," Catherine laughed.
She looked thoughtfully at the two children and delivered her verdict:
"Then that's how it must be. Gray and Grace—perfect names for twins. So similar, yet so different. I can't wait for them to grow up."
Cassia smiled. She was glad she had managed to guess her mistress's thoughts. That was exactly how a perfect servant—one like herself—should act.
"They will grow up wonderful, my lady. I'm sure Lord Adam will be pleased with the new heirs…" — as if suddenly realizing, Cassia cut herself off, not daring to continue.
'How foolish of me! I became too self-satisfied and couldn't hold my tongue. Bad Cassia! What have you done?!' — the maid cursed her unruly mouth inwardly, but the words had already been spoken, and the mood in the room changed instantly.
At the mention of her husband, Catherine's beautiful face lost its former playfulness, her brow creasing with displeasure and irritation.
That man had disappeared after their wedding night, leaving her alone in the cold palace.
Not once had he asked about her condition during the pregnancy, only occasionally sending servants. He was not with her when she needed him so desperately. And even three days later, he still had not come to see the children.
It would have been a miracle if Catherine had not cursed him in the depths of her soul.
Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself and asked more restrainedly:
"What did he say?"
"P-please forgive me, milady," Cassia stammered, mumbling, unwilling to speak.
"It's all right, Cassia, I don't blame you. Just tell me," Catherine insisted.
"H-His Majesty Adam Starlight said he is delayed at a meeting with the clergy regarding anomalous signs. He promised to visit you as soon as the matter is resolved. He also ordered me to report on your condition and asked whether there was any need for the services of a wet nurse," the maid reported obediently, feeling her resentment for her mistress grow with every word.
Catherine's body trembled with restrained fury and hurt. She remained silent for a long time, thinking.
As if sensing their mother's emotions, the twins stopped laughing, tears about to spill from their eyes.
Coming back to herself, Catherine returned to reality. She held the babies closer and began rocking them.
"Cassi, I'm a little tired," Catherine forced a smile that made Cassia physically ache to see. "Besides, I need to feed the twins. Could you come back a little later? Tomorrow morning, perhaps. I'm sure both Gray and Grace will be happy to see you again. And yes—tell him that I'm fine. There's no need to trouble anyone. He may do as he wishes."
Cassia felt her heart tighten at her mistress's words.
She wanted to say something, but realized it would be better to leave Catherine alone right now. She herself was to blame for disrupting their idyll.
Now she had to go.
"As you wish, my lady," — she bowed and left the room.
Only the gentle melody of a lullaby filled the spacious chamber. Catherine's face underwent another unexpected transformation. From perfectly calm, it became deeply concerned—loving.
She addressed the twins with an intonation of almost primal maternal love:
"You must be hungry, my little ones, yes? Don't worry. Mommy is here, mommy will always love and protect her precious treasures."
Barely perceptible notes of madness and obsession slipped into her words as she lowered her white dress to feed the babies.
Catherine turned her gaze to the window. The crescent moon, hiding behind the clouds, cast soft silvery reflections over the nighttime cityscape. The city still shimmered with its lights, but they had not the slightest connection to her.