TWFLLYM Ch 27
- Feb 12
- 8 min read
Because I Want to Do Everything for You (1)
[Courtier 1] "Welcome, Your Highness."
[Courtier 2] "Welcome to Kyrien."
[Courtier 3] "May the gods' grace follow your every step."
The greetings never ended. From the moment they crossed the castle gates, courtiers in attire as lavish as those in the capital lined both sides of the path, bowing in a rhythmic wave. The reception far outshone her first entry into Trifolim Palace.
Only then did Roserikta realize that a journey to the Crown Prince’s secondary estate was no casual affair. It wasn't a trip one took on a whim.
Kalart had reduced his entourage and spent hours in the saddle just to fulfill a promise—to let her use a sapphire.
Because of me.
Walking with her head bowed, she stole a glance at his back as he led the way.
He did this for me.
Her eyelashes trembled as she traced the breadth of his shoulders.
She knew she would never forget this. The weight in her chest grew with every passing day, a collection of unforgettable moments piling up like stones.
Even if he forgets everything, I will remember it all.
She pressed a hand against her heart, trying to steady the mounting pressure.
They finally reached the interior of the castle. As expected, his command to give the cat a room adjacent to his own sparked a silent, frantic uproar among the staff, mirroring the chaos at Trifolim.
[Roserikta] "Pardon?"
She blinked, struggling to process the Head Maid’s words.
The Head Maid of Kyrien could have been the sister of the one at Trifolim; she wore her etiquette like armor, and her expression remained cold and unfamiliar.
Predictably, her distaste for the "Cat Maid" matched her counterpart’s perfectly.
[Head Maid] "Change your clothes. You must assist with the dinner service."
At her signal, a servant held out a dress. It looked remarkably similar to the gowns the other maids wore.
[Roserikta] "I cannot serve His Highness at dinner."
Serving the Imperial family during a meal was a high honor reserved for nobles of significant rank.
[Head Maid] "Of course not. You are to serve the cat. His Highness has invited the creature to dine with him. However, you cannot approach the Prince’s table in those unrefined rags. Dress yourself properly."
[Roserikta] "Oh......"
Her eyes met Clobellina’s.
[Clobell] "What’s this now? Are you serving me? Meow!"
Her tail swished with delight. The words 'I’m thrilled' seemed practically etched onto her furry forehead.
[Roserikta] "I...... understand."
If etiquette demanded it, she had no choice. She reached for the dress, but the maids didn't hand it over. Instead, they marched into her bedchamber.
[Head Maid] "This way."
She followed them behind a silk partition near the bed.
[Roserikta] "Ah!"
The sudden touch of the maids made her flinch. The Head Maid watched her with profound disapproval.
[Head Maid] "Be still. How do you expect us to dress you if you keep squirming?"
[Roserikta] "I can dress myself......"
[Head Maid] "Nonsense. I doubt you even know how to lace a proper bodice."
The staff here seemed even stricter, their tone more archaic.
The maids efficiently stripped Roserikta of her traveling clothes. Clobellina paced around the mirror, snickering at her predicament.
[Clobell] "What luxury! Maids dress you from head to toe. That love potion finally paid off."
[Roserikta] "Clobell."
Reduced to her chemise, she glared at the cat, unable to curse aloud in front of the others.
[Clobell] "Why are you calling me?"
[Roserikta] "You......"
[Clobell] "Oh, if you have something to say, spit it out. Can't talk in front of people? Then don't call me at all."
[Roserikta] "......I will remember this."
Her lips moved in a silent, low-voiced threat, but Clobellina ignored her entirely.
The ordeal of being nearly naked before strangers ended quickly. The maids worked with a terrifying, mechanical speed.
Her embarrassment, however, lingered. She instinctively tried to cover herself as the maids cinched the new gown.
The dress was far more elaborate than she expected. Her usual clothes were plain, with only minor ruffles at the sleeves. This dress featured a low-cut neckline that exposed the tops of her breasts, adorned with shimmering gold embroidery. Tiny, intricate pleats gathered just below the bust. It looked less like a servant’s uniform and more like a gown for a grand gala.
To finish the look, the maid braided her hair and pinned it up. With her neck exposed, she felt half-naked.
[Roserikta] "Is...... is this dress necessary?"
She asked with a pained expression. The Head Maid’s sharp gaze snapped back to her.
[Head Maid] "What is wrong with it?"
[Roserikta] "It just...... seems far too ornate for me."
[Head Maid] "Compared to the rags you arrived in, perhaps."
The woman clearly wouldn't allow any other option.
Roserikta closed her eyes, unable to face her reflection. The lemon-colored silk highlighted her curves and made her look like a different person entirely. She never realized her skin was that pale, or that her bust could look so...... prominent.
This isn't a dress.
She bit her lip, which looked plump and flushed against the yellow silk.
This is a ribbon on a gift box.
It served no practical purpose; it only made the gift look more beautiful and inviting for the recipient.
Her face darkened.
I have to stand before him looking like this.
She wanted to run.
[Head Maid] "Now, the cat."
[Maid] "Yes, Head Maid."
Clobellina was not exempt.
[Clobell] "Meow! Why me? I’m most beautiful when I’m naked! I’m a natural beauty!"
Her protests fell on deaf ears. The maids tied a red velvet ribbon around her neck and placed a pearl ornament on her head.
[Clobell] "Ugh...... these ignorant humans. They think pinning junk on me makes me pretty. Absolute lack of taste."
The white cat, meanwhile, required no extra grooming. The maids, having finished wrestling with the uncooperative Clobellina, sighed in relief when they looked at the white feline.
[Maid] "Head Maid, what should we do with this one?"
[Head Maid] "Leave it. His Highness only mentioned the cat named Clobell for dinner."
Clobellina’s expression brightened instantly.
[Clobell] "Hmph. Leaving that one behind? Fine, I’ll go."
The white cat sat motionless on its cushion, its jewel-like eyes scanning the room. It looked more like a doll than a living creature.
Preparation finally concluded. Despite Roserikta’s sullen expression, she and Clobellina now met the palace’s standards. The Head Maid nodded.
[Head Maid] "Now you finally look presentable enough to stand before His Highness. Go to the dining hall and await him."
[Roserikta] "......"
Roserikta squeezed her eyes shut. She hated this.
She clung to one shred of hope: his eyes wouldn't see her as a ribbon-wrapped gift.
He said everything looked strange to him. Even if they put me in this dress to make me look like a meal, I’m the only one who feels embarrassed. To him, I’ll look the same as always.
She suppressed the urge to bolt.
[Roserikta] "Ah......"
Unfortunately, Kalart’s vision could distinguish between bare skin and fabric with agonizing clarity. And her skin was undeniably different from anyone else’s.
[Kalart] "I didn't expect this...…"
He had heard that the Cat Maid would be required to wear formal service attire for dinner. The Head Maid had technically asked for his permission. He hadn't thought much of it when he agreed.
The heat of their first kiss still burned in his veins, hotter than any fever. Memories of her soft lips haunted his dreams and flickered in his mind like ghosts.
Now, Roserikta stood before him, her white skin exposed nearly to her chest.
Does she want me to die?
The thought crossed his mind as he stared.
Her lips looked exceptionally red today. Had her neck always been that long? A long neck meant more places to kiss. And her chest......
[Kalart] "......"
His hand twitched instinctively.
[Eaton] "Your Highness."
Eaton whispered, seeing Kalart standing frozen after spotting Roserikta.
[Eaton] "Please, be seated."
[Kalart] "......"
Kalart fought to swallow the lump in his throat. He had already acted pathetic, begging for kisses; he didn't want to look even more desperate by salivating over a change of clothes.
His body moved on its own, years of royal training taking over. His movements remained graceful and composed, hiding the storm inside his head.
Lafitte placed Clobellina in the seat next to him. To bring her to table height, they had stacked ten velvet cushions on the chair.
[Clobell] "My butt feels unstable. I’m going to topple over."
She grumbled. Roserikta, unable to meet Kalart’s gaze, stared at the floor as she walked over to steady the cushions.
[Roserikta] "It's alright, Clobell. I’ve got you."
[Clobell] "A single meal shouldn't be this much trouble. How annoying."
[Kalart] "Is Clobell uncomfortable?"
He asked quickly, sensing the cat’s mood.
Clobellina often complained that he had lost interest in her, but that was never true.
[Roserikta] "Yes, Your Highness. The cushions are too high; she feels unstable."
She still wouldn't look up. Her voice was barely a whisper.
He reached out both hands.
[Kalart] "Then I shall hold her while I eat. Give her to me."
Lafitte looked ready to have a heart attack.
[Lafitte] "Your Highness! You won't be able to eat."
[Kalart] "I can hold her with my left hand."
[Lafitte] "But etiquette requires both hands......"
The man’s concern for royal decorum outweighed everything.
[Kalart] "Then......"
His eyes shifted to Roserikta.
[Kalart] "Why don't you hold her?"
[Roserikta] "Pardon......?"
She looked up, meeting his gaze. She knew something was wrong—he was about to say something he definitely shouldn't.
[Kalart] "That solves it. Sit and hold Clobell for me. See to her needs."
[Roserikta] "That would mean......"
It meant sitting right beside him until the meal ended.
[Lafitte] "That is impossible, Your Highness!"
Lafitte’s face turned a pale shade of blue.
Lafitte failed to stop him. This wasn't Trifolim Palace, and the Prince reminded them that etiquette could be overlooked if everyone simply kept their mouths shut.
The meal began with the Crown Prince and a commoner maid sitting side by side.
[Kalart] "...…"
[Roserikta] "......"
Neither human could eat. Clobellina was the only one enjoying herself, happily munching on the feast.
[Clobell] "Rosie. Give me that one. That looks delicious."
She pointed a paw toward the roasted pigeon stuffed with peanuts. The meat glistened with fat, looking incredibly savory and equally fattening.
[Roserikta] "......Not too much."
She murmured, cutting the meat.
[Clobell] "Hurry up. I’m salivating."
Clobellina dove in. The sound of her enthusiastic chewing made the nearby servants feel a sudden pang of hunger.
[Kalart] "She seems to enjoy it."
He spoke, his fork and knife held ready, though he was busy staring at Roserikta.
[Kalart] "She likes it much more than boiled cabbage, it seems."
[Clobell] "Of course! Who likes those tasteless greens?"
Clobellina chirped between mouthfuls.
Roserikta, realizing her lie about the cat's diet was about to be exposed, hid her embarrassment.
[Roserikta] "......It's not that. The pigeon must be exceptionally well-prepared today."
[Kalart] "Is that so?"
He finally turned his attention to the food.
The Chamberlain, desperate for the Prince to actually eat, rushed over to cut a piece of pigeon for him.
Kalart sliced a bite-sized piece himself. He speared it with an exquisitely crafted silver fork.
[Kalart] "Then verify it. See if it is truly to Clobell’s taste. If it is, I’ll have the same dish prepared at Trifolim."
His words sounded perfectly natural. The only thing that made no sense was where the fork was heading.
[Roserikta] "Your...... Highness?"
He was trying to feed her.
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