Watching the maid’s eyes light up with adoration, wanting to hug her but not daring to, Yuna rolled her eyes. At least the maid knew her place—if she really dared to hug her, Yuna wouldn’t mind scratching her!
Luckily, the maid remembered that this was the Divine Beast, and also the prince’s precious treasure—she didn’t dare touch her carelessly.
Yuna ignored the maid and walked up to the little cat, glancing at what it was eating. She couldn’t help feeling a bit sympathetic—food from the Demon King was so much tastier!
She stretched out a paw and nudged the little black cat, who was so absorbed in eating. The little black cat looked up at her, eyes full of confusion, then brightened instantly, meowing twice and rubbing up against her.
Yuna suddenly said with disdain, “I don’t want to eat that!” Only then did she realize—she could actually understand cat language!
Yuna was instantly deflated, drooping her head in despair, on the verge of tears. Was she really a cat now?
“Meow...”
Another meow sounded. Yuna feebly nudged her 'kindred spirit' beside her, “Leave me alone...”
The maid finally snapped out of it, smiling as she said, “Shadow really likes the little kitty!” She looked genuinely pleased.
Yuna drooped her head even lower, feeling even more dejected. Just listen to those names! Shadow? Little Kitty? Little Black Cat?
Yuna stretched out her paw and scratched her head vigorously, then suddenly turned to the little black cat and asked seriously, “Am I a cat?”
“Meow meow...”
“No?” Yuna frowned, confirming again, “Really?”
“Meow...”
“Wahaha...” Yuna suddenly leapt up, laughing, “I knew I wasn’t a cat!”
She spun around in place a few times, then pounced on the little black cat with her paw. “Shadow, I love you to bits!”
Suddenly, the temperature in the room dropped sharply. The maid was so frightened, she dropped to her knees. “Greetings, Your Highness...”
Yuna turned her head and saw Ethan Gray standing not far away, his hands behind his back, face full of hostility. He looked truly frightening.
Yuna frowned, glancing down at Shadow, who was pinned beneath her. The more she looked, the more she liked him. Suddenly, she jumped up and bounced over to Ethan Gray’s feet, exclaiming, “Demon King, I want to keep him!”
She didn’t know if she was just slow or if she simply wasn’t afraid of Ethan Gray at all. Despite the obvious chill in the air, she seemed completely unfazed.
When she spoke, Ethan Gray’s face grew even darker, his eyes blazing with fury. “No!”
His voice was thick with anger, startling Yuna so much that her playful smile vanished instantly.
Yuna stared at Ethan Gray for a moment, seeing his face still gloomy and fierce. She turned and walked away, “Shadow, let’s go!” She had thought he treated her well! But now, he was being mean for no reason!
Ethan Gray’s whole body tensed, his anger completely out of control. He spat out each word, “Just try leaving!”
Yuna paused, turned to look at him, her eyes dim. She asked softly, “Demon King, do you only see me as a pet?”
Ethan Gray saw her sad expression, his lips moved, but he didn’t know how to comfort her.
Yuna glanced at him, pouting, “Don’t bother denying it. Otherwise, why would you be so quick to snap at me?” After all, she wasn’t human right now, just a little beast. Expecting others to treat her as a person was a bit much—she couldn’t blame anyone for that.
Just as she was thinking this, someone suddenly scooped her up. Yuna looked up to see those enchanting eyes now filled with regret, the cold and anger gradually fading away.
Ethan Gray gently rubbed her head and sighed, “I’m sorry... I shouldn’t have lost my temper.”
Yuna was stunned, and asked in confusion, “Then why were you angry?”
Ethan Gray’s hand paused mid-motion, then he suddenly shouted again, “Do you realize you’re a girl? And you’re a Divine Beast—you’re not allowed to associate with those stray cats!”
Yuna was so flustered by his yelling that she felt dizzy. “Shadow has an owner!” she protested, meaning Shadow was a house cat, not a stray!
“In any case, you’re not allowed to mingle with those questionable cats!”
“Why?” Yuna was full of dissatisfaction, grumbling, “You’re the one who called me a little kitty! If I’m a cat, of course I should be with my kind—otherwise, it’s so lonely!”
Ethan Gray frowned deeply. She was right! There was nothing wrong with being with her own kind—even a Divine Beast needed a mate. But now, there was probably only one Divine Beast left, so she’d have to settle for a cat that looked similar.
Lost in thought, Ethan Gray stared at the little black cat, not realizing how terrifying his gaze was. Shadow trembled with fear, not daring to make a sound.
The mood in the garden grew heavy. The maid knelt on the ground, her face pale, not daring to rise. Shadow was so frightened he collapsed, while Ethan Gray kept glaring at him, growing more and more annoyed, almost wanting to kill him!
Yuna saw the murderous look in Ethan Gray’s eyes and suddenly shouted, “Don’t hurt Shadow!”
Ethan Gray snorted coldly, then suddenly picked her up and walked away. Yuna struggled, saying, “Wait, bring Shadow—I want to keep him!”
Ethan Gray pinched her ear and gritted his teeth, “Say one more word and you’ll be eating cat meat for dinner!”
Yuna pointed her paw at him angrily, “You actually want to eat me!”
Ethan Gray didn’t bother correcting her misunderstanding. He slapped her paw away and snorted, “Keep it up and I’ll turn that little black cat into mincemeat!”
Yuna shrank back, glancing at him, “You’re so cruel!”
He walked over to the dining table and sat down, placing Yuna on the table. With a stern face, Ethan Gray said, “Little thing, remember this—you’re mine. If you dare run off with those stray cats, I’ll eat cat meat every day until I finish off all your ‘kindred’!”
Good thing no one heard the Demon Lord’s bold declaration, or there’d be a crowd fainting in shock. The Demon Lord’s image, oh my!
Yet the Demon Lord’s dramatic oath got no response. Yuna’s soft fur bristled all over, her dark eyes glaring at Ethan Gray, as if ready to burst into flames any second. “You’re threatening me with my own kind!”