Avy had pretty much established a connection with their family servants that she no longer feel the imaginary mocking gazes that the original Avy's rotten mindset fed her out of her declining mental state. They also became accustomed to her nature, which was her tendency to speak almost rudely and the not-so-long patience of hers, as well as her eating habits. But the new set of faces brought back the feeling that she was being watched and every move she made would be judged. Not as if she cared, but it was not pleasant.

Hence she hid away inside the room that she was given.

"Lumiere...?"

Avy, currently, crouched down in front of a small furball that was peacefully sleeping on a cushion that her maid got from God knows where while staring at it intently as if her questions would be answered if she did it diligently enough.

"Dusk...?" she muttered uncertainly.

Yes. It was happening. The 'Lady Avy' who cared not to give a name to a dying cat was having an internal crisis for not being able to find a suitable name for the said feline that rested before her. In her defense, she couldn't just call it 'cat' or something and Marie is too considerate of her to do the honor of naming the animal. She was really waiting for her to do it, knowing how she seemed too gentle towards the cat, she thought she would, but out of respect for her master, she held herself back. And Avy was too prideful to name it in front of the maid, that was why she was doing it while she was still alone and her personal servant wasn't around.

She would've named it Lucy but she found out it was a he, and her friend was female, obviously, it was out of the question. How she wished her knowledge would be useful in these kinds of situations, but no matter what she did, her naming sense is just too dumb, not that she would admit, well, not after being told it was weird to name her cactus 'Stenocereus' just because it was hard to pronounce. But what who the fuck would tell people to greet her cactus first thing they come inside her house going like, 'Hey, how's Stenocereus doing these days?'.

Absolutely not.

Of course, she named it not to introduce it to others, it was just on a whim, just like the time when she named the rat that accidentally found its way inside her house 'Rattus' before the said rodent left her abode.

But seriously, her brain just stops working.

"Why are you trying so hard to name that... thing?"

Ares appeared next to her, not in the form of a human nor a snake, but surprise! Another cat, and just like his panter form, he was a dark-furred cat. To explain everything simply, she was thinking of using the excuse of him saving her for him to be able to land a spot inside the Arkwright mansion, but Avy thought it would be a terrible idea since Clerivan would be on edge every second of the day because of his presence.

That's why she thought of a plan on the spot and told Ares to approach them in a cat form, but after they part ways of course. Clerivan would go crazy if he suddenly shrunk into an animal in front of him. And although the knight was against the idea of her bringing home a street cat, he surrendered and not dwelled on it any longer in fear of upsetting the moody girl that was already housing the said furball in her arms. They ended up taking him to the house, surprising Marie. "The little cat now has a sibling and he might recover faster because of it." is what the maid said.

"I was not," she hissed, standing up from her position as the small black cat trailed behind her.

"And didn't I tell you not to speak when you're like that? It's creepy."

Avy watched as Ares, in his cat body, made his way to the bed. He settled down comfortably as if it was his own and proceeded to lick his paws like how normal cats do. He looked at her dead in the eyes and said, "No." before flopping back down.

The almost unbearable urge to kick the creature and watch it fly across the room almost took over, if not for him looking like a harmless ball of black, she would've done the deed, but she chose to be more patient, or maybe just straight up leave the room to push back the thought.

"Where are you going?" she heard his voice again when she was about to leave the room, clenching a book - that she did not steal from her father's study- in her right hand and a pen and a notebook in the other.

She didn't look back and spare her snake - cat rather, servant a glance and just spoke, "Away from you."

"You'll leave this cute cat alone? You're so cruel," Ares stated, faking his saddened tone.

"Go to hell," she spat but Ares jumped down the bed nonetheless prompting Avy to roll her eyes.

They were about to exit the room when a sound called their attention.

A soft mewl was heard. Avy turned around and looked at the gray cat that could only be the source of the sound because stupid Ares isn't capable of such a cute sound because he is an asshole. There she saw the gray feline struggling to stand up and walk towards them while weakly meowing as if telling them to wait up, wait for him 'cause he also wants to go.

"What do you want, cat?" asked Ares who circled the other. "You're coming too?"

He got a small meow as a response, Avy raised his brow, it was weird to see Ares talking to an animal in his animal form.

"You could barely lift yourself, what makes you think you can go?" the black cat's tone was almost mocking and Avy was sure he saw the gray furball's head hung low in disappointment.

"Leave the cat alone," Avy intervened, walking closer to the gray cat before picking him up in her arms, the book and notebook were between her arms and sides while she held the pen with the hand that supported the cat, careful not to stab the little guy before heading out of the room.

Just after she opened the door, her maid's face greeted her who looked like she was just about to knock and announce her presence. Clerivan, of course, stood by the side, guarding her room as always.

"Are you off to somewhere, My Lady?" asked the maid before her eyes landed on the furball resting on her mistress' arms, softening her face features in the process and shooting the lady a knowing look.

"The garden," Avy answered as she clears her throat, she gently pushed the cat to her maid's chest, prompting the other to accept him in her hold. "Carry the thing, it's heavy," she reasoned and handed over the book and the notebook to her knight who took it without questions.

"Will you not carry me?"

She heard a snicker coming from a familiar voice in her head, which she knew came from no other than her bitch curse servant who walked next to her while the two servants of hers followed behind.

'Fuck you.'

She just ignored the further teasing that the black cat sent through their telepathy, that she wished they didn't have at that time and continued to walk to their destination. She was never someone to be conscious of other people's stares wherever she went in her past life, she literally didn't give a flying shit about what others thought of her appearance, her attitude, the way she dressed, spoke, and many other things that normal people deemed peculiar and weird. But after reincarnating as a ball of depression and hatred, a.k.a., Avy the villainess, there existed voices in her head that constantly told her that she was being judged wherever she go that there were people.

Now that she was in another mansion with different faces and eyes from what she used to see when she was in her own home, she couldn't push the thoughts that they are talking bad about her behind her back and eyeing her with contempt like how the original Avy described.

"Are you uncomfortable, Miss?" she heard Mariel's concerned question behind her.

"Yes. I don't like new faces," she answered bluntly, giving the maid that they passed by a judging side glance.

"Bear with it a little longer, Mi'lady. This is the safest place for you to stay before the summit," Mariel told her softly.

Avy huffed in displeasure. It's not like she had a choice.

Right, she was currently staying at the main mansion of another ducal house, which is the one she didn't like the most. The Harrington Duchy.

People said, if the Arkwrights are known for being a house of talents and prodigies, taking in individuals that show up once in a hundred years, Harrington Duchy is the house of veterans and people produced by time and patience, with years of experience and knowledge passed down from generation to generation. Hence, their defense is undoubtedly unbreachable, with their head holding the title of the best aqua-type mage in his prime, they took pride in being one of the most powerful houses in the whole empire.

It turned out her father, Duke Arkwright was on friendly terms with Duke Harrington despite their political positions that could turn against each other anytime, mainly because they are both powerhouses that have opposite connections with the Imperial Family. The Harringtons have their heir that could be a possible successor to the throne and the Arkwrights who has Avy that is the soon-to-be-announced crown princess. Fortunately, both families are chill about the influence they hold and it is only the people around them that try to stain their respect-built relationship with each other.

Still doesn't change the fact that Avy could run across the bitch face young master Zach who looks at her as if she ate his last chocolate bar last Halloween. She was not afraid of what he might do to her, but what worries her was the little patience she has that she might straight-up punch the guy if he more or less sneered at her in the middle of a conversation. Oh, believe her, she would, and she would feel great if she did. Not an ounce of guilt and fear, no Sir.

"Just stand by somewhere I can't see you. I'm fine here." Avy gestured for her servants to go when they reached the entrance of the Duchy's garden before taking her things from the knight. She once again put them between her arms and took the gray cat from her maid's arms before proceeding to enter the plant-filled place, unaware of the smile creeping on the female servant's face. Even the stone-hearted knight couldn't help but allow the slight upward tug of his lips as they watched the lady walk away.

"My Lady is so sweet," she commented when Avy was already out of earshot.

Clerivan just didn't open his mouth to respond, 'cause he would describe the girl as anything but sweet.

~~~

Avy settled down on a bench under a tree shade while the gray cat lay on her lap, sleeping peacefully as if it was his own bed. Ares was, as weird as it was, lying on the grass while rubbing his back on the ground. Avy just let him do what kind of stuff he was into and just opened her book to pass time.

Even though her eyes were going through the words written on the pages, her mind couldn't help but think about the child that she left. Kill was obviously still not accustomed to being taken care of by another person, much more a human, belonging to the race that despised his kind. She was really adamant about leaving him with Emerald, but the girl assured her that no one would find out about his origins as long as the boy kept his human appearance around people.

It was also approved by her knight, to whom she told the whole situation, excluding the part that shouldn't be said. He guaranteed that his older sister would be the best person to care for a child like it was her own since the woman doesn't have a husband and was considering adoption for quite a while now. She thought about it and figured it would be best for the child to have a normal life, meet new people outside his small bubble and come out of his shell on his own, the people in that district, although it was said to be the most dangerous, looked decent after all and it would be nice for him to find friends the same age as him.

Avy explained the whole thing to Kill and told him about her leaving for the summit and being away for weeks at a minimum. The child was hesitant at first but agreed with a promise of calls every now and then using a communication stone, that she had to purchase before she left. Of course, forming yet another bond before doing so.

In the middle of reading, Avy heard a sound coming from the bushes near where she sat. Alerted, she closed the book and was ready to pick up her cat and scream for Clerivan before running when she saw the person who was the source of the sound that graced her ears.

Soft blue locks and a pair of big peach-colored eyes.

"....a child...?"

By her statement, the child who wasn't looking at her, but instead, the small creature that was resting on her lap, jolted in surprise and hid himself behind the rose bushes, not aware that his hair was still visible.

Avy knitted her brows, how long has that kid been in there? If she didn't hear a sound, she wouldn't have noticed him staring. And another question lingered in her mind. Whose child was that?

She was pulled out from her thoughts when the child peeked again, seemingly scared but interested in the little ball of gray on the girl, although he quickly went into hiding once he saw Avy staring at him. It was a boy around ten to twelve years old, a little smaller than Ciel, but looked and felt a lot like a child than her brother and his rival who stood like they could take on adults and would win with confidence.

"Come out," she demanded, but a couple of seconds passed but she saw nothing coming out of the rose bushes.

"Okay, fine. I'll leave instead," she pretended to stand up, and that's when the boy slowly stepped out of his hiding place. His hands were connected with his fiddling fingers, brows arched worriedly and lips slightly quivering, in nervousness? Fear? Avy didn't know. Maybe both.

She bent her fingers towards her, gesturing the boy to come close which he did, but cautiously as if approaching fire that could burn him if he wasn't careful enough. The unknown child didn't speak and proceeded to engage in a staring contest with Avy who accepted the challenge willingly.

But lost.

She just couldn't make the boy talk, thus she did the honor of starting the conversation. Again.

"Do you need something?" she asked.

The boy shook his head, but his eyes landed on the cat on her lap.

"How about my cat then?"

He didn't move, instead, just fiddled with his fingers, it was able to pass on the message instantly though.

"You can pet him. He doesn't bite." I guess.

The child's pink round eyes lit up brightly and raised his left hand, slowly reaching out to touch the soft fur of the small feline. Avy watched the kid who just smiled in contentment, even giggling at times when the cat responds with a purr.

And who gave the child the permission to be that adorable? No one.

Avy looked away with a small tint of pink dust on her cheeks. Maybe it was her karma for always dissing the main character that she should've created an orphanage because all her love interest doesn't have mothers anyway, might as well fill the role since she gives them affection like a donation drive. It backfired. It seems like she's being followed by children everywhere she goes.

After a few minutes, the child stopped stroking the cat's fur, hinting that maybe Avy could make him talk then.

Avy cleared her throat before speaking, "What's your name?"

The child looked at her and nervously stepped back before eventually running away, precisely, towards where he came out earlier. A couple of moments of confusion later, he came back holding a notepad and a pen and held it up in front of Avy.

Clion

Avy raised her brow, he can't talk?

"Do you know me?" she asked, Clion nodded his head and wrote on the pad before showing it to her.

Lady Avy. Brother's friend

Avy let out an airy laugh, "If the brother you're talking about is Zach. No, he isn't my friend," she said which caused tears to form in the child's eyes. She panicked.

"B-but, you can be my friend instead. Would you like that?"

Clion wiped his tears and nodded again and wrote down something.

Can my sister be our friend too?

"Yes. Of course."

Avy internally slapped herself.

She doesn't know if she's blessed or just too pathetic that her first friends after stepping out of her den were children.

But at least, children are the best form of humans. A level she could endure at least.

~~~

yayyy a birthday update for you guys!! I ain't proofreading this thing yet, I'm lazy.