Chapter 19: Facing Forward with Kuro.

「Lend it to me…」

「Yeah—because you two are already in a contract relationship.」

「That’s true… you’re right.」

I gently lift Kuro into my arms, bringing our faces closer together.
I look straight into those perfectly round black eyes.
Kuro meows softly—『Nya-nya』.

「Maybe… Kuro, you’re saying ‘leave it to me’?」

『Nya〜』

Wow—it answered!

The strong, confident meow fills me with emotion; my eyes start to water.

But then Theodore-sama delivers a cold, matter-of-fact remark.

「No, this little black cat is saying ‘put me down.’」

Eh—really?!

Startled by his words, I hurriedly set Kuro back on my lap.
Kuro immediately hops off and trots over to Theodore-sama, then leaps lightly onto his lap.

Theodore-sama asks in a gentle voice, 「What’s wrong?」
Kuro replies with a sweet, affectionate 『Nya〜n』.

…Somehow I feel defeated.

It looks like it’ll take more time to become friends with Kuro.
For now, I should procure some cat toys.
A feather wand? Or maybe a ball?
My previous spirit—the dog—loved playing with balls.

As my thoughts veer further and further off track, Theodore-sama seems to notice and offers a consoling word.

「Like I said—I’m just the type spirits naturally like.」

「But still… this little black cat is only a low-tier spirit, so it doesn’t have that much power.」

「Yes, that’s right.」

「Still—thanks to it, your mana has probably recovered to about a tenth of what it used to be?」

「A tenth…」

「You originally had an exceptionally high amount, so yeah—roughly that much.」

「Right now you probably don’t feel it yet since the connection is so new.」

「Yes…」

「But little by little, the spirit’s mana will settle into your body.
Once that happens, you won’t be able to use advanced magic or anything, but everyday life should be no problem.」

「Really?」

「Yeah.
Running might still be tough, but walking around outside should be fine.」

…Thank goodness.

I’m sure His Highness and my parents would say the same.

But… is this really okay?
Is it really all right for something this convenient to happen to someone like me?

「…A miracle like this… happening to me… it shouldn’t be possible.」

The thought I’d been holding inside slips out in a small murmur.
I startle and look at Theodore-sama—he clearly heard every word.

The usual lighthearted expression vanishes from his face.
He looks serious now, turning steady eyes directly toward me.

「Why shouldn’t it be?」

「…I’m not the kind of person who deserves this kind of power… or who should be chosen by Kuro.」

At my answer, Theodore-sama lets out a short, dry laugh—「Hah.」

「I don’t know anything about whatever ‘circumstances’ you’re talking about.
All I know is—this black cat chose you.
That fact alone is all that matters.」

He’s right.

My words just now… were like denying Kuro—the one who chose me despite everything.

To Theodore-sama, spirits must be incredibly precious.
That’s why he treats them so gently.
And the spirits seem to know it too.

That’s exactly why he pointed out my mistake—how I’d ignored Kuro’s feelings and only thought about my own convenience.

I had believed the depletion of my mana was the retribution for my sins.
A fitting punishment.

But… was simply receiving that punishment really atonement?
How selfish of me to decide on my own that it was enough.
And how rude—to Kuro, who chose me anyway.

I slap both cheeks sharply with my hands, shaking off the sinking feeling.

Yes. That woke me up a little.

Theodore-sama looks momentarily stunned by my action—then bursts into laughter, eyes crinkling.

「Haha! I’ve never heard of a noble lady slapping her own cheeks before!」

The tense air dissolves in an instant.
He laughs loudly again, thoroughly amused.

「Sorry, Kuro.
Theodore-sama… it seems I still have a lot more to think about.」

「Looks like it.
Anyway—whatever you’re feeling, I’m glad things turned out this way.」

Theodore-sama smiles gently.
In that moment, he looks almost like a single, perfect painting.

All right.

I’ll face Kuro.
And I’ll face myself.
Not with regret or remorse—
but to figure out what I should do moving forward.

Theodore-sama lifts Kuro from his lap and stands, then gently places the cat back on mine.

「Here you go.
I hope you and the little black cat become good friends soon.」

「Thank you.」

「Well then—I’ll head out for today.」

Without sitting back down, he heads straight for the door.
When I hurriedly try to rise from my chair, he stops me with a raised hand.

「Your body still isn’t moving freely.
Stay there—it’s fine.」

「I’m sorry… thank you for your consideration.」

「No problem.
I’ve got a mountain of things to look into now too—so I’ll be counting on your cooperation.」

「Cooperation…?」

「Huh?
We just discovered a dark spirit.
This is a massive historical find, you know.」

Ah… yes, that’s true.

Almost nothing is known about dark spirits.
Now that one has appeared, our entire understanding of spirits could change.

「I’ll make sure you can live your daily life properly.
Until you can control the mana properly, I’ll look after you.」

「…Ah.」

My somewhat deflated reply doesn’t faze him at all.
He raises a hand in a casual wave—“See you later”—and heads out.

Sara opens the door from inside; the butler is waiting just outside and offers, 「I’ll escort you to the entrance.」
Slowly, Theodore-sama’s back disappears from view.

Batan.

The door closes.
All at once, exhaustion crashes over me.

I lower my gaze to Kuro on my lap.
Kuro pointedly turns its face away.

Did it… notice that I couldn’t fully accept its feelings earlier?

Ugh… we still have a long way to go.

For now, I urgently need to get some toys.
A feather wand is classic, right?
Or maybe a ball?
My old dog spirit loved playing with balls…