LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 84
As I was about to open the door and walk in, I heard Chloe’s voice seeping out from outside.
Curious to see what was going on, I leaned in to listen.
“Yeah, good job, good job. Now let’s jump!”
Next, I heard the sound of a kitten crying.
My heart raced even before I opened the door.
Just the thought of Chloe playing with a kitten had my heart pounding—no, not just pounding, it’s practically going thump-thump-thump!
It might seem trivial, but when something delicious meets something else delicious, it gets even tastier.
When something cute encounters something cute, it creates a scene that’s a hundred times cuter and more heartwarming.
So, I quietly opened the door, trying not to get caught by Chloe.
I hesitated to go in, knowing I wouldn’t be able to remember this sight once I stepped inside.
Just as I expected, Chloe was in her pajamas, playing with the kitten.
In one hand, she held a toy—probably made by someone, who knows—and the little kitten was eagerly chasing after it.
“That’s right, right there. Good job!”
Purposefully letting the kitten catch the toy, Chloe gently scratched its chin and stroked its head.
She looked utterly delighted, observing the kitten with a studious gaze.
“So this is the sound a kitten makes when you scratch its chin…”
Is this why she’s going out of her way to study it because I said I wanted to try cat play?
I’m so impressed; I feel like I need to give her a standing ovation right now!
Having seen what I came to see, maybe I should just go in now.
“Chloe, I’m here.”
Upon seeing me, Chloe quickly hugged the kitten.
She seemed to instinctively try to hide it, but I could see everything. Yes, I could see it all.
And it’s adorable, I must say!
“The last time I mentioned wanting a kitten, you said no, but now you’re so close with it. What happened?”
Even if Chloe said she wanted a kitten, I wouldn’t oppose her.
During busy times, she could just leave it to the other servants, and given how much emotional trauma she had before, cuddling a kitten could really help soothe her old wounds.
Ding!
Still, Chloe struggles to talk to other guys, except for me and Sebastian.
And it’s not like she can just approach other girls freely either.
According to what the head maid says, unless it’s a really close maid, she only shares professional pleasantries and doesn’t chat much.
Right now, I just wanted to pull a little mischievous trick.
Her reactions are just too cute!
Boing!
“Is this why boys enjoy teasing the girls they like?”
Upon hearing my words, Chloe slightly drooped her head, looking a bit down.
Even in that moment, she didn’t want to let go of the kitten, hugging it a little tighter.
“Well, you mentioned wanting a kitten last time, right?”
“Ah, that’s true.”
To me, it was a light-hearted comment, just thinking it’d be okay to keep one if I had the means.
“I knew you wouldn’t mind if I ended up with the kitten, but I didn’t want any of the attention and love I get from you to be directed toward the kitten instead. Honestly, I still want to be loved by you 24/7, 365 days a year.”
Even parents who stick together 24/7 will end up arguing.
Couples who adore each other and feel like they’d die if even one of them were gone also want a little space if they’re together all the time.
Yet, since the moment Chloe and I got close, she never once showed any sign that being around me was a burden.
On the contrary, the more I stay with her, the more needy she becomes for love and attention.
“I tried to act cute like a kitten to capture some of your attention for myself, but then I realized I didn’t really know how a kitten would react.”
Usually, what guys want during cat play is just simple—wear a cat ear headband and act cute while saying “meow” would be enough.
But I’m a guy who knows how to read the room.
I decided to let Chloe share all the efforts she’s made.
“I thought maybe I could learn a thing or two by observing a kitten directly. So, I’ve been keeping an eye on the kittens that sometimes come into the mansion, and I even went out with Chris to feed and pet the street cats.”
She probably wouldn’t admit that she was observing kittens to Chris for the purpose of ‘cat play.’
However, noticing her observing the kittens might have hinted her about my involvement.
No, she must have figured it out since she asked me to look forward to what she was preparing right after work today.
“But then I came across an orphaned kitten, so every chance I got, I’d go visit and feed it. Coincidentally, the head maid said the mansion needed some cats to catch mice, so she advised me to take good care of it. And she even shared some toys that her cats love.”
“I never thought Sebastian would raise a kitten.”
That’s how the dynamic between a subordinate and superior is.
When you pry too much into personal matters, it often ruins the relationship, so it’s better to maintain an appropriate distance.
Ding!
“Just make sure to show up for weddings or funerals, deliver gifts, and that ought to do it.”
On birthdays for wives or children, just give a holiday and a bonus.
“So, what if I asked what you’d do if I said no?”
“You can keep it as much as you like.”
If it helps Chloe heal her heart, I’d be okay with having a cat—or even a crocodile.
Well, maybe a clean crow would be acceptable.
Chloe smiled brightly as she hugged the little kitten.
You could tell how much she valued it just by seeing how careful she was not to hurt it while hugging.
“Let’s name it, and you’ll take care of it.”
“I’ll name it, yes, Young Lord.”
Then, Chloe knocked on the door and entrusted the kitten to a servant outside.
“Please take care of Nero for a bit.”
Nero? In Korean, that means black.
I guess I shouldn’t let Chloe name our future kids.
Once the servant took the kitten out, Chloe lay down on the bed.
Then, with her fists slightly clenched, she began to move her hands in a fluttering motion.
As if she became a real kitten.
Just observing the tiny movements showed how well she had studied cats.
“Meow…”
After making a kitten noise, her face turned as red as a ripe tomato.
She briefly averted her gaze but when I climbed onto the bed, she seemed to have made a major resolution, clenching her fists tightly.
What was she planning to do?
“I’m going to demand all the love I’ve missed out on from you today. Meow.”
She then lightly placed her upper body on my legs.
I felt her weight, but more than heavy, it was a comforting sensation.
Chloe started acting cute like a kitten, showing her belly like a little cat pleading for attention.
“Since I’m your kitten, please feel free to spoil me, meow.”
I didn’t dislike this situation, but it made me ponder.
It felt like being starved for days and suddenly being taken to a five-star buffet; I found myself hesitating about what to have.
Hmmm…
I wasn’t sure how to approach this.
Did Chloe somehow sense my dilemma? She tilted her chin up slightly as if to say “Pet me.”
As I stroked her chin gingerly like a kitten,
“Meow, meow.”
Chloe let out a few more meows and began rubbing her face against my hand.
With a look of total satisfaction, she said, “Is this how good it feels?”
“Is it really that enjoyable?”
“It feels wonderful to be adored by you, Young Lord… meow…”
Driven by desire, I started to lower my hand slowly.
From her collarbone down to her belly.
Normally, she’d shy away, asking me not to touch her belly since she feels a bit self-conscious.
Cute, cute!
Just like how guys find it endearing when girls fret about having small chests.
A pleasantly soft and warm belly.
It’s completely different from the feel of her chest or backside, and it’s like trespassing into forbidden territory, giving a strange thrill.
As I continued to inadvertently pet her,
Chloe suddenly took my hand and moved it away.
Then, she tightly wrapped her arms around my body and whispered,
“Young Lord, when a little kitten shows its belly, it’s a sign it wants to play. I didn’t know at first, but I learned that from playing with Nero, meow.”
Men are unbelievably simple creatures.
Even if a woman can’t cook worth a dime, as long as she puts effort into making a meal for them, it tastes better than any gourmet chef’s cooking.
And even when she fumbles with things, having her do something feels like they’ve got everything.
I felt the same way.
Wow, she really studied cats this much!
She then pulled my hand towards her chest.
“Please play with me until I collapse from exhaustion, meow.”
The next day, I took a sick day, and three days later, the Emperor summoned me, wanting to hear all about this little escapade.