'Ah, I wish Lucian was here, we could dance together...' Celine thought, stroking the cat, 'Or maybe go for a walk in the gardens, or sneak out for a quick make-out session...Or...a long one.'
Her heart would usually thumb hard at these naughty thoughts, but in the presence of so many people, its beats remained steady.
The cat was sleeping peacefully in her arms, its fur was clean, shiny and silky smooth. It reminded her of a certain someone's golden hair, which was also soft to the touch.
Celine's dark hair was much thicker and the texture was harder than Lucian's. She could never understand how his hair could be so smooth and fluffy at the same time, no matter how many times she played with his hair.
"Bronze Knight? Without the backing of a noble house? Are you certain?"
Celine overheard a few men discussing something over the soft music.
"Yes, the Glory's founder has been investing heavily into strengthening his body. He had spent double the amount of what it would have cost a regular northerner to do the same. He is so young as well."
Celine recognized the men who were talking. It was a group of barons from the Crestmont's house earldom.
"I heard that too. I plan to offer my daughter's hand in marriage to him," one of the barons said, "His achievements are outstanding for a hay."
A nearby viscount laughed, "I already offered my youngest to him. She's not that great, but I thought a hay would take her and not be too picky, but it seems like he has a few options to choose from already."
"Meow!" the cat protested.
Celine's fingers dug into its fur, which caused the cat to wake up from a nice nap.
Marriage. Nobles have started offering their daughters' hands to him in marriage.
It was to be expected. The higher he rose, the more opportunities he would be given, and the more attention he would get from others.
'A humble gardener?' Celine's lips curved downward slightly as she thought about Lucian's job title he had listed down whenever he tended to the Rochefort's garden, 'More like a humble flower boy...one that will be snatched up from under my nose...'
Celine's fingers twitched. She had to hold back from grabbing the men by the necks and telling them to keep their hands away from what was hers.
The cat sensed danger, immediately jumping out of her arms.
Celine felt a tug on her heart as the cat ran away. As if it was trying to tell her that Lucian might, too, run away from her if she used too much force.
The bell around its neck jingled as it disappeared between the legs of the surprised servants, who had no idea what had gotten into the thing.
Celine stood up from the chair and followed after the cat toward the earl's estate.
It was not easy to keep an eye on Lucian, but she managed.
He was all over the continent with his businesses while she was also all over the continent, making sure her influence reached every corner of it.
The cat's bell jingled again and again as it ran away from her.
Celine hid behind a pillar, then behind a wall.
The cat stopped at the corner of a corridor, sniffing the floor for something, then continued on its way, until it disappeared from her sight completely.
'Maybe I should get him a bell, just to make sure I know where he is at all times,' Celine thought as she made a small detour around the bushes and walls, loosening her corset slightly to feel more comfortable.
Ding.
Celine caught the cat that jumped out of nowhere right in front of her, its eyes in shock as if asking: 'How did you know where I was going to appear from?'
She rubbed its belly, and the cat's leg twitched involuntarily, a sign of pleasure. The cat's eyes closed and it purred in satisfaction, forgetting that it was scared and confused by how it ended up in her arms just a second ago.
Celine carried the cat in her arms and walked out from the shadows. It was time to make sure Lucian was still her humble gardener.
'Power gets to one's head and makes them greedy. I wonder what will get to yours?' Celine mused.
She liked how he was now, wanting to preserve it for eternity. Cute when he wanted to be spoiled. Mature when he wanted to be treated more seriously. Then there was the little bit of madness in him when he wanted to break the rules. All in the right amounts and in the right moments.
'He likes his freedom, but he also likes to be tied down and feel secure at the same time.'
She was not his prison, but neither was she his safe haven. She doubted he would ever give his whole self to a single person.
'He is like a cat. They are not loyal to anyone but themselves. They come and go as they please. They rub against your legs when they want your attention, and then ignore you when you finally give it to them. But they still sleep on your lap at times...'
Celine's steps slowed down until she came to a stop. She took a deep breath.
'...just to mess with your head.'
She was aware that she couldn't control him. All she could do was resist the control and influence he had over her.
She could feel it, the way he wanted to make her dependent on him, to become irreplaceable in her eyes. He was doing it subtly, not rushing things.
Sometimes, it didn't feel genuine and that's why it annoyed her so much. He wanted her to love the image of him that he created too much.
She bet he preferred to be like this cat right now, being rubbed against her chest, and looking at her with its adorable eyes.
'He should act more like an idiot in love...like me,' she smiled at the cat, petting it on the head, 'He is holding himself back too much.'
The cat meowed and Celine rubbed the space between its ears, "You think so too? That he is an idiot?" she asked, and the cat meowed again, "And that I'm the bigger idiot?"
"Meow."
"Hmm..." Celine thought, "I guess it's the idiots of the world that get to do the most fun things. Being smart is restrictive. It doesn't leave you a choice, does it? It's all math and logic, and there's nothing you can do but follow the path you have calculated."
"Meow, meow."
"I'm glad you think the same," Celine smiled and nodded. The cat looked pleased as well, "Now let's look for your owner and ask them if we can take you home with us... for a reasonable price, of course."
"Meow...?"