CHAPTER 41: MYSTERY BEHIND

"Do you have any clues about the person the Holy Throne is searching for?"

Myris looked calmly at Losiya as she asked.

Losiya’s heartbeat skipped unnaturally for a moment before quickly calming down. She then replied,

"I’m merely a local countess. At the moment, it seems I cannot be of much help to the Holy Seat."

Myris nodded slightly to show acknowledgment and then stood up.

"Are you going to take Tania with you now?" Losiya asked casually.

"No rush. For now, I’d like to walk around your estate for a bit, if that’s alright?"

"Please, feel free."

Naturally, Losiya would not refuse such a request and agreed immediately.

Upon hearing her response, Myris turned and left the room without another word.

After Myris had departed, Losiya laced her fingers under her chin and gazed at the closed door, lost in thought.

Catherine, standing nearby, also seemed similarly troubled. What Losiya could sense, naturally Catherine could as well.

Once Myris had walked far enough away, Catherine lightly waved her hand, casting an Invisible Domain that enveloped the entire room, blocking all forms of surveillance.

After walking a few steps, Myris suddenly looked back. Her face gave no expression, leaving others unable to tell what she was thinking. After a few seconds, she turned back and continued on her way.

In the rear garden, having just finished breakfast, Julian lay quietly among the flowers, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

Originally, he had only intended to sit for a bit, but the warm, comforting environment stirred up the exhaustion from the previous night, and before he knew it, he had fallen asleep on the grass.

Not far off, Alice stood silently in the shadows, blending into the darkness so seamlessly that unless someone approached, they would never know she was there.

Just moments earlier, she had served Julian his breakfast. Julian had planned to head to the drawing room, but before he could go far, Alice had stopped him.

Typically, the drawing room was the resting place for the maids, and Alice naturally took it upon herself to block anything that might cause her lady displeasure.

In the end, Julian finished his breakfast in Losiya’s private dining room.

Lying on the bed, Julian felt thoroughly unsettled and couldn’t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, the sensations of the previous night haunted him—the lingering scent, the breath that hadn’t faded—making it impossible to calm his mind. Images from last night flashed vividly in his thoughts.

Covering his flushed face, Julian sat up in bed. He wanted to get out and ease his mind. He wandered aimlessly, eventually arriving at the rear garden—a place usually reserved only for Losiya.

And then, naturally, he fell asleep again on the grass.

Only after Julian had completely fallen asleep did Alice quietly approach. She spread a thin sheet beside him and, without making a sound, gently lifted him and placed him on it.

Throughout the entire process, she was incredibly respectful and composed. She only held Julian by the neck and knees, making no other physical contact.

Once he was settled, Alice stood, checked the surroundings, and only after confirming there was no one around did she quietly leave.

Julian, exhausted, slipped into a deep sleep. Not even dreams visited him. After all, he had hardly slept at all the night before.

In the empty rear garden, Julian’s silver hair flowed among the flowers. His delicate face appeared peaceful and serene. Even the white flower covering his right eye looked completely natural in this setting, harmonizing with the surroundings in a way that was breathtaking.

Elsewhere, Myris wandered closer, only to suddenly have a white-furred cat wrap itself around her leg.

Looking down, her icy eyes could not help but show a trace of curiosity.

What kind of creature is this?

She bent down and lifted the cat by the scruff. It instantly became limp, meowing and flailing its limbs in the air.

No magic. Just an ordinary animal.

After confirming that, Myris didn’t lose interest. Instead, she was drawn in by the cat’s sapphire-like eyes. The more she looked, the more she found herself liking it.

Sensing its discomfort, Myris brought it gently into her arms, looking down at it. The cat looked up at her, and within its gaze, Myris felt she could read its curiosity.

Such a strange and wondrous creature.

Unconsciously, Myris began to stroke its head. The cat purred with contentment and occasionally opened its little mouth to yawn.

Myris’s attention was fully absorbed by the small cat. Without realizing it, she had wandered far.

But she didn’t mind. The whole point of clearing one’s mind was to feel good—where she ended up didn’t matter.

Looking around, she realized this must be the rear garden where Losiya usually rested. The air was fresh with fragrance, and she unconsciously let herself relax.

As Myris stood still, the cat in her arms suddenly leapt down and ran off in a certain direction.

Myris slightly furrowed her brow and quietly followed.

Meanwhile, in his sleep, Julian stirred, as though a carriage had run over him. His face twisted slightly in discomfort as he opened his eyes.

Soft fur rubbed against his face—it was warm and very comforting.

If only it wasn’t so heavy...

Julian reached up and gently lifted the cat off his face.

The fluffy cat kicked its little legs triumphantly, its sapphire-like eyes gleaming with delight, meowing nonstop.

Julian, who had been a bit annoyed, couldn’t help but smile helplessly. He pinched its hind legs gently, and after confirming that it was alright, he completely relaxed.

Setting the cat back on his face, Julian buried his face into its soft little belly, letting out a pleased sigh.

The cat placed a tiny paw on Julian’s forehead and chirped quietly from time to time.

From a distance, Myris watched Julian in silence, her expression one of sudden realization—*So that’s how it is.*

After waking, Julian felt completely refreshed. The exhaustion from the previous night had vanished. Energized, he sat up while hugging the Cat and gazed at the blue sky above, his heart filled with a peace and happiness he had never known before.

He lay back down again, eyes wide open, letting his mind wander.

If only things could stay like this forever.

Even though he had awakened the legendary upper-rank Holy Mark, Julian had no further ambitions. He desired nothing more than to live this kind of life peacefully.

His long-standing sense of inferiority made him easily content. As long as he could stay by Losiya’s side, whether as a "maid" or a companion in bed, he found it as sweet as honey.

"Sigh..." No longer bothering with such unrealistic thoughts, Julian looked at Miêu Miêu and couldn’t help but be troubled by something else.

It was adorable, yes—but with its round, fluffy body, it already resembled a cotton ball from a distance. Even if its hind leg had healed, once it grew older, its limbs likely wouldn’t support that weight for long.

As Julian pondered, a shadow suddenly fell over him.

Briefly puzzled, he quickly stood and turned around.

Under the sunlight, Myris stood with her back to him. Her flawless, delicate face was cast in shadow—revealing no emotion whatsoever.