"Did you remember what I said?" In the luxurious Hall family villa in Queens District, Audrey tucked a Rubik's Cube-sized package into a leather pouch hidden in the golden fur of Susie's underbelly, asking with a touch of worry.
Though crafted by Mr. Sades, it was among Audrey's cheapest bags. Well, after some consideration, apologies to Mr. Sades.
"I got it. Bury the package in the forest, then hide quietly to see who takes it," Susie nodded obediently, repeating Audrey's instructions.
Audrey nodded gently at Susie's words, then emphasized,
"The other party might know about beyonder animals, so act as much like a dog as possible."
"But I am a dog," Susie replied, puzzled by Audrey's request, as if someone had suddenly asked her to pretend to be human.
"Um, just like that, then. Be careful," Audrey faltered, realizing she wasn't sure what "acting like a dog" entailed.
So, she'd just have to trust Susie!
"Go for it!"
…
Outside the Earl Hall's lavish villa, a golden retriever squeezed through a concealed gap in the wall. Cats weren't the only ones who could slip through spaces smaller than their bodies—dogs could too.
Ears perked, Susie scanned her surroundings. Though not her first time, she cautiously surveyed the area before trotting off from the secret exit.
Despite Audrey's serious tone, Susie's adventure was surprisingly smooth. About five minutes later, she reached the forest they often strolled through. Like any dog, she swiftly dug a pit and tipped the small package from her pouch into it.
Afterward, Susie carefully covered the soil, stomping it down for good measure, then scampered into nearby bushes.
Peering through leaf gaps with only her doggy eyes visible, she waited silently for the package's retriever.
If Audrey saw Susie's stakeout style, she might've performed the fainting technique learned from her etiquette tutor. In Susie's mind, this was how dogs spied. Without Audrey's order to hide, she'd probably have plopped down roadside, sunbathing while waiting.
Though a stakeout, Susie's vigil didn't last long. About ten minutes later, her nose twitched, and a black figure entered her view—
"Good heavens, a cat?!"
Susie nearly yelped but clapped a paw over her mouth. The black cat in her sights seemed oblivious, striding with the grace of a king surveying his domain.
Initially, Susie thought she'd overreacted, assuming it was a stray. But soon, the cat reached her burial spot, sniffed delicately, and began digging with an elegance starkly unlike a dog's.
Susie, crouched in the bushes, felt her worldview shift. Digging a pit could be this refined?
She watched, mesmerized, as the black cat extracted the package with barely a speck of dirt on it. But as it pawed the parcel free, it suddenly turned, casting a glance her way—a look dripping with disdain.
"It spotted me!" Startled by Lily's gaze, Susie bolted back to the Hall villa. Lily let out a scornful meow, snatched the package in her jaws, and darted westward.
…
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
In the Hall villa's music room, melodious piano notes flowed gracefully, but just as the piece neared its climax, a series of discordant barks shattered the harmony.
Audrey's hands froze on the keys, her delicate brows furrowing. She looked at Susie, panting at the door, and sighed helplessly.
"Susie, interrupting someone's practice isn't ladylike!"
"But I'm just a dog," Susie said, a bit aggrieved. Audrey was momentarily speechless, glancing around before beckoning Susie. "So, did you see who took the package? What did they look like?"
"I didn't see a person. A cat took it," Susie said, her odd phrasing reflecting her experience. Audrey's mouth dropped open, unladylike enough to reveal her tongue.
Quickly regaining composure, she closed her mouth, astonished.
"You mean a beyonder creature like you? No wonder Mr. Devil reacted differently than Mr. Hanged Man when I asked about pets taking potions…"
"I don't know if it's beyonder, but it spotted me. Also, that cat's a lot like you."
"How could a cat look like me?" Audrey, confused by Susie's clumsy grammar, frowned. Susie shook her head.
"Not looks—feeling… Um, like you said, that cat's like a lady…"
"A ladylike cat? What pathway could that be?" Curiosity sparked in Audrey, even stirring a desire to swap extraordinary pet tips with Mr. Devil.
…
Meanwhile, Lily had returned to Snow's home with her Sequence 8 potion formula, her face beaming with a "praise me" expression.
It was her first "solo" mission. Though Snow's will lingered faintly, acting without direct guidance filled her with pride.
"Well done," Snow said, retracting his mental imprint. He perched Lily on his shoulder, scratching her chin with a finger, then opened the package. He sealed the extraordinary materials in a tin box with spirituality and stored them in the basement. Though Lily "acted" as an Assassin daily via rats, she was still far from fully digesting her potion.
"Meow~~" As Snow busied himself, Lily let out a haughty yowl, then nuzzled his cheek.
Snow paused, then chuckled.
"Got it. I'll bathe you later. You didn't chase rats today… Honestly, I've never seen a cat so obsessed with baths…"
"Mrow!" At Snow's words, Lily shot him a disdainful look, leapt off his shoulder, and flicked his earlobe with her tail.
(End of Chapter)
Translator's Note: Hey, those who read this already, what's the role of this refined cat in the future?