Volume 6, Chapter 41 – The Cat Ring and the Elf Princess

Nola was quite puzzled, but she didn’t look at Fia. While Fia was talking to her, she had already found an accessory Erin Slate might like—an iris-shaped emerald brooch. With her aesthetic sense, she felt this brooch was beautiful, and the price was also very suitable. She pointed to the brooch in the display case and waved to the clerk.

“Please take this out for me.”

“Okay.”

Fia continued speaking from the side.

“If you come of age this year, and it’s early spring now, isn’t it possible you’ve entered estrus? As long as the body is mature, this kind of thing doesn’t necessarily have to happen after eighteen, right?”

Just like a girl’s menstrual period; different constitutions meant different arrival times.

Having finished picking the gift, Nola felt much more relaxed. She stood up straight, put one hand on her hip, and said with a smile.

“Fia wants to say I might enter estrus this spring? Perhaps there is that possibility, but this will just allow me to show my clansmen how to overcome instinct with will.”

“Er, I mean, Nola might have already entered the period but hasn’t realized it. Didn’t the clerk say just now? During the period, one becomes fond of dressing up and exudes charm all over. I also wanted to mention this; Nola suddenly dressed up recently, and your skin looks like it’s glowing.”

As she spoke, Fia’s gaze also fell on the fiery red tail swaying incessantly behind Nola.

“That is absolutely impossible.” Nola wasn’t angry; instead, she laughed softly. “As a warrior, I know my body changes better than anyone. If a warrior cannot clearly realize changes in their physical condition, they are just a third-rate warrior.”

“Miss, you shouldn’t speak so absolutely…”

The clerk wrapping the brooch for Nola stopped her movements, forcing an awkward smile onto her face.

This made Nola look unhappy, frowning slightly.

“What? You don’t believe me?”

“Well…”

Glared at by Nola, the clerk shrank her neck timidly. Fia waved her hand, speaking up for the clerk.

“Don’t be afraid of her. Say whatever you want to say; I’ll help you.”

“Haha…”

Even with Fia saying this, the clerk chose to smile perfunctorily with great professionalism. This aroused Nola’s competitive spirit. She emphasized along with Fia.

“No need to fear me. just say it.”

“Since… Since even the young lady says so, then… actually, actually, with my eye for people, the young lady’s tail and external performance are very unusual. You should have already entered the special period…”

“Already entered? Impossible.”

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“Instead of being stubborn, why not put this on and see?”

Fia handed the exquisite goose-yellow gift box containing the ring to Nola. But to prevent Nola from being stubborn, she put it on herself first to test it. The result was no reaction from the ring.

“See? As an elf, I don’t have things like estrus, so it doesn’t glow.”

“Fine, I’ll wear it.”

Retorting stubbornly, Nola snatched the ring from Fia’s hand unceremoniously and put it cleanly on her middle finger—after a pause of one second, the ring showed no reaction. Nola raised her eyebrows triumphantly. As if showing off, she lifted her right hand wearing the ring onto the display case.

“See? No change at all. So I said, as a warrior, if one can’t even feel changes in their own body, they are completely third-rate… Hmm?”

Before Nola finished speaking, the gem on the ring, only the size of a grain of rice, suddenly emitted light. At first, it was just a faint light like candlelight, then the light gradually became obvious. In just a few seconds, the golden light became as bright as a magic lamp. Looking directly at it with the naked eye was even dazzling.

This stupid cat is a third-rate warrior.

Fia first froze on the spot like Nola, then reacted instantly. Her mouth gradually curved into a ‘ω’ shape, her eyes full of teasing and slyness. She gently bumped Nola’s arm with her shoulder, leaning her whole body over.

“Hoh~ Hoh~ Isn’t this entering the period? It seems Nola is also a third-rate warrior. In the future, if you want to solve physiological problems, put on a flimsy maid outfit at night, come to my room, kneel and cry, begging me, calling me ‘Master’ or ‘Big Sister’. I might reluctantly help you, you know? By the way, even if you mistake me for Claire in your daze, I won’t be angry. I’ve always been tolerant and magnanimous.”

“You! This must be a problem with the ring!” Because the ring’s brilliance was too dazzling, stinging Nola’s skin like arrows, Nola hurriedly took off the ring. She looked at the clerk, eyebrows raised. “Are you sure there’s no problem with this ring? How could I enter es… estrus without noticing!”

“Absolutely true! If you don’t believe me, go to the street and find a beastman in estrus and a normal one to test. How would I dare deceive a young lady who pays one hundred and seventy gold coins at once with a fake! This is a genuine magic item!”

The questioned Charm Cat clerk was so flustered she couldn’t speak properly. She had never seen such a stubborn cat. Anyone else would have fled with a blushing face long ago.

The clerk’s reaction didn’t seem like lying, causing Nola to grip the ring tightly. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Her cheeks turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye. Because of the excessive emotional fluctuation, flames ignited on her cat ears.

“I… how could I not notice… No, maybe I was cursed by magic…”

“Who would curse you for no reason? Besides, with your strength, wouldn’t you discover if someone cursed you?” Taking advantage of Nola’s daze, Fia pushed her luck and kneaded Nola’s cat ears. The moderately soft and elastic feel was truly wonderful. “Just accept reality honestly. Tell me if you encounter difficulties. By the way, you don’t want people, especially your subordinates and Claire’s group, to know you entered estrus, right? Pay a little price as hush money now, and I’ll keep your secret properly.”

Although she said this, in reality, Fia just wanted to tease Nola and didn’t really want Nola to suffer social death.

Hearing Claire’s name, Nola instantly tensed up all over. However, she still didn’t relent. Even though her flushed face and the flames on her head exposed her agitation, she still pretended to be calm and expressionless.

“Just entering the period, that’s all. Any beastman has this day. Besides, I haven’t done any rude behavior; there’s nothing to hide.”

“Is that so? Our genius clan chief kept saying that entering the period without noticing is a sign of a third-rate warrior. Look at what this is.”

Saying this, Fia took out a recording crystal from her pocket. Of course, there was nothing inside; it was just a prop Fia used to scare Nola.

“If I show everyone Nola’s stubborn look, I wonder if everyone will cover their mouths and snicker…”

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“You actually secretly used a recording crystal!”

Facing Nola’s questioning, Fia widened her eyes, looking righteous.

“Isn’t it because Nola likes to forget things as soon as she turns around? Now that I have leverage in my hand, obediently following my orders is the wise move, you know?”

“Tch!” Nola clicked her tongue hard, her angry eyes looking like she wanted to eat Fia alive. However, thinking of losing face in front of everyone, especially being laughed at by Claire, even if she was unwilling in her heart, she could only choose to endure. She hurriedly paid the gold coins to the clerk, then forcibly dragged Fia by the arm to the side, whispering stiffly, “What exactly do you want to do?”

The scene she had imagined before resurfaced in Nola’s mind—Fia making her wear flimsy clothes, crawl on the ground like a cat, add “meow” to her sentences, eat only liquid food served in a cat bowl every day, and even have to lick it to eat.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help blushing and her heart racing. She even seriously considered the result she would face if Fia ordered her like this. Thinking of this, her legs felt weak.

“Well…”

Fia deliberately dragged out her words to build suspense. Only when Nola’s purple cat eyes showed fear and she swallowed did Fia cross her arms triumphantly. She closed her eyes and said briskly.

“Buy that cat ring and put it on me, and I’ll consider you passed.”

“Huh?”

“Huh what? If you aren’t even willing to pay three silver coins, I’ll get angry—I can lend you money if it’s not enough.”

“It’s not a question of money…” Not expecting Fia to let her off so easily, Nola was quite unaccustomed. She examined Fia’s exquisite face carefully, craning her neck and asking tentatively, “Are you sure just that ring is enough?”

“Nola’s tone suggests I’m asking for too little? Then I won’t be polite—”

“Er, it’s fine! I’ll buy it immediately!”

Afraid Fia would change her mind, Nola hurriedly ran back to the counter and bought the cat ring inside. Seeming to think one wasn’t enough, Nola bought a pair directly.

“Is… is this okay?”

Like a child waiting for a parent’s evaluation after handing over a report card, Nola’s purple cat eyes were full of apprehension, and a layer of fine sweat from nervousness appeared on her forehead.

Truly a complete idiot. Played in the palm of my hand with just a few sentences. Doesn’t look like a clan chief at all. I really don’t know how badly she’ll be deceived if she leaves Ying.

Sighing deeply in her heart, Fia extended her left hand to Nola. She opened one eye, ordering in the coquettish voice of an arrogant young lady.

“Here, put it on for me.”

“…You can put it on yourself, right?”

Nola said carefully.

“That’s meaningless. Being put on a ring personally by the acting clan chief of the Fire Cat Tribe, and a Holy Son at that, doesn’t it make me look exceptionally noble? There definitely isn’t a second person in this world who has enjoyed this treatment.”

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Although she said this, Fia actually just wanted to see Nola’s clumsy and troubled look.

Nola paused instantly. Then she noticed the ruby ring on the middle finger of Fia’s left hand. Although she didn’t know much about elf etiquette, she still knew this meant engagement, and the object was definitely Claire.

Her eyes dimmed slightly, and her raised hand lowered a bit. Even her previously tense cat ears drooped, her expression full of melancholy.

Oops.

Accidentally touched Nola’s sore spot.

Shouting “not good” and “sorry” in her heart, Fia hurriedly switched to extending her right hand. She carefully observed Nola’s expression, her words softening.

“This side is fine too. If Nola is unwilling, forget it; I can put it on myself.”

However, Fia’s emotional expression was too obvious. Even Nola could read that Fia was considering her. She curled her lips impatiently.

“Hmph, this small matter is nothing. I don’t need your pity.”

She roughly grabbed Fia’s hand and unceremoniously put the cat ring on Fia’s ring finger.

“This should be fine, right?”

“You actually put it on for me…” Fia first widened her eyes in surprise, then held the hand with the cat ring up against the glass curtain wall. “Ohh… as expected of the ring I fancied. Come to think of it, this is the first time I’m wearing something I like.”

Although it was just a cheap item worth three silver coins, against Fia’s lustrous, jade-like slender fingers, the silver cat ring looked exceptionally beautiful. Under the sunlight shining through the glass curtain wall, the uneven texture reflected dazzling golden light. However, compared to Fia’s magnificent eyes below, shining like stars full of joy, the ring’s light was much dimmer.

Like a child getting a new toy.

Nola, observing from the side, had a subtle expression. Looking closely at Fia’s slender and petite figure, she really wasn’t much different from a child.

When this girl isn’t making things difficult for people, she has the cuteness a princess should have.

Watching Fia’s figure, Nola’s heart, chaotic from a series of changes, gradually calmed down. Previously, when she was a maid in Blossom, she couldn’t understand why Anastasia was dead set on being Fia’s maid and guard even though she was loathed by all the nobles around her. She could understand the professions of guard and maid, but she couldn’t understand Anastasia’s dedication to do anything for Fia.

However, seeing Fia’s happy expression examining the ring under the sunlight now, she gained some understanding. Having a master who was reliable at critical moments and occasionally showed an innocent and cute side was indeed captivating. Like a flower in a greenhouse, it subconsciously aroused a desire to protect and care for her.

Truly a fairy.

Nola suddenly sighed with emotion. If the person who picked her up back then wasn’t Claire but Fia, she would probably be even more loyal to such a master than Anastasia.

“What? You like this ring too?”

Fia had returned to normal at some point. She looked curiously at Nola, who had her mouth slightly open and was looking at her foolishly.

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Nola quickly withdrew her dazed gaze, looking away and touching the tip of her nose awkwardly.

“Nothing.”

She would never say she was secretly watching Fia while Fia was looking at the ring.

Fia tilted her head.

“Is that so? I thought you were fascinated by me.”

“You’re too narcissistic.”

“I am a delicate and moving ice beauty; it’s normal to be fascinated by me.” Because she was in a good mood, Fia winked playfully. She walked to Nola’s side and patted Nola’s shoulder. “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Shopping is done; we should go back.”

“Then what do you plan to do with the other ring?”

Nola showed the second cat ring in the black wooden box in her palm. Just now, worried Fia would change her mind, she bought a pair.

“Hmm?” Fia was stunned for a moment, then unceremoniously took the gift box and ring from Nola’s hand. “I’ll take this too. I really like this style of ring.” Speaking of this, Fia looked at the clerk at the counter. “Do you have more rings like this? I want them all.”

“This… only in other colors.”

“Just right for a collection. Bring them all up.”

“Okay!”

You’re too rich…

After a dazzling series of purchases, Nola finally embarked on the return journey with Fia. However, feeling that the accessories Nola chose didn’t suit Erin Slate’s color scheme, Fia voluntarily paid for another silver brooch for Nola. As a return, Fia gave Nola the task of carrying the paper bags and didn’t allow Nola to use storage magic.

Played for a fool and treated like a servant.

Facing the sunlight, Nola, hands full of paper bags, clicked her tongue unwillingly. She cast a fierce glare at Fia’s back ahead. However, she only saw Fia holding her right hand flat, admiring the cat ring with a happy expression. That atmosphere of joy, as if she were about to hum a song, made Nola pause, unable to help but feel dazzled.

Just a cheap item worth three silver coins; do you like it that much…

Can’t understand.

The impatience in her heart disappeared without a trace at some point. Nola clicked her tongue and silently followed the elf princess ahead.