{Continent of Alaz, Roman Empire, Province of Light, Capital Lutetia, Starlight Family Estate.}
{In the chambers of the governor's third wife.}
A young girl, no older than sixteen, glided through the deserted corridors of the grand estate. Her soft yet quick steps echoed against the marble walls, adorned with frescoes. The air was filled with the scent of lavender and the freshness of the sea breeze drifting in through the open windows.
She wore a Victorian-style maid's dress — a strange anachronism at the columns and statues of classical architecture.
But even more astonishing was her appearance: from beneath thick black hair, sharp cat ears peeked out, lined with white fluff, and a black, bushy tail swayed in rhythm with her steps.
The girl was clearly in a hurry. Her breath came in short gasps, and her cheeks flushed from the brisk pace, making her all the more captivating.
At last, she reached the massive door leading to her mistress's chambers.
The maid paused, catching her breath, and carefully smoothed the folds of her dress. Hesitating for a moment, she knocked.
The knock was so soft that even she could barely hear it. Yet a response came almost immediately. From behind the door, a gentle voice, like the tinkle of silver bells, called out:
"Come in."
The maid smiled and gently pushed open the heavy door, secretly hoping the hinges wouldn't squeak. She was clearly nervous and didn't want to disturb the room's occupants in the slightest.
Inside, she saw her mistress.
A beautiful woman with silver hair and a radiant smile basked in the sunlight, as if she were the embodiment of happiness itself. She wore a simple white dress that accentuated the elegance of her figure. Her sky-colored eyes were fixed on two small bundles of cloth she held in her hands.
The scene was so harmonious that the poor maid felt a pang of guilt for intruding on their idyll.
"It's you, Cassia! How wonderful that you're here. I've been eagerly waiting for your arrival," the lady said joyfully, her gaze never leaving the two little ones with a look full of affection.
Although Cassia had served this woman since childhood, she still couldn't believe that anyone in the mortal world could be so flawless and untainted.
She made a deep curtsy, feeling her heart flutter with anticipation.
"I am here to serve you, Mistress Katherine," Cassia said, her voice tinged with nervousness.
Katherine responded with a soft smile and a gentle reproach for her subordinate:
"Why are you always so formal? Come now, Cassia, there's no need for such rigid politeness. You know I regard you more as a little sister than a servant."
"I am unworthy, my lady," the maid replied. "Please, allow me to fulfill my role. This is an honor for me."
"Fine, fine. As you wish," Katherine huffed, sounding mildly displeased, but quickly changed the subject. "I summoned you so that you could be the first to see my beautiful children."
Cassia's narrow pupils widened in a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Her black, fluffy tail wagged uncontrollably from side to side, and her ears twitched slightly, betraying her confusion and excitement.
Though she would never admit it aloud, she was genuinely thrilled that this honor had fallen to her. She was finally going to see the two little humans — flesh and blood of her mistress.
The young maid could already imagine doting on her new little charges.
Shifting awkwardly, she asked in a voice trembling with excitement,
"May… may I hold them?"
Watching Cassia's behavior, Katherine laughed approvingly. She understood her subordinate perfectly — trying to maintain proper decorum, yet far too eager and curious.
"Fufufu. I know you're impatient, dear, but wait a few days. They're still so fragile — they can't even hold up their own heads yet. I promise, soon you'll play with them as much as you want."
"Wonderful. Or rather… it will be my honor, Mistress!" the cat-girl said, blushing slightly.
"Fufufu, you're so cute when you pout, Cassia. Don't be upset—better help me choose names for them."
"Look at this little angel. What do you think?" Katherine asked, pointing to the girl with silver hair just like her own.
The little one wasn't paying attention to the adults' conversation. She laughed wholeheartedly, tangling herself in her mother's hair as if caught in a gentle drizzle. Her chubby cheeks puffed adorably, and her blue eyes sparkled with joy.
Cassia leaned closer to get a better look at the charming little girl.
"She's such a beautiful child! I feel like I'm looking at a miniature version of you. So bright and cheerful. I'm not very good with names, but it should reflect these qualities. Do you have any ideas?"
"You're right," Katherine smiled, gently stroking her daughter's silver locks. "I wanted to name her Grace. It means radiant, elegant, blessed by the gods."
"Grace… That name suits her perfectly, Mistress. I'm sure she will grow into an absolute beauty," Cassia agreed immediately.
"Fufufu… And what about this little rascal?" Katherine said gently. "What do you think? I have an idea, but I'm not sure."
The maid shifted her gaze to the dark-haired boy with deep, pond-like blue eyes.
His eyes never left his mother for a second. He seemed utterly captivated, staring at her with a love-struck intensity, as if trying to unravel the secrets of the universe.
For a moment, Cassia wished the little boy would look at her the same way. She couldn't help but think of how many hearts he would break in the future, how many young girls would be hopelessly lost in those bottomless eyes.
As she leaned closer, the boy became distracted and suddenly reached for her black ears, catching the maid completely off guard.
Everyone knew that the ears of the catfolk were extremely sensitive—an erogenous zone, just like the chest or hips. Touching them was strictly forbidden.
But the boy didn't know.
Feeling the small, warm hand where it shouldn't be, Cassia shivered as goosebumps ran down her spine. The touch was soft and gentle, like the brush of a feather.
"Mrrr…"—a purr escaped from her chest involuntarily.
The young maid was overwhelmed with a mix of shame and embarrassment. If it had been anyone else, they would have lost their hand—or worse—but this was her mistress's son.
'He's just a child; I can forgive his mischief. It's not because I like his caresses, Cassia told herself, mentally justifying it.'
Her reaction sent the boy into complete delight.
His face lit up with a joyful smile, and sparks of satisfaction danced in his eyes. He laughed and continued enjoying his new "toy."
"Fufufu, my little devil is already charming the ladies," Katherine hurried to tease the young maid. "Cassia, it seems you've become his first admirer… Fufufu."
The girl blushed but kept her expression composed. Not wanting to make the already awkward situation worse, she quickly changed the subject:
"Mistress, we need to choose a name! Mmm, let me think. The little one has black hair but pale skin. He's calm, yet playful. In a word—contradictory. Yes, I think I know the perfect name for him! It should be Gray," Cassia blurted out in a sudden burst of inspiration.
The idea came to her so naturally, as if the gods themselves were whispering their suggestions. Cassia couldn't hide her delighted cry when she had found the most fitting name.
Katherine's eyes widened. Even her gentle voice trembled with surprise:
"H-how? Gray? Are you joking, Cassia? I was going to name him that myself! Admit it—you eavesdropped, didn't you? Tsk, such a naughty maid…"
"N-no, Mistress, it's just… just… it seems this name suits him perfectly. As if the heavens had already chosen it. It's purely a coincidence…" Cassia stammered, embarrassed, her ears twitching slightly in the little boy's hands.
"Fufufu, you certainly have a vivid imagination," Katherine laughed.
She gazed thoughtfully at the two children and finally made up her mind:
"Then so it shall be. Gray and Grace—perfect names for twins. So alike, yet so different. I can't wait to see them grow up."
Cassia smiled.
She was glad she had guessed her mistress's thoughts correctly. This was exactly how a perfect maid should act — and she was just that.
"They will grow up wonderful. I'm sure… Master Adam will be pleased with the new heirs…" — as if realizing what she had said, Cassia cut herself off, too afraid to continue.
'How foolish of me! I became too self-satisfied and couldn't keep my mouth shut. Bad Cassia! What have you done?!' — the maid cursed her unruly tongue in her mind, but the words were already spoken, and the mood in the room shifted instantly.
At the mention of her husband, Katherine's beautiful face lost its playful glow, and her brow furrowed in displeasure and irritation.
That man had vanished after their wedding night, leaving her alone in the cold palace. He had never inquired about her well-being during her pregnancy, sending servants only occasionally. He had not been there when she needed him most. And even three days later, he had not appeared to see the children.
It would have been a miracle if Katherine did not curse him silently.
Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself and asked more evenly,
"What did he say?"
"I-I'm sorry, milady," Cassia stammered, unwilling to speak.
"It's alright, Cassia, I don't blame you. Just tell me," Katherine insisted.
"H-His… His Majesty Adam Starlight said he is delayed by a meeting with the clergy regarding anomalous signs. He promised to visit you as soon as the matter is resolved. He also instructed me to report on your condition and asked whether you require the services of a wet nurse," the maid reported obediently, feeling her mistress grow more distant with every word.
Katherine's body trembled with restrained fury and hurt.
She remained silent for a long moment, lost in thought.
As if sensing their mother's emotions, the twins stopped laughing, their eyes on the verge of tears.
Shaking herself back to reality, Katherine held the two little ones even closer and began to rock them.
"Cassi, I'm a little tired," Katherine forced a smile, one so strained that it made Cassia ache just to see it. "I need to feed the twins. Could you come back a little later? Say… tomorrow morning? I'm sure Gray and Grace will be happy to see you again. And yes, tell him that I'm fine. There's no need to trouble anyone. He can do as he wishes."
Cassia felt her heart tighten.
She wanted to say something, but the right words wouldn't come. It was her own fault for breaking their idyll. Now, she had no choice but to leave.
I will, my lady, she said, bowing, and stepped quietly out the door.
Only the gentle melody of a lullaby filled the spacious room.
Katherine's face underwent yet another sudden transformation. From its previous calm, it shifted into an expression both deeply concerned and tenderly loving.
She turned to the twins, her voice carrying the tone of almost primal maternal affection:
"You must be hungry, aren't you, my little ones? Don't worry. Mommy is here, and Mommy will always love and protect her precious treasures."
Barely perceptible hints of madness and obsession slipped into her words as she loosened the folds of her white dress to feed the babies.
Katherine's gaze drifted toward the window.
The crescent moon, hidden behind clouds, cast soft silver reflections across the night cityscape. The city still sparkled with its lights, but they had no bearing on her world at all.