The Game Heroine's Cannon Fodder Leopard Cub - Chapter 5

Yi’an had been ignoring Nora for two days.

It wasn’t just because Nora had ruffled her head (or fur?) without permission, ruining her hairstyle.

The main reason was that Nora wouldn’t let her go to the Central Tower to play with Sophia!

Early the morning after returning from the Central Tower, Yi’an was strolling alone in the courtyard of Nora’s chambers. Lately, Nora had been leaving early each morning and not returning until noon.

As she wandered, a pair of black high-heeled leather boots blocked her path.

Looking up, Yi’an saw Sophia’s radiant face.

Meow?

Sophia had been here for a while. Apart from the leopard she’d found in the backyard, there was no sign of Nora anywhere in the chambers.

Gathering the hem of her robe, Sophia crouched down and picked up the Little Leopard. “What are you doing here all alone? Is Nora not home?”

Meow, meow, meow.

Yi’an meowed repeatedly, but Sophia still looked puzzled. So she raised her front paws and made an “X” shape, then pointed with a paw toward the door.

Carefully interpreting the Little Leopard’s gestures, Sophia hesitantly said, “Nora’s not home… She left early this morning, didn’t she?”

Yi’an was delighted that Sophia had understood her so quickly.

She sat on Sophia’s arm, her paws clinging to Sophia’s chest, nodding repeatedly.

Sophia was equally surprised by the Little Leopard’s intelligence. Overwhelmed with affection, she cradled the cub’s bottom with one hand while gently stroking her head with the other. Soon, a soft, purring rumble, like a tiny motor, filled the air.

When Nora returned, she found Sophia and the Little Leopard snuggled together, their intimacy striking. Her brow furrowed slightly.

When did my Little Leopard become so close to Aunt Sophia?

And those paws—clinging to her chest! How utterly shameless!

Sophia and the Little Leopard were deep in their meow-filled conversation when suddenly Sophia’s arms felt empty. Nora had materialized before them.

Watching Nora’s stern face as she engaged the Little Leopard in a staring contest, Sophia suppressed a smile. Seized by a playful impulse, she cleared her throat and said, “You’re back just in time. I was just inviting Little Leopard over to my place. She can help me test my new animal reagents.”

Yi’an was bewildered. Sophia hadn’t mentioned this at all just now.

Upon hearing Sophia’s invitation, Nora frowned slightly. She lifted Little Leopard to eye level and asked, “Little Leopard, do you want to go?”

Go to the Central Tower? Of course I do! Nora’s never home, and the stone path in the backyard is practically worn smooth from her pacing, Yi’an thought gleefully.

Meow! (I want to go!)

“Oh, you don’t want to go?” Nora hugged Little Leopard again and said earnestly to Sophia, “Little Leopard is timid. She might get scared if she’s too far from me.”

Sophia blinked, suppressing a smile at Nora’s earnest demeanor. “Is that so? So it’s Little Leopard who doesn’t want to go.”

Sensing the teasing in Sophia’s tone, Nora’s ears flushed pink. She glared at Yi’an before lifting her head to change the subject. “Aunt Sophia, did you need something?”

“Nothing urgent. I just wanted to check on Little Leopard’s health so I could tailor some herbal remedies for her.”

Sophia decided not to tease Nora further, lest she anger her and Charlotte give her trouble later. After a brief discussion about Morong, she returned to the Central Tower.

In short, ever since Nora falsely claimed the Leopard Emperor’s decree yesterday, forbidding Yi’an from accompanying Sophia to the Central Tower, Yi’an had been furious.

As a result, apart from mealtime feedings and bath-time scrubbing, Yi’an hadn’t uttered a single meow.

“Little Leopard, I’m going out for a bit. Be a good girl and stay home.”

Nora finished her instructions, only to find Yi’an still presenting her with her usual cold, furry back. She shook her head helplessly, knowing she was in the wrong, but she hadn’t expected Yi’an’s anger to run so deep. No amount of coaxing seemed to work.

With so much to prepare for the trip to Morong, and still unclear why she had rejected Sophia’s invitation, Nora decided to postpone the matter. She resolved to have a proper talk with Yi’an after they set off.

Once the sounds from the bedroom had faded completely, Yi’an pretended to casually wiggle her tail, using the opportunity to glance around with a sidelong glance.

Sure enough, no one was there!

She immediately leaped off the bed and dashed toward the door.

Heh heh, you won’t let me go? I’ll just go myself!

Yi’an tiptoed to the main entrance, cautiously poking her furry head out to peer left and right. Finding no sign of Nora, she gathered her strength and gracefully leaped over the threshold.

“Charlotte, I thought I made myself clear.”

Having finally slipped into the Central Tower, Yi’an heard Sophia’s slightly choked voice coming from the study on the second floor. She quickly leaped up the stairs and peered through the slightly ajar door.

Sophia stood with her back to the door, her right hand braced against the desk, looking agitated. Another person sat facing her, their face obscured from view.

Yi’an’s curiosity burned like a thorn in her heart. She gently widened the crack in the door a fraction, then cautiously poked her head through. Finally, she could see who was sitting opposite Sophia. But… Yi’an’s pupils dilated in shock.

“Feia…” Grand Duchess Charlotte scrambled to her feet, clutching her cane in a panic. She reached out to wipe the tears streaming down the witch’s face, but Sophia jerked her head away.

“When you needed an heir, you could freely take as many lovers as you pleased. Love was nothing more than a seasoning to your meals. Now that you’ve achieved your goal, you’re seeking richer flavors for your palate.”

Sophia let the scalding tears stream down her cheeks.

“So what am I to you, then? Just a condiment to your meals? Or not even that—merely an occasional sweet treat?”

“Feia, I won’t let you speak of yourself that way.” Charlotte tossed aside her cane and gently cupped Sophia’s face, catching her despairing tears.

“I’ve loved you since the moment I first saw you at fifteen. I’ve been hopelessly devoted to you ever since. I can explain everything—the so-called lovers, Nora’s true parentage—I only ask that you trust me.”

“You once told me that a lover’s eyes are the most honest expression. Look at me, look into my eyes. Do you see only you there?”

“Feia, I swear to you, for all my life, I will love only you. If not, then only in the moment of my death.”

Sophia stopped sobbing but remained silent, her head bowed.

Charlotte took her hand, interlacing their fingers tightly. Her voice was soft, like a whisper in her ear.

“For the sake of Lancaster, I won’t deny I’ve made many compromises and played along with countless people. But your Xia La belongs only to you. I used to fear so many things, but I’m not afraid anymore.”

“Feia, even here in Central Plaza or Royal Park, I would declare to the world without hesitation, as the Grand Duke of Lancaster, that I desire only to be your sole wife.”

Charlotte lowered her head and gently rested against Sophia’s neck, her voice turning husky. “But I don’t know if we’ll ever have the chance for any of this.”

“Xia La…” Sophia began hesitantly, “I don’t know… You’re nothing like those herbs. I can’t hold onto you, and I’m afraid to even try…”

“What if I let you hold onto me forever?” Charlotte’s eyes sparkled as she heard Sophia finally use her nickname. She leaned into Sophia’s embrace, wrapping her arms around her waist.

“My dear, your Xia La only wants to be held by you, to have her body and soul bound by you. I don’t ask for an immediate answer, just a word of affirmation, a chance.”

Charlotte, her arms wrapped around Sophia’s waist, tilted her head back and gazed into her eyes. “Do you still want Xia La like this?”

The elegant and dignified Grand Duke of Lancaster clung to her body like a fairy, causing Sophia’s dormant heart to pound wildly once more. She couldn’t resist reaching out to tightly embrace Charlotte’s slender waist.

Sensing the restraint around her waist, Charlotte offered no resistance. Instead, she gracefully raised her arms to encircle Sophia’s neck, her crimson lips parting slightly. “Do you want to kiss Xia La?”

Sophia’s throat tightened, unable to resist the fairy’s allure. Just as she leaned in to taste those sweet lips, a soft sound came from the doorway.

“Who’s there?”

Sophia retrieved Charlotte’s cane and handed it to her before striding toward the door.

Meow~

Yi’an was terrified. She could already feel Sophia’s murderous aura bearing down on her, making it impossible to slip away unnoticed.

Oh my god! Who knew sneaking in to play would lead to stumbling upon Mom and Aunt’s forbidden romance?!

No wonder Nora tried to stop me. This is way too risky!

Am I going to be silenced by the witch now?!

My leopard life is in danger!