Catgirls And Dungeons (Yuri)-Chapter 114: Investigation

"Your Highness," a female voice stirs the air, coming somewhere behind me. "Your intel person that you sent to investigate Lady Morvena Lysanthir d'Aurelle has returned."

…

The moment I hear that name…

'Morvena'…

My heart suddenly begins to race, each beat flutters like a frantic bird caught in a gilded cage, delicate wings slamming against unseen bars.

An unfamiliar urgency stirs beneath my skin.

A strange, impatient energy, as though a thread has been pulled taut inside my chest.

Still, I keep my voice even, cold, and regal.

"Good," I say, my voice gliding across the steamy air. "You may let her in."

And yet… despite myself, a smile still dares to curls faintly at the corner of my lips.

"Yes, Your Highness," the maid replies.

A pause follows, short, but heavy with anticipation. Then, after the soft creak of the chamber door, I hear footsteps glide across the marble floor, slow and respectful.

A presence enters the room, quietly, carefully, but remains out of sight behind the silken veil.

Of course.

Even now, even here, the boundaries remain intact.

No one, absolute no one, is permitted to gaze upon me while I bathe, not unless they are among the few I have personally chosen, the few I trust, my most two loyal handmaidens… and my dear teacher.

To the rest of the world, my body is sacred.

From behind the curtain, the figure kneels. I hear the faint rustle of her robes brushing against the warm marble floor.

"Your Highness," the voice says again, lower now, reverent.

"Irene," I murmur, tilting my head slightly, eyes half-lidded. "You may report."

"Yes, Your Highness," she replies.

For a moment, she pauses—gathering her thoughts.

Then, clearly and carefully, she begins to speak, unfolding every detail of what she has learned.

—————————————-

"Your Highness," Irene begins, her voice clear but careful, "just as she claimed—Lady Morvena is indeed the youngest daughter of Baron Abadon d'Aurelle and Lady Mariana Lysanthir. When she was younger, she was rarely seen in public. Most of her childhood was spent confined within the walls of their estate. She wasn't permitted to attend noble gatherings, festivals, or even the seasonal courts."

A pause.

"This… aligns with the fact that she bears the mark of demonic corruption. It seems the d'Aurelle family has long been hiding her existence from the eyes of the aristocracy."

"Hmm?" I hum, lips curling slightly. "Interesting."

The water ripples softly as I shift in the bath, reclining more fully into the warmth of the petals and oils. The scent of roses clings to the steam, heavy and sweet, like the breath of summer.

"Then tell me," I muse lazily, trailing a finger across the surface of the water, pushing a rose petal like it's a tiny crimson boat. "why is she here now? In Luminaris of all places? Isn't that exposing her to the very danger her family tried so hard to protect her from?"

"She came by her own will," Irene answers. "Despite knowing the risks. I believe she has a goal—something she wants to achieve here, something important enough to risk her life for… erm…"

Another short pause.

"However… I must apologize, Your Highness. I was unable to uncover what that goal actually is."

"That's fine, Irene," I say softly, eyes narrowing in thought. "That's not something you could understand anyway."

"Eh?" she mutters. "You… already know?"

"Yes." I nod once.

After all, it isn't hard to deduce her true intention, her true goal.

"That girl… Morvena… she's brave, far braver than most nobles who've lived in comfort all their lives," I murmur. "To walk into the lion's den while carrying a curse she knows could get her killed… that takes more than recklessness. That takes conviction."

The words slip from my lips like praise wrapped in thorns.

Well… thinking about it now, her actions aren't that surprising.

"But Irene," I begin. "When someone is locked away, sheltered, hidden from the world, the thing they begin to crave most… isn't safety."

"Wait… you mean…" Irene gasps slightly.

"Yes," I narrow my eyes. "She doesn't want safety, but instead, she wants freedom, connection. To feel seen. To be acknowledged. To have someone reach back when you extend your hand…

She's never had that… not until she came to Luminaris. I guess… the girl must be desperate.

Desperate to prove she belongs in this world. That she deserves to live in it.

Haizz.."

A sigh escapes me.

Still… there's something else she said that continues to echo in my thoughts.

"She seemed to admire my mother quite a bit," I say. "Was there a reason for that?"

"Ah, yes, Your Highness," Irene answers. "I looked into that as well. Years ago, the d'Aurelle barony—small and remote as it is—was overrun by demons. No other noble house sent help. Not even the regional lords. But Her Majesty, Queen Alicia, rode in with her knights."

"Right…" I nod slowly, memory stirring. "That was twenty years ago… a dungeon break, wasn't it?"

"Yes," Irene confirms. "A Greater Demon slipped through. I also suspect that's when Lady Morvena's corruption began. For a brief moment… her mother was possessed. She fought Her Majesty directly."

"That would explain it," I murmur. "Demonic mana must've seeped into the girl even before she was born. But of course, it was Mother… so she saved them in the end."

"As she did my family," Irene says quietly. Then, her voice hardens, filled with anger and frustration. "And yet… those same people she saved—many of them turned on her the moment they found out she was corrupted—"

"Irene." My tone sharpens.

She catches herself.

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"A-ah! Forgive me, Your Highness…"

"It's alright. But we don't speak of that here."

"…Yes, of course."

A soft silence settles.

The water swirls around me. A rose petal clings to my shoulder.

"Well then," I say at last, letting my eyes close again. "That confirms her story."

"Yes, Your Highness," Irene replies softly from behind the veil. "I'm also glad we can take her in as an ally."

I allow myself a slow breath.

With this… it's settled. The girl didn't lie. Every word, every confession she made—was true.

There's no problem recruiting her.

Turning slightly in the water, I let my boobs press against the edge of the bath, soft and full, like I'm resting against a pair of soft, bouncy cushions. I lazily stretch an arm over the rim, propping up my chin with my wrist.

"That aside," I say with a light sigh, voice almost purring, "how is she doing at the academy?"

"Oh, she's doing exceptionally well, Your Highness," Irene says, the faintest note of admiration slipping into her tone. "Perfect scores across the board. Always top of her class. She's a genius—especially when it comes to magic and mana control."

"Hehe…" I chuckle softly, smirking to myself. "Of course she is. She launched my sword with a burst of mana… even royal mages would not be able to do that."

There's a brief pause.

"However…" Irene's voice lowers slightly. "Most of the time, she just keeps to herself. She locks herself in the library, always studying. The other students… they tend to avoid her. She doesn't have many friends."

"Hmmm~?" I hum, a smirk forming at the corners of my lips. My heart gives a tiny jump. "So, she's a bookworm too, huh? That's kind of cute…"

"And what classes is she taking now?" I ask, feigning disinterest as I flick a petal off my skin.

"Well… it's a rather unusual combination," Irene says. "Swordsmanship, divine magic, shield techniques, holy studies, purification techniques, soul reinforcing techniques, and—"

I blink. "Paladin training?"

"Yes, Your Highness," she confirms. "It seems she aspires to be a paladin… just like Queen Alicia."

"…Heh. So she's following in Mother's footsteps," I whisper, heart twisting strangely in my chest.

"But that's not all," Irene adds. "She's also taking courses in dark arts… and necromancy."

My eyes widen.

"…Oh?" I lean forward slightly, a shimmer of interest flickering through me like flame over oil. "Now that… is very interesting."

Excitement pulses through my veins like lightning.

My heartbeat quickens, thumping harder, faster.

I rest my chin on the edge of the tub, one hand supporting my cheek as I smile, eyes gleaming with new curiosity.

This girl…

I can't stop thinking about her.

Can't stop wanting to know more.

And now…

Ba-dump.

Ba-dump.

BA-DUMP!

My heart pounds uncontrollably, like something caged and wild, slamming against its prison walls.

I want it to stop…

But it doesn't…

"…And what about," I ask, my voice barely above a whisper, "her romantic life?"

As I say that, my cheeks flare hotter than ever.

There's a pause.

Then—

"Ah… about that…"

Irene hesitates.

She begins to speak.

And as the words fall from her lips—

My smile sharpens into something wicked.

Something thrilled.

Something dangerous.

"Well, now…" I murmur, dragging my tongue slowly across my lips, savoring the words.

"…This is unexpected."