11
Episode 11
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All the bad maids are gone!
I knew it!
"Mouse, I'll tell you where I hid the toys. When you see my sister, bring the ball there!"
"Hooh, a mouse showing itself to humans, is it? That's a daring thing to do..."
"Yup, yup! Bigger is always better!"
"But will your cruel and scary master be swayed by toys?"
"Yes! Absolutely! My sister wants my toys. She always wanted to steal them, even before! I think she wants to play with toys too!"
I subtly show my toys to tempt my sister.
And while trying to find the toys hidden in the detached building, I pretend to accidentally find the embezzlement ledger!
Then, if I show her the ledger, my sister will kick out the bad maids!
Then my sister's clothes will become shiny and clean again.
I squatted down in the mansion hallway, bringing my hand to my mouth, trying to giggle.
But a knight appeared from somewhere and lifted me up.
"You must be the young miss."
"H-Huh, who, who are you?"
"I am a knight guarding Chloe's mansion from the outside. Chloe said it's late, so you can sleep here tonight."
The maids are all gone, so a knight is coming... not!
I wiggled my insignificant legs.
"It tickles, haha."
...The muscular knight didn't budge.
Being carried down the hallway.
I smiled brightly.
The worn cuffs of my sister's dress, the dusty hem, will now be shiny and clean, right?
I should stretch out my round human paws and sleep well tonight!
'Even without sweet potatoes and praise, it's okay because I caught all the bad people.'
I tried to maintain a happy expression.
But for some reason, my face kept clouding over.
I think I knew why.
But.
But, just a little bit...
"Um."
"Yes?"
"Isn't Chloe going to come see me?"
"Ah..."
The knight trailed off.
"...I guess not."
I did a good job with the 'catching maids game,' so I should get a pat on the head and eat sweet potatoes.
But I bravely raised the corners of my lips.
'It's okay. I can ask the maid for sweet potatoes!'
I slept alone bravely yesterday too.
Sleeping alone isn't so bad.
But then, the knight took out a golden bottle from his pocket.
"Actually, Chloe threw this bottle at me as she came up the hallway earlier... no, she gave it to me."
"Wow, sweet potato color! It's super precious!"
"That's right. It's a very precious golden potion. But she told me to sprinkle this precious potion on Coco's back and neck."
I tilted my head in confusion, then made an 'ah' sound.
Come to think of it, the maids lifted me up and pushed me against the wall.
It seemed my sister saw the small scratches on my body in the process.
I obediently closed my eyes tightly.
"Please spray it on me now!"
Then the knight carefully sprayed the medicine on my body.
It stung for a moment, and then I felt the wounds healing.
I touched my softened shoulder and smiled.
'It's okay if my sister doesn't recognize me yet.'
My sister is still the same.
She's a warm person like sunlight who can't stand the sight of wounds on my body.
Someday, the day will come when she says, "I love you the most in the world, Coco."
I thought as I was still dangling in the knight's arms.
My heart still aches a little.
But today is better than yesterday.
I think tonight will be a night with less tossing and turning.