Engaging with the Plot: A Former Cat's Attempt to Save Her Now Temporary Fiance Volume 1 (eBook)

Usagi Hoshimi (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025
250 Seiten
J-Novel Heart (Verlag)
978-1-7183-0552-6 (ISBN)

Infos

Lucille's fiancé, the second prince, accuses her of a crime she didn't commit and then breaks off their engagement. Not only that, but her unjust punishment is a new betrothal to a cursed marquess! After a prophetic dream foretells her eventual execution, Lucille awakens to memories of her past life...as Lilybell, the world's most lovable cat, whose previous owners throughout history happened to include a great witch, a legendary alchemist, and a chosen hero.

According to her dream, Lucille's new fiancé, Felix, already has a fated love destined to appear in the future. In other words, it's only a temporary engagement, so why shouldn't she just kick back and relax?

With her super positive mindset and the skills she inherited from Lilybell's owners, Lucille soon finds herself helping the people around her. She also discovers the truth of her past companions and begins to unravel the mystery behind Felix's curse.

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Lucille's fiance, the second prince, accuses her of a crime she didn't commit and then breaks off their engagement. Not only that, but her unjust punishment is a new betrothal to a cursed marquess! After a prophetic dream foretells her eventual execution, Lucille awakens to memories of her past life...as Lilybell, the world's most lovable cat, whose previous owners throughout history happened to include a great witch, a legendary alchemist, and a chosen hero.According to her dream, Lucille s new fiance, Felix, already has a fated love destined to appear in the future. In other words, it s only a temporary engagement, so why shouldn t she just kick back and relax?With her super positive mindset and the skills she inherited from Lilybell s owners, Lucille soon finds herself helping the people around her. She also discovers the truth of her past companions and begins to unravel the mystery behind Felix s curse.

Textauszug

Chapter 1: I’ll Enjoy My Temporary Engagement!

As the bumpy carriage ride rocked my body, I found myself in disbelief that I really was being shipped off to Lord Leeuwenhoek. My attempts at resistance had only won me a temporary reprieve: engagement rather than immediate marriage. In other words, I would be betrothed to the cursed marquess for one year. Since Elvira would arrive within a year’s time, I predicted I wouldn’t actually have to go through with the marriage.

At any rate, I was now an unwanted fiancée. I was told that Prince Bernard would definitely enforce my punishment because he’d loudly declared it in front of so many people. Personally, I didn’t see why anything had to happen at all, but apparently he had to follow through. On the bright side, at least everyone knew it was a false accusation.

While en route to the borderlands, I reflected on the prophetic dream I’d had.

As a general rule, these dreams of mine foretold real events, but naturally, it was possible to change that future. This was especially true since the dreams changed my state of mind and the way I interpreted things that happened.

It seemed that out of the infinite possible futures, my dreams depicted the one with the highest probability of occurring. And they were usually nightmares. Being able to see one of many possible futures was an ability from my past life.

In my previous life, I was a cat named Lilybell, and a beautiful one at that, with glossy pure-white fur and blue eyes. My first owner was the Great Witch Alys. As a half demon, Master Alys was long-lived and, like one would expect from her title, her magic was second to none. After many years in solitude, her loneliness prompted her to cast a spell on her beloved white cat, me, to prolong my lifespan to match hers. That was when I acquired the power of prophetic dreams, an ability that had originally been part of Master Alys’s dark magic repertoire. Upon my life resonating with hers, I began to have the same dreams as she did. However, she was not able to stay with me for long. She was killed, leaving me with my extended lifespan.

My next owner was a saint named Clarissa. She couldn’t undo the spell that Master Alys had placed on me, so instead, she cast a holy spell that would keep me in good health for the rest of my long life. I stayed by her side as she worked, comforting those in emotional distress. At some point, people began to call me a holy cat. My white fur probably contributed to that image. But alas, even saints are still human, and Saint Clarissa, too, passed away and left me behind.

My owner after that was a burly master chef named Matthew. He also worked as an adventurer so that he could search for rare ingredients. Matthew was very particular when it came to food, and thanks to him, I developed a refined palate for gourmet dishes.

After Matthew was Conrad, the heir to a prominent merchant family, followed by the royal daughter of a large nation, Princess Roselia. Then there was Hinako, who had been summoned from another world, and Efren, a chosen hero.

At one point, when I was between owners, I became the boss of all the strays in my area. Everyone I lived with loved me and doted on me.

The white cat Lilybell’s final owner was an orphaned boy who had been abandoned by his parents. He was bullied by others, couldn’t eat properly, and had no name. He was a kind boy with a beautiful soul, but not a single human recognized that, which I found very saddening. Eventually he was taken to be a sacrifice to summon a demon, and toward the end of the ritual, I leaped into the magic circle in his place.

I lost consciousness, and that was that. I never found out what happened to the demon or the boy.

“Well, at least I don’t have to marry Prince Bernard anymore. And the borderlands might have rare delicacies that can’t be procured in the royal capital.”

As I gazed out the carriage window, I caught my reflection; a glamorous vixen looked back at me.

“I shall prepare you for battle, my lady!” my longtime personal attendant, Lacia, had cried as she had applied the thick makeup I currently sported, the art of which had nearly become second nature to her.

Dwelling on complex matters wasn’t something I was fond of. Since I could see the future, I’d rather just avoid the worst possible outcome and enjoy the rest of what this life had to offer.

All I have to do is back down immediately when Elvira shows up! I’ll find a chance to disappear by, say, pretending to die. Then Felix Leeuwenhoek will get together with Elvira, just like that. Yep, that’s the way to go!

After that, I could live freely, just as I had in my Lilybell days. I enjoyed living with others, but I could also choose to live alone like when I was a stray.

In fact, part of me wondered if I should simply abscond now instead of waiting an entire year. However, in the event that Leeuwenhoek were accused of defying a royal order because of my actions, it wouldn’t sit well with me.

My carefree thoughts were interrupted the moment I stepped out of the carriage.

“You must be tired from your travels. I am the marquess of Leeuwenhoek, Felix Leeuwenhoek.”

Wh-Whaaat?! I was astonished by the appearance of the man standing before me.

As my hands and legs trembled furiously, I somehow managed to wring out the words, “I-It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Lucille Gustelanola.” After a shaky curtsy, I looked up to see Felix Leeuwenhoek glaring at me with a raised eyebrow.

Ack! My eyes! It’s like there’s a shining halo around him! What an attractive man!

Dark ashen hair, golden eyes, a scowl so deep you could lose your finger in the furrow of his brow—he was much larger and more intimidating than the knights in the capital, and if looks could kill, his sharp, cold gaze would already have ended me where I stood.

From what I’d heard, Lord Leeuwenhoek was feared by young noble ladies. He certainly wasn’t ugly—as I’d already observed in my dream—but his frightening aura beat out his good looks. Besides, the noble ladies preferred delicate, androgynous men, while Lord Leeuwenhoek was stoic and unsociable, with a reputation for not only misogyny, but hating people in general.

It doesn’t help that he’s also the cursed marquess.

Then again, that was why Prince Bernard had called marrying this man a punishment. According to the rumors in the capital, Lord Leeuwenhoek and his land really were cursed, but I wasn’t privy to the details.

But who cares when he’s this hot?! The heat coursing through my body was making me sweat. No! He’s going to think I’m a pervert! I clenched my teeth, forcibly tightening my jaw, to prevent my face from breaking out into a creepy grin.

Leeuwenhoek glared at me.

Aaaaahhh! I’d pay an entire gold coin for that glare!

As I panted internally in agony, Leeuwenhoek scowled at me. “Rumors of you have reached this land. I hate despicable, foolish women like you the most.”

“Yes! Thank you!”

“What?”

“Oh! I misspoke!”

It was the same line I’d heard in my dream, and my addled brain had deluded itself into thinking a stage actor had recited that famous quote just for me.

No, no! What kind of noble lady would thank someone for insulting her? But to be honest, even verbal abuse feels like a reward when it’s coming from such a handsome man! I mean, he’s even cooler than Elliot, the black tom I’d followed around in my Lilybell days, thinking, “I’ll never find such a wonderful male again, even if I’m reborn!”

“Ahem!” I cleared my throat. “That is quite fine. I understand that you feel that way, and I know my place,” I replied with a smile.

He regarded me with suspicion. I had a feeling it was too late to fix this first impression, but he wasn’t going to like me anyway, so I supposed it didn’t matter.

At any rate, Felix Leeuwenhoek’s stunning beauty had blown away all my thoughts of escaping this situation. His fated heroine, Elvira Lavache, wouldn’t arrive for another year. I wouldn’t be punished for enjoying being this fine man’s fiancée until then, would I?

Why yes, I do believe that is the case. Besides, this engagement is only a formality anyway!

◯◯◯

After that, Leeuwenhoek quickly retreated inside, leaving me with an attendant around my age.

“My name is Sarah,” she said. “Allow me to show you to your room.”

“Thank you, Sarah,” I replied, following after her.

For some reason, she led me around the house instead of through what appeared to be the front door. I found it strange but chose not to question it as we walked through a large garden. Upon reaching its end, we arrived at a detached house. I glanced back and couldn’t help but notice that the main manor was essentially hidden from view.

I see. It seems Leeuwenhoek really does not like me at all.

That said, the outside and inside of the detached house were clean. It was perfectly livable. If anything, I was grateful—living in the same building as that dreamboat would have had me too worked up to get any sleep.

Sarah let me know I could use any room I liked, so I chose one...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 12.8.2025
• Reihe/Serie: Engaging with the Plot: A Former Cat’s Attempt to Save Her Now Temporary Fiancé
• Illustrationen: Usagi Hoshimi
• Übersetzer: Usagi Hoshimi
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur
• Schlagworte: Cats • female protagonist • Magic • Nobility • Reincarnation • Slice of Life • villainess
• ISBN-10: 1-7183-0552-4 / 1718305524
• ISBN-13: 978-1-7183-0552-6 / 9781718305526