IWNL 01

Chapter 1

“Ahahaha!”

Inside the old countryside mansion, a mocking laugh echoed.

“That’s right. Now even my own family has turned their backs on me, the villainess.”

Azure spoke with a bitter smile, a laugh thrown at herself.

Azure Heartless—once revered by everyone as a stunning beauty and the jewel of the social circle.

But that bloom had long since withered.

Beside her, once surrounded by dazzling wealth and honor, there was now nothing.

All that remained were the dilapidated country mansion, her now shabby clothes compared to the past, and the bottles of alcohol rolling across the floor every day.

Just a few years ago, she had indulged in every luxury imaginable. As the only daughter of the Heartless Duke family and fiancée of the crown prince, she had enjoyed immense wealth.

To Azure, all of it had been hers by right from birth. Her life began to unravel after the conflict with Princess Lopez.

“Isn’t it funny? A princess, driven mad by a man, causing all sorts of trouble… and now exiled to this countryside.”

Eventually, her childhood friend, Princess Lopez, even took away her fiancé.

It didn’t take long for everyone to label Azure as the villainess. Everyone turned their backs on her, pointing fingers. She was now fated never to step foot in high society again, condemned to live out her days in this countryside.

“…….”

Watching her mother lament her situation, Neya thought:

‘So, so…’

Pathetic!

How could someone be so pitiful! To young Neya, it was all she could see—her mother was simply tragic.

To Neya, Azure was a perfect mother: beautiful, kind… and even… good at drinking!

Neya wanted her mother to be happy. Happier than anyone else!

So, Neya planted her hands on her hips and boldly declared:

“Don’t worry, Mom. There are plenty of men in the world!”

Neya made a decision. For this pitiful villainess, her mother—she would find a new love!

“…….”

Of course, the reaction from those around her was frosty.

“How cute!”

“Hey, you’re waking her. Be quiet!”

The staff gathered in a commotion.

Among them, a cat curled up on a woman’s lap, sleeping peacefully.

Its pure white fur looked soft and fluffy, and its small size suggested it was still young.

Truly, this cat was so adorable that anyone who saw it would clutch their heart.

“Seriously, she’s so cute~. Should I just take her?”

“Don’t even think about it. You know how expensive Catsha are.”

“Tch, should’ve been born a noble.”

One of the staff muttered. To raise a fine companion, it seemed status was required!

Others agreed, chiming in with their own complaints.

“Shh!”

Amidst the commotion, the staff member whose lap the cat was on urgently raised a finger. Instantly, everyone quieted.

But perhaps already awake, the cat blinked its eyes.

After a couple of blinks, the white cat stretched and yawned.

Then, with a leap from the staff member’s lap, a puff of white smoke enveloped the cat’s body.

By the time it landed on the floor, it had transformed into a human.

A child no older than seven.

Fluffy white hair was tied into two low pigtails, and her blue eyes sparkled like embedded jewels. Even as a human, she radiated the same adorable charm she had as a cat.

“Wow… no matter how many times I see her…”

One staff member muttered, and everyone present watched the child with flushed cheeks.

Catsha, Neya.

She had lived here since birth and received more love from the staff than any other Catsha.

It was easy to guess what kind of personality she had grown into.

Crossing her arms, Neya proudly declared:

“Sisters! I’m hungry!”

Confident as ever.

At her words, the staff scrambled noisily, rushing toward the doors one by one.

“Wait! I even bought something tasty for Neya today!”

“Hey, it’s my turn today!”

“I’ll bring toys too!”

“Bring lots~!”

Neya waved to them with a familiar smile.

The room quickly emptied.

“Ugh.”

While waiting for the staff, Neya plopped into a chair.

Not much time had passed, but waiting was always boring. She surveyed the room to pass the time. The building was spacious and neat, rivaling a noble estate.

This was a shop that managed and sold Catsha—cat people.

Catsha could take human form and were intelligent, but high-ranking nobles still preferred to treat them like animals rather than humans.

‘I wonder what snacks my sisters brought!’

Having grown up in the cat shop, Neya didn’t know much about the outside world.

The staff treated her well, meals and snacks were plentiful, sleeping arrangements comfortable, and playthings abundant! For Neya, the seven years she had spent in the Catshop had been perfect.

“Neya.”

One of the staff entered the room.

“The boss wants to see you.”

“Daddy?”

“Yes. I’ll take you. Let’s go together.”

Neya’s face lit up. She grabbed the staff member’s hand and hopped off her chair.

“Daddy!”

Passing through the door the staff opened, Neya ran into the room.

Seeing her, Alex, who had been looking at documents, smiled.

He reached out warmly.

“Come here, Neya.”

Without hesitation, Neya hugged him, and he placed her on his lap as if accustomed.

Alex was Neya’s favorite person in the world.

He was the shop owner and a noble from a respected family. With his neat appearance and kind attitude toward all Catsha, the children called him “Dad.” Neya was no exception.

Alex cupped Neya’s cheeks, his voice full of concern.

“Are you eating your snacks properly? Your cheeks are so chubby.”

“No! I eat really well~! My sisters keep giving me delicious things!”

“Good. You deserve love. After all, you’re Neya. Who wouldn’t love you?”

Neya giggled. Hearing such loving words was an everyday joy for her.

“Why did you call me today? I even have lots of new clothes!”

“Not for a gift today, unfortunately. But there’s better news.”

Better than a gift? Neya’s eyes sparkled.

“Neya, your adoption family has been decided.”

“……!”

Neya’s face brightened even more.

For the Catsha here, adoption was seen as a wonderful thing. The staff had instilled strong fantasies of family in them.

“It’s a duke’s family.”

“A duke’s family…!”

Neya counted her fingers, then looked up at Alex with sparkling eyes.

“Second only to the royal family!”

“See? Neya, you’re smart.”

Alex smiled, ruffling her hair.

“You’ll be loved there too. Who could resist loving someone like you?”

“Hehe.”

“If all children were like Neya, this dad would never worry.”

“Other friends are good too! They listen to you!”

“Right. Except for one.”

Alex’s soft voice turned suddenly cold.

Neya knew exactly who he meant.

“……Did Hugh cause trouble again?”

Hugh, Neya’s childhood friend and a rare Catsha with magical power.

Though he wore a bracelet to control his magic, he could still cast spells, constantly causing headaches for the staff.

He used magic whenever he had the chance, knowing it annoyed Alex. Yet Hugh deliberately did things Alex disliked.

Seeing Neya’s worried gaze, Alex smiled again.

“You don’t need to worry, my dear Neya. Your adoption date isn’t far off, so just stay as you always are until then.”

“……Yes.”

Neya nodded, a bit dejected.

After talking with Alex, Neya headed down a quiet hallway, sneaking past staff to her destination.

She arrived at a solitary room, usually for Catsha who caused trouble to serve their punishment.

Most Catsha were well-behaved, so punishments were rare.

Except for one.

“Hugh!”

Neya knocked on the glass with her fist.

Inside was a boy with black hair—her childhood friend Hugh.

Although it was daytime, and nocturnal Hugh should be sleeping, he sat on the floor staring out the window, frowning as if dissatisfied.

At Neya’s knocks, Hugh turned his gaze toward her.

“Hugh, are you okay? I heard you used magic again!”

“…….”

Hugh didn’t answer, instead standing and walking closer to the glass.

He glanced at Neya before speaking curtly:

“Why are you here? If you get caught, you’ll get punished too.”

“But… you’re alone again…”

With a familiar sigh, Hugh let out a small exhale.

Neya’s face was on the verge of tears.

“You promised me you wouldn’t use magic anymore. Why did you do it again?”

“…….”

Hugh stayed silent, avoiding her gaze.

Only when he met her desperate eyes did he finally speak:

“……Don’t go.”