After Becoming Pregnant With The Empress Cat's Cub - Chapter 31

Under the covers, flawless skin was exposed directly to a pair of amber eyes.

Looking at the faint hint of pink at the end of a delicate curve, Ju Rin’s eyes seemed to catch fire! She moved with lightning speed, stuffing the human’s arm back under the blanket and pulling the covers up sharply, straight over the human’s head!

With everything hidden, Ju Rin exhaled, but the sparks in her eyes were still racing uncontrollably through her body.

This sudden movement clearly disturbed the sleeping human. Ju Rin heard a soft murmur from beneath the blanket… a tiny sound, yet it felt like a bomb, leaving her guilt with nowhere to hide!

The blanket felt like it was burning her hands. Ju Rin quickly let go and stepped back, only to accidentally step on the gown lying on the floor. The layers of white lace bunched up, revealing a flesh colored nipple cover that had been hidden underneath.

Ju Rin’s brow twitched. That “hint of pink” that had just scorched her vision seemed to flash before her eyes again!

Lola heard the noise, put down the clothes, and turned toward the sound. She saw the Princess standing by the bed, back arched, head bowed. She was frozen like a statue.

Even more shocking… Lola looked at the top of the Princess’s head and saw fluffy ears suddenly pop out. Why did she manifest her beast form so abruptly?

Before Lola could process what was happening, a flash of light flickered, and the golden beast ears vanished. To be precise, the Princess herself vanished!

Lola stared toward the door in confusion, watching the palace gates that hadn’t even had time to close. What happened? Why did the Princess run?

“Mmm…”

In the silent hall, another dissatisfied mumble sounded. Lola turned back to see a hand reach out from under the covers and push the blanket down. The tousled, furry head that had been smothered emerged.

Lola thought the human had woken up and prepared to apologize, but she watched as the human simply rolled over and continued sleeping on her stomach.

She’s still asleep, Lola judged, listening to the long, steady breathing. She looked back at the half-open door, hesitated for a moment, and then quickly followed. Her footsteps were light, not disturbing the human’s peaceful rest.

Outside the hall, Lola found the Princess leaning against the wall, head down, lost in thought. The beast ears were gone.

Lola wondered if she had hallucinated. The Princess was a Super-S class beastman with extremely stable mental power. Aside from her childhood, she almost never showed her ears. There was no external mental pressure in the room, so why would her control slip? It certainly wasn’t intentional, she never showed her beast form in front of others.

Maybe I’m just getting old and my eyesight is failing, Lola thought. She stepped forward to ask why the Princess had left so suddenly.

“Your Highness”

“Get the room next door ready,” Ju Rin interrupted, her heart rate finally slowing. She had forgotten what the human said before, that she was used to sleeping naked.

Well, not exactly forgotten… she just didn’t expect her to strip so thoroughly in a strange environment!

Lola was surprised. Besides this human, was someone else moving in? She needed to clarify for the arrangements. “May I ask who will be staying there?”

“Me.”

Ju Rin took a breath. Lola was stunned. Wasn’t the human the Princess’s lover? Why weren’t they staying together? Despite her confusion, Lola didn’t show it and accepted the order.

Ju Rin spoke again: “If she isn’t awake in two hours, remember to wake her. She shouldn’t nap for too long. She’ll be hungry when she wakes up, have the kitchen prepare snacks in advance.”

Ju Rin took a neatly folded piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to Lola. Lola opened it, looking even more confused.

“This is a list of things she likes and dislikes. Arrange things accordingly,” Ju Rin said. She had written it down while seeing Si Qing earlier.

To that human, eating was a serious matter. Over the past three weeks, whenever the human called to “cultivate feelings,” she would talk about what she ate that day, what was delicious and what wasn’t. She even told Ju Rin to memorize her preferences so Ju Rin could cook for her once they lived together…

Ju Rin hadn’t made a conscious effort to memorize it, she just had a good memory.

Lola looked at the Princess’s elegant handwriting and was astonished, the Princess had actually listed specific dish names. It was clear this human wasn’t just a lover, she was someone very important to the Princess.

But if they’re so close, why move to separate rooms? How strange.

“I’m going to the Queen’s palace,” Ju Rin said, snapping Lola back to reality. Lola looked at her in surprise, both at the fact that the Princess was visiting the Queen voluntarily and that she was reporting her whereabouts.

“If she wakes up and asks, tell her that’s where I went.”

Ah, she’s reporting her schedule for the human, Lola realized and bowed. “Yes, Your Highness.”

An hour and a half later, Lan Ye woke up early.

Sitting up and clutching the blanket, Lan Ye looked around with bleary eyes. Seeing the unfamiliar, massive room, she was momentarily lost. Where am I? Why did my room grow ten times larger while I slept?

As the sleepiness faded, she remembered. This wasn’t her room, it was Rin’s. She was in the palace.

Lan Ye yawned and looked at the other side of the bed. It was empty. Where was Rin? She said she’d nap with her. Did she wake up early, or did she never come to bed at all?

Lan Ye remembered Rin had to go find Si Qing. She had planned to wait for her, but her eyelids had given out. She stretched luxuriously, the nap had been incredibly satisfying. The Princess’s bed was so soft.

And the Princess’s lips were soft, too. Lan Ye smacked her lips, recalling her dream. She hadn’t dreamed in a long time, and this one wasn’t her usual “wild” dream, it was sweet. She dreamed Rin finally couldn’t help herself, blushing and pouting, begging for a kiss. Lan Ye had teased her by refusing at first before “mercifully” agreeing.

They didn’t do anything else, they just held each other… nibbling and kissing.

Delicious, Lan Ye thought. That dream must be an omen. It won’t be long before that tsundere Princess comes begging.

Lan Ye chuckled to herself. Her gaze fell on the ruby glowing warmly on her hand. She touched it, remembering her surprise gift hadn’t been given yet. Later, when Lin returned, she’d put it on her. She had promised her a big diamond ring.

Lan Ye looked at her right hand. The diamond ring Rin had tossed onto the sofa earlier had been retrieved before she slept, she just wore it on the other hand. Honestly, she had two hands, there was plenty of room.

Looking at the ruby on one hand and the diamond on the other, Lan Ye felt they were just like her and Rin. She was like the ruby, passionate. Rin was like the diamond, cool and clear. Together, they were a perfect match.

Lan Ye looked around the empty hall. Where did my other half go? Leaving me to guard this empty room alone.

Preparing to get up, Lan Ye looked at the foot of the bed. Wait, where’s my gown? She leaned over to check the floor, but it was spotless. Did Rin take it? What was she supposed to wear?

Her eyes swept to the sofa chair, where a set of clothes was neatly folded. Oh, she prepared clothes for me.

Lan Ye threw off the covers and hopped out of bed. She reflexively cupped her chest as she moved. Not to brag, but I feel great. She wondered if Rin had come back while she slept. Before lying down, Lan Ye had hesitated for a split second about whether to peel off the nipple covers. It took exactly one second to decide, off they went. First, because she truly preferred sleeping naked, and second… she squinted mischievously… she wanted to give Rin a “surprise.” This was a genuine “benefit” if Rin weren’t her wife, she wouldn’t get to see it.

Did Rin come back? Did she see?

As she thought, Lan Ye picked up the bra from the top of the pile and put it on. Her soft curves were pressed together, creating a deep cleavage. She looked down. Wait, did they get bigger? I’ve been eating more lately, but did it all go there?

Heh, she thought, then the surprise is even bigger.

Dressing in the provided skirt, Lan Ye twirled. The layers of the skirt billowed like waves. She felt like she was leaning into the “princess style” and tried to smile demurely. But within a second, her teeth were showing in a wide, beaming grin.

Her life was truly magical. First, a mysterious transmigration, then a confusing one night stand, then an impossible pregnancy with a kitten, and now being told the other mother is a Princess.

Touching her belly, she decided to find some food for the “future great one.” She was hungry, she was always hungry these days.

Exiting the hall, she walked down the quiet corridor. She asked a guard where the Princess was, but they didn’t know. She asked “Little Landmine” (Little Thunder), who said she hadn’t returned from seeing off “Cat Sister.” Finally, she asked where the kitchen was.

The guard told her to go straight, left, straight, right, and then straight to the end. It sounded close, but it took about ten minutes. The palace was huge.

Finally, she saw an open door with figures moving inside. People were wearing white chef uniforms, holding pots and pans, a bustling scene. Lan Ye sighed in relief, she’d found the place.

As she reached the door, she heard voices chatting inside.

“It’s unbelievable. The Princess actually brought back a human.”

Lan Ye paused. A human? Are they talking about me?

“Did you hear? That human is pregnant. It must be the Princess’s child.”

Lan Ye looked at her stomach. Yup, definitely Rin’s.

“The Princess must really like her. She personally told Chief Lola to take extra care of her.”

“Exactly. These snacks we’re making are all the human’s favorites. The Princess gave a list to Chief Lola, telling us to make something different every day.”

“I’m so jealous. So jealous.”

Lan Ye’s eyes lit up. That tsundere Princess! Who knew she did such sweet things behind my back? I’ll have to praise her later.

She also praised herself. The only reason Rin knew her likes and dislikes so well was thanks to Lan Ye’s “Relationship Cultivation Plan.” Every call, Lan Ye had insisted on discussing their habits and preferences. She believed clear communication was better than wasting energy guessing. She hated trouble.

Lan Ye smiled, intending to go in and “verify” Rin’s knowledge, but then she heard more.

“So what if she likes her? At most, she’s just a lover who can’t see the light of day. Haven’t you heard? On the King’s birthday, he’s going to announce the engagement between our Princess and Miss Mi Can.”

Lan Ye squinted. Their intel is way off. The King already promised Rin she could leave after the birthday.

“I heard that too. The Mi family is already preparing. Miss Mi Can has a distinguished background and noble blood. She’s a Super-S beastman just like our Princess. They’re a match made in heaven.”

Lan Ye shook her head. Being ‘the same’ doesn’t make you a match. That’s just a matching set. It’s being different that makes you fit, your ridges, my hollows.

“But I don’t think the Princess likes Miss Mi Can… I’ve never even seen her smile when they’re together…”

Someone argued: “That’s just because the Princess is naturally cold.”

Lan Ye wanted to laugh. No one is ‘naturally’ cold. And she’s definitely smiled at me and it was beautiful.

The dissenter continued: “Look at that gemstone bracelet the Princess has worn for three years. Miss Mi Can gave her that. The Princess never takes it off, even when she bathes.”

The bracelet? Lan Ye knew that cat-eye stone bracelet. It was a weapon. Of course she never took it off, it was for protection.

Another voice joined in: “But… that human moved into the Princess’s bedroom. Miss Mi Can was never allowed in. Miss Xiaoman even hit Guard Captain Si Qing once because she wouldn’t let her in.”

Si Qing? Lan Ye raised an eyebrow. Eavesdropping was yielding all sorts of dirt on that “idiot.”

“That’s true. So many people have tried to climb into the Princess’s bed and failed. This human is the only one the Princess brought there herself. She must really like her.”

Lan Ye nodded. Finally, someone with common sense.

“So what? She’s a regular human. How can she compare to Miss Mi Can in terms of family, ability, or looks.”

“Have you even seen the human? What does she look like?”

“Well, I haven’t seen her, but I heard she’s nothing special. Besides, in this palace, who is prettier than Miss Mi Can other than the Princess?”

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe the Princess just likes her type.”

Lan Ye nodded. Exactly. I am exactly Rin’s type.

“Besides, Miss Mi Can saved the Princess’s life! The only person who can be the Princess’s wife is Miss Mi Can!”

Lan Ye frowned. Saved her life? Did something dangerous happen to Rin?

“Saving a life doesn’t mean you have to marry them.”

Lan Ye snapped back to attention and nodded. Now that person has vision.

She peeked into the kitchen to see who the sensible one was, but everyone had their backs to her. Suddenly, a louder voice rose from the group.

“How can you think the Princess doesn’t like Miss Mi Can? She just doesn’t like the King’s arrangements. She must love Miss Mi Can in her heart. How could anyone not like someone as excellent as her?!”

Lan Ye raised an eyebrow. That sounded like a total ‘Mi Can’ fan girl!

Lan Ye recalled seeing that beastman at Rin’s house. She was impressive, but she wasn’t a universal currency, not everyone had to like her.

“Furthermore, I saw it with my own eyes! The Princess kissing Miss Mi Can!”

Everyone turned toward the speaker, and Lan Ye finally saw who it was, the woman kneading dough. She looked proud.

“It was before the Princess left the palace. Miss Mi Can hadn’t gone to the experimental base yet.” She slapped the dough, flour flying. “In the small garden behind the Princess’s hall, by the swing set, under the beautiful moonlight. They were holding each other and kissing for a long time.”

Lan Ye: !

As expected, eavesdropping always leads to something spicy!

If she were a novel protagonist, she’d be running away in tears right now, burying the pain in her heart. Fortunately, she wasn’t.

Lan Ye spotted a spare chef uniform, hat, and mask hanging in the corner. She blinked and slipped inside.

In the kitchen, the gossipmonger was surrounded by people asking for details. Le Fu (the baker) began describing the scene vividly, adding: “Miss Mi Can is the one in the Princess’s heart!”

Suddenly, a voice came from the corner. “Did you see it with your own eyes? Were they kissing lip-to-lip?”

Le Fu looked toward the voice. It was someone standing by the pot of sweet soup. Seeing her story questioned, Le Fu doubled down: “Of course!”

In reality, she had only seen the Princess’s back, but Miss Mi Can was definitely holding her. In that position, what else could they be doing?

“And they didn’t notice you?” The person was stirring the soup casually.

Le Fu relaxed slightly. “No, I was very quiet.”

“Two Super-S beastmen didn’t notice you because you were ‘quiet’?”

Le Fu scoffed. “They were too caught up in the moment.”

“How long did they kiss?”

Le Fu: “About seven or eight minutes.”

“And you just stood there watching for seven or eight minutes?”

Le Fu: “Yes.”

“And guards at every corner let you stand there for eight minutes without asking what you were doing?”

Le Fu stammered, feeling cornered. “I… I don’t know why the guards didn’t come! Are you calling me a liar?”

The person put down the ladle and rubbed the side of her nose, as if pushing up non-existent glasses. “There is only one truth: You are lying!”

Everyone stared. The actual chef in charge of the soup realized something was wrong. “Who are you?” In this kitchen, you didn’t touch someone else’s station.

“Miss Lan Ye?”

A familiar voice came from the doorway. Everyone froze and bowed. “Chief Lola.”

Lan Ye looked over and recognized Lola. She gave a bright smile. Lola walked up to her, looking at the bright eyes behind the mask. “Miss Lan Ye?” She had recognized the hem of the dress peeking out from under the chef’s coat.

Seeing she was caught, Lan Ye kept her finger to her brow and lowered her voice dramatically. “It is I. The one who sees through all truths… the seemingly ordinary but extraordinarily wise Lan Ye.”

Le Fu: “…” Lola: “?” The rest of the kitchen: “Who is Lan Ye?”

“Tell me,” Lan Ye pointed at Le Fu, “why lie?”

Le Fu: “I’m not lying! I saw them through the window while delivering food. They were hugging and kissing!”

“Lip to lip?”

Le Fu: “Well, I couldn’t see their lips, but they were so close! What else could they be doing?”

“Tsk, no imagination,” Lan Ye laughed, rubbing the corner of her eye. “Couldn’t she just be helping her pick a sleep crust out of her eye?”

Everyone: “……”

Lola’s eyelid flickered. She thought she understood what was happening, yet she didn’t. Just as she was about to speak, she saw a tall figure outside the kitchen. She turned and curtsied deeply.

“Your Highness.”