Elina’s old face flushed slightly. That was way too much stimulation for a cat, meow~

She’d been a single man in his twenties for over twenty years, and now a gorgeous woman had suddenly kissed her right in front of her, without the slightest warning. It was almost impossible to bear, meow~

But she was the mother of this body, meow~

No matter how she looked at it, she couldn’t let herself fall for her. Besides, Elina could feel the deep maternal love radiating from Alaya. There was no faking it—this mother truly loved her daughter with all her heart.

Since she’d ended up in her daughter’s body and taken her place, she couldn’t just disappoint this wonderful mother. She’d do her best to be a good, well-behaved Little Kitty.

Besides, her own parents hadn’t been around when she was growing up. Maybe enjoying the motherly love she’d never had in this magical other world wouldn’t be so bad.

But... ahem. She still couldn’t let this mother get too close. Her little heart wouldn’t be able to take it.

Blushing shyly, Elina pushed Alaya away and huffed, “Mom, I’m not a little kid anymore. Please don’t treat me like that. Just talk to me normally.”

Alaya pouted and said sadly, “Aww~ My daughter’s all grown up. She doesn’t love her mommy anymore~”

Elina said with a deadpan look, “Mom, could you stop being so childish? I have to grow up sometime, you know!”

Alaya sighed regretfully. “I can’t believe one little fall turned our Little Kitty Elina into a little grown-up. I thought it’d be a few more years before you became sensible. Now that it’s happened so soon, I’m not sure I’m ready for it.”

“It’s okay. I’m almost twelve. I can’t keep acting like I used to, meow~” Elina gave an awkward little smile as she explained.

Ugh, that darn catchphrase!

Elina had actually noticed ages ago that she’d tack on a meow after saying “ah”—a meow so sweet it could melt a man’s bones~

But there was absolutely nothing she could do to stop it, meow~

It was a speech habit her body had picked up over more than a decade. Still, those habits were probably why the two people closest to her thought she was just acting grown-up, instead of having been possessed.

She did feel bad for taking Elina’s place. But according to the original story, Elina would die a tragic death in a few years. Maybe losing her daughter would have been even more painful for this mother. In a way, Elina’s arrival might let the poor, tragic side character live a happier, more loving life, instead of becoming the pitiful princess who knew nothing but jealousy, like she did in the original story.

And thank goodness Eve had come up with all those elaborate explanations. Otherwise, there was no way she could’ve hidden such a drastic change in personality. After all, she was a man in his twenties. Acting cute like a little kid in her teens was something she just couldn’t do, meow~

She might not be able to act cute like a little girl, but she still had to use some of Elina’s usual expressions and gestures when the situation called for them. If she talked exactly like an adult man, she’d definitely be found out.

“Heehee! Even our little grown-up Elina still makes those adorable meowing sounds~” Alaya teased, pinching Elina’s puffed-up cheeks.

Elina puffed up her cheeks like a bun and shouted indignantly, “What kind of mom keeps pointing out her daughter’s embarrassing little habits, meow~?”

“I’m not doing that~ Your little catchphrase is adorable, Elina~ Remember the ceremony Ailante held last time? You ran up there and sang a few meows~ And now all the countries around us are sending marriage proposals to your father and me~ That just shows how charming you are, Elina~” Alaya explained.

Elina curled her lip in disdain. She used to be a man, and even though she had a girl’s body now, there was no way she’d ever get married, meow~

The thought of some man pinning her down and doing that sort of thing was disgusting!

“No way! Reject them all! I don’t want to get married!” Elina shouted, waving her arms around.

“Haha, of course I’m not going to make you get married right now, Elina~ You’re still young~” Alaya laughed.

“I’m not getting married when I’m older either, meow~” Elina protested, waving her little fist.

“Hmm~ You never know~ I used to hate boys too, but then I met your father, a wise and mighty man, and he swept me right off my feet~ The same could happen to you, Elina~ Maybe one day some incredibly amazing boy will come along and chase after you~” Alaya said meaningfully.

“No way!” Elina stared with her pretty, wide eyes and declared every word.

“Haha, let’s leave that for another time. Anyway, Elina must be pretty hungry by now, right? Mommy’s here to feed you.” Alaya gave a soft laugh as she looked at Elina’s stubborn little face.

Sigh~ That’s how daughters are. She won’t admit it now, but I can’t wait to see her face when she brings home a boyfriend someday~ Ahahaha~

Elina watched the corners of her mother’s mouth curl higher and higher, and a chill ran down her back. A hint of disgust flickered in her pale blue eyes. “I’ll go eat by myself. You’re so mean, Mom!”

“Oh~ All right, then. Mommy has things to do, so I’ll be off. Bye-bye~” Alaya said with a little smile.

“Okay. Bye, Mom,” Elina replied with a nod.

Once the bedroom door closed, Elina let out a long breath. Good thing she hadn’t been found out, meow~ This was working out just fine. If both Eve and Alaya thought she was okay, then surely nobody else would notice~

Next, of course, she had to eat. She was so hungry she could barely stand it, meow~

Elina climbed over to the bedside. A plate of fried dried fish had already been set there, filling the air with a delicious aroma. They looked golden and crisp, and even shimmered faintly with golden light. Clearly, they’d been fried by a top-notch chef, meow~

Dried fish, meow~

Seriously, they really do think I’m a little kitty!

I’m an ultimate manly man—the kind who can grab you in the locker room and wrestle you to the ground♂!

How can they treat me like a little kitty? I’m not eating dried fish.

Hmph!

A few minutes later, Elina was chewing on the dried fish with a blissful look on her face. Her pretty eyes had narrowed in pleasure. That savory aroma was so satisfying, meow~

Just then, the maid Eve walked in. She saw Elina licking her fingers after finishing the dried fish and giggled. “Your Highness Elina, licking your fingers isn’t a very good habit~ If you’re still hungry, I can ask the chef for some more.”

At those words, Elina shuddered from head to toe. The tail swishing behind her instantly puffed up.

Eve watched with a silly grin. She really wanted to pet Her Highness’s tail. It was so cute, and it had to feel amazing!

Too bad she was a girl and couldn’t marry Her Highness Elina. She wondered what big lug would get that lucky someday. Whoever got to marry their adorable Princess Elina would have to be blessed with eight lifetimes’ worth of good fortune!

........