Elina, meanwhile, hid under the covers in embarrassment, muttering to herself, How did Eve see me licking my fingers, meow~

Waaah...

It was a habit from when I was little. Nobody was around to take care of me back then, and my life was always miserable. I never got to eat anything tasty, so when I finally had something delicious, I’d lick my fingers afterward to savor the taste. But I’d already kicked that habit a few years ago, meow~

And now that I’ve transmigrated into the body of a little cat-eared girl, I’ve picked it right back up. But it’s definitely because the dried fish was just too delicious, so it’s not my fault!

Besides, fish from another world really is different. The flesh was fragrant and tempting, so tender and white—it was way better than fish from my old world. After all, it’s completely unpolluted~

Elina reassured herself, patted her flushed cheeks, then climbed out from under the covers with a perfectly serious expression. Under Eve’s fond gaze, she asked, “By the way, what do I usually do?”

“It’s lunchtime now. After Your Highness Elina finishes eating, you usually take a nap. When you wake up, you normally play hide-and-seek with Miss Caro in the garden. Once you’re tired, your afternoon tea will be ready. After dinner, I’ll prepare a hot bath for you, and when you’re done bathing, you can go peacefully to sleep and wait for morning,” Eve explained.

Elina pouted. As expected, this was how a princess lived—everything ran like clockwork. All she had to do was eat, drink, sleep, and play. The maids took care of everything else for her, so she didn’t have to worry about a thing.

But this Caro...

I’ve never heard of her. She wasn’t part of my original setting at all. The only possibility is that this vast world automatically filled in the gaps by creating parts I never came up with.

Sigh, I guess it’s not that surprising. I’m an author, so I can adapt pretty well. I’ve already transmigrated—what else can happen? It’s not like I’m actually going to get married or anything...

Wait. If I can keep this body alive until adulthood, that might actually happen, meow~

Looks like I need to be wary of the powerful countries around us. They could send an excellent prince to try to win me over at any moment. And the scariest part is that even if I reject him, my parents might take a liking to him—or to the power of the empire behind him—and force me into a political marriage, meow~

That kind of thing happens all the time in novels, meow~

Besides, I’m not some heroine who can turn the world upside down. I’m just an ordinary villainess with no great power to change my fate. Looks like after my Elemental Awakening Ceremony at twelve, I’ll have to train like crazy and build up my strength. If I can just reach Ninth Rank, who’d dare use their power to crush me?

Of course, that’s just the worst-case scenario I’m imagining. Considering how much Alaya dotes on me, she’d keep raising me even if I did nothing but play around. She wouldn’t force me to get married. But speaking of which, where’s my dad?

Elina frowned slightly and asked, “Eve, where did my father go? I can’t seem to remember.”

“Your father has already set out to conquer the Anya Empire. But there’s no need to worry. With his strength, he’ll definitely return victorious,” Eve said with a smile.

A dazzling light flashed in Elina’s pale blue eyes as she suddenly understood. Oh, right, meow~

The heroine only came to the Frank Empire after her own country was destroyed, and then she began planning her revenge. The reason was that my father had annexed her country.

And judging by what’s happening now, after my father destroys the Anya Empire, he probably won’t wipe them out completely. Dark magic may clash with light magic, but it’s still an indispensable part of this world. And since only the people of the Anya Empire can control it, it’s only natural that some of their descendants would be left alive. Looks like I’ll get to meet the heroine before long.

The sad part is, my father is basically her enemy, and I’m Ailante’s daughter. She definitely won’t be nice to me. But for the sake of the Frank Empire—and my own future—I’ll have to go out of my way to suck up to her. Otherwise, the Frank Empire will be destroyed, because the heroine is bound to succeed in her revenge.

Besides, if I can just get on the heroine’s good side, joining the protagonist’s storyline should be a piece of cake~

With a plan in mind, Elina grinned smugly and put her hands on her hips. Her cat tail started swishing back and forth again without her realizing it.

Eve couldn’t help but giggle at the sight. Her Highness Elina’s mind had grown more mature, but she still wasn’t any better at hiding her feelings. She was smiling so adorably. Eve really couldn’t imagine what happy thought had put her in such a good mood~

Elina saw Eve trying to hold back her laughter and puffed her little cheeks up like a bun. “What are you laughing at? What’s so funny? Stop laughing!” she shouted in annoyance.

I really don’t get it. Why has Eve been laughing at me all day? I’m not even trying to act cute, meow~

Why does she keep laughing at me...

This is infuriating!

Eve’s eyes welled with tears. Your Highness, did you grow up eating cuteness? Do you really not realize that whenever you’re plotting something, that adorable fluffy tail behind you starts swishing back and forth?

I’m telling you, if this keeps up, I’m going to die from cat deprivation right here. Her Highness Elina is the best!!!

Though Eve was screaming inside, she kept a serious expression on her face and said respectfully, “Your Highness Elina, I was out of line. I’m very sorry. I won’t do it again. I’ll try my best to hold it in... and go laugh in my room.”

Of course, Eve didn’t say that last part out loud. Otherwise, Her Highness Elina might really get her hackles up. And when Her Highness got riled up, the consequences were serious. She’d turn the whole castle upside down, and Eve would be punished and lose her job.

So Eve decided not to tease Her Highness Elina any further. She knew Elina’s temper very well, after all—she’d been serving her for nearly twelve years, ever since she was eleven. When it came to knowing just how much cat-petting was too much, no other maid could compare. After all, who else would get the chance to serve a little cat-eared princess~

“Hmph, at least you know what’s good for you. Go on, I’m taking a nap!” Elina nodded and ordered.

“Yes, Your Highness. Have a pleasant nap.” Eve bowed slightly and quietly left the room.

After Eve had left, Elina scratched her drowsy little head, her cat ears drooping listlessly. As expected, this body always got sleepy after eating, meow~

Looks like there’s no changing the body clock Elina had developed over the years. My happy old days of staying up late, eating instant noodles, and watching anime are gone. But this lazy, carefree life as a cat is pretty nice too.

Time for bed~

...