“Gasp. Look at that pose! As expected… truly, my muse.”
Madam Hela let out another gasp, her eyes overflowing with emotion.
What even is this pose?
I’m just pressing my temple because my head hurts.
‘Wait a second, Madam.’
There’s something we need to clarify here. Why am I your muse? Since when was I your muse?
Are the muse I know and the muse you know two different things? How can an ordinary black cat be the muse of a famous boutique owner? How exactly is the world turning right now? Did black cats suddenly take over the world?
It would make sense if the world revolved around cats and everyone was just trying to flatter them.
But the one Madam should be flattering is that white tiger sitting next to her, watching me—not me.
Why is there no normal person in this mansion?
Does everyone who comes here just stop being normal?
Madam Hela straightened her back and clapped twice.
“Alright. Bring them in, everyone.”
Into the reception room came rows upon rows of clothing racks, filled with all kinds of garments, along with jewelry. In an instant, the large reception room was packed with dresses and accessories.
“…So this is what that mirror was for?”
My expression turned strange as I realized the purpose of the mirror reflecting my still-ruffled fur.
Well, I guess it does show my whole body.
But wasn’t a boutique supposed to sell clothes? Why were party dresses, indoor dresses, sleepwear, accessories, jewelry, and even toys all being brought in?
“And they’re all cat-sized dresses.”
Did I misunderstand what a boutique is, or did this world misunderstand it?
Or is the world itself just insane?
While I was seriously considering the possibility that cats had conquered the world, Mari leaned in and whispered into my ear.
“Cat-nim, this boutique is famous for being connected to a jewelry shop, so they design jewelry to match the outfits.”
Still… it shouldn’t be a place that sells cat clothes…
“Ah, the toys… were probably brought in specially.”
Mari interpreted my gaze and added happily,
“We’ve been working hard ever since we received your video crystal recordings. You were such an inspiration! We didn’t even notice the time passing. Hohoho.”
Hey. So that’s why you said you were filming me last time?
I shot Ian a glare.
He just shrugged, lightly poked my nose, and said something outrageous.
“You’re going to try all of these on now.”
What?! When am I supposed to try all of that on? You’re joking, right? Tell me you’re joking.
I stared at Ian in disbelief.
He raised the corner of his mouth in a smug little smile.
I turned to Mari, who was muttering to herself with sparkling eyes, “Which outfit should we try first…?” Meanwhile, Allen avoided my gaze entirely.
What is this feeling… like I’ve been betrayed by everyone?
And so, I ended up changing clothes on a table, in front of everyone.
‘What could a cat body even wear?’—that thought was immediately crushed by the mountain of jewelry and dresses waiting for me.
Madam Hela and Mari worked together as if perfectly in sync, carefully discussing which frilly, lace-covered cat dresses suited me best, placing them against my body and dressing me up.
Watching them, they actually made a surprisingly good team.
The first outfit they decided on after intense debate was a white dress full of frills and lace, paired with a simple piece of jewelry.
After dressing me up, their first request was:
“Cat-nim, could you spin around once for us?”
Fine. If you’re happy, that’s enough…
Resigned, I spun once on the table.
“It suits you.”
“Yes, it really does.”
“As expected, Cat-nim has stolen my heart.”
Mari, don’t say things like that with a straight face. And as always, what would I even do with your heart? Keep it safely in your chest.
“A divine being has descended…”
Madam Hela looked at me, her voice weak and dreamy. Yeah, she’s definitely not normal either.
I nudged Ian. He looked at me like, “What?”
Hey, is she actually normal?
“She’s known for being very strict and businesslike.”
Ian whispered into my ear.
This is what you call strict and businesslike?
I narrowed my eyes at him. If this is “strict,” I can’t even imagine what the others are like.
I tapped his finger insistently with my paw for an answer.
Meanwhile, another navy-blue dress had already been put on me.
“Oh my—! This makes you look so chic and elegant! Like the queen of the night! You’ll absolutely dominate Pyeonggi Day! This is perfect for showing the world Cat-nim’s majesty!”
“Hey, Hela. Isn’t Ariel ‘our’ cat, not just yours?”
Even while this was happening, Ian corrected her casually.
My expression went flat.
Don’t correct that kind of thing right now.
Allen and Ian, who had been busy and nowhere to be seen until now, were somehow just standing here instead of working. Weren’t they supposed to be busy? Ariel had no idea that “cat outfit fitting” was apparently part of their official schedule.
And so it continued.
Pink dress.
“Oh my, this also suits you perfectly!”
White dress.
“I feel a wall of perfection from Cat-nim…”
Purple dress.
“This mysterious aura! As expected, my muse must be from another world—fantasy itself…”
Sky blue dress.
“Wow! I don’t think I can ever go back to the racetrack after this! Cat-nim, I can’t even speak properly looking at you!”
And many more…
“Looking at Cat-nim, ideas are just pouring out…”
Eventually, Madam Hela, who had been dressing me like a doll for a long time, suddenly picked up a notebook and took a pencil from an employee.
I thought she was just obsessed with cats…
Even if she might be a beastkin…
Well, considering she still hasn’t transformed at this age, she’s probably just an animal.
With a rapid, almost possessed motion, she sketched in the notebook. In less than 30 seconds, a beautiful dress design appeared.
“If Cat-nim were to become human someday, I imagined what kind of outfit would suit her. If that day ever comes, I will pour my soul into making this dress for her.”
A cat becoming human—it was an idea that made my chest strangely tight.
Then that mysterious black fur would become hair like the night sky…
Madam Hela held the notebook close, eyes lifted as if dreaming.
“If Cat-nim becomes human… just imagining it is overwhelming. Though the chances are practically zero.”
And so I finished all the fittings, completely exhausted, listening to their endless fan-like rambling. Still, I walked away with one reward: a dress designed in 30 seconds.
Not bad.
If she really poured her soul into it, it’ll probably be beautiful.
If I ever become human again, I’ll come back for it.
“Ariel, do you like anything?”
I nodded.
I have something I want to try.
Something I had dreamed of for a long time.
I tapped Ian with my paw and took a deep breath.
I can do this, Ariel.
One of the things I had always wanted to do since regaining my past life memories.
Ian watched carefully as Ariel, unusually solemn, took a deep breath.
After bringing Ariel home, this was the first time she had ever looked this serious.
Is she going to hit that designer?
Or throw jewelry at Madam Hela?
Hela was a friend of the previous head’s wife, so that would be troublesome…
Even as Ian worried, Ariel stepped forward.
I hesitantly pointed at the front of the rack with the least decorated dresses.
From here…
Then I ran to the very back and pointed again.
…to here. I’ll take everything.
I never thought I’d actually get to do this.
As a commoner, I always dreamed of saying this while watching dramas and novels.
“I’ll take everything from here to here.”
Ian chuckled.
Right! That’s it!
I clapped my paws excitedly.
I always wanted to try this! Even if it’s not my money…
But Ian had pointed at a different range than I did.
My eyes widened.
Wait—you’re buying ALL of this?!
Only someone who didn’t know the prices could make such a bold request.
Ian had once instructed:
“When bringing clothes and jewelry into the mansion, hide all the prices. Don’t say a single word.”
It was remarkable foresight.
Even if Ariel would later faint trembling on her legs…
That was a story for the future, when she would secretly overhear maids talking about a single dress price and collapse in shock.
Because of this, the Serian Boutique—one of the most luxurious in the continent—became, in Ariel’s mind, simply a strange place that felt like it came from another world.
As strange as the tigers themselves.
