Chapter 395: If: Imuir Hears Bai Yu’s Thoughts 3

Chapter 395 if: Imuir Hears Bai Yu's Inner Thoughts 3

Imuir returned to the Grand Duke's residence.

The previous valets had all been killed in the assassination attempt, so the selection of new valets became a priority.

At the same time, Bai Yu also received a mission from the Black Robe Society.

Frowning, he tore the secret letter from the Black Robe Society into pieces and tossed it into the sewer, clearly annoyed.

The Platinum Kitten he had picked up had wandered off somewhere.

Since the Grand Duke's assassination attempt, the situation in Illiria had grown even more chaotic. The streets were filled with gang violence, and the sounds of fighting from neighboring blocks could often be heard at night. That kitten was small, delicate, and had short legs—it couldn’t run fast or climb slopes. Leaving it out on the streets like this, it wouldn’t last long.

Yet, despite searching through all the nearby neighborhoods, the doctor couldn’t find any trace of the Platinum Kitten.

Anyone who has ever owned a cat knows that at times like these, the owner is always on edge.

Though the doctor was usually aloof, he was now deeply agitated. To make matters worse, the Black Robe Society had chosen this moment to assign him a mission, which he had to accept just to return home. This piled annoyance upon annoyance, turning him into a walking ice sculpture, radiating an aura of "solitary, stay away, don’t bother me."

Thus, when the doctor stood in the middle of the selection process, facing the Duke, Imuir was startled.

On one hand, he was delighted that the doctor had come to participate in the valet selection—this meant he could legitimately keep the doctor at the Grand Duke’s residence. On the other hand, he was secretly worried.

—He had only been gone for a few days, so why did the doctor look like this? Who had angered him? Who had made the doctor unhappy? Who!

The kitten subconsciously clenched his fists.

Whoever had angered the doctor, the doctor could just say it out loud—the Duke would show that idiot what's what!

The old butler beside Imuir was also startled. They were selecting valets, not assassins. With Bai Yu standing there, radiating such intensity, it felt like he was looking ready to kill, ready to draw his sword and cut down Grand Duke Imuir at any moment.

The old butler wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and decided to take preemptive action. He stepped forward and scolded, "Gentlemen, since you are all here for the valet selection, please observe proper valet etiquette. Keep your heads lowered and your eyes downcast as you await the Grand Duke’s selection. Do not raise your heads to stare directly at the Duke."

Though he addressed the group, his gaze was fixed on Bai Yu.

Bai Yu couldn’t care less to respond, his expression icy.

The old butler was drenched in cold sweat, his back prickling with unease.

After all, Grand Duke Imuir was not an easy man to deal with. He had ascended to his position at a young age, stepping over the corpses of his elder brothers. His temperament was unpredictable, his moods shifting unpredictably, and the servants all avoided him, afraid that if the Grand Duke was displeased, they might end up dead without knowing why.

And now, this Bai Yu dared to meet the Grand Duke’s gaze like this?

What the old butler couldn’t see was that behind him, Grand Duke Imuir had discreetly looked away from Bai Yu’s gaze, absentmindedly scratching the table as he thought, *The doctor is so handsome.*

The doctor had always been handsome—whether in casual home clothes or now, dressed impeccably in a sharp white suit, perfectly tailored trousers that accentuated his long legs, his low ponytail neatly tied back with a decorative black satin ribbon. Paired with his aloof and cold demeanor, as Number 66 would say, he looked like a vampire butler straight from a shoujo manga.

Imuir thought the doctor was handsome when he gently coaxed the kitten, and he was just as handsome now!

Imuir liked it!

Imuir wanted it!

So, the Grand Duke coughed lightly, affecting composure. "Mr. Bai, you seem to be in a foul mood. Has something happened? Who has upset you?"

*Tell me, tell me who bullied you! Grand Duke Imuir will pound them into the dirt right now!*

Bai Yu glanced up at him, his voice flat. "No."

The Duke slightly furrowed his brows, about to press further, when he suddenly caught a mental voice.

Bai Yu: "Damn it, where did it run off to? I had all my doors and windows locked tight. How could it have escaped?"

Imuir froze.

The doctor's brow remained tightly knit as his thoughts continued.

"I've searched the nearby streets, the sewers, the market further away, the neighbors' yards, even the hammerhead shark's home. Where else could it be?"

Imuir looked away guiltily, his eyes darting briefly before staring blankly at the teacup in his hand, though his ears involuntarily tilted toward the doctor.

—The doctor searched so many places, even the sewers. He’s that worried about me? Is the Platinum Kitten that important to him?

He liked this feeling of being cared for.

Imuir’s status was unique. As a child, he had no parents to dote on him, growing up alone. Later, when he gained his title, those around him either fawned over him or feared him. He had never experienced the pure affection the doctor showed him.

The Duke lowered his eyes, his lashes hiding his sparkling eyes.

—Keep going, tell me more about how badly you want to find me!

But the next moment, Bai Yu’s thoughts turned even more frustrated: "Damn it, with everything so chaotic lately, it had to run off. Who knows if it got hurt in last night’s brawl? That damn cat. When I find it, I’m going to spank its little behind."

"…"

The Duke’s expression went blank, and the teacup in his hand cracked sharply.

Then, his earlobes flushed a deep pink.

W-what spanking! How could the doctor say such things! That’s—that’s completely indecent!

Yet, for some reason, Imuir’s gaze couldn’t help but drift to the doctor’s hands.

Those hands were well-defined, slender and elegant, with calluses from years of holding a scalpel. They were steady when cradling the kitten, giving off a reassuring feel.

Imuir averted his gaze like he'd been burned.

—If he were in kitten form, he’d probably be rubbing his face in embarrassment.

Seeing both Bai Yu and the Duke silent, the old butler quickly intervened, afraid Bai Yu might attack the Duke or the Duke might strike Bai Yu dead: "Your Grace, this servant's training isn't finished yet. Let me take him for more training while you consider the remaining candidates—"

Imuir raised a hand to cut him off, completely ignoring the valet. Not daring to meet Bai Yu’s eyes, he hastily flipped through the roster: "No need. I'll choose him. His record looks interesting. He’ll be my personal valet, starting today."

Bai Yu raised an eyebrow.

Looking at the ornately dressed Duke Yimur before him, he finally recalled the man’s high status and ability to mobilize Illyria’s greatest resources. He suddenly bowed: "Your Grace, I appreciate your generosity. Before assuming my duties, I’d like to ask a favor."

Imuir lightly gestured for him to rise and continue.

But before Bai Yu could speak, he’d already heard his thoughts.

"Ask the Duke to put up posters with a reward for the kitten. If it’s found, I’m willing to serve as his valet for a time."

Imuir: "!"

For the doctor, proud as he is, he would become his valet—for the kitten!

The Duke was thrilled but struggled to maintain his dignity, nodding with pretended reserve: "Of course, I’ll have the guards post the reward. But tell me, what would you offer in return?"

The doctor: "A pigeon-blood ruby."

This was the most valuable thing he possessed.

The kitten was overjoyed.

As the Duke of Illyria, he knew exactly how precious the gem he had given away was—enough to ensure the doctor lived in comfort for the rest of his life. Yet, he was willing to exchange such a treasure for a Platinum Kitten?

The doctor must be crazy about him!

Reaching this conclusion, the duke could barely suppress the smile tugging at his lips. He quickly muttered "Fine" before promptly taking his leave.

True to his word, he ordered notices to be posted, offering a reward for leads on the kitten's whereabouts.

Bai Yu observed this, his usual cold demeanor softening noticeably.

Since he needed Imuir's help, he was willing to play the valet for the time being. Thus, he dutifully served tea and water, even waiting on the duke at meals.

Imuir, however, was completely uncomfortable.

With Bai Yu standing beside him—his low ponytail, white shirt, and leather corset catching his eye—the duke's gaze naturally settled at the level of the doctor's well-defined chest. To make matters worse, Bai Yu occasionally extended his slender, strong hand to serve him dishes.

Every... everything about him was so appealing. What am I supposed to do?

Imuir couldn't have told you what he was eating, his attention entirely fixated on the doctor.

And then there were the doctor's occasional thoughts: "I wonder how Dumpling's getting along."

"Is he being bullied? Is he staying warm?"

"The Duke is a bit picky with food, which isn't good."

"Dumpling (the kitten) is also picky... One after another, they're truly hard to raise and serve."

And so on and so forth, such words left Imuir feeling unsettled. By the time he had finished all the dishes the doctor had served him, he hadn't even noticed what dinner tasted like.

After the meal, Imuir reluctantly let Bai Yu leave.

He would have loved to stay close to Bai Yu, but Bai Yu's thoughts were preoccupied with the kitten, and his face showed clear exhaustion. The Duke's heart ached for him, so he instructed the butler to let Bai Yu turn in early.

The room he arranged for Bai Yu was right next to the Duke's residence, fully furnished—originally intended for honored guests staying overnight at the Duke's estate.

The old butler hesitated, unsure whether to advise the Duke against being swayed by attraction. But after a long silence, he obeyed and left.

So, Bai Yu settled in next to Imuir.

As the night deepened and the entire Duke's estate fell into silence, the Duke tugged at his blanket, finding the bed freezing.

Imuir had always been frail, always felt the cold badly, and used to sprawling beside the doctor. He truly couldn't endure the long, lonely night.

So, the Duke pressed his ear against the wall.

There was no sound from next door for a long time—it seemed the doctor had already fallen asleep.

Imuir made up his mind.

—After all, the doctor was right next door. Would it be okay to sneak into his bed for a little warmth?

Thus, the Duke slipped out of his clothes, landed silently on the floor, and transformed into a short-legged, silvery-white kitten.

The kitten pushed off with its short legs, (thump thump thump), darting out of the duke's window, then scampered all the way into Bai Yu's room.

He scanned the room, accurately located the doctor's bed, and leaped up—

Only to be caught.

The doctor wasn’t asleep.

Holding Platinum Kitten by the scruff of its neck, he lifted it to eye level. At first, he froze in surprise, then his expression darkened, his dark tea-colored eyes icy cold, exuding the pressure of an approaching storm.

Imuir: "..."

Terrified, he hugged his tail and put on a soft, well-mannered act: "Meow, meow?"

—N-not that you wanted me back? Why that look? I-I’m a little scared.

Bai Yu: "How did you get here? Are you the duke’s cat?"

Imuir blinked wide-eyed with feigned innocence, trying his best to convey: "No understand. Just cat."

Bai Yu: "My home is so far from the duke’s estate. Do you know how dangerous that was? Do you know how worried I was?"

Reason told Bai Yu that a kitten was just a kitten, but in truth, he was absolutely furious.

So, under Imuir’s bewildered gaze, without warning, he suddenly flipped the kitten over, then raised his hand, and spanked its bottom.

Imuir: "!!!"

He let out an indignant yowl—

meow!!!