Chapter 397: If: Imuir Hears Bai Yu’s Thoughts 5

Chapter 397 if: Imuir Hears Bai Yu’s Thoughts 5

Imuir didn’t understand what the doctor was saying, nor did he bother to think about it. He smoothly returned to the bedroom with the doctor and slipped into the doctor’s bed.

After coming back, the doctor took a shower, steam still clinging to his skin, his skin tinged a faint pink. Imuir, both shy and eager to look, peeked out from the covers with wide eyes, watching as the doctor changed into his pajamas and climbed into bed.

The pajamas were robe-style, tied only with a sash at the waist. Imuir nuzzled into his chest, rubbing until the loosely fastened robe slipped open, then settled into a comfortable spot, satisfied.

Bai Yu sighed helplessly but indulged him anyway, merely poking his head lightly. "You little troublemaker."

Imuir: "!"

*N-no, I’m not!*

In any case, the grand duke slept well. The next morning, before Bai Yu could attend to him, he returned to his own room.

When Bai Yu woke up and found the kitten gone, he wasn’t alarmed.

That cat had been wandering outside for days, yet its fur was clean and it was well-fed—clearly, someone had been taking care of it. And given the strict security of the grand duke’s estate, with its high walls and constant patrols, it wasn’t possible for a kitten to sneak in.

The only explanation was that the *dumpling* was Duke Imuir’s cat.

So, instead of frantically searching for the *dumpling*, he continued with his "supposed" duties as a valet.

Yes, today the doctor was still working hard to annoy the duke.

Thus, the grand duke’s estate welcomed the most audacious valet in history.

His behavior was nothing like that of a valet—more like a senior relative or even the master of Grand Duke Imuir himself. He criticized the duke’s diet, pointing out that he ate too much meat and severely lacked fruits and vegetables. He coldly mocked the grand duke for his poor constitution and lack of exercise, warning that if he kept neglecting his health, he might not live to old age.

The butler stood by, watching in horror as the valet outright took the meat from the grand duke’s plate, piled a large forkful of salad into his bowl, and then proceeded to criticize his schedule, declaring that his work hours were unreasonable and that he should avoid staying up late and instead adopt an early bedtime and wake-up time, among other things.

The old butler’s heart raced in alarm, his blood pressure skyrocketing. He felt a rush of heat flooding his head, his face turning red. He repeatedly tried to signal Bai Yu with his eyes, but to no avail. In the end, he could only silently made the sign of the cross and begin praying to the Gods.

"May the Gods protect this reckless young man and spare him from being dismembered by the grand duke."

Yet, the doctor faced no reprimand from the grand duke. Imuir accepted everything without complaint, though he occasionally stared blankly, dazed, at the doctor’s face or chest when he got too close.

The old butler lowered his head, not daring to look any longer, afraid he might see something that’d get him killed.

Imuir really was in a daze right now.

The doctor was hovering too close, severely disrupting his work efficiency. He couldn’t help but glance at him repeatedly, even eating an entire apple from the doctor’s hand—despite the fact that *kittens don’t like fruit*.

Moreover, he kept hearing the doctor’s inner thoughts.

Though Bai Yu was a veterinarian, treating only pets, the influence of his teachers and peers had left him with certain doctorly instincts—like being unable to stand patients neglecting their health, or feeling compelled to lecture the sickly. Unfortunately, Grand Duke Imuir happened to be sickly.

Having been in Illyria for so long, Bai Yu had learned a fair bit about Imuir’s circumstances. This young grand duke had survived the brutal power struggles of the older generation. His father had indulged in debauchery, his birth mother was unknown, and the grand duke himself had been frail since childhood. Later, he was even stabbed—surviving was pure luck.

These past few days, Bai Yu had observed Imuir closely. The grand duke was unexpectedly handsome, nothing like the rumors of cruelty and brutality. He was strangely obedient in front of Bai Yu and was likely the *dumpling’s* other owner. Plus, Imuir was still young—in modern times, he’d probably still be in school. So, Bai Yu’s inner thoughts were often tinged with sympathy and concern.

—"How did his health get so bad at such a young age?"

—"If he keeps skipping meals and staying up late, he really might die young."

Imuir didn’t need anyone’s pity. If anyone else dared speak to him like that, he’d claw their face apart. But when the doctor’s thoughts echoed in his mind, his fingers secretly clawed at the underside of the desk like a cat, completely unable to focus on his official duties.

*A-annoying doctor!* Always saying such strange things!

Throughout it all, Bai Yu kept thinking, "Why hasn't Grand Duke Imuir come to dislike me yet?"

This inner voice echoed several times, impossible for Imuir to ignore. The little kitten kept giving troubled looks at the doctor repeatedly, unable to comprehend why he wanted Grand Duke Imuir to loathe him.

Wasn’t it better to serve as the grand duke’s personal valet, then rise to steward, and eventually inherit the title to become a new noble in Illyria?

Amidst these doubts, the grand duke’s estate enjoyed a relatively peaceful period. Imuir handled official duties by day, crushing his uncle’s faction and investigating members of the Black Robe Society. By night, he transformed into a kitten, snuggling into the doctor’s bed, purring in his arms, and receiving extra servings of beef and goat’s milk. The grand duke slept soundly, had a great appetite, and one day, glancing down, realized he had put on some weight.

Even Bai Yu picked up the kitten one day, skeptically rubbing his belly. "Kitten, have you gained weight?"

Imuir: "!"

N-no way!

In any case, the grand duke desperately wished this life could continue indefinitely.

The only trouble was the doctor’s obsessive need to make the grand duke despise him.

Frustrated, the grand duke examined himself in the mirror, turning left and right, up and down, unusually insecure about his own appearance.

Was the doctor so repulsed by the grand duke that he wanted to be hated and driven away? Then why did he care about the grand duke’s health?

Imuir was baffled.

Until one day, the grand duke’s estate captured a spy from the Black Robe Society and grilled them all night.

The member, codenamed "Madame," confessed that Bai Yu was part of the Black Robe Society, codenamed "Raven." He had infiltrated the grand duke’s estate under their orders, carrying a pouch of poison, ready to assassinate at any moment.

"..."

The interrogator pressed relentlessly, and Madame answered every question. Meanwhile, Grand Duke Imuir sat outside the interrogation room, his expression dark as storm clouds. He gazed down at Madame with icy, slit-pupiled eyes, radiating murderous intent.

Once all evidence was laid out and the investigation results were placed on the grand duke’s desk—irrefutable evidence—Imuir slowly closed his eyes.

The doctor was indeed a member of the Black Robe Society.

Imuir was drained.

From birth till now, he had never let anyone in, never relied on anyone, never even liked anyone—except Bai Yu.

And yet, Bai Yu belonged to the Black Robe Society.

That evening, Imuir picked at his food gloomily, and Bai Yu noticed his gloom.

The doctor deftly swapped out the meat dish before the grand duke with a plate of leafy greens. "Problems with work today?"

His voice was cool, his expression as indifferent as ever, but to Imuir, it stung now.

The grand duke eyed the retreating beef wistfully before reluctantly nibbling on the greens, thinking, "Wasn’t it clear Bai Yu didn’t care for him?"

The only one the doctor ever showed affection for was the Platinum Kitten.

When Imuir remained silent, Bai Yu looked at him, raising a brow slightly. "Unhappy? Not in the mood to talk?"

Since the doctor had taken over as valet, this was the first time the duke had shut him out.

Imuir bit through a leaf and abruptly asked, "I’ve been dealing with matters concerning the Black Robe Society lately. Doctor, what do you think of them?"

Bai Yu replied impassively, "A pack of honorless vermin."

Imuir hesitated, on the verge of sneering, "Really? If I didn’t know who you really were, I might have believed you." But the next second, he heard the doctor's inner thoughts.

"Vile, morally bankrupt scum who have orchestrated countless terrorist acts in Illyria. They deserve to be wiped out."

Imuir froze.

Inner thoughts were not spoken words—they couldn’t be faked.

The doctor... hated the Black Robe Society?

The Duke kept his expression neutral and continued eating, casually dropping, "We caught a Black Robe Society spy today, code name 'Madam.'"

After speaking, the Duke looked up at Bai Yu, observing his expression.

Bai Yu only replied, "That’s good."

His inner voice added, "After all the things Madam’s done, she’s getting what she deserves."

"..."

After a long silence, Imuir said, "She accused you of being a member of the Black Robe Society as well, code name 'Raven.'"

As he spoke, Imuir watched him, hoping to find even a trace of shock or confusion on the doctor’s face—something that would allow him to dismiss Madam’s testimony as nonsense. But to his disappointment, Bai Yu’s expression remained as indifferent as ever, even carrying a hint of relief.

Bai Yu said, "I am."

"..."

Imuir was drowning in confusion and helplessness. He continued staring at Bai Yu, his eyes burned against his will. His fingers, hidden in his sleeves, trembled, and his entire body was consumed by grief, until his whole body trembled faintly.

The Grand Duke used every ounce of his strength to hold back his tears, he wouldn’t give an enemy the satisfaction.

The Duke of Illyria couldn’t afford to break—but if he were in his kitten form, he probably wouldn’t have been able to speak at all.

Why... why did it have to be like this?

The only person who’d ever shown him kindness, who had ever tolerated him.

But the next moment, he heard Bai Yu sighed quietly.

He lifted his hand slightly, as if wanting to touch Imuir’s cheek, but it hovered midair before withdrawing.

For the first time, Bai Yu’s usually icy demeanor showed hesitation and reluctance.

He wasn’t heartless. Having spent day after day with the Duke, who had treated him so well—pretending he didn’t care would’ve been a lie.

Thus, the doctor’s inner voice continued, one after another.

"He seems so crushed. Did I hurt him?"

"Do I comfort him...? Maybe he wouldn’t want my comfort right now."

"I’m sorry..."

"Even if we were bound to end up here, I’d hoped you’d grow to hate me on your own. I didn’t expect..."

"Still... I’m sorry..."

The thoughts piled atop each other. At this moment, Bai Yu’s voice was soft but lost, as if he had no idea how to console the Duke before him. For just a moment, Imuir even imagined him cradling the silvery kitten in his arms, soothing it.

The duke bit his lower lip slightly, controlling the sob in his voice: "My wife said the Order of the Black Robes gave you a packet of poison to put in my tea."

Bai Yu paused for a long time. Being despised and executed by the duke was the fate he'd resigned himself to, but now that it had come to this, with Imuir shaking like a leaf before him, he found himself unable to speak.

"Bai Yu," Imuir sniffed hard, "just tell me—yes or no?"

The doctor remained silent, then let out another long sigh.

"Yes."

But before grief or sorrow could take hold, the very next second, Imuir heard the doctor's thoughts once more.

"But I never intended to use it on you. Never."