Oathbound Paladin was one of the many novels I read in my past life.
The novel was nothing too exceptional, but it had good battles and back stories, so I hung in until near the end.
In that novel, several characters appeared and disappeared out of nowhere. Characters who had a significant effect on the plot or characters, but then they were forgotten once they either died or left the protagonist, that is, Kevin’s side.
One of those characters was William
The irritating low-ranking villain whose only job is to harass the heroine of the protagonist, throw insults at the main characters, and then get beaten up in the end.
Readers either hated him or didn’t give much thought to his character. He was a minor villain after all, who was supposed to rage-bait readers.
I belonged to the latter category. I didn’t focus on William’s character much since his role in the story was insignificant for most of the time.
However, now that I was living in the world of the novel, I couldn’t say I was still uninterested in the person named William.
Especially after what I am seeing right now.
Sitting on a bench which was behind the fountain so that no one passing by could see him, William was currently wiping the cake off his face.
And along with the cake, he was wiping his tears.
I was standing fairly far, so he couldn’t see me, but I could. I can see those large droplets falling off his eyes as he used his coat to wipe the cake slowly.
This person was the same one who didn’t shed a tear when he was brutally defeated by Kevin in a duel.
Kevin, undoubtedly, went a little overboard and broke William’s ribs but at that time, he only winced and just threw a few insults before running away—acting tough.
I asked the nurse, and she said that he never appeared in the infirmary for potions or check-ups.
So someone who didn’t show any sign of crying after being beaten up so badly in the past...was crying right now?
Yes, he wasn’t the person he showed himself as.
’He is saying something...’ I noticed his lips were moving, but I couldn’t hear him.
But I want to hear him. What is he saying? Why can’t I hear him?
Frustration built, and then I decided to use something I generally refrain from doing.
Use my beast form.
Not many could achieve this but I had, thanks to my father.
And what did I become?
"Ah...a cat," William spoke as I walked towards him with slow steps.
Beast form is dangerous since, in this form, I can’t chant most of my spells, and my senses are dulled as well. My mana presence becomes so weak that one might not sense me unless they are particularly looking for me.
But I wanted to draw closer to him..to listen to what William Delimore says when he is alone?
"Uhm...you can’t eat cake, right? But I don’t have anything else to give you..." He innocently searched his pockets but he wasn’t carrying anything it seems.
I was...stunned, to be honest.
The same guy who always shows that creepy smile of his, or keep grinding his teeth in frustration...can make such a gentle expression?
I jumped toward him, startling him, "Woah...easy there." He didn’t push me away and allowed me to climb his leg.
I looked up at him. Because of the cake, only a single feature was visible on his face.
His eyes. His deep crimson eyes.
They were full of curiosity and fondness.
I...have never seen such pure eyes.
I have lived for more than forty years if adding both lifetimes so I have fairly good experience with people.
And I can say, that until now, I have never seen someone so innocent.
"Kitty, will you scratch me if I rub your head?" He asked me. I am an animal, you know? I won’t be able to understand you.
But well, I gave him the permission by rubbing myself against his belly.
I saw him properly wiping his hands first before he brought it to my head.
"Your fur is so soft...waah, you are so adorable."
He melted while caressing me, undoubtedly liking my hair.
It felt ticklish.
But it wasn’t bad.
As some time passed, he leaned back in the bench and began to speak, "I hope they don’t write to Dad."
He spoke to himself but I heard him this time
Was he worried that the teachers would complain to his father?
Well, I have heard that the Count was quite fond of his son, while William always takes advantage of his kindness.
I looked up at his face.
He was smiling while looking at nothing.
His expression was so relaxed that I couldn’t stop myself from staring at him.
’What exactly are you, William Delimore?’
°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Add the book to your library.