Catgirls And Dungeons (Yuri)-Chapter 108: Execution

"Tell me, Valinet," I murmur. "Was it true? Did Amanda start it?"

Valinet's shoulders twitch. She glances toward Amanda.

Their eyes lock.

Amanda stares back—wide-eyed, desperate. Silently begging. Pleading with what little dignity she has left. Please, her gaze screams. Don't betray me!

Valinet's lips part. No sound comes.

A drop of sweat rolls down her temple. Her fingers clench at her skirt.

She trembles.

But then—

She breaks.

"Y-Yes! Your Highness!" Valinet stammers, her voice cracking like glass underfoot. "It was her! Amanda—she started it all! She's the one who spread those stories! She filled our ears with lies and venom! She made us believe them! Twisted everything! Like a demon in disguise!"

The words burst from her lips like a confession at the gallows. And before I can even respond—

She crawls closer.

Her hands press to the cold stone as she throws herself at my feet in fervent submission. Her golden curls spill over her shoulders like unraveling ribbon.

"Oh, Your Highness—please believe me!" she cries. "I, Valinet de Caperia, would never think such things of you! I don't believe those filthy lies! I swear it—Queen Alicia is my hero! She's the only one I've ever looked up to! There's no way I would ever say or do anything that would disgrace her legacy, or stain your name! Please… forgive me!"

Oh?

How theatrical!

I muse, watching her grovel.

But Amanda… she snaps.

"VALINET, YOU—!!!"

The words come like a shriek of betrayal. She lunges, grabbing a handful of Valinet's golden curls, yanking it hard.

"You lying little rat! I trusted you! I—"

But Valinet doesn't take it.

She fights back.

She twists, shoving Amanda back, her eyes wild with fear and rage.

Then—

SLAP!

The sound echoes like thunder across the silent courtyard.

Amanda stumbles, clutching her cheek, blood trickling from her lip.

"You vile, filthy snake!" Valinet roars. "You dare speak lies of our princess? You dare stain the name of Queen Alicia?! If Her Highness doesn't execute you right now—I will! I swear I'll—"

And as she says that, she lunges towards Amanda, trying to punch her.

But I've heard enough.

My leg moves before I think.

BOOM!

A sharp kick to her side, fast and brutal.

Valinet's body flies like a ragdoll, crashing into the marble base of the nearby statue with a thunderous CRACK.

The stone shatters. Dust erupts.

Then, she drops onto the ground, goes limp.

Not dead yet…

But that filthy, wicked, sly mouth of her.

I've made sure that the mouth of hers, the mouth which so full of lies, of venom, of pathetic praise…

Will speak nothing for the rest of the year.

…

And now…

I turn to Amanda.

That pretty girl is still trembling, still on her knees.

There's blood on her face now, but it's still beautiful.

So angelic, and delicate.

Tears pour down her cheeks. Her lips quiver. Her entire body shakes like a candle about to flicker out.

And still… she looks up at me.

"P-Please…" she whispers, voice breaking. "I'm sorry… please… have mercy…"

I crouch low, letting our faces align. Close enough for her to feel my breath on her lips.

I then wipe away the blood for her.

"Any last words?"

Amanda freezes.

Then slowly… something in her expression changes.

She knows.

She's accepted it.

"Then…" the girl chokes on a sob, her entire body trembling, barely able to lift her head. "Please… Your Highness… I beg you… spare my father…"

A pause. A breath.

Her voice is thin, barely there.

But I hear it.

I remember what she said earlier—how her father had spread the stories too. He's one of the voices behind the rumors. One of the nobles who spread filth behind velvet drapes and wine-stained smiles.

How lovely.

"Of course," I whisper, smiling, my tone almost sweet. "I am the fairest princess of them all. And since you've already admitted your crimes…"

I lean in slowly, gently brushing her tear-streaked cheek with gloved fingers.

"I'll make it painless."

Then, without breaking eye contact, I slowly rise.

My arms extend outward, elegant and commanding as a queen descending to judgment.

"Sword," I say, voice clear and sharp.

However, nothing happens.

My brow twitches.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

No one moves.

"…Tch." I click my tongue, irritation flaring. "Do I have to say it again?"

"SWORDS!"

"Y-YES, YOUR HIGHNESS!"

A knight bolts from the perimeter, armor clattering, kneels, and offers his sword with both trembling hands.

I take it.

And oh…

I feel the weight of it.

Cold steel, razor-sharp, polished to a mirror gleam, freshly oiled and perfectly balanced.

He must have sharpened it today. Perhaps even this morning.

Such dedication…

My lips curve in a satisfaction smile.

Oh wow, how poetic.

A beautiful sword for a beautiful execution!

Too bad it's going to be stained in blood very soon.

And as I stand there, sword in hand, the wind stills, the tension sharpens like the edge in my hand.

Amanda straightens slowly, spine rigid. She raises her chin.

My sword's tip rests just inches from her throat.

And then—

She closes her eyes.

She accepts it.

Death.

I pull the sword back, ready to swing.

To deliver justice.

But then—

CLANG!

A blinding flash of mana blasts from the side, striking the hilt.

The sword flies from my hands, spinning through the air before crashing to the ground with a sharp clang!

I freeze.

My fingers still curled in the shape of the swing.

The crowd gasps. Even the guards tense.

My eyes narrow.

What…?

Someone dared to interrupt me?

Dared to stop the blade of royal judgment?

I stare at my empty hand. My heart slams against my ribs.

Not fear.

Not anger.

But exhilaration.

But joy!

Oh… now this is interesting!

Quickly, I turn towards where the mana blast came from.

And then I see her….

Like an angel in the sun…

Standing there, unshaken, untouched by the fear that smothers this place….

She's a girl with soft, short blue hair, the color of a glacier kissed by moonlight. Her eyes are clearer than the sky, calm and piercing. Cat ears twitch subtly above her head, dusted with pale silver at the tips. Her uniform is simple. Just an academy tunic, a navy cloak, no jewelry, no noble embellishments.

And yet… she shines.

A quiet, brilliant glow that nearly hurts my eyes.

Like looking into sunlight reflected on a blade.

And the strangest thing?

She doesn't flinch.

She doesn't cower.

She doesn't tremble like the rest.

She looks at me—not with arrogance, not with challenge—but with something far more unexpected to the point of nearly unsettling.

Genuine respect.

"Your Highness," she says, bowing with perfect form—one hand over her chest, the other at her side. "I know that slandering royalty is a crime, and I do not seek to excuse it. But to sentence a fellow student to death… here, now, on Luminaris holy ground… surely even that must cross a line."

Damn…

Hearing that, I'm speechless.

Because the way she speaks, it's so composed and balanced, completely controlled.

There's no stuttering, no quivering, but instead, a calmness that feels almost unnatural. Even now, standing before the so-called Cursed Princess, the one feared by nobles and commoners alike, she remains steady and poised.

Beautiful, and elegant.

I can't believe it…

Just… who the hell is this interesting woman?

Ba-dump!

My heart begins to race.

But not in rage.

In exhilaration!

She intrigues me.

She's the one making my blood stir!

I take a step forward, slow and deliberate, my boots clicking softly against the polished stone. My eyes remain locked on hers, narrowing.

"You," I say finally, "What is your name?"

"Morvena."

She bows again.

A flawless, beautiful motion.

"Morvena Lysanthir d'Aurelle. Second daughter of Baron d'Aurelle. Greetings, Your Highness."

"Morvena…" I murmur, letting the name linger on my lips like silk.

A strange thrill pulses through my chest

The name settles on my tongue like a spell. Elegant. Intriguing.

What a beautiful name… for an even more beautiful girl!

And now…

I want to know everything about her.

Only her.

In this dull, gray world—

Nothing else matters.