Cat

Half a minute later, Elise detected a small creature, likely a stray cat.

With her target identified, she quickened her pace, turning into an alley with light steps.

As the head maid, she had to maintain her grace and composure at all times, even when Astrid wasn't present.

At the end of the alley, a dark kitten sat atop a pile of garbage.

It raised its body warily, its feline eyes fixed on Elise.

"Try to be gentle and don't hurt them too roughly."

Recalling Astrid's advice, Elise withdrew her mental energy and softened the sharpness in her demeanor.

Her usually indifferent dark eyes strained to convey a hint of tenderness.

She could have easily used her Master Knight level mental power to capture the black cat effortlessly, but that would have gone against Astrid's wishes.

She wanted to be gentle.

"Meow~"

The little dark cat let out a soft sound, and Elise bent her knees, crouching down halfway.