15

The Imperial Guards snapped to attention as the Crown Prince Niveus arrived at the grand gates of the Imperial Palace, the charismatic man stepped down of his carriage along with Sir Ashton, who hurried behind him followed by 30 knights and servants. Their disciplined footsteps echoed through the courtyard.

the crowd converged around him, receiving a warm welcome by Emperor and The Empress, which has became a ritual ever since Crown Prince moved to his own palace.

A small black furball nestled against his chest. The rumoured pet dangled lifelessly in his grasp, it's small head limp and motionless.

Nicolas curiously glanced at the kitten.

The ministers and servants bowed deeply at the Celestial Prince.

Niveus clicked his tongue inwardly in annoyance. He had told them not to make a fuss about his arrival every time.

'this is the rumoured black demonic being that Crown Prince has tamed'

'it appears dead'

'crown prince killed it'

The servants whispered among themselves as they raised on their toes to get a glimpse of Niveus and the scandalous cat. The words reached Nicolas ears .

He peeked from behind the Empress mixed with curiosity and concern.

'is it really dead?'

The Emperor who was amused by the rarest sight of his son holding something so frail , didn't fail to notice the little prince struggle to hold back his tears.

He raised his hand and the murmur died immediately.

"Son" Emperor's voice resonated, filled with authority and a hint of concern "what is that you hold? And why is it dead?"

Niveus let out an tiered sigh before flicking the kitten head bringing it back to life. "Apologies for misunderstanding your majesty"

The kitten groaned as she was suddenly jolted back to life. She swatted his hands back cussing in her own language.

Nicolas eyes widened, as the colours returned to his skin.

The imperial couple let out a heartedly laugh and the atmosphere lightened.

"It does resemble the Princess Leonore" Empeor renarked and suddenly the atmosphere dulled with the chilly wind.

"What, what? " He awkwardly looked around at the sullen blue faces.

Empress let out an awkward laugh "he hasn't seen an eye doctor in a long time"

They walked towards the grand hall, where courtier and nobles will gather.

Nicolas followed behind his brother keeping a respectful distance. He wanted to touch the furball, but he was hesitant.

'brother may not like it'

Ashton, who has been the part of this family since childhood, understands the Little prince's dilemma . He nudged the Crown Prince and "oomphed" receiving powerful nudge in return.

"The little highness" he managed to let out catching his depleting soul.

Niveus halted and turned to Nicolas. The kitten didn't fail to notice the strong resemblance between the two.

"Is something wr-wrong brother?" He trembled inwardly under the icy gaze of the Crown Prince.

"Here" Niveus held out the small kitten who was bored to bones "take care of her while I am busy"

Nicolas eyes widened staring back at the wide golden eyes of the kitty "Re-really?" He hesitated glancing at Sir Ashton who nodded at him with a very pleased smile.

"I don't want to repeat it twice"

He met his eyes at his parents that gave him an encouraging smile.

The kitten tapped his head 'hurry up boy' not knowing it will thrill the boy to the core.

Nicolas smiled happily accepting the kitten in his arms. The soft warm fur tickled hands, he felt her heart throbbing faster than his. The child got goosebumps as it was the first ever creature he had held. The kitten settled herself in his cautious and soft embrace.

"That was really kind of you your highness" Ashton muttered to him.

"I cannot dangled her around everywhere"

"Actually you are capable of that" Ashton smiled "but, never mind"

Niveus entered the grand hall, with the corner of his mouth turned slightly, very slightly upwards.

_____________________*___________________

Nicolas decided to roam every corner of the palace, as it was important to greet all his servants and knights today.

"This is Miss Leonore, and my brother has entrusted her to me" the little boy proudly announced, displaying the cat as if he had found the greatest blessing and felt compelled to share it. "Come closer, and I will teach you how to greet her."

At first, they were hesitant to approach the strange creature, but with encouragement from Nicolas, they bowed their heads

The maids lined up around the little prince, charmed by the kitten's adorableness.

Held up by the mini version of Niveus kitten let out an exaggerated sigh, and she tapped each one in turn with her tiny paws .

"ohh," they squealed. "That's so adorable!"

The big golden eyes, squishy paws, and soft black fur, adorned with a collar featuring a big blue gem, marked as a sign of Crown Prince Niveus, caught everyone's attention as Nicolas proudly displayed the kitten.

"What is this commotion?" A cold voice cut through the hallway, bringing instant silence. The servants hushed and retreated from the little prince.

"M-Miss Agatha," Nicolas stammered.

Agatha, a tall woman wrapped in a black dress and hat, her yellow-blonde hair tied in a tight bun, looked down at the child with icy disdain, crossing her arms.

The kitten noticed Nicolas shiver involuntarily and frowned at the woman.

"I was concerned that His Highness hadn't appeared for his lesson, so I came instead," Agatha said, her voice dripping with contempt. "And what do I find?"

"He was just about to—" Nicolas started.

"On one hand, we have the Crown Prince, so talented, and on the other..." Agatha let out a disappointed sigh. "It's pathetic."

Nicolas flinched but dared not raise his head. The kitten noticed his drained eyes, devoid of any light, and a face flashed in her head.

"Back off," the kitten growled at Agatha, her hair spiked up. "Back off, Bitch"

Flaring her fangs, the kitten let out a warning sound.

Agatha was surprised, but it didn't faze her much, as the kitten was nothing compared to the towering hag. She raised her paw, her small nails ready to strike. "I will claw your eyeballs out!"

Nicolas tried to calm the kitty. "Your Highness, what is this misbehavior?!" Agatha yelled at him.

But the kitten's voice only grew angrier.

"You dare bring such filth into palace? " Agatha sneered, her eyes drilling into Nicolas. "You should be studying like the Crown Prince, not wasting time with vermin like this!"

Nicolas's cheeks burned with humiliation as Agatha's words cut into him like knives. He felt small and insignificant, compared to the illustrious Crown Prince.

"I-I'm sorry, Miss Agatha," he muttered, his voice barely audible.

"Pathetic," Agatha spat, turning away in disgust. "Absolutely pathetic."

The kitten let out a low growl, her eyes blazing with fury as she watched Agatha walk away.

'How dare she!!? ' the meowed angrily " I will come after you and maul you with both my paws once I grow up! "

She turned her attention back at the child who seems to have lost his spirits.

"Don't listen to hags like that, she will choke on her own saliva and Die"

"I don't know what you are trying to say but" Nicolas smiled sadly, knowing the punishment awaiting him behind those doors " Thank you "

Staring at him for long the Kitten raised a little and tapped his head with both her paws "I will protect you, don't worry"

Her reassurance seems to reach this time, as Nicolas smiled genuinely.

-------------------------++*----------

Under the shade of a tree, Dumbdum stood rigid with crossed arms, pretending to have biceps and wearing wooden sunglasses. He glanced around cautiously but somehow missed Pigie, who was right in front of him, and poked his eye.

Furious, Pigie smacked the swag right off Dumbdum's face.

Dumbdum, now with a swollen face and black eye, leaned against the tree roots and made a coded sound.

A reply came from behind the roots in the same coded manner.

They bickered in code for a while.

Dumbdum rolled some berries under the roots, but an irritated squeak came back.

He tried a few different fruits and even an egg, but the squeaks were still dissatisfied.

Dumbdum shrugged helplessly at Pigie.

Pigie sighed, fluffed her feathers, and marched over the raised roots. Suddenly, there was a commotion, and sounds of someone getting a good beating echoed through the air.

Dumbdum peeked through and saw the berries rolling back, while a squirrel was getting thoroughly thrashed by Pigie. He snickered and adjusted his crooked sunglasses, amused by the chaos.