Fifteenth

She managed to sneak the katsith inside the palace as 'Stella'.

Not many questions were asked as they returned, but...

"...Where did you two wander off to, Lady Emily?" One of the guards questioned as she attempted to move past him and back into the castle. "His Highness was concerned by your absence."

She grimaced. "Sorry! I was...um..."

"Picking herbs!" The maid spoke up. "I was very sick, and the mistress wanted to help me! But I have to start on my work right away now, so..."

He grunted in response and waved them into the building.

Emily nodded quickly, and made her way straight back to her room.

Once there, the 'human' maid transformed back into her pink feline form and hopped up on the bed, curling up contentedly atop the sheets.

"Ugh...I'm tired of walking after all that time pretending to be a boring old maid..." She sighed heavily and began cleaning herself with her tongue. "Being a familiar is a lot of effort, you know!"

She scratched behind her ears absentmindedly. "You really are very cute in this form."

"You know, I could devour you for saying something like that."

She squinted at the katsith. "Wouldn't that go against your blood oath?"

"...It...would, yes. That doesn't mean I have to take your insult lying down, though!"

"It's a compliment. You look so adorable you make my heart melt."

"...N-nyaaa...shut up! Stop talking!" The katsith flailed her claws around aimlessly and growled in a pitiful fashion. "I am a ferocious predator!"

She nodded, petting the small fairy. "That's fine. Your have very soft, silky fur."

"You say that again and I'm biting you!" The katsith yowled in frustration and stomped around on the bed, whiskers quivering. "You're so infuriating! I'll get my revenge some day!"

"You're purring."

The cat yelped and snapped her teeth at her. "Nyar! I will not be pacified! Nyafufu!"

She scratched Mia behind the ears. "What will you eat?"

She perked up immediately, eyes gleaming. "Souls. Souls of mortals."

"Mmh. The palace doesn't serve those."

"...I'll--I--fine." She hung her head, apparently pouting. "...Cake. Cake is fine. The humans seem to enjoy it immensely."

"What type of cake do you prefer?" She patted the little cat on the head gently. "I'll bring some back for you later."

Her ears shot up and she looked at her eagerly. "Y-you will?!"

She nodded and reached up to scratch beneath Mia's chin.

"O...okay. Okay! Then..." The Katsith paused to consider her request for a moment and nodded decisively. "I like anything chocolate."

"Got it."

She scooped the little cat up in her arms.

"Nya-?! Wha...!" Mia squirmed and hissed as she was carried, struggling weakly.

She scratched her behind the ear. "You're so cute I just have to hug you~."

"NYARGHHH!! DON'T TOUCH ME!!! Put me down!! I am a vicious fiend of terror! I do not...nyaaaaahhhh...l-like nya...petting...mm...don't stop..."

Her protests seem pretty halfhearted. I wonder if cat sith normally don't get pet...?

She tucked the small cat in one arm and continued scratching her head with the other hand while she purred.

Grumpily.

With loud protestations and dramatic cries of anguish.

As one does.

Much like a noisy toddler, though, the pink cat eventually drifted off to sleep, purring.

Emily smiled and adjusted her sleeping companion into a more comfortable position, leaving her curled up on a pillow.

She's awful cute for being a vicious fiend of terror.

Smiling, she tiptoed away and headed to the dining hall to look for Adrien.

Unlike Mia, she hadn't anything to eat most of the day.

I'm starving...!

It didn't take long to cross paths with Adrien.

He spotted her easily enough while she was passing through an intersection of corridors and made his way over with a smile.

"Lady Emily." He bowed gracefully and straightened up. "It is wonderful to see you again."

"Ah, you too, Prince Adrien...!"

He smiled warmly. "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything. I haven't seen you all-"

Her stomach interrupted him, growling loudly.

Her face reddened, and she clutched at her middle, feeling incredibly embarrassed by her rumbling tummy. "Eheheh, sorry...I guess I didn't have breakfast..."

"Ah..." He nodded and held out a hand to her. "Will you do me the honor of sharing lunch?"

She nodded shyly and took his hand.

His fingers closed gently around hers and he began leading her to a table set up in one corner of the room with plates and silverware laid out, along with several serving dishes.

"Here." He guided her to a chair and pulled it out for her so that she could sit down. "Please, feel free to help yourself."

He gestured at the table as he sat beside her. "They may bring additional dishes momentarily, but for the time being, whatever you need should be available."

"Okay..."

She watched as he served himself a plateful of food from each dish and began eating, wondering how she would go about picking out a meal for herself.

With it all laid out in a line like this it reminds me of going to the cafeteria for lunch back home...

But the food was certainly much higher quality.

As was the company.

She reached out to spoon a healthy dollop of creamy white fish onto her plate, then scooped up a couple chunks of tenderly cooked beef.

It looked good.

She took a bite.

...It tasted amazing! Of course. Nothing she'd tried since arriving here was anything less than delicious.

"So." Adrien leaned back casually. "How was your morning?"

She chewed her bite thoughtfully for a moment.

"...Mmgh." She probably shouldn't reveal Stella-Mia's secret immediately. "I went...exploring."

"Exploring, hmm? Where was it that you explored?" His eyes twinkled as he gave her a sidelong glance.

It was definitely suspicious I came back late! How do I explain?

She picked up her fork and poked at her food. "The...outdoors. I just sort of...tried to look at everything." She glanced sideways at him and swallowed nervously. "The gardens. The gates. Trees. All sorts of things."

"...I see." He replied softly, seeming pleased. "How was the outdoors today, then?"

She couldn't tell if he believed her or not. "It was...very pretty! Lots of plants!"

"And?"

"...Lots of animals?"

He smiled gently and reached up to brush her hair from her face. "I'm happy to see that you're both happy and safe, Emily."

"Eh!?" She felt her face warm and quickly averted her gaze back towards her meal. "Yes, yes, thank you..."

Adrien chuckled quietly as he resumed eating his food. "Ah...will you still be interested in sharing dinner tonight?" He asked, taking another bite. "My duties unfortunately require some attention after this."

"Of course! When...? Um, and where?"

"At nightfall. In the courtyard." He paused for a moment as he thought. "The same one as last time."

Oh wow. It really is our second date...!

Well...

They were only friends.

But it still felt like it.

Her heartbeat picked up speed once more. "...All right."

He flashed a brilliant smile at her, and she found herself grinning back despite herself. "I'll meet you there, then. Have a pleasant rest of your day, Emily."

He rose from the table and gave a quick nod before turning on his heel and departing.

She couldn't help but stare after him, feeling her cheeks flush with warmth.