The atmosphere in the Master Bedroom was tense. Nobody dared to breathe out loud.
But through their lowered gazes, the servants peeked at their young master who stood in the middle of the room, visibly half drenched in water and sweat.
The man who always maintained his poise, with not a hair out of his line, seemed a bit ruffled.
'Schlick'
In the background, the rough sound like the scratching of the sand paper reverberated.
Everybody shifted their gaze from Killian to the black kitten occupying the middle of the round bed.
The kitten's eyes were full of disgust as its spiky tongue lapped over its fur in an uncontrollable rage that was visible.
"Call the doctor," Killian said, tilting his chin.
Kevin immediately acted on it and contacted the vet, "He is on his way."
Inwardly, he was bewildered. First, the young master got a cat. Secondly, he decided to bathe her himself.
And now, the cat was acting up right after half an hour of the bathing session. And although the young master didn't show it, he was very much concerned about it.
When Kevin was assigned the duty of assisting Killian, he had done his homework. But no previous records or people had informed him of his boss's possible preference of cats.
…
MIA
"Cats dislike water in general so this behaviour was very normal…"
"Normal?" Killian seemed a bit bewildered.
And thank god he asked or I would have screamed as well because I was just as confused.
It was my first time being a cat—
I laughed bitterly in my heart the moment the thought crossed my mind. Of course, it was my first time becoming a cat. No human comes with a first hand experience of this.
Earlier in the bathroom, my mind was set. I had planned to let Killian wash me up. After all, however cute they looked, the teddy-like paws wouldn't help me bathe.
And I did feel I was on the road for a long time now. It has been over days since I left Lake Town and I hadn't taken a shower.
My plan was that I would let Killian help me clean and then find an opportunity to slip through the bathroom window by attacking him.
Yet, something strange happened.
The moment water touched my body, I was overwhelmed with a sense of pressure. Instinctively enough, I tried to attack Killian.
But my claws didn't even touch him through the 'torturous' half an hour bath session.
However demonic Killian was, he was washing me up gently. Yet, I couldn't explain my utter discomfort until he tried to dry me up.
I shot away from him like a bullet and did something unexpected that ruined my escape plans—
I licked myself, uncontrollably.
"Licking themselves is a very normal and healthy cat behaviour," the doctor explained, seemingly speechless that he was summoned for this kind of 'emergency'.
Killian listened on for another 10 minutes and perched on his shoulder, I eavesdropped on their conversation.
Turns out, cats groomed by licking themselves and they also did it every time they felt they were unclean.
'Ah, my first time being a cat,' I lazily curled on the man's shoulder.
For today, I had no more energy left. It was better for me to rest in the enemy's cave and find a solution tomorrow.
…
A week later.
The sun was bright in the capital city. The beautiful backyard of the Sapphire Mansion sparkled with the pond water and blue butterflies skimming across the water.
Near a white round table, a row of servants stood with their bodies lowered while the head chef served a few exquisite dishes on the table before pouring the tea.
"Jade," an elegant voice ran in the backyard garden.
'Ah' "Meow" The little cat perched on Killian's arm opened her mouth wide, hearing his voice.
Kade fed her the boiled fish with the fork.
Mia closed her mouth and chewed down on it, her green eyes twinkle at the sweet flavor of the exquisite salmon.
At this moment, there was the sound of hurried footsteps.
"Young Master… Young Master…"
Mia was startled by the loud noise and a piece of fish dropped onto the grass.
Killian tilted his head, "What's with the noise?"
Kevin froze and gazed upon the little kitten who was sharing the breakfast table with his young master.
Pursing his lips, he bowed to Killian, "Young Master, there are some emergencies in a couple of branches. An urgent meeting of some of the executives have been summoned in a town bordering the Capital City."
Killian paused and received the iPad from the man, scrolling through the documents present.
"It would require your presence," Kevin added.
Killian nodded, "Make arrangements for the business trip."
"Yes."
Nobody noticed the subtle movements of the black kitten. A pair of keen ears were flat, consuming every bit of information exchange between the men.