Tainted with the hues of warm colors, the sky appeared vibrant, a canvas of orange and pink as the sun lingered just above the horizon, casting a gentle glow over the landscape.
Under the familiar tree, Niveus settled himself, only intending to entertain himself by watching the kitten play.
To Niveus, this kitten was more than just a an extinct feline that he found on the way to inspecting the Western borders that belonged to Duke Ashenhurst.
Since start, He had his suspicion about this cat being that lowly shape shifter that disguises herself as one of his people, A Noble.
Though they had the oddly familiar golden eyes, the characters were as distinct as day and night.
The first thing one would notice about Leonore as she entres the room, other than her face that seems to never form any crease, was the atmosphere she carries along.
Adornes with the finest garment and accessories, Her every moment exudes confidence and elegance, yet beneath the polished facade lies an unmistakable aura of arrogance. As if silently declaring her superiority that is 180° of Kitten's whole existence.
Niveus still wasn't completely convinced, there were very few people with high attribution of mana, can sense dark mana, which is considered a dead form of mana.
Apart from Niveus, Isiah was one of them. Even though he exonerated the kitten off of such mana, but still, it was too much of coincidence for him.
The kitten, positioned a few feet away and engrossed in her own mischievous endeavors, emitted an audible fart before resuming her activities, nonchalantly disregarding the peculiar incident.
Niveus with his very own royal eyes witnessing such shameless act in the broad light of sun that too exposed in a garden surrounded by his guards and servants, let out a "never-mind" Sigh, shaking away those thoughts.
____
Kitten's pov.
"Hehe," I chuckled to myself, admiring my handiwork.
The blades of grass had finally formed a graceful arc, just as I intended.
With precision, I secured the two blades together by puncturing one and neatly inserting the top of another grass blade into it, creating a belt-like fastening. Then built the another goalpost across, next to the lazy prince.
With a burst of excitement, I leaped to my feet and dashed toward the prince, eager to impress him. The familiar red ball, his favorite toy to tease me with, lay idly by his side.
"Here, watch closely now," I proclaimed confidently.
Nudging the ball toward the lush green grass that is next to him, I gave it a swift kick, sending it rolling straight into the makeshift goal formed by blades of grass.
"Goal!" I cheered exuberantly, hopping around in triumph. Glancing at the Crown Prince, I couldn't help but notice his expression, akin to someone witnessing a bizarre sacrificial ritual.
"Is this some short of game you invented? " He asked with the raised eyebrows.
I nodded, acknowledging the truth that this game was indeed my creation in this world.
Passing him the ball, I watched as he deftly dribbled it between his slender, ivory fingers before returning it to me.
Catching the ball protectively, I couldn't resist a smug chuckle before delivering a powerful kick, supposedly my best, the ball weakly stumbled across before slowly passing through his goalpost.
As the ball found its mark, I couldn't contain my excitement, hopping around in what I deemed to be my victorious dance.
"Oh yeah! Oh yeah! You saw that? "
I had my hand raised up in the air trying to stand on my two feet.
*ssswwishhh*
"Eh?" I blinked in surprise as a sudden gust of wind swept above my head, stumbling backwards on my feet, sending shivers down my spine.
With a swift motion, I turned my head to witness the ball hurtling through the goalpost with incredible force, splitting the grass into two sections as if parting the sea, and leaving both sections ablaze.
My eyes bulged out of their sockets as I stumbled backwards, my hands instinctively tapped on my head where the ball had seemingly made contact.
Even the servants few feet away seems to be taken aback.
"Thank goodness my head isn't on fire and I'm not bald... yet," I muttered to myself in relief.
"Well, that was fun! " I heard him chuckle behind me.
"What the heck was that? Revenge?" I squeaked out incredulously.
"I thought that's how you play," he shrugged casually.
"By aiming the ball at my head?"
I yelled a loud meow.
"Outrageous"
"Let's play again!" he exclaimed cheerfully, sending waves of fear crashing over me.
Backing away, I stuttered out a protest, my voice trembling, "N-no." Because, the next time there won't be any spot left to get bald but a hole to see through.
But he was already raising his hands in the air, a magical light appearing as the ball leisurely made its way back towards him.
I couldn't help but wonder how far it had been sent, my heart racing as I watched it ran towards his hand before finally settling in.
I decided that it was my time to nap, stretched my body and ran towards the servants, among them I spotted Licia, the red head, anxiously biting her nails.
I jumped in her arms joyfully and she accepted me with the same enthusiasm.
"Lishiaa.... "
"Miss Kitty"...
As I relaxed between her bosom " Wheww... "
She bowed to the celestial prince with a pleased smile and said "Your Highness the Crown Prince, the light of Yureshia-"
I tapped her to hurry up.
"Miss kitty seems to be wanting to attain her chamber of contemplation"
Even I don't know what that means, but, whatever sails the boat.
"And How do you know that? " Niveus asked beamused. Standing on his feet, brushing his garment, he ought to follow us.
"Because Miss Kitty and I are best friends"
"Yes, we are best friends" I sang along doing my best to merge as child of this woman, though racially distinct. Hurrying Licia to run away before he catches up on us.
____________
"Oh my God! So adorable!" exclaimed yet another maid, circled around me, their words like nails on a chalkboard to my ears.
Licia stood by me, puffed up in proud as she showed me off to her companions.
For the umpteenth time, I felt my patience wearing thin as my ears threatened to melt away from my head, as they can't ignore the background noise of snickers and laughters.
As I was placed in front of the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a sense of indignation wash over me.
There I stood, a proud feline warrior reduced to a caricature of myself, donning a bunny costume that made me look utterly ridiculous.
I have used all my horrified emotions in the garden, with that obnoxious prince, so after beholding the sight of my appearance in the mirror, all I am left with an exasperated sigh inside my lungs.
Clad in a fluffy creamy costume, my fur obscured by a layer of pastel-colored fabric.
The oversized ears perched atop my head seemed to mock me, their pink and white stripes poking out in stark contrast to my sleek black fur.
With every movement, they wobbled precariously, threatening to topple over at any moment.
I sighed heavily, resigned to my fate as a feline masquerading as a bunny.
I should have known with that ominous smile of Licia's face. I should have just taken a hit instead.
Niveus, who decided to tag along, didn't bother to tone down his laughter. Not sparing any effort of making fun of me.
Letting out an annoyed groan.
I squashed on the table, crushed under the weight of laughter and embarrassment.
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Far away in the meadow of western forest.
As dusk descended upon the tranquil meadow, the once vibrant atmosphere began to shift into an eerie darkness.
The gentle rustling of the grass turned into a sinister rattle, as if whispering an ominous tales.
Animals, usually at ease in their surroundings, now cowered in fear, their senses heightened by the ominous presence lurking in the shadows.
The birds, once filling the air with cheerful melodies, now emitted haunting quacks that echoed through the stillness, sending shivers down the spine of anyone who dared to listen.
A sense of foreboding hung heavy in the air, as if the very essence of evil had descended upon the meadow, casting a shadow over all who dared to tread upon its cursed ground.
Two brave being, a rat and a pigeon, quietly observed the commotion unfolding to their once peaceful abode, from the safety of the heights of an oak tree.
They agreed upon something, silently.