Sebastian returned to the garden and was on his way to feed his pet whose cage was just a few walks from the garden. Benjamin felt Sebastian ended the conversation with Mrs Nolan and her daughter in a strange way so he asked "Is something wrong sire?". "Wrong? Wrong with what?". Sebastian asked while trying to figure out what was going through Benjamin's mind. "With the way you ended the conversation with them. It seemed a bit off sire". Sebastian glanced at Benjamin who was behind him and said "Tell the cook to give you food for Onyx". Benjamin sighed. He knew there was a possibility the king wouldn't talk to him about what just happened. Sometimes Sebastian confided in him and sometimes he confided in his pet Onyx. Most times for issues that really bothered him, he talks to his pet. But Benjamin couldn't blame Sebastian, the man was emotionally wounded and traumatized from childhood and the only friend he had before he met Benjamin was Onyx.
Benjamin bowed slightly before carrying out the king's orders. After Benjamin left, Sebastian walked past the huge garden and approached the iron cage of his pet. He stood at the entrance for a few seconds before taking out the key to unlock the huge padlock that held the cage. After opening it, the smell of blood hit his nose and he inhaled the scent merrily. "Onyx" Sebastian called out to his pet and out of the shadows emerged a large healthy black panther that walked slowly towards Sebastian. The big cat playfully walked around Sebastian a few times before licking Sebastian's feet. Sebastian bent down slightly as he stroked the head of Onyx. The black panther purred in delight as his master petted him.
"Your meal will soon be here" Sebastian said and the eyes of the panther brightened after hearing Sebastian's words. Few minutes later, Benjamin approached them with a large chunk of meat on a silver platter. Sebastian and Benjamin were the only ones who could feed Onyx. The others didn't dare to come close to Onyx. The closer he got to them, Benjamin's eyes fell on the shining black fur of Onyx. The panther was majestic and suited Sebastian's personality and aura so well. Along with Onyx's black fur, Sebastian was also dressed in black. The buttons of his clothe was made out of gold and there were also gold designs on the shoulders too. The moment Onyx smelled the raw meat, he was about to run towards Benjamin but Sebastian said "Don't pounce on him". The panther released a gentle yowl as a reply to Sebastian before trotting towards Benjamin in a careful manner. Reaching Benjamin, the man stroked the panther on the head before placing the meat on the ground for Onyx to devour.
Sebastian gave Benjamin a certain look and the man knew it was time to excuse the both of them. He gave them space but he also stood close by just incase the king needs him. Sebastian called on the panther again and it quickly took up the chunk of meat in it's mouth before running towards Sebastian. Getting to the exact spot Sebastian was, Onyx sat on the ground with his meat in-between his big paws before starting to devour it.
Sebastian sat on an iron bench which was close to Onyx's cage. Sighing, he prepared to tell Onyx about the experience he just had. "I met a strange human girl few minutes ago". Hearing his master's words, Onyx stopped pulling on his meat and looked up. The panther looked intrigued by his master's words. Seeing Onyx's curious face, Sebastian continued "That's not the shocking part.... She's Nolan's daughter and I didn't dislike her when I looked at her." Onyx roared twice as if responding to his master's words. "I know. That's what I thought too but when I met Nolan and Father Roberts, I didn't like them one bit. But with time I did. But with this girl, there was no trace of hate or disgust in my heart". Sebastian said to Onyx but the panther had already continued eating his meal. Though, his mind was still in his master's words.
"Because of that, I ended the conversation with her because it felt abnormal to me" Sebastian continued.
Onyx stood up and licked Sebastian's hands.
"Thank you" Sebastian said to his pet as he stroked its head earning a loud purr from Onyx.
Sebastian stood up and Onyx quickly grabbed the remains of his meat with his huge teeth, entering his cage back without being ordered to.
"I have to do something now. I'd come again" Sebastian said, stroking Onyx one more time before closing the cage.