*Cling.
*Cling.
*Cling.
(The clock's ringing 24 times)
"Ugh! Stop it, already!" Zil flailed under the mound of silk blankets, his voice muffled but no less pitiful.
The infernal clock continued its merciless ringing, louder than the war cries of the knight who were supposed to served him. Not that they respected him much—after all, he was the Duke of Featherfall, a name that somehow perfect summed up his strength: light, fragile, and entirely unthreatening.
"Snowball," Zil groaned, peeking out from his cocoon to see his beautiful white cat perched elegantly on the freezer. "Could you, I don't know, do something?"
Snowball blinked at him, her violet eyes filled with disdain. She gave a languid stretch, swished her tail, and promptly turned her back on him.
"Figures," Zil muttered, finally dragging himself out of bed. He stumbled toward the clock, his steps more dramatic than a theater actor's. After a few overly theatrical swipes, he finally managed to shut it off.
Victory? Barely.
Turning back to Snowball, he wagged a finger at her. "You know, for someone who eats my food, sleeps in my bed, and does absolutely nothing to earn her keep, you sure have an attitude, hah."
Snowball jumped down gracefully, padding past him with the air of someone who didn't just own the house, but the entire duchy.
"Of course you're ignoring me," Zil sighed, following her into the kitchen.
"Typical."
The kitchen was as grand as any duke's
should be—high ceilings, marble counter, and an assortment of cooking tools Zil didn't know how to use. He opened the pantry, frowning at the shelves lined with dusty wine bottles and... (we're those biscuits from two years ago)?
"Snowball," he called over his shoulder, "do you think anyone would notice if I just declared it a fast day? Duke can do that, right?"
The cat, now perched on the counter, meowed.
"That's what I thought," Zil muttered.
"Useless."
Snowball flicked her tail, knocking a half-empty bag of oats to the floor.
"Great. Just what I needed," Zil groaned, bending down to clean up the mess. "Maybe next time, I'll wake up as a real duke, with power, respect, and knights who don't laugh behind my back. But no, I'm stuck here with a useless title and a tyrant cat."
Snowball meowed again, this time with more purpose.
"What? You want breakfast too?" He threw up his hands. "Fine, your grace, I'll get to it!"
Zil finally managed to put together a sorry excuse for breakfast—a dry biscuit and a glass of lukewarm milk. Snowball, of course, got a freshly cooked fish delivered daily by the castle staff.
"You really are the duchy's favorite," Zil muttered, watching Snowball daintly nibble at her meal. "Must be nice being so loved and respected."
Snowball paused mid-bit, tilting her head as if to say, (*You're not wrong).
The peace of the morning didn't last long. The heavy knock of a servant at door echoed through the room. Zil sighed, bracing himself for the terrible news.
"Your Grace," the servant began as he entered, bowing low but unable to conceal the disdain in his gaze.
"The Baron of Greystone is here to see you."
"Greystone?"Zil blinked. "Didn't he promise to 'burn my pathetic house to the ground' last week?"
(The servant coughed awkwardly).
"indeed, Your Grace."
"And did you let him in?"Zil threw up his hands. "Fantastic. Wonderful. Nothing brightens a morning like entertaining someone who openly wishes me dead.
"Snowball finished her fish and climbed up onto Zil's lap, purring sweetly.
"Well, at least someone here likes me,"(Zil said, caressing her fur). "Fine. Send him inside, but keep the guard nearby. They wouldn't defend me if it came to that.
Shortly after, the Baron of Greystone entered the room furiously. His presence was dominating and threatening. He was the opposite of Zil; he had a large build and commanded attention with ease. Additionally, he had overflowing magical energies that could ionize air.
"Zil," (Greystone said mockingly without any respect for hierarchy). "Still playing at being a duke, i see."
(Zil manage to force out a feeble smile). "Well, you know, someone has to keep the seat warm."
(Greystone glanced at Zil's lap where Snowball lay lazily). "Even your choice of pet screams weakness. A cat, really? Not a hound or a falcon?"
Before he could give a response, however, Snowball yawned. In the sun rays that passed through briefly, her sharp teeth shone. It caused some unnoticed change in the atmosphere which affected Zil himself but not perceptive Greystone who nearly stopped sneering for that moment only.
"What do you want from me now?"( Zil asked finally with uncertainty in his voice). "If you're going to insult me, may it be during lunch?"
(Greystone laughed softly). "Oh, don't worry. I won't take much of your time. The other nobles are sick of your stupidity. Our kingdom cannot have a duke who possesses nothing – neither magic nor physical power because this is just shameful. "I'm warning you; either resign willingly or we'll force you out."
(Zil was afraid but tried not show it). "Maybe... maybe I will."
Greystone seemed happy as indicated by his smirk while turning around to go away. "Alright. It would be messy otherwise."
When Zil closed the door, he sat on the chair and covered his eyes with palms. "I'm done for."
However, Snowball leapt off him unto his lap and went towards the window where she wagged her tail with calculated anger. As she looked outside following Greystone's retreating image, her eyeballs glowed a bit.
(Snowball visit the Baron of Greystone)