The late afternoon sun slipped through the cracks in the bamboo blinds, dancing lazily on the surface of an old wooden table. On that table, a chubby orange cat lay sprawled, thick fur rising and falling slowly, as if he were truly fast asleep.
But his eyes... weren't fully shut.
Mathien stayed still, listening.
The creak of a wooden door echoed from the front room.
"Grandmaaa! I'm home!"
The sound of soft, hurried footsteps came from the kitchen. Wooden slippers clacked against the floor. Hana's grandmother responded in a gentle tone, followed by muffled chatter—about flowers, about school, about the weather turning chilly as the season changed.
Mathien let out a quiet snort.
"Finally, the chaos-bringer returns..."
He rolled to the other side of the table, turning his back to the voices.
"And of course, she doesn't come here first."
"Obviously, she'd rather talk to her grandmother than report to her oh-so-magnificent master."
Hana's footsteps grew closer.
The bedroom door creaked open, followed by her soft, familiar voice.
"Chiro... are you in the room?"
Mathien stayed silent. Still half-lidded, back turned to Hana.
"Aww, are you sulking? Because I left you all day?" Hana's voice grew closer. "Hehe, relax, relax. I brought you a gift~"
Mathien didn't budge. But his ears twitched ever so slightly at the word "gift."
Hana unwrapped a small bundle of oiled paper. The scent of fresh fish immediately filled the room.
"TADAAA! I got a super nice cut of salmon today! The seller gave me a discount because he said I always smile, hehe~"
Mathien—still with his back turned—opened one eye. Just a flicker.
"Salmon..."
"Not just any salmon. The pink kind, glossy, thick slices..."
Hana placed the small plate of salmon on the table. Then she sat cross-legged on the floor, leaning against the side of the table, smiling at Mathien.
"Come on, Chiro. You must be hungry, right?"
Still no response. Mathien remained still.
Hana sighed softly. "Today was rough, but I'm happy I can come home and see you."
No movement. But the tip of his tail twitched a little.
Hana rested her chin on the table. "Oh yeah, guess what... Daichi talked to me today."
Mathien turned his head slowly.
"That handsome human you keep fawning over?"
"He said I... should probably get new shoes."
Mathien said nothing.
"I know he's right, but still, hearing it out loud kinda stung."
Hana let out a small laugh. Light. But her eyes shimmered quietly.
Mathien glanced at her. Then looked down at the plate.
He moved closer. His fur brushed the edge of the plate. Then... he started eating. Quietly. Calmly. No theatrics.
After a few bites, Mathien stopped. He licked his lips. Then slowly turned to Hana—who was now hugging her knees, staring at the ceiling.
Gently, Mathien nudged the plate forward. Half a slice of salmon remained.
"You haven't eaten, have you?"
Hana looked over, confused.
"Huh? You're not finishing it?"
"I'm full." Mathien's voice was soft, almost inaudible.
"Besides, I don't need much energy tonight. And you look like you could use something to keep you going."
Hana stared at him for a while. Her expression surprised, but a smile slowly grew.
"You're kinda sweet, huh."
Mathien stood up immediately.
"Don't jump to absurd conclusions."
"I just... don't want my servant dying of hunger. Because if you die... who's going to bring me salmon tomorrow?"
Hana giggled, then nodded.
"Alright then, Your Royal Highness Prince Mathien. Your servant shall survive. Thank you."
Mathien didn't answer. He returned to his sleeping position, back turned to Hana again. But this time, his tail kept swaying gently.
🌸🌸🌸
Night fell gently over the quiet little village. The sky stretched wide and dark, studded with cold, distant stars. The night breeze whispered, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and damp earth.
Atop the roof of the old house, a chubby orange cat perched. His fur ruffled in the wind, his eyes locked on the sky, unblinking.
Mathien sat still, his front paws gripping the tiles to keep from slipping. He looked up. Staring at a constellation that was all too familiar.
"Same sky, but no magic in the air."
"No guardian's whisper. No pulse of energy. Just the silence of humans."
He sighed. Quietly.
"How long have I been here?"
"A week? Two?"
"And not one... not a single sign that Valtherion is looking for me."
A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes. His tiny claws scratched gently at the tiles, as if trying to let out his frustration.
"Was I really too dangerous to keep around?"
The wind blew again. Brushing through his fur. Making that small body shiver a little.
"I'm nobody here."
"In this world, I'm just a fat cat named Chiro, fed by a clumsy girl with torn shoes and hands that smell like glue."
"But... why... why don't I hate her?"
He closed his eyes for a moment.
Memories of the palace. The throne room. His mother's gentle voice, and King Darius' stern gaze. All of it... growing blurrier with time.
What remained was Hana's laughter. Her earnest face. Her too-tight hugs. And... the salmon she refused to eat so he could have more.
Mathien opened his eyes.
"I can't lose myself."
"I must go home. I must return to the throne that awaits me."
"But how long must I wait... without a sign?"
He looked up at the sky again. Then shut his eyes.
"It's time..."
"I need to know how far my power's returned. How much of this world's energy I can harness."
His fur rustled softly, but the air around him began to shift. Faintly—the calm wind stirred unnaturally, curling around his small body.
"Focus."
"Draw from every salmon you've ever eaten..."
His tiny form began to glow. Golden light enveloped his fur. A faint crackle, like soft thunder, hummed in the air, though no one could hear it.
"Valtherion..."
"I am your crown prince. Heir of the ancient bloodline. Let me feel... the power that is rightfully mine."
Suddenly, a pulse vibrated in the air—faint, gentle, but enough to make the tiles beneath him tremble. Behind his closed eyes, sapphire light flickered.
But then…
His body shook. His head drooped forward.
"Tsk... unstable."
A flash of energy burst outward. But only for a moment. Mathien gasped, his body slumping back down.
The magical glow vanished like smoke in the wind. The night returned to normal.
"Still not enough..."
"Even if I absorbed everything, even the last drop of salmon oil... this body's too weak to contain Valtherion's full magic."
He glanced toward Hana's room, its wooden window glowing with warm light. Silent. Safe.
Mathien exhaled once more before slowly turning around, then leapt down from the roof and disappeared behind the window.
🌸🌸🌸