Intermission: A Prior Day in the Kingdom of Bakr
Intermission: A Prior Day in the Kingdom of Bakr
BUILDINGS painted with spiraling arabesque patterns towered upward under the endless blue sky. From the tall, rounded ceilings to the cool stone floors, every inch of them was covered with detailed patterns. Fresh spring water flowed into a courtyard with ivy-twined arches, and soft water droplets glistened on the trees.
The royal palace of Bakr is like an oasis in the desert…
Marquess Elphinstone, the coordinator with the Kingdom of Luducia, where Bakr’s First Princess was to be married, lived with his family in one of the small palaces.
“A present for you, Lady Letizia,” said one of Letizia’s maids. She was wearing the clothes of this kingdom and was politely holding out a basket covered by a cloth.
“…From Prince Jahal, right?”
Letizia took the basket, assuming it was rare, exotic fruits again, but she was surprised at its unexpected lightness. Just then, she started feeling vibrations—something was moving inside the basket.
“Huh? What is this?” she asked.
“The prince said he was sure it would make you happy.”
Letizia softly removed the cloth and saw a beautiful white fluffball. It had black spots all over its body and was squirming around restlessly. It briefly raised its face and revealed unexpectedly large, thin ears. The eyes glittering up at her were gooseberry green.
“…A cat?”
“Her name is Mimi.”
“It’s a cat, right?”
“Yes, it’s a cat.”
“Wh-Why would he spring this on me?!”
“Meow!”
The cat’s meow was smaller and higher pitched than a baby’s cooing, but Letizia looked terrified and started to tremble, as if a tiger had roared at her.
The maid looked at the master’s daughter with delight.
“It meowed!” cried Letizia.
“It did, my lady. Because it’s a cat.”
With a look of utter amazement, Letizia’s head whipped back and forth between the kitten in her hands and the maid.
“Wh-What should I do with it?”
“Love and cherish it.”
“No, I—I know, but—not that, I mean— Ah! What should I do?! It moved!”
“It did, my lady. Because it’s a cat.”
Letizia had frozen in place, still holding the basket. When the maid finally broke into giggles, Letizia was too paralyzed with fear to chide her.
“This was the best reaction to all his gifts so far!” said the maid. “I’m sure this will make Prince Jahal happy, too.”
“That’s not the point—”
“Meow!”
“It meowed again!”
“It did, my lady. Like I told you, it’s a cat.”
Letizia had never actually had a pet before. Until then, her life in this kingdom had been overwhelming and directionless, but after that day, things changed drastically.