72 Lured (1/2)

\”You should control your temper.\”

\”My ... what?\”

Mina's moods were getting haywire ever since she went back from the network.

Something changed, but she couldn't point out what it was. Instead of arguing with someone who couldn't understand her, Mina hissed at the general before turning her back, choosing to face the other side of the room.

\”Jad, what do you plan to do? You can't just visit Covin. You need to stay in the capital for the emperor's celebration.\”

\”I will be there.\” Jadon glanced towards the table where a black cat was lounging in comfort. \”With Devin's little assistant.\”

\”What are you planning to do?\”

Tarou stopped nibbling on his food when he felt a slight tremor. The comforting hand tightened around his little body.

\”You want to appear in public with a black cat?\”

\”Yes.\”

\”Eeek! Eeek! Eeek!\” Tarou squeaked as Barca squished him.

The little mouse gasped for breath for a few more seconds before the hand released him. The current in the room made Tarou tremble, and the mouse hugged a piece of grain.

\”I will bring this assistant to the celebration.\”

No one spoke and Tarou couldn't dare to make a sound.

\”You know you must do the purification ceremony first—if the emperor agrees.\”

\”Meeeeoooooowww!\”

The loud incorrigible sound broke the tension in the room. Everyone saw the cat extend its paws as if to catch something.

After a few playful antics, the cat found a comfortable position and stayed quiet.

Tarou looked towards the direction of the cat with longing, but he suppressed any sound. The hand holding him relaxed.

A small chuckle disturbed the silence. To mask the sound, the general cleared his throat.

\”There may be a way to avoid those rituals.\”

\”What do you mean?\”

\”We will know tonight.\”

The cat was still fast asleep on the table, oblivious to the meeting. The general headed towards the door with unhurried steps. But before he could disappear from Barca's sight, he took a step back, stopped and gave Barca a firm look.

\”You need to speak up in these meetings.\”

The general spoke his piece with conviction and walked towards Barca. The young man sighed inwardly.

\”And those meetings—I could hardly get a word in. Serket disapproves of my role and she makes it impossible for me to understand her half the time.\”

Barca tried to avoid the general's gaze and stared at the listless creature on his palm.

\”Grandfather is still the guardian of this realm. My role as a successor is not official.\”

\”You are grandfather's successor.\”

Barca's spine straightened at the general's tone.

\”Work on your self-esteem.\”

Although barely discernible, the sound of hoofbeats rushing towards the manor caught everyone's attention. Even Tarou, who tried to act like he was not there, subconsciously bent his little body forward to hear better.

\”Serket is all talk. You should not feel inferior in front of her.\”

Jadon tapped Barca on the shoulder and glanced momentarily at the black cat who started snoring.

\”I'm leaving. I have work to do.\”

Barca could only stare at the direction where the general disappeared. Then, his gaze fell on the sleeping cat. He tilted his head in one direction and gave the small mouse a pat.

\”These meetings with Serket... that creature she frightens me. I never thought parakeets could be that frightening.\”