Chapter Three: A Servant's Life
"Hurry with that tray, Yuki!" the cook hissed. "You know the count hates cold soup."
The half-grown cat nodded as she carefully but quickly sped out of the kitchen with the exquisite lunch. She managed to make it in time, the count barely nodding at her as he started licking up the savory broth.
Yuki prudently removed herself from the count's presence, rushing off to do her next assignment. When the Cat Queen first told her about the plan to make her a servant, the white cat hadn't been too hot on the idea. But it was a good steady job, one that made it possible to own her own little hut. Besides; it had its good sides.
A dark gray paw grabbed her elbow as she rounded a corner, making her lose her balance. But as he always did when he grabbed her like this, Lune caught her before she fell, his mismatched eyes twinkling.
"Hi, Yuki."
She grinned back at him as he helped her to her feet, always the true gentleman.
"Hi, Lune. How's your mother feeling?"
He sighed.
"She's still a bit tired, but the doctor says she'll pull through. She wants to see you after you get off work."
Yuki nodded, glad that the obsidian cat was doing better. All of the Cat Kingdom had worried when the queen fell ill, but she always seemed to do better when the white cat managed to visit her while her son got rid of any that might intrude. Already, he was becoming a power in the Cat Kingdom, making both of his parents proud. Their son's happiness seemed to be the only thing they could agree on, although they put on a good face for everyone else's benefit.
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And being a servant was a bit more fun then it sounded. Yuki used one of the secret halls others of her station were issued in order to reach the queen's bedchamber. She paused on her side of the tapestry, listening to her best friend shoo out all the attendants.
"It's safe, Yuki."
Smiling, she pulled aside the curtain enough to slip through. Despite the assurances that the queen would get better, she still looked like she needed a solid week of sleep. Yuki delicately held her paw.
"Hello, Aunt Haruka."
The queen's rich brown orbs opened in order to lock on the young cat's face.
"Oh, Yuki." Her voice was soft. The white cat smiled warmly at her self-proclaimed aunt, fondly licking her cheek.
"I swear child; you get prettier every time I see you."
The young cat blushed, keeping her eyes away from Lune, although she didn't understand why.
"Thank you. How are you feeling?"
She groaned.
"Not all that good. The doctor says cats don't hibernate, but I'd still like to give it a try."
That made both of the adolescents giggle.
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A few weeks after that, Yuki was startled out of her sleep by weeping. She rubbed her eyes, wondering what was wrong. Stepping out of her hut, she was surprised to find Lune collapsed outside her home. She walked up to him and squeezed hard.
"What happened?"
Lune choked back another sob.
"Mother's dead. The doctor was wrong about her getting better."
Yuki gasped, her own tears joining his, as he clung to her like a scared kitten.
There's no telling, how long they held each other, sharing the deep grief. In truth, the Cat Queen had felt more like a second mother than a makeshift aunt. After the tears and grief were spent, they still held each other, gaining strength from their friendship.
"I'll keep my promise to her." Lune said suddenly. Yuki looked at him.
"Pardon?"
"Mother made me promise to not take a human bride unless she wanted it. She doesn't want another girl to go through what she did."
Yuki nodded, managing a smile for him.
"Whoever you'll pick, I bet she'll be great."
Lune nodded slowly, gazing at her.
"I bet so too."
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A few years later, Yuki was curling up in her little hut again, tired after her shift. But it was more than work that wearied her.
Aunt Haruka's warnings that she would grow to be a beauty had proven to be all too accurate. Tomcats liked to follow her around, and only her expertise with the hidden corridors assured that she could return to her home in peace. True, she was now of marriageable age, but…
Her heart quivered; thinking about her dear friend. Prince Lune had grown to be a very handsome cat, and just about every girl in the kingdom had a crush on him. Including her. Prudently choosing to keep their friendship a secret, they had often depended on each other for strength.
But she knew how ridiculous her love for the prince was. His father would never consider a servant for the crown prince, and frequently had young eligible girls pushed at Lune, hoping for something to happen. She laughed lightly, remembering the short commentary her friend attached to each one, not finding any of them to his liking.
"Yuki?"
Recognizing his voice, she shook off the threatening slumber and crawled out of her home to smile warmly at the prince.
"Hi, Lune. What's new?"
He grinned back at her nervously.
"I, uh, actually need your help with something."
She cocked her head at him.
"Oh? What do you need from me?"
He opened his mouth, and seemed to bite back his own words.
"Advice. Love advice."
Her heart faltered, but she tried to keep a smile on her face.
"I see. Anyone I know?"
"Uh, yeah. You know her."
She rolled her eyes and nudged his shoulder playfully.
"Are you going to spit it out or tease me with it?"
He took a deep breath.
"I'm not sure if I want to say her name out loud. I don't think she sees me that way."
"Come on, Lune; you know any girl in the kingdom would cut off a paw for a chance to be with you."
"This girl's different. She doesn't fawn over me at all; she's just herself."
"Sounds like a good way to go. Would your mother have liked her?"
He chuckled warmly.
"I know for a fact that Mother would have adored her. But I don't want her to say yes just because I'm the prince-" he was cut off as Yuki pressed one paw over his mouth, her eyes stern as her heart threatened to shatter.
"Forget the crown for a second, Lune. You're an attractive cat that's smart, funny, and caring. I don't care what girl you're thinking of; she should be honored beyond words that you feel that way about her." Her eyes softened, taking in his eyes. "Besides, the worst she can do to you is say no."
He reached up to remove her paw, but held it in his own.
"So, you think I should go for it?"
"Absolutely. If you don't, then you'll never know, and it will haunt you for the rest of your life."
He grinned widely at her, and made a move he never had before. He stepped very close to her, and softly kissed her cheek, getting her to blush.
"Thank you, Yuki. I'll find the right way to tell her."
She smiled back at him, wishing that she had the courage to kiss the prince back.
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It wasn't long after that talk that the king sent Lune on a top secret mission, and Yuki missed her friend terribly, in more ways than one. After he got married, Lune wouldn't have time for her anymore, and she doubted if his bride would think well on him meeting with a cute servant girl, even if nothing ever happened.
"Yuki! Stop your day-dreaming and take this lunch up to His Majesty."
The white cat nodded, and took the covered platter. She still felt nervous around the king, but took comfort that she truly was invisible to him, and to all of the higher-ranking cats.
She politely coughed outside the king's personal study. Natoru pulled the curtain aside enough to look at her, and grinned nasally. He held the curtain up so she could slip through, and softly place the platter next to her king.
"Lune!"
She jumped about a foot in the air, and turned to see what had caused the king to scream.
Lune was seeable inside the king's crystal ball, trying to pick up a box while a truck sped toward him. Her heart froze in fear, barely able to pray for a miracle. But just as the prince got a good grip on the ribbon over the box, a lacrosse stick swooped in from nowhere. Lune became cradled in the net as the truck screeched, trying not to hit the human that was wielding the stick. Slim pale hands gripped the polished stick as it broke against a parking meter, making the owner cry out. Lune, still in the net, fell to the other side of a bush; the human following.
It was a young girl; Yuki could tell that much from the school uniform, as the young woman bent over, shakily gasping. The white cat's heart quivered, seeing the ponytail that the girl's hair was pulled back in. When she spoke, her voice echoed with a crystal tint, inside the crystal ball.
"Well, cat; that was close." She looked up and gasped, seeing him stand up and brush himself off. But for once, it wasn't Lune's face that the white cat was drawn to.
It was her fish cracker girl! There was no mistaking those huge chocolate eyes, or that face. Except for her longer limbs and older voice, Haru hadn't changed a bit. Yuki had never forgotten about the kind girl, or her own debt to her. But she kept staring, praying that her strange behavior wouldn't attract notice from his majesty.
Good thing no one was paying attention to her, as usual. The king and his two advisors were speechless, as the Cat Prince inquired politely about any injuries she may have gotten. Satisfied that she was fine, he promised to thank her properly later before disappearing with the ribboned box.
The king slowly turned to his advisors, a maniacal gleam in his eye.
"Gentlemen; I believe we've just found a bride worthy of my son."