(Bruce's P.O.V.) -6 weeks later
I walked as fast as I could while holding a slippery, fat fish tightly in my jaws, avoiding the crowd in the village, the solid bell of my rope collar ringing out true and loud, alarming the villagers of my speed, hearing conversations spike up. "That's one of the royal cats, carrying a meal to his mate at the castle.". A mother spoke to her child, a girl, who was very curious and awed of me as I was a very handsome specimen of the house cats.
"What is his name, Mother?". she asked, as the mother smiled and replied, "Why, his name is Lukas, and in the castle, is Christine, his mate.". I smiled mentally at the names that Cinderella and her husband, Prince Charming aka Charmont gave us a while after they saved Miruna from the trap. Miruna's pregnancy has developed quite well, now 5 months and half along thanks to my relief, and surprise since we were able to actually feel our child's first kicks yesterday.
I mewed politely as I was stopped by a strange clothed man stepping in my way, and he rudely called me a filthy rat. I growled lowly as the aforementioned girl came forward, "Hey, you hurt his feelings!". The man harrumphed, "Animals don't have feelings, just wanting food and something to chase.". The girl bravely replied, "That's not true! He simply wanted to bring a meal for his mate.".
The man narrowed his eyes, and grabbed me by the scruff too roughly, earning me to drop the fish. I mewed sadly, "That was for Miruna.". The man scoffed at me and the girl, "Why do you care for this stupid cat?!".
I hissed angrily, and the girl defended, "Hey, we do care for him, you are a stranger! He is one of the royal cats of the castle!". Some other villagers including the girl's mother came up and crowded us. The mother reached for me and grasped me gently and quickly before the strange man could hurt me further.
"Aww, Lukas, don't worry, I got you.". she replied softly as she petted me gently behind the ears. I purred thankfully as I received a good scratch. The strange man received comments and farewells from the crowd, and left quietly and rudely. I mewed to my savior, earning her to smile at me and put me down gently upon the cobblestone walkway. I glanced at the ruined fish and growled sadly, "I got nothing. What do I say to her?.".
The girl set a knee down and asked, "You need something for your mate?". I mewed at her, saying yes. She smiled, "Mother, may I buy a ocean fish for Lukas, please?".
"But, of course, dear Clara.". The mother nodded and gave her daughter some coins, and Clara went up to a open tent that held crates of fresh fish from the ocean. "The very best one you got, sir, please.". She politely requested and the merchant nodded, and got a wide and fat fish, wrapping it in brown paper and rope, and gave it to Clara, who thanked him and went back to me and her mother near me.
She took a knee down again, gave the wrapped fish, "There you are, Lukas, the best for your mate.". I mewed loudly as I thanked her by way of nuzzling and licking her on the hand before taking the wrapped fish into my jaws, flickering my tail at the women in farewell, starting to walk fast, the villagers moving out of my way, creating a straight path to the gates. The villagers waved and complimented me as I passed them, and at the gates, the officer waved to the wheel operator, and the gates opened, causing me to walk faster, meowing a thanks to the officer, and going into the open doors by the guards, hoping that Miruna isn't too mad at me for taking so long with lunch. Well, at least, I am starting to understand how lives are so different in social standings. I wonder if the boys are checking on Miruna right now.