larsa is jealous of a cat
a cat
Mewling noises and a screaming echo bounced through the imperial office.
"Loo!"
A purring came after, followed by a tiny baby mouth trying to imitate the noise again. Larsa sighed and pressed his fingers to his forehead, failing to focus on the speech he was trying to write. How two little things managed to create such a distraction never ceased to amaze the emperor.
Ria had chosen to take a diplomatic visit to the lowtowns, appeasing to the poor and hearing out their voices. Gabranth, who had lately been titled the royal babysitter, went with her to protect and serve; but Larsa had realized halfway to noontime the Judge's absence also served as a break from the little Lady and her pet. So the emperor was left to care for the girl.
Xiomara and her kitten had chased each other around the office all day. Folders and books were toppled, papers were scattered across the floor, and toys were in every corner.
The girl erupted into a scream again as Luneth knocked over a bottle of ink. Larsa reached his breaking point and shouted, exasperated, at his assistant to fetch the child away. The woman came rushing from cleaning at a different mess and swept the bantam maiden up in a flurry of ruffled skirts and screaming. The darkly furred cat trotted after the assistant as they went out of the room.
He finished the speech through the afternoon. In the early evening, he stodd and stretched behind the desk and began sorting papers that had been strewn about. His mind drifted from the task, so he set the papers aside and strolled to the nursery.
The lights had been set off and the curtains were drawn; giving a midnight darkness, aside from a floating light that hung above the crib. The light was kept there by a charm, and the glow sustained the young girl's soft dreams. The child herself was curled into a ball with a plush rabbit under her arm. Luneth was in the middle of the ball shape she created, staring up at Larsa, almost daring the emperor to touch his own daughter.
The cat was extremely protective of the girl. He hissed at those who were strangers and was still wary of those with whom he was familiar. With the emperor's position, he could hardly ever take care of the girl. Ria was always there to change diapers or feed their daughter, or Gabranth to wear her playful mind exhausted, or a tutor to begin her lessons. But the emperor had but rare moments with his girl, and Luneth was beginning to take them away from him.
An arm wrapped itsef around his middle, followed by another. The owner of the arms whispered a quick "afternoon," and poked her head around Larsa's shoulders to view the crib. He placed his hands upon Ria's and squeezed her fingers gently, then escorted her out of the room.
They walked with their arms entwined back across the palace to the office. They spoke not a word, letting a few moments of relaxation seep into the evening. Gabranth stood at the doorway to the office, helmet shed and a tired look in his eyes as he surveyed the mess.
Ria kissed Larsa's forehead sweetly, then left him next to the Judge. She walked off to rid herself of her bulky travel robes and settle the palace for the night.
Gabranth had summoned two of the maid girls, and they arrived as Ria departed. Larsa helped the girls as best he could, yet they were so scared of the imposing emperor that they scattered to the corners of the room.
He sighed and picked a paper from the inky mess that was created earlier. It had been in the right place at the right time and had the prints of two chubby little hands, and two tiny paw prints.
He stood from the floor and contemplated the picture. He should have been the one making a mess with Xiomara. He should be able to play with her and scream out at random things, then carry her off to nap, or maybe nap with her on his shoulder.
He tucked the paper in a book, to be found later and reminisced upon. Maybe in a time where he had more time to spend with his loves. Maybe in a time when they were happy together.