Chapter Four: Eavesdropping
Muta started choking.
"There is no freaking way that she's the Cat Queen! She's gotta be…" the fat cat left off, counting on his paws.
"Her Majesty celebrated her twenty-fifth birthday last month," Natoru supplied. "The king made sure to make it a grand affair."
Baron cocked his head, more than a little disturbed.
"But that would make His Majesty old enough to be her grandfather," the tawny feline said after a quick calculation and guess to the king's age.
"Yes, yes, that's old news," the brown cat said tiredly, waving one paw. "A lot of our nobles spend their time in the gardens, so I'd better lead you there first."
"Will Haru be down there?" Muta asked urgently, making the brown cat choke.
"Please! She is a queen, so use her title!" Natoru hissed, looking around to make sure that no one had overheard the fat cat's lapse in propriety. His tone was more worried than angry, but the change of attitude was definitely noticeable. "And no, she won't be down there. She's visiting her mother in the Human Kingdom right now."
"Pray, when will she be back?" Baron asked, more than a little intrigued by what could have happened, for a human to become a member of the royal cat family. The guide sighed.
"The day after tomorrow. But remember, the king doesn't want her to find out about the death threat." Natoru started chuckling darkly, as he came out of the castle, and towards a large garden, overflowing with flowers and passing courtiers.
"You gonna use the watch?" Muta whispered. Baron nodded and reached into his pocket, feeling the familiar pocket watch. The cover over the face was richly engraved, with swirls circling around a lustrous pearl, a true example of excellent workmanship. Expertly, he touched the knob at the top, and started cranking it. It wouldn't affect the time on the clock face, but it would certainly do a few other things.
-guess I can't really blame the king for not wanting the queen to find out about the death threat. Knowing her, she'd even volunteer to do the job. Ugh, I am so glad she's gone for a few more days. That lady's scary.
Baron bit back a chuckle, amused at Natoru's private thoughts. Well, time to find out just who was considering taking action against the king.
This wasn't as easy as it sounded. The king was apparently not held in high regard by anyone, at least underneath the surface.
It serves him right, the old coot.
I bet it'll be the queen that kills him. She certainly has enough incentive.
I wonder if I can get anyone foolish enough to bet me five trout that the crown prince will do it.
This is the chance I've been waiting for! As soon as Yami gets back with his brothers, we can start discussing how to kill the king.
'Jackpot.' Baron smiled grimly, slowing down in his step with a nod to Muta telling him to keep Natoru busy. Now free of the guide, Baron pressed himself against the hedge, so he could hear better.
Come on! I've been waiting eight years for this day! Why won't Yami hurry back?! If we're going to kill the king, it has to be done before the queen returns!
A dreamy sigh echoed through the Cat Creation's mind, and on the other side of the hedge.
Oh, Haru… I know how you hate being bound to that old creep. But after I dispatch him for you, you will certainly be grateful for what I've done, and want to get to know me better. And then, my beautiful queen, you will be mine! Prince Lune can have the kingdom. You, my love, are the real prize.
Baron cocked his head. So, the would-be assassin was smitten with the Cat Queen. The Creation turned away from the tall hedge, deep in thought. But why would the murder need to happen before she returned? If it was so obvious that she hated her husband, wouldn't she like to see his demise?
The mystery cat's thoughts about the mysterious queen got dirtier and dirtier as he waited on the other side of the hedge, making the tawny feline shudder in revulsion.
'Something tells me that the queen wouldn't care much for this suitor, even if she was available. Oh well, I gave my word to help the king anyway.'
He got out a small notepad and uncapped a small pen. All he needed now were names. The Cat Creation scrawled 'Yami' in as light footsteps approached.
"Where have you been?" the first cat hissed quietly, obviously irritated.
"I am so sorry, Duke Nashi. Nami here wanted to finish his nap first."
Baron swiftly wrote in the two new names.
"Nap on your own time. Hui, do you have it?"
"Right here, my lord."
Baron heard something uncap as he wrote in the newest name. Duke Nashi started gloating disgustingly.
"Beautiful. Just perfect. Remember, only three drops in his goblet tonight. That will make it look like a wasting sickness, and none of the doctors will be able to figure out what it is in time to save him."
"Yes, Master," three voices said softly in unison, confirming for Baron that he hadn't left out any names in his little list.
"You may go," the duke said firmly as the Cat Creation pocketed the list.
'I doubt it's really that simple. I'm fairly sure that the seer had mentioned actual bloodshed, not a silent poisoning. How many plots are there to kill the king? Why does everyone hold him in such low regard?'
Without warning, something hit him in the back of the head, and knocked his top hat to the ground. Baron winced, and turned around, one hand to the back of his head. He looked down at the ground to see a bright red ball bouncing away from him. A little bemused, he walked toward it and picked it up while setting his hat on its proper perch.
"I'll get it," a little voice piped as it rounded around the corner. Baron looked over, to see an elegant little gray kitten, with mismatched eyes of fire and ice.
Just like the king.
The kitten's eyes widened at seeing the stranger straighten to his full height, and smile warmly while holding the toy in one hand.
"Would this happen to be your ball?" he asked.
Wow, he's really tall. I've never seen him before. "Yes, sir. Can I have it back, please?"
Thrilled that good manners hadn't been completely forgotten after all, Baron smiled warmly, and walked forward a little, holding the toy out so that she could get it. As her little paw touched the ball, she suddenly gasped. Her next sentence was echoed both in her mind, and in her voice.
"Hey! You have hands just like Nana's!"
The Creation twitched, not quite expecting that announcement.
"I beg your pardon?" he asked as the little kitten grabbed the ball, and began pulling insistently on his hand.
"You've got hands too! I thought Nana was the only cat with hands. Mommy, Daddy, Haruhi! Come see this!"
'Does she mean the queen?' More than a little confused, Baron allowed the delicate princess to drag him around the wall that had been between them.
A handsome tomcat with the same fur as his daughter was sitting on a soft blanket, as well as a lovely white cat that the Cat Creation could only assume was the princess, as well as a young lad that was as pale as his mother. They all looked up at him in shock as the tiny princess pulled him closer.
"See, Mommy? He's got hands like Nana! And his arms and legs are long like hers, too."
"Yes, dear. I can see that," the white cat said, her sky-blue eyes full of wonder. "Why don't you let go of him so that he can introduce himself?"
A little bashful, the kitten let go of his hand. Baron clenched the hand, suddenly finding it to be a little too empty for his liking. He had never spent much time with small children, or any children, except for the ten years he was owned by a young German prince. But that didn't really count, since the boy hadn't had much interest in him, and a barrier of glass had been between them at all times, thank heaven. The boy had been very fond of playing rough with anything he could get his hands on.
But for some reason, he didn't mind the little princess holding his hand at all.
Baron held his silk hat to his heart, and bowed low for what he was certain was the next two generations of the royal family.
"I am Baron Humbert von Gikkingen, the proprietor of the Cat Bureau. Pray, what's this about her Nana looking like me?"