72 Lured

\"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.\"

Barca talked while pampering the little mouse with gentle pats.

Tarou sensed his human was back to his normal self, but what was he mumbling about?

\"This little assistant sure is courageous.\"

Unsure, Tarou looked up at his human.

'Was Barca attracted to Boss?'

This human has been studying the black lump on the table.

Tarou stopped chowing down more food to get better in identifying Barca's moods. He may not have the best vision, but Tarou was an expert in feeling things, people, food, the air, and more.

His human was restless during the meeting. He sensed that Barca was ill at ease even before the ruckus. He noticed the changes in his breathing and his hand betrayed him. He took shelter on the man's palm after all.

\"Human, you are... that...\"

The small successive squeaks attracted the man's attention.

\"A pompous bird scares you?\"

Tarou sensed Barca's full focus on his little self after his squeaks.

\"Serket can be ruthless, my little friend. You were brave today.\"

The little mouse bowed his head, uncertain about the human's words.

\"But you should not get on her bad side.\"

'Did this human think he couldn't hold his own in a fight?'

\"I will bite that bird to pieces! That Serket is not allowed to bully Boss!\"

Tarou saw the man smile at him. He rubbed his eyes, but all he saw was the usual blurry view. Perhaps it was just a figment of his imagination.

\"Would you like to eat more?\"

The gentle voice was barely audible. Tarou ignored him and munched on some food.

'Am I too weak? I'm not!'

\"It's so useless talking to you, you don't understand a thing.\"

Tarou stomped and took a large bite. With his mouth stuffed with food, the mouse mumbled his complaints.

\"You're such a disloyal human! Aren't you supposed to come to my rescue when I ask for help? Or are you such a stupid person? Didn't you get my message?\"

Tarou's taste buds rebelled at the grain's bland flavor, but he forced himself to swallow it down before throwing away the remaining piece.

\"I don't like this at all.\"

The mouse slumped down and stopped eating.

As if by magic, something else appeared before him.

It smelled better and tastier and it dangled right in front of his nose.

Tarou's head bobbed to the direction where Barca dangled the food.

Without hesitation, Tarou got up and tried to reach but the food was out of reach.

\"I want that! Give me...!\"

The demanding squeaks echoed in the room, but Tarou had his full focus on the tasty treat.

He wanted that!

He needed to eat that.

\"Human!!!\"

The mouse channeled all his displeasure in the squeak.

\"Give me that! I want that!\"