14 The General's Black Ca

"This cat," the bandit chief motioned towards the docile cat clinging comfortably on the general's leg, "taming this animal is unheard of."

The general looked at the adorable cat purring on his boot as a faint sound of approaching horses became audible. Dismissing the bandit chief's previous remark, the general spoke in a serious voice.

"The princess and your men are almost back. You need to make a choice."

The bandit chief fixed his gaze on the general and extended his hand.

"I accept."

The general took his hand and sealed their cooperation with a firm grasp before disclosing something important to the chief.

"No one knows that the princess is alive. We must reach the capital before someone learns of this fact."

"I understand."

A few minutes later, the princess and the rest of the bandits arrived with the general's men. When the group became visible, it was clear that the princess fidgeted on top of her mount. There was a discernible change in the princess' demeanor when she saw the two men who stood across each other. The expression of the bandits also softened when they saw their chief.

The bandit chief gave the princess a meaningful look before approaching the party. The general walked behind him while a black cat staggered to follow him.

Behind the veil covering her entire face, the princess glanced at the bandit chief and then at the general.

Stopping at an appropriate distance from the princess, the general was about to greet the princess when the woman spoke first.

"Let us dispense with the formalities General," the princess said with a tinge of displeasure in her voice, "your men waylaid my return to Houri."

"Apologies for my impertinence your highness. The emperor requests your presence in the capital.

"General, I know nothing of you save for your reputation which leaves much to be desired."

"Your Highness, the empire is in upheaval because of your death. Your brother, the King of Houri, and your betrothed, the King of Dinhi, are on their way to the capital to seek the emperor's audience."

In a voice filled with sarcasm, the princess could not help but reply.

"As you can see general, I am very much alive."

General Jadon continued. "We have received word that your family wants to seek for your murderer who also committed the grievous crime of burning down a village." The general glanced at the bandit chief with meaning. "I must insist that you accompany the party towards the capital with this gentleman here."

"General, the Prince of Dinhi did nothing to harm my life. If not for him, I would have perished."

"Then, your highness, you must know better than I that your appearance before the emperor is even more necessary."

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the princess nodded her head and motioned to the general. "Very well. I will heed the emperor's request and put my safety in your hands, General." The princess consented reluctantly.

"We must travel fast, Your Highness. But your arrival in the capital must remain a secret."

One of the general's men stepped forward with a piece of clothing. The general motioned to the garments. "A traveling monk would be less conspicuous than a young woman with a band of men."

The princess looked down on the garments and nodded.

"Let your man hand them over to me, I could wear these even on horseback."

Mina snapped out of her euphoric state when she heard the princess' highhanded tone. She finally realized that the scene was much different from before. She had no time to process why she ended up beside her human servant but she had to deal with the current situation first.

The two men seemed to have reached a truce since the tension between them was no longer there. This time, there were also more people in the clearing. The princess and the bandits were back. She also saw the general's men return with them. Despite her reluctance to leave her comfortable position, she had to greet the princess on all fours.

"Meow! Meow! Meow!"

Her greetings caught the attention of everyone present.

Instinctively, all eyes turned towards a black cat standing next to the general. Save for the general's men whose expressions remained unchanged, the princess and the bandits were all eyeing the black cat and the general with unveiled shock.

"That...that animal, does it belong to you General?"

Mina was all ears when the princess asked the question in a tone filled with disbelief. Losing all gratefulness to the woman who had been her benefactor since she arrived in this world, she growled at the princess.

'Hey person this human is clearly my servant. You've got it all mixed up!' she hissed.

"Black cats are spawns of the devil," one of the young bandits murmured in a voice which was almost inaudible. Mina looked at the young bandit as her pupils narrowed into slits. Before she could growl at the man, the horse the bandit was on neighed and flipped over backward throwing off its rider.