30/05/1164

William’s House

At the breakfast table, Amelia was drinking a cup of milk when Aria’s voice rang out, “Amelia, are you feeling alright?”

“Yes, mommy.” Amelia replied, before continuing drinking.

Nodding, Aria asked, “Would you mind taking Samuel’s place today to send the food over to Zack?”

‘What’s mommy up to?’ Amelia thought, finishing the milk in the cup.

Tilting her head to the side, the little girl asked, “But why?”

Aria answered, “That’s because I wanted to test whether Samuel was slacking off again. Last time he didn’t do well. Since… since Zack was with us back then, I was apprehensive about lecturing him, or if he feels shame.”

Amelia laughed, “Mommy, big brother feeling shame? Don’t you know that he has daddy’s… s-shamelessness…?”

Amelia’s voice damped near the end as on the other end of the table, two hands holding a newspaper lowered, revealing William with a wry smile, causing Amelia to feel shame.

On the other hand, Aria nodded while her slender finger tapped her chin. “Maybe. It could even have had a better effect than scolding in private as well.”

William’s head tilted back, looking up at the ceiling as he considered giving up on retorting, ‘No point arguing against women. We can’t win. I might even implicate my dinner.’

As if reading through William, Aria said, “Seems we ended up diverting from the topic. In any case, up for it?”

‘Oh, I’m all for it. That’s like asking whether or not you want an umbrella on a rainy day. If I were at home when you’d be lecturing that brother of mine, I’ll also get dragged along. Not to mention that I’m going, I won’t come back until you’re done beating how to do magic in his bones.’ In response to Aria’s question, gladness went through Amelia’s mind.

However, instead of expressing all that, Amelia put on a hesitating act before nodding, “Alright, mommy. I’ll go deliver food and check up on brother Zack.”

A few minutes later, Aria had prepared a basket as she stood at the door. Handing it over to Amelia as she said, “Amelia, remember to be cautious out there and don’t talk to strangers.”

Amelia smiled cheerfully as she nodded while receiving the basket.

Meanwhile, internally, she shook her head, ‘Mommy, that’s common knowledge. I know it already.’

Giving Aria a smile, Amelia left.

Like a curious child, she looked around while taking in all the scenery on her way. Inwardly, the scenes around her moved her deeply.

‘The time of peace. I missed it a lot back then. It’s way better than one person killing another, butchering our own people while acting as dogs to other people, all for a bleak lie of a better life, which wasn’t even assured, and at the potential cost of their own lives; a cost after which they wouldn’t even be there to enjoy what they earned.’

Amelia’s eyes turned down to look at her own steps.

‘I don’t even know what to do anymore. I came back. Okay. But now, what’s next? A part of me doesn’t want to change a thing. Okay, maybe a few, but not a lot. But another just wants to kill half, maybe even two-thirds of the world. Those idiots don’t even know what’s better for them. But I’m very weak right now.’

Her small, soft hand covered Amelia’s mouth as a wry chuckle escaped Amelia’s mouth.

Suddenly, the light in her eyes turned sharp as daggers as her steps halted. The little girl turned her head around, her eyes looking at an unassuming alleyway of the village.

Putting on a curious expression, she walked towards the alleyway. Inwardly, all she had was caution, lacking any shred of curiosity.

Within the alleyway, she found a small kitten, its white fur dull with all the dust. It was curled in a ball, shivering. Bruises covered its exposed head, and even under the dim light filling the alleyway, Amelia could make out cuts on its tail.

Looking at the kitten, Amelia’s expression crumbled, revealing a face full of disbelief mixed with excitement and worry as she walked forward.

Alerted by the sounds of approaching footsteps, the kitten curled up even more, as if afraid of a beating.

Putting the basket in her hand to the side, Amelia walked forward with measured steps. Looking at the kitten shiver, her eyes turned dimmer.

Reaching next to the kitten, she squatted down, using her index finger to stroke the uninjured area of the kitten’s head.

Feeling the warmth on its head, the kitten stopped shivering. Raising its head, an image of a young girl with beautiful arctic hair and intelligent arctic eyes filled its eyes. Tears dripped down the kitten’s eyes as it got up, before rubbing against the girl’s leg.

Her voice shaking, Amelia asked, “A-are you one of the two void and aevis cruising felines who brought me back? And w-what happened to you? Why are you so… small? Where’s the other one?”

As if understanding her words, the kitten replied, “Meow! Meow! Meow meow meow!”

After an embarrassed pause, Amelia said, “I didn’t understand. Sorry.”

The cat’s eyes turned to Amelia’s hand. Rubbing against it, the cat bit down, only one of its canines digging through her skin, drawing blood.

Sucking in a cold breath, Amelia retracted her hand, rubbing where the kitten bit down as she asked, “Why’d you do that?”

The kitten lowered its head like a child who made a mistake before replying, “Meow. Meow meow meow. Meow meow, meow.”

Realising its intent, Amelia asked, “Do you mean to… do a contract bonding like those beast tamers?”

The kitten’s eyes lit up as it nodded furiously.

Amelia shook her head. “Not right now. Even if I try right now, mommy and daddy won’t allow it. But don’t worry. There will be an opportunity. Just be good until then. You hungry?”

The kitten tilted its head before nodding.

Looking around, Amelia reached for the basket before taking out a sandwich. Breaking it into crumbs, she fed it to the kitten, stroking its head occasionally.

Thinking of something, she asked, “Do you know where my house is? Oh, don’t meow again. I can’t understand it. Just nod if yes and shake your head if no.”

The kitten nodded.

Amelia instructed, “Listen carefully. Go to my house’s garden and wait for me there. Actually, don’t go to the garden. Wait outside the wall. Mommy will use the garden. We can’t do that for now. Okay? I’ll come in the evening with more food. Then, I’ll call for you.” Amelia paused for a second, as if having realised something, “Oh, what should I call you?”

Amelia looked the kitten up and down.

After thinking over, Amelia said, “How about… Shiiro? Your fur should be white after washing. It fits well.”

The kitten’s tail became straight as it let out a displeased meow.

“You don’t like it?”

The kitten shook its head.

With a thick smile, Amelia said, “It’s decided. From now on, I’ll call you Shiiro.”

The kitten let out an irritated meow before turning its head away.

Sighing, Amelia said, “You know that it was your name in my previous life as well, right?”

In a shrill tone, the kitten replied, “Meow! Meow meow, meow meow meow. Meow meow. Meow! Meow meow!”

Amelia chuckled, “You know that I don’t understand it, right?”

Letting out an exasperated meow, the cat rubbed its head against Amelia’s legs.

Shaking her head, Amelia said, “Alright, we’ll discuss it later. I’ll get this food to its place now. See you later today! Take care!”

Amelia got up, ready to leave. Although unwilling to part, the kitten let her go.

With a grin, Amelia pumped her fist. ‘I finally found one of my old friends! Yessss!’

With a spring in her step, the little girl made her way onward, feeling a certain anticipation for the future, as well as the feeling of joy at reuniting with a friend.