Milo wakes up around seven o'clock and stretches with a groan, closing his left eye. After doing his usual exercises, he gets out of bed and gets dressed before brushing his teeth in his bathroom. He looks at himself in the mirror and smiles, thinking he still looks good today. He may be getting older day by day, but he's not getting any uglier or looking any older! Sure, he looks more mature, but that's just a beautiful thing! He spits the toothpaste mixed with his saliva into the sink and rinses his mouth while closing his eyes. He brushes his hair a bit and checks that he is ready to go downstairs before nodding and exits the bathroom. He makes as little noise as possible in the hallway, each step silent. He goes down one step after the other, still without making any noise: he wouldn't want to wake anyone up. Sleep is important and he himself knows it very well. As the master of the place and leader of his own faction, he has to respect everyone as FRIENDS.

After all, he sees them all that way. There's no denying it.

He appreciates everyone here. He trusts everyone; yes, even Natasha, his new maid. It is true that she hadn't spoken at length or even told him much, but she had listened carefully. Her eyes had shown a certain curiosity and joy that he liked very much. She had been interested in his story and his dream. She had been playful when she had visited the castle. She had been honest and respectful.

Milo has no reason to not like her.

She had been her father's handmaid and his favorite: another reason to give her some of his trust and friendship. Of course, he must always keep a part of doubt, especially since he doesn't really know her. If he comes to give his trust too quickly and to anyone, then it is impossible that he will be killed overnight. He aims for the top: to be the future King of Izarel. He can't afford such a mistake.

He goes down the last step without making any noise and heads for the dining room. He doesn't know what he plans to eat on this good morning, but his stomach still remembers yesterday's cake. Even though it was for a special event — Natasha's arrival in their faction — he hopes Sulman will make some more. He'd made good cakes in the past, but never anything this... He doesn't even have the word for what he thinks about it. He opens the dining room door with a yawn and his attention is quickly drawn to what he sees before him... Something so rare that he is surprised.

???: "Milo."

The man who greets him is sitting at the table, but he is not eating; he is not drinking. He is simply there, in the black, doing... absolutely nothing.

Milo: "... Harry? What are you doing here...?"

His personal trainer, Harry. The one who teaches him to better manage his temper, to calm down in tense situations, to master new self-defense techniques, to observe the opponent to find openings, etc... Harry is not a sociable man, but to see him up so early is very strange — he always gets up later than the others.

Harry: "I simply woke up earlier than I expected. Nothing strange."

Saying "nothing strange" makes it strange... thinks Milo. He scratches his hair and closes the dining room door behind him.

Milo: "I see, I must admit I'm still surprised to see you up already..."

He walks over to the table where Harry is sitting, but continues on his way to the kitchen to get his breakfast. Harry doesn't respond to his remark and doesn't think anything of it: it's true that he is never up at such hours. He keeps his mouth shut and continues to watch in front of him, even though nothing interesting is happening.

He's just thinking.

Milo comes back to the table and sits next to his coach, a piece of bread with butter spread on it in his hands.

Harry: "Isn't this a bland breakfast...?"

His question startles Milo and he blinks.

Milo: "... I guess you can find better, but I don't see the problem with a baguette with butter?"

Harry: "I think it lacks a garrison. Taste."

He who hardly ever eats, talks about taste... Harry mostly eats soup and nothing on the side, so Milo finds it very strange that he would say such a thing to him. However, Harry is a very strange man, so this should not surprise him too much…

Milo: "I'm not necessarily that hungry!"

He answers with a smile and bites into his baguette. Sure, there was only butter spread on it, but that doesn't mean it's bad. It's even pretty good! This isn't the first time he's eaten bread with nothing but butter and he doesn't plan to stop. He's not the best cook in the world, but he doesn't want to wake up Sulman and ask him to make them breakfast: what's the point? He will do it if Oshio, Natasha or anyone else asks him to, but he has lived here for a long time: no one ever asks Sulman to prepare breakfast. Sometimes he makes it himself the night before, when he has the energy and the will to do it; but no one will force him. Everybody respects this cook and everybody likes him a lot. Finally, everybody likes each other in the faction: there is no tension between the members.

Except maybe Chris and Jiax... Milo thought to himself as he bit into his baguette again. After all, Chris has a racist side against non-humans... It's a side Milo doesn't like at all, but since the gardener is making an effort and not spewing venom at others for free, he's keeping him as a gardener; he's doing his job well, anyway! He can't force him to like non-humans: he just asks him to be respectful. It's easy to spit on others; it's just as easy to keep quiet. Milo looks at Harry as he chews his food and notices that he seems to have his head elsewhere... What is he thinking? He always seems to be down to earth at all times, but Milo can't deny that he finds his behavior rather disturbing. Up early, sitting silently in the dark doing nothing, lost in his own thoughts…

Milo: "Are you sure you're okay?"

Harry: "..."

His trainer looks at him with piercing eyes before nodding: that's his only answer to his question. Milo is not convinced and asks again, but Harry still doesn't seem to want to answer. Milo sighs and decides to give up: if he doesn't want to talk about it, then there's no point in insisting.

He finishes his baguette rather quickly and settles comfortably in the chair. It shouldn't be long before Oshio comes downstairs... Maybe Natasha will even get up early enough? He doesn't know her schedule, but who knows...?

Harry: "Milo, meet me outside in about an hour. I have to buy something quick."

Milo: "B-Buy something…?"

Harry spoke out of the blue, without even warning him. Moreover, he talks about doing shopping…

Milo: "What are you—"

Harry: "I have to buy... something."

Milo: "... Okay."

Milo squinted as he watched him get up from his chair, surprised at his behavior: this really doesn't seem like Harry... It doesn't make sense. Why is he acting like that...? Harry walks out of the room and leaves only Milo who puts his head against his fist.

He's been my coach for a long time, but I can't figure him out... he thinks. Harry has been in his life for a few years and yet... He doesn't want to judge him, but he can't lie to himself that he wishes he could be a little clearer about his intentions sometimes. Harry is so… cold and strange. Yet he's so strong and smart. He explains so well, Milo would never have become so powerful without him. Without Harry, he would never have had a Recommendation... It's because of him that he can have a chance to participate in the Test of Angels.

The Test of Angels... Soon... Milo counts down the days, reminding himself each time that soon he will have to participate. What will happen? How is this happening? Will he be able to be in the Pretenders to the Throne?

Because it's great to want to become King, but you must be a Pretender before anything.

Milo smiles as he thinks about it: he has confidence in himself and he has a team — a faction — FRIENDS supporting him. He is not alone in this challenge. He is supported in his dream and if he doesn't pass the Test of Angels, if he doesn't become a Pretender to the throne… He doesn't want to betray their trust. Their support. Their friendship.

They who want to see him on the throne. To become the King.

Milo is in his thoughts when the door opens again. He is about to greet Oshio, but it is not him who arrives in the dining room. He looks at the pretty Kitta who has just entered and she greets him first.

Natasha: "Hello, Master."

Milo: "Hey, Natasha! How did you sleep?"

Natasha: "I don't remember much about my dreams, but my sleep was restful. On your end?"

Milo: "I think I dreamed about cats, since I remember 'meow meow meow'!"

Natasha: "Meow... meow... meow?"

Milo lets out a big smile and makes a cute noise, proving that he is happy to have heard her make such noises.

Milo: "Say ‘Meow’ again for me, please!"

Natasha blinks and her Kitta ears flap.

Natasha: "Meooow! :3"

She doesn't hesitate at all to do so, and in a way that makes Milo's heart really happy. He gets up from his chair and takes her in his arms, smiling broadly, surprising her. She blinks again and Milo strokes her hair quickly.

Milo: "I didn't think a meow would be so cute!!!"

Natasha: "You're going to... mess up my hair..."

Milo: "It’s fine!"

He continues to stroke her hair as he remembers her cute sound. Surely he just found a new fantasy, just now... He finally lets go and looks at her with a big smile.

Milo: "You're up early!"

She nods.

Natasha: "I prefer to get up at least an hour before work. I've already showered and as you can see, I'm already ready for work."

Milo: "Good mentality! Oshio does more or less the same!"

Natasha looks towards the table and notices that the servant is not yet there. She turns to her Master and looks at him more seriously.

Natasha: "Master."

Milo: "Hmmm, yes?"

She has a much more serious air now. The mood has changed drastically, but Milo is not sure why: he just feels it.

Natasha: "Can we have a chat this lunchtime, with… Jiax?"

Milo: "Jiax...?"

After his surprise at seeing Harry up so early and acting so strangely, he now has Natasha, his new handmaid, asking him something... he couldn't have anticipated. Milo wonders what's going on, right now.

Milo: "Why...?"

Natasha remains motionless: only her eyes and her mouth move.

Natasha: "I need to talk about something and I would like to do it in the presence of you and your bodyguard. I think it would be wiser for me to talk to both of you so you can tell me what you think."

Milo: "..."

Milo doesn't know what she wants to talk about, but if she wants Jiax, her bodyguard, with him, it must be pretty serious. He touches his chin and glares at her. Natasha swallows, but without noise: she does not stress. She does not release his glance. She has confidence in herself.

Milo: "Can I already know what you're talking about...?"

He prefers to be certain first, but—

Natasha: "If you don't mind, can I talk about it at that moment? I'd rather tell both of you. It's nothing serious, just..."

Natasha smiled.

Natasha: "My instinct."

Chapter 9 : A cat's instinct is never wrong

Milo: "... Instinct…"

Milo scratches his hair and finally shrugs.

Milo: "During your lunch break, in the living room. We'll talk about it."

Natasha is happy with the outcome, but she had already suspected before she went to sleep yesterday that her Master would agree. He's just that sweet. Besides, he wouldn't have refused such a request, even though it seems to come a bit out of nowhere... After all, in this "life", Natasha has no connection with Jiax. They have never spoken to each other. So Milo has every right to find her request rather peculiar. Seeing him accept without her having to justify herself reassures her.

Natasha: "That's fine. Forgive me for the inconvenience."

She bows respectfully to her Master and goes to the kitchen to get some food. She asks her Master for help in finding what she is looking for, but this is just "fake": she already knows where the milk and cereal are. However, she thought it through yesterday: if she shows that she knows the castle in advance, then she will look suspicious. She has to make sure that no one has any doubts about her, which had not been the case in her former "life". Her relationship with Oshio had deteriorated quickly and even though she couldn't verify it with her own eyes, Jiax hadn't seemed to believe her when she confessed that she owns Revive Backwards. If the winged man hadn't arrived, maybe their relationship would have been somewhat bad... At least, not as good as she hopes. Natasha doesn't just want to defeat the slayer: she also wants good relationships with others. Whether it's her Master or the cook, anyone in Milo's faction is important to her. Because they all support her Master, because they've all been with her even longer than she has.

She eats her cereal with a chatty Milo by her side, but the discussion brings a big smile to her face; a beautiful smile. He's as fun and interesting as ever, with so much energy and a pleasant voice. Oshio arrives a few moments later and when both of them finish their breakfast, they already start to work.

???: "Is that enough for you?"

A man asks this question while placing a small bag in front of the customer. A bandana around his forehead, it is visible in the wrinkles of his face that old age is drawing him into his sixties little by little... The customer deposits some silver coins on the accountant and nods.

Customer: "That's fine with me".

Vendor: "Use it wisely!"

Customer: "Of course."

The man grabs the bag and checks the contents inside before leaving the store.

He is currently in the small village of Ambleurs, about ten minutes walk from Milo's castle. His blond hair is moving in his back, having forgotten to tie it up before leaving…

Harry bought what he had to buy.

... He thinks about why he came here and had to pay for what he has in his hands, but he himself knows that thinking about it too much would be silly. He walks looking ahead, but he stays in a straight line, forcing the inhabitants to move out of his way. He shows a certain coldness on his face, but this is mostly due to the lack of emotion he expresses. He seems so... neutral.

But does it bother him? Not in the least.

He continues on his way and a few minutes later he is out of the village of Ambleurs: he is now in the big meadows. The landscape is beautiful, but he is used to seeing so much vegetation and brightness around him. After all, he has been with Milo for many years… He trains him every day and his efforts have paid off. Milo has a Recommendation, which means that the first step is over... Now he has to take the Test of Angels and pass…

But even with him as a trainer, that would not be enough. Milo himself has to be up to the task.

He's going to make it. That's for sure... Harry doesn't want to doubt him and wouldn't. He continued on his way to Ambleurs Castle, but there was no reason to hurry: spending a few more minutes in the meadows wouldn't hurt anyone…

Natasha lets out a sigh of relief when Milo calls them over for lunch. Even though she has no problem with the work that's being offered, she's been through this day enough times already and so much is on her mind constantly that she's happy to finally be able to talk with Milo and Jiax.

She decided not to give up, so she would win.

She arrives in the kitchen and looks at the good dinner prepared by Sulman; the same as the other times. However, she doesn't grumble and sits at the table next to Oshio and waits for the others before eating. As always, Harry is not there to enjoy this feast with them. Whether it's because of a lack of hunger or sociability, she thinks it's a shame. Though, she is new and doesn't know Harry at all; judging him would be disrespectful of her.

She eats rather quickly and gets up from the table first. She tells them she's going to the bathroom and waiting for her Master and Jiax in the living room — both nod, food still in their mouths. Natasha hurries to the bathroom and sits on the potty before closing her eyes. She doesn't need to use the toilet: she just wants to get that lump in her tummy out of the way until they finish their dinner.

I'm stressing too much for no reason... she thinks. Her Kitta tail does not move at all, limp and inactive. She takes a deep breath; she exhales everything, her eyes still closed. She's going to have to talk with her Master and Jiax at the same time about her "instinct", it can't be wrong... She's already talked with both of them; though not at the same time; so why is she stressing now? What is her reason for feeling this way...? She herself doesn't really know. She scratches her head, eyes half open, and thinks about what will happen next... This night will go smoothly, but tomorrow, SHE will arrive… The fight will go a different way than the other times and they have to win.

Oh…

Natasha finally understands: it is because she WANTS to defeat the killer at all costs that she is stressed.

Or to be exact, she wants to MOVE on.

Certainly, she wants this killer to be beaten and Milo — or anyone else — not to die against her. Let her be beaten. But Natasha also wants to keep a good relationship with everyone in the castle.

She stresses for this reason. Because she doesn't want to die anymore and she doesn't want to mess up anything. She wants everything to be just about PERFECT.

She gets up from the pot and nods with her fists closed in front of her.

I can do it...! thinks Natasha. She mentally prepared herself for long minutes the night before, so she won't say anything bad...! Nothing weird...! She walks out of the bathroom before stopping, one leg still in the air. She sighs.

Natasha: "... Now is when I really need to go to the bathroom..."

And she goes back smiling stupidly.

Milo: "So, what did you want to talk to us about?"

Natasha swallowed loudly as she looked at the two people sitting on the couch in front of her. Her Master — Milo and his bodyguard — Jiax. The man sits with some seriousness while the Hourna takes up ¾ of the space. She smiles as she admires Natasha, the beautiful Kitta who is the new handmaid of Milo's faction.

Jiax: "I want to say that ya’re beautiful!"

Natasha: "Thank you!"

She doesn't have a different haircut or special care, yet Jiax compliments her on her looks... This really pleases the Kitta. She clears her throat and opens her mouth. She doesn't have to feel bad, because that would ruin her chances of getting everything right. She doesn't want to sound suspicious, or waste their time. She already knows what she wants to say, so she looks at them with some confidence. All she has to do—

Natasha: "My instincts alert me to nearby danger."

— is to talk to them.

Milo has already heard about her "instincts" this morning, so he's not too surprised; Jiax shows no sign of surprise either. Her Ancient's tail at her back wags quietly and she finally smiles.

Jiax: "Do ya have a gut feeling too?"

Natasha: "Me too?"

The Hourna nods.

Jiax: "Even though we're not the same race, my instincts work very well sometimes... sometimes not at all. I know that ya Kittas may have ‘better’ instincts, but that's because y’all feel it more often than others; not because yar instincts alert ya better than other races."

Natasha doesn't know everything about the Kittas, as she's never been with members of her own race, but she knew everything Jiax was saying — and she was right. Even if the Kittas had an instinct that worked more often than other races like the Hournas or Renas, it is no more powerful than them.

Natasha: "Does your gut alarm you about anything...?"

Natasha asks her this question as she remembers her past "lives": never had Jiax been observed when the criminal took Master Milo's life or even her own. This does not mean that Natasha thinks Jiax is a traitor, since she remembers the woman's words:

"The Hourna? I didn't want to face her."

This means that Jiax has been avoided by this slayer, either for the simple reason that she is afraid to confront her or because their fight would have caused a ruckus that would have alerted everyone. Whatever the reason, Jiax couldn't be a traitor... but her instincts didn't warn her at all that something was wrong. Natasha wouldn't judge her because deep down, her instincts didn't work either.

No, wait... Natasha is thinking about something: her first "life," the first time she saw Milo lying in his bed, bloody and lifeless. The reason she had wanted to go back to his room was for his pillow, but the reason she went back—

Maybe my instincts are actually working...? thinks Natasha. When she had been with her Master Samus, she had never felt her instincts speaking to her; at least, only very rarely. She wants to think about it more, but Jiax answers her, bringing her out of her thoughts.

Jiax: "Absolutely not. Nothing at all. Naaadaaa!"

She raises her arms as she drops that last word, and Natasha is not surprised: after all, even before, her instincts didn't kick in the day Master Milo died. She's not going to criticize her for such a thing, anyway.

Milo: "What do you feel?"

Her Master asks her the question directly, without wanting to beat around the bush. Natasha turns her gaze towards him while they both stare at her. She blinks slowly and finally answers.

Natasha: "I don't know exactly, but tomorrow night… something horrible will come."

She doesn't use "will happen"* because that would mean, to her, that they couldn't do anything about it. She uses every word precisely, and doesn't hesitate to show in her voice that she's genuinely frightened by what she feels — or rather, by what she knows. Milo squints.

(* I have a hard time translating it “perfectly” from French, because in English, it’s almost the same. Hope you understand what she means.)

Milo: "Tomorrow night...?"

Natasha: "I know this is specific yet vague, but I'm sure it is."

Jiax: "My instinct sometimes tells me when something is going to happen in a few minutes, but in a few hours, even days...? Wow."

Natasha calms herself inwardly: she must not start doubting. She knows that a prediction that is so far back in time may seem strange, but—

Natasha: "I'm sure it's not tonight, because the lump I feel in my throat sometimes isn't strong enough. I know it's going to be tomorrow night, but I don't know why I know that... It's just..."

She looks up.

Natasha: "My instinct."

Kittas can feel an unpleasant sensation in their throats or stomachs when their instincts tickle; she uses this knowledge about her own race to convince them of her words. Jiax starts playing with her own hair as she looks at Natasha.

Jiax: "So ya want us to stay on guard, is that why ya asked yar Master and me, her guard, to come and listen to ya?"

Natasha: "Exactly."

She does not know how Jiax will react to this information, but she doesn't care. Because she knows that her Master—

Milo: "I see, that's disturbing..."

— he will trust her.

Milo: "Do you know more, or...?"

Natasha: "I think it's about you, since I'm a little more concerned about you than usual. I could be wrong, though."

She is certain that it involves Milo, but by doubting herself a little, she shows that her instincts are still quite vague. If she comes to prove that she knows exactly what is going to happen, then she looks suspicious; here, by doubting a little about herself while confirming that it will probably affect Milo, she makes sure that we don't come to wonder too much about this famous "instinct".

Which works.

Milo: "No, no, I believe you... I see, this is really

disturbing."

Jiax: "Do we warn the others...?"

Jiax follows her Master without question, trusting the Kitta.

Milo: "It's just an instinct, so I think it's best if we don't alert everyone."

Natasha smiles as she sees that her Master does not change from "life" to "life". Even before, he had decided to speak quickly with Jiax without alerting the others… Natasha nods as she hears him say his words.

Natasha: "I'd rather warn, but maybe nothing will happen, it's certain."

Milo: "I've always trusted Jiax's instincts; I want to trust yours. Anyway, it's better to be on our guard than to let ourselves be like nothing will happen..."

Milo gets up and walks over to Natasha to put a hand on her hair. He slowly strokes it with a smile.

Milo: "Thanks for the heads-up. We'll be careful."

Natasha lowers her head a little and smiles back.

Natasha: "I thank you for that, Master."

Milo exits the living room calling Jiax and her bodyguard follows her. Nevertheless, before leaving the living room, she turns to Natasha and observes her for a few moments. The Kitta questions her with her eyes and Jiax smiles.

Jiax: "I was just thinking how happy I was to have a new handmaid at home."

With her sincere words, she leaves the room and stands by Milo's side. Natasha watches her go with a smile, thinking that she needs to trust her more too. They may not know each other that well, but she is a nice Hourna... Natasha looks at the window of the living room and nods. Before making any move, she looks at the clock: she still has a few minutes to go. She opens the French window and steps outside. Adara shines with its beautiful rays, far in the sky above them. The landscape is beautiful, countless meadows stretching to the end of the horizon... Trees here and there, evidence of small forests, and a large cornfield quite inconspicuous. Natasha could contemplate the view for long minutes, take advantage of her lunch break to do nothing else but observe the landscape while breathing the fresh air, but she has something to do first. She starts running on the cobblestones of the terrace and quickly finds the person she was looking for.

???: "... Natasha."

The one who shows a lack of sociability, but is mostly on the outside — Master Milo's personal trainer, Harry.

Natasha: "Harry, can we have a quick chat?"