Morning light began to sneak through the gaps in the curtains.
The sound of birds and the soft creak of wood filled the room. The morning air was still cool, seeping through the cold bamboo floor. And right in the middle of it all...
Hana stirred gently.
Her eyes fluttered open, then narrowed at once from the sunlight. She tried to sit up, but her shoulders ached and her neck felt stiff. Slowly, she looked down at the spot she'd slept on last night.
The floor.
With a thin pillow. And half a blanket.
She had slept on the floor.
"Huh?"
She lifted her head—and froze.
Her bed—usually covered in floral sheets and fresh blankets—was now occupied by a large orange creature sprawled out in absolute comfort. Its back was turned, body sunken halfway into the pillow, and its tail was gently swaying off the edge.
Mathien.
Still asleep.
In the most innocent, guilt-free pose in the universe.
Hana gaped.
"Wait... are you serious??"
She stood up slowly and approached the bed.
"Y—Your Highness?" she whispered carefully.
No response.
Just a soft... purring. Gentle. Like any normal cat, except this one had a very specific vibe: I'm royalty and you're just a peasant.
"You're sleeping on MY BED?" Hana whispered again, this time with more fury.
Mathien slowly rolled over. Still asleep.
His head tilted to the side, belly slightly exposed—and yes, the rolls of cat fat puffed up like soft, torn bread.
Hana stared in disbelief.
"He actually made me sleep on the floor and took my bed like some spoiled sultan?!"
Mathien yawned lightly.
Still with his eyes closed, he mumbled:
"You must learn... to adapt, my servant..."
Hana almost slipped backward. "OH MY GOSH YOU'RE AWAKE?!"
Mathien cracked open one eye.
Stared at her for a moment.
Then closed it again.
"Don't yell."
Hana stood stiffly beside her own bed.
Her hair was a mess, eyes still drowsy, and her face… had given up hope.
Mathien stretched lazily on her bed, rolled over elegantly like a runway model, then yawned again as he blinked his blue eyes open.
"It's morning already," he muttered. "The sunlight is too harsh. Ugh, I miss the enchanted palace curtains."
Hana said nothing. Her hands trembled with pent-up rage. "Your Highness, this is my bed."
Mathien turned his head lazily.
"And now it's mine. You may use the floor. Not bad for a commoner."
"I need to get ready for school."
Mathien blinked, then sat up tall like a boss.
"Good. But before that, prepare warm water for me."
Hana frowned. "What for?"
"To wash my face," Mathien replied casually. "I cannot begin my day in such filth."
Hana looked at the round orange body that had clearly been rolling around all over her clean bed.
"You do realize you're a cat, right?"
"And you do realize I'm the heir to the Valtherion throne?"
"You realize I have to go to school, right?"
Mathien glanced at the wooden clock on the wall.
"Then hurry. Your time is limited. Warm water. One bowl. Not too hot. And bring a clean cloth."
"—You can't wash your own face?"
Mathien sighed deeply.
Then stared at Hana like he was explaining algebra to a toddler.
"Cat paws. Not designed to hold cloth. Must I explain the anatomy too?"
Hana stared at him for a full five seconds.
Then turned around.
And headed to the kitchen.
It took a while before Hana returned to her room.
Mathien was already sitting on her pillow, tail gently swaying to the side, his expression blank as he stared at the door, clearly impatient.
"How long does a human bathe on this earth?"
"Is she making tea with the water?"
"Did she… run away?"
But just as Mathien started to feel ignored, the bedroom door creaked open.
Hana walked in, her face still damp, hair half-dry, and her school uniform neatly on—though clearly rushed. In her hands, a small white bowl filled with warm, lightly steaming water.
Mathien raised an eyebrow.
"Finally," he muttered.
Hana gently placed the bowl on the floor. Then knelt in front of him, still catching her breath.
"Here's your warm water. But you know what?"
Mathien leaned toward the bowl, sniffing the steam.
"What?"
"I just took a shower with cold water. Didn't have time to boil any. So now I'm freezing. But you get warm water."
Mathien turned slowly. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"And?"
Hana held back her emotions. "And do you even realize how absurd this is?"
Mathien dipped his face toward the bowl, sniffing gently. The warm steam brushed his fur. He nodded slightly, looking satisfied.
"This is acceptable."
Hana rolled her eyes.
Mathien looked up again. "Bring me a clean cloth."
"I don't have time. I need to leave for school, Your Highness."
"Bring. A. Cloth."
Hana groaned softly, stood up, and grabbed a handkerchief from the shelf.
Half-heartedly, she began to gently wipe Mathien's face.
But...
"Softer. You're not scrubbing a pan."
"…Oh my gosh."
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Once the sound of her bike faded into the distance, Mathien remained still in his corner of the pillow. Silence wrapped the house. The morning air still carried the scent of earth and damp leaves.
He let out a quiet sigh.
"She left so easily… abandoning a noble like me."
He looked left.
Then right.
Then slowly stood and walked toward the bedroom door.
"She said don't leave the room?"
"Does she think I can sit still without knowing what kind of place this is?"
"I must… inspect the territory."
With his round body and slow, careful steps, Mathien cracked the door open slightly. The wooden creak was soft.
He poked his head out.
A narrow hallway, wooden walls, and the faint scent of cinnamon.
"Smells like humans. But not dangerous."
He stepped out slowly. His round form tried to move with grace, though he got stuck twice under a table leg.
A few steps later…
"Chiro?"
Mathien froze.
That soft voice came from the kitchen.
He turned. There, an old woman stood with a gentle smile full of warmth. Her hair was completely white, skin wrinkled, but her gaze was calm and kind.
"Chiro, come here, sweetheart," she called softly.
Mathien swallowed hard.
No time to hide.
"Maintain dignity."
"You are royalty."
"You… are a cat?"
With slow, almost embarrassed steps, Mathien walked forward.
Tail up. Head held high. Gaze straight ahead.
"Good boy... you weren't naughty while Hana's at school," the old woman said as she prepared hot water in a small kettle.
Mathien simply sat in the corner, trying hard to suppress all his arrogant instincts.
"She's old. Weak. But not dumb."
"Act like a normal cat."
"Like... this Chiro she keeps mentioning."
Mathien sighed quietly, then began to lick his fur with an expression that screamed this is beneath me.
He stayed quietly in the corner of the kitchen. The aroma of tea and boiling sweet potatoes filled the air. He watched the old woman move slowly but surely, glancing at him now and then with a soft smile.
"This human... is calm. Not too noisy."
"At least she's more tolerable than that loudmouth granddaughter of hers."
But just as he stood and began walking toward the kitchen door—curious to explore further—his steps were suddenly interrupted by the woman's voice.
"Oh... Chiro dear, need to go potty?"
Mathien stopped. Dead in his tracks. Frozen solid.
"Did she just—?"
The old woman walked over, bent down with a smile, and opened the back door.
"Come on, let's go outside. Don't pee in the house. Hurry before it gets cold~"
Mathien just stood there, eyes wide.
Mouth slightly open.
"WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE?!"
"I'm the heir to the Valtherion throne! I command five types of celestial magic!"
"I DO NOT PEE LIKE A STRAY CAT!!"
But before he could protest, he was gently scooped up with affection—and that wounded his pride even deeper.
"Don't be shy now, Chiro~ Go potty outside like a good boy~"
Click.
The door shut.
Mathien stood on the small porch by the backyard, stunned.
Morning wind ruffled his fur.
The sky was brightening. Birds chirped.
He turned slowly toward the closed door.
"I've… been banished.
For… biological reasons.
That weren't even mine."
He looked down at the earth beneath him.
"My life has truly hit a new low."
🌸🌸🌸