Something's... Not Right.

The meeting with the king ended up shaking Val a lot more than I initially thought it would. Since that point, Val has been… how should I put this…?

Jumpy. Extremely jumpy. Anxiety…ish. An entire ball of clustered feelings he doesn’t know how to express. Buzzing with nerves. Absolutely stricken with…

Well, you get it. He’s not been himself.

This has had the side effect of Val locking himself either in his office or his room. Like he doesn’t want to run into anyone. He can’t face anyone in his state, and he knows it. He might do or say something he will regret.

It makes me sad to think he would feel that way, that he has to hide from his friends. I feel… a bit responsible, since I did play some role in getting him to know these people, which ultimately ended up with all of them confessing their feelings. Val’s too empathetic, he doesn’t want to hurt anyone. No matter how many times he’s been told it’s okay… do you really want to stay friends with someone you had a crush on when they date someone else?

Val doesn’t want to lose anyone, not when he just found people he likes being around. He’s scared.

He’s also been clingy since then. Since I saved Val from that entire thing with his father, he’s fallen into a routine with me. After he gets ready in the morning, he’ll scoop me up and take me with him. Val will bring me along for the day, not leaving me out of his sight. I think this is the first time I’ve really experienced what Val goes through on the daily.

His aide will present him with a schedule, usually of tasks the king has requested Val take care of. Val will start with paperwork, stacks of paper with too many words and political speech that it makes my head spin just looking at it. I’m glad it’s not my job to go through that. Around 11, his aide will visit, letting him know if any guests have come to see him. The people waiting in other rooms are usually important looking people. I think one was a diplomat from a foreign country? He spoke clearly, but would switch languages when he talked to his aide. At one point, Val said something in the same language as a guest who kept speaking to his servant in a foreign tongue which made the other man pause and his face flush.

Too many faces would circle in and out. Sometimes we would move rooms, other times he would join them for lunch. Too many people requested lunch with him. He practically picked at his food since he had other lunches to join. I’d usually get put in the corner and told not to move, so I did as told.

The guests did coo when they saw Val carry me in. Seems like having a cute cat in their presence softened them up a bit. I wonder if it made talking to them any easier for Val? Any bonus points I can give my precious Vallie is good in my book~ Hehehe~

Once all the important guests were seen, Val would then end up in meetings where he had to approve or change ideas presented. These were usually about expanding the town and opening new stores. Improving infrastructures. Things like that. I usually start falling asleep at this stage, only woken up when Val is leaving the room.

From here, it depends on if anything was left unfinished that needs to be taken care of immediately or not. Yesterday, there wasn’t anything important, so Val got to return to his room for dinner. The day before that, though? He had to work through dinner to get things completed. The guests had piled up for the day and the king was… off doing who knows what instead of meeting with them??? I don’t get it??

Well, whatever. I haven’t caught a whiff of the geezer since the day he and Val talked about the dinner. I can tell it’s still weighing on Val’s mind, but he’s throwing himself so fully into his work that I think he’s trying not to think about it at all.

I glance up at Val, who’s focused on the document in front of him, hand resting on his chin and eyes narrowed as he thinks deeply. This one doesn’t seem to be all that great if Val has to think so hard about it.

That all gets interrupted when a knock at the door sounds. Val startles, not expecting it and snapping out of his thoughts. He places the document on the table, sighing as he gathers himself.

”Come in.” He calls, hand idly falling to scratch my head.

Speak of the devil. The face that appears through those doors is none other than “His Majesty” himself. He smiles as he sees his son working diligently.

”Just popping in briefly to see how you are doing!” He announces, approaching Val’s desk. He nods as he takes in the work he’s gotten through, but chuckles when his eyes land on me.

”Keeping busy, I see.” He says. “How are you working with a cat in your lap like that?”

”Quite easily, actually.” Val says, straightening up the papers in front of him and placing the document he was just reading on the top of the stack. “She’s been great at keeping the stress down.”

“Hmm! I see!” The king gives a jolly laugh. “Perhaps I should also get a cat! Though I’ve always been more of a dog person. Can’t imagine a puppy wanting to sit still in my lap for long, though!”

”Mm. Yeah, probably not.” Val says noncommittal. “Is there something else you wanted?”

”Yes, actually.” The king begins, stroking his chin. I didn’t get a great look at him the first time, but he’s got a beard, it’s just not very long. “I wanted to ask about our dinner plans for this weekend. The week is almost over, you know. Is your special person able to make it this weekend?”

Val pauses, eyes staring holes into the top of his desk.

”They… have been busy this week. I haven’t heard from them, yet.”

”My, that’s bothersome, isn’t it.” The king frowns. He sighs and shrugs. “Well, try calling them again. Tell them you need an answer by the end of the week. Our dinner will be on Sunday, so it would be nice to know if they can join or not.”

”Right…” Val frowns.

”Ah, on a related note.” The king shuffles closer, smiling. “Lady Janice is here awaiting your presence.”

”Janice?!” Val snaps his head up. “Why?”

Yeah, what the heck!? I don’t want that girl in this palace ever again! The fur on my back stands up, displeasure coursing through.

”Her father asked me to try and smooth over the miscommunication that’s happened between you two.” That geezer just shrugs like it’s nothing. “I agreed. It would be a bother if we end up unable to remain on good terms with the Lias house.”

Before Val even gets a chance to respond, the king turns to leave.

”She’s waiting in room H. Please visit her before anyone else on your schedule today, okay?”

And just like that, he was gone, not giving Val a chance to protest. Val grumbles, flopping back into his chair, hand massaging his temple.

”Geez. I guess I should start getting through the guests early if she’s gonna be like this.”

But he doesn’t get up. Instead, he looks back down to me, pondering for a minute. It seems whatever stopped to make him think, he made a decision on, because he gets up with me in his arms. With my tiny cat body in tow, Val marches down the hall, right towards the room Janice is supposedly waiting inside of. He takes a deep, steadying breath before the doors open.

Inside, Janice waits patiently on the luxurious couch looking ever so polite and sophisticated. She’s in a fancy dress, with whites and golds and lots of fluffy fur. When Val enters, she turns a sickly sweet smile towards him.

”Oh! Vallie, you made it!” She sings. “I thought you might not be here for another half hour or so.”

”My father stopped by and told me you were here.” He said, taking a seat across from her. “Figured I might as well start on my meetings early, since there’s an unplanned one on the schedule now.”

”Hmm I see. Sorry to bother you, truly.” Janice bows her head. “But I wanted a chance to clear the air between us.”

”Okay.” Val says, leaning back and holding me closer. “Go ahead, I’m waiting.”

”I’m sorry about the whole mishap with your precious kitty.” Janice frowns, looking like she’s going to cry recalling her story. “See, I worded things wrong when I explained everything to Marius, and I think that’s given both you and him the wrong impression of what really happened. That was entirely on me, so I apologize for that. I was also quite panicked at the time.”

”What part of that could have possibly been worded wrong?” Val frowns, glaring daggers at the girl who remains unphased.

”Well, I did have your cat.” She began. “But simply because I took her from that rotten girl who stole her from your room! I rescued her, put her in a comfortable room, and got a bit ahead of myself. I got caught up in thinking you might look my way when I return your cat to you, I may have put my foot in my mouth. It didn’t matter in the end, since she escaped on her own somehow, but I’ve reflected on the whole thing and realized where the misunderstanding may have come from. So I deeply apologize.”

Janice once again bows her head to Val. If I didn’t know it was all a lie from the start, I might have even fallen for it. She said it with so much confidence and didn’t waiver at all. When I look to Val, he also seems reluctant to buy her story.

”How on earth would you have messed up the wording so badly it makes Marius think you intentionally kidnapped my cat?” Val questions. “And why was that maid at your manor in the first place?”

”From my understanding, she was having an affair with a servant at our manor and came by to see him with your cat.” She answers smoothly. “And for my wording… I think I said something like, ‘I have Val’s cat, he’ll be so happy when I return her!’ And Marius took that the wrong way. You know how hotheaded he can be. He jumps to conclusions too often.”

In that moment, I feel a growl bubble up from inside my chest. Somehow, I know that last part is a load of bull! When Yancy and I passed them by in the halls, it sounded less like Janice told Marius about her plan and more like Marius found out some other way. Something doesn’t add up!

For a second, while her smile never falters, her eyes sharpen with malice as she glares down at me. She makes direct eye contact with me, and every hair on my body stands on end. But I blink, and her face is schooled back to a sweet expression. What the heck was that…?

”Okay, well.” Val sighs, sitting up. “You’ve explained yourself, so I don’t think there’s anything more to say.”

Janice flinches, leaning forward to keep eye contact with Val.

”Ah, then, maybe you will consider me again? I told you I like you. I would love a chance to—“

”I don’t know if I will, sorry.” Val gives her an apologetic smile. “There’s someone else I’m considering. You’ll have to forgive me.”

Val leaves without another word, and when I look back, Janice is glaring daggers right at me. A shiver wracks through my body and I see her reach into her purse and pull out something small… right as the door closes. What the…

I have such a bad feeling! Janice looked furious! She’s not the type just to let things go… I wish I could warn Val right now! But when I meow, Val just smiles and gently pets my back.

”It’s all alright now.” He says softly. “You don’t need to be scared of her.”

Not what I mean! Ugh. The only drawback to being the prince’s beloved cat. I can’t talk when I need to! Yet, Val continues forward, unaware of the chill left behind in the wake of that whole incident.

The day continues on, Val throwing himself back into his work. Completely oblivious to the edge I’m standing on, glaring at the doors, just DARING someone to come walking through and try to interrupt Val while he goes through his meetings for the day. Anyone. Try it!

Okay, well, maybe Val isn’t that oblivious. He tries to soothe me a few times when it’s just us. To be fair, though, he’s kind of busy right now. I’m not expecting him to just drop everything and go hide himself like I want him to!

Just when Val wraps up his meetings, the sun is tempting to set beyond the horizon. This last meeting was over dinner, so he doesn’t need to run off to eat… but he still?? Has work??? In his office???? How on earth has the king pushed this many meetings onto him?! Irresponsible much?!?

I’m fuming. Absolutely livid. I don’t think there’s a single thing that could make today any worse—

“…Prince Val?”

A familiar voice I haven’t heard in a while calls out. Val spins around to see Leo, mid plant-carry and covered in dirt as usual. An angel! Someone to swoop in and save this crummy day!

…Val seems to think otherwise. He stiffens when he meets Leo’s eyes.

”Oh, Leo!” He says. “I, well, It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

”It has! Too long.” Leo smiles. The dark circles under his eyes are heavy, you can tell he’s tired. Maybe he’s been working too hard. “Are you busy? I feel like every time I’ve caught a glance of you recently, you’ve been swamped.”

”Yes. It’s been ridiculously busy. I wish someone else would pick up some of this slack.” Val chuckles.

“…Do you have time now?” Leo asks. “I just finished building a new gazebo in the garden. We’re doing some landscaping now, but the structure is finished.”

Val hesitates, but nods politely.

”Sure, I could use a break to clear my mind a bit.”

That seems to make Leo happy. He smiles and turns back to where he was walking, leading Val outside and into the garden. Val pauses when the gazebo comes into view, standing tall near a newly made pond. Looks like this area is still being actively worked on. The gazebo does look complete, though. You can still smell fresh paint when you approach. It overall looks simple, but the edge of the roof and down the pillars have some kind of plant-like detailed design.

”I didn’t design it.” Leo says, placing the plant down by some others that look identical to it. “But I did put it together. It was my suggestion to make a pond to overlook, too.”

”Sounds like you’re one step closer to designing things yourself.” Val says, smirking.

Leo laughs, rubbing at his eyes. “Y-yeah… I guess I am.”

…ooookay? Is it just me, or did Leo just lose a bunch of energy suddenly? It’s like a switch just flipped and he wilted.

Val notices too, standing up a bit straighter.

”Leo? Are you ok?”

Letting me down out of his grip, Val takes a step closer to reach out. However, Leo flinches away from Val’s touch, his hands twitching. He stares at Val, eyes unfocused as he sways a bit. Val frowns, grabbing Leo by his shoulders to try and coax him into sitting on the steps of the gazebo.

”Hey, buddy, let’s sit down for a minute. You look like you’re about to pass out.”

For a second, Leo lets himself be guided. Then, all of a sudden, he yanks his body out of Val’s reach like he was burned. He stares right at Val like he’s seen a ghost, sweating buckets.

”Leo? Leo, what's wrong?” Val slowly reached out, brows furrowed. However, Leo refuses to be touched, backing away from Val.

”…Just, ‘hey buddy’? Is that it? That’s all you can say to me?” Leo mutters, barely loud enough for Val to hear. Val blinks, trying to get Leo to meet his eyes.

”What? What are you talking about?”

”Do you know how long it’s been?! Since I’ve confessed to you?” Leo begins to raise his voice. “I’ve been waiting, Val! I’ve been waiting, and you go on a date with someone else?! Without telling me!”

”I- I… wait, what date?”

”What do you mean ‘what date’? I know you went on a date with some girl! I know you did!”

Leo glares at Val with empty eyes, panting as he lets out his frustrations. Val puts his hand up, trying to defuse the situation.

”Listen… I didn’t go on a date with someone. I’m really sorry for taking so long… but-“

”I don’t want to hear an excuse! I just want an answer! I don’t want to be toyed with… I don’t want to be a back up or whatever…”

”That’s not it, Leo… It’s just been… a lot, lately.”

”And?! Did you even think about me at all?!”

Val flinches, staring at Leo who looks back with teary eyes. There’s… something odd about his eyes. I don’t know how to describe it. Deciding maybe they need some kind of interruption to get back on track, I leap up onto Val’s shoulders, giving them a loud meow as I look between the two. Val’s the only one who looks at me when I do, Leo is solely focused on Val.

When Leo doesn’t budge, Val shifts on his feet.

”I really didn’t mean to make you wait so long, Leo.” Val weakly tries, uncomfortable with the confrontation. “I’m really, really sorry. There’s been a lot of pressure to marry… I don’t want to force anyone into this mess with me…”

”Who said I wouldn’t marry you?” Leo huffs. “I would! If you needed, I would do it! I think…”

”Can… can we please talk again when you’re not super upset?” Val pleads. “I really don’t want you to decide that on a whim-“

”Whatever!” Leo throws up his hands and turns away, stumbling as he leaves. “Don’t come find me. I want to be left alone.”

Val watches as Leo leaves, stunned after the exchange. I’m a bit surprised too… Leo’s never lashed out like that. Maybe we didn’t know Leo like we thought we did, but something is off. True, Val did leave Leo hanging, that’s not okay. But… Leo looked exhausted, like he couldn’t control himself while talking.

Weird. Maybe Val has a point, they can sort this out when Leo’s a bit more rested. Something might be salvaged out of their relationship. Maybe.

Val sighs, running a hand through his hair a few times before he starts walking back inside. He’s muttering about the things he needs to do for the rest of the work. I suppose that’s Val’s reaction to stress, just throwing himself into work. There’s still some left over, since he stopped early to start his meetings… Hahh… I’m starting to think this is going to be a late night for Val.

Please stay strong, Val!!