I'm Just A Cat, Y'Know? [END]

The sun is setting, and Val returns us to his room. He places me on the bed and goes into his bathroom, leaving me with an inner debate. Showing Val… The things Val needs… they change constantly. So maybe it would be okay, if what he needs is… someone to rely on. If this works the same way as the charm, then all I have to do is close my eyes, and…

When Val returns, having changed into his comfy clothes, he stops suddenly— Surprised that there is now a human-shaped cat on his bed instead of an actual cat.

I turn to look at him and smile.

”Hey, Val.” I say. “How are you feeling?”

Val stares for a second, gears in his head turning before he relaxes, smiling nervously as he steps a bit closer.

”Hey… You…”

When he got close enough, I reached out to give him a hug. My arms tighten around his shoulders immediately.

”Just call me by my name; Princess!”

”Haha… I had a feeling. You looked familiar when we first met, but… I couldn’t place it. Hello, Princess.”

”Wait, did you know the whole time!?” My eyes shoot wide open, pulling back to look at Val.

”I didn’t know, but… I had a dream two nights ago, and… it felt real. I guess I wanted to believe it after that.” He gives me a smile, and it makes me almost tear up! This was definitely correct! My boy wanted to talk to me! ”I’m glad. I finally get to know what you’re thinking.” Val says. “I… have so much to thank you for. But at the very least… let me tell you ‘Thank you’ to start.”

”…I don’t need anything as thanks, Val.” I smile at him. “I’ll be happy as long as you end up happy.”

”Then, I’ll do my best.”

…

…

Ever since the incident with Janice and Yancy giving me the ability to change my form at will, a new sort of “status quo” has formed. We’re all sort of learning as we go.

For example, I learned there’s still a timer on how long I can turn human. It’s been extended again, but at the end of the day, I will still be a cat. That’s okay, though! This just means that now, I can help Val in more ways than one. Despite my anxieties, Val doesn’t treat me too differently. Though he’s definitely more conscious of me, he still talks to me the way he usually does. Just that this time, I can give him advice and be there for him when he actually needs me.

Like for his birthday.

Everyone in the palace has been scrambling to prepare. I’ve been saving my ‘timer’ for tonight, so I can spend the most time I can to celebrate with Val on his birthday. I want to be there! He agrees with me, so I’ve been loafing around by the window while I wait. What? I don’t have to work my tail off to set up the party. I’ve been waiting until closer to time to get ready for myself. It’s only when Val enters and begins to get ready himself do I get up to get ready as well.

Since discovering my human form, Val purchased some clothing for me to my taste. Namely, more casual and comfy clothes. Though, tonight I do have to dress up, which I pull out the dress I got specifically for tonight. It’s a mermaid style dress, a sea foam green color. It’s simple, but I prefer the simple dresses. I change in the bathroom alone, putting my hair into a messy updo after putting the dress on.

I’ve never been to a fancy event like this before, not even in my past life. Usually, if it was for work, I’d just show up in uniform.That’s if I could attend. I feel a bit out of place, haha… But if it’s for Val, it’ll be ok for the night.

Peaking out of the bathroom, I spy to see if Val is done changing. When I see he is, I step fully out to take a good look at him. He’s in a simple tux, classy and looks great on him. He shucks on his jacket as he turns to look at me, having not tied his bowtie yet.

”You look great.” He says, giving me a smile as a present. I laugh, going up to tie his bowtie for him.

”Not as great as you, surely.” I say. “I’m definitely out of my depths here. You, though, look like you belong. Have you heard from Marius yet?”

”He’s on the way.” Val says. “Yancy and Leo are both already at the ball room. Yancy said she wanted to get in before it got crowded there.”

”Sounds about right. We better not keep them waiting too long.”

Val nods, buttoning up his jacket before leading the way out and towards the ball room.

I’m a bit amazed, seeing everything in this perspective… It really puts an emphasis on how small I am as a cat. Especially since I’m rather tall in this body.

When we reach the ballroom, Val instructs me to go inside while he takes care of some things in the back. When he leaves, I turn to go find where Yancy might be. She’s rather easy to spot in the crowd, since she’s wearing a poofier dress than I expected her to. It looks like Leo is also chatting with her, who cleaned up pretty nicely in a tux, which makes me smile. I stroll right up to them, calling out to greet them.

”Oh, Princess!” Yancy perks up when she turns to see me. “I figured you’d be here sooner or later!”

”Of course! I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I smile, examining both of them. “How are you guys holding up?”

”I’m doing fine.” Yancy says. “I’m excited for tonight. I’ve never been invited to a fancy event like this before… and for his Highness’ birthday! I might not stay too late, but… I hope I can dance with someone before the night ends.”

I look over to Leo, who seems surprised I’m waiting for his response too. “Oh… I’m okay. As okay as I can be. I’ll be fine. I’m just glad Prince Val wanted to keep being friends, I still feel awful over all of that, even if I was under a spell…”

”It’s okay.” I reassure him. “Let’s focus on leaving our worries in the past for tonight. We’re supposed to have fun!”

”I guess you’re right.” Leo nods. “I… am going to try and move on, if I want to stay friends with Prince Val. He’s done a lot for me, but I don’t want to be hung up on him.”

”Good luck, Leo!” Yancy and I say in tandem. Yancy looks at him with sympathetic eyes before she continues. “I think I will try to meet new people too… I kind of… struggle meeting new people, but… I thought I might have a crush on His Highness, since he was so kind. But oddly, I’m not too upset. Leo, let’s see who can meet the most new people tonight! I wanna try!”

”What? You want to compete over it?!”

”Why not? It could be fun, don’t you think?”

”Maybe…? It might not hurt.”

Both Yancy and I have a laugh at Leo’s bashfulness, he’s quite cute like that.

It’s not much longer before Val finally enters with Marius next to him. The guests quiet down to look as the king stands tall, smiling as he begins a speech.

”Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate my son tonight. I am more than proud of him, he’s grown to be such a wonderful, young man who will be a great leader when it’s time for me to retire.” The king pauses to smile at Val before continuing. “I know many were waiting to hear who my son will wed, but after some long discussions, we’ve decided not to announce an engagement tonight. My son wants to spend quality time with his partner before making such big moves, and his partner agrees. We will wait a bit of… a grace period if you will, before we begin the engagement process. But please, be happy for them regardless as this is a new chapter in both of their lives.”

The guests cheer for them, making Val a bit bashful, Marius putting an arm around his waist. The first dance of the evening goes to the new couple, an intimate moment for them that makes me feel like I’m intruding by watching. Sheesh, guys. I didn’t realize Marius could be so handsy.

When the first dance is done, others meet each other on the dance floor with them. People dance, laugh, cheer, and eat the provided snacks and drinks. It’s a lot, actually. I almost prefer having been hidden the last time an event like this happened. After a while, I step outside for a bit to breathe. It’s a cool night. The breeze makes me wish I had a jacket, but I’ll survive. I can always turn back into a cat with a thick coat of fur at any time.

I hear footsteps walk up behind me after being outside for, what, maybe 5 minutes? When I turn, I see Yancy leading Val right to me, both smiling.

”See? I knew she’d be out here!” Yancy says.

”I never doubted you.” Val laughs in reply. He walks up to me, offering a hug that I take. “Thanks for coming tonight, I appreciate it.”

”Of course! Anything you need, I’ll do my best.”

He smiles, a bit sad, but there’s still a sparkle in his eye.

”I used to wish, every birthday, that my mother could still be here to attend. But this year… I haven’t thought of it that much. I wish she was here, but I don’t feel like crying as much as I did before. For some reason, I feel like you had something to do with it.”

”Val…”

”I just feel really happy this year. So… Thanks, Princess.”

Yancy smiles at the scene, before she steps up.

”Princess, I think Val and Marius wanted to ask a favor. They already asked me.”

Val blushes, clearing his throat. “Um, well, yes… Would you mind if you spent the night in Yancy’s room? Marius wants to… stay the night.”

”Ahh, I see, I see!” I nod, faking a pondering look. “It seems like the new couple wants to do what married people do. I thought you were putting off the engagement though~”

”Th-That’s!! I mean… I…”

Teasing him is fun~ I can’t help but laugh at his expense, patting his head.

”I’ll do it, I’ll do it~ Don’t worry, Val. Just enjoy your birthday. I’m happy as long as you’re happy.”

Val, despite his bashful appearance, smiles in response.

”Thanks… Then, I’ll get back, Marius is waiting inside.”

He waves as he walks back, and Yancy giggles. Her face is a bit flushed, is she drunk? Good for her to have a good time tonight.

”I think I should probably turn in for the night. I talked to three people, Princess. Three!! A lot! I don’t think I have spoken to that many people in a while. I’m tired…”

”Yancy, Leo’s definitely going to beat you at your little challenge at this rate. He’s more extroverted than you are, don’t forget! You didn’t bet anything on this, did you?”

”Did I? Uhmmm, I don’t think so, but I don’t want to lose!! I’ll come find you in a bit, I’ll try to meet at least five! You don’t think he’d meet five people, right?”

”Hmm, I don’t know~ Maybe you should check in with him.”

”Boo! Well, I’ll be back, just wait for me!”

She runs back inside, energy having been renewed, and I laugh. Gosh, when was the last time I’ve laughed like this? It feels good. I feel good. It seems like everyone is feeling good.

When I was alive in my past life, I don’t think I could have ever imagined something like this. Who would have guessed it all happened just because I was lucky enough to reincarnate as a cat in this life? I feel blessed. Even now, as I stand with a human appearance, I don’t think there’s anything more I could want. As life goes on and I watch Val continue to grow in his life along with the people around him, it feels like I can finally join them on that journey. Not just as a pet, but as a friend. A family member.

After all, what could be better than being the Prince’s cat? Not much, if you ask me!