Chapter 21:

[Eltinas Meander] by Samasora さまそら and Pegeras – Scarlet System

Honey-chan's Winter Resort


“All aboard!” Yells the pilot through the intercom of his airship.

A group of citizens scramble to get across the walkway, as they don’t want to miss their flight.

“What do you mean I bought the wrong ticket?!” a woman of shouts, as I sneak past her and the guards she’s arguing with. With this view from below, maneuvering between their legs is a no-brainer. I’m almost giddy with how easy it was to get on this ship.

“…Is there a cat?” asks one of the guards in silver armor. 

Hearing that, I scurry across the wooden floor of the airship. Hiding behind one of the curtains in the lobby, I realize that was a close one. If they catch me, they’ll throw me off the ship and that’d be a nightmare. How else will I meet my dear prince?!

I remember it like it was yesterday, that fateful day when Prince Gillian arrived at my kingdom. He didn’t look much different from the other humans, but there was something different about him. Something I’ve been searching for ever since.



After what felt like forever, the airship horn bellows as it takes off. The engine hisses and its wooden frame creaks, as the wings constructed of tapestry begin to flap. 

“Mission successful! But I should still avoid the guards…” I whisper to myself while peeking behind the curtain. I notice a staircase by the guard, but I’m not sure if I can make it past without being noticed. I can outrun him, but that would cause a commotion, so…

“Hey guard, behind you!” I shout. 

When the guard turns around, I slip past his feet since he didn’t even bother looking down. Humans are so dumb sometimes. 

As I head up the stairs, I notice that many of the rooms are empty. Heading into one of them, I jump on to the windowsill to catch a glimpse outside. Even for a cat princess like myself, such a view never ceases to amaze me. I mean, we’re flying above the clouds here!

While licking my white fur, I see the floating islands in the distance. I notice the tall stone walls in the distance, with the huge castle peeking out from the top. It doesn't look as luxurious as mine, but I’m sure I can get accustomed to his simple tastes.



Not long after, the airship docks on the northern side of the island. I’m finally here! 

“Hey, where did that cat come from?!” shouts one of the citizens as I run through the crowd of people flowing out of the airship. Due to the urgency in his voice, many begin looking down as I hop-skip-jump between their legs like before.

“Stop!” Yells one of the two guards running to block my path.

“Sir, it’s a cat, I doubt it can understand you…” the other guard mentions, trying to be the voice of reason. However, they're both wrong. 

Not only can I understand him, but I’m also not ‘just a cat’. I am Princess Eltina, ruler of Stella, the best cat kingdom in all of Elise. Now behold my elegance!

“What the?!” The first guard shouts as my bushy white tail slips through his grasp. 

That’s what they get for not accounting for my elegance! Now it’s time to see my prince. 

As I’m heading down the path towards his kingdom, a calm spring breeze caresses against my fur. In front of me lies a red brick path, lined with a myriad of overgrown vegetation. With all of the yellow and violet flowers, it's obvious that the season has come in strong. 

After a few minutes, I found myself in front of the castle gates. Taking a whiff of fresh spring air, I realize that my suspicions were correct. Thanks to my keen sense of smell, it has finally led me here. Even after all these years, his scent is exactly the same as back then. Where should I look first?

Noticing the numerous merchants and horse-drawn carriages moving through the gates, I realize that I can simply walk-in, so I do. Looking around, everything past the towering walls is what was expected. With humans lining up at shops and stalls along intersecting paths lined with buildings constructed of wood and bricks, it’s obvious that this place is average. It's a shame, since the prince himself is an extraordinary man. 

Walking through the town square, my senses lead me towards a path that is a bit less busy. With how much calmer it is around here, it's obvious this is the residential area. Unfortunately, I eventually end up at a dead-end. In front of me is a large gate, and looking beyond that is the castle I saw on the ship.

“His scent is all over the place, this has to be it!” I say to myself in excitement. “Now I just have to-”

POOF!

An explosion of white smoke engulfs me. As I’m coughing, I sense that something feels off.

“Hey you! What are you doing here?!” Shouts a guard from behind.

When I turn around, I realize we’re at eye-level. Glancing down I see my two hands, and before I get a chance to speak, the two of them grab my arms. 

“This area is off limits!” The guard shouts, pulling the sleeve of my dress.

“W-what? I-”

“We saw that explosion, what were you planning?!” the other guard asks, shouting with urgency.

“I just want to see him-”

“Nonsense! His highness isn’t set for an audience!”

“You are under arrest for trespassing and for suspicion of intending to harm his highness!”

“Huh, wait! You can’t-” I yell as they’re dragging me away. 

I don't know why, but I’ve somehow turned humanoid and can’t transform back. 

“Prince Gillian!”



Staring at the dimly lit candle sitting on the table beyond these bars, I realize that I’ve lost track of time. Once in a while, a guard comes in and throws me a loaf of bread along with a wooden cup of water. What's worse is when it spills, I’m forced to lap it up from this stone floor with my tongue, as he leaves without a tinge of remorse. Drinking that way is normal for a cat, but it’s just demeaning in this form. 

“To think they would treat royalty this way, it’s incomprehensible!” I shout, my voice echoing off these worn stone walls. These steel bars standing before me are what separate me from the outside world, while shivers run down my spine due to the absence of my fur. It’s so lonely…

“Prince Gillian…” I mumble with a sniffle, as my eyes start to water.

“Argh!” Yelps someone outside the door of my cell. Then comes the faint clanging of metal, along with more screams.

“Halt! Stop right there-” 

It sounds like the knight that has been guarding my cell. Are they fighting someone? Who would come here to fight a bunch of guards? Nothing is making sense anymore, I just want to meet Gillian!

“Argh!” grunts the guards one after the other, as if they’re being cut down one by one. Then after a few more moments, the commotion stops.

Now there’s only the sound of someone's footsteps getting closer to my door. Soon after there’s the shuffling of keys, followed by the click of a lock. As my door opens, a younger-looking man with dirty blonde hair walks in wearing a bright red laced tunic. The moment our eyes meet, I sense a great deal of danger coming from him. 

“W-who are you?!” I ask him, my voice shaking as he continues to stare at me.

He closes his eyes and kneels down on one knee. “It brings me great relief to see that you are unharmed, Princess Eltina.”

“Wait, how do you know my-”

“I was assigned with your retrieval by your head council. My name is Keith, a humble mercenary who arrived in this world less than two years ago. I hope my arrival didn’t startle you too much, your highness.”

“You were sent to find me? How long have I been here?” 

“As far as I’m aware, your council thought you were playing a prank on them, so they simply waited for you to return.”

“Hehe, oh really?” I giggle, while scratching the back of my neck. I do play tricks on them out of boredom, so I can’t blame them.

 Keith nods his head and continues. “It was a little over a week before they realized you weren’t in the kingdom at all, so they assigned me to find you.”

I guess I should have told someone I was leaving, then all of this wouldn't have happened. 

“Well I had some business to attend to…” I say, averting my gaze. “How did you find me anyway?”

He points at his right eye. “After arriving in this world, I endured rigorous training to survive amongst a group of bandits that captured me. During that training, I lost this eye and acquired this prosthetic one, which grants me a path towards my desired target.”

An item like that is frightening to say the least, but at least he seems to be honest. I’ve heard of people that arrive here from other worlds, but in the thousands of years I’ve lived, I’ve never met one before.

I clear my throat. “Well Keith, I appreciate your work, but I’m afraid I can’t return to my kingdom just yet.”

He furrows his brow. “What do you mean? Your kingdom needs you-”

“No, I need to see Gillian!” I shout with a stomp of my foot, as my tail tenses up along with my frustration.

His eyes widen as he stands up. “Do you mean the prince of this kingdom? What business do you have with him?”

I avert my gaze, not wanting to explain the real reason why I traveled all the way here. There’s a few seconds of silence between us, as his expectant gaze out the corner of my eye chips away at my conviction.

“Okay fine, I’ll tell you!” I shout, as I wipe the dust off my dress. “...I want him to pet me…”

“What was that? I didn’t quite hear you-”

“I said, I want him to pet me!” I shout, feeling the blood rushing to my face. “I’ve been searching for humans that can do it, but there’s no one better than him!”

The more I explain, the curious look on Keith’s face twists into a look of disappointment. I knew I shouldn’t have told him…

Keith sighs as he grabs his sword. “While this is a surprise, I suppose I can help you in your endeavor.”

“Really?!” I shout, my ears perk up in excitement.

With a nod of his head, he cuts through the prison bars with ease. With how easily he did that and took out those guards, this should be a piece of cake! 

“Get ready Prince Gillian! I’m coming for your pats!” I shout as I walk towards the door.




“Argh!” the last guard screams as he falls to the ground.

Keith’s sword sheaths with a click, while standing over the fallen guards in the castle hallway. 

“Wow, that was really cool!” I shout.

With a nod, he covers his right eye. “It’s trembling…Your beloved prince is behind that door.” 

“B-beloved?!” I yell as I feel myself blush. But he’s right, the Prince’s scent has gotten stronger the deeper into his castle. 

Walking towards the towering white doors, I take a deep breath.

“…It’s time!” I say to myself, before pushing out the door.

As the door creaks open, a familiar scent rushes my senses. Standing next to his golden throne, is a young man. He pushes strands of his blonde hair away from his eyes, as he turns to look towards us. With both of us lost for words, the faint meows of the many cats wandering around the room fill the silence.

“Prince Gillian, it is I, Princess Eltina! It has been far too long since we’ve seen each other!” I shout in elation, while walking towards him.

His scent, those bright blue eyes, it really is him! I’ve found him!

“...I’m sorry, but have I met you before?” He asks with a turn of his head. “Wait, what happened to my guards?”

I chuckle with a step forward. “Oh right, I guess you've never seen me in this form. Surely you remember the luxurious kingdom of Stella, and its beautiful Cat Princess!”

Gillian gives me a blank stare, causing my enthusiasm to waver.

“Well I’ve certainly heard of Stella, but I’m afraid we have yet to meet Princess Eltina.” he says with a shrug of his shoulders.

“Huh…” I say, the words escaping my mouth like a gasp. He doesn’t remember me? But we met not too long ago. How could this be…

Keith places his hand on my shoulder. “Um, your highness. When did you exactly meet Prince Gillian?”

“Huh, Why would you ask something like that?! It was…it was…”

Now that I think about it, how long has it been since I saw the prince? With how long I've lived, I often forget the passage of time. However, If I were to think about the amount of seasons since then, it would have been…

My heart drops, as my shock gets caught in my throat. Looking at the prince, I notice the IV symbol on the headrest of his throne. The Prince Gillian I met was the first.

“...No way.” I say to myself as I fall to my knees. It’s been more than two hundred years.


“Your highness!”

“Oh thank goodness you’ve returned!”

“We’re so happy you're safe!”

Having now returned to my castle, the cheers of my counsel feels welcoming. Although I do feel guilty for making them worry, especially since my trip was a bust.

Walking into my room, I turn to Keith following me by my side. “I suppose all of that was for nothing, huh?”

“You simply followed your heart, and that's commendable in its own way.” he says with a stern look.

“Hey, you make it sound as if it was foolish!”

“...”

I sigh deeply before jumping on my bed. “Well, at least I got some fresh air.”

Lying down for a moment, I start to feel dejected. The Prince Gillian I knew is long dead, which means I can never experience his pats ever again. What am I gonna do now? 

Suddenly, I feel someone caressing my hair. Turning around I notice it’s Keith, but before I could protest, I let out a moan as he rubs my ears. 

“Though I am not the Prince, I hope this will be enough.” He says with a smile.

With how stern he is normally, his sincerity is shocking, but he’s somehow better at this than Prince Gillian. How is this even possible?

I giggle to myself. “Well this sure is an unexpected spring.”

Theo Samasora
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