Intermission: International Cat Day: A Follow-Up
AT the foot of a mountain range slightly north of the royal capital lay a provincial town buffeted by the dry air carried down from the mountain all year round. One of the defining characteristics of the town was the sheep farms that spanned across the mountainous region. Another was the abundance of mineable ore.
Because there were so few mineable areas in Luducia, a kingdom where natural resources were scarce, government officials from the royal palace would regularly visit the area for inspections. These inspections were usually carried out by civil servants, but on this occasion, the duty fell to Edward, the Third Prince.
The inspection itself followed a process that had become routine and naturally culminated in an informal chat with the supervisor on site.
Nothing outstanding or productive came out of the chat, with both sides mostly rehashing talking points that had been discussed prior, like reminding the other party of certain requests or confirming certain milestones that had been achieved.
“Was that conversation really the whole point of the inspection?” asked Alec, who had accompanied Edward.
“Just the fact that an official from the royal capital came is the important part. What is said in the conversation is…not as important. But it seemed a little different this time because I was the one who came.”
“And you came…for that?”
“Well, yes, you’re right… I should probably have a little talk with my older brother about it when I get back.”
Edward and Alexander walked along a street lined with shops, dressed incognito. Edward had already finished everything on his schedule and had a few moments of free time before he was set to return home.
He had guard knights following him, but in the shopping district of such a provincial town, they were actually drawing attention to themselves. The prince was skilled enough at defending himself, so he kept some distance from his guards and tried to avoid standing out.
He casually strolled through the street, passing by food shops, including a bakery, a vegetable market, a general goods store, and a blacksmith stall. There was even a clothing store.
When they peeked into the bookstore, they saw many technical books on mining—probably for the mining engineers that lived there.
The store clerks spoke animatedly, and the shopping residents looked happy.
“Well, the town seems to be faring well, too,” said Alexander, watching a restaurant crowded with lunch-goers. “The roads aren’t damaged, and the side streets don’t seem too rough.”
Edward nodded.
It was common knowledge that there would be an inspection, but the prince’s visit had not been announced. Everyone simply assumed that an aristocrat had come.
The locale attracted many aristocratic visitors, both domestic and foreign. To the residents, an aristocratic visit was simply a common occurrence.
Feeling so at ease in the town, the two young men walked freely along the streets, chatting with one another.
Along the way, one of the general goods stores stopped them in their tracks. Edward’s attention was drawn to the storefront, which was overflowing with various items made from the town’s local specialty—wool.
“That’s amazing! There’s so much variety!”
There was a great variety of products, from woolen fabrics, knitted products, and rugs, to the wool yarn of various colors.
Edward and Alec had also been shown wool products the day before, at the provincial lord’s manor. These didn’t seem to be as high quality, but the bright colors and rustic feel were unceremoniously charming.
“Hey, Ed… There are a lot of cats in this store, huh?”
“I was just thinking that myself.”
Now inside the store, Edward frequently spotted the owner’s personal cat decorations on display, such as stuffed animals, porcelain statuettes, cards, and paintings. The shopkeeper must have been a huge cat lover.
Edward looked around, reminded of Duchess Coverdale and his fiancée back at the royal capital, and his eye was suddenly caught by a collection of cloth balls of various sizes. He picked one up.
“There are bells inside them,” said the shopkeeper casually. “They’re very popular toys for young children!”
“They’re made of felt, but they were woven to increase durability,” one of the clerks said proudly, then, lowering his voice mischievously, added, “but between you and me, my cat loves them.”
“Then I’ll take a large pink one and a small yellow one.”
“You’re buying them, Ed?”
They had confirmed that the shopkeeper was a cat lover after all. Smirking at Edward’s snap decision, Alexander also bought a few of them as presents for his mother’s cats and Rosalind’s cat.
While they were being wrapped, Edward looked around the store again. His eyes landed on a painting hung prominently on the back wall.
“Wait… That painting…”
At first glance, it just looked like a painting of some cats. But the two boys immediately recognized the model that had been painted.
A cat with long fur striped in golden orange and black was snuggling closely against a black cat with bewitching gold eyes and a red ribbon… Amy may not have been painted as a human, but the picture was clearly Amy and Tigger from Duchess Camilla’s Cat Day shenanigans.
But the duchess was supposed to have abandoned her plan to have them painted.
The shopkeeper noticed where they were staring.
“Oho! You boys have good taste! What do you think? Isn’t it a wonderful painting? When I look at how much those cats seem to love each other, it makes me feel all warm inside!”
“Right…” said Edward. “The black cat…”
“That’s right! It’s so cute that the black one is a little chubby. Oh, I’m terribly sorry, but that painting is not for sale. It’s just a reproduction, but they’re incredibly popular. I only just got my hands on one, myself. Yes, it’s true.”
“R-Really?”
“It’s all for a good cause, too! The proceeds are used to help fostered cats and sick animals.”
Just then, Alexander looked down at the counter and spotted an informational magazine from the Cat Club.
“Mother…!”
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AS soon as Alexander returned home a few days later, he ran to find Duchess Camilla.
“Mother! What happened to your promise not to have that painting made?”
“What, a painting? What are you talking about? I haven’t done anything out of order. This is character assassination!” the duchess chided.
But at the same time, Duchess Camilla, who did not fully comprehend how Alec caught wind of it, quietly muttered to herself behind her folding fan. “I was very careful to keep them out of the public eye in the capital, but I forgot about the provinces…”
“What did you say, Mother?”
“Oh, nothing! Oh! That reminds me, Amy brought over some cookies! She said she made them herself. They’re so yummy. There’s still a few left if you’d like one.”
“…Thank you.”
The duchess chuckled. “Right! Gramps, do prepare some tea, won’t you? Now then, I’ve been invited to Lady Celia’s tea party, so I’ll be off!”
“H-Hey, wait!”
“Can’t stay, I’ll be late!” said Duchess Camilla shamelessly, flying out of the room before Alexander could get another word in.
Alexander’s hand hung outstretched with nowhere to go.
“…Young master,” said the old butler, “the lady’s parents know about the painting, so I don’t believe they have any problem with it.”
“She shouldn’t have done it in the first place!” Alec grumbled.
“Come now, young master, these cookies are quite delicious!”
There was a small sound when the tray of cookies was placed on the table. Alexander stared at them and the steam rising from the teacup for a short while before sighing and slumping down on the sofa.
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AROUND that time…
The Duchess of Coverdale’s retained painter had been summoned and now found himself standing in the Third Prince’s private quarters at the royal palace.
Sometime later, the prince may or may not have been presented with a painting featuring a black cat and a brownish-gold cat…