CHAPTER 19: A SUDDEN VISIT (1)

For a long while, Emilia and Lina were baffled about why Mimi had suddenly acted so strangely after eating that ice cream, and now sat slumped like a depressed furball.

"Could it be... perhaps... she doesn’t like my ice cream?" Lina wondered, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"No, that’s definitely not it. Your ice cream is delicious!" Emilia said firmly, stroking Mimi’s fur and petting her gently in an attempt to cheer her up. "Maybe there’s something else we’re not aware of?"

"I... I hope so..." Lina murmured, glancing worriedly at the sulking noctifelis.

So, Emilia decided to ask directly.

"Mimi, you liked the ice cream, right? Meow once if you did, and twice if you didn’t."

"Meowww," Mimi meowed once without hesitation.

"See?" Emilia said with a smile.

Lina chuckled in relief. "Hehe, I’m so glad!" She reached in and scratched Mimi’s chin, her fingers hitting that perfect itchy spot. "I’ll make more ice cream tomorrow for you, if you want!"

"Meoww!"

Yes please! Mimi agreed immediately, her ears perking up.

Well... even though she couldn’t taste sweetness, she still loved the vanilla ice cream! It was cool, creamy, and fatty—delightful in its own way.

On the other hand, not being able to taste sweet could actually be a good thing...

At least she wouldn’t be addicted to sugar anymore! No more late-night candy binges! No risk of diabetes, cavities, or other health problems!

Yeah! Becoming a cat was probably the best treatment for sugar addiction in history!

And with that optimistic bit of self-convincing, Mimi recovered... somewhat. Still a little bit of copium, but at least there was some sunshine after the rain.

Together with Emilia’s godlike petting skills—those gentle strokes behind her ears, the perfect chin scritches—Mimi’s mood lifted completely soon after that. She purred happily now, her tail swaying from side to side like a slow, contented metronome, as she had decided to put that sweetness problem away and not thinking about that shit anymore!

Then, with her belly full and her spirits high, sleep began to lure her in like a warm blanket.

Yaaawn~

Mimi’s tiny fangs peeked out as she yawned wide.

"Oooh! Looks like someone’s sleepy!" Emilia exclaimed with a smile.

And so, Mimi curled up into a fluffy ball on Emilia’s lap for a good catnap.

Prrr...

Prrrrr...

She snored softly and cutely, her whiskers twitching from time to time, while Emilia—ever the hardworking master—had already opened her magic study book, reading quietly with one hand still resting gently on Mimi’s back.

__________________

Zzz... zzz...

Mimi was lost in a sweet dream about eating real ice cream, her little paws twitching happily, when—

Knock, knock.

Her ears flicked. Her eyes fluttered open, and she stretched lazily on Emilia’s lap, curling her tail.

"Eh? Who’s there?" Emilia called. She didn’t move to open the door. Because, after all... when a cat is on your lap, moving is illegal.

"Milady, it’s me," came Lina’s voice from outside. "Erm... Lord Draco and Lady Ariana have just arrived, and they want to meet you."

"What? My parents?" Emilia murmured, startled.

Mimi instantly snapped out of her sleepy haze. She tilted her head up at Emilia, studying her master’s face.

Ah... as I thought...

Her master was still troubled by what had happened yesterday. That faint crease between her brows, the shadow of sadness in her eyes... it said everything. The hand resting on Mimi’s back trembled ever so slightly, and she bit her lower lip.

Clearly, she wasn’t ready to see them.

Not yet.

Emilia let out a quiet sigh.

"Lina... can you tell them... that I’m still tired? I’ll go see them tomorrow... please?"

But instead of Lina, another voice answered.

A calm, mature voice.

"Emilia, it’s me," the voice said.

"Mom?"

"Please, Emilia, we are so sorry for what happened," Lady Ariana continued softly. "Your father and I have reflected on it. We promise to never do something like that again..."

Emilia’s shoulders stiffened, her breath hitching.

"It... it’s okay," she replied quietly. "I understand Dad did that for my own good. I don’t blame him..."

"Then..."

"But I am still... hurt. And Mimi is too. I’m sorry... I just want to be alone today. So, Mom... can I? Please?"

A brief silence.

Then, a deep sigh from outside.

"Well, your father and I are glad to hear that," Lady Ariana said at last. "We really want to give you time... but there is something else. Something urgent."

"Eh? Need me? What is it?" Emilia asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

"The guardian deity," Lady Ariana replied. "She wants to see you."

Emilia instantly jolted. Her eyes widened.

"What? Lord Siamelumis... wants to see me?"

"Yes," Lady Ariana confirmed. "Your presence has been requested as soon as possible. That is why we came."

A faint shiver ran down Emilia’s spine.

And on her lap...

Mimi’s heart pounded wildly too, because she knew that name.

Oh shit... the Silvervein guardian deity... Siamelumis...

On one hand, she really wanted to meet the guardian deity and see her for herself.

But on the other hand... Emilia might be in serious trouble.