CHAPTER 48: PARTING WAYS

"Well, there’s not much you can do at the moment," Siamelumis replied with a straightforward calm. "I only wanted to warn you, so you’ll stay cautious and watch out for any potential danger."

"I see..." Mimi muttered under her breath.

The truth weighed on her chest like a stone. She hated this feeling—this helplessness. But deep down, she knew. Right now, she really was too weak. And that truth burned. If she couldn’t even protect herself, how could she hope to protect Emilia?

All the more reason.

She had to get stronger. No matter what.

And so, the meeting finally came to an end.

It was time to part ways.

"Alright." Mimi lowered her head respectfully. "Thank you so much for the warning... and for everything, Siamelumis." She then tilted her gaze upward, her eyes shimmering faintly. "And you too, Goddess Fauveline... Even though I’m just a cat now, I’m still grateful. Grateful to be reborn here, and most of all... to meet my precious Marshmallow with my own eyes."

Her voice broke on that last word. She turned to Marshmallow, tears spilling freely. "It’s like... a dream come true..."

"Master..." Marshmallow whispered softly. Her tiny paws reached out, clumsy but gentle, brushing at Mimi’s tears as if trying to erase them. "Marshmallow is so happy too. To meet Master, to be with Master... Please forgive Marshmallow for not being able to stay by your side right now..."

"Hey! Don’t you dare apologize!" Mimi cried, choking on her own voice, but forcing it into strength. "If anything, this just makes me even more determined! Marshmallow, listen to me—I swear, no matter what it takes, I’ll win the Orb of Light for you! Just wait for me... ten years. Ten years, and I’ll bring you back!"

"Nn!" Marshmallow meowed, her tiny chest puffing with pride, her eyes shining with trust and love.

And so, they hugged each other one last time, clinging tightly, as if letting go would shatter their hearts.

This time, they held on just a little longer.

As always, Marshmallow was the first to move, pushing Mimi down with her tiny paws and licking her face over and over, showering her master with affection, as if trying to carve the feeling into her forever. Mimi laughed weakly through her tears, holding Marshmallow close, memorizing the warmth, the softness, the little heartbeat against her chest.

But eventually...

"Marshmallow, it’s time," Siamelumis said softly, her voice almost reluctant, like a mother pulling a child away from their dearest friend.

"Master..." Marshmallow whispered, her voice trembling as her eyes shimmered with tears. "I will be going now... Please, take care of yourself. And... and say hi to Master’s master for me..."

"Sure..." Mimi choked, forcing her lips into a smile though her throat was tight and her vision blurred. "See you again, Marshmallow..."

"See you... Master..."

And just like that, as their final words left their lips, Marshmallow’s small body began to glow. Her outline blurred, her warmth fading from Mimi’s arms. Piece by piece, she dissolved into gentle light, her form scattering into countless motes that floated upward.

Mimi could only watch, her paws trembling, as Marshmallow’s light rose higher and higher—until finally, she became a single shining star in the vast, endless space above.

The world felt unbearably quiet.

Mimi’s chest ached as though a piece of her very soul had been taken away.

"Marshmallow..." she whispered, voice breaking. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Her heart screamed to run after that star, to never let her go.

But instead, she raised her gaze, clutching her chest with trembling paws.

"We will meet again..." she vowed to the heavens. "Master promises..."

****

Moments later, Mimi said goodbye to Siamelumis, and the great dragon’s magic whisked her away, returning her to the snowy peaks.

The blinding light faded, and she found herself once more at the Forbidden Peaks.

There—waiting for her—stood Emilia, Draco, and Lady Ariana.

They were gathered near the Frost Dragons—the mighty Glacionis. At first glance, those creatures had seemed terrifying, with their massive frames, jagged icy horns, and piercing blue eyes. But now, under the warmth of sunlight, they looked surprisingly gentle. Their crystalline scales sparkled like shards of diamond, and when Emilia or Ariana brushed a hand against them, the dragons purred softly, like overgrown cats.

Draco stood close by, offering the beasts shimmering magical fruits from a small pouch. Their eager chomping and the way they leaned closer told the story clearly enough—he had bribed them into friendliness.

Tch. Just like how he won me over with food too! That sly hooman! Mimi thought, twitching her whiskers.

Meanwhile, Emilia and Ariana were smiling together, admiring the dragons.

"MEOW!" Mimi announced her return.

And the very moment Emilia turned around and spotted Mimi, her eyes lit up.

"MIMI!" she shouted, dashing forward.

In an instant, she scooped Mimi into her arms, hugging her tightly to her chest.

"Meow!!!" Mimi responded with a cheerful cry, rubbing her cheek against her master.

Draco and Ariana came closer as well, welcoming her back with warm smiles.

"Welcome back!" Draco greeted, petting Mimi’s fluffy head with a large, gentle hand. "So, how was your meeting with our Lord Guardian Deity? She didn’t scare you, did she? Hahaha."

"It doesn’t seem like it," Ariana added with a soft chuckle, reaching out to scratch under Mimi’s chin. "Look at her—so happy and lively. It seems Lord Siamelumis treated her very well."

She then turned to her daughter with a knowing smile.

"See? I told you, Emilia. Mimi’s safe. There was nothing to worry about. Lord Siamelumis would never harm her."

"Phew..." Emilia finally let out a long sigh of relief, her shoulders easing as she held Mimi even closer.

Oh?

Mimi tilted her head up and saw Emilia’s face closely. Her master’s eyes shimmered with tears of relief, the corners trembling as if she had been holding her worry in all this time.

Mimi’s little heart clenched a little bit. A warmth spread through her chest, soft and overwhelming.

Hehe... so Master really does care about me... That’s... really nice...

Emilia gently petted her head.

"Mimi, how are you feeling right now? Are you okay?"

"Meow!" Mimi lifted one paw proudly, signaling that everything was fine.

"That’s great!" Emilia’s smile returned, bright and relieved

"Now then..." Draco mused aloud, stroking his chin. "I wonder what Lord Siamelumis wanted to talk to Mimi about?"

"Oh!" Emilia exclaimed suddenly. "Could it be... she received some kind of gift from Lord Siamelumis?"