688: How. Dare. You!

How. Dare. You!

In the end, before Zeke could even do anything in retaliation, he lost consciousness due to exhaustion. Even though the assassin's pocket smelled so bad, at least it was warm and Zeke's freezing body heated up soon after.  1

There were a few times he was roused awake in between, groggy and muddleheaded. First, it looked like the assassin was getting rid of his bloody clothes because Zeke could feel himself being carried out, and then when he got inside the pocket again, the scent of blood had become greatly diluted. Second time, his ears pricked up the buzz of conversation from afar as well as the familiar soft rumble of large engines. 

Alarm rang in his mind, clearing his mind enough for him to comprehend what sound it was. This… was a space shuttle?

Exactly where was this person going to take him to?!

Shocked, Zeke started to thrash wildly and wanted to poke his head out of the pocket to observe the situation. However, just as he almost managed to do that, the assassin pushed his head back with only one finger. When Zeke was still squirming and kicking around, the man paused for a second then tapped his finger on Zeke's head with rigid movement.

His voice drifted to Zeke's ears, cold and awkward. "Be good and don't mess around."

Zeke froze when he heard that. W–What was this stupid assassin saying? Was he trying to coax him, the Crown Prince of the entire Alliance?!

Zeke bared his teeth in anger, fully ready for another round of rebellion. However, just as he ducked his head to avoid the assassin's finger, a wave of dizziness struck him. It was only then that he was reminded of how weak the kitten's body was. He was so famished that his stomach shriveled painfully, causing him to curl into himself. 

In the end, because the pocket was too warm, Zeke finally succumbed to the discomfort and lost consciousness again.

He did not know how long he slept this time. When he woke up, his head was all groggy and his limbs felt like soft noodles. It took him a few long seconds to discover that he was laying on an enormous bed – it was actually a single bed but because of Zeke's mini size, the bed became the biggest one he had ever seen – in a wooden cabin. 

Outside the window, the blizzard vented its might wildly. Wind whistled in a shrill screech, rattling the window frame once in a while. However, the inside of the cabin was warm and toasty.

Zeke realized that he did not feel as uncomfortable anymore. His body was warm and dry, albeit his fur was now sticking to all places, and there was a sweet familiar taste on the base of his tongue. It took him a while to realize that someone must have fed him a nutrient solution when he was asleep.

His cat face darkened when he realized what was happening. Good, not only had the assassin brought him away from Capital Planet, he had even conveniently saved his life! This was not what Zeke had planned! He only wanted to die peacefully and leave the simulation but why was it so difficult?!

He curled himself up as small as possible and bemoaned his fate.

"Awake?"

Zeke's soul almost flew out of his body when that familiar voice suddenly rang out inside the cabin. He whipped his head around in shock and saw that the assassin was leaning against the pantry with his arms crossed, eyes transfixed on him. Since when had he been standing there?!

This was the first time Zeke had heard his voice without the disturbance of the King's ear-shattering howl and the fierce snowstorm. His voice had a low timber, deep and velvety, almost as if it had rumbled deep from within his chest. Unexpectedly, it sounded quite… pleasant. Also, he had a pair of beautiful eyes. Even though the color was bright silver, they were deep and unfathomable. There was none of the twisted expression Zeke had seen earlier, only calmness and tranquility akin to an unperturbed lake. Without the blood on his body, he was actually quite handso—

No! What are you thinking, Zeke?! Now is not the time to be distracted!

Zeke shot up to his feet and his entire cat's fur stood up in agitation. "Miww!!" Where is this?! Are you taking me hostage?!

The assassin walked toward him, his steps measured and steady. Zeke abruptly recalled how this person had managed to kill so many people in the Imperial Palace and he suddenly had the strong urge to retreat. 

However, his pride did not allow him to do so. Hence, he forced himself to stand still and glare at the stupid assassin. He saw as the man reached out a hand toward him and alarm bells rang loudly in his head. What was he going to do?! No matter what it was, Zeke could not lose! He was ready to bite that hand when… he was picked up by the scruff of his neck.

Zeke: …?

He only snapped out of his senses when the assassin's face was suddenly magnified in front of him. With his four short paws dangling in the air, Zeke instantly exploded in rage. How. Dare. You! You picked up the Crown Prince by… by the scruff of his neck?! Never before had he received such an insolent treatment in his entire life! Just as he was brandishing his claws, the assassin suddenly averted his gaze with a touch of disdain in his eyes.

Zeke was dumbfounded. What was that look for? Do you think I am ugly?!

He carried Zeke across the room and put him on top of the table. There was a bowl of milk there, still wafting in steam. It was clear that the milk had just been heated up not long ago. Zeke stared at the fragrant milk with saliva pooling inside his mouth. Gods, he was so hungry but… what was this? Poison? Was the assassin going to torture him and kill him slowly with poison?!

"Go ahead," the man gave him a little push on the butt. "You're hungry, aren't you?"

Zeke stiffened entirely when that palm made contact with his behind. Just now, he was too caught up in the notion of delivering his life to the assassin that he failed to notice something very crucial. T–This cat… did not wear any clothes, right? That meant… it was naked. Then, the stupid assassin's hand… had just touched his… bare butt!

In the fit of anger, Zeke bared his teeth and swept the bowl off the table with a swing of his paw, causing the milk to spill all over the floor. Even if he had to die, he had to teach this person a hard lesson! How dare he behave so presumptuously in front of him?!

It took him a few seconds to realize that the atmosphere was a little off.

The assassin did not react, he only stared at the spilled milk on the floor as if stunned by the kitten's violent behavior. Then, he slowly, slowly lifted his head and stared at Zeke with a pair of terrifyingly calm eyes.

Against his will, Zeke's neck shrunk a bit when he met that unfathomable gaze. "M–Miiw…!!" W–What do you want? Do you want to fight?! Then you should just kill me right here and now!!

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