703: Three Short Years

Three Short Years

1Now that Zeke was certain that the man beneath him was okay, he quickly calmed himself down and became embarrassed for how excessive his reaction was. He was eternally grateful that nobody knew his real identity, otherwise if someone were to find out that the feline who had just licked a man's face passionately was the former Crown Prince, then he would immediately find the nearest river to jump into!2

Sheepish, Zeke eased back and was met with the man's serene silver eyes. He waved his menacing claw around. "Miw miw miw?!" What are you looking at? Ain't I doing this all for you?! Do you have something to say?! 

The more he looked at the gorgeous yet pallid face in front of him, the more infuriated he was. Just what was about this person that drew him in to the point where he would lose the logical thinking he had always been proud of? Sullen, Zeke waved his paw and delivered a soft slap on the man's cheek. To be exact, it was more like a pat because he just could not bear to wound such an attractive face. Alright, he was indeed weak toward beauties, so what?!

The crisis was swiftly brought under control and Zeke could finally examine their surroundings. He was shocked to find that as far as his eyes could see, there were only boundless rows of pine trees that were cloaked in heavy snowflakes. And if he squinted his eyes harder, he could see the faint silhouette of a wooden cabin afar. Exactly where was this place? It was so dreary and barren! 

For Zeke who had lived his whole life in the sophisticated Capital Planet, this was the first time he had seen such a vast and pure landscape that was untouched by advanced civilization. He could not help but gawk and look around a bit more. 

However, no matter how marvelous the scenery in front of him was, he quickly got bored as there was really nothing to see. Slapping the assassin's cheek twice, he cried out in demand, "Miw miw!" What are you doing laying here on the snow? Don't you feel cold? Let's go back! After saying that, his body shuddered and he abruptly gave a loud sneeze.

The kitten's body had just experienced 'momentary death' for a few hours and it was freezing all over. Adding on to the low temperature around him, Zeke felt so cold that he subconsciously snuggled deeper into the crook of the assassin's neck, then he sneezed again.

That was all it took for the assassin to move. Supporting the kitten's butt with his palm, he propped himself up and painstakingly staggered to his feet. It took him a few attempts to be able to stand upright. Seeing that, Zeke was so anxious that he mewled a few more times, which earned him a reassuring pat on his back. 

This man was clearly so weakened that his gait resembled a drunken man, yet he still carried Zeke's kitten body out here… for what? To give him a proper burial? When Zeke imagined such a lonesome scene, his nose could not help but turn sour.

He made himself comfortable on the man's palm and wrapped his short limbs around the man's neck, nuzzling his head deeper to the warm skin. A light purr formed on his throat. Foolish man… if I had not come back, then what would you have done?

This time, it was really a close call. Zeke's guess was right. The assassin indeed came out to search for a suitable place to give the kitten a burial. But his original intention was not only for the kitten, but also… for himself. If Zeke had not returned, then he would have…

Of course, this would be something that only the assassin knew.

With much difficulty, they returned to the cabin and Zeke immediately heaved a sigh of relief when warm air surrounded him like a thick blanket. His whole body felt soft all over and as soon as he was placed on the bed, he rolled back and forth to his heart's content and stretched his sore paws. His current body was unable to accommodate such a strong stimulation and it had started to become sleepy. Zeke knew that he would not return to his original body again for the time being and hence, he let his guard down and wished to doze off a bit.

However, just as he almost surrendered to the bewitching call of dreamland, the assassin – who was on his way to the bathroom – suddenly halted in his tracks, fixed his stare at him then walked back to the bed. He did not sit on it, but opted to take the floor instead. In this way, he and Zeke were at the same eye level.

Zeke cracked his sleepy eyes open. "Miw…?" What do you want?

No sooner than he popped the question, he abruptly realized what the assassin was doing. This man must have wanted to watch him sleep so that he could confirm that the kitten would still be alive and breathing… Zeke pursed his lips and all of a sudden, his drowsiness vanished without a trace. 

He stood up, walked to the edge of the bed and stretched his neck to lick the tip of the man's nose. "Miw miw…" It's okay, I will not die…

Alas, how could the assassin understand him? He was clearly so drenched and cold that he was shivering all over, yet he was still adamant on watching over the kitten when it was sleeping. Zeke fell into a momentary silence. Somehow, he felt like he could finally understand what it meant to have his heart go soft for another person. He could not resist giving the man's nose another lick to comfort him. 

Knowing that Zeke had truly scared him this time, he did not try to be stubborn. He curled himself up on the bed, closed his eyes and adjusted his breathing as if he was slowly falling asleep. All the time, he sensed the assassin's gaze on him and it was so damn intense that Zeke could not even force himself to sleep! Damn it!

Gritting his teeth, Zeke started to count sheep. One sheep, two sheep, three sheep… 

When he got to the twenty third sheep, he finally succumbed into deep slumber and rested his exhausted body. Unaware that in front of him, the assassin's pupils trembled faintly. The man then reached out to carefully bring the kitten closer to him and stared intently at its rhythmically undulating chest. Fortunately, Zeke was already out like a light, otherwise he would feel so humiliated that he wanted to die.

This kind of heart-wrenching routine continued for the next few days. And it was not until the assassin saw that Zeke was still bouncing and jumping happily did he finally let his guard down. He was akin to a pitiful child who had just regained his most favorite toy, and fearing that it would be taken away again, guarded it fiercely like a dragon hoarding his treasure…

Since this life-and-death incident, the atmosphere between them subtly changed. Of course, Zeke was still being his moody and mischievous self who liked to throw temper tantrums out of nowhere, but the assassin no longer held himself rigid and reclusive like an old man. 

He learned how to cook a variety of soft dishes which were safe for the kitten's weak belly, and then he placed an online order to purchase the most expensive set of cat tree and bed for the kitten to sleep on – even though most of the night the kitten chose to curl itself close to him. He also complied with all of the kitten's playful whims; cleaning after its mess, wiping its mouth and body after a meal, then accompanying it to play whatever it wanted. The wooden cabin that was initially so barren as if it was uninhabited was slowly filled with signs of life here and there.

Zeke thought that such a life was very peaceful and delightful, it was a thousand times better than the glamorous life as a Crown Prince. More than a handful of times he found himself wondering that… if it was with this person, then he was willing to stay for a lifetime. Either way, it was not like he had any important goals when he returned to his original body aside from living the rest of his life in peace. He might as well spend it together with this man who had spoiled him rotten.

Alas, the measure of 'lifetime' for a cat was profoundly different from a human. Because the cat's body was already very weak and malnourished by the time it was rescued, it became a hidden danger which was detrimental to its growth. In the end, its health suddenly deteriorated after three years. 

Three short years… it passed by in a blink of an eye.

Zeke's time was finally up and he was forced to leave this person whom he had become immensely fond of.

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