Free Web NovelChapter 22: Turns Out a Fat Cat Is a Good Negotiator
Kael had reached an important conclusion.
A profound conclusion.
A conclusion that would probably change his life.
"I have no idea how to talk to this cat."
"Meow."
"Thanks for your input."
The Little Fat King was lying on a new pillow.
Well.
On three new pillows.
Because apparently one wasn’t worthy of him.
Kael was sitting at a table.
Luna to his right.
Seraphina to his left.
And the cat in the middle.
As if they were negotiating a peace treaty between kingdoms.
"Big brother."
"What?"
"This is ridiculous."
"I know. But I really couldn’t find another way, little sister."
"It looks like a diplomatic meeting."
"I know."
"With a cat."
"I know. And it’s a diplomatic meeting with a king."
"Meow."
"He knows it too."
Seraphina watched the Fat King with absolute attention.
As if she were contemplating the most adorable creature in the universe.
Which was concerning.
Because she probably was.
Kael sighed.
"Alright.
Today we’re going to find out what he wants."
"Meow."
"Exactly."
"I didn’t understand anything."
"Me neither."
They started with the simplest theory.
Food.
Kael placed several plates on the table.
Meat.
Fish.
Chicken.
Tuna.
And a piece of cake that Luna had tried to hide.
The Fat King opened one eye.
Then the other.
Then looked at all the food.
And walked slowly toward it.
"It’s working."
"It’s working."
"Meow."
The cat ignored everything.
Absolutely everything.
Until it reached the fish.
It sniffed it.
Took a bite.
And lay down on top of the plate.
"..."
"..."
"I think the fish won."
"Yes."
Seraphina took out a notebook.
And began to write.
Kael looked at her.
"You have a notebook?"
"Yes."
"What for?"
"Research."
"Research?"
"On the Little Fat King."
She looked at him with an inscrutable expression...
"After all, with your economic level, you won’t be able to meet his demands. This is my way of thanking you."
Kael decided not to ask any more questions.
It would probably be worse.
...
Two hours later.
Kael had a list.
FAVORITE FOOD:
1. Fish.
2. More fish.
3. Even more fish.
"I think he likes fish."
"Stunning observation."
"Thanks, Luna."
"Meow."
Next, they tried another theory.
Naps.
It was a fairly simple theory.
Because the cat slept approximately twenty-three hours a day.
Kael placed:
a blanket,
a bed,
a cushion,
a cardboard box.
The Fat King ignored everything.
And fell asleep on top of Kael.
"..."
"..."
"I think he chose you."
"What an honor."
"Meow."
"Don’t act so proud."
Seraphina watched the scene.
And for the first time in several minutes...
She smiled slightly.
It was such a small smile that it almost seemed imaginary.
But it was there.
And Luna saw it.
"She smiled! You think it’s cute that you two are together."
She placed her hand on her chin thoughtfully.
"Honestly, I thought that would make her jealous, but it looks like she likes you both."
Seraphina immediately returned to her normal expression.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
Kael decided to pretend he didn’t hear.
For his own survival.
...
The third theory was more complicated.
Not being hugged by Seraphina.
It was a fairly obvious conclusion.
But they decided to test it scientifically.
"We need evidence."
"Big brother."
"What?"
"I don’t think that’s necessary."
"Science demands sacrifices."
"Meow."
Seraphina straightened her back.
She looked ready for a mission.
A very important one.
"I will proceed."
"Why did you say that so seriously?"
"Because it’s important."
"That worries me."
"I will prove that my presence doesn’t bother him."
Seraphina slowly extended her arms.
Like someone trying to approach a wild creature.
The Fat King watched her.
Its ears moved.
Its eyes narrowed.
"I think he already knows what you’re trying to do."
"Meow."
"Yeah."
"I know."
Seraphina took another step forward.
The cat took one step back.
Another.
And another.
And another.
Until it ended up hiding behind Kael.
The entire room fell silent.
Seraphina looked slightly devastated.
Only slightly.
But devastated.
Luna patted her on the shoulder.
"You tried."
"Mhm."
"I’m proud of you."
"Mhm."
Kael watched the scene.
And remembered something.
A few days earlier.
...
"Seraphina."
"Yes?"
"There’s a condition."
She looked at him.
"A condition?"
"If you want to come see him."
"Mhm."
"You can’t hug him."
Silence.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Kael felt like he had just said something terrible.
"Seraphina?"
"Yes."
"Are you okay?"
"Yes."
Lie.
Absolute lie.
Even Luna had felt the critical damage.
"It’s for his own good."
"I know."
"He gets nervous."
"I know."
"And I need him to trust me."
"I know."
But for some reason...
That answer had sounded strangely sad.
...
Back to the present.
Seraphina looked at the cat hiding behind Kael.
And simply nodded.
"I understand."
Kael felt something strange.
Because she was really trying to respect what he had asked.
Even though it was clearly hard for her.
Very hard.
Kael looked at the cat with a pleading expression, given Seraphina’s mood.
"Could you... you know? Just a little."
The cat looked at Kael, then at Seraphina, and... sighed?
"Meow..."
"As long as she doesn’t overdo it. Understood."
Kael looked at Seraphina.
"Ahh... Seraphi—"
He didn’t even finish because Seraphina stood up and moved toward the fat cat at a speed that even the cat didn’t see coming.
Seraphina looked at Kael while carefully hugging the Little Fat King.
"...Thank you."
...
The fourth theory appeared by accident.
It all started when Luna found a small red toy ball.
She tossed it absentmindedly.
The ball rolled across the floor.
And then...
The Fat King vanished.
"What?"
"What?"
"What?"
The three of them watched.
The cat was chasing the ball.
Chasing it.
Catching it.
Letting it go.
Chasing it again.
Like a completely normal cat.
Silence.
"No way."
"He’s a cat."
"He’s a cat."
"He’s literally a cat."
Even Seraphina looked surprised.
The Fat King hit the ball again.
Then again.
Then again.
Until it ended up bumping into a wall.
And it walked back as if nothing had happened.
"This changes a lot."
"Yes."
"A whole lot."
"Meow."
"Don’t act mysterious."
"We just saw you chase a toy."
...
At the end of the afternoon.
The list had grown.
THINGS HE LIKES:
Fish.
Sleeping.
Kael carrying him.
Chasing small things.
Being treated like a king.
THINGS HE DOESN’T LIKE:
Waking up early.
Working.
Orders.
Seraphina hugging him.
Working.
More work.
Kael put the notebook down on the table.
"Well.
I think we learned something."
"That he’s lazy."
"Very lazy."
"Meow."
"And proud."
"Meow."
"And demanding."
"Meow."
"And manipulative."
"Meow."
"And—"
The cat slapped him.
"OW!"
"Meow."
"I think that part was true."
Luna laughed.
Even Seraphina seemed amused a little.
Though as always...
It only showed because she blinked twice. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
...
The afternoon passed slowly.
And then Kael decided to try something.
Something important.
He approached the Fat King.
Sat in front of him.
And spoke.
"Hey."
The cat opened one eye.
"Meow."
"Do you want to negotiate?"
Silence.
The cat’s ears moved.
"I won’t give you orders."
"Meow."
"But I need help."
The cat looked at him.
"If we fight together..."
"Meow."
"I get food."
The ears perked up.
"Meow."
"Good food."
"Meow."
"A lot of food."
"Meow."
"And I’ll keep Luna from using you as a pillow."
"Hey!"
"Meow."
"And..."
Kael discreetly pointed at Seraphina.
"I’ll try to keep some distance from her."
Silence.
Long silence.
The Fat King stood up.
Walked slowly to Kael.
Jumped onto his shoulder.
And got comfortable.
Nothing more.
But for Kael...
It was enough.
Because it was the first time the cat seemed to accept something.
Not an order.
Not an imposition.
An agreement.
A negotiation.
"I think it worked."
"Meow."
"I think so too."
Luna’s eyes widened.
"Big brother!"
"What?"
"You just tamed him!"
"No."
"No?"
"I think he hired me."
Silence.
Then Seraphina nodded.
"Yes."
"Why does that make sense?"
"Because he’s the Little Fat King."
"Fair point."
And for the first time since he had lost to Aurelion...
Kael felt like he was making progress.
Not as a summoner.
Not as an adventurer.
Not as a student.
But as a partner.
Because maybe...
Just maybe...
The way to work with the most powerful cat in the world...
Was to stop trying to control it.
And start treating it as an equal.
Even if it was an incredibly fat equal.
"Meow."
"Yeah."
"You win."
