Rudura first noticed the cat because it looked completely unimpressed by royal authority.
Which was unusual.
Most people inside the palace became nervous around princes.
This animal looked like it would willingly insult emperors.
It happened during a quiet winter afternoon.
Rudura had escaped training early after Malavatas disappeared into a meeting with military officials, which honestly felt like divine intervention.
So naturally, he decided to enjoy the rare freedom before the old man returned with "constructive suffering."
The palace gardens were calmer than usual.
Cold wind drifted softly through the stone walkways while dry leaves gathered near the edges of frozen flowerbeds.
Rudura walked slowly with his hands tucked into his coat.
Peaceful.
Finally peaceful.
Then he heard it.
"Meow."
Rudura stopped.
Looked around.
Nothing.
"…Did I imagine that?"
"Meow."
This time louder.
Rudura followed the sound toward one of the smaller side courtyards near the eastern garden wall.
And there
Sitting proudly on top of a stone lantern
was a fat grey cat.
The animal stared directly at him.
Completely motionless.
Rudura stared back.
"…You live here?"
The cat blinked slowly.
No answer.
Very unhelpful creature.
Rudura stepped closer carefully.
The cat did not move.
"…You're unusually confident."
Still nothing.
Then the cat casually turned its head away like Rudura was no longer interesting.
"…Wow."
Rudura felt weirdly insulted.
He moved around the lantern slightly.
The cat immediately looked back at him.
Judging him.
Probably.
"You definitely think you're superior to everyone."
The cat yawned.
"…Unbelievable."
Rudura actually laughed quietly.
For some reason, the animal's complete lack of fear felt refreshing.
No formal bows.
No nervousness.
No palace etiquette.
Just arrogance.
A nearby servant walking through the courtyard noticed him.
"Ah, you found Shadow."
Rudura looked toward her.
"…Shadow?"
"The garden cat."
"…The palace has a garden cat?"
The servant smiled slightly.
"He appears whenever he wants food and disappears whenever someone tries to catch him."
Rudura looked back at the cat.
"…That sounds accurate."
Shadow blinked slowly again.
Still deeply unimpressed by everything.
The servant continued walking after bowing politely.
Rudura stayed there.
Still staring at the cat.
The cat continued staring back.
Honestly
This was becoming competitive somehow.
"…Alright."
Rudura folded his arms.
"Come here."
Shadow immediately jumped off the lantern.
Rudura blinked.
"…Wait really?"
The cat walked toward him calmly.
Then stopped halfway.
Sat down.
And refused to move further.
"…You little manipulator."
Shadow meowed loudly.
Rudura crouched slightly.
The cat watched carefully.
Then
Without warning
Shadow walked directly past him instead.
"…Hey."
The cat ignored him completely and continued down the pathway.
Rudura stared.
"…Did I just get rejected by a cat?"
Yes.
Yes he did.
And somehow
That annoyed him enough to follow it.
Shadow wandered through the palace gardens like he owned the empire.
Servants greeted him casually.
One guard actually moved aside to let him pass.
"…This animal has political influence."
The cat eventually stopped near a small bench beneath one of the winter trees.
Then jumped onto the seat and curled up comfortably.
Rudura sat down beside him.
The cat glanced sideways briefly.
Then ignored him again.
"…You're rude."
No response.
For a while, both of them simply sat there quietly while cold wind moved through the gardens.
Honestly?
It was relaxing.
Then disaster arrived.
"RUDURA!"
Rudura flinched instantly.
That voice belonged to Princess Vaelira.
His younger cousin.
And unfortunately
A force of chaos disguised as a child.
The moment Vaelira entered the garden pathway, Shadow's ears flattened slightly.
Smart animal.
"There you are!"
Vaelira sprinted toward him dramatically while dragging her winter cloak behind her like a battle flag.
Rudura sighed.
"…How did you even find me?"
"I asked six servants."
"…That's concerning."
Vaelira suddenly noticed the cat.
Immediately gasped.
"CAT."
Shadow looked offended already.
Vaelira crouched aggressively toward him.
"COME HERE."
Shadow immediately stood up and walked behind Rudura.
Rudura smirked slightly.
"…Looks like he doesn't trust you."
"That's because you're hiding him!"
"I'm literally sitting."
Vaelira pointed accusingly.
"The cat chose your side."
Rudura looked deeply satisfied by this development.
Shadow peeked around his leg calmly.
Absolutely judging everyone.
Vaelira narrowed her eyes dramatically.
"…This means war."
"…Against a cat?"
"Yes."
"…You're insane."
Before Rudura could continue
Vaelira suddenly lunged forward trying to grab Shadow.
Huge mistake.
The cat instantly escaped between both of them and sprinted down the garden path.
"HEY!"
Vaelira chased immediately.
Rudura stared blankly for one second.
Then sighed and followed.
So somehow
The prince of the empire spent the next ten minutes chasing a fat grey cat through the royal gardens.
Shadow moved with terrifying efficiency.
Under benches.
Across walls.
Between servant legs.
"STOP RUNNING!"
Vaelira yelled.
The cat absolutely did not stop running.
At one point, Shadow leaped onto a low stone wall effortlessly.
Vaelira attempted the same thing.
Did not succeed.
"OW."
Rudura grabbed her before she fully crashed into a bush.
"…Careful."
"I almost had him!"
"No you didn't."
"Yes I did!"
"Vaelira, he was emotionally five steps ahead of you."
Shadow sat on the wall nearby cleaning one paw peacefully.
Mocking them.
Probably.
Rudura crossed his arms.
"…You know, for a fat cat, he moves surprisingly fast."
Shadow looked proud somehow.
Vaelira suddenly pointed dramatically.
"He likes you more!"
"…Why are you saying that like it's a military betrayal?"
"Because animals usually like me first!"
Rudura looked toward the cat.
Shadow jumped down from the wall calmly and walked toward him again.
Then rubbed once against Rudura's boot.
Vaelira gasped like she witnessed treason.
"…Impossible."
Rudura looked deeply smug now.
"Skill issue."
"That doesn't even make sense!"
"It does today."
Vaelira crouched again carefully this time.
"…Shadow."
The cat ignored her completely and sat beside Rudura instead.
"…I've lost."
"Yes."
"…This is humiliating."
Rudura nodded seriously.
"History will remember this defeat."
Vaelira glared at him.
Then suddenly smiled mischievously.
Dangerous expression.
Very dangerous.
"You know what?"
"…What?"
"You're responsible for him now."
Rudura blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
"You fed his ego."
"He's a CAT."
"Exactly."
Before Rudura could argue further
Vaelira stood dramatically and pointed at Shadow.
"I release custody."
"…That's not how animals work!"
Too late.
She already sprinted away laughing.
Rudura stared after her.
Then slowly looked down.
Shadow stared back calmly.
"…Don't even think about it."
The cat immediately jumped onto the bench beside him and curled into a comfortable ball.
Rudura sighed deeply.
"…I somehow inherited a criminal."
Shadow purred softly.
Completely victorious.
By sunset, Rudura still sat in the gardens with the cat beside him.
Servants passing nearby looked increasingly amused by the situation.
One guard even whispered:
"…The prince got adopted."
Rudura heard that.
Unfortunately.
"It was not my decision."
Shadow purred louder.
Traitorous animal.
Eventually, Rudura stood up.
The cat immediately followed.
"…No."
Shadow continued following.
Rudura walked faster.
So did the cat.
"…Absolutely not."
Still following.
By the time Rudura reached the palace corridor entrance
He accepted reality.
"…You're not leaving, are you?"
Shadow meowed once.
"…I hate how confident that sounded."
That night, several servants nearly died from confusion after seeing the prince casually carrying a fat grey cat through the palace halls.
One maid blinked repeatedly.
"…Your Highness?"
Rudura looked tired already.
"Don't ask."
Shadow sat proudly in his arms like royalty.
Honestly?
The cat fit palace life disturbingly well.
Later, while lying on his bed with Shadow sleeping near the window
Rudura stared at the ceiling quietly.
"…This is probably temporary."
The cat opened one eye briefly.
Then went back to sleep.
Yeah.
Temporary.
Definitely.