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The cat’s happy meow made the maid chuckle. Traitorous Cerberus. She was supposed to be on her team. She needed to hiss at everyone who met her. Her trusted and loving companion was always close, keeping Valda rooted. No matter what happened, there was something good to look forward to with her around. Her dear Cerberus, whose quiet meows and purrs erased every angry uproar. Last night wasn’t any different.

“Cerberus!” Valda called out, but the cat didn’t come, instead, the bed squeaked with her steps as she walked away from Valda.

“Oh, you want some scratches?” Maris’s voice didn’t sound tired. “You like that, huh?”

“She is not friendly,” Valda mumbled as she pulled the covers from her body, patted her chest and noticed the blouse was still in place and hadn’t opened up during her sleep.

“Really?”

“She bites everyone and hisses at new people,” Valda added, patting her nightstand and then the bedpost. She pulled herself up, and quickly regretted it as she sat back down. That wasn’t good. Maybe she was sore, maybe she needed a good hearty meal and not just fruits.

“She looks menacing, but she is a total baby. Aren’t you, Cerberus?”

Cerberus let out an adorable meow mixed with a purr and Valda scoffed. “Unbelievable.”

“I won’t steal your cat, Your Highness. She is all yours,” Maris said, stifling a giggle. “Are you hungry?”

Valda waved her hand in the direction she thought the maid was. She pulled herself again and sighed with satisfaction when she was able to stand on her own. “Starving.”

“Of course. I will be right back.”

Maris’s steps faded until a door opened and closed. Her grip on the bedpost tightened as her legs trembled under her weight. Her teeth gritted as she managed to steady herself. She took a couple of uneasy steps forward, her body tensing for impact. She knew it was going to happen. It was a matter of time before she bumped into something. She just hoped Cerberus wasn’t around. The least she wanted was to step on her tail. She would never forgive herself if she hurt her cat.

Valda stretched her arms in front of her, her hands open as she scanned her surroundings. She walked unsteadily across the room until she made it to the washroom entrance. She celebrated her accomplishment with a smile, and Cerberus seemed proud of her as well. The cat rubbed her body against Valda’s leg, bumping her head a little too aggressively.

Walking through the entrance, Valda moved to where she thought the basin was. She touched warm water and exhaled happily. Maybe she could endure this for the time being. She just needed to remember where everything was.

As she washed her face and mouth, the door to her chamber opened and rolling wheels squeaked.

“It’s me, Your Highness,” Maris called out as the door creaked.

“Morning.”

A second voice sneaked into the room.

“Morning, my Queen.” Maris peeped, her voice low and timid.

“Is my daughter awake?”

“Yes, my Queen.”

Valda quietly shuffled out of the washroom and into her room. Her mother’s footsteps came closer and so did the sudden gasp. Valda winced at the sound, and smoothed a hand over her chest and stomach, making sure that, although disheveled, she was still presentable.

“That bad?” Valda asked, smiling jokingly, but she knew her mother would see right through it.

“Valda, your eyes,” Rionach said, her voice quivering. “I, wha—”

“Mother,” Valda warned, her hands moving forward. A soft and small hand touched her fingers, pulling her forward. She wasn’t aware where she was heading but she trusted whoever was holding her wholeheartedly. She took her next steps with more confidence until a second hand smoothed over her back, exerting enough pressure to sit her down. She touched her surroundings, noticing she was sitting at her small table.

“I will be standing next to you, Your Highness,” Maris said, making Valda jump slightly at how close she was.

“I wasn’t aware that you had lost your sight…” Rionach said, as a chair scraped the hard floors. Wood groaned and fabric fluttered before Valda.

“It was to be expected,” Valda said, touching her brow and temples and hissing. The flesh there was still tender. A tender rub to her leg announced that Cerberus was close by. After a couple of caresses, the cat’s weight draped over Valda’s foot.

“Right…” Rionach sighed, her fingers drumming over the table. “I’ve talked to Kayden and his family. We are to leave for Harmonia in search of a blessed worshiper. Hopefully you will be fine before the next full moon.” Rionach sounded hopeful, but she had always been good at masking how she felt. Without her sight, it would be hard for Valda to know what she was truly feeling.

Sighing, Valda rubbed her temple again and nodded. It was easier that way, to accept and be hopeful that everything would be fixed. “I assume you will be taking Arwin with you.”