Chapter Text
Well, it was time to admit it. Castorice had no idea where she was. She wasn’t too worried, Polyxia always found her whenever she wandered off— she trusted she would find her once more. She sat down against a wall and waited.
-
On the other side of Amphoreus, on the streets of Styxia:
“Have you seen my sister ?!”
“P— princess Polyxia, I am only here to deliver my crops, I didn’t see anything !”
Polyxia nearly screamed, letting go of the stranger’s collar. She wheeled powerfully towards the next bystander, who was trembling for some reason.
“Have you seen my sister ?!”
-
“Oh my, poor child.”
Castorice’s ears flicked back. She turned from the building she was inspecting to see the prettiest lady she had ever laid eyes on.
“（⊙ｏ⊙）”
The lady smiled gently, tilting her head curiously. Her golden hair fluttered around her face as she did, looking like she’d walked straight out of a painting. At her side, a construct floated swayingly, holding an umbrella over her. Castorice’s matted tail swished behind her as she locked onto the lady.
“What’s your name, kitten ?”
“Castorice !” She grinned.
“Castorice. Such a pretty name for a pretty girl.” The lady smiled charmingly. Castorice purred in delight. “I am Aglaea, a dressmaster. I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. Do you need any help ?”
“I don’t know where we are. Did I leave Styxia ?”
Aglaea’s smile stayed unmoved, but inside she was calculating the distance from Styxia and marveling at the girl’s capacity to get hopelessly lost. “That’s right, this is Okhema.”
“Okhema...” Castorice squinted. Her ears pinned back and her tail flicked as she thought, a habit Aglaea was well-acquainted with. “Isn’t that quite far from Styxia ? And Aidonia too...”
Before Castorice could start sulking, Aglaea crouched and started patting her head. The wet hair was cold. “I suppose you have nowhere to stay, then. Would you like to stay with me for the time being ? You need to get out of the rain.”
Castorice perked up. “Is that okay ?”
“Of course.” Aglaea stood and held out her hand. “Come with me.”
-
Meanwhile, in Styxia’s palace...
“Have you found Castorice yet ?”
“Your majesty... It seems she’s left the city...”
“What ?!”
-
“Aglaea.”
Cipher stood in the living room in oversized sweatwear, hands on her hips. Her tail swayed angrily as she glared at Aglaea and the wet cat clinging to her.
“Don’t tell me you picked up a stray.”
Frankly, she looked offended that Aglaea had dared to bring another girl home.
“But dear, look at her.”
Aglaea pushed Castorice forward. Castorice followed her lead obediently, looking at Cipher with slightly wet eyes. Water gathered at her chin and dripped from her hair. Her white dress clung to her skin, revealing the shape of her bra.
Cipher grimaced. The girl looked positively pitiful, and she absolutely needed a warm bath, but hell if she was gonna agree with Aglaea...
“If you agree to let her stay with us, I’ll ask Hysilens to get you more of that trout you like.”
“Well why didn’t you say so earlier !” Cipher grinned, power-walking to Castorice and tugging her to the bathroom. “Come on, come on, let’s get you all warm and clean !”
Then she froze in front of the door. She forgot how much she hated baths.
“I’ll go get you some clothes, good luck !”
She ran away at full speed.
“Good luck...?” Castorice tilted her head in confusion. Aglaea’s hands fell onto her shoulders suddenly, her presence looming. The smile she gave Castorice looked like she was about to step into a bloody battlefield. “Oh...”
-
“Your Majesty, according to eyewitnesses, it seems she was wandering after a butterfly.”
“.........”
The queen of Styxia stared at the minister, speechless. Polyxia buried her face in her hands.