I'm a dragon, not a cat!
291 years ago
Southern territories
Northern gardens
The youngest princess, Mira, raced through the sun-drenched gardens of the southern castle, her laughter ringing like a sweet melody through the air. Her mother, Kira, sat gracefully on a wrought-iron bench, her gaze lovingly following Mira as she dashed among the vibrant blossoms. The little princess's golden locks danced in the gentle breeze, and her cheeks flushed with the joy of play.
Mira's youthful exuberance was infectious as she gleefully leapt between the flowerbeds, her light laughter harmonizing with the soft rustling of the leaves. Hiro, one of her mother’s stern yet watchful guards, maintained a vigilant watch over her antics, ever ready to ensure her safety as she reveled in her enchanted surroundings.
The north garden, a charming sanctuary of sorts, graced the northern boundary of the southern castle and was a beloved retreat for Kira. The meticulously tended garden was bordered by a low stone wall, offering a picturesque view of the rolling hills beyond. It flourished with an array of harmless, colorful flowers, each meticulously nurtured to create a vibrant palette of yellows, blues, soft pinks, and oranges that painted a mesmerizing scene. The flowers swayed gently in the warm sunlight, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
Yet beneath the idyllic surface, an ominous shadow lingered—one that had gone unnoticed by those who wandered amidst the blooms. It was only when a chilling sense of wrongness pricked at Kira's intuition that she reluctantly rose from her seat, compelled to investigate the garden’s beauty, which now felt uncomfortably tainted. With each step, she scanned the vibrant flower patches in search of something—anything—amiss.
Mira, suddenly still, approached her mother, her small voice trembling slightly as she spoke. "Mommy, something feels off..." The fear gripping her heart was palpable, reflected in her wide, innocent eyes.
Kira knelt down to meet her daughter’s gaze, concern knitting her brows as she felt the same uneasy premonition thrumming in the air. There was something about this moment that felt fundamentally wrong, though the details eluded her grasp.
As Mira looked over the patch of soft pink blossoms, her sharp eyes caught a glimpse of something incongruous. Nestled amidst the delicate petals lay a small white object, gruesomely stained with crimson. With trembling hands, she released her hold on her mother's dress and approached the scene, curiosity mingling with dread as she knelt closer. A gasp of disbelief escaped her lips, her heart racing at the sight.
Kira rushed to her daughter's side, concern mounting as she knelt beside her. "What have you found?" she asked urgently, following Mira's gaze to the small, bloodied figure. Her heart sank at the sight of the tiny animal.
Mira, unwavering and filled with compassion, reached out to gently lift the tiny creature. Without awaiting her mother’s plea, she turned and sprinted toward the castle, her small feet carrying her through the grand hallways.
As she entered the training room where the northern land's mage, Kai, was diligently instructing Soren, the young mage’s expression shifted from focused concentration to surprise at the sight of his sister’s distressed demeanor. "What are you holding, Mira?" he asked, bending down to her level with genuine concern.
Soren approached, brows furrowing in confusion as he tried to comprehend the delicate, blood-streaked furball that Mira cradled tenderly in her hands.
Tears glistening in her wide, innocent eyes, Mira looked up at Kai with unyielding hope. "Kai-Kai, please heal the kitty." Her small voice quivered, a plea woven with both desperation and the undeniable innocence of childhood.
Kai let out a soft, resigned sigh, his expressive eyes shimmering with compassion as he nodded at the princess. “Allow me to take care of it,” he said gently, extending his hands toward her for the injured kitten.
With a tender look, the princess carefully relinquished the fragile creature into his palms. She then nestled against Soren, her guardian, who wrapped his arms protectively around her while keeping a watchful eye on his master.
Standing tall, Kai cradled the kitten with utmost care before walking over to a nearby oak table, its surface polished and gleaming. He laid the small creature down, feeling its erratic heartbeat under his fingertips, and began to weave a simple yet powerful healing spell, his concentration palpable in the air. As he focused, he watched in awe as the kitten’s small cuts and bites gradually disappeared, revealing soft, pristine white fur unblemished by the recent trauma. To his astonishment, he soon realized that this was no ordinary kitten—this was a baby white dragon, its delicate wings folded tightly against its back.
Once the creature was fully healed, Kai gently scooped it back up and walked back to the princess, kneeling to meet her gaze. “Mira, your little friend is better now, but he will need some rest to regain his strength.”
Mira’s face lit up with relief as she slipped out of Soren's warm embrace, eagerly taking the kitten back from Kai with a soft, grateful nod. “Thank you, Kai-Kai! That’s perfect,” she beamed, her voice light with joy. Her excitement was so palpable that she bowed slightly before dashing out of the room, eager to care for her newfound companion.
Kai watched her retreat with a thoughtful frown, then turned to Soren, instructing him to return to his studies. Alone with his thoughts, he pondered why he remained in the southern lands when he knew that, given Mira's adventurous spirit, this lesson would soon find its way to the northern territories.
In her cozy chamber, filled with sunlight streaming through delicate curtains, Mira gently placed the kitten on her plush bed. Her little corner of the world was a tapestry of soft colors and cherished treasures. Frantically, she rushed to her closet, sifting through her belongings until she unearthed a special find: a vibrant red pillow, a cherished gift from her dear friend Rose. Clutching it tightly, she dashed back to her bed, positioning the pillow next to her other cushions with care. Settling down, she laid the kitten gently atop the soft fabric just as her mother entered the room.
“So this is where you snuck off to,” Kira said, stepping gracefully inside. She approached the bed, her maternal instincts drawing her to the tiny creature. Her eyes filled with warmth as she noticed the brown streaks adorning the kitten’s otherwise pure white fur. “How is the little one doing?”
Mira's face radiated with happiness. “Kai-Kai healed him! Mommy, can I keep him forever?”
Kira contemplated the request, her fingers gently stroking the kitten's soft fur. “Of course, my darling. I see no reason why he can’t stay with us,” she replied with a reassuring smile. “But remember, you should check to see if he wishes to stay too. Wait until he’s fully recovered to ask him.”
Mira nodded enthusiastically, her heart swelling with hope. “Okay, Mom! I will!”
Though the kitten only took a few days to awaken, it took a full month for him to fully regain his strength. During that time, Mira devoted herself to his care, lavishing attention upon him without ever realizing the hidden wings that would let him soar. As the days passed, he became a lively presence in the castle, flitting about and forming a bond with the princess and her mother. His name was Nall, but his origins remained a mystery even to him.
Over the course of two months, Nall blossomed under Mira’s love, becoming an integral part of her life, much to Soren's annoyance. However, Kira began to sense something extraordinary about the pet. She felt a deep, intuitive understanding that this was no ordinary kitten, but indeed a baby dragon—an extraordinarily rare chibi dragon from the legendary lands of Elyasia.
Years flew by, and Mira grew into a strong and wise ruler of the southern lands. One fateful year later, Nall learned the truth about his heritage from Lyne and her mate, Yue, when he ventured out to seek knowledge of his kind. During his time with them, he discovered the rich history of dragons and realized he was the last white dragon of the southern clan, that they know of. Yue patiently taught him the ancient art of shapeshifting, revealing that dragons could take on various forms, although Nall himself had not been aware of the existence of a chibi form.
When Nall finally returned to the castle, he was immediately enveloped in Mira’s warm embrace. “I’ve missed you so much!” she exclaimed, her arms wrapping around him so tightly that the contact caused a sudden transformation. He shifted from a delicate kitten into a young man, leaving Mira momentarily speechless with surprise. The once-fluffy ball of fur now stood before her as a handsome figure with light tan skin, striking red eyes, and flowing white hair interlaced with brown highlights—though he was nude, causing Mira’s cheeks to flush a vivid shade of crimson.
After Nall quickly donned some clothes, he excitedly shared the knowledge he had gained with Mira, reassuring her that he would always remain her loyal companion, her ‘pet,’ if she so desired. And that was precisely what she wished.
Mira was captivated by his incredible experiences. She listened intently, a soft smile on her lips as she reassured him that, despite his newfound identity as a dragon, her affection for him remained unchanged, even though dragons scared her. She cherished having him by her side as her beloved friend.
Yet, as time drifted on, Nall found himself affectionately dubbed a 'kitty' by the princess, regardless of his insistence that he was, indeed, a dragon. But in the end, it didn’t really matter to him—he would always be her kitty, whether in the form of a cuddly creature or a magnificent dragon.