The red cat gasped and looked up at his young prince in disbelief. He was certain that his actions that led to a horror besieging their town, was surely cause for termination, if not imprisonment. But, unless he heard the dark haired prince incorrectly...

"After having endured this painful event" Palm explained, knowing that his statement required some elaborating, "you now understand the dire importance your role plays. Because of this, you are now uniquely qualified to expertly fulfill the demands of your position. I can hardly think that you should ever shirk your duties again and therefore can think of no better person to serve in the managerial position."

Merciful. Charitable. Forgiving. Palm, the youngest prince, qualified for them all. Still on his knees, tears still raining from his eyes, the red cat bowed, pressing his brow to the sturdy wooden planks. "Thank you." he whimpered.

Slowly, he got to his feet and headed to the stairs. He had descended hardly two steps, before looking into the wide, frail eyes of his coworker. His heart plummeted at the sight. How much anguish had the boy suffered at his irresponsibility.

"Ream," he said, "I am so sorry...for everything. I will not ask you to forgive me, I just want you to know that I apologize. None of this should have happened and none of this should have happened to you. I'm sorry you had to go through this because of me."

With nothing more to say, the crimson cat disappeared beneath the watchtower planks. Ream watched him leave, his thoughts about the man his own. He knew that his supervisor made a mistake and that he apologized for it, but would he have done that on his own, or was his apology due to the presence of their prince? He did not know the answer and he was too tired to speculate.

---

✧ PREVIOUS PAGE ✧ FIRST PAGE ✧NEXT PAGE✧