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Long, long ago, the legends of this land spoke of a 'Black Cat'.

They said only the chosen ones could see Her, and that She would bring love and joy while also punishing the wicked. Though some would rather believe the Black Cat was inauspicious, and a harbinger of misfortune.

But the Black Cat only wandered to Her whims, and once she was tired, she rested wherever She was.

Mrrow~

(Yawns languidly)

(Stretches slowly)

Purr...rrr...rrr...

Rrr...

Today, an uproar awakens Her from a nap.

Uwaah!

Wahhh—!! Uwahh—!!!!

By the gods, it's a boy! The queen has given birth to a prince!

Quick, inform the king! Everyone waiting outside must know of our healthy and adorable prince!

Days pass. The servants decorate the palace with fresh flowers, and the celebrations for the newborn begin.

The king and queen bask in the sun as they receive well wishes from their guests.

The black cat leaves the windowsill where She was taking Her afternoon nap, and sees a pair of eyes immersed in complete bliss.

Oh... such a cute little thing. So we meet again.

This remains our little secret, yes?

Meow~

Another pair of eyes follows, with a sprinkle of worry mixed into the bliss.

(I can still see Her... I pray my son will grow up healthy and happy, away from any harm.)

The king's sour worry draws the black cat's attention. She turns around to see a man holding a wine glass aloft.

Hahahaha, cheers, cheers! A toast to bless our king and queen, as well as the newborn prince! May their lives forever be blessed!

Waaaah... uwaaah...

Uwaah!

The black cat shakes both tails, and prances into the baby's cradle.

The king and queen do not stop Her, and everyone else seems unable to perceive Her, but the little prince who was bawling in his cradle begins to giggle.

He reaches out his hand, trying to grab the cat's drooping tails.

(Drooling and giggling)

(Trying to put tails inside mouth)

Mrow?

(Jumps far away)

—Uh? ...'Mrow'!

...'Mrrow'... 'mrow'!

Ah, the legend, the tale of the Black Cat...

So the prince can see that elegant and beautiful creature of legend! The one visible to only the chosen few!

We pray She brings him love and joy...!

More than ten years later.

—No! Impossible!

Father was a king as great as a god, so how could he suddenly become a corpse lying in a cold coffin?

Uncle, Uncle! Mother fell into a coma from her overwhelming grief while I was studying abroad. Could you tell me what happened while I was away? How did Father become like this?

...My dear child, I am as shocked as you are. The physician said perhaps it was a wicked insect from the gardens that stole your father's life away with its vile poison.

All I can offer you is some time alone with him, so you may say your last goodbyes.

But do not grieve overmuch, dear child. Now, I must inform those outside of the palace's affairs—and leave at once.

...Yes, go, Uncle.

Ugh... Father, Father... how did this happen? Who has the answer?

...What exactly is going on?

My brother has just passed away, and our country ought to mourn, but we must also consider our present situation.

Every one of us knows that the prince claims to see, and even to touch, a divinity that we cannot—this strange Black Cat.

Legends speak of the Cat as a bringer of love and joy, but has anyone witnessed this happening with their own eyes? Can we be sure this was not a tale fabricated by the king to hide the inauspiciousness of a certain individual?

I speak only of facts, and I must wonder: Could that ill-fortuned individual actually be a son who brought his own father a tragic death?

Is that how it is...?

Could the prince actually be an ill-omen? The king suddenly died, and the queen fell into a coma, while he remains safe and sound. He even frequently speaks of seeing a Black Cat...

Ah, look! Here he comes!

No, it's nothing like that!

Those are lies! I did not send Father to his grave, and Mother merely fell into a coma out of grief...!

Believe me, everyone, I will uncover the truth!

Mrow?

Ah, the Black Cat...

You're here... you... what exactly, have you brought upon us...?

(Silent as usual)

Everyone! The country needs a sovereign.

The prince is yet young, and the queen unconscious...

—So, I implore all of you to support me as your new king!

—Have you no shame?! To publicly declare my son an ill-omen!

You may have taken advantage of my coma and my son's youth to crown yourself king, but still I spurn you! I hold nothing but contempt for you, usurper!

I know well that the Black Cat is no ill-omen, and the same goes for my son! There is no way he would slay his own father!

Hush now. You act nothing like a queen, your manner belying only your madness and obsession. Your husband's demise has stripped you of your sanity, yet still you hope to excuse your son from this!

I sit on the throne now, and my words are the truth!

Disgraceful dreg of the land, to snatch the throne for your own not even a week after your brother's death. To accuse his wife, to slander his son... I will—I MUST declare you as the one who murdered our king!

What nonsense are you on about?! What did you even see?

—When you ascended the throne, I opened up his tomb and coffin. I know why you hastened to put him in the ground...

For his chest bore a wound only possible from a dagger strike. Dare you say you know nothing about it?

—Ah——

...Do you think my death will put everything to rest?

Mother, Mother!

I can hear him. My child... he'll be here soon!

Mother, Mother—

Heh, you've no window to move my body away now. I must have him personally witness exactly what you've done—

I'm here, my child! In here!

You wretch!

—Mother! What happened? Why are you like this?!

Am I to blame for this? Because I can see the Black Cat? Because I truly am an ill-omen? I killed Father, and now you, Mother!

No, not at all...

The black cat shakes both tails, and sits down in a corner.

She tastes sorrow, mixed with pity and worry from mother to son.

My child, I wish to tell you, you have done absolutely nothing to bring shame to your father's legacy. The Black Cat you see is by no means inauspicious as your uncle claims.

Mother, why? How are you so sure...?

Because my child... as I walked with your father into the matrimonial hall dressed in white from head to toe, as flowers and blessings fell upon us... I saw Her.

When I felt unwell and sought a physician, who told me you were already in my belly, I also saw Her...

In every moment of incomparable bliss I could see Her azure eyes... hear Her comforting purrs...

I...

My child, you must believe me... She is a symbol of joy, a messenger of love, and She will punish the wicked... You can see Her, so surely you are a union of love and joy...

The queen's arm droops, no longer having the strength to hold her son's hand.

The black cat jumps twice, landing on the palace windowsill. The queen feels as if Her eyes are looking into the distance outside the palace.

Mrow.

The prince watches everything unfold in shock. He wants to save his mother's life, he wants her to remain with him always.

But his mother only says—

Run, child! Far away from here...

Your uncle may have killed me, but you are yet young. What can you do with no power to your name?