Chapter 55: Cheshire Gone

[SYSTEM ALERT: TARGET STATUS UPDATE]

[Name: Leonidas (King of the Black Panther Beast Kingdom)]

[Current Heart Points: 10 (Desperate Devotion / Heartbroken)]

[Obsession Level: 40% (Frantic, Possessive Grief)]

[Analysis: Target is currently in a state of catatonic despair. He has not eaten, slept, or attended to kingdom duties since your departure. His obsession has mutated into a dangerous form of self-destruction. He is likely plotting ways to force a reunion.]

Karina mentally swiped the blue screen away with a violent flick of her will. She didn’t want to know. She couldn’t know. If she thought about Leonidas standing in that courtyard, looking like his soul had been ripped out of his chest, she might actually feel something other than relief. And right now, relief was the only thing keeping her upright.

The journey back to the Imperial Capital had taken three grueling days. Three days of bouncing carriages, cold nights, and Valen sleeping fitfully against her side. But they were here. Finally.

As the massive iron gates of the capital groaned open, Karina let out a breath she felt like she had been holding for a month.

The carriage rolled to a halt in the main courtyard of the Phoenix Palace. Before the wheels even stopped turning completely, Karina pushed the door open. Her legs felt like jelly as she stepped onto the solid ground.

She was thoroughly exhausted, and in desperate need of a proper nap. A yawn stretched her jaw, tears pricking the corners of her eyes from the fatigue. She rubbed her temples, trying to massage away the headache that had taken up permanent residence behind her eyes since the incident with the poison.

She helped Valen come down, and heard someone.

"Your Imperial Majesty!"

The voice was bright, cheerful, and too loud for Karina’s current state.

Lady Fayora and Lady Joan rushed forward, their gowns swirling around them. Behind them trailed a dozen attendants, all bearing smiles on their faces. They looked pristine, rested, and utterly unaware of the hell Karina had just survived.

"We are so relieved to see you return safely!" Lady Joan said. "The palace has been quiet without you. Too quiet, some might say."

Karina managed a weak smile. "It’s good to be back, Joan. Truly."

Before she could say another word, a small blur of golden spots came barreling toward her from the side of the courtyard.

"MAMAAAAAA!"

Karina barely had time to brace herself before four-year-old Rynan launched himself at her waist. The cheetah cub wrapped his tiny arms around her legs, burying his face in her travel-stained gown. His little tail wagged furiously behind him, thumping against her shins.

Karina dropped to her knees, ignoring the ache in her joints, and pulled Rynan into a tight hug.

"Hello, my little storm," she whispered, pressing a kiss to his soft, spotted cheek. "How are you? Did you miss me?"

Rynan pulled back, his golden eyes wide and shining. "I missed you! Daerys broke my toy! And Soren bit my tail! But I saved you a cookie!" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a slightly crumbled, lint-covered honey cake.

Karina took it with with a smile. "Thank you, sweetie. I will eat every crumb."

She kissed his forehead again, smoothing down his spiky hair. "But first, Mama needs to rest. Can you go play with your brothers? I’ll come find you after I’ve washed off the road dust."

Rynan nodded enthusiastically, grabbing her hand and tugging. "Come on! Come on!"

"Later, Rynan," General Aldric’s deep voice cut in gently as he stepped down from the driver’s seat. He came forward, bowing low. "Allow us to escort Her Majesty to her chambers. She requires immediate attention."

Lady Joan appeared at Karina’s other side, offering her a supportive arm. "We have prepared a bath, Your Majesty. Hot water, lavender oils, and fresh linens. Just as you like it."

Karina leaned into Joan’s support. But before they could take more than a few steps, Rynan redirected his attention elsewhere.

"Valen!"

He skidded to a halt in front of the stoic six-year-old panther prince.

"I missed you!" Rynan squealed, burying his face in Valen’s tunic. "Where did you go? Why did you leave?!"

Valen stiffened initially, his hands hovering awkwardly in the air.

Slowly, Valen’s arms came down. He hugged Rynan back, albeit with a slight pout on his lips, as if trying to maintain his dignity despite the affection.

"Hello," Valen mumbled into Rynan’s spiky hair, his voice quiet but lacking its usual edge. "I... I am back now."

Karina watched the exchange, her heart swelling with a warmth that chased away the chill of the journey. Seeing her sons reconnect, even in this small, chaotic way, made the exhaustion feel slightly more bearable.

"Alright, alright," Karina said softly, gently prying Rynan off Valen, though she kept a hand on both their shoulders. "Valen has had a long journey too, little storm. Let him breathe. Go play with Daerys and Soren. I promise, we will have a family dinner tonight. All of us."

Rynan’s eyes lit up. "Really? With Mama?"

"Really," Karina confirmed, smiling warmly.

Rynan cheered, grabbing Valen’s hand this time. "Come on, Valen! Let’s go show you the new toy Daerys broke! It’s funny!"

Valen glanced at Karina, seeking permission. When she nodded, he allowed himself to be dragged away by the energetic cheetah, a smile touching his lips.

Karina watched them go until they disappeared around the corner, then let out a long, shaky breath. The facade slipped. Her shoulders slumped, and the adrenaline that had kept her upright finally drained away, leaving her hollow and trembling.

~

"We’re here, Your Majesty," Lady Fayora said softly, guiding her toward the heavy oak doors of her private suites.

Karina nodded, unable to speak. She just wanted the water. She wanted the silence.

They reached her private suites, and the attendants immediately set to work. Fresh water was poured into the massive marble tub. Steam rose in thick, comforting clouds. Karina stripped off her heavy clothes, letting them fall to the floor in a heap of dirt.

She stepped into the water, sinking down until the heat enveloped her. She closed her eyes, letting the warmth seep into her muscles. For a moment, there was silence. Peace.

Mew he he he.

Karina’s eye twitched.

"Host! Host! Hello!" Cheshire’s robotic voice buzzed directly into her skull, shattering the tranquility. "You’re getting comfortable! This is bad! Very bad!"

Karina didn’t open her eyes. "Go away, Cheshire."

"Go away?!" Cheshire sounded scandalized. "Host, do you realize what you’ve done? You left Shadow’s Edge! You abandoned Target Leonidas at his lowest point! His obsession levels are skyrocketing, yes, but you’re not capitalizing on it! You’re supposed to be making them yandere, not running away to take baths!"

"I am not running away," Karina muttered, scrubbing her arm with a sponge. "I am preserving my sanity. And my son’s life."

"Excuses!" Cheshire floated into her vision, his pink eyes glowing with judgmental intensity. "And what about Drystan? You just left him locked in a guest suite! Do you think he’s just going to sit there and pout? He’s a Dragon King, Host! He’s probably burning holes in the floor as we speak! You need to go back! You need to annul the marriage properly! You need to—"

"I don’t care about Drystan," Karina snapped, opening her eyes to glare at the floating cat. "Let him burn the castle down. Let Leonidas deal with him. They’re both grown men with entire kingdoms to run. My children are my priority. Not your stupid points."

Cheshire hovered closer, his visor flashing red. "But Host! You’re supposed to be the center of their universe, not hiding in a bathtub!"

Karina sat up in the water.

"Cheshire," she said, her voice taking on a low tone. "Is there a way to shut you off?"

Cheshire froze mid-air. His pink eyes dimmed slightly. "Shut me off? What do you mean?"

"I mean," Karina continued, her gaze unwavering, "is there a command code? A reset button? A way to make you stop talking, stop judging, and stop reminding me of points I don’t care about? I want silence. I want peace. And I want it now."

Cheshire stared at her. For the first time since she had met him, the little robot looked genuinely hurt. His ears drooped. "You... you want me gone?"

"Yes," Karina said simply. "Yes, I do."

Cheshire let out a long, digital huff. It sounded suspiciously like a petulant sigh. "Fine. If that’s how you feel. I suppose I’m just a burden to you. A nuisance. After all I’ve done for you! The lollipops! The system shop! The emotional support!"

"You provided none of those things willingly," Karina pointed out.

"Hmph!" Cheshire crossed his stubby arms. "Very well. If you wish for silence, you shall have it. But don’t come crying to me when Leonidas shows up at your door with an army of panthers and a ring made of his own tears!"

With a final, dramatic flourish, Cheshire spun in the air. "System interface... deactivating. But just for some time! Good luck, Host. You’re going to need it."

Pop.

The blue screen vanished. The pink glow faded. The humming presence in the back of Karina’s mind disappeared.