The courtyard of the Demon Lord's castle was unusually quiet today. The vast stone expanse, normally echoing with the steps of soldiers or the distant hum of strategists at work, felt serene under the cloudy sky. The garden in the middle of the courtyard—more ornamental than functional—provided a rare spot of calm amid the otherwise imposing structure. It was here that Ulminas, the "Hellcat" herself, happened to wander.

She wasn’t one to waste time aimlessly walking, but a brief pause between assignments gave her a moment to clear her head. It was rare for her to feel off-guard, but these quiet interludes were necessary for someone in her position—high-ranking, constantly on edge, and burdened with responsibilities. Her sharp heels clicked against the stone as she moved, her mind still turning over plans and strategies, as it always did. Then she saw them.

Kittens. A small group of them, mewing softly as they played near the edge of the garden, where some warm sunlight had broken through the clouds. Ulminas blinked, momentarily confused. Pets were rare in the castle—who would dare to keep such vulnerable little creatures here? But her initial confusion quickly gave way to something more primal. Her golden eyes widened as her guard, the one she carried like armor, suddenly dropped.

The sight of the kittens flipped a switch inside her. They were so small, so soft, their tiny tails flicking as they clumsily batted at one another. Without thinking, she crouched down, her movements graceful but far gentler than her usual calculated demeanor. The Hellcat’s usual icy confidence melted away as something closer to instinct took over. She purred softly as she reached a hand out, letting the kittens sniff her fingers before one leaned forward to nuzzle her palm. Her ears twitched as a low, satisfied rumble escaped her throat. She was utterly lost in the moment, playing with the kittens, her sharp claws entirely sheathed.

Minutes passed like this. Ulminas was completely absorbed, her fingers scratching behind tiny ears, her voice occasionally slipping into soft, affectionate coos—words she’d never dare say in front of anyone. It was a side of her no one, not even her closest allies, had ever seen.

And then she felt it. A prickle. That strange, unmistakable feeling of being watched. Every instinct, honed through years of combat and scheming, flared back to life. Slowly, her body tensed, though she didn’t move right away. She forced herself to look natural, as if she wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary. Then, in one fluid motion, she spun around, her coat swishing dramatically with the motion, and her eyes narrowed into golden slits.

There you were, standing a short distance away, watching her.

The silence between you both was so comically heavy it could have shattered glass. For a moment, Ulminas didn’t speak, her expression frozen as if she’d been caught mid-crime. The air felt almost awkward—rare for her, someone who usually controlled every interaction she had. She stared at you, her gaze sharp, though it failed to hide the faint pink tint rising to her cheeks.

“You...” Her voice started, low and dangerous, though there was something flustered underneath it, barely audible. She rose to her full height, straightening her coat with a deliberate tug before pointing a clawed finger at you. “If you ever speak a word about what you saw here today I will end you.”