Chương 114: Chapter 107-A Chosen Family Trip

I can explain. That's what should've come out of my mouth the moment I saw Kat. You see, Kat is… volatile, yeah, let's go with that. So, it's best to start off with a quick explanation if you've done anything wrong, because if you don't, you'll get caught up in her flow. You don't want to get caught up in her flow. That's how I ended up in a dress, infiltrating an all-female gang to get Kat's bracelet back. I managed to pull it off. Both the heist and the dress, but that's besides the point.

"I'm waiting, CJ. Didn't I tell ya to stay put and to keep ya fuckin head down?" Kat asks as her cat ears twitch.

"Yes, yes, you did, but things changed. You see, I was chosen by the Gods. A holy and righteous Angel came down from the Heavens and bestowed upon me the [Title] of The Chosen One," I [Lie]. Kat's eyes soften.

"Really?"

"Yes, I wanted to tell you, but things just got out of hand, you were out on a job, and I've been fighting the forces of evil since that day, so I didn't want to put you in harm's way. After all, you're my sister, my one and only sister," I [Lie].

"I didn't know that ya were dealing with so much," she says with sorrowful eyes.

"It's okay. How could you? I'm just glad that I've finally got to see you. I've missed you," I say as a bit of truth slips through. Kat shakes her head and hugs me.

"I missed ya too." Mid-embrace, her hands shift until she has pulled me into a headlock.

"What did I tell ya about [Lying] to me?" she asks with a hint of anger.

"Ow, if you're going to [Lie], make sure it's a good one?" I ask as I struggle to get out of the headlock.

"That's right, ya little shit. And Chosen One? I have toenails more Chosen than ya. What in the fuck are ya doing all the way out here, and why are ya impersonating The Chosen One?" Kat asks as she ruffles my hair.

"I'm on a job, you asshole. Now let me go before someone sees us." She lets go with a huff.

"A job? Since when do you take jobs without me knowing?"

"I'm not a little kid anymore, Kat. I can take any job that I want," I say with a hint of attitude. Kat nods and plops down on Hopper's bed.

"Really? I'm sorry, Sir. Should I serve ya a nice cup of warm lime tea? How about I fetch ya big boy britches? Ya a little kid until ya learn to not do stupid shit, ya hear me?"

"Stupid? If I pull this-" Danger! Contract Violation! Kats cat eyes scan me.

"What was that?!"

"Nothing," I [Lie]. She gets up close to me and stares me down.

"Ya idiot! Ya fucking dolt. Ya entered a [System Contract], didn't ya?"

"Fine, I did, but the pay is good. It could set you up for life," I say, and immediately regret it.

"What ya fuckin say? Set me up? You're not taking what that old bat said seriously, are ya? She's a loon!" Kat says with a familiar anger.

"She said I would-""Enough! We're leaving. This job stinks, and no amount of pay is worth ya life. Ya know that. Now how much blood are we gonna need to make this believable," she says as she looks around the room.

"I can't leave. We both know that. I'm in too deep to pull out now," I say as I stare her down. Kat's eyes lock with mine. We've done this hundreds of times before. Over books, jobs, clothes, and everything under the alleyway shade. A battle of will where the first to back down is the loser. A constant shift back and forth that usually ends in her victory, but I'm not backing down now. I have to show her how serious I am about this. Right here, right now. With a click of her tongue, Kat sighs and sits back down.

"Ya just had to go and sign a [System Contract], didn't ya? At least ya haven't broken Rule 4 yet. So, what's the job?" Choosing my words carefully, I try to navigate around the [Contract].

"Continue as I am for six years. After that, they'll pay me and then help me split." Kat nods along.

"Employer?"

"Can't say."

"Pay?"

"Can't say." She sighs.

"So, pretend to be The Chosen One for six years? Ya do love ya trouble, don't ya?"

"I like to think that trouble loves me," I say with a devilish smile. Kat growls.

"So, we're going to this death trap of a dinner?" she asks.

"It's an invitation from the Empress, not a death threat from a Gang Lord."

"Same difference. Guess we'll have to [Steal] some fancier clothes," she says as she pulls at her dirty clothes. The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"[Clean]," I say with a wave of her hand. The dirt and grime disappear, leaving behind ragged clothes.

"I see ya've picked up some new tricks. Anything that can help us make coin?"

"We don't need it," I say as I pry a loose board, revealing a bag of gold coins.

"That's my CJ. Let's go and pick some clothes. By the way, like the haircut," she says as she pulls at the edges.

"Couldn't exactly be the Chosen One with that unruly thing on my head," I say as I remember the mess of hair I had before this all started.

"Hmm, I guess so. The proper speak also part of that?" she asks.

"Adapt to the environment. You taught me that," I say with a smile. Kat clears her throat.

"You would be right, dearest brother," she says with a hint of forced elegance.

"Now let's go get our youngest."

"What?"" Who's this asshole?" Mateo asks as he looks up at Kat.

"Who's this little shit?" Kat asks as she looks down at Mateo.

"Mateo, our older sister, Kat. Kat, our youngest, Mateo. Don't we look like one big happy family?" I ask as we exit the Cathedral. Mateo and Kat glare at each other without even a hint of getting along. As expected from two strong personalities, but I'm sure that with enough time, the two of them will be getting along like shit on the bottom of a shoe.

"Why did you pick up a runt? Couldn't find anybody with muscle on them?" Kat asks." You better take that back. I'm plenty strong," Mateo says in the language of the Sands." Prove it, Pipsqueak," Kat bites back, confusing Mateo." How do you speak the Sands Tongue?" Mateo asks." Not everyone from the sands is a Magena, Pipsqueak. You should know that," she says with an annoyed look. Mateo squints and then says in perfect Imperial Tongue, "I don't like you."

"Feeling's mutual. CJ, do we really need this Pipsqueak? He doesn't seem like he'll be much help," Kat says as we walk to a nearby tailor.

"He's sharper than he lets on, and the letter said to bring my family. Mateo is family. It would be weirder if I didn't bring him," I try to explain.

"He doesn't look very sharp. Are you sure you're not letting your bleeding heart do the thinking?" she asks.

"It took him less than three months to become fluent in the Imperial Tongue, and he stole your pouch about a minute ago," I say nonchalantly. Kat looks down at Mateo as he gives her a smirk. She lets out a large, toothy smile. That should've worked. Now, Kat is interested in Mateo. The more interested she becomes in someone or something, the more likely she is to like it. In this case, I'm hoping it'll endear Mateo to her. At least enough for us to work together.

"You're more than just a little Pipsqueak, aren't you?" Kat says as she grabs her fake coin pouch.

"Finally, something I can agree with," Mateo says with a sarcastic smile. Stepping into the tailor's, we split up to look for appropriate clothing. As I search the various pre-tailored clothes, my mind starts to wander. This dinner is a test of sorts. A personal one and a test from the Empress. I'm not entirely sure what she's testing, but I want to see if I can successfully make it through a conversation without a shred of doubt being cast upon me.

If I can get the Imperial family's recognition, it'll solidify my position and influence as The Chosen One. Something I'll need if I'm going to survive the next six years. Mateo rounds the corner with a surprisingly nice set of light blue clothes. Perfect for this dinner. Kat, at the same time, appears with a dark green dress that suits her although she thinks otherwise. Guess everyone else has found what they're wearing. Picking a dark blue set of clothes, I sigh. These are going to be a pain to wear.

Kat swats Mateo's hand as he tries to fiddle with the edges of his sleeves.

"Remember, Pipsqueak, try to be presentable."

"If this didn't scratch me, I would be more 'presentable'," he says.

"Could the two of you calm down? We're at the Imperial gates," I warn them.

"Is he always this serious?" Mateo asks.

"No, he's usually more laid back," Kat says as she studies me. Before she can get a word out, I walk over to the gatekeeper.

"Hello, I'm here for the dinner," I say with a hint of uncertainty. The gatekeeper looks me up and down.

"I have no idea what you speak of. Please leave before I have to resort to more effective means," he says with a hint of malice. Cocking my head, I give him a devilish smile.

"This letter-" The moment I reach into my coat, the gatekeeper draws his sword.

"I told you I have no-" Kat's claws rest gently on the gatekeeper's neck. The tips of them drawing blood. Mateo looks over where Kat was in confusion.

"Put the sword away before I rip out your throat," she says with a smile, "Please." The gatekeeper's hands tremble as he considers his next steps. Is he stupid enough to risk his life? I gently rest my hand on the hilt of The Chosen Blade. Other gatekeepers rush in, swords drawn at Kat.

"That is enough!" Alfira, Penelope's personal Elven maid, says. Kat retracts her claws and appears back next to Mateo as if nothing ever happened.

"He started it," she says with a hint of annoyance. Alfira walks up to the gatekeeper.

"Hold this man in the dungeon until a proper judgment can be doled out." A group of gatekeepers effortlessly drag him away as I walk up to Alfira.

"It's good to see you, Alfira."

"Likewise, Chosen One. I apologize for the rudeness. We will deal with the matter. In the meantime, follow me. I will lead you to the guest dining room," Alfira says as we walk into the Palace Grounds. A large and beautifully kept courtyard stretches farther than I thought possible. The Imperial family must have a good Gardener. Tracing the edges of the courtyard with my eyes, I eventually make it to the Palace proper. A majestic building built from blue marble and adorned with red banners.

A truly expensive-looking building. The rich really do live different lives compared to us 'common' folk. Pushing into the Palace proper, we are greeted by rich-looking carpets, paintings, and a whole lot of vases with flowers. Nearing the end of what seems like a maze of corridors, Alfira stops.

"It was a good call to dress modestly. I wish you luck. Until next time, Chosen One," Alfira says as she leaves with a bow.

"Did she say modestly?" I ask. Mateo and Kat look down at what I believe to be expensive clothing. They both shrug in unison. Look at that, they're bonding. Soon enough, I'll find them braiding each other's hair. Ah, one can only dream. Shaking my head, I open the door to our dinner with the Imperial family. This should be good.