It was all up to fate, his whole future hanging on the words of an oracle. As was the tradition of his kingdom, Prince Blake had the priestess of Luminous, guardian deity of the royal family, visit him for a reading on his sixteenth birthday. He was expected to follow those inspired words on a journey to find his bride now that he had reached marriageable age.

So now he was taking his trusted steed into the dark forest on that quest. Of course the oracle had said that was where his bride would be found. There was no castle or even a hut found in the shadow of those trees. How could there be a woman found there of all places?

It was... Ugh! This is pointless... He wasn't sure if he was really interested in being wed. Sure he had found some people attractive before but there'd never been any sort of connection that made him consider marriage in his future. Maybe if he stayed in the woods long enough before coming back fruitless, they would just allow him to stay single. It wasn't like he was his parents' only child so one of his siblings could just as easily make sure the bloodline continued another generation.

As it gets darker, he dismounts and sets up a tiny camp. He had rations and bedding so the most urgent task was just getting a fire going.

Once the fire is strongly flickering, he lays beside it, thinking. He wasn't really feeling hungry at the moment and wasn't tired enough to roll out his bedding yet. But it was also too dark now to explore.

Maybe he actually was more drowsy than he'd thought as the next thing he noticed was a soft purring near his head. He looked up to see a burnt red cat stretching out by the fire.

"Welcome, my friend... May we be well met on this lovely night."

"I thank you for the hospitality, kind Sir."

"Of course..." Blake tries his best to hide his surprise at getting a reply. It was said cats of all intelligent creatures were least likely to speak with those not their own kind. "I freely share all I have with me in exchange for your honorable company." The smile the cat gives him is a perfect example of why that sort of grin was compared to a feline's.

"You are too kind..."

"Not really. I am forced to be here due to a quest so the company is much appreciated." He starts to stand. "Would you like a bit of fish? I also have bread and dried meats but I'm not sure if they would be to your taste..."

"Fish will be fine. If I am to earn my meal proper, perhaps you can tell me of the quest that troubles you so as we eat."

Blake retrieves a fish for the cat and a small loaf of bread for himself. "There is not much to be told... I have been sent into these woods to find myself a suitable bride. The oracle claimed this is where my future spouse is to be found."

"I see. So what do you plan to do?"

"I am not sure... I suppose I can just return home eventually, having failed. Maybe the prediction was wrong and I am not meant to find someone." He gave a humorless chuckle. "Perhaps it is actually an elaborate lesson in not thinking so highly of myself. You know, being sent on an impossible mission to learn not to become too prideful by failing."

"And are your standards so high that such a lesson would be required?"

"I don't think so but what other reason would I be expected to find a bride somewhere there is clearly not going to be one? Surely I have angered the gods some way to be punished so."

"I could be your bride if you would have me. Then, at least you will have not failed your quest."

"I couldn't ask that of you... You are surely content and happy here. What could I offer you in exchange for you to give up this level of freedom?"

"Mutual company, a warm hearth to lay beside and fresh milk every morning... For those, I will help you to succeed in your quest."

Blake sits quietly for a bit. "...Allow me time to consider your offer. I will give you an answer before the sun sets a second time." The cat doesn't argue with that.

When Blake eventually rolls out his bedding and lays down for the night. The cat pads over and snuggles up against him. "You offered to share all you had with me, correct?" Blake nods as his eyes grow heavy, too tired to answer verbally. 

In the morning, he has partly made a decision. "Cat... I would like for us to spend a week in the forest together and, if you find me worthy to become my bride, I will accept you as such."

The cat purrs its agreement as it runs against his side.

Over the following week, the two were rarely parted. Blake was hesitant to admit it, but he really started hoping that his feline companion would decide to be his wife at the end of the week. It was the first time in his life that he honestly dreamed about being wed to someone, despite the odd image of them being different species. He felt like he had genuinely fallen in love.

So it made sense he was vibrating with nerves as the last day came to an end. The cat sat regally with its tail swishing slowly behind it. "Do you still intend to keep your promise, Prince?"

"Of course. I am a man of my word..."

"Then I expect our wedding chambers to be of the utmost luxury." It takes Blake a moment to understand what it is saying. When he does, it's all he can do not to scoop the cat up in his arms and shower it with kisses out of excitement.

"As you wish, my dear." He grins brightly. "Anything you ask of me that I am capable of..."

"Then perhaps it is time that you return triumphant from your quest."

That sobers the prince slightly. "Right now?"

"Of course. You have successfully found a bride and now can return home." It looks closely at him and Blake can almost swear it seems to frown. "Are you perhaps ashamed of me, Prince?"

Well, that changed his behavior quickly. "Of course not, my love! I just..." He looks down in shame. "I have come to love you deeply, but I fear of others not understanding our relationship. It would hurt me, thinking some may treat you badly as my bride because of you being a cat." It felt like a betrayal of his feelings to even point out the possibility some might look down on his bride for their species.

"I understand, my groom." They rubbed against him comfortingly. "Then we will wait to tell anyone who I am... I can come with you in returning home. Then we can take trips back out here to the woods under the guise of visiting your bride who isn't ready to reveal herself. We can be wed when you are ready to tell everyone who I really am... How does that sound?"

"Like I hadn't realized that I could love you any more than I already did." He pulls her closer. "Would you really be okay with me lying?"

"I only care about being with you, my groom."

So with the stars above, the now engaged prince prepared to return home. As uncertain as their future may be, he felt an unexpected joy and excitement at having someone at his side to share in it with him together.