19. Not heartless enough

With slow movements, a small creature slowly approached from the side not knowing that Mina saw it already. The grey fur on its body shone in the sun almost like silver. The eyes were pure blue and it wagged its tail here and there as it got ready to attack her foot.

Just when it was about to jump on her foot she grabbed the small creature by its neck and chuckled. ''What are you actually?''

The creature just looked at her roared at her softly. Mina saw two rows of small teeth and smiled. ''Are you a cat? Dog? What kind of mix are you?''

Scratching it around its pointy ears she chuckled as the creature suddenly started purring and laid comfortably on her knees. ''I got myself a kitten and didn't even know how... Cute indeed.''

She stood up and gave the kitten a bit of the cooked leftover food. ''Tomorrow I will get some meat so we can eat some good food, both of us...hhm?'' She cuddled it few more times and let it down to chase bugs and butterflies that were many around the house.

While cutting the Salkmo she started again singing a song that her mother taught her when she was just a child. The dried Salmo she put on the tread and left on the sun to dry out. She already tried cooking the dried Salkmo she prepared before so she knew it was edible.

Part of it she planned to leave like that and rest she will turn into flour and try to make stuff with it as it had a large amount of floury powder on it as soon it became dry. Maybe for pancakes or similar? The dried Salkmo is amazing for stews. So adding other vegetables and a bit of meat she could make all kind of dishes.

A sudden sound made her turn her head as the small creature tried to climb into one of the water pots to drink water. She chuckled and looked around. One of the broken pots was perfect for its water. She grabbed a bit off the cold well water and poured it inside the low piece of pottery and the creature rushed to drink.

As soon it was done it started washing itself and she chuckled. ''I guess I am cat person as well. I hate being dirty, just like you.''

Playing with the strange kitten and spending her day in plans of next few days she ended up sleeping happily with a smug kitten in her arms.

As the shadowy silhouette was about to enter her room he felt great danger coming towards him and jumped back. Strike of silvery fur shone in the moonlight almost ethereal as the two blue eyes filled with redness.

''I am her friend. I just wanted to make sure she is safe. But seeing creature of forest protecting her, I can be assured when I am not around. Protect her good and I will feed you well.'' The man's voice spoke towards the creature.

''I do not care about your intentions. I already have chosen her as my master. You know what that means. Her future is to go as high as heaven. What about your choice? Will you join her or will you keep being such a coward? If it is as I assume, and you are still afraid , then maybe better for you not to get close to her at all. Her destiny is something a normal man can't handle. Now go.'' The creature suddenly grew to the size of a horse and swished with his three tails towards him making him retreat and escaped to the outer walls.

''I need to help her rebuild the walls, she has plans.'' He spoke one more time but didn't hear anything so he just turned around and disappeared in the darkness of night.

From the other side of the wall, the huge creature turned into a small kitten again and with tiny jump entered her room and snuggled again into her arms while whispering. ''She is mine for now. To be even around her, you must first deserve it...''

The next day she woke up early and rushed to buy meat. Just as she got near she saw two more people standing and waiting. A woman that she didn't see before and Ko Mea.

She just gave a slight nod and quietly waited for her turn. Ko Mea nibbled on her lips and turned suddenly towards her. "Miss Mina, may I ask for a favour?"

Mina calmly looked at her. "Maybe, tell me what is it about."

"May I have all the leftover stuff for me and my children. There is no other way for me." She begged.

Mina just nodded. "Of course. I came at this time to buy meat. You can have insides. Your girls were working well these days so I will pay for all heads he has. That is my gift for your family."

She was having grudge that is true but the girls worked really hard to bring her Salkmo every day a few times a day. Even nicely cleaned and washed.

"Let me go before you so I can pay everything.'' She knew anyway that insides are for free and just had to pay few coins for heads, it was worth it.

"Yes."

There was a woman as well that had preordered it so they waited until she was finished with her order. Mina could literally see Ko Mea's eyes glued to the heads and intestines and she sighed. Having so many children to feed and then having such a child that could make big trouble as well, she must feel anxious.

Actually she wanted to make them work it all off, but she was not that heartless to make them work until sick. Then she remembered how the girls looked ta Kang Minho and shrugged. If they are lucky, they might get a chance to pay their debts faster. Right?