The Wish Rewrite with the Cat

Chapter 2

Magnifico

Amaya came behind me faster than usual, her capes swirling. "Mi rey, what was that about?"

"What? It was a wish ceremony." What was wrong?

"You told Asha you would never grant her saba's wish," she clutched her skirt. "My father's wish."

"She saw it and asked me to grant it. I had to show her the harsh reality of the world."

Her eyes narrowed. "What else was there?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why make it so public? Did she upset you? I know she finds your pride amusing," a corner of her mouth lifted.

Did she think it was amusing, too? I stormed over to the writing desk and opened the census book. "Your niece drew a picture in our census books to mock me," I flipped through the pages. There it was. I held it up to Amaya and Charo, who curled around her shoulders.

Amaya touched her gold-trimmed neckline. "Oh my."

Charo pointed to the picture with a wide grin and slid down Amaya's back to roll on the floor. Was he laughing?

"I open it up, hoping to see a masterpiece heralding the glory of me, but instead it's a caricature of me thinking that eating my shortbread makes me a cannibal! You don't think this is funny, do you?"

Amaya maintained a straight face. "Of course not, mi rey."

"And if ridiculing me wasn't enough, she tells me she doesn't need my wish-granting services! No, she gets it from a star!" I swiped my arm out to a tall window.

"That's dreadful," she twisted her pearl necklace. "My family has always revered the stars, but above you? That's a disrespect I won't allow."

I stroked her cheek. "I knew you would think so, Amaya."

"You should show her how valuable you are. She'll be sure to respect you then."

"I have, but she refuses to see it! How can she belittle me? I made her my royal clerk, and this is the thanks I get? I can't help it if mirrors love my face. I'm heaven-blessed! Yeah, I got these looks from outer space! Hear my name? I'm magnificent! I put the "I" in omnipotent! I'm passionate, I'm not petulant,"  I conjured a doll of Asha. "Come on, praise me for my benevolence!" 

She gave a tiny sniff and turned away from me. Just like the real Asha.

"Just look," I led her to my toy kingdom. "I'd give the clothes off Benito's back if you really needed that," I flicked the tunic off one doll and put it on another. I shot out blue flames and set a building alight. "I'd be the first one to volunteer...Henry!" I pointed to a doll. "If your home were to crumble or if you were in trouble." 

The building collapsed onto the doll. 

I gave him a shortbread cookie with my face on it, and he feebly waved a flag.

"I let you in with no fee and I don't even charge you rent. I clean up all your messes and I'm always there when you need to vent," I gave two thumbs-up to the suits of armor as they pointed their pikes at me. "I give and give and give and give," I handed them shortbread cookies.

But one of them lunged out and seized my leg. 

"I thought you'd be content! And all I really want is just a little respect. And this is the thanks I get?" I kicked the suits of armor. "This is the thanks I get? And this is the thanks I get? And this is the thanks I get?"