In Peggy's room, Garfield lay curled beside her while she talked softly about the seven years they had been apart.
She spoke of growing up, of confusion and stubborn pride, of the delicate and contradictory thoughts that filled a teenage girl's heart… things Garfield had never truly understood in his previous life.
She spoke honestly, without guarding herself.
Listening, Garfield didn't know what to do.
Only now did he finally understand why, back then, none of the girls he chased had ever truly accepted him. In the end, it all came down to a single word.
Understanding.
Peggy talked for a long time. Eventually, Garfield began to purr. His breathing grew slow and even.
Peggy, still mid-sentence, turned her head and noticed the orange cat beside her had already fallen asleep.
"Poor Garfield…" she whispered.
She hugged him gently, pressing her cheek into his soft fur. Feeling his warmth, her own eyelids slowly grew heavy.
That night, Peggy dreamed.
She dreamed that Garfield had come home.
She opened her eyes and the space beside her was empty.
Startled, she sat up and searched the room.
Garfield was squatting on the windowsill, staring out into the night. Climbing out of bed, Peggy walked over and asked quietly,
"Garfield, what are you looking at?"
Garfield raised a paw and pointed outside. In the courtyard below, Aberforth was standing face-to-face with a giant slug.
…
"Why do you reject me?" the slug asked.
"There's no future between us," Aberforth replied flatly.
"Is it because of my strength?"
"That's right."
"Together, we could explore countless possibilities."
"Sorry. I only want power to avenge my sister."
"I can't help with that," the slug said calmly. "That path belongs to Garfield's apprentice."
"Then I'll rely on myself."
"…Is it really impossible?"
"Maybe in the future. Not now."
The slug fell silent for a moment, then uttered a strange, unreadable sound.
"E'o'ah."
…
Garfield turned to Peggy and asked seriously, "Do you think they'd make an awkward couple?"
Peggy nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. Just like the couples at school when they argue."
"Their conversation is missing something." Garfield added.
"They should say things like, You're ruthless and unreasonable. No, you're ruthless and unreasonable. That's how it usually goes."
As if sensing their gaze, Aberforth and the slug both looked up toward the windowsill.
The slug stared at Garfield and Peggy for a moment, then said, "Aberforth… don't you think they look perfect together?"
Aberforth nodded. "Pet and Owner."
The slug tilted its head. "Aberforth, you're destined to be single your entire life."
"…?" Aberforth.
With that, the slug shrank rapidly and vanished on the spot. Aberforth stood there for a long time, completely baffled.
"I don't understand it at all…" he laughed dryly, then turned and went back inside.
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
The next morning, he joined Garfield, Old James, and Peggy for breakfast.
Afterward, Aberforth stood to leave.
"I'm heading back. As for defeating Grindelwald… I suppose I should go find my annoying brother."
Old James gestured for the housekeeper to bring something over, a large jar of golden honey.
"This is from the bees I raise myself. Give it to your brother."
Aberforth accepted it and stuffed it into his pocket.
Garfield added,
"When you see him, tell him I'll visit the Ministry of Magic in three days. I can't enter directly, so I'll stop by first. Is Newt's family still living by the river?"
"They are," Aberforth nodded. "I'll pass it on."
"Goodbye, Grandpa Aberforth!" Peggy said cheerfully.
Pfft.
Aberforth stopped. "I'm only in my thirties, Peggy."
"Sorry!" She replied quickly.
Shaking his head helplessly, Aberforth cast Apparition and disappeared.
After he left, Garfield remained at Carter Manor for half a day longer.
Then he summoned his knight, Carl, and gave a simple order.
"Gather every creature on the farm."
"To the barn."
…
Before Peggy, Carl stood atop a wooden beam. At his signal, all the livestock and strange creatures of the farm… horses, cows, sheep, chickens, even a suspicious cluster of mice knelt on one knee.
"Pay respects to His Majesty the King!" Carl announced solemnly.
Garfield lifted his head high and puffed out his chest, striking a pose worthy of a mural.
"Rise, my subjects," He declared grandly.
"I have returned from a long journey, and I have missed you dearly."
"We missed you as well, Your Majesty," Carl replied without hesitation.
Garfield nodded, deeply satisfied. "Very good. Then let us return to our proper duties."
With a wave of his paw, the ceremony ended. The animals dispersed quietly back to their work.
As they left the barn, Carl couldn't help asking, "Your Majesty… why didn't you say a few more words?"
Garfield rolled his eyes.
"Carl, aside from the two old horses and that cow who served me seven years ago, everyone else here is new."
"Their lives are short, and most of them won't escape the dining table anyway. Why waste speeches?"
Carl fell silent, suddenly enlightened.
Outside, Peggy watched Garfield proudly riding atop Carl's head. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Garfield," She said slowly, "It's not only Carter Manor where you say you're king, right?"
Case closed.
Miss Peggy was far too smart, but we will absolutely not admit it.
"How could that be possible?" Garfield reacted instantly.
"I am the famous Great Devourer of the universe, terrifying, unstoppable! Let me tell you, I could eat a Star Destroyer in minutes!"
Peggy tilted her head. "What's a Star Destroyer?"
Garfield pointed toward the vast land beyond the manor. "A battleship capable of destroying a planet."
"My God… how big is it? Bigger than our manor?" Peggy gasped.
"Dozens of kilometers long, probably." Garfield thought carefully. "It depends on the civilization and the world. I'll drive one back someday and show you."
Peggy nodded enthusiastically. "Okay!"
Inside Garfield's soul space, Pandora Godzilla lay sprawled lazily, holding a cup in one claw and brushing its teeth with the other.
"Ohhh, Your Majesty," it sneered.
"King of Carter Manor. Ruler of dozens of livestock and a nest of mice. You talk about Star Destroyers so casually, do you know gold is trash in the universe?"
"I still want one. Like a cat cage. With an automatic toilet." Garfield replied calmly,
Pandora choked slightly. "Smelly cat, do you even know how to fly a spaceship?"
"The most you can do is squat on a podium and meow."
Garfield snorted. "Stupid Pandora. Have you talked nonsense too much and fried your brain?"
He crossed his paws regally.
"If a king had to do everything himself, what would ministers and generals be for? The king is the locomotive at the front of the train, he chooses the direction."
"The people inside the carriages ensure safety and order. This is the way of the emperor."
"You could just say you're lazy. You're a mascot." Pandora spat out toothpaste.
After bickering with Pandora for a while, Garfield finally settled down and crafted a protective amulet for Peggy, personally infusing it with layered enchantments.
Before he could rest, a familiar summoning force pulled him away.
Garfield was recalled to Kamar-Taj.
The Ancient One stood waiting. She tore off a piece of Garfield's thigh as casually as plucking a leaf, then looked at him with an uncharacteristically serious expression.
"Odin wishes to speak with you."
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
PhantomDream