The Key to Your Heart

 William waits patiently in the alleyway, sandwiched awkwardly between the mold-covered walls and noxious trash bags. It wasn’t really an ideal environment to be sitting, but he had become used to it. This was the sixth time this week that he had come to this spot, and he had been coming here for a few months now.

William was awaiting the arrival of someone. He didn’t know exactly when his expected guest would arrive, but it was always around noon-time. Nobody would disturb him anyways, since the alleyway belonged to the bakery next to it. And that bakery belonged to him.

The baker listened to the sound of the crowds outside his hiding spot. It was lunch-time, and many apprentices and shop-hands had left their masters for the hour to grab lunch at the local inn. He had learnt a lot of things by simply listening to them speak.

“It’s a fiend, that’s what it is!” Cried one man, and William could see him wipe oil from his hands onto an apron. “Madam Rue’s damned cat never stays in one place long enough. How does she expect any man to catch it?”

A friend of the man, out of the hidden baker’s sight, sighed in response. “She’s probably giving us the run around. Do you really think she’ll marry anyone who manages to get the key from that demon?”

“She may,” The first man protests, crossing his arms. “I’m determined to be the one to do it! Now come on, help me catch it. I need to use this lunch break wisely.”

Letting out a rather beleaguered groan, the two friends left, possibly to catch the cat that had been evading them. But William’s curiosity was sated, as his guest had finally arrived.

With soft black fur, bright green eyes and a shimmering golden key around its neck, a small stray cat slowly made its way to him. Every time the baker saw it, he was reminded of his childhood friend, who had eyes and hair the same color. It stopped a few inches shy of where he was sitting, and tilted its head in question. It seemed rather tense.

The baker laughed softly under his breath, and pulled out the slice of ham from inside his apron. The moment the cat’s eyes landed on the meat, all tension left its form. The once fearsome cat that evaded all men, was reduced to a purring mess.

William fed the cat small bits of the ham, just as he had done nearly everyday. Unlike most stray cats, this one no longer felt apprehension towards him. It had taken much coaxing, and a long time, but it had warmed up to him. Now, it never even hissed when he petted it slowly.

But today was the day. He had earned its trust, and he was now sure that it would let him claim its prize. A hand slowly made its way from the top of the cat’s head, to under its chin. He rewarded it with a few scratches, of course, and received appreciative meows.

Finally, his hand made it to the key at its neck. The metal felt cold under his touch, but the cat didn’t try to run away. With a soft tug, the key was in his hands, no longer attached to its master’s pet.

The moment the key left its neck, the cat moved away. The ham that had enticed it so every day no longer held its attention. Instead, it stared at him with wide eyes.

William clutched the key tightly. It was thanks to the cat that he had been able to get it. Now, he would finally have the opportunity to marry Analise Rue, the woman he loved.

He had loved her from when they were mere children, and she entered his father’s bakery for the very first time. He knew his feelings were reciprocated, from the words she said to him. But her father would never let a noble woman marry someone unworthy.

With this key, however, he had proved himself worthy. He had done what no other man in this village had achieved, and completed the Rue’s challenge. A bright smile stretched across his face. “Thank you so much, my feline friend.”

William didn’t know what had come over him, to thank a cat as he had. But he didn’t regret it. He had come to grow fond of the animal over the last few months. And he truly was grateful to it for giving him this chance.

It seemed his gratitude was the last straw, however. He later wouldn’t be able to describe the transformation that had taken place, unattuned as he was to the magic of nobles. But before him, where there was previously a cat, stood Analise Rue herself.

Although William had been robbed of his words, the love of his life certainly wasn’t. With a musical laugh that seemed as ethereal as her magic, she gave him the same fond smile she gave him when they were mere children.

“Of course, only you would be able to get the key from me,” She laughed, her flowing white dress brushing the dirty alley floor, but never seeming to stain. “William, my love, you have so much love in your heart! While the other men chased me around, you befriended me, as you did when we were younger. And now, you have earned the right to my hand in marriage.”

She paused in her speech, and gave him a more mischievous grin. “Now let’s get out of this alleyway, shall we?”

William nodded wordlessly.