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"Recently, I was wondering if our newspaper need some refreshing new column." Charles Augustus Milverton, the King of Media said to his secretary in a hesitating voice. "What do you think, Ruskin?"
"It is not a bad idea, sir. What do you mean by refreshing?" Ruskin asked, knowing well that his employer already had something in his mind, he was just not sure to bring it up yet. And Ruskin was right - as always, when it came to Mr. Milverton and his interests.
"I was thinking in a sketch series which features cats." Mr. Milverton mentioned and as much as he tried to act indifferently on the topic, his yellow eyes excitedly sparkled up as he continued talking. "People love cats, right? If we display art about cats in every issue, more of them would buy our paper and my evil manipulation and propaganda would thrive even more!"
He let out an evil sounding laugh, but Ruskin was skilled in telling apart his boss' different kond of laughs. He knew well that this time, Mr. Milverton was just pretending to be malicious to keep his title as the incarnation of evil. He was actually just really excited about his idea about the cats. And what he told about his reasons behind the new cat series was just partly true. The real truth was that Mr. Milverton was deeply, obsessively fond of cats and he didn't want anyone else to know about this as it would be used as his possible pressure point. He kept several cats in his household - to catch mice and keep the rooms clean as he said to the servants - and only Ruskin was aware that he often played with his pets too. And now he wanted to see cat art in his newspapers, but he needed a good excuse to keep his pride. He couldn't care less if people would like to see cats or not.
Ruskin smiled. He always felt joy when Mr. Milverton found something less dangerous than his usual evil plans that could make him happy.
"I think it is a great idea, sir." He answered gently. "And it would indeed increase our sales, in my opinion." He stepped closer to the table and took up a paper. "So, how do you intend this series to depict the cats? Like house cats which do cute things? Or cats in the wild?"
"It is a good question, Ruskin." Mr. Milverton thought - then his eyes started glowing even more and a bright smile appeared on his face. "What if it would depict the adventures of anthropomorphic cats? Cats who behave and act like they were humans, participating in human activities. Cats on tea parties, cats going on a walk in the park elegantly dressed, cats knitting, cats reading..."
"Like this, sir?" Ruskin cut into his employer's speech and quickly drew something to the paper, then he showed it to Mr. Milverton. The other man's eyes widened from the surprise.
"Ruskin! You have a talent for drawing!" He inspected the art closely and Ruskin could see that he was satisfied with what he saw. On Ruskin's art, cats were seen who enthusiastically read a newspaper - Mr. Milverton's newspaper. "This is magical. You never told me that you are a skilled artist."
"Because I am not." Ruskin blushed for the compliment. "It is merely a hobby for me."
"Well, I am very much fond of your cats." Mr. Milverton stated pleasantly. "Can you draw more cats for me?"
"Of course." Ruskin said with a smile and he picked up the paper again. This time, he sketched down a cat eating a strawberry cake as strawberries were Mr. Milverton's favourite food. His employer watched him with a bright expression.
"Oh, this is perfect!" He cried out enthusiastically. "How adorable! I definitely want to display these in the new column. What price do you want for these?"
"Nothing, sir." Ruskin was horrified by even the mere mention of getting money for something he gladly did for Mr. Milverton anytime and what wasn't in his job description. "I love drawing and especially if I can cause you joy with it. I will not let you pay me for it."
"But Ruskin...." Mr. Milverton tried to oppose but Ruskin repeated more vehemently.
"No, sir. Just let me draw you cats. It is a reward on its own for me."
Mr. Milverton chuckled and reached out. Ruskin felt his warm fingertips caressing his face.
"You are quite exceptional, do you know it, Ruskin?" He asked gently. Ruskin closed his eyes and flashed a smile at his boss.
"For you, I wish to be." He replied with devotion.
"You are very much that to me." Mr. Milverton noted and took back his hand. "Would you draw me some more?"
"Yes, sir." Ruskin nodded. This time, he drew a cat with a pince-nez on its nose which was reading the Daily Mewer with interest. Ruskin hoped that his employer will understand the reference and he will not get disappointed.
"Ruskin, this is me, right?" Mr. Milverton was overjoyed when Ruskin handed him the paper and saw his current creation. "So this is how you see me." He winked at his secretary.
"If you were a cat." Ruskin added and kept his mouth that he already drew Mr. Milverton several times before and the sketches were hidden under his pillow. Mr. Milverton better not know about that.
"Perfect." Mr. Milverton placed the paper onto the table in a way where he could see it. "I expect that this series will be a success. No one will be able to resist buying your adorable cat arts, Ruskin. We will gain even more power."
And Mr. Milverton will have a chance to see even more cute cats, Ruskin added in his mind. To him, that's what mattered the most.
Milverton and Ruskin were right. The series truly became a success. And Milverton kept copies of his secretary's arts in his safe among his most precious documents - as it was their true worth.