The Golden silkworm
The streets of Planttopia glowed beneath rows of flower lanterns and floating fairy lights. Sellers yelled over each other dramatically while colorful petals drifted through the air like soft rain.
And in the middle of all that chaos,
Cata suddenly stopped walking.
“…No way,” whispered Cata.
Alice nearly bumped into her.
“What now?” asked Alice intrigued.
Cata slowly pointed toward a crowded shop ahead.
“Alice…”
“No,” said Alice immediately.
“I didn’t even say anything yet,” complained Cata.
“I can see your face,” said Alice.
Cata ignored her and pushed through the crowd dramatically.
Inside a crystal display case rested the most beautiful creature she had ever seen.
A tiny silkworm slept peacefully on a velvet cushion while shimmering strands of golden silk curled around it like melted sunlight. Every movement made the silk glow beneath the market lights.
People whispered excitedly around the display.
“A real golden silkworm…” whispered someone.
“I heard the silk is worth hundreds…” said another customer.
Cata pressed both hands against the glass.
Her purple star powers flickered slightly from excitement.
Ideas exploded inside her mind instantly.
Golden dresses.
Winter cloaks.
Silk ribbons.
Hair accessories glowing under lantern light.
Beautiful things people could treasure forever.
“I’m buying it,” whispered Cata dramatically.
Alice stared at her.
“You have seventy tokens,” said Alice.
“And ambition,” said Cata confidently.
“That is not currency,” replied Alice.
“It SHOULD be,” argued Cata.
The merchant laughed.
“Well princess, this little one costs seven hundred plant tokens,” said the merchant.
Silence.
Alice slowly turned toward Cata.
“…Don’t,” said Alice.
But Cata couldn’t stop staring at the silkworm.
Something about it felt important.
Not just pretty.
Important..
Like it had opened a new door inside her head.
She could already imagine herself creating beautiful things with golden silk while people smiled around her.
For the first time in months, she felt truly inspired.
“I’m getting her,” said Cata firmly.
“With what money?” asked Alice.
Cata proudly opened her wallet.
Inside were:
* seventy tokens,
* two stickers,
* a ribbon,
* and absolutely no realistic plan.
Alice stared silently at the wallet.
“…Amazing,” said Alice flatly.
“Right?” asked Cata excitedly.
“No, Because there is no Plant kingdom princesses who can’t save up money!” replied Alice while pouting
Still, after almost an hour of dramatic begging from Cata, Alice finally sighed.
“Fine,” said Alice. “You can help at the restaurant after your work.”
Cata gasped loudly.
“REALLY?!” screamed Cata.
“But if you destroy the kitchen, I’m pretending not to know you,” warned Alice.
“That’s fair,” admitted Cata
And somehow…
That was how it started
The next few weeks became exhausting.
Cata worked constantly after her shift as a doctor at Alice’s restaurant. She carried plates, decorated desserts, cleaned tables, and occasionally caused disasters involving flour.
“Alice the cupcakes exploded again—” yelled Cata from the kitchen.
“HOW?!” shouted Alice.
“I DON’T KNOW?!” yelled Cata back dramatically.
Between shifts, Cata sold handmade accessories in the royal marketplace:
flower pins,
painted bracelets,
tiny decorations,
and ribbons infused with soft sparkles from her powers.
At first, progress felt painfully slow.
Every night she counted her tokens dramatically across her bedroom floor.
“One hundred and thirty-two…” sighed Cata.
Still not enough.
Two hundred and one…
Still not enough.
Sometimes she wanted to give up.
Especially whenever the silkworm’s price increased again because richer buyers kept competing over it.
But every time she visited the market and saw the glowing silk beneath the lanterns…
The dream returned stronger
And eventually—
After weeks of work, late nights, failed ideas, and endless determination—
Cata finally stood in front of the crystal display case again.
This time clutching a heavy bag of tokens against her chest.
The merchant blinked in surprise.
“…You actually came back,” said the merchant.
“Told you I would,” replied Cata proudly.
Even Alice looked slightly impressed beside her.
“Slightly,” she clarified immediately.
Cata carefully handed over the tokens while trying not to scream from excitement.
The merchant gently lifted the tiny silkworm from the display case and placed it into a soft basket lined with golden leaves.
The little creature blinked sleepily.
Cata stared at it like she had just been handed the stars themselves.
“…Hi,” whispered Cata softly.
The silkworm lazily curled against the blanket.
Alice looked down at it.
“So this is the thing that destroyed our peace for a month,” said Alice.
“She’s perfect,” said Cata immediately.
“You’re emotionally attached already,” said Alice.
“Obviously🥹,” replied Cata.
Cata carefully held the basket against her chest while the evening lights of Planttopia shimmered around them.
After all those exhausting weeks…
She finally had her.
And somehow—
This felt like the beginning of something much bigger than a silkworm.
End of Tale I
