Chapter 14
Startled by Suleiman’s ominous voice, I gulped and turned around.
There stood the dark-haired prince, looking far from pleased.
Why is he making such a scary face?
Even at the best of times he looked stern, but now, with his jaw tightly clenched and his expression shadowed, it was like a ghost had appeared in the sunny corridor—sending chills down my spine.
“It’s been a while, Brother Suleiman.”
“…I asked what you were doing, Teron.”
“I was on my way to the library. This path is closer. Surely you wouldn’t scold your younger brother just for walking inside the palace, would you?”
With Teron’s bright smile, the gloom hanging over the space seemed to lift a little.
Why does he talk to his younger brother like that?
Their different skin and hair colors made it obvious that they had different mothers.
Still… they’re both princes. Shouldn’t they be brothers, not enemies?
But instead of family warmth, the air between them was sharp, almost hostile.
“My question was poorly put. I meant—what are you doing with the cat you’re holding?”
“Meow…?” (Me…?)
Caught up in their conversation without meaning to, my eyes went wide.
Teron looked at Suleiman in puzzlement, then stroked my forehead gently as he answered:
“As you can see, I was just playing with this cat.”
“Put it down. Now.”
“And why should I, Brother?”
With his ever-pleasant smile, Teron deflected his brother’s order.
…This guy doesn’t look like he’s planning to let me go at all.
Though Suleiman glared at him with clear displeasure, Teron deliberately stroked my chin as if to provoke him.
The silence between them grew heavy, thick with tension.
What was with these men?
Why are you both fighting over me!!
I was desperate to escape when Suleiman finally spoke again, calm but firm.
“If you really want to know, I’ll tell you why. That cat is mine. It belongs in my arms, not yours.”
With that, he plucked me from Teron’s hold and cradled me against his chest.
I, who had just been shuttled back and forth between two princes, was left slack-jawed.
Why does he say embarrassing things so easily…?
It wasn’t the first time I’d heard “my cat,” but for some reason my heart started pounding loudly in my chest.
I drew in a deep breath to steady myself.
The familiar scent of Suleiman—his body’s warmth and the fragrance of his chambers—brushed past my nose.
Maybe I’d grown too used to living in his room, because strangely, his embrace felt so familiar, even comforting.
I must be out of my mind.
To feel at ease in the arms of a terrifying prince who looked like he could kill with a single glance—it had to be some lingering side effect of being a cat.
“…So she was your cat, Brother. She bore the Sultan’s mark, so I was only keeping her safe temporarily.”
“The Sultan gave this cat to me.”
“Ah, I see. Then this must be the prophesied cat I’ve heard so much about.”
At Teron’s intrigued gaze, Suleiman shifted me in his arms to block my view completely.
Too tight—I can’t breathe, let me out!
His thick arms squeezed me so close I kicked at him with my hind legs, but Suleiman ignored my little rebellion and spoke again.
“This is near my palace. Do not take this path again if you can help it.”
“How cold of you, Brother. I’ll be staying in the capital for a while anyway. Even if I avoid you, won’t we end up meeting often?”
“…What do you mean by that? After the inauguration, princes of age are supposed to return to their own lands.”
“My mother worried about my long-standing illness. She begged His Majesty to let me remain in the capital for treatment.”
“A plea, is it.”
Suleiman exhaled sharply, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
“And your fiefdom? You left it just to come here for treatment?”
“As you know, my health is poor and my abilities are lacking. I entrusted its management to someone else early on. My domain will be fine, so you needn’t worry.”
“You don’t have to get treatment in the capital.”
“My physician is old; it would be too hard for him to travel all the way to my estate. So I’ll remain in the capital for a time and focus on my health. I’m simply grateful for the Sultan’s generous consideration.”
At that, Suleiman’s fist tightened in anger.
…Can’t breathe.
My face was pressed hard against his chest, burning red.
“Meooow!” (Let me go already!)
I didn’t care what they were talking about—couldn’t he loosen his grip first?
When I struggled wildly, Suleiman finally slackened his arms a little.
Just as I was about to snap at him, Arin returned, carrying a large bundle.
“P-P-Prince Suleiman!”
Startled, she quickly bowed. Suleiman handed me over without a word.
“Take good care of my cat. I never want to see her in someone else’s arms again.”
“I-I’m sorry! I’ll make sure it never happens again!”
…The one who was hugging me wasn’t Teron, it was you, idiot.
Suleiman, you fool!
I stuck out my tongue in defiance, but he walked away without looking back.
Even after Suleiman disappeared, Arin was on the verge of tears.
That jerk. Why take it out on poor Arin?
I had no idea why he was so furious, but dragging Arin into it made me feel bad.
I vowed silently that later, in bed, I’d land him a good uppercut.
At that moment, Teron asked Arin a question.
“So she is not the Sultan’s, but Brother Suleiman’s cat.”
“Yes… I also heard that His Majesty gifted the cat to Prince Suleiman.”
“I see.”
Lost in thought, Teron stroked my head with a faintly regretful smile.
“It seems… we met a little too late, my lady cat.”
Then, leaning close, he whispered in my ear:
“If she belonged to anyone else, I would take her no matter what. But since she’s my second brother’s… I suppose I have no choice.”
…What?
Startled by his unexpected words, I shrank back, tense. But Teron only smiled warmly, as if he’d said nothing unusual.
“Please take care of her, Miss. We may cross paths again. May I ask your name?”
“M-My… name? You mean me?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“M-my name is… Arin.”
“Arin. A lovely name. I’ll remember it.”
With that princely line, Teron disappeared down the corridor.
Arin watched him go, dazed.
That day, having given her name to the prince she’d admired for so long, Arin spent the entire day in a frenzy.
She bounced in place, spun me around in her arms like a baby, then stared dreamily into space before giggling to herself.
She was so giddy it was almost scary.
“Kitty, isn’t Prince Teron so handsome?”
“Meow…” (I guess…)
“For him to ask my name… I could die happy right now.”
No, you’re completely mistaken. If someone stabbed you right now, you’d definitely beg for your life.
I scratched my ear with a cynical expression.
“But Prince Suleiman was really too much. Did you see the scary face he made at me earlier?”
Arin contorted her face into a devilish scowl, mimicking horns with her fingers.
…He’s definitely strange, that man.
Expressionless one moment, suddenly gentle the next, then exploding in anger the very moment after. I simply couldn’t figure out that dark-haired prince.
Thinking of Suleiman reminded me of that soft, warm feeling in his arms.
My ears burned red in an instant, and I shook my head fiercely.
It’s an illusion… all of it!
I swiped my paws through the air as if to scatter my own confused feelings.
It had been a hectic, exhausting afternoon.
That day, Suleiman’s meeting ended earlier than expected, so he decided to head to the library.
…Should I stop by my chambers first?
Recently, he had found himself unusually preoccupied with animals—cats in particular.
The little creature that slept and woke by his side each day had an inexplicable charm.
Sometimes it was infuriating, but at other times, strangely endearing.
Once he started noticing it, thoughts of the cat crept in even during his work.
He’d developed the habit of checking constantly to make sure it was safe—what if it got hurt bumping into something or trapped under something heavy while he was away?
It’s so small and fragile… I might accidentally hurt it without realizing.
More than once he’d lain awake at night, afraid he might roll over and crush it in his sleep.
He remembered just the other dawn: carefully lifting the softly snoring kitten and placing it on his chest.
He had intended to keep it there only until it fell asleep.
But the warm, fluffy bundle clung to him and refused to move.
Feeling the tiny life breathing against his skin had been… unexpectedly wonderful.
That pleasant memory shattered when, on his way to the library, he saw his half-brother Teron holding his cat.
From the moment he realized it, unease had flared.
And when he saw the cat rubbing its cheek against Teron affectionately, anger surged hot in his chest.
It never does that to me—so why Teron first?
That gentle gaze the cat had never once turned on him—it snapped something inside.
Striding over, Suleiman had warned his rival and half-brother sharply: stay away from his cat, and away from his palace.
But Teron was no simple opponent.
With his beauty, his smooth words, and his wealth, he seduced and manipulated those around him. That was the way of Teron and his mother.
Roxelana, Teron’s mother, was a princess of the powerful neighboring kingdom of Idelan. She held immense influence, backed by her homeland’s support. Even the Sultan could not treat her lightly.
She was the complete opposite of Hürrem, Suleiman’s mother, who had clawed her way to power from the ashes of a fallen noble family, securing her throne through ruthless purges and brilliant strategy.
Though Hürrem ruled wisely, lacking a firm support base made governing far from easy. The young nobles who opposed the entrenched council supported her enthusiastically, but it was never enough.
That was why Suleiman always regarded Teron and Roxelana as dangerous.
He had known Teron would come to the capital for the inauguration, but hearing that he would remain—under the flimsy excuse of an illness—was unexpected.
A fake disease, an old physician conveniently unable to travel, his estate already entrusted to someone else—Teron’s cunning was undeniable.
No matter how wary Suleiman was, he could only grit his teeth.
There was no doubt that Teron’s side was plotting something.
Recently, they had even grown close with the Janissary commanders—men so powerful that even the Sultan himself was cautious around them.
Seeing his cat in someone else’s arms would have angered him anyway, but seeing it in Teron’s—with all his dangerous connections—made his fury boil over.
“…You have no idea what you do to me.”
Suleiman glanced down at the little cat still struggling in his arms, his eyes sharp.
After handing her over to Arin, he left abruptly.
That day, he did not visit his chambers nor the library. Instead, he returned straight to his office.
