Chapter 70
Same Time, Elsewhere—
I had just come back from the temple and was in the middle of changing out of the heavy ceremonial robes into something more comfortable.
“Ugh, finally. I can breathe again. Those priest robes are so stiff and suffocating. Layers and layers of them.”
Feeling much lighter, I sat down on a chair. Arin came up to me with a gentle smile and began carefully untying my elaborately braided hair.
“You’ve worked hard today, Lady Ishtar. Still, the High Priest said you won’t need to appear for a while, so you can rest easy for now.”
“Yeah, that’s a relief. Sitting still for hours doing nothing was pure torture.”
Arin nodded in sympathy and spread some rose-scented oil onto her palms, massaging it lightly into my hair.
The pleasant fragrance drifted through the air, and I sniffed appreciatively.
“Mmm, that smells wonderful. I don’t think I’ve ever smelled this one before.”
“I’m glad you like it. It’s a blend of rose and a few herbs—completely safe for cats, too, so I thought it was perfect for you.”
“How thoughtful. Thanks, Arin.”
I smiled gratefully and relaxed into her “special treatment.”
She even started massaging my shoulders and the back of my neck, using just the right pressure. Her hands were so skilled that I found myself silently giving her a mental thumbs-up.
I really need to treat Arin well someday.
Feeling both physically and emotionally relaxed, I closed my eyes and recalled what the High Priest had said earlier.
Maybe the relationship between Aziz and the old High Priest was something like mine and Arin’s.
When you’re burdened with difficult circumstances beyond your control—like Aziz and me—you can’t help but build walls around yourself.
But if there’s someone who knows your situation, understands you, and genuinely cares, you can’t help but feel grateful.
“All done, Lady Ishtar. Even with your hair down, you look so lovely. It was worth the effort of styling it.”
“Thank you, Arin.”
Right now, I might just be the one relying on your help, but someday, I’ll make sure you live comfortably.
I was just reaffirming my resolve to squeeze a good deal out of Hurrem when—
From outside came a commotion: hurried footsteps, someone tripping, and even a loud yelp of pain.
I rose from my chair, thinking something must have happened, when suddenly the door slammed open with a bang.
“I’m here, Ishtar.”
“Ah… Y-Your Highness?”
It was Suleiman—his breathing oddly quick, so unlike his usual calm demeanor.
Why does he look so flustered? Did he run here?
For a prince, it wasn’t exactly dignified to rush anywhere. Something urgent must’ve happened.
Before I could ask, his attendants stumbled in behind him, drenched in sweat.
“Hah… hah… Your Highness, you shouldn’t be running through the palace like this! Please maintain your decorum—”
“I’ve had enough lessons on etiquette for a lifetime. Leave us.”
The attendants hesitated, then quickly exited, leaving the room quiet—just the two of us.
“What’s wrong, Suleiman? Did something happen?”
“My heart’s beating too fast. I couldn’t help it—I had to come right away.”
“Your heart? Don’t tell me…”
Startled, I pressed my ear against his chest.
Suleiman flinched slightly, like he’d been pricked by a thorn, but I didn’t notice—I was too focused on listening.
“Your heart was affected before because of that curse, right? Don’t tell me it’s coming back!”
“No, not that. But… if you keep doing that, I might actually have heart trouble soon.”
“What?”
I looked up at him, confused—only to realize his face was steadily turning red.
Oh no. What am I doing?!
In my rush to check his heartbeat, I’d practically plastered myself against his chest, rubbing my cheek against him like a cat.
“It’s not what it looks like! I was just… checking medically—”
I jumped back, flailing my arms. For some reason, he looked disappointed.
“I know. You don’t need to explain. I already learned you like chests and arms back when you were in cat form.”
“Ugh, that was because I was a cat! That’s not my actual taste!”
“Really? Then should we test that again?”
Before I could react, he pulled me gently but firmly into his arms.
Wha—what is happening right now?!
I froze completely, unable to move or breathe. His heartbeat thudded hard and fast in my ears, echoing inside me.
If I hadn’t known better, I’d think something was wrong with his heart—it was pounding that wildly.
I steadied myself and looked up at him. His breathing was ragged, his chest rising and falling.
“…Don’t stare at me like that. I might melt.”
He couldn’t even look me in the eye, his gaze fixed stubbornly on the ceiling.
The flush on his sun-kissed skin, the fine sheen of sweat—it was, frankly, a very appealing sight.
Okay, wow. This is dangerously distracting.
My heart began to race too, and I quickly dropped my gaze to the floor.
For a moment, the two of us just stood there—me staring at the floor, him at the ceiling.
After a long pause, he broke the silence first.
“So… what about now? What’s your taste when you’re human?”
“…Don’t ask.”
He chuckled softly, then leaned closer, nestling his face into my hair.
“I like your scent. It calms me.”
Too close! Way too close!
Blushing furiously, I tried to sound calm.
“Arin used a new oil today. It’s harmless for cats, so it’s safe even at night.”
“I see. It suits you perfectly.”
He took another deep breath before finally letting me go.
I sighed—half relieved, half disappointed—and cleared my throat.
“Anyway… why did you come rushing back so early? That’s not like you.”
“I was working, and suddenly, I started thinking about you. We haven’t spent much time together lately.”
“Well… that’s true, but…”
“Let’s have dinner together tonight. Then we can take a walk in the garden. The weather’s perfect—the night air should be wonderful.”
“Um… that’s exactly when I turn into a cat, remember?”
He only shrugged. “Then I’ll carry you while we walk. I like you as a cat too—soft and warm.”
“What if someone sees us?”
“I’ll order everyone to stay away from the garden path. And if someone dares disobey me, I’ll handle them myself.”
His words were accompanied by a charming smile—but his eyes were deadly serious.
And so, I surrendered.
That evening, we shared a leisurely dinner together, seated across from each other at a lavishly set table.
We sipped tea and enjoyed the sweet desserts Arin had prepared.
Suleiman listened to my random chatter with a warm smile, occasionally tossing out a corny joke of his own.
Later, when we strolled through the moonlit garden, I finally realized—
This is a date, isn’t it?
But…
“It’s nice spending time like this. How about you, Ishtar?”
“…Meow.” (It’s fine, I guess.)
Sadly, I was already in cat form and couldn’t answer him in words.
Still, he seemed to understand, smiling in satisfaction.
It’s kind of disappointing…
It had been a rare chance for just the two of us.
Honestly, I wanted to walk and talk together—as a human.
But I couldn’t exactly say, “Kiss me so I can stay human longer!”
Nor was I bold enough to follow him back to his room in human form.
“I’ll walk slowly, so tell me if you get dizzy. Try not to look down too much.”
“Meow.” (Okay.)
Being held up high made me nervous, but somehow, I felt safe in his arms.
Maybe my fear of heights is getting better?
Curious, I peeked down—and instantly regretted it.
“MEOW!” (Too high!)
I buried myself into his chest, trembling.
“There, there. It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
He patted my back gently, stroking my fur in soothing motions.
When I finally calmed down, I looked up at him.
Bathed in starlight, he was breathtaking.
When our eyes met, he smiled—a smile brighter than all the stars above.
My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t look away.
“When you look at me like that… it makes me want to kiss you.”
“…Meow?!” (What?!)
“Just kidding. If you turned human right now, I’m not sure I could hold back.”
I had no idea what he meant by that, but before I could react, he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
Holding my blushing, flustered self carefully in his arms, Suleiman walked back toward the bedchamber.
Whether he realized it or not, my heart was pounding loud enough to rival his.
And above us, the moon shone bright—
as if determined to expose every secret feeling hidden beneath its light.
