Chapter 9
In the end, I was brought back to the prince’s chamber, and just as he ordered, I was more or less tossed into a corner.
What should I do now…
The thought of having to stay in the terrifying prince’s room from now on made my head throb.
While I was pressing my temples with my front paws to ease the headache, someone flung the door open and marched inside.
“Hello, Mr. Kitty!”
The sudden intruder was a cute girl with freckles on her cheeks.
She had light brown hair, a round face, and kind-looking eyes.
Her face seemed oddly familiar, as though I’d seen her somewhere before, though I couldn’t remember where.
When did I meet her…?
While my pink ears twitched in thought, the girl ran over and scooped me into her arms.
“I knew I’d see you again!! I’m so happy we’ve met once more.”
“Nya, nyaaa…?” (Who the heck are you…?)
Crushed against her chest, my cheeks squished, I tried to trace back my memory.
Ah, could she be the maid I met when I first arrived here?
Yes—it seemed to be the kind-looking maid I’d seen the day I first entered the palace.
“Oh, it feels like a dream. Finally, even this desolate prince’s palace has a cat! Arin has been waiting so long for this day.”
Like some overly enthusiastic fan of mine, the girl—Arin—pranced with delight.
She leaned in so close that her sparkling eyes were right in front of my nose, so passionate it was a little overwhelming.
That expression… I’ve seen it before.
Probably back in high school, around my second year.
Owning a cat had been my lifelong dream, so once I went to a cat café with friends.
“Eeeek! Look at that cat. It’s so cute!”
“Just wait, I’ll become a proud cat owner someday too.”
Back then, I must have worn the same expression as Arin was showing now.
Somehow, that makes me feel complicated…
I couldn’t really hate that she liked me, but remembering my past life and current state made my heart ache a little.
Still, my gloom quickly vanished.
Because Arin started pulling out all sorts of cat toys from her arms and shaking them at me.
“Here, kitty, right here! Try catching this one!”
Jingle, jingle!
In front of me, she waved a stick with goose feathers tied to the end, decorated with colorful bells—almost identical to modern cat toys.
Hey! I’m a human! A respectable adult, at that. You think I’d fall for something like that!?
…Or so I sneered—only to find myself a moment later leaping with all my might, trying to catch the swaying feathers with my paws.
“Heehee, can you catch this one too?!”
“Mraaow! Nyaaoo!” (Fine! I’ll catch them all!)
I even purred and growled as I chased the toy with all my energy. Then, realizing what I was doing, I froze.
Oh crap! What the hell am I doing, embarrassing myself like this!
Covering my face with both front paws, I collapsed in despair.
But Arin, oblivious to my shame, stroked my forehead and showered me with praise.
“You did so well! How could such a little kitten be so quick?”
She hugged me tight, her expression full of emotion.
Ahh, so this is where my dignity dies…
I wept inside, snuggled against the girl’s chest.
Then Arin rubbed her cheek against mine lovingly before suddenly snapping her fingers.
“Oh, right! I still have this. My masterpiece!”
With a sly grin, she pulled a palm-sized mouse doll from her pocket and wound up the spring.
As soon as the wind-up released, the toy mouse darted frantically around the room.
It was, indeed, an incredible toy.
At once, I was utterly captivated, chasing it with wild “Krrraah!” cries as my feline instincts consumed me.
Arin clapped and laughed in delight as I went after it.
And so, I spent the next while completely absorbed—though vaguely miserable—playing with the dozens of toys Arin laid out for me.
Half an hour later, I was sprawled limp on my cushion, completely exhausted.
“Nyaaa…” (So tired…)
One would think that as a human being, master of creation, I should feel depressed at having burned through my instincts as a cat. But strangely, I felt refreshed.
Drowsy satisfaction filled me, and before I knew it, I was purring loudly.
Even my old cat had always looked so content after playing hard—just like me now.
“Mr. Kitty, I brought you something delicious. You’ve exercised a lot, so please eat your fill! You’re still growing, after all.”
…Excuse me, but I’m way older than you. My growth plates have long since closed.
Muttering inwardly, I licked the spoonful of cat porridge Arin held out.
Wait—this is insanely good…!
Packed with nutrients, the porridge had a depth of flavor far beyond ordinary pet food.
It tasted like rich bone broth, savory and deep, and I was moved almost to tears.
“Say ahh~ Yes, that’s it, you’re eating so well!”
Blowing on each spoonful to cool it just right, Arin fed me lovingly. I dashed at the spoon like a starving beast.
“Nyaaaow.” (Which means: eating frantically.)
I even gnawed at the spoon itself as if I’d swallow it whole.
With my chubby cheeks and whiskers smeared in porridge, I must’ve looked ridiculous—but Arin just giggled, wiping me clean.
“There’s plenty more food, so no need to rush, my precious baby kitten. From now on, I’ll take care of you completely.”
This girl, who’d once raised five cats, was clearly a veteran.
A cat lover from childhood, she anticipated all my needs before I even signaled them.
Even the sensitive issues for a sophisticated kitten like myself—such as hygiene and the litter box—she managed perfectly, making my life far more comfortable.
At sixteen, Arin was a bubbly chatterbox, and thanks to her nonstop talking, I picked up a lot about this place.
We were in the royal palace of Istin, where the sultan and all the royals resided.
The prince Suleiman’s palace had originally been deep within the main palace.
But since he’d recently been appointed governor, he’d moved into this detached palace close to the official residence.
Arin, a maid of the prince’s household, had now been assigned as my exclusive attendant and cat-nanny.
On paper, my master was Suleiman. But since he was too busy with state affairs to care for me directly…
Thank goodness for that.
If he personally tried to look after me, I’d probably bolt in terror.
The only reason I was still keeping my sanity here was because he was also the only key to regaining my human form.
“Now that you’re here, Mr. Kitty, the treasury has provided extra funds today. I’ll make you the prettiest, most beautiful cat in this palace!”
Arin clenched her fist in fiery determination.
“Nyaang…?” (Funds…?)
“With the prince’s investiture as governor coming soon, we’ll need to commission dresses and buy loads of accessories for you. Ah, so much to prepare! I’ll be so busy!”
Her cheeks flushed with excitement—clearly she was thrilled.
What the heck does the governor’s ceremony have to do with me…
Yawning widely, I blinked sleepily.
I wanted to ask her more, but drowsiness dragged me under.
Nodding like a bobblehead, I toppled onto my cushion.
Soon, with a soft rumbling purr, I drifted into slumber.
Just before darkness swallowed me, I felt a warm hand stroking my fur.
“Sleep well, my beloved kitty.”
Smack! A soft kiss, followed by a blanket gently tucked over me.
When I awoke, the sunset outside the window was fading.
I rubbed my heavy eyelids with my paws.
Beyond my blurred vision, I saw the fireplace glowing with flames the servants had stoked.
Yaaawn.
Stretching my body long, I padded curiously around the now-familiar room.
Sniff sniff. The place smelled of freshly laundered fabric dried under the sun—clean and comforting.
Near the bed, a musk-like scent mixed with soap reached my nose.
I’ve smelled this before, somewhere.
I closed my eyes and focused on my ears and nose.
The soft, grounding fragrance conjured an image—warm and gentle, but with a sharp edge hidden beneath.
The owner of this scent was…
“What do you think you’re doing.”
“Kyaaang!” (Gahhh!)
Startled, I leapt high into the air and scrambled behind the curtains.
Peeking out nervously, I saw him—the source of this room’s scent.
Prince Suleiman.
“Exploring the room, were you? Very animal-like behavior.”
Excuse me?!
I’ll have you know, I’m a human! …Well, outwardly a cat, but still.
“Nyaaa.” (Tch.)
I puffed my cheeks and gave a small hiss of rebellion, but he ignored me.
Undoing his outer coat and shirt buttons, Suleiman strode in, tossing clothes aside, and sat at the edge of the bed.
He scrubbed his face roughly with his hands.
“Haaah…”
I glanced at him—he looked utterly exhausted, one hand pressed to his brow as he sighed.
What’s with him?
When I saw him earlier in the sultan’s garden, he seemed fine.
Now his complexion was terrible.
Bathed in the reddish sunset, he looked like a predator weighed down by fatigue.
Was it because he was royalty? His presence was overwhelming, not someone ordinary folk could approach.
Yet, strangely, at this moment he looked fragile, precarious.
Something about his weary figure tugged at my heart.
Could he actually be seriously ill…?
Though I resented being forced to live with him, I couldn’t help but feel a little worried.
Gathering my courage, I crept out from behind the curtain and padded softly toward the bed.
Closing his eyes, he still held his head, when I gently pressed his leg with my paw.
“Nyaooong…?” (Are you hurt…?)
At my mewl, Suleiman slowly opened his eyes.
“…Get away.”
His cold gaze fell on me, sharp with rejection.
Ah, right. He never liked me much to begin with.
Even when the sultan ordered him to take me, he hadn’t seemed pleased.
Feeling awkward, I quickly withdrew my paw. Then he spoke again.
“You.”
“Nyaa…?” (Me…?)
His crimson eyes locked sharply onto mine.
Gulp.
The pressure he radiated made sweat drip down my back.
“I’m warning you—don’t you dare come near me. If you’re truly some mystical creature, you can understand this much. Got it?”
Creeped out, I nodded my head up and down frantically—so fast my jaw hurt.
“…Do you really understand? How strange.”
He muttered bitterly to himself, lips curling faintly.
“To think you have to live in the same room with someone like me… what a cruel fate you’ve got.”
Then he actually laughed. It was the first time I’d seen him smile, but it felt lonely, empty.
Honestly, I preferred the scary face earlier.
For a prince who lacked nothing, why did he look so pitiful today?
I shook my head quickly.
Don’t be fooled by a handsome face. I’ve got my own problems—I don’t have time to pity him.
Turning away, I padded over to the cat sofa Arin had prepared and flopped down.
Sleepiness washed over me again, and I dozed, faintly hearing the scratch of a pen.
Each time I cracked my eyes open, the same sight awaited me: Suleiman at his desk, perfectly composed, reading and signing papers.
Half-lidded, I watched him.
Focused on his work, his face had returned to that calm expression I’d seen when we first met.
Did he only look like that when sleeping or working?
I couldn’t help but think it was a shame.
If only he stayed like this all the time. Such a handsome face shouldn’t be wasted on scowls…
With that thought, I buried my head into the pillow and purred myself into dreams.
And thus, my first day living in the prince’s chamber came to an end.
