Chapter 15
The day I ran into Teron and Suleiman in the hallway.
Suleiman didn’t return to his room until late at night.
Normally he’d come back around dinner, work until dawn, and then sleep. But when he still hadn’t returned even as midnight approached, I began to feel a bit worried.
‘Could something have happened…?’
No, wait—why am I worried?!
Even to myself, it was a ridiculous thought.
Just think about what happened earlier today.
He suddenly swooped in and picked me up without warning, then sulked like a child robbed of his toy.
I couldn’t make sense of him at all.
‘No way… could he actually be jealous of Teron?’
Propping my chin on my paw, I pondered deeply.
But no matter how I thought about it, the word jealousy just didn’t suit Suleiman.
Come on, why would someone like a prince be jealous over me?
I gave up thinking, sprawled across my special sofa, dozed off, and eventually fell asleep.
Half-asleep, I furrowed my brows when I heard footsteps approaching.
Then I felt someone gently smoothing out the creases on my frowning forehead with their fingers.
“Meow.” (Mmhm…)
The owner of that hand scooped up my limp, sleeping body and began walking slowly somewhere.
Step, step.
Each stride rocked me gently, like a baby’s cradle.
“…Sleepy little foolish cat.”
I thought I heard Suleiman’s low murmur through my drowsiness.
But my overwhelming desire to sleep blurred the sound away.
Held in an embrace like a cradle, I couldn’t help but smile with quiet contentment.
*
After that, Suleiman started avoiding me for several days.
He gave me space on the bed, even stroked me like a real butler—but only when I was asleep or half-awake.
The way he kept dodging my gaze slowly started to irritate me.
‘Excuse me? I’m the one you should be avoiding, so why the heck are YOU the one dodging me?!’
If I was a sensitive little kitten, then Suleiman was more like a hedgehog—reluctant to show himself, raising his spines whenever anyone got too close.
‘Did I… do something to upset him?’
If I could talk, at least I could ask. But since I couldn’t, all I could do was stew in frustration.
Time passed, and before I knew it, the governor’s inauguration ceremony was only a day away.
“Kitty, the big day is tomorrow! Are you ready?”
“Meow.” (Eh, more or less.)
Arin appeared bright and early with two maids in tow, her expression firm with determination.
The young girls, close friends of hers, carried bundles of items for dressing me up.
While the maids spread everything across the floor, Arin prepared my breakfast.
Once I licked the bowl clean as usual, she wiped my teeth carefully with a piece of wet linen—her version of brushing. Arin fussed over me like I was a baby.
Satisfied and full, I patted my pink belly.
“All done, Arin. Let’s begin!”
The maids, eager with excitement, sparkled with anticipation.
‘…This feels like a celebrity beauty salon.’
On variety shows, celebrities would show up early at some upscale Cheongdam-dong salon, get their hair, makeup, and outfits done all at once, and come out transformed.
That was exactly the vibe here.
Beauty scissors of all sizes, nail-trimming tools, dresses and gowns dazzlingly beautiful, all prepared for me.
“Kitty, today we’ll give you the full treatment! We’ll even pick tomorrow’s outfit in advance.”
“Meow.” (I’ll leave it to you.)
“If you like something, please signal me, alright? You can do that, can’t you?”
I nodded with lazy disinterest, which only made Arin and the maids squeal with delight.
“Arin, you were right! Kitty is SO clever!”
“I thought you were exaggerating when you said she understands people, but this really must be the prophetic cat!”
Apparently, Arin had bragged about me to her friends.
‘At this rate, rumors are going to spread fast…’
I already knew they thought I was special because of the prophecy, but there was no need for me to show too much human-like behavior.
Otherwise, I’d just make life harder for myself.
So I decided to play dumb and pretend not to understand most of what the maids said.
But when it came to choosing clothes, I made sure my opinions were clear.
In my past life, I was known for dressing well even in cheap off-brand clothes. I even had a hobby of altering garments and sometimes made simple outfits for my cat.
Looking in the mirror as the maids helped mix and match, I chose a simple draped dress.
The flowing fabric didn’t cling, making it comfortable, and it felt lovely against my fur.
White silk lace decorated with pink crystals sparkled brightly and suited my white fur perfectly.
Finally, a small silver coronet adorned with a blue gem tilted on my head completed the look.
Seeing myself in the mirror, even I had to admit I looked adorable and charming.
‘Perfect. I love it.’
I’d thought “it’s just a cat, what difference could dressing up make?” But with Arin and the maids’ meticulous care, I looked like the most noble cat in the world.
When I twirled once in front of the mirror, they erupted into squeals.
“You’re soooo cute! I’ve never seen such an adorable cat in my whole life!”
“She’s unbelievably precious. Arin, do you have leftover budget from this month’s kitty allowance?”
“Yes, plenty of gifts came in so we’ve got funds left. Why?”
“What if we commissioned a portrait of Kitty? The world deserves to know this kind of cuteness!”
“Great idea! It’ll also help with Prince Suleiman’s publicity. Everyone outside the palace must be dying to know what the prophetic cat looks like!”
I sighed, waving my paw.
‘Excuse me. The subject you’re discussing is right here, listening to every word.’
But the three excitable girls were already bouncing in place, making plans.
When they started talking about hiring an expensive painter specializing in cat portraits, I couldn’t help but groan.
Then the door suddenly banged open.
“Oh my gosh, Eblan oppa!!”
…Oppa?
At Arin’s words, I frowned and turned my head.
Standing there was that unpleasant guy I hadn’t seen in a while.
“Arin, your noise can be heard outside. Keep it down.”
That same annoying tone—it could only be Eblan.
“Is that really all you have to say after so long? Seriously, oppa.”
“I’ve been busy.”
I gaped, staring back and forth between Arin and Eblan.
‘What? This sweet, adorable girl’s brother is THAT rude jerk?!’
He was the one who dragged me here, the one who stomped on my precious meat. My sworn nemesis.
Rage bubbled up, and I bared my teeth, growling at him.
Startled, Arin quickly hugged me close and patted my back.
“Oh no, did he scare you, Kitty? He’s not a bad person—he’s my one and only brother.”
Not a bad person? From my perspective, he was absolutely awful.
I glared at him, ready to bite if he dared come closer.
Eblan studied me carefully, then made a strange expression.
“…Wait. Don’t tell me the cat you’re holding is the one I brought here?”
“Of course! She was cute back then too, but now she’s unbelievably beautiful, right?”
“You call that filthy rat from the gutter cute? You really have no eye for things.”
“What are you talking about! She was a hidden pearl in the mud all along!”
“Maybe she looks better on the outside now. But has the inside changed too?”
Grinding my teeth in Arin’s arms, I suddenly had a brilliant idea.
‘The time for revenge… has come!’
Sure, he was Suleiman’s aide, but who knew when I’d get another chance at this jerk.
I checked the condition of my paw pads carefully, then unleashed my ultimate weapon.
‘Kitten’s Deadly Cuteness Attack!!’
I leapt gracefully from Arin’s arms and rubbed my face hard against Eblan’s leg.
“Meow~ mrrrow~” (Love me, human!)
Eblan stumbled back, flustered.
“Wh-what’s wrong with this cat?”
“Oppa, seriously? You’re as clueless as Prince Suleiman. Cats do that as a show of affection.”
“Affection…?”
Eblan stared at me blankly.
‘Now’s my chance!!’
I locked eyes with him and unleashed my most powerful move—the wide-eyed, Puss-in-Boots stare.
I folded my paws together like I was praying and radiated pure “please love me” telepathy.
Eblan’s pupils quivered.
‘Got him!’
No one can resist the ultimate kitten charm attack.
Caught between reason and emotion, he slowly, almost entranced, crouched down and reached to pet me.
His trembling fingers barely brushed against me.
‘Now!!’
Once his face was close enough, I sprang up and smacked him right in the face with my paw.
“MEOW! MEOW!” (Nyah-nyah Punch!!)
Whap!
His head snapped back as my fluffy paw landed a solid hit.
‘Not done yet!!’
Using the rebound, I swiped again, this time smacking his cursed lips with my soft jelly paw.
“Ugh…”
A satisfying smack rang out as he groaned.
Victorious, I puffed up my fur and hissed triumphantly.
‘Taste my fist, sucker!’
I’m not some pearl in the mud—I’m a weed with thorns!
“You…!”
Sure, a kitten’s punch couldn’t actually hurt much. But caught off guard, smacked twice in a row, Eblan clenched his fists furiously.
‘Go on, hit me. I’m not scared.’
I had the sharp wits of someone far beyond a kitten. With Suleiman’s inauguration tomorrow, they wouldn’t dare lay a hand on me.
‘If you try, I’ll just flop over and go on strike.’
As expected, despite being humiliated, he didn’t dare retaliate.
Arin, shocked, rushed over and scooped me up protectively.
“Oppa, back off! Kitty’s never gotten this upset before. Are your paws okay, Kitty?”
“…Arin. I’m the one who got hit.”
“Oh please. You’re whining about a tiny kitten’s slap? What was all that martial arts training for, then?”
“It wasn’t one slap. It was two.”
“You’re so uptight! You’ve spent too much time around the prince—you’re starting to sound just like him.”
“Well, imagine that. You actually complimenting me.”
“That was not a compliment! Ugh, you’re impossible.”
Clearly not the first time they’d clashed like this, Arin thumped her chest in exasperation.
Then, firm and strict for once, she said:
“Apologize to Kitty right now. Our clever cat would never hit you without a reason.”
‘See that? Even your sister’s on my side. Just admit defeat.’
Still in Arin’s arms, I stuck my tongue out teasingly.
His lips twisted.
‘Yeah? What are you gonna do about it?’
I lifted my chin and snorted smugly.
At last, cornered by his sister’s persistence, Eblan raised the white flag.
“…Sorry.”
“Not like that! More politely. Address her properly—say Kitty! She’s important to Prince Suleiman!”
I thought I heard his teeth grinding, but I just hummed a little tune and looked away from his glare.
“…My apologies, Kitty.”
Revenge complete!
‘Ah, that was so satisfying.’
I grinned wickedly at him, and his shoulders slumped.
That day, I ended everything with the freshest, most pleasant mood imaginable.
