Chapter 27
By the time I was getting used to my days in the royal palace, I received an unexpected invitation from a surprising person.
It happened one morning as I was getting ready to go out, just like any other day.
Arin burst through the door, panting and flustered.
“Lady Ishtar, something’s happened!!”
“…What happened?”
“The S-Sultan has invited you to afternoon tea! Today, of all days!”
Arin, her face pale as a sheet, trembled as she held out a piece of paper.
The luxurious-looking invitation was decorated with peacock feathers.
I took it and read the elegant handwriting, which cordially invited me.
“What should we do? I’m so nervous I feel like I’m going to die!”
“Arin, calm down.”
“Lady Ishtar, are you serious? You need to get ready immediately. Hurry, it’s urgent!”
“Right now? What about class?”
“Class isn’t important! Do you realize how incredible it is to be summoned alone to the Sultan’s tea?”
I tilted my head at the girl’s words.
I had already been taken to the Sultan’s garden once under the pretext of tea. Back then, it felt less like an invitation and more like I was being dragged along—though I was in my cat form at the time.
“Is an afternoon tea invitation really that big of a deal?”
“Of course! And being alone with the Sultan is extremely rare. Even the top ministers find it difficult to have private meetings with him.”
Seeing Arin’s excitement and tension, I let out a long sigh.
“Afternoon tea alone with the most powerful person in this country…”
Hurem was Suleiman’s mother, and I was sharing a room with her son.
When I had been in my cat form, it wouldn’t have mattered what I did while sleeping in the same bed as Suleiman.
But now, things were different.
Suddenly, a cliché scene from a morning drama flashed through my mind:
‘My son is never yours!’ the mother shouting as she throws wads of cash at the impoverished female lead.
In other words, my prospective mother-in-law.
“…Actually, that might be okay.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
When I gave a sly smile, Arin looked at me in confusion.
I had no intention of forming a drama-like, complicated relationship with Hurem.
If anything, I could turn this opportunity to my advantage and extract some money.
‘If she hands me an envelope of money, I’ll just ask for double.’
After all, he was her precious son and the next Sultan; that shouldn’t be a problem.
A chance to get money from the royal treasury so early—what a wonderful opportunity!
As I indulged in my thoughts, quietly chuckling to myself, Arin’s expression grew serious.
“Lady Ishtar… are you alright? You’re not feeling unwell…?”
“Ah, sorry. I guess I’ve kept the habit of thinking to myself when I was in cat form. It’s nothing.”
The girl gave me a suspicious look, but I shrugged and changed the topic.
“Besides, isn’t afternoon tea still a bit far off? We haven’t even had breakfast.”
At my casual remark, Arin’s expression fell.
“The Sultan is extremely particular about aesthetics and taste. If you don’t dress properly, who knows what he might say…”
“Arin, don’t worry about that. I’m beautiful. No matter how you dress me, I’ll look stunning.”
Objectively speaking, my beauty far exceeded normal human standards.
Even wrapped in rags from the street, I could confidently say I’d still be strikingly beautiful.
Seeing my confident demeanor, Arin laughed heartily.
“Lady Ishtar, you always seem so full of confidence. I like that.”
“Well, I’m not lying.”
“That’s true… though somehow, you seem a bit different from before.”
Indeed, I was gradually regaining my original personality.
Since being dropped into this strange world, I had moments of melancholy and anxiety.
But now, back in human form and empowered by Ashhtar’s mysterious gift, I felt more alive than ever.
I was excited about the life ahead and brimming with confidence that I could do anything.
“Arin, I’m not dressing up to satisfy anyone else. I’ll wear pretty clothes when I want to, and I’ll dress up for myself when the time comes.”
“But… that’s my job.”
“I’m always grateful for your help. But if anyone ever tries to scold or hurt you because of me, don’t hide it—tell me. It might be difficult now, but I’ll make it right.”
Since coming to this world, Arin was the only person who cared for me selflessly.
Suleiman was more like a guardian, but our relationship was complicated and ambiguous.
If Aziz hadn’t searched for me, I might never have met Arin.
Because of that, I intended to take care of Arin like family.
“Lady Ishtar…”
Touched by my words, Arin teared up again.
“You’re… you’re truly amazing. No one I’ve served before ever tried to repay me. Usually, I just got scolded… even beaten…”
“Arin, people like that will surely face divine punishment someday.”
“Thank you for saying that, Lady Ishtar.”
“Alright, enough talk. Let’s eat. We need to live, after all.”
Finally, Arin let out a soft laugh.
I responded with a bright smile, enjoying a warm meal with her.
As the time of Hurem’s invitation approached, I changed into the neat clothes Arin had prepared and tidied my hair.
This new body I had received in rebirth made dressing up truly worthwhile.
Anything I wore suited me perfectly—from sexy outfits to innocent, delicate styles—so changing clothes was genuinely fun.
“Hmm, this will do.”
I chose a silver muslin dress that slightly revealed my shoulders and a finely crafted bracelet.
Adding heeled shoes accentuated the elegant flow of the muslin dress.
Satisfied with the effortlessly elegant look, I twirled before the mirror.
“How do I look, Arin? Does it suit me?”
“You’re truly beautiful.”
Arin wasn’t just saying it—her eyes were filled with admiration.
Feeling a little embarrassed, I cleared my throat. Arin quickly cooled her flushed cheeks and said:
“Anyone would fall for you like this.”
Her words made me think of someone.
‘I wonder what Suleiman would think if he saw me like this…’
Since the night of the inauguration, the only time we had met in human form was during a brief morning kiss.
He had left the room while I changed, and just as I returned to my cat form, he appeared as if by magic.
Whenever I was with Suleiman, he only ever saw my shabby state.
To think I wanted him to see me properly dressed… I realized I was getting flustered.
Earlier, I had confidently said I’d dress up when I wanted to. Yet now, it seemed I only wanted to look beautiful for Suleiman.
Not understanding this feeling completely, I just felt shy.
“It’s about time to leave, Lady Ishtar. It’ll take a while to reach the meeting place.”
“Got it. Let’s go.”
With Arin guiding me as usual, I stepped outside.
That day, a gentle rain fell.
Rare in the kingdom, the rain brought cheerful expressions to everyone we passed.
The soft spring drizzle soaking the lush palace grounds released a refreshing scent of grass.
The right amount of humidity, unlike the dry days before, felt pleasant on my skin.
I walked along the long corridor, listening to the rhythmic patter of raindrops.
The sprawling palace was mostly interconnected by corridors, forming a vast maze.
The Sultan’s residence was hidden deep inside, and visitors were strictly controlled.
Previously, Aziz and I had passed through easily, but this time it was different.
Only after Arin showed the Sultan’s invitation and verified our identities could we pass.
After walking for some time, we arrived at a massive greenhouse, easily the height of a three-story building.
The glass ceiling revealed rare and exotic plants and flowers I had never seen before.
It was so spacious that it even had a dedicated walking path inside.
“Arin, aren’t we going to the Sultan’s garden today?”
“No, Lady Ishtar. This greenhouse is specially opened only to royalty. It’s always lush and beautiful throughout the year.”
