Chapter 39
Late in the afternoon, I returned to the room in my cat form and had my hands full trying to calm Arin, who had burst into tears.
“Meow… meow.” (Don’t cry, Arin.)
“Sniff… I… I thought Ishtar had disappeared somewhere… I was worried you might have been kidnapped by someone…”
Ugh, my heart ached.
They say there’s great power hidden in a girl’s tears. Knowing that I was the very reason sweet, innocent Arin was crying filled me with an overwhelming sense of guilt.
In the end, I decided to use every bit of “cute cat” charm I could muster to soothe her.
“Meow, meow!” (Look here, Arin!)
“Huh…?”
I performed the repertoire of adorable cat antics I had been building up over time: rubbing against her legs, rolling over to show my plump pink belly, placing my front paws on my cheeks while looking up with sparkling eyes—acts that could melt even the angriest person.
‘Sure, I feel a little self-conscious, but who cares? It’s for Arin!’
Whether it was my effort or my charm, Arin gradually stopped sobbing.
“You’re comforting me? Even though I deserve a scolding…”
“Meow… meow. (No, I’m not… why would I.)”
She seemed to understand my intent and looked touched.
I felt a little embarrassed and scratched the bridge of my nose.
‘Should I tell her I transformed into a human?’
After thinking for a moment, I shook my head. If I told Arin, the news would reach Suleiman, and I didn’t want to worsen the already tense relationship between the brothers.
‘Besides, there’s no way I’d ask Theron for a kiss.’
Dealing with Suleiman’s relationship was headache enough. If Aziz found out, it would certainly cause more trouble.
So, I decided to consider the kiss incident as if it had never happened.
Time passed, and by evening, Arin was taking care of my meals and bedding.
“Where will you be sleeping tonight, Ishtar?”
Her cheerful question made me hesitate for a moment. After Suleiman left, I usually spent the night in my bed in the small room. It was my proper space, so that made sense.
But strangely, sleeping alone in that room didn’t feel right.
‘Have I gotten used to sleeping together…?’
Habits are a strange thing. For someone used to being alone, Suleiman’s presence suddenly felt essential. Just a few days without him left a void in my heart.
I wriggled my front paws and quietly pointed to Suleiman’s bed.
“Oh, that bed? I guess the place you’ve been sleeping for so long must feel more comfortable.”
“…Meow.” (Yes.)
I felt my ears heat up and twitched slightly. Thankfully, even Arin’s sharp perception wouldn’t pick up my true feelings.
She gently lifted me and placed me on Suleiman’s bed, carefully covering me with a blanket before turning off the lights.
“Sleep well, Ishtar. If you need anything, please ring the bell beside you.”
I glanced at the bell on the bedside table. It was a magical device designed so I could use it even in cat form. I nodded, and Arin stroked my fur softly before leaving the room.
‘…Smells so nice.’
The bedding carried a familiar scent I hadn’t noticed in a while. Without thinking, I buried my nose in it, filling my lungs with the comforting aroma.
A tiny cat sprawled across a huge bed, sniffing contentedly—an unusual sight indeed.
“Meow….” (So good….)
Curling up, I felt almost euphoric, as if I were wrapped in Suleiman’s warmth. Luckily, at this late hour, no one daring enough to enter the prince’s bedroom would be around.
Rolling and stretching across the expansive bed, longing for someone’s warmth, I eventually blinked my eyes closed.
“Haa….” (Yawn…)
Relaxed and at ease, I slowly drifted into a deep, sweet sleep—the sweetest in recent memory.
Two days after the incident with Theron, Suleiman returned to the palace early in the morning after a trip near the capital.
It was nearly dawn, and I was sound asleep. Quiet footsteps approached my bed, and a hand brushed aside the blanket, shaking my sleeping body awake.
“Wake up for a moment, Ishtar.”
“Meow….” (Hmm…)
Still drowsy, I rubbed my eyes with my paws. Looking up, I faintly saw the face of the person I had been longing to see.
“Meow…?” (Suleiman…?)
My pupils widened in surprise. Seeing me like this, Suleiman gently placed his hand on my cheek. His touch was warm and gentle, making my heart race.
“Long time no see. Have you been well?”
My heart throbbed, and I bit my lip. I felt I had so much to say, yet words failed me the moment I saw him.
Just then, Suleiman suddenly lifted me onto his shoulder and nuzzled his cheek against my soft body.
“I missed you, Ishtar.”
His breath tickled my neck and ears, and I squirmed instinctively. Perhaps because I was in cat form, his warmth felt even more intense.
Unable to resist, I instinctively unsheathed my claws, making him flinch.
“Sorry, I got carried away because I was so happy.”
…Actually, I was equally happy to see him. Maybe even more.
But, fortunately, I didn’t have to say that aloud. I rolled my eyes and avoided his gaze, hiding my longing.
Then I noticed a wound on his arm.
‘Could it be… the scratch I caused?’
Sure enough, my sharp cat claws had left a long scratch with a little blood.
“Meow…” (I’m sorry…)
I sighed. After so long, the first thing I did was leave a scratch.
Suleiman, however, seemed unconcerned.
“Is that what you’re worried about? A little spit will make it heal quickly. Don’t worry.”
Holding me in both hands, he freed neither. The faint scent of blood on him grew stronger, and instinctively, I licked his wound.
Softly, my rough tongue touched the scratch, making him shiver.
‘Oh… maybe this isn’t helping?’
I only wanted to give first aid. I had heard that human saliva could help protect wounds, but cat saliva? I wasn’t sure.
“…Don’t do that. You’ll smell the blood.”
Blood? I sniffed around and realized the faint metallic scent had been there for a while.
He carefully returned me to the bed.
“On the way back from the capital, we ran into a group of bandits. I changed clothes, but haven’t had the chance to wash yet.”
Ah, now I understood the source of the smell. I bristled, realizing the stains on his skin were all blood.
How many people had he cut down to get like that?
Noticing my shocked gaze, Suleiman gave a wry smile.
“Maybe I acted too hastily. I’ll be more careful next time.”
His faintly gloomy expression made me wave my paws frantically: No, it’s fine! I also wanted to see you!
“I have to leave for the residence this morning to handle some matters. We can meet for dinner later.”
Wait—he just arrived and immediately leaves? I gestured frantically with my paws, warning him he might tire himself out, but of course, he didn’t react.
“Since I can’t stop by, do you want me to turn you back into human form now?”
He asked, silently, if I would allow a kiss. I nodded obediently, and as usual, he covered me with the blanket and lightly kissed me.
As his lips pulled away with a soft chuup, my body began to transform.
No pain at all compared to the last time.
“Suleiman…?”
Now fully human again, I peeked out from the blanket, only to find he was already gone.
“…Gone?”
Without even a greeting. Feeling oddly empty, I sighed quietly and got up.
Yet, just knowing he had returned made my heart flutter. Outside the window, the sun rose boldly, heralding a new day.
