Chapter 42
Schleiman, having returned the book to its original place, quietly looked at me.
I felt a flush rising to my face under his slowly scanning gaze.
“Why are you staring at me like that…?”
“Ah. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen this outfit. The way the embroidery is done is unusual—it looks like it was imported from abroad.”
“…Don’t tell me that’s something included in the prince’s education too?”
“You probably learned a bit and already know, but in this kingdom, patterns and embroidery are very important. On a small scale, they reflect local characteristics, and on a larger scale, they even affect the economy. High-quality fabrics are worth a lot of money.”
Ah, I see.
I recalled the lavish Arab-style patterns and brilliant stained glass that decorated the palace, and I nodded in agreement.
In the desert regions not far from the capital, a single well-made embroidery on ordinary fabric can be worth the price of a camel. I suppose it really is important.
“This dress was made in the palace sewing room. Since it arrived today, I decided to wear it out.”
“I see. It suits you well. The color even matches your eyes… truly beautiful.”
His unexpected praise made my face flush red. I felt as if steam was rising from my head like a freshly cooked rice cooker.
“W-What…? That’s not like you at all.”
“…Have I never said something like this before?”
He touched his chin and seemed lost in thought for a moment, as if he had been contemplating this for a long time but had never voiced it.
I fanned my heated cheeks with the back of my hand, cleared my throat, and opened my mouth.
“Anyway, let’s go eat. We met to have dinner together, didn’t we?”
“That’s true. But… there seems to be a small problem.”
What now?
I furrowed my brow slightly, eager to escape the awkward tension. Schleiman then pointed with his finger to the window, where the reddish glow of the sunset was settling.
“We came in a hurry, but it seems we’re a bit late.”
“Ah…”
I realized what he meant a little too late, and my expression stiffened.
Schleiman had returned from his tour and transformed me into a human earlier this morning. Already, quite some time had passed, and there wasn’t enough time for a leisurely meal.
I slumped my shoulders, disappointed that our first meal together alone wouldn’t be as special as I had hoped. Looks like I’ll have to settle for a cat treat today.
Noticing my disappointment, Schleiman slowly approached me.
“…Disappointed?”
“Well, I heard from Arin that today’s dishes would be quite delicious. But it’s fine. I heard you even prepared something for cats, just in case.”
As I let out a faint sigh, resigned, he moved a little closer. The red sunset spilled across his silhouette in the dim library.
I felt as if a dark shadow suddenly fell before me, and I instinctively lifted my head.
Rustle.
Schleiman raised his hand and lowered the veil over my head. The dim view became even blurrier.
“Why the veil all of a sudden?”
I wondered if someone who shouldn’t see my face was approaching, and looked up at where Schleiman might be. Suddenly, a warm palm pressed against my cheek.
“Schleiman…?”
“Hold still for a moment.”
His large hand, more suited to holding a sword than a book, completely covered my face. I could feel the warmth of his skin through the slightly rough veil.
Just as I thought my vision had darkened further,
smack
Something soft and pliant touched my lips. At the same time, my eyes widened like a cat’s.
Through the veil, my lips met Schleiman’s full lips. His slightly moist lips lightly pressed against mine and then released.
The veil’s texture felt softer than anything else in the world.
I froze like a stone, unable to say a word.
By the time I came to my senses, his hand and lips had already withdrawn.
“…That should do. We can have dinner together now.”
Wha—?!
“W-What did you just do to me?”
“Hm?”
“I- I mean… we just…”
“We kissed.”
?!?!!
His calm, matter-of-fact tone sent dozens of question marks and exclamation points racing through my mind.
‘Wait, what is he even saying…’
He said “we kissed” as if it were completely normal, leaving me stunned and dumbfounded.
I couldn’t even think of removing the veil from my face when Schleiman turned away first.
“The meal should be ready. Let’s go. The food will get cold if we wait too long.”
Like someone truly concerned about cold food, he spun around and walked briskly away.
Alone in the fully darkened library, I raised my hand to my lips, still feeling the lingering warmth.
Afterwards.
When I arrived at the dining area with Schleiman, I moved my utensils mechanically, barely aware of whether the food went into my mouth or not.
It made sense—after all, I had just had my lips taken so suddenly.
Moreover, I had never properly dated in my past life, being too consumed by studying and part-time work.
So, that kiss was officially my first.
‘Unfair…’
Even considering minor touches while in cat form, I had never intentionally pressed lips together like that.
Even with the thin veil between us, the kiss was completely unacceptable.
My anger rising, I stabbed at the juicy steak with my fork and shot a glance at Schleiman.
He, in contrast to my boiling frustration, sliced his food elegantly, his posture and manners perfect, making my anger grow deeper.
‘Even if we kiss every morning, this is different.’
The so-called morning kisses were hardly formal; I was usually in cat form and often asleep.
But dinner was different. Schleiman rarely returned to his room before me. Most times, he came when I had already transformed into my cat form naturally.
I had no idea why he kissed me. Had I missed some royal etiquette about kisses being polite manners?!
Flustered, I ate faster, trying to channel my frustration into chewing.
“Take your time, Ishtar. There’s plenty of food.”
What, does he think I’m having a binge-eating episode or something?!
“My cup is empty. You must be thirsty.”
He signaled to a servant, and my glass was filled halfway with reddish wine.
I frowned but gulped it down.
“One more, please.”
Desperate to get something down my throat, I emptied the glass again. Some alcohol had clearly hit my system.
I set the glass down with a sulky expression and spoke.
“Prince… um, Schleiman.”
“Just call me Schleiman.”
“…Schleiman, why did you suddenly kiss me back there without saying a word—!”
I realized belatedly that we weren’t alone—several attendants were also present—and my words faltered.
“…It’s nothing.”
Hmph. Just because he’s good-looking, fit, and charming, he can do whatever he wants?
I gritted my teeth in frustration, and soon enough, overwhelmed by the alcohol, I collapsed face-first onto the tablecloth.
“Ishtar…?”
I vaguely felt Schleiman, sitting across the long table, spring to his feet.
The wine I had been drinking like juice was actually extremely strong.
Completely drunk, I was carried back to the room in Schleiman’s arms, resisting a few men who tried to take me, telling them “It’s fine.”
I might have muttered something like “Give me back my first kiss, you bastard…” while grabbing his collar in the hallway, but I decided to erase that from reality forever.
That day, yet another rumor circulated through the palace: “Schleiman’s favorite is a drunken troublemaker.”
