Chapter 51
“By her… do you mean Ashtar?”
“No. I am nothing but a lowly priest. I was never granted the honor of meeting the goddess— not even in a dream.”
Then who could it be?
I was about to ask, but closed my mouth instead.
Even without knowing the details, I could instinctively tell that this was something deeply personal.
So, I just stood there awkwardly, pretending to pet Tuxedo Cat in my arms.
After a brief silence, Aziz lifted the kitten—who was gnawing softly on my fingertip—and smiled faintly.
“Thank you for healing the cat. The ones at the temple will be happy too.”
“Uh, yeah. If you ever find another sick cat, let me know. I’ll try to help.”
“Lady Ishtar, you are truly… a kind person.”
There was a bitter smile on Aziz’s lips as he said that.
But, as if brushing it off, he soon returned to his usual calm self, bowed politely, and disappeared.
Left alone in the wide hall, I scratched my head and decided to go find Arin, who was probably waiting for class to end.
That evening, I returned to my room and decided to eat before I transformed into a cat.
Lately, I’d often had dinner with Suleiman, but today he’d said he had to leave the palace for some business, so I didn’t know when he’d be back.
Feeling a bit lonely, I decided to have a cozy meal with Arin instead.
The tender lamb and spinach curry, along with the heavily spiced kebab, suited my taste perfectly.
And when I had the black tea and sweet ice cream for dessert, all traces of gloom seemed to melt away.
‘Wow, this ice cream is really good.’
The white ice cream in the glass cup was so thick and stretchy it clung to the spoon.
I took a big scoop and couldn’t help but exclaim softly.
“What’s this called? It’s kind of like gelato.”
“Dondurma. It’s made from goat’s milk and a powder called salep, which comes from wild orchids. The resin from the frankincense tree gives it that chewy texture.”
Oh. So that’s what they call ice cream here.
Now that I thought about it, it tasted kind of like the Turkish ice cream I’d once tried in Itaewon.
I eagerly devoured the ice cream, spoon moving nonstop, and then rubbed my now round belly that bulged under my dress.
But then— a shiver ran down my spine.
A telltale sign that I was about to turn into a cat.
“Arin, I think I’m changing soon. I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“It’s already that time, I see. Understood.”
I got up from my chair and sat down on the edge of the bed.
As I closed my eyes, I felt my body shrinking with a soft swish.
“Meow~.” (There we go.)
Where a beautiful woman had just been sitting, now lay a pure white Turkish Angora cat— beside a discarded dress.
After transforming so often, the process had long since become second nature.
Arin, skilled as ever, began preparing me for bed.
She carefully set aside my clothes and jewelry, then wiped my face with a soft towel and even helped me brush my teeth.
After that, she gently brushed my fur until it gleamed, finishing off with a fragrant oil that made my coat silky smooth.
“All done, Lady Ishtar.”
“Meow, nya~.” (Thanks, Arin.)
Smiling proudly at her work, Arin carefully lifted me onto the bed, setting me near the pillow.
“Will you sleep right away, Lady Ishtar? If you’re sleepy, I’ll turn off the lights.”
“Meow…” (Hmm…)
I thought for a moment, chin resting on my paw, then shook my head.
“Meow-meow.” (It’s fine. Leave them on.)
“Understood. Have a peaceful night, Lady Ishtar.”
She patted my head a few times before tiptoeing out of the room.
Left alone in the silent, almost eerie quiet, I flopped down onto the bed.
“Meow~.” (So full…)
I’d eaten so much that my soft pink belly fur was puffed out adorably.
I rubbed it lazily with my paw and yawned.
‘Maybe I’m tired from using so much power earlier.’
One thing I’d learned from training with Aziz— if I used too much divine energy, I’d get incredibly sleepy afterward.
Now I realized why I’d been constantly tired when I first started living with Suleiman.
Unknowingly, I’d been healing his cursed body every day, so of course I was exhausted all the time.
Nodding off, I eventually drifted into sleep.
When I woke again, it was well past midnight.
“Meow…?” (Huh…?)
Something soft covered my exposed belly— a blanket.
And then a large hand gently brushed my cheek.
“You’ll catch a cold if you sleep like that, Ishtar.”
Suleiman’s warm, velvety voice echoed softly in the quiet room.
Still half-asleep, I nuzzled my face into his warm palm.
His hand paused for a moment, then began to stroke my forehead and back.
Before I knew it, I was purring contentedly, a smile curling my whiskers.
“…Cute.”
I thought I heard him sigh faintly, and then the bed dipped as he lay down.
That was when I realized— this wasn’t a dream.
‘Wait… why is he lying like that?’
Suleiman was awkwardly curled up at the edge of the bed, his large frame barely fitting.
Meanwhile, tiny little me was taking up two-thirds of the space.
“Meow, meow!” (Suleiman, come here.)
I tapped the vast empty spot beside me with my paw.
But even though he clearly understood, he avoided my gaze and muttered,
“I’m fine here. Don’t worry about me. Go back to sleep.”
…Excuse me? What kind of nonsense was that?
Usually, he’d hold me in his arms or let me sleep on his arm like a pillow.
At first it was awkward, but I’d already accepted my fate as his living plush toy.
And now he suddenly wanted to sleep apart— and was avoiding me so obviously?
‘Something’s very suspicious about you tonight, mister.’
Pouting, I narrowed my eyes and studied him closely.
He must’ve washed up in a hurry, because his black hair was still damp, droplets sliding down.
And— his scent was different.
Instead of his usual warm, soothing smell, there was a sharp, artificial soap scent.
My nose wrinkled.
‘I’ve seen this plot before… in a morning drama!’
A man who always comes home before sunset, but suddenly says he’s “busy,” returns late at night—
his hair wet, and smelling like an unfamiliar soap?
A hundred percent cheating.
‘Not that we’re even in a relationship or anything…’
But still— we share the same bed! And you just go out seeing other women without even a word?!
Dozens of wild thoughts flashed through my head, and my fur puffed up in anger.
“Grrr…” (So annoying…)
Just the thought of him laughing with some woman somewhere made my blood pressure rise.
The fur Arin had so carefully brushed was now standing on end, and my tail was rigid with fury.
“What’s wrong, Ishtar…?”
He looked startled at the low growl rumbling from my throat— something I’d never done before— and reached out to soothe me.
But I batted his hand away sharply.
“Meow! Nyaa! Myaa! Hisss! Meow-nyaaa!”
(How could you! I don’t care about your love life, but you could’ve at least told me!
You suddenly act like this— what am I supposed to think, you idiot!)
Of course, he couldn’t understand a word.
Looking utterly confused, he blinked at me while I— furious beyond reason— dove under the blankets and refused to come out.
‘Damn it, why am I even this mad?’
Seething under the covers, I heard him gently lift a corner and say in a quiet, apologetic voice,
“Are you angry? I’m sorry, Ishtar. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Meow.” (Whatever.)
“It’s not that I wanted to sleep apart. I just… didn’t want you to smell blood on me.”
“Meow?” (What?)
I turned to him, eyes wide.
Suleiman looked down, his face clouded with guilt.
‘Ugh… that face should be illegal.’
His long lashes caught the candlelight, glinting like fine silk threads.
For a second, the light made his eyes look tearful, and guilt pricked my heart.
“I had to raid an illegal trading site at the harbor tonight. I… got covered in blood dealing with those who resisted.”
Realizing now why he’d come home late, I winced.
‘Oh no… I totally jumped to conclusions.’
Suleiman always made sure to dry his hair completely before bed— so I wouldn’t catch a chill while sleeping near him.
He hadn’t done that tonight not out of carelessness, but because he’d rushed back, exhausted…
for the little cat waiting in his room.
