Chapter 76
“Dozens of mansions?!”
Naturally, thinking it was a joke, I let out a small laugh.
“Come on, don’t joke around. That sounds way too grand for just some idle talk.”
“Does it sound like I’m just joking? I’m serious.”
“Uh… what?”
“Anything you need, just say it. If you want me to fetch a star from the sky, I will. If you want to become a king, I’ll make it happen. All you have to do is ask.”
Theron suddenly stopped walking and looked at me steadily.
His gaze was so serious that I lost the words to reply.
The silence that fell around us—like the air itself had stopped moving—was broken first by Theron.
“Of course, I’m joking. No matter how capable I am, there’s no way I could actually pluck a star from the sky.”
He shrugged, and I narrowed my eyes.
“…That somehow sounds like you could make me a king, though.”
I muttered the words to lighten the heavy mood, but he didn’t bother denying it—or confirming it.
After that, Theron and I slowly strolled along the path, talking about this and that.
At first, spending time with him felt slightly awkward, but gradually, I got used to it.
“Thank you for taking the time today, Ishtar. Would it be all right if I visit occasionally?”
“That might be difficult. You know… we can’t be too close. In many ways.”
“But we’re not so estranged that we can’t even ask about each other’s well-being, right?”
I paused, thinking.
He wasn’t entirely wrong.
“In that case, why don’t we just exchange letters? That should be enough to keep in touch.”
“Letters, huh… that’s a romantic way. It might suit secret friends like us.”
Ugh, no matter how I thought about it, “secret friends” sounded a bit off.
“Let’s not make it so gloomy. Let’s just be friends. Isn’t that better?”
“…Huh?”
He widened his eyes as if he’d never received a friend request in his life.
His reaction was so fresh that I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
“What’s so surprising? As if you don’t have a single friend.”
“I don’t. No friends.”
“That can’t be true. You’re joking, right?”
“No. I mean it.”
Theron slowly rolled the word friend in his mouth, as if savoring it, as if it had a tangible shape.
“In that case, you’ll be my first friend. I’m honored.”
“…I wouldn’t exactly call it an honor.”
Though the grand expression made me blush slightly, it didn’t feel bad.
In a world where I had few places I felt attached to, even the word friend held a certain special weight.
“Well, I should head back for today. Until next time.”
“Yes. But don’t show up unannounced like today.”
“Understood.”
Theron quietly agreed and disappeared into the distance.
I exhaled in relief and returned to my room.
That evening.
When Suleiman heard that Theron had come by, he couldn’t hide his anger.
“First Roxelana, and now Theron? Coming all the way here to see you… I can’t figure out what he’s up to.”
“I was surprised too… but nothing happened. We just talked for a while, then he left.”
“Come to think of it, I’ve never liked anyone getting close to you. I even saw you in your cat form, and—how do you say it—being so forward.”
Hmm.
If he found out what had happened between Theron and me, he’d probably rush to challenge him to a duel immediately.
“If Theron comes by again, call me right away. Or better yet, lock the door and don’t let him in. I’ll even order the steward to forbid him from entering.”
“Why are you reacting so sensitively? You sound like a jealous person.”
“Exactly. I can’t stand the thought of you being alone with another man.”
“…Huh?”
“Jealous. That’s what I’m feeling right now.”
I must have looked utterly shocked.
‘Could it be… he’s indirectly confessing to me?’
Suleiman’s neck was slightly flushed with embarrassment, despite having just dropped such a bombshell.
Seeing him like that made him look incredibly cute, and I felt like my own mind had gone a little crazy.
“…Why are you staring? If you have something to say, just say it.”
“Suleiman… I didn’t realize it before, but you have a cute side.”
“Cute… me?”
He looked at me with a strange expression.
Ah, I knew that look.
It was the same subtle expression Theron had made when he said friend that day.
Now I finally understood why I was especially weak to Theron.
No matter how different their mothers were, they were brothers, inseparable in some inexplicable way.
There was a shared feeling between them that couldn’t be explained in words.
It was the unique aura that only blood relatives could have.
That’s why I could become close to him faster.
“That’s an awkward way to put it. I’ve never heard someone call me cute before.”
“You’ve never heard it from Hurem either?”
“…I’d rather not remember that. Anyway, do you dislike being called cute? Doesn’t seem very manly.”
“In today’s world, what does that even mean? Haven’t you heard that being cute can save the world? Cute is always right, no matter the age or gender.”
“It’s hard to accept that immediately, but anyway, if you like it, Ishtar, that’s enough. No need to care about what others think.”
Why didn’t he realize that even giving small emotional support in words was just like his brother?
‘Well, there are differences.’
I knew two princes, but in my heart, there was only one prince.
‘If I tell him I like him, what kind of face will Suleiman make?’
He has no interest in other men, so there’s no reason to be jealous.
I smiled softly at Suleiman, hoping the time for a proper conversation would come sooner.
A few days later, I was summoned by Hurem and made my way to her greenhouse after a long while.
The greenhouse, surrounded by glass walls on all sides, was full of lush greenery.
Thanks to the high ceiling, even birds could fly freely, as if I had stepped into a small piece of nature.
I took a deep breath of the fresh scent of grass and flowers, savoring the greenery I hadn’t felt in a long time.
“This place hasn’t changed. Even as the seasons pass, it’s always beautiful.”
“You seem to like it here. I’ll make sure you can come anytime, so rest here whenever your mind and body feel tired.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
I drank tea and chatted with Hurem.
Our conversation was mostly trivial, yet it never felt boring.
That meant we had grown closer.
“I heard you still visit the clinic occasionally. Are you used to the work now?”
“Yes. It’s fun in its own way. And rewarding too.”
Satisfied with my answer, Hurem smiled gently.
“That’s good. Many citizens of the kingdom have regained their health thanks to you. You’ve done something truly remarkable.”
“I’ve also learned a lot about using my sacred energy through this opportunity. Going out seems good for my mental health too, so I’ll keep taking care of people for a while.”
She glanced at me briefly, then smiled.
“Indeed, you do look healthier than before. More lively. Life at the palace must feel stifling for a young lady like you. I remember when I first entered the palace; I felt trapped and bored.”
“How did you know? That’s exactly how I feel.”
“As you grow older, your perspective naturally widens. Anyway, I called you here today because I have something for you.”
With that, Hurem signaled to a servant nearby.
The servant brought a document, decorated with dazzling gold leaf.
She handed me a large document, at least the length of my forearm, saying:
“You’ve worked hard, so you deserve something in return. Open it and see. I’m sure you’ll like it.”
