Chapter 19
“Meooow.” (Yaaawn.)
When I opened my eyes to the cheerful chirping of birds outside the window, morning had already arrived.
Blinking sleepily, I looked down at my body, which had once again turned into a cat.
Before I fell asleep, I was definitely inside the wardrobe…
The broken window had been neatly replaced, and the blood that had soaked the floor was gone without a trace.
The assassin’s attack from last night felt like nothing more than a midsummer night’s dream.
But when my eyes fell on the woman’s clothing hanging neatly on the other side of the room, I realized—
That wasn’t a dream.
It was the long white dress I had worn yesterday, after turning into a human.
As I was staring blankly at the trailing fabric, a man’s voice spoke right behind me.
“Looks like you slept well.”
Startled, I leapt into the air with a loud “Meooow!!”
Glancing back, I saw Suleiman resting his arm on a pillow, gazing lazily at me.
Why is he dressed like that again…?
Wearing only a loosely tied robe, he looked far too indecent for this bright morning.
The glimpse of his smooth chest and faint muscles through the gap in his robe was enough to make my face burn.
Even if I were human, his physique would look broad and solid—but through a kitten’s eyes, it was downright colossal.
At such a close distance, where I could even feel his breath, I could hardly look straight at him.
When I instinctively backed away, Suleiman suddenly snatched me up.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
I was just the right size to fit in one of his hands, so the tiny kitten that was me was pulled helplessly right in front of his face.
Meeting those ruby-red eyes head-on, I gulped.
The image of him mercilessly cutting down the assassin and drenching himself in blood yesterday flashed through my mind.
I quickly averted my gaze, but his eyes followed me relentlessly.
“Look at me. Don’t turn away.”
No thanks! I don’t want to look at you!!
Just receiving that heavy gaze made me feel like I was tied up with ropes.
My fluffy tail twitched nervously side to side.
As I inched backward again, he sighed and leaned his face in closer.
“Me-Meow…!” (Wh-What are you doing…!)
His face was so close that I could see the fine hairs on his skin. My body froze stiff on the spot.
“You’re suspicious, no matter how I think about it.”
Panicked, I raised my front paws and waved them frantically from side to side, desperately trying to proclaim my innocence.
If he suspects me, I’m done for.
After last night, who knew if he’d cut down a suspicious cat just as easily as he did that assassin?
Killing a cat would be nothing for someone who killed people so easily.
While I trembled inside, Suleiman’s mind was tangled with doubts.
The woman who had disappeared from his room like last time could not be found anywhere in the palace.
Even after soldiers combed every corner, she was gone without a trace. Her vanishing act was unbelievable.
And where she disappeared, only a small white kitten remained.
He couldn’t shake off the suspicion growing inside him—an impossible hypothesis.
That somehow, the woman wearing the same choker and this kitten were connected.
The kitten, trying to avoid his gaze, reminded him of her.
The same hesitant atmosphere, the same urge to run from him.
And above all—
“…Yes, especially the eyes.”
“Meow?”
“The eye color is the same. No, identical.”
At his murmur, the kitten’s pupils widened.
This cat, who clearly understood human speech, had too many suspicious points if one thought about it.
The same choker. The same dazzling heterochromatic eyes like glass marbles.
And whenever the woman appeared and vanished, this cat was always there.
Without realizing it, Suleiman reached out and stroked the cat’s cheek.
When his hand brushed over my forehead and nape, my body went rigid.
“Mrrrow…”
I looked up at him nervously, eyes wavering between pushing him away and yielding.
Why did that wavering gaze remind him so much of her?
“Your Highness, it’s time to get ready,” came the attendant’s urgent voice from outside.
Suleiman rose, and soon the door opened as maids and servants entered to dress him.
Today was the day of his inauguration as governor—a grand event where not only nobles of the capital but influential figures from across the kingdom would gather.
“Allow us to dress you, sire.”
Suleiman donned a deep navy ceremonial uniform embroidered with golden thread.
Then, a pitch-black cloak that let no light pass was draped over his shoulders.
His slicked-back hair and dignified figure were a far cry from the languid man who had just lounged in bed.
Once preparations were complete, he turned back toward the bed.
There sat his nameless kitten, gazing at him.
The small ball of fur, left alone on the bed where two had been before, somehow looked lonely, even pitiful.
“Your Highness, the ministers are waiting. We must go.”
“…Very well.”
With one last glance at the kitten, Suleiman stepped into the bright sunlight pouring beyond the door.
When everyone had left, I collapsed weakly onto the bed.
The pressure and dread I felt whenever I met his eyes were too much for an ordinary girl like me to handle.
I’ll have to ask Aziz for help.
If I revealed that I was the same person as that woman, Suleiman would stop doubting me.
After all, when I was in human form, he hadn’t doubted me—just thought I was acting under someone named Roxelana’s orders.
Though I still wasn’t completely comfortable with Aziz, I realized I needed to use him to escape this situation.
Living in fear of being stabbed in my sleep by the man I shared a bed with was impossible.
Still, it’s not all bad.
Meeting Ashtar in that dreamlike subconscious space had been a huge gain.
The dress hanging there was the same design as the one Ashtar wore.
That meant the power she had given me wasn’t an illusion—it was real.
As a human again, I could walk and speak freely.
If I could convince Suleiman through Aziz and find a way to stay human, I could survive in this world on my own.
Alright, let’s do this.
Clenching my tiny paw, I made up my mind.
I couldn’t keep living as a cat, used and helpless!
The world was harsh for a lone woman too, but with the water magic Ashtar granted me, I could survive.
And while I was here, I might as well stash away some valuables.
Of course, without harming Arin.
As I was plotting my “new life project,” the door burst open and Arin ran in.
The girl grabbed her skirt and rushed straight to me, clutching my paw with a face on the verge of tears.
“Kitty! Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you?”
Realizing she was worried about me after the assassin attack yesterday, I gave her a small nod.
In truth, I felt better than ever.
Whether it was thanks to Ashtar’s blessing or her power, my body was light and brimming with energy.
Relieved, Arin let her tears spill down her cheeks.
Her warmth made my chest tighten, and I instinctively licked the teardrops from her chin like my own cat once did for me.
The salty warmth disappeared under my tongue, and Arin’s face brightened instantly.
“I’m so glad you’re safe. You don’t know how worried I was after hearing about the commotion yesterday.”
“Meooow.” (I’m fine.)
Arin seemed touched that I replied, and planted a kiss on my forehead.
By now, I was somewhat used to her affection.
I wondered what she would think if she learned that I was actually older than her and human.
But until then, letting her dote on me wasn’t such a bad thing.
“I’d like to let you rest today, but since it’s the inauguration, I can’t. I’ll bring a sofa so you can at least relax there.”
In truth, I felt so energized that I probably wouldn’t nap as much anymore, but I was grateful for her kindness.
To show thanks, I rubbed my head affectionately against her.
“Then, let’s get you ready.”
Arin carefully applied a special oil for cats onto my fur, massaging me gently with her small hands.
After grooming my coat thoroughly, she dressed me in the outfit she’d prepared.
With a draped gown and a silver crown, I looked like a cat princess straight out of a fairy tale.
She checked to make sure I was comfortable, then held up a mirror.
“Oh my goodness, kitty! You’re absolutely gorgeous!!”
“So graceful—like a true royal cat. How can you be this cute and dignified at the same time?”
It was no wonder Arin and the other girls squealed with delight.
Even to me, the cat in the mirror looked so lovely that anyone, from child to elder, would fall for her.
Okay… I really am pretty.
I turned this way and that, admiring myself with a satisfied smile.
The outfit, designed for cats, was comfortable with no tight parts.
Of course, I’d prefer to wear pretty dresses and jewelry as a human, but that could wait.
I’ll just save up and buy pretty clothes later.
After yesterday, I was confident I could become human again, and that gave me peace of mind.
With hope and courage swelling inside me, nothing seemed impossible.
As for this inauguration or whatever—
I had already survived Korea’s terrifying college entrance exams and entered my dream university with a scholarship.
What was there to be afraid of?
I would handle this just fine, and I would definitely become human again!!
Lifting my little paw with determination, I made a fist.
The girls squealed at how cute I looked.
And so, once again, I unknowingly grew my fanbase as I was carried off to the place where the inauguration would be held.
