Chapter 23
While Süleyman briefly stepped out, I hurriedly changed my clothes.
Thankfully, the outfit was easy to wear, so I managed without help.
‘But… isn’t this a little too revealing?’
The outfit showed more skin than I was comfortable with, so I felt too embarrassed to go out like that.
In the end, I decided to cover myself up with the blanket again, just like before.
“Can I come in now?”
“Yes, it’s fine now.”
When Süleyman returned, he looked at me—wrapped tightly in the blanket—and let out a small sigh.
“It seems you’ll be needing quite a lot of things. I already told Iblan’s younger sister about your situation, so get her help.”
“You mean Arin?”
“Yes, that was her name. She’s young, but I heard she’s been serving in this palace for quite some time. She’ll take good care of you.”
When I nodded, Süleyman stepped closer and asked,
“Is there anything wrong with your body? Tell me if you feel even the slightest pain or discomfort.”
“Um… I think I’m fine. Nothing really hurts.”
“…Condition?”
Ah, he doesn’t understand that word.
I’d already been here long enough to sometimes forget this was a different world.
“I meant my physical state. Where I’m from, that’s what we say.”
Süleyman frowned slightly and asked,
“Where exactly are you from? Are you truly not of this world?”
“I don’t really know myself. But yes, this world is completely different from where I used to live.”
“What kind of place was it?”
His unexpectedly serious question made me stop and think.
My previous world wasn’t exactly unhappy, but there weren’t that many good memories either.
I just lived day to day, doing my best to endure.
Well, that life only lasted twenty years before it suddenly ended.
“It was just… ordinary. No magic, no sorcery. But still livable in its own way.”
“That, I find rather pleasing.”
No sooner had he said that than someone banged loudly on the door.
“Your Highness, it is time for your departure.”
“Wait a moment.”
Once it was quiet outside again, he turned back to me.
“Aziz mentioned that transforming from a cat into a human might cause pain or side effects. If you notice anything unusual, tell me immediately.”
“Side effects, huh…”
Now that I thought about it, the first time I met Süleyman, I’d been in such bad shape I rolled right off the bed.
Maybe it was thanks to Ashutar’s power, but ever since I started staying in the same room with Süleyman, nothing like that had happened again.
Yesterday and today, even after kissing him, I felt perfectly fine.
“For now, I feel okay. My head aches a little, but nothing serious.”
“That’s good. Ask Aziz for more details. I spoke with him yesterday, and he said he’ll help you maintain your human form from now on.”
“Help me…?”
“Yes. He’ll need time before he can return you fully to a human state. Until then, learning what you can will benefit you.”
“Ugh, I studied enough to death for entrance exams already.”
“What was that?”
“Ah, nothing.”
Thinking back on those grueling college exams made my past life feel like such a waste. But what could I do now?
As he said, I had to live in this world and learn what was necessary.
‘Maybe this is like switching from dirt spoon to golden spoon.’
Life in the palace wouldn’t be easy, but compared to being an orphan in my past life, this was a huge opportunity.
If I found a way to maintain my human form properly, I could even live a comfortable life here.
On top of that, my position was advantageous.
I was right beside the royal family’s future most powerful figure.
‘The mother is the sultana, and the son’s the heir… smells like money everywhere.’
Suddenly, Süleyman’s handsome face looked to me like a giant golden spoon.
‘Might as well milk this for all it’s worth and then make my exit.’
Prophecies or chosen-cat nonsense had nothing to do with me.
Once I finished this little mental simulation, I quickly shifted my attitude.
“I’ll study hard. But you better reward me properly later.”
“I’ll remember that. I’d like to talk longer… but I’m short on time.”
Oh right, today must be Süleyman’s first official day reporting for duty as governor.
I’d never worked at a company, but I’d heard first days were super important.
Nodding, I dragged the blanket along and saw him to the door.
“Have a good day.”
At my polite farewell, his expression shifted strangely.
Embarrassed, I pulled the blanket over my head again.
Then, just as he was about to turn the door handle, his hand froze.
“…I’ll be back, Ishtar.”
“Huh? Ah. Okay. See you later.”
Thunk.
The heavy door shut with a deep sound, and left alone, I scratched my cheek.
Because the look on Süleyman’s face just before leaving seemed suspicious.
“His cheeks looked kind of red…”
Did he catch a cold from overexerting yesterday?
‘I’ll need to be careful when kissing then.’
If we were sharing the same bed, I didn’t want to catch his cold. I hated being sick.
“But… what should I do now?”
I felt restless, like going for a walk.
But since I could turn into a cat at any moment, and I wasn’t familiar with the palace yet, wandering alone felt risky.
“Eh, forget it. I’ll just sleep more.”
Throwing myself onto the fluffy bed, I drifted into a long, sweet nap.
*
“E-excuse me.”
I frowned as someone poked at me, then turned onto my side.
“Mmm… don’t wake me. I’m sleeping more.”
“Kitty—no, young lady… please, wake up.”
It wasn’t until I recognized Arin’s voice that I shot upright.
Arin stared at me wide-eyed, her expression full of shock.
“Y-you really… are the cat…?”
Oh, that’s right. Iblan said he would explain my identity to her.
Clearing my throat awkwardly, I said, almost shyly,
“Yes. I’m the very cat you used to take care of.”
“Good heavens…!! T-this sort of thing…”
Her hands trembled as she spoke, and I felt a little guilty, so I patted her head.
“Sorry for startling you. I didn’t mean to hide it, but I couldn’t speak before.”
“That such a miracle could exist… oh, Ashutar!”
Clasping her hands together, Arin began to pray.
Since I’d actually met Ashutar, I couldn’t help but feel awkward.
“Arin, I may not look it right now, but I’m just an ordinary person. Please treat me comfortably.”
“How could I dare treat the incarnation of a god so lightly…”
“Please, don’t call me that. It gives me goosebumps.”
“T-then what should I call you? I can’t just keep saying ‘kitty’ anymore…”
“Süleyman gave me the name Ishtar.”
“Oh, what a beautiful name! Understood. From now on, I’ll address you as Lady Ishtar.”
“Likewise, I look forward to your help, Arin.”
When I smiled at her, she twisted and squirmed in embarrassment, blushing so red it looked like her face was on fire.
“Why so flustered? I might look different, but I’m still the same.”
“It’s just… you’re so beautiful. I’ve never seen anyone as stunning as you, Lady Ishtar.”
Led by her, I walked to the mirror, and only then could I understand what she meant.
‘No wonder she can’t look straight at me.’
Despite having just woken up without washing, the reflection was breathtaking.
There were faint pillow creases on my cheek, but they didn’t matter.
My silvery hair shimmered in the sunlight like melting cotton candy, my skin was luminous and flawless.
Clear, defined features, lashes so long you could balance a pen on them—the whole face was dazzling even to me.
‘Yeah… I could stare at myself too.’
Süleyman, my stoic temporary caretaker, had only made steady eye contact with me.
Being an extraordinary beauty himself, I guess ordinary pretty faces didn’t impress him much.
That thought made me puff my cheeks in irritation.
“What’s wrong, Lady Ishtar? Are you unwell?”
“N-no, it’s fine. Just… I should change clothes.”
“Anticipating that, I brought some comfortable outfits and shoes for you. I didn’t know your exact size, so I only managed a few, but I’ll bring more later.”
“Thanks.”
With Arin’s help, I washed and changed, then ate a light meal in the room.
I hadn’t noticed when I was a cat, but now that I was human, I had a sudden strong urge to go outside.
“Arin, can’t we go for a walk? Remember when I was a cat, we used to stroll around? The flower field we went to was so pretty.”
“Ah… we can, but as you are now, you’d draw too much attention. Your hair and eyes are far too exotic.”
“My looks are exotic here?”
“Yes. I’ve heard that somewhere far west there are people with features like yours, Lady Ishtar. But within the kingdom, silver hair is so rare it’s nearly impossible to find.”
Just as I was worrying if there was some way around this, Arin snapped her fingers as if a brilliant idea had come to her.
