Chapter 38
“Phew… finally gone?”
In reality, Roxelana had only been there for a few minutes, but it had felt like I’d been hiding forever.
Relieved, I let out a breath and pressed a hand to my chest — just as the wardrobe door creaked open.
‘Ugh, so bright.’
The sudden flood of light into the dark space stung my eyes.
Through the brilliant glow, Theron’s gently smiling face slowly came into focus.
“You must have waited long. It must’ve been cramped and stuffy. You’ve done well.”
“…Will anyone else come looking?”
“I’ve already told them to turn away any further visitors. No one else will come.”
I nodded and carefully stepped out of the wardrobe.
‘Looks like my body’s fully back to normal now.’
Unlike before, I felt light, with no pain or soreness.
It must’ve stabilized now that some time had passed since I transformed into a human.
“I didn’t expect my mother to barge in like that. Sorry to have startled you.”
“This is your palace; it can’t be helped. By the way, what were you talking about earlier? I couldn’t hear very well.”
“Oh, just the usual urging of a mother with an unambitious son. Nothing you’d gain much from hearing.”
Cutting off the conversation as if he had no intention of explaining further, Theron led me to the tea table.
He moved with practiced ease, brewing tea himself — a gesture I found surprising, since I’d assumed he would call someone to do it for him.
“It’s an herbal tea to calm the nerves. It should ease your fright.”
“I didn’t expect a prince to serve tea himself.”
“Tea has more virtues than one might think. I prefer to personally brew the tea served within the palace, especially for important guests.”
Before I could ask what he meant by that, Theron spoke again.
“I should think of a way to escort you back to the palace. In your current form, you’re bound to attract attention.”
“That’s true. It might be better to return as a cat…”
“How do you turn back into a cat? Do I need to kiss you again?”
“…No. It just happens naturally after some time.”
“So the magic fades on its own. That’s rather romantic.”
Unlike him, who had room to make light of it, I was growing anxious.
My biggest worry was Arin.
I’d disappeared without warning — she must be beside herself.
I could already picture her crying, searching for me everywhere.
“It feels like a lot of time has passed. How long have I been here?”
“About an hour, I’d say.”
What?!
Already that long?!
I bit my nails nervously.
‘What do I do? Should I just return in human form?’
But even if I disguised myself perfectly, slipping past all those palace staff unseen would be nearly impossible.
“You look troubled. Is something worrying you?”
“I’m thinking of someone waiting for me.”
“If you mean Brother Suleiman, he isn’t in the capital right now.”
“There’s someone else who looks after me. She must be worried sick by now.”
“That maid who serves you? Arin, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s her.”
“I’ll let you know the moment you’re ready to leave, so don’t worry too much. Now then, shall we return to what we were discussing? What is it you wanted to ask of me?”
When he asked with such a serious look, I straightened my back and spoke nervously.
“I’d like you to keep it a secret that I came here. And also that kissing you turns me back.”
“Why? Are you afraid my brother will be angry if he finds out?”
“Suleiman isn’t the kind of person to get angry over something like this.”
“Hmm. You can never be sure.”
Ignoring his skeptical tone, I continued.
“To be blunt, I don’t want to cause upheaval in the world because I’m the prophesied cat. If it becomes known there are two people who can transform me, the confusion will be even greater. I believe you understand what I mean.”
“You’re hesitant because of the prophecy, then. Worried I might desire the sultan’s throne?”
“…”
He had pinpointed my concern exactly. I met his gaze without answering.
The short silence between us ended when Theron laughed lightly.
“I have no interest in becoming sultan, so don’t look at me like that. Living freely as I do now suits me better. Unless I change my mind someday, of course.”
“How can I trust that?”
“I can’t show you my heart, so you’ll have to take my word for it. But for now, I am telling you the truth.”
So he couldn’t guarantee the future.
His honesty, though, softened me a little.
“But it’s no fun to grant a one-sided favor. How about we make a deal?”
“A… deal?”
“Yes. In exchange for my keeping those two secrets, Lady Ishtar must also keep this matter from everyone. Especially my brother.”
That condition plunged me into deep thought.
I could accept keeping it from others, but keeping it from Suleiman forever? That didn’t sit well with me.
“If you don’t agree to my terms, Lady Ishtar’s secret might spread through the entire capital. What will you do?”
“That sounds like blackmail, doesn’t it? Aren’t you a prince?”
“I’ve never pretended to be particularly virtuous.”
Wow. Was this his real personality?
I stared, slack-jawed, at Theron’s composed facade, realizing I’d just glimpsed the truth hidden beneath his neat exterior.
After much agonizing, I decided to accept his terms.
Better for me to stay silent than to add a powerful rival to Suleiman’s enemies.
“You’ve chosen well. I’m more tight-lipped than I look, you know. I keep my promises, so don’t worry.”
“You’d better.”
If I was taking this risk, I had no intention of sitting quietly if he broke his promise.
One way or another, I’d make him pay.
“Now that we share secrets, we’re rather special friends, aren’t we?”
“Friends with a prince? That sounds awfully uncomfortable.”
Theron grinned at my reluctant reply.
“From now on, call me by my name. I hate being called ‘prince.’”
“I’ll think about it.”
We spent about half an hour making small talk, during which I began to feel the signs of turning back into a cat.
I was afraid it might hurt again, but fortunately, this time there was no pain.
“Please get into this basket. My maid will escort you back to the palace.”
“Meow.” (Alright.)
I climbed into the rattan basket lined with soft cloth, poking my head out.
I’d wanted to at least say goodbye to Theron before leaving.
“Mrrrow?” (Where’d he go?)
As I turned my head to look for him, something soft brushed my cheek.
‘What the—did he just kiss me?!’
Stealing my lips wasn’t enough — now a kiss on the cheek?!
“Hmm. So the kiss only works on the lips. Good to know.”
“Hisss!!” (You—! You won’t get away with this!)
“If you ever need my kiss again, send me a letter. I won’t hesitate to help a friend.”
“Yowl!” (That’ll never happen!)
“Don’t be so sure. Life is unpredictable.”
He answered calmly and then closed the lid of the basket.
“Meeow…” (What on earth is my life…)
Even though I lived an extraordinary life, shifting between cat and human, I’d wanted to spend the rest of my days in peace.
How had my life gotten so tangled?
Buried in the swaying basket, I sighed and closed my tired eyes.
