Kiss the Stranger

Before I could even fix my lower garments, I was dragged and bound to a pillar. The attendants recoiled at the sight of my half-naked body and sodden lower half, their faces contorting with open disgust. They exchanged glances and whispered; I knew exactly what they were saying without hearing a word. A chill ran down my spine and my whole body shook. They were all looking at me—with eyes so cold.
“Your Highness, I have brought the whip.”
Behind me, the chamberlain’s voice echoed as I sat there, arms stretched wide against the pillar, my muscles tensed in frozen anticipation. The murmurs ceased entirely, leaving a heavy silence. Then I felt someone approach, grasp my shirt, and tear it away to bare my back. I gasped at the cool air against my skin, only to have the wind’s harsh howl fill my ears.

“…!”
A searing pain sent my mind spinning, and I nearly blacked out. But the whip came down again, snapping me back to awareness. Time and again, the thick lash cracked across my back, splitting flesh, exposing raw muscle to each new blow. Blood trickled from every gash, soaking the floor at my feet. I could not scream; I gasped for breath, praying for unconsciousness. Yet he did not pause. With each merciless strike, my body stiffened at the impact.
I might die like this.

When the whip fell again, the thought flared in my mind.
If I die here….
Foam-laced saliva dribbled from my parted lips. Another lash, and the world blurred.

Kamar, would you remember me?
A spasm of pain jolted me briefly back to consciousness—but then darkness claimed me, and I remembered nothing more.
“…Ugh, uugh…”
Horrific pain brought me back. Even breathing hurt; I managed only a hollow gasp as I opened my eyes to complete darkness. After blinking until my vision adjusted, I made out rough stone walls. Cold rose from the floor, but I could not move a muscle. Only my eyes shifted as I took in my surroundings and saw heavy iron bars at my feet. Then I realized: this was a prison.

“…!”
A sudden movement sent fresh agony tearing through me. I drew ragged breaths, tears welling. Not a single finger would obey. The dank, moldy stench of the cell mixed with the sickly odor of blood—and my own feeble pheromones drifting pathetic in the gloom. I was abandoned here, utterly alone.
“Ugh…”

Tears fell, whether from misery or pain I could not tell. The throbbing agony never ceased; each breath felt like rasping shards in my wounds. I forced myself to inhale and exhale in tiny sips of air.
My throat was parched, but I could not drink. I wished for oblivion, but the burning of my flesh kept my mind sharp, refusing me relief.
Rikal….

I thought of my cat left behind. How long had I been here? He’d eaten all his food in a day. Who would care for him now? No one.
I tried to distract myself—childhood memories, precious moments with Rikal, thoughts of the steward. Finally, I pictured the oasis.
‘Yohan.’

I remembered Kamar’s bright smile as he embraced me. Under the scorching sun, gathering fruit, then at night, curled together in the hut. The sweetness overwhelmed me, and tears fell unbidden.
I want to go back….
Memories flooded me until I stopped fighting them. Recalling how Kamar kissed me with a smile, I slipped back into unconsciousness—perhaps even with a faint smile on my lips.

I lost and regained consciousness many times. Each awakening was shorter, until one time I woke and felt it might be my last. My throat was bone-dry; breathing was torture. Pain deadened my thoughts; even recalling memories grew impossible. Only Rikal’s fate gnawed at me: if the steward returned, would he care for the cat? But revealing my omega status would ruin everything—better if the steward never came.
I alone deserve this punishment.
Perhaps this ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ is divine retribution. My manifestation, Kamar’s forgetting me, this suffering—it’s all my fault.

…What did I do so wrong?
My vision dimmed once more as I drifted toward blackness, when I thought I heard sounds. Since my imprisonment, no noise but my own ragged breath had reached me; surely it was my mind playing tricks. But the voices grew clearer. Pain sharpened my hearing even as it numbed my body. I could not even moan; I only gasped until footsteps halted nearby. Through the haze, I heard:
“What’s this? Didn’t he die?”
“Get him out and haul him along.”

“He’s a bloody wreck….”

Their words faded as my consciousness slipped away.
Darkness persisted. I tried to move forward, trembling with fear, but could not tell which way to go. No one was around. I parted my cracked lips and called out, desperate.

Rikal…steward?
Silence swallowed my voice. I summoned the strength to call again.
Kamar.

Still no answer. Tears blurred my sight as I buried my face in my hands. No one was here. I was utterly alone.
Forever alone.
As that thought struck, a faint sweetness drifted to my nostrils. I froze, uncertain. Then light flickered behind my closed eyelids. Slowly, I peeled my hands away from my face. Gathering courage, I lifted my lids, and brilliant light flooded in. The gentle fragrance enveloped me. I held my breath. There, in the dazzling center, stood him—arms wide, smiling more brightly than ever.

‘Yohan.’
Kamar.
I burst into tears and lunged toward him. He caught me in a fierce embrace. Where have you been? What have you done? No, I don’t blame you. I’m not angry. You came back—that’s all that matters. You’re here, and everything’s okay….

Kamar.
I closed my eyes, letting tears fall. Never leave me again….
Ah….

When I opened my eyes, I was lying alone. Pain coursed through me, and I couldn’t help a pained groan.
Hah, hah.
I panted, trying to clear my head. Pins and needles crackled in my brain. I noticed the needle in my arm, then that I was face-down on a soft bed instead of the cold stone floor.

“Ugh…”
A hoarse voice escaped me. I had no idea what had happened. Then the sweet scent brushed my nose, and dream and reality blurred once more. Was this still a dream? Or was it real? What had happened?
Kamar, where are you?

Tears welled as a figure appeared at the edge of my vision. Blinking rapidly, I met those cool, steady eyes.
It was Crown Prince Asgail.