Kiss the Stranger

“Come in, Yohan. I’ve been waiting for you.”

I arrived at the appointed time and entered her chambers, where Princess Najima greeted me warmly. Half convinced that perhaps yesterday’s events had been a dream, I bowed in bewilderment.
“Thank you for summoning me, Your Highness…”
“No, that’s not necessary, Yohan. Please, sit. Nursemaid, tea and pastries.”

At her words, an elderly woman standing to the side bowed and ordered the waiting attendants to prepare refreshments. Meanwhile, Najima guided me to a seat opposite her. I sat carefully and took in the room.
It was breathtaking. Like the rest of the palace, every surface gleamed with golden arabesque carvings, and marble floors were overlaid with silk-woven carpets. The princess remained in her chair at the low tea table, clearly more accustomed to it than sitting on the floor. When the nursemaid slid back the glass doors behind Najima to reveal the garden, a cool breeze and an open view greeted us. I couldn’t help exclaiming quietly, and Najima beamed.
“This is why I chose this room.”

No wonder—sipping tea here made me feel I could forget the world. I turned my head to the opposite wall, which was sealed by another set of doors. Noticing my gaze, Najima said,
“That’s the bedroom. Only I may enter there. I apologize.”
Her teasing tone made me blush and shake my head.

“Not at all. Of course… I’m sorry—I was impertinent.”
I apologized again just as a knock sounded. Moments later, the nursemaid returned with a tray of tea and pastries. Once she withdrew, Najima offered,
“Please, have some tea, Yohan. Let’s talk slowly over lunch, then begin work this afternoon—how does that sound?”
“Oh, yes. That sounds lovely….”

I answered readily, grateful for her kindness. I raised the cup to my lips; its fragrance was reminiscent of Najima’s own subtle scent. I sipped gently. Warmth spread through me, relaxing every muscle. Najima smiled at me and spoke.
“It’s one of my favorite teas. I hope you like it too.”
“It’s wonderful… thank you.”

Her smile deepened, and she stirred honey into her cup. Silence fell, but it was comfortable. Feeling at ease, I blurted out,
“Your Highness, what craft do you pursue? Are you doing embroidery…?”
I stopped mid-sentence, mortified. Najima simply replied,

“I’m weaving a carpet for my wedding.”
My heart jolted. Of course—she was Qamar’s betrothed, the Crown Prince’s fiancée. Had I been so blind as to overlook that obvious fact, and who she was showing me such favor?
Don’t cry.

I masked my shock and feigned composure, raising my cup.
“Y-Yes, of course… you would take a carpet to your wedding as well.”
“As do all women in this kingdom, regardless of rank.”

She laughed softly, then changed the subject as if it were nothing.
“I recently returned from England to visit a friend. I brought back a few items—would you like to see them?”
As if on cue, the nursemaid presented various goods. We examined each one on the floor, and time slipped by until once more, lunch was announced with a knock.

“…Ah!”

Startled into standing, I cried out and staggered. Princess Najima looked up in alarm.
“Yohan, are you all right? What—”
She trailed off as I doubled over in pain. My back, still healing, felt unbearable. I could only pant, unable to speak. Najima’s voice, full of concern, followed.

“Yohan.”
Her dismayed tone was clear in her eyes. Then she added,
“You’re bleeding—please, let me see.”

She reached out, but I recoiled, wincing and suppressing another scream.
“No, it’s fine… really, it’s nothing.”
“What do you mean ‘nothing’? You’re bleeding!”

Her voice hardened, and I feared she might tear my clothing /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ away. Just then, the nursemaid intervened.
“Your Highness, we mustn’t expose a gentleman’s body without cause.”
“Then have a physician attend him.”

Najima’s concern pressed on me, and I shook my head frantically. She knew nothing of my omega status or the whippings I’d endured. Perhaps my trip to England had kept her unaware. In any case, I didn’t want to lose her goodwill. She studied me quietly, then sighed.
“Well, if you insist.”
My heart pounded as she spoke again.

“There is a small waterfall behind the palace.”
I blinked, puzzled. Najima continued calmly.
“It’s said to be blessed water. It heals the sick, eases the worried. There was talk of bathing His Majesty there when he fell ill, but he’s been too weak, so it’s been postponed. Oddly, it works. When my mother suffered a serious skin disease, bathing there cured her completely. Legend says a king once washed there after battle and healed overnight…”

Najima shrugged.
“It’s strictly off-limits, for royalty only. Now, it’s just His Majesty in ill health, my father at the residence, and the Crown Prince away with foreign guests. No one else will use it for some time.”
She concluded,

“I’ll inform the guards in advance—go wash yourself there. It will help. If I say I’ll use it, the guards will clear the area, and my attendants will accompany you. It’ll be perfect.”
“But Your Highness, only royalty may use it. You could be harmed.”
The nursemaid spoke before I could. Najima replied casually,

“If the three of us keep silent, who would ever know?”
“B-But…”
I could only shake my head. Najima rose abruptly. While I stared in confusion, she retrieved something from a drawer and handed it to me. I accepted it without thinking: a small framed portrait. She gestured to the girl inside.

“My sister. Isn’t she lovely?”
The girl’s face still bore childlike roundness. Najima continued,
“When I look at you, I think of her.”

Of course—being at court meant she rarely saw her. I nodded.
“She was killed by our father, wasn’t she? When she manifested as an omega.”

Her voice was so calm that it felt unreal. I lifted my head, uncertain if she was joking, but her expression held no mirth.

“My father couldn’t bear the shame of a female omega. Instead of killing himself, he killed her.”
I was too stunned to speak. Najima gave a short laugh.
“He could have simply hanged himself.”

I found no words to comfort her. I only stared, and she smiled gently.
“So, Yohan, I hope you accept my kindness. There’s nothing more I can do for my sister now.”
With that, she replaced the portrait and stepped back. The nursemaid opened the door, and attendants filed in to set the luncheon.

“Right this way.”
I followed the nursemaid, still reeling from reality. Although I’d hesitated, I couldn’t refuse. As night fell, the nursemaid came for me. Just as I’d been preparing for another night on the bed in the study, I found myself heading for the waterfall.
‘You only need to grant me one wish later.’

Remembering Najima’s words tangled my thoughts—how could I even repay her?
Could she know I was an omega…?
Lost in memories of my sister’s portrait, I heard rushing water grow louder with each step until at last the waterfall emerged before me.

True to Najima’s words, it was only three or four meters high. Its width was narrow—just a few paces across—but in moonlight the falling droplets sparkled, and the rhythmic roar soothed my mind. I stared for a moment before the nursemaid spoke.
“Yohan, I’ll leave a change of clothes here. A gift from Her Highness.”
“Clothes as well?”

“Yes.”
That wasn’t all—she added,
“I’ll place ointment in the study. It will help your wounds. Also from the princess.”

Before I could thank her, she turned and left. I considered calling her back, but feared voices might carry, so I stayed silent.
Cautiously, I looked back at the waterfall. Could I really go through with it? I scanned the surroundings—there was no one but me. Since being dragged from the study to sleep in the workshop, I’d scarcely washed. I swallowed dryly and slipped out of my clothes. The cascade beckoned. As soon as I stepped into the falling water, a jolt of electricity raced through me.
“Haa….”

A deep sigh escaped me. I inched deeper.
‘Standing under the cascade feels marvelous.’
I recalled Najima’s words as I placed my foot on the slippery rock. The droplets stung at first, then cooled beautifully. Next, I let the water run across my shoulders—and finally over my head. I lifted my face, and the stream drenched me.

I’m happy.
It had been so long since I felt such peace. Grateful to Najima, I rubbed my arms and wiped my face. This wasn’t mere legend—the blessed water was real. To stand under this holy flow felt nothing short of a miracle.
A divine blessing.

‘Yohan.’
Suddenly, days at the oasis with Qamar—splashing water, laughter—flashed through my mind.
It was Qamar.

‘Won’t you leave here with me?’
His gentle eyes, his warm hands, his fervent confession.
They’re all alive inside me—where have they gone?

As tears glistened in my eyes beneath the cold stream, a chilling voice spoke behind me.
“What are you doing there?”