Kiss the Stranger

I retched for what felt like ages before a sudden chill ran down my spine. Trembling with fear, I slowly turned around—and there, Prince Asgail sat up halfway in the bed, his face drawn in a frown as he stared at me. My heart nearly stopped; I gasped a scream instead of words. Seeing me like that, Asgail opened his mouth.
“You….”
He tried to say something, but I had no presence of mind left to listen.

“A-ah… Aaaah!”
Panicked, I scrambled to my feet but tumbled off the bed. Pain radiated through my battered body, and I cried out again—but I couldn’t spare a second to hesitate. I hauled myself up and, on all fours, bolted across the room away from him.
I hid in the far corner opposite the bed, hugging myself tight against the wall, panting for breath. Asgail—who had been seated on the bed watching me—scowled.

“What are you doing? Come back here.”
Annoyance flashed across his face. He’d been in a deep sleep; perhaps waking like this irritated him. The thought sent another wave of trembling through me.
He might kill me.

My mind filled with terror. This time, he really might kill me. But the thought that frightened me more was imagining that whip again—his lash across my back. I felt faint at the memory.
Huff, huff.
My breaths rattled in my chest. My vision blurred; I blinked desperately, but nothing came into focus. I saw Asgail rise from the bed. Instinctively, I pressed myself closer to the wall, but there was nowhere left to hide. His pheromones grew stronger—proof his mood had soured. Even in my haze, my stomach churned, but nothing came up. I heard him speak, but I couldn’t make out the words—no doubt a warning for failing to obey. Though I understood enough to fear him, my body wouldn’t obey. I could barely breathe, let alone crawl back to his bed.
Out of the corner of my eye I perceived a great shadow advancing. Lifting my head with what little strength I had, I gasped. Asgail strode toward me. His pheromones, thick and overpowering, brought back memories of that day in an instant. Please, please… I wanted to beg, but no sound emerged. I curled into myself, trembling as he approached. When he reached out with one hand only steps away, I lost consciousness.

From far away, I thought I heard him shouting for Meisa.
“…Yohan, can you hear me?”
A panicked voice roused me. I forced my eyes open to a hazy view of a familiar face. I was back in bed, receiving IV fluids. My fingertips barely moved, but I had to answer. Exhausted, I managed a slight nod—if I even managed that. Meisa’s worried expression deepened; she straightened and stepped aside. In that instant someone else entered my view, and I gasped for air.

“Yohan? Are you all right?”
Meisa asked, puzzled. But I couldn’t reply—the trembling that had subsided now raced through me again. My teeth chattered painfully. Meisa turned and said urgently,
“I’ll give him a sedative, Your Highness.”

Asgail didn’t respond; he merely glowered at me. I felt a cool touch on my arm, then my mind grew drowsy and the shaking eased. Still, I wasn’t out cold as before. I forced my lips to move, trying to speak. Meisa leaned close, asking,
“Yes, Yohan. What is it? Do you want to say something?”
I barely whispered,

“P-please… don’t… whip me… again… please….”
Meisa looked down in surprise. Tears brimmed in my eyes as I tried to plead again, but no sound came. She frowned sympathetically. Then Asgail—who’d stood silently at the window until then—spoke.

I flinched at the dismissive tone, but Meisa patted my shoulder reassuringly.
“He begged you not to whip him again.”
“If he did his duties properly, there’d be no need for punishment.”

Asgail sneered. “He earned that whipping by overstepping his place. Does he not realize that? He should be grateful to still be alive.”
“Thanks to Your Highness’s mercy, this omega lives. Had you not shown compassion, your insomnia and headaches would never have been cured.”
Meisa said, bowing her head. “May God’s blessing be upon the Crown Prince’s mercy.”
Asgail was silent for a moment—deciding whether to punish her provocative words or let them pass. He seemed to choose the latter.

“So, can this omega be of use, or not?”
His voice was mechanical and emotionless. I feared he might kill me, just as he had Salem. But no—I would bet he wouldn’t remember me later. That knowledge steadied me.
Tears spilled down my cheeks, and Meisa said gently,

“Perhaps we could set up a separate cot for Yohan? There’s no need for him to share Your Highness’s bed.”
“If that were possible, it would have been done already.”
Asgail’s sarcastic reply made Meisa avert her eyes.

“I truly do not understand. What is it about Yohan that relieves Your Highness’s headaches? His pheromones are no different from any other omega’s.”
He said nothing. I only breathed, the sedative still dulling me. After a while, Asgail asked,
“Why is he still trembling? Does he have some illness?”

“Even a sickness of the heart is still a sickness, Your Highness.”
Meisa exhaled. “If I may speak frankly, Your Highness—Yohan is utterly terrified of you.”
“I repeat, Meisa: If he acts within his station, he will not be punished again.”

His voice dripped with mockery. Meisa bowed again. Asgail unlatched his arms and leaned against the window frame.
“So, now what shall we do?”
“That, Your Highness, is your decision. If you still wish to have Yohan, keep him here until he’s healed and your physician returns; if not, you may send him away.”

Asgail did not answer. Lost in thought, he suddenly let his attention lapse—and I slipped back into unconsciousness.
“Yohan, can you hear me?”
A nurse’s voice stirred me once more. She helped me sit up and went out to fetch my meal. Supported by her, I used the restroom and returned.

That routine continued for some time. I awoke to bright mornings and took my medicine from Meisa at dusk before drifting off. One day, an extra pill appeared—a sedative that knocked me out until morning, leaving no room for dreams. I slept so deeply that waking was nearly impossible.
Since then, I hadn’t seen the prince. I felt relief—and a strange emptiness at the same time.
He is so terrifying when I see him… yet when I don’t, I miss him.

I managed a bitter smile just as the nurse returned with my tray: the familiar, slow-cooked meat soup. As I ate, she sat beside me.
“Next week I’ll prepare something chewier. You’ve improved so much.”
“Thank you.”

I forced a smile, and she poured me tea.
“Shall we go outside later for some exercise? It’s not good to stay cooped up.”
“Yes….”

I nodded—and suddenly remembered something I’d nearly forgotten. My breath caught, and the nurse looked at me, concerned.
“What is it?”
I swallowed and said,
“I… I have a cat I used to care for….”

“Oh, yes. Who was that? Someone else was looking after him, right?”
“Yes, but… it’s been a long time. I want to know how he’s doing.”
The nurse nodded and stood.

“Wait here. I’ll see if we can bring him to you.”
“Please!”
I blurted out, panic in my voice. She paused, then smiled.

“All right. Eat the rest, and I’ll arrange it.”
I complied, spooning soup into my mouth. A little later, she returned with word from the attendants.
“We found him. His name is Zahara, right?”

“Yes, yes!”
I exclaimed in delight. She grinned.
“Zahara is fine, the ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ message says. So, Yohan—shall we go see him for some exercise?”

“All right. Where should I go?”
I tried to stand but wobbled; she caught me swiftly.
“He’s in the workshop.”

At that, I froze. She added casually,
“He’s bringing the cat with him.”