Kiss the Stranger

Meisa changed me into the clothes she’d brought ahead of time, and together we left the infirmary. Having just fed Rikal his dinner, I ought to have felt some relief, but I didn’t—not with the banquet ahead of us.
“You don’t have to be so nervous, Yohan. It’s not such a big occasion.”
Meisa smiled, as if to ease my worries. I forced a smile back, but it did nothing to calm my heart.
…Huh?
Suddenly my vision went dark and I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand. It used to clear up quickly, but lately the blur lasted longer. With only muffled shapes before me, I strained to hear Meisa’s footsteps, but then another set of steps joined hers. Flustered, I stumbled and collided with something.
“Yohan! Are you all right?”
A panicked voice reached me. As my sight gradually brightened, I saw what I’d bumped into. Meisa hurried back.
“Yohan, are you hurt? What happened all of a sudden? Do you feel dizzy?”
She asked in quick succession, studying my face, and I felt embarrassed. I shook my head.
“No, it’s nothing. I’m sorry for worrying you….”
I murmured, and she peered at me with concern before falling into step by my side. We passed the back of a passing attendant, and Meisa chatted now and then about ordinary things, trying to distract me. But my mind kept drifting back to the banquet. Sorry though she tried to be, her words barely registered. When I failed to reply properly, she fell silent, and the long corridor echoed only with our footsteps.
The reception room for the banquet was far smaller than before. Still, stepping into a space three times the size of the lab gave me some relief. Seeing that not so many people had gathered, I let out a quiet breath of thanks. A man leaning on the windowsill, smoking, turned at the sound.
“Oh, Yohan.”
He straightened up with a delighted expression and walked over. Sweet warmth approached, but I only blinked. Standing a few steps away, Hayden smiled.
“Feeling better? How’s your body?”
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
I glanced at Meisa and added, “Meisa took very good care of me. I’m really much better thanks to her.”
“Oh, Yohan.”
Meisa sighed and shook her head. Her kind gaze made me self-conscious, and I scratched my cheek and laughed. Hayden, who had been watching us, suddenly cut in.
“Then why don’t the three of us sit together for the meal? I’m curious if Yohan will eat properly.”
“There are assigned seats, though.”
Meisa’s tone turned sharp. She clearly didn’t like Hayden very much. He shrugged as if unbothered.
“There’s always a loophole in everything.”
“Isn’t that just cheating? Not very admirable.”
Meisa snapped, and Hayden still grinned.
“I hate people who catch on too fast.”
“That’s fortunate. I dislike you, too.”
Flustered, I looked back and forth between them. It felt strange to see normally kind Meisa show such hostility. Hayden’s pheromones grew stronger, as if offended. Anyone would react like that when told “I dislike you” to the face.
But there was no need to try to smooth things over. The doors opened, and two people entered.
“Yohan, Meisa!”
A warm voice called. I turned and saw Princess Najima, more beautiful than ever, striding toward me with a bright smile.
“It’s been so long! How have you been? My goodness, you’re even thinner than before. Have you been eating at all?”
Najima looked at me with concern, and Meisa answered for me.
“They asked me to come here because of his condition, Your Highness. How have you been?”
“Of course, Meisa. I’m glad you look healthy.”
Najima hugged Meisa affectionately, and as she released her, another voice spoke.
“Meisa, it’s been a while. Do you remember me?”

I turned at the thin voice and saw a woman I’d never met before. Her elegant dress and pale skin spoke of high status. Meisa bowed politely to her.
“Of course, Lady Shadia. How is the Prime Minister these days?”
“Thanks to your concern, I’m doing well, Meisa.”
They exchanged formal greetings and small talk, while Hayden leaned toward me and whispered.
“It’s amusing—the First Wife, the Second Wife, and the Third Wife candidate all meeting together.”
“Huh?”
I looked up, puzzled. Hayden pointed discreetly at them.
“There—the First Wife, the Second Wife, and the Third Wife candidate.”
He indicated Najima, Shadia, and Meisa in that order. I followed his finger and gasped when I realized.
“Se-Second and Third?”
“Yeah, didn’t you know?”
Hayden chuckled.
“The First Wife is a blood relation, the Second is the daughter of a powerful political family, and the Third likewise. It’s certain this woman Shadia will be the Second Wife. The Third… well, if needed, they’ll choose.”
I was speechless. My mouth opened and closed, and Hayden added, driving it home,
“The reason they invited just those three to the banquet? We’re just extras.”
I bit my lip and bowed my head, struggling to hold back tears. Hayden even leaned down to look at my face.
“Yohan, are /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ you crying?”
His gentle voice sounded as if he expected it. I couldn’t nod or deny; I only bit my lip and fought the rising tears. Just then the doors opened, and the most noble figure appeared.
“Your Majesty.”
Hayden, who’d been beside me, stepped back as I bowed my head and forced my breath down. My body trembled, my mind spun, but I couldn’t faint again. I had to endure this moment. All I could do was fix my gaze on the floor and try not to think or feel anything.
Soft footsteps drew closer. I braced myself for the scent that would follow, but oddly, when he approached, it vanished.
…What?
Startled, I almost looked up. I managed to restrain myself, though my body quivered. The scent had disappeared from Hayden too. He must have removed his fragrance before Crown Prince Asgail, out of respect.
But why did the Crown Prince—
Still confused, I saw Asgail pass in front of me and move to the seat of honor. Najima sat to his right, and Shadia to his left. Hayden whispered,
“See? I was right.”
Meisa nodded in confirmation from Najima’s side. She silently beckoned me to join them, so I forced my feet to move and sat a little apart. Just as Hayden was about to sit beside me,
“Hayden.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince’s cool voice addressed him as he knelt.
“Sit beside Shadia.”
Shadia startled, and everyone else reacted similarly. Only Asgail remained composed. Hayden forced a smile.
“I’m honored, Your Highness, but isn’t it against etiquette for someone like me—a non-relative—to sit next to a lady?”
“Hayden.”
Asgail cut him off without mercy.
“If you won’t sit next to Shadia, leave.”
“Your Highness.”
Shadia meekly tried to protest, but Asgail only shot her a piercing glance. She fell silent, and Hayden had no choice but to sit at her side. Soon attendants began bringing food in a line. In the stiff atmosphere, Najima spoke first.
“Thank you for hosting this banquet, Your Majesty.”
In the customary tone, Shadia responded immediately.
“I too am grateful for the invitation. I am delighted.”
Ah.
I realized in that instant—only someone blind couldn’t tell. I often hide my eyes, but I’m not blind. No, one hearing that passionate, excited voice would know at once.
She loves the Crown Prince.
That thought pierced me like Hayden’s words.
The Second Wife.
I nearly burst into tears. If I could flee this place right now, I would do anything, but I knew it was impossible.
Does God exist?
At the thought, Shadia’s voice reached me.
“So much has changed since I returned. Building a dam is marvelous, Your Majesty. And I hear you’re considering paddy fields as well….”
Her words weren’t flattery—they were genuine devotion, and I was completely crushed. Najima’s voice followed.
“You studied in Italy, correct? I heard you performed as well.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Shadia answered confidently.
“If there’s an opportunity, I’d love to sing for Your Majesty. Would you grant me that honor?”
She whispered the last part sweetly. I couldn’t help but glance up. Shadia’s shining face was fixed on Asgail. Could she be so openly affectionate? Or was there no need to hide? Even her parted lips were beautiful enough to take my breath away.
But it wasn’t only her. Asgail’s expression, usually impassive, had softened. His mouth curved gently, clearly not displeased by her advance. It was nothing like his treatment of Najima. Perhaps Asgail truly favored Shadia. He and Najima had known each other since childhood and were relatives, after all. But Shadia was different.
Of course. She was so lovely and endearing.
As I thought that, Asgail spoke.
“Then let us see. I will give you the chance.”
Startled, Shadia’s eyes widened.
“Here, now?”
Najima answered her at once.
“By all means. We’d all like to hear you, wouldn’t we?”
She looked to Meisa for agreement, and Meisa nodded.
“If you’re that talented, I’m intrigued too. Please, Lady Shadia.”
Shadia hesitated, then smiled again.
“If you insist, I can’t refuse. After the meal, since I won’t make a sound—just one simple song.”
She turned her gaze back to Asgail.
“Your Majesty, is there a particular song you wish to hear?”
In that sweet voice, Asgail spoke after a brief pause.
“You who first brought sorrow to me.”
He named the title, then frowned as if unsure why he said it. Shadia smiled.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Then her voice filled the quiet hall with a mournful, beautiful melody.
You were the first to bring me sorrow
Such a deep wound I cannot bear
She sang so well—so exquisitely—that even this wretched, unworthy omega’s heart trembled.
I have lived loving only you
But the world is empty
And I no longer wish to live…
At that moment, the tears I had held back poured down my face.