Kiss the Stranger

“…!”
I couldn’t fathom what was happening. In my wide-open vision, Asgail’s face shimmered faintly. Was he refusing to admit that I was the one kissing him? Alongside that thought, my chest throbbed. Maybe he was just trying to shut my mouth because he hated that I was crying. Or perhaps he simply needed to satisfy his desire, and by chance, I was right there.
He’s not doing this because he wants me. Because I am…
an omega he so despises.
Unable to bear reality any longer, I squeezed my eyes shut. All I could feel was the warmth of his body pressed against mine, the strong arms around my waist, and his kiss upon my lips.
Ah, ha, ha.
The sobbing and the kiss made it hard to breathe. I desperately gasped for air whenever our lips parted, only for the kiss to resume immediately, and soon my mind grew hazy. My limbs went limp and leaned backward. I sensed a soft mattress beneath me and vaguely realized Asgail had laid me on the bed.
Ha, ha.
As soon as our lips parted, I gulped air in desperation. His kiss trailed [N O V E L I G H T] from my mouth to my jaw, neck, and collarbone. A hot palm slid over my thin shirt to grope my chest. Embarrassed by how flat and bony I was, I momentarily wanted to push his hand away. But no matter how hard I tried, Asgail didn’t budge. As if mocking my struggle, he grabbed my wrist, held it to his own, and deliberately rubbed my nipple.
“…Ah, ha.”
It had been so long that a shameful moan slipped out before I knew it. Every time his thick thumb pressed and rubbed my nipple, my hips jerked of their own accord. Asgail pressed his jaw against my throat and, without hesitation, seized my knees, spreading them wide. His body slid between my thighs, covering me completely as if it were only natural. Sandwiched between the mattress and him, I couldn't move a muscle.
The faint hint of pheromones I’d sensed before grew stronger. It wasn’t the overwhelming pressure of before, but a sweet scent that seemed to melt me from within, making my breath come faster for a different reason.
His kiss returned to my lips. Our tongues intertwined, and our lower bodies pressed together. His greatly swollen front pushed through the thin fabric against me, sending a searing ache through my abdomen. The strength drained from the hand trying to pry his away, and in hesitation, I moved my timid hand to his shoulder. But that was as far as it went. I couldn’t bring myself to wrap my arms around his neck like before. I only panted, and Asgail, pressing his lips to mine, began to stroke me below. His large erection was unmistakable against the thin cloth.
Does he want me?
A cautious hope flickered. Even if it was only because I was there, that was enough. After all, he wanted me. He wanted to hold me now.
Then it didn’t matter.
I gently parted my lips and slipped out my tongue. When I softly licked his, Asgail tilted his head and pressed his lips to mine again. His hand drifted downward, rubbing between my buttocks over the thin trousers. A cold sensation told me I was wet below. Without thinking, I rocked my hips, rubbing against his fingers.
Suddenly, I felt Asgail freeze. He was the one to pull away first. Raising my eyelids slowly, I met his gaze as he looked down at me. We stared at each other, breathing heavily. His chest rose and fell as much as mine, but his expression was completely different from before. The confused look faded into something harder. Still dazed, I looked up at him as he narrowed his eyes and spoke in a sharp tone.
“Well-trained body, isn’t it? Do all men feel this good?”
I heard his words, but it took me a moment to grasp their meaning. He sneered, looking down at me blinking in shock.
“It’s not like I’d hate you—there’s no reason to hate someone like you. I only despise you. You are so…”
He raised his hand as if to show me. The tips of his fingers were clearly wet.
“Promiscuous omega.”
As if delivering a verdict, Asgail said each word deliberately, like driving a nail into my heart, very slowly, in a low voice. I couldn’t utter a word; I just looked up at him. He gave a cynical smile.

“By all means, cry and try to win sympathy. Just make sure not to do it where I can see you. If you’re caught flaunting your filthy body, it won’t end with a whip.”
With that warning, he suddenly rose. I swallowed a hollow feeling as he mocked me.
“You didn’t manifest as an omega because it was your choice, did you?”
He twisted his mouth as if he found it ridiculous.
“That’s just your nature. It’s depraved things like you who manifest as omegas.”
Then Asgail turned and added,
“Until I return, take the medicine Meisa left and keep the bed warm. That’s the only use omegas like you have.”
With those words, he left the room. I had no idea where he went, whom he saw, or why. All I could do was follow his instructions: take the pills on the table, undress, and lie in bed so he could sleep comfortably. I stood up slowly and walked to the table. The pills Meisa had left were sitting there.
“Ah.”
I poured water from the pot but, with trembling hands, couldn’t even fill half a cup and spilled the rest. Carefully, I brought the cup to my lips, but even so, it took ages to swallow the pills. Finally, I undressed and lay on the bed, closing my eyes. Soon the medicine would plunge me into sleep.
I hoped I wouldn’t wake again.
In the blink of an instant, consciousness sank into darkness, and I thought of one last thing.
“It’s serious, Yohan. A very important issue has arisen.”
I blinked in confusion at Meisa’s grave tone. Waking from sleep, I lay alone in bed, and the nurse who had just come had brought me to the clinic. Meisa peered at the results sheet and continued.
“Your health isn’t good at all. You look bad, of course, but this is confirmed by the data. Your malnutrition is severe. Has it been a long time since you’ve eaten properly? It’s not just the last month or two, right?”
“Oh, I…”
How could I explain? I couldn’t say it had been since I started living alone in the oasis. I mumbled a small reply.
“It’s been a while.”
“That’s why it’s serious.”
Meisa added seriously.
“Your organs are all a mess. Your liver’s failing, your stomach’s bad, you’re severely anemic… It’d be quicker to find something that’s okay, but sorry, there isn’t.”
She crossed her arms, swept her gaze over me, and declared coldly:
“From now on, you need proper meals suited to your condition and the medication. And, Yohan, this is a sensitive topic…but how’s your vision?”
At her cautious question, I blinked and answered.
“I can see.”
“No, I mean—can you see well? Has your eyesight worsened? Was it normally bad?”
“Ah…”
I hesitated and then spoke.
“My vision is worse than before. I don’t know since when…”
I was about to say that my vision sometimes went black or blurred, but a knock interrupted me. The door opened, and to my surprise, Najima entered.
“Your Highness!”
Meisa exclaimed in shock, and I tried to stand but sat back down, dizzy. Najima hurried over, alarmed.
“Stay seated, Yohan. Meisa, how is he?”
“He’s very ill. We’re discussing how to provide nutrition. Why are you here?”
Meisa gave a brief summary, and Najima, looking worried, continued.
“I came because I was concerned after what happened yesterday. I wanted to know how you were doing. How is the Crown Prince, Yohan? Is he all right?”
“Yes…”
My throat burned, and I bowed my head hastily.
“I’m… fine.”
My halting answer was followed by a silence. Despite no one mentioning it, I sensed they all knew.
“After you and Meisa left, the atmosphere was really bad,” Najima said first. It was odd—I thought things had gone well with Shadia earlier. Puzzled, I looked up. Najima seemed to read my thoughts and spoke on.
“Until then you and Shadia were chatting happily, but the moment you left, everything changed, and I was surprised. I can’t fathom what the Crown Prince was thinking. He’s always been inscrutable.”
Watching her shake her head, I grew even more puzzled. Had something I did made him angry?
A chill ran down my spine for a moment, but I shook it off. Didn’t he say I wasn’t that important?
I stared down in silence when Meisa spoke.
“Who else would know but him? No need to guess. Then, Princess, is that all?”
“Of course not, Meisa.” Najima said with a playful eye roll. “I came to invite you and Meisa to lunch, and second…”
She took a deep breath and added seriously:
“For the time being, Yohan, you should be careful. I need to find out more details, but… they say the feudal lords of the united cities will gather soon. Among them are those who take useless omegas from the royal family to do terrible things, so it’s best you stay out of sight. His Highness’s petitions have never been refused…”
At that, I remembered the banquet with the steward, where men used omegas as hunting trophies. Would he be there too?
Frozen in fear, Meisa asked for me.
“All five lords of the cities are meeting?”
“Probably. Those who missed last time will come, too. Including the Lord of Al-Fatih.”
Hearing that, my heart felt like it dropped. I gasped and looked up at her.