Kiss the Stranger

Steward’s eyes widened in shock at the unexpected turn of events, but he, too, stood frozen, unable to act. Neither of us could help; we simply stood there, anxious, until Najima spoke softly.
“…I’m sorry.”

Zakriya spat a curse under his breath, then turned back to Steward. I wanted to aid her but forced myself to step back—perhaps it was repulsive for someone like me to see the princess in such a state. I looked down, trying not to notice her, but my gaze caught her slight movement. I dared to glance up only once I ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) was certain she had turned her back on me. In that moment, Zakriya addressed Steward.
“You truly don’t know the cause?”
“Well, I won’t know until the results come in.”

Zakriya stroked his chin and said, “No ordinary drug would do this—it’s remarkable. When you find out what it is, report to me.”
Steward forced a smile. “You know we can’t share details of His Highness’s health.”
He had once said the same to me. I wondered how Zakriya would respond, and he simply laughed.

“True enough. But as you know, I share His Highness’s physiology. It won’t hurt to know. Besides, if anything happens to him, I will be responsible for the kingdom. You must inform me.”
Steward’s smile never faltered. “If anything happens, yes.”
Zakriya’s laughter died. For a moment, I feared he would strike Steward, but he merely cleared his throat and spoke more sternly.
“I have said what I had to. Leave now. Najima!”

“Wait.”
I found myself calling after the princess as she moved to follow her father. They both looked around in surprise. Thinking quickly, I blurted out,
“Um—if you go out now, that wound on Your Highness’s cheek might scar… perhaps you should let us treat it first?”

Steward glanced at me, then quickly added, “Indeed. Master Zakriya, please go on ahead; we’ll take care of it.”
Zakriya looked at Najima, who met his gaze impassively. He nodded and left the room. I exhaled in relief and hurriedly fetched a chair, placing it behind her. Najima tried to smile but winced, her brow knitting—she must have a split lip. Steward sighed, drew a small sterile cloth from the cart, moistened it, and offered it to her.
“Hold this against it, and ice it later. I can’t believe he struck a woman’s face.”

“This happens all the time,” Najima said casually, looking at me. Startled, I watched her soften.
“You worried I’d be struck again if I went with Father? Thank you—you’re kind.”
Her kindness stabbed at me—she was Kamar’s fiancée. I feared she might see the impure thoughts in my heart. Could she still smile at me if she knew why I was here?

Steward’s voice, edged with anger, broke the silence.
“Women are treated so poorly here. Your Highness, having studied abroad, you must feel it keenly.”
Najima shrugged lightly. “Better than omegas, at least.”

A chill ran through me. I stood mute as she went on.
“If I had manifested as an omega, Father would have killed me. I should thank God that female omegas are so rare… though perhaps I should consider it fortunate.”
She laughed as though it were nothing.

“To be born male only to manifest omega—that’s true ruin, isn’t it?”
Steward countered, “Many lands treat omegas equally, and women’s rights are also better respected. Most nations ban all discrimination.”
Najima smiled. “But we live here.”

Steward fell silent. Najima rose, dusting her gown.
“Father must have left by now. I’ll return to my quarters.”
She straightened, looking down at me. “He probably thought he might overhear something from you, but there’s nothing to tell, is there?”
“I’m sorry,” Steward cut in bluntly. Najima, as if expecting the refusal, gave a short laugh and returned the damp cloth to the cart. She offered me a brief smile, bowed to Steward, and turned to go. The door closed, leaving only Steward, Kamar, and me in the room.

Steward spoke quietly as I watched Kamar, still unconscious. “Don’t forget, Yohan: she’s Kamar’s fiancée.”
“I know,” I answered. “And I know I must leave… as soon as possible.”
This was the last chance. I couldn’t remain here with my unworthy feelings. I forced a smile and asked, “Kamar… he’ll recover soon, won’t he?”

Steward ran a hand through his hair. “He must.”
It was the best he could say. I stared at Kamar wordlessly. Steward seemed to sense my turmoil and said,
“You may stay here tonight, Yohan. I’ll be here—I have to see this through.”

“…Really?”
I felt a spark of hope. Steward gave a wry smile and nodded.
“Yes. The prince shows no sign of regaining consciousness… Oh, wait—did you take your medicine? Better have it now, just in case.”

He handed me a pill; I took it with water from the pitcher on the table. Satisfied, Steward sank into a chair.
“What on earth is going on…”
I set my cup down and asked hesitantly, “Steward… you truly don’t know the cause?”

He looked at me through his fingers. After a heavy silence, he sighed.
“To be honest, my experiments so far have involved testing drugs on the Alpha elites.”
“Excuse me? Drugs?”

I couldn’t help but ask, and Steward’s face grew grim.
“As you know, ordinary medicine doesn’t work on them. So I’ve been combining various compounds—cocktail therapies—and testing each. Even then, they often show little reaction, so I’ve sometimes had to increase dosages. We have to trial every possibility, but, truthfully, there are no subjects except them.”
“Surely not…”

I whispered, and he hurried to reassure me.
“No, no. The drug given to the prince wasn’t dangerous. He suffers from severe insomnia—his headaches are so bad he can’t sleep, and without sleep, the pain worsens, a vicious cycle.”
“So it was a sleeping pill, one of the drugs you tested?”

Steward nodded, frowning. “Yes. But it shouldn’t have become poisonous overnight. If the prince doesn’t awaken…”
He trailed off, his face stricken. I had no words. My mind reeled, but one thought was clear.
It wasn’t Steward’s fault.

Even if there were side effects, such a sudden collapse was impossible without interference. Someone must have tampered with his dose.
But who?
Anxious, my heart raced again. The lavish room felt like a prison.

Kamar had been injured when I first met him.
The realization sent a chill down my spine.
Someone tried to kill Kamar.

Who?
Zakriya’s face flashed before me, and I covered my mouth, horrified.