Kiss the Stranger

After Steward had a sound sleep, he was in much better spirits. I prepared the snacks and drinks I’d set aside for him and, while he ate, I called downstairs to have his meal brought up. I watched him cautiously, took a deep breath, and spoke.
“Steward, I have a request… It’s not that I want to leave or anything like that.”
After I put him at ease, I continued.

“I spoke with Zahara the other day, and she said there are people in the palace who make wedding tapestries and carpets. Princess Najima even had a studio built for them…”
“You want to try making those too, Yohan?”
Steward asked over his tea. I nodded.

“I think I could set up a small workbench over there. Would it be all right if I did my weaving here and sold it?”
“Of course that’s fine. It sounds excellent.”
He nodded readily, looking relieved, then smiled as he added,

“I’m sorry about earlier. I was a bit irritated… But don’t worry about the crown prince. He’s over the worst of it, and it seems they’ve strengthened his guard. Let’s just keep an eye on him.”
“Thank you.”
I forced a smile though my heart sank at the memory of Asga’il collapsing in a pool of blood. Steward noticed my expression and asked,
“But why do you need money? You haven’t worked in so long. Are you sure you’re up to it?”

“Um…”
I gathered my resolve and answered quietly.
“Actually… I was hoping to learn palace rumors while I sell. Maybe pick up a clue or two…”

That had been my real motive, so I felt my chest tighten. If Steward refused, I’d be stuck. Fortunately, he stroked his chin thoughtfully and murmured to himself,
“Well, the workers probably know all sorts of gossip. It’s not a bad idea.”
“Really?”

Relief must have shown because he looked at me with concern.
“Are you sure it’s all right? Don’t overdo it, I know how eager you are.”
“Yes.”

I nodded firmly.
“I have nothing to do here and I’m bored. Please let me pass the time with this.”
My voice trailed off as I added,

“I just… I feel like I can’t endure if I don’t do something for Kamar.”
Steward fell quiet for a moment, then sighed and nodded.
“All right. I understand how you feel.”

“I promise I won’t be a burden. I’ll take my medicine on time too.”
I spoke sincerely. Steward gave a wry smile and said,
“That’s enough. As a foreigner, the worst that could happen is expulsion. Crown Prince Asga’il isn’t the type to ignore international repercussions. My worry is for you, Yohan.”
If anything happened, Steward wouldn’t be able to help me. I’d already accepted that. Still, aside from Rikal, nothing weighed on my mind more.

“Steward, I… I was nothing.”
I swallowed hard and confessed; Steward paused mid-sip. I continued in a low voice.
“If no one found me, I would have died alone. Only Rikal was with me, and when he passed, I would have truly been alone. Cats die much sooner than people.”

At the sound of his name, Rikal rubbed against my legs. I lifted him into my arms and stroked his back as I spoke.
“But then Kamar came to me.”
My throat tightened at the name, but I took a shaky breath and managed to continue.

“He told me he loved me, held me, said it didn’t matter that I was an omega. Because of that… I was able to live. I thought maybe I deserved to live too.”
I spoke in fits, unable to keep the tears back. My inner eyes burned as I finally admitted,
“But Kamar disappeared, and once again I became nothing. Steward, do you think I’m really alive right now?”

Steward said nothing, only looked at me with a bewildered expression. I voiced what I’d felt all along.
“If I believe Kamar is safe, I’ll return to the oasis where I lived.”
“What? Why? There’s nothing there…”

Steward began, then fell silent. I answered with a small smile. I would return to who I once was—nothing, and soon to die alone. Perhaps that was the life meant for me. I’d only had a brief, blissful dream and now I was waking back to reality. Steward watched me quietly, then sighed and bowed his head.
“I’ll ask them to build your workbench.”
This time I smiled for real.

“Thank you, Steward.”
He lifted his teacup without a word.
“Oh my, what is this? Yohan. You really made this yourself?”

As expected, Zahara—who always delivered our meals—was the first to react. When the workbench was set up she’d been curious, thinking I was merely amusing myself. But when she saw the tapestry I’d finished in a few days, her reaction changed.
“Yes, it’s been a while so it’s not perfect…”
Embarrassed, I mumbled, avoiding her gaze. It wasn’t faux humility; I’d stumbled over the yarn at first, made many mistakes, and doubted I could finish anything usable. But Zahara thought otherwise.

“Oh my, how did you… Yohan, did you learn this before? How long did it take? You really made this?”
She examined the tapestry from every angle, and I could only nod, unable to meet her eyes.
“My mother taught me… This was practice, so there are many errors.”

“What will you do with it?”
She held it out to hand back, but then Zahara exclaimed, excitement in her voice.
“Throw it away? Then give it to me!”

“Pardon?”
I blinked in surprise. She spoke sincerely.
“It was going to be discarded, right? I’ll take it. You can throw it to me.”

“Well, Zahara… It’s not that simple.”
Flustered, I stammered. She clutched the tapestry protectively against her chest. Gently cajoling her, I promised to make her a proper piece. Only then did her wistful frown turn into a bright smile. She added, “It’d be nice if you made two,” and I couldn’t help but shake my head at her enthusiasm.
That evening at dinner, I recounted the day’s events. Steward nodded without surprise.

“I told you Yohan’s work is invaluable.”
“Thank you for thinking so, Steward.”
My cheeks warmed at his praise. He emphasized seriously,

“I don’t say things I don’t ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) mean. You know that, right? It’s not just me being biased.”
“Oh no, I’ve heard people judge more favorably those they like.”
I added honestly. Kamar had said something similar once. Maybe seeing my tapestry would jog his memory. As that hopeful thought crossed my mind, Steward spoke.

“It’s true I care deeply for you, Yohan. That’s all you need to know.”
“I care for you deeply too, Steward.”
I said, and he laughed, teasingly asking,

“Thank you. Though you still come after Kamar.”
I had no reply for that. Steward changed the subject lightly.
“So what did Zahara say about showing it to others? I hope she introduces you around.”

“Yes. I heard Zahara’s parents work in the palace too. They’ve been here long, so they probably know a lot. I’m looking forward to it.”
My voice rose without my noticing. Steward smiled knowingly and nodded.
“I hope it yields good results, Yohan.”

“Thank you.”
With dinner finished, I cleared away the dishes. Usually I’d pass the evening playing with Rikal before bed, but now everything would change. Steward saw me heading toward the workbench and asked in surprise,
“Starting already?”

I nodded.
“Yes. There’s much to do. The more samples I have, the more people will notice.”
“That makes sense.”

Steward seemed to contemplate, then offered,
“You said there’s a separate studio, right? How about working there?”
“Huh?”

I opened my eyes wide in astonishment.
“May I? But that means leaving the lab.”
Steward nodded.

“It should be fine if it’s just between here and the studio. I objected before because you’d have to wander all over the palace. We don’t know when the ban will lift, and it’s unfair to keep you trapped here. I’ll escort you to the studio each morning, and in the afternoon we’ll return together. Agreed?”
Taken aback by his proposal, I could only stare. Steward grinned mischievously.
“If you work in the studio, you’ll gain attention much faster than making a finished piece. You’ll hear more gossip too. You should make carpets. They take years to finish, so you’ll buy more time.”

I struggled to find words.
“…Thank you, Steward.”
That alone couldn’t express my gratitude. I added sincerely,

“You’re a genius.”
“Oh!”
Steward beamed.

“That’s my favorite thing to hear, Yohan. I love being called a genius.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.