I Became a Cat That Sleeps with an Obsessive Tyrant Every Night - Chapter 44

Killian stared into my eyes and waited as if he were trying to get an answer out of me.

Though I tried to move my body back, feeling that his face would touch mine at any moment, my back froze against his arms that firmly confined me.

His expressionless eyes flickered into a languid smile as I froze and nodded.

“We made a promise. Promises should be kept, right?”

“Uh… y-yes.”

“Still cold?”

“Yes.”

As I reluctantly agreed once again, he finally lifted the corners of his mouth in satisfaction.

Like a satisfied predator, he pulled me into his arms with a smile that seemed to regain a sense of ease.

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

Startled, my heart began to pound as if it would leap out, and I held my breath in surprise.

Hiccup. Holding my breath only made my heart beat more forcefully, creating a situation where I should have taken deep breaths if I had followed basic common sense.

Snap out of it, self!

Suddenly realizing that he seemed to be skillfully training me, I quickly turned my head.

“…Not going to keep your promise?”

Hearing his somewhat displeased tone, I hurriedly nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“No, I mean, I’ll definitely speak up if something happens…!”

I almost lost myself, captivated by that handsome face. It’s a problem, isn’t it?

I calmed my startled heart, acknowledging that all of this was still fresh from waking up from a nightmare.

“Just, um, forget it and hug me. I mean, it’s cold.”

He told me to say whatever it was, so I should be brave and say it out loud.

As if determined to prove tranquility to myself, I shamelessly requested his embrace, then bowed my head deeply.

Due to the lingering cold, I instinctively sought refuge in his arms, but somehow, I felt a thickening warmth in my cheeks, making my neck feel hot.

No, this is purely a situation created by my determination to thaw my body. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I shouldn’t feel the least bit awkward.

While the conflicting selves were reciting different mantras and presenting their arguments, my body was diligently trying to burrow into Killian’s embrace to draw warmth.

The slow, comforting touch on my back continued rhythmically like the hands of a clock. I couldn’t gauge how much time had passed, but I remembered he had said earlier to speak up about anything.

“Um… I woke up after having a nightmare, and it got cold. Have you ever experienced something like that?”

“No. I haven’t.”

“Well, I guess it’s just me then.”

We both had nightmares, but Killian claimed he never woke up feeling cold even once. Then why was it happening to me?

No way, it can’t be because I lost my fur, right? Oh, come on, surely not. It shouldn’t be such a silly reason.

“Maybe it’s because you’re not a cat.”

“What?”

“Since you don’t have fur covering your body.”

Whether he peeked into my thoughts or not, Killian calmly responded, leaving me utterly embarrassed and speechless.

I wanted to come up with a quick rebuttal, but I needed something to say.

Ugh, I hate to admit it.

“It’s just a joke. During your nightmares, you’ve been both a cat and a human. Your body temperature gradually dropped in between.”

“Ah…”

Knowing it was a teasing remark, I could finally laugh, but at the same time, I couldn’t dismiss the question of why my body temperature dropped.

“I’m looking into finding something that can give us a clearer understanding of your condition.”

“I’m okay…”

“You keep saying that.”

“…But health checkups are essential for everyone. Yes, I need it too, Your Highness. Please make sure to arrange it.”

Killian, who had suddenly opened his eyes with a piercing gaze, looked at me for a moment and then smiled.

“A health checkup for everyone. I’ll have to find a way for that.”

Does this mean that the imperial citizens have never undergone health checkups until now? Well, this world is different from where I was in my past life.

I couldn’t help but feel a subtle sense of pride, sensing that efforts were being made to promote the health of the imperial citizens.

“But why do you always say you’re fine?”

“Because complaining doesn’t solve anything… right?”

Muttering the words I had heard from adults in my past life as if they were drilled into my ears, I suddenly felt the touch of his hand, which had been gently stroking my back, coming to a halt.

“I’ve never complained that much. Even if I did, I wouldn’t use the expression ‘complaining’ with you.”

“Well, Your Highness, it seems like you might.”

It’s unimaginable to hear Killian say he’s complaining.

I shook my head, forcing my eyes, which kept closing due to the persistent drowsiness, to stay open.

“…Your Highness. You said I could say anything earlier.”

“Yeah, anything.”

I sighed quietly at Killian’s response.

“I’m sleepy.”

“What?”

“Maybe it’s because I’ve been holding the scissors for a long time… but as it gets warmer, I feel like sleep is overwhelming me. I’m scared to fall asleep, though.”

“Can’t you just not sleep?”

“Haha. Was it supposed to be that easy…?”

I thought his comment was a little funny as I barely got my words out.

However, the undeniable conclusion of all my thoughts was that an overwhelming sleepiness was taking over.

Surely, I won’t wake up only to have another nightmare, right?

“It’s reall…y hard.”

“What is?”

I felt Killian’s gaze as he looked down at me.

“Um… Your Highness, the Crown Prince… where’s my jacket?”

For some reason, it felt like I needed to convey something before falling asleep, so I stumbled through my words.

“Why is that all of a sudden?”

“Because you’re wearing it and holding onto me.”

It’s cozy right now, so don’t let go. It seems a bit much to just be in a shirt.

I struggled to keep my heavy eyelids open, attempting to meet his gaze again.

As if wondering what I was suddenly talking about, he looked at me with a faint frown.

“…It’s probably better if you just sleep.”

Whether I was glaring at him with determination or not, Killian gently closed my eyes with his own hands.

Not wanting to miss the warm embrace that the drowsiness enveloped me with, I held onto his shirt even more tightly and spoke.

“…It’s gotten warmer, but I’m afraid it might get cold again. If my body stays warm after I fall asleep, just let me stay in bed.”

I confessed my true feelings in a drowsy state, and he chuckled quietly.

Can you believe me? It’s true. I was saying it just in case he might misunderstand and think I’m a woman who enjoys being close to him, but he remained silent.

“Um… If I don’t wake up, will you wake me?”

“Probably. I’ll use any means necessary.”

“Yes, thank you…”

Finally feeling reassured, I snuggled against him.

So, this is what it’s supposed to feel like when you’re about to fall asleep.

It wasn’t like being sucked into darkness, but rather a gradual melting, a feeling of leaning into a warm place.

“But what’s annoying you?”

I wondered what he was talking about…

“Sleep… is coming.”

As I responded slowly, my body kept leaning back, and I felt his arms, holding me, becoming even more secure.

The supporting touch felt sturdy.

I tried my best not to let go of Killian’s shirt, but my grip kept loosening, and I eventually gave up.

In the moment my hand let go, I heard Killian make a light tsk sound, followed by his hand immediately wrapping around mine.

His hand was warm too.

Prince Killian, warmer than a blanket.

I curled into his embrace like crouching in a cave, letting go of the heavy consciousness.

Now, it truly felt like I was falling into a proper sleep.

* * *

“Sigh…”

Yes, someone can sleep comfortably.

What about this one?

Killian, raising one eyebrow, looked down at the peacefully sleeping Reinette leaning against his chest with a somewhat dissatisfied expression.

The faint sounds of her breathing reached his ears, and he gazed at her soft nose and deeply embedded eyes. Eventually, a wry smile appeared on his face.

Killian knew exactly what she meant by reaching for her jacket in her sleep.

She was in chemise and he was in a simple shirt and pants.

Holding her like this, with only thin clothes between them, was not an easy task.

“….”

But even so, could he briefly let her go to fetch the jacket?

“No.”

Killian, still holding Reinette, slowly leaned against the bedpost.

The post made a creaking sound, but it was sturdy enough for support.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

The sweet scent of Reinette and something fluffy tickled his chest.

“Hair…”

He furrowed his brow as if bothered, absentmindedly brushing Reinette’s hair.

Then, he reached out and lightly held Reinette’s fingers.

Every time he held them, the thought of how surprisingly delicate and soft her fingers were crept back into his mind.

“It seems like her body temperature has returned more than earlier.”

As the icy cold fingertips began to warm up, it seemed like she would return to normal body temperature soon.

Reinette might not be aware, but she had been asleep for three days.

Despite Baron and Harrid frequently lighting fires and raising the temperature in this guest room, her body temperature kept dropping, and it didn’t seem to have much effect.

‘It seems like she’s trying to get better. I’ve been there too.’

If it weren’t for Sanua’s words, could Killian have truly remained calm and just observed?

Sanua noticed mild dehydration and cold symptoms transmitted through Reinette’s divine power. She mentioned feeling intense cold just before getting better. Baron, upon hearing that Sanua had chills, was greatly surprised and asked why she didn’t tell him. It almost seemed like he was talking to his son. However, Sanua just shrugged her shoulders in response.

“A true man has to endure such things.”

Recalling Sanua’s words from the previous encounter where she tried to console the hunter’s spirit, Killian, wearing a wry smile, closed his eyes again.

“I wonder what kind of hunter would say such things.”

After letting out a languid sigh, his lips silently sealed.

Reinette’s fingertips still clung to his fingers.

It was the only skin that could touch without any barriers.

Killian’s hand, not stiff like oiled joints, awkwardly moved at first, then gently enclosed her delicate hand.

“…Much better.”

The consciously spoken words sounded as rigid as those from a tense person.

Although Killian chuckled at himself for being ironic, he didn’t let go of Reinette’s hand.

Killian was aware that Reinette, feeling the cold, desperately sought refuge in his embrace.

It was easy to surmise that it was an instinctive action to recover her body temperature, but even then, it was genuinely surprising.

The moment when she, with a pounding heart, wiped away tears with the back of her hand and then wore an expression of disbelief.

In the moment she immediately hugged his neck, touching his cheek to feel the warmth.

Killian could vividly feel the breath fading away in an instant.

The sensation of every nerve tingling.

The unfamiliarity of something he had never experienced, surging up and heating his insides in an instant.

Although he almost reflexively pulled her closer, he held back and waited for her to calm down while an irresistible impulse dominated his entire body. Even the aftermath felt as vivid as the recent experience.

“Sigh…”