Julian looked toward the bed with confusion.

“What was that sound?”

My voice came out stiff as I explained, “Th-They’re just cats. I got two along the way to keep me company.”

He stepped closer to the bed.

“I remember you used to hate cats. What kind of cats managed to win you over? Let me see.”

I quickly stepped in front of him.

“No!”

Julian looked at me with a frown. “Why not? Unless those aren’t cats at all?”

“They are! They are cats. It’s just that they’re not used to strangers. I’m afraid they might hurt you.”

Julian chuckled and pulled me into his arms.

“It’s fine. I’ve sustained worse wounds than anything two little cats could manage.”

He reached for the covers.

I was just about to drop to my knees and confess everything.

Suddenly, a maid rushed in.

“Your Majesty, Miss Lyra has fainted. She’s been calling your name.”

At that, Julian withdrew his hand and hurriedly said, “I’ll check on Lyra first. I’ll come back to you later.”

As I watched him leave, I let out a quiet breath of relief. However, at the same time, something bitter rose in my chest.

Who was Lyra?

Was she important to him?

It did not take long before I found out.

The next day, I was inside my chamber feeding the little leopards.

Lyra Vale walked in wearing a fine gown, followed by several maids in a grand procession.

“So, you’re the village girl who saved Julian.”

I met her gaze calmly. “I am.”

She warned me sharply, “Julian brought you into the palace out of gratitude, nothing more. If you dare to covet a place that isn’t yours, don’t blame me for the consequences you’ll face.”

My lips curled into a faint sneer. “If you really have any influence here, then convince His Majesty to revoke his decree. Threatening me won’t change anything. The position of queen was granted to me by His Majesty. Whatever he gives, I accept. I don’t have the right to refuse.”

Lyra glared at me, furious.

“You’re sharp-tongued, peasant. Using Julian to intimidate me? Just you wait. I’ll have him shut you away in some forgotten wing!”

I did not take Lyra’s threats to heart, but for the first time, I began to think about leaving the palace.

I could tell Julian had feelings for me. Otherwise, he would not have gone to such lengths to bring me all the way from my village or promise to make me queen.

However, maybe those feelings were only temporary.

He was a king. He ruled an entire kingdom, and he was surrounded by countless beautiful women.

I was just one of many.

Once his interest in me faded, I would be trapped in this gilded cage until I died.

Then, there were my little leopards, who were a danger in themselves.

They had grown bigger over the past few days. Their appetites had grown with them. If anyone ever discovered they could speak like humans, they would be seen as monsters and killed.

For my freedom and the safety of my cubs, I decided to leave the palace. I had to leave Julian.

Three days later, while Julian was away performing a royal rite, I set fire to my chambers and slipped over the palace walls with the cubs.

As I stared at the flames rising from the palace in the distance, my mind drifted away for a moment.

‘Goodbye, Julian,’ I thought.

The little leopards nuzzled affectionately against my feet.

“Mama, let’s go.”

I crouched down and gathered them into my arms.

“Alright, let’s get out of here. From now on, we can go anywhere.”

However, when I turned around, Julian was standing right there with a group of guards.

He looked at me and at the leopards in my arms. Then, he walked toward me.