"Yes. And let’s leave it at that."

Firmly, she placed her hands against his chest and pushed him back a step.

He allowed it. And she was aware of it. Physically, he was leagues above her.

"Alright. For today."

A faint smile touched his lips.

"Tomorrow, I’ll have plenty of time to trouble you."

Before she could react, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

And then he was gone.

Mirabelle looked around, stunned.

What? How?

’He did not just do that. He did not just do that!! And then he disappears? Is he serious right now?’

She felt completely thrown off. And strangely... left behind.

A sense of loss filled her chest — for something she had never even wanted to have.

At the same time, anger won out over the chaos of her emotions.

"This asshole.

Who does he think he is?"

Muttering to herself, she opened the door to her room.

It was dark, the balcony doors standing open.

Light white curtains moved gently in the night breeze.

Without doing anything more than undressing and letting everything fall where it landed, she collapsed onto the bed with a groan.

What a day. If she woke up tomorrow in her own bed back home, no one would believe what she had experienced here.

On the balcony, Kaelith leaned against the wall beside the doors.

He had underestimated the panther. The hyena beastman had not expected something like that from the stoic warrior.

But nothing was lost yet. If anything, it only made the hunt more interesting.

With one last glance at the sleeping female, he jumped over the railing.

_____

Of course, she did not wake up in her own bed.

But she had to admit — this one was simply heavenly.

Sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a warm glow over the unfamiliar yet strangely familiar surroundings.

Still drowsy from sleep, Mirabelle stretched contentedly. Every limb extended, her tail tip curling and uncurling.

A soft purr slipped from her lips.

Instantly, all traces of sleep vanished and she was fully awake. Feeling that animal side within her was... something she still had to get used to.

At least it was a cat. She had always felt drawn to them. An ex-boyfriend had even called her a cat more than once, because she shared so many of their traits.

But having a tail, claws, ears, and fangs was something else entirely.

’At least I don’t have whiskers.’

A knock sounded at the door, reminding Mirabelle why she had woken up.

"Lady Mirabelle, I have come to prepare your bath."

Tara stood outside.

Mirabelle took a deep breath. So much for easing into this world slowly.

"Come in."

The door opened silently, and the mouse woman hurried inside. Despite her small steps, she moved surprisingly fast.

Her gaze immediately fell on the clothes and jewelry scattered across the floor. Without a word, she picked everything up, shook out the garments, smoothed them, and disappeared into the dressing room.

Moments later, she was already in the bathroom, and Mirabelle could hear water running.

Curious, she got up.

She had already wondered yesterday how sanitation worked here — but other things had demanded her attention.

Now, she finally had the time to figure it out.

The bathroom was a dream. It was exactly how she imagined the perfect wellness oasis.

It felt less like somethin necessary and more like a private sanctuary. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The room was made of large gray stone slabs and dark marble. Golden accents gave everything a touch of luxury. Of course, tall ferns stood in front of the two large arched windows.

The bathtub was more like four bathtubs combined. The basin was set into the floor, and you simply went down into it via a few steps.

By now, it was almost completely filled with water.

What passed for a toilet here looked surprisingly modern. The only difference was that nothing was flushed with water — everything disappeared into something like quicksand.

She watched as Tara pulled a cord, stopping the water flow.

The former Mirabelle had never cared about how any of this worked.

But the new one, with her broad general knowledge drilled into her at school, felt a certain curiosity.

She assumed a beastman with water abilities was responsible. The cord probably alerted him.

’Quite extravagant to employ a beastman just for when someone needs water.’

But that was not important right now.

"It’s ready,"

Tara said, watching her attentively.

’Wait... is she going to—?’

Yes. Of course. The servant had been helping Mirabelle bathe, dress, and with other things for years.

Once again, the lynx woman took a deep breath. Tara had likely seen this body naked countless times.

But Mirabelle had not been the one inside it then.

Fortunately, she was not particularly prudish. She had regularly gone to the sauna to relax. Anyone with a demanding job had to maintain balance.

So she removed the underwear she had been given yesterday and stepped into the water.

The water was pleasantly warm. Small clusters of foam had formed from whatever the servant had added earlier, and the air carried a soft floral scent.

She sat down on a built-in bench within the basin and leaned her head back.

Immediately, Tara knelt behind her and began massaging her shoulders with oil.

Something she had always done. But for Mirabelle, it was the first time experiencing it — and it was wonderful.

’I could get used to this.’

Tara helped her scrub and wash her hair.

After a while, she lay back in the water, drifting with her eyes closed.

The mouse woman had stepped out, quietly closing the door behind her.

Mirabelle savored this brief moment of peace.

Only the soft sound of water and her own breathing.

"Well? Did you have a long night?"

Her eyes snapped open.

’What the hell?’