Chapter 51

CH51

Morgan

Tsuneo looked surprised.

"What is it?"

"I was under the impression that your family of humans-"

I snickered. He wrinkled his nose.

"Is that odd phrasing?"

"A little," I smiled at him. "But a little endearing..."

His smile turned warm, and his eyes brightened. I looked away.

"You were saying?"

"Your family... is from an area that bathes communally, isn't it?"

"My father's family, yes." I nodded. "But I never got the to never had the time, and I was always excluded from going."

go to the communal baths. I

My lips twitched at the thought.

"The Jaki Baths in my hometown are the best on this side of the continent, but I never went."

"Why?"

"Well..." I shrugged. "It was a luxury, for one."

"Your family didn't seem to be poor."

really.

pained him. I-bit-my lip and dropped my gaze to my knees. After everything, should I really be cagey about this? It wasn't like it was my fault that my family were jerk No one ever want to go with me when I had time, I said. "Then... I was too busy to go. Even though the estate

genuinely confused,

"That's terrible."

wanted to try it, so this is a pretty

sighed, leaning my head back against the stone and

me and I cracked an eye open. His eyes were bright with excitement. He

that made it hard to reconcile the fact that he'd killed his brother

had a proper honeymoon," he

at the

that, but...

away. "You

things settle down,"

deal. There are these... fairy springs, hidden. deep within the mountains to the south.

thrill shot through me. The idea of bathing in a magical pool, surrounded

realm, we will go to these

sunk down a little

incredible," I whispered, a genuine smile playing on my lips. "Thanks,

"You need not thank

me, wife."

while, we sat in comfortable silence, the only sound the gentle lapping of the water. The tension of the evening had melted away, replaced by a sense of intimacy and relaxation we both needed. The world outside seemed to

ears, a maddening

CH51

82

from the dining hall toward my room. Servants jumped out of my way, but I could hear them snickering, laughing, gossiping about me.

my chambers, slamming the heavy oak door with a resounding thud that

Tsuneo... my Tsuneo... he was supposed to be mine. I knew since we were children that we

Empress.

His wife!

whirled around with a shriek of fury, knocking over a delicate porcelain vase in the process. The sound of shattering echoed through the room was almost cathartic. I screamed and threw chairs. I clawed through a tapestry I'd had since I was child. I couldn't stop until every surface was bare and overturned. My pillows on the floor. Sheets

"That little bitch!"

as Tsuneo's wife. I'd taken care of him while he was in his coma. I was at his side. I spoke with the concubines and managed them and their petty gossip. I made the lazy servants do exactly what they should be doing. The king loved me. The

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255