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."
aren't 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
that. He looked genuinely confused, or maybe troubled. Then
"That's terrible."
wanted to try it, so
head back against the stone
I cracked an eye open. His eyes were bright with excitement. He
reconcile the fact
proper
at the
that, but... I wouldn't be
away.
things settle down,"
these... fairy springs, hidden. deep
pool, surrounded by nature, sounded worlds better than bathing
we are in your realm, we will go to these Jaki Baths so you have something
a little more
a genuine smile playing on
"You need not thank
me, wife."
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 fade
blood roared in my ears, a maddening
CH51
82
dining hall toward my room. Servants jumped out of my way, but I could hear them snickering, laughing, gossiping
and consuming, pulsed through my veins, threatening to boil over. I stormed into my chambers, slamming the heavy oak door with
Tsuneo... he was supposed to be mine. I knew since we were children that we were destined to rule side-by-side. I was destined to be
Empress.
His wife!
cathartic. I screamed and threw chairs. I clawed through a tapestry I'd
"That little bitch!"
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.
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