Empress Handbook

Chapter Thirty-Three | I'm Sorry, I Love You, I Forgive You

Taehyung follows Yeoreum back to Pearl Palace after the party, like every other night.

As usual, Taehyung lets Yeoreum get ready for bed first, even though she takes longer showers than him. If it were anyone else, Taehyung would get mad over being forced to read when he doesn't feel like it, but because it is Yeoreum, he suddenly doesn't mind having extra reading time.

Yeoreum hastily changes into her pyjamas and heads to bed. Her half-heartedly blow-dried hair rests over her chest, leaving small splatters of dampness.

Taehyung silently sanitises his hand before he reaches for the hairdryer. Yeoreum frowns as he moves towards her, rolling into the fluffy blankets for refuge.

"Come here," Taehyung says. "Your hair is not dry. You'll catch a cold."

"No, I'm tired. It's not a big deal, don't worry," Yeoreum whines with a simpering smile. "Please, leave me alone."

Taehyung lets a long sigh through the wide smile on his lips. He wants to cuddle Yeoreum, like how she is cuddling the blanket, but he refrains, knowing that she'll scold him because he hasn't showered yet.

"You can at least sit up and be still, right?" Taehyung says. He brings the hairdryer to the electric socket next to the bed. "I'll do all the work, Yeoreumie. It'll be quick."

"Fine," Yeoreum says, groaning. She crawls out of the blanket and sits up. "Why are you so unrelenting?"

"Because I care about you."

Taehyung turns on the hairdryer and carefully moves it down her long hair. His motion is far from slick, but it manages to plant a fluttering sensation in Yeoreum's cheeks.

"Okay, done," Taehyung says, sighing with relief. He pinches her cheek. "It was completely painless. What were you so hesitant about, Yeoreumie?"

Yeoreum shifts her eyes away from Taehyung, afraid he'll notice the change in her emotions. "Thank you," she mutters.

"No problems," Taehyung says. He rubs his hand against Yeoreum's hair, messing up her hairstyle and laughs when she motions to hit him. "I'm going to shower. Wait for me."

"Not anymore," Yeoreum yells.

However, an entertaining article eventually robs Yeoreum's sleepiness—forcing her to wait for Taehyung.

Taehyung lies down next to Yeoreum with a rueful smile. He wraps his arms around her, and she instinctively curls up against his chest.

"Sorry, you looked cute with messy hair," Taehyung teases. "You're always the cutest, Yeoreumie."

"If you do that again, I'll make you bald."

Taehyung laughs as he finds the page he was up to in his book while Yeoreum adjusts to a more comfortable position. They barely share a word, but it is pleasant enough for Taehyung to call it the happiest moment of his day.

Taehyung yawns. "Do you want to sleep yet?"

Yeoreum shakes her head, and her eyes are still fixed on her phone. "Soon," she says.

Taehyung puts the book aside and draws his ear next to Yeoreum's flat stomach. "Why don't you have a baby bump yet?" he says, pouting. "You don't even look pregnant. Have you been eating properly?"

"I eat twelve meals a day, darling," Yeoreum retorts. "It's because of my body shape; it'll probably show soon."

Taehyung tentatively pats her stomach twice, and a warm smile reaches his lips. "Good night, our beautiful child," he utters.

Yeoreum nudges him. "My stomach is not a door. You don't need to knock, idiot."

"Don't call me an idiot when our child's listening," Taehyung complains.