Empress Handbook

Chapter Thirty-Four | Reddening Blues

"Yeoreum?"

Taehyung's voice drags Yeoreum out of her musing. She quickly composes her expression, obliterating all the bitterness that tainted her features mere seconds ago.

Yeoreum closes her eyes to recall the purpose of this trip. Prime Minister. Lee Chungin. Meeting. Apparently, Taehyung needs to talk to Chungin about the international political forum the country has been invited to attend.

Yeoreum turns to Taehyung's concerned expression with a wry smile jolting her lips. It has been three days since she severed contact with Yoongi after he sent her a list of things to do while he goes on hiatus, completely aloof.

"Are your feet all right?" Taehyung says. He inspects the swelling over Yeoreum's feet that seems even more severe between the constraining edges of her leather high heels. "Your feet look so swollen."

Yeoreum lowers her head. The urge to laugh at herself weighs on her mind again. Her actual lover is acting like a work partner, but her real work partner is acting like a lover. How ridiculous.

"Yeah, my feet are starting to swell these days," Yeoreum says. "I asked the doctor, and he said it's normal for me to experience these things earlier than other expecting mothers because of my weak health."

Taehyung frowns. "Then why are you still wearing high heels? Isn't it unsafe?"

"These are already adjusted versions of what I normally wear. I have to wear them because it is inappropriate for female Imperial Family Members to wear flats outside the Castle. Didn't you know that?"

"I did, but still, that's so stupid," Taehyung says. As the car stops in front of a restaurant, he passes his shoes to Yeoreum. "Here. I know they're big for you, but it'll be more comfortable than wearing your murderous high heels."

"What if the Imperial Household Agency catches me?"

"Your dress is long enough to cover it, so it should be fine."

Yeoreum gulps. "What are you going to wear then?"

"Don't worry," Taehyung says, tugging an assuring smile. "I bought a second pair of shoes."

A warm feeling stretches across Yeoreum's chest, almost dampening her eyes. She hesitantly takes Taehyung's shoes and slips her feet into them. Taehyung's feet are much bigger than hers, but with her swelling, it turns out to be a relatively comfortable loose fit.

"Thank you," Yeoreum mutters.

Taehyung shakes his head and gently helps her off the car. Yeoreum clings to Taehyung's arm as they walk into the restaurant.

A man waiting at the doorway approaches them with a polite smile.

"Good morning, Your Majesties. I am Mr Lee's secretary," the man says. "Mr Lee is arranging the meal on the fifth floor. Please follow me."

Taehyung and Yeoreum nod and follows the lanky man to the elevator that stops at the observation deck private room on the fifth floor.

Chungin shoots up from his seat as soon as the elevator doors slide open, rushing to greet Taehyung and Yeoreum. The high, cream ceilings cast a jagged shadow over Chungin's awkward figure, making him appear shorter than he is.

"Good morning, Your Majesties," Chungin gushes. He sounds like he is chanting a desperate orison. "Empress-nim, I believe this is the first time we have met. It is such a pleasure to meet you finally."

"Good morning, Mr Lee. It is a pleasure for me, too," Yeoreum says, trying to refrain from wincing at Chungin's overly eager greeting. She flits her eyes across his bent waist, which looks as if it is more comfortable bowing at people than standing upright.