Empress Handbook

Chapter Forty-Four | Shadow Lines

"Welcome to Prince Jungkook and Lady Dakyung's wedding."

Lady Min's announcement stirs a numb joy to wash through the audience neatly seated across the Front Courtyard. Now that Prince Joonhyuk has been formally exiled, Lady Min, the woman who delivered the wedding rings for Yeoreum and Taehyung, has to step up to host Jungkook's wedding. At the same time, her old duty is now for her sister, Lady Seora.

The early afternoon sun embellishes the elegant backdrop rendered of the most delicate-looking crystal roses. The summer breeze thrusts the intricate petals to whirl in the summertime halo, casting a mesmerising dazzle over Jungkook's aloof smile.

Alike Yeoreum's wedding, the Front Courtyard has been ornamented with flowery golds and silvers to welcome the new Imperial bride into the Family. The most prominent furnishing is probably the gold ceiling drapes crafted from threads of pure gold and beaded with seven-carat marquise diamonds. As the camera sweeps skywards, it looks like a starry golden sky birthed from mythologies.

Lady Min methodically looks at the different cameras as she finishes delivering her opening speech to address the audience. The camera crew captures her flawless smile and shifts their focus to the audience. Knowing their tendencies well, Taehyung and Yeoreum refine their smiles for them to capture a good reaction.

Though this wedding is much smaller with less significance, all broadcasting stations still sent out media crews. Jungkook's popularity amongst the general public cannot be ignored.

Yeoreum presses her hand over her mouth to suppress a yawn. Lady Min wraps up an anecdote and jabbers on about the non-existent love story between Jungkook and Dakyung.

Taehyung looks at Yeoreum with concern furrowing his brows. He strokes her hand, gently caressing a hickey he left on her ring finger last night.

"Are you tired?" Taehyung utters. "You got to rest more. My heart will ache if you don't sleep enough."

"Don't act as if you don't know how insane you were last night and this morning," Yeoreum snaps, nearly raising her voice. "It almost seemed like you were trying to make me sabotage Jungkook's wedding."

Taehyung leans towards Yeoreum to act as if he is fixing the brooch on her dress as he deftly slithers his other hand up her backside.

"It's your fault for lying about your period," he whispers. "You only had your period last week. I was so worried—"

Yeoreum pushes Taehyung away, struggling to control herself from hitting him.

"You were worried enough to notice that I wasn't wearing a pad?" Yeoreum says. "Honestly, how the fuck did you notice that?"

Taehyung pinches her cheek with a wide, boyish smile.

"You are neurotic about making sure the bed is clean, so it's impossible for you not to use an all-night pad. I can usually feel it through your pants because of how thick it is. Additionally, it's unthinkable for you to use tampons. You ranted about how you're not comfortable knowing that something is stuck in your butt as you walk around."

"How are you so comfortable talking about this?" Yeoreum says, examining Taehyung's perfectly calm expression.

Taehyung shrugs. "You're not even embarrassed. Why should I be?"

"I hate you."

Taehyung clasps her hip to bring her into his arms while he draws his lips next to hers.

"I love you."

Afraid to see Yeoreum's reaction, he leaves a short kiss and pulls away. His motion is so hasty that he misses the cadence of affection in her eyes that briefly soften her sleep-deprivation-triggered vexation.