𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 - 𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐨𝐧

(twenty-four)

"Oh, that's her. I heard she's been sleeping with Princess Siyeon."

"Did you hear what happened? They got caught together and the Queen lost her shit."

"She has no self-respect, screwing her way to the top like that."

Harlot. Slut. Hussy. Whore. Every time I turn my back I hear the whispering. I try to pretend they're not saying anything. What good would it do to argue with them? They'd only talk about how defensive I got and how that must mean I'm guilty. No one knows the truth, but no one wants it either. They just like having something to gossip about. Even weeks after my flogging, they can't seem to get enough of the story.

I just grit my teeth and continue folding clothes as the group of girls huddled in the corner of the laundry room continues talking about me.

"She's from a poor province," one of them says, "Of course she's going to play dirty. I bet her mom did the same just to put food on the table." They all laugh at the comment.

I slam my hands against the counter. "Make up whatever lies you want about me," I growl, "But leave my family out of it. You don't know anything about me. So stop accusing me of sleeping with the Princess just because you're bitter she likes me more than you guys." I take a step toward them and they flinch. "Maybe if you were honest, hardworking people you'd be able to move up in ranks. Such a shame you're conniving snakes instead." I prop the laundry basket on my hip and march out, nearly crashing into someone as I step into the hallway.

"Kim Bora," she whispers. I look up and see Princess Siyeon. Oh, shit. How much did she hear? She takes my hand and begins walking. We end up in the library. Last time we were here together she hit me. Oh how things have changed. I think back on the moment fondly, in a way. She's changed so much, it's almost funny to think about the way she was when we first met.

She takes the basket from me and sets it down, gesturing for me to sit on the couch. She sits beside me and rests a hand on my knee. "Does that happen often?"

"Does what happen often?"

She frowns. "Those girls talking about you," she clarifies, "Do people do that often?" I shrug, not wanting to lie to her but also not wanting to worry her. "Why didn't you tell me? I could help you."

She doesn't get it. "No, if you defended me it would only solidify their belief that we're sleeping together," I sigh.

"Is that what people say?"

Has she really not heard any of the rumours? "That's what everyone says," I tell her. "It's because you're nice to me and we spend so much time together."

Princess Siyeon huffs and throws her hands up. "Well, duh! Of course we spend time together. Of course I'm nice to you. You're my best friend!"

"It's just different," I mumble. "I'm the only one you treat like this. I don't think they understand that we're friends, so their only explanation is that I seduced you because you're not mean to me anymore." I think back to that night in the throne room where the Queen said she knew there was something off about us. "Honestly, I've been thinking about trying to make space between us. I don't want to, obviously, but I was thinking it could protect us, you know? That's why I agreed to the date, too. Get people off my ass."

She scoffs. "I thought you were gonna leave me for that girl," she grumbles, crossing her arms. "I would've missed you. And I'd miss you if you distanced yourself from me. If it makes you feel better, I can pretend to hate you in front of people. I'll only be real with you when it's just us." She smiles and adds, "But I would be asking for a lot of extra time from you after hours so I could be nice to you to make up for it."

I can't help but giggle at her suggestion. It's crazy, but it might work. I guess I'll find out whenever she starts pretending to be mean again.

"And please don't go on that date."