right through me

4

after the war council meeting i wanted to hide because of my behavior but the universe had other plans. "rylyn," i jumped at the sound of sima yi's voice. i shrink a little bit and turn around to bow, "yes my lord?" he laughs, "for someone who likes to make a scene in my meeting, you're pretty shy right now." i blush at his comment, "my lord, i apologize for my behavior today."

sima yi gives me a soft smile and raises his hand, "my sons told me everything that has happened, i'm not angry. i am intrigued by your attention to fine details. you remembered everything that soldier said didn't you?" i nod my head while he continues speaking, "wang yuanji also informed me that you memorized everything for today's meeting. would you be interested in studying to become a strategist?"

i blink and stare at him, strategist? me? what? how long have i stood here and stared at him? no wonder zhao and shi are so good looking, their father looks like this. "father," i jump at the sound of sima shi'a voice, "mother needs you. i can finish this conversation with rylyn." he smirked towards me and i honestly just want to run away. sima yi turns around, "think about what i said, you would be a perfect addition to the strong strategists i have now."

i sigh watching sima yi walk away, while sima shi puts his hand on my shoulder. that burning feeling is back, "my lord, can i ask you something?" sima shi widens his eyes slightly, "of course rylyn. what's going on?" i muster up the courage to ask him, "are you and your family messing with me?" his eyes soften when i look up at him and he guides me to a more private area.

"why would you ever think my family would mess with you?" he crosses his arms waiting for me to speak. i sigh looking up at the gorgeous man in front of me, "zhao was the only one to notice me before the incident with my family, then you and your parents are suddenly giving me a home, a job, and now offering me a higher place in this army. it's a little overwhelming." i let out a breath that i didn't even know i was holding.

sima shi smirks, "what did i tell you that night after you stood up to that disgrace of a man?" i blink and stare at him while he gets closer to my ear, feeling his breath on my neck, "i would do absolutely anything for you." my breath hitches, come closer, "you did all of this? why?"

sima shi starts to walk away telling me to follow him. we walked in silence as we reached the library. he handed me a book, "read this and tell me the highlights tomorrow and i will give you the answer to your question." i watched him walk away, taking a seat at a table to start reading the book.

later on that evening i was still in the library reading. the book was about basic strategies and all that boring stuff. i heard a cough and look up to see sima shi standing in front of the table, "have you been here all day reading?"

"if you give me an assignment to do, i will do it my lord," i reply smiling. he chuckles, "ah, if only zhao would learn something from you."

"my lord, zhao really isn't that bad. give him a break, look who he has as his family." i smile softly while his eyes go slightly wide, "what do you mean, my lady?"  giggling, i whisper, "your father learned everything from the cao family, one of the most powerful families known. and you, well, there can only be one sima shi."

i don't even realize i'm blushing until i look up to him smirking down at me, "one of me?" my face feels like it's burning, "have you ever just looked at yourself? you're brilliant, feared, powerful, beautiful.." i muttered that last part and thank god he didn't hear it.

sima shi walks around the table, whispering, "beautiful huh?" fuck fuck fuck fuck he heard me. "to answer your question from earlier," i feel his breath against my neck again and it sends a shiver down my body, "i've always had an eye on you. you're beautiful, my lady." i open my mouth to say something but by the time i can even speak, he's gone.

i sigh while heading back to my room, thinking about sima shi. i pull out the scroll where i've been writing all my thoughts on. he really was one of a kind, captivating everyone who takes a single glance at him. his confidence radiating. any woman would be lucky to have him.

i start to realize i've been thinking way too much about him, remembering that unfortunately i still have a husband. i put the scroll away and crawl into my bed, once again having my thoughts run back to shi.