Thief of Twilight

Part One: Chapter 13

Ever since that night I spent with the emperor, I have been trying my best to avoid him. But it's a little difficult since I can't leave the palace. I wake up every morning to a neat stack of parchment and charcoal sticks. Around noon, the emperor finds me and watches me sketch until he is pulled away by Lord Baek. It didn't take long for me to realize that he enjoys watching me sketch. But I've noticed that he is particularly interested in my sketches of the wolf.

"Lady Abedayo."

Why is he so fascinated by the wolf? It's just an animal. Are wolves his favorite animal or something?

"...Lady Abedayo..."

"Maybe I'll just draw him a few more so that he can leave me alone. Maybe that will work."

"Lady Abedayo, did you hear me?"

"H-Huh?" I looked down at Min-ji. "No, I'm sorry. My mind was elsewhere."

"Lady Abedayo, ever since you went to Emperor Kang's room that night your head has been up in the clouds." she clapped her hands over her mouth. "Could it be that the two of you-?"

"No!" I was completely taken by surprise at her assumption. "No! Never in a million years!" I crossed my arms over my chest with a huff. "If anything, I'm furious."

"May I ask why?"

"Because the emperor has a bed." I grumbled.

"I'm..sorry...?"

"I saw a bed in his room. He has a bed and a futon. Why does he have both when I just have a simple futon?"

"Lady Abedayo...if you would like to have a bed installed in your room, all you have to do is ask the emperor. I'm sure he would be happy to do so."

"But why isn't there a bed in my room to begin with?" I asked. "It just doesn't make any sense."

"If I may, the emperor has always believed that rooms should reflect the resident. He did not add anything to your room because he wanted you to have the option to decorate it as you see fit."

"...Is that true?"

"Yes." Min-ji smiled softly. "I must say, I believe the emperor likes you very much."

"Huh?" I smirked. "You've got to be kidding. There's absolutely no way that he feels that way. I haven't even done anything for him to feel that way."

"I don't think that's true." she said. "He is very fond of you. It may be true that he doesn't say it. But it is very visible through his actions."

"...If you say so." the two of us walked around the wall leading to the large pond that surrounded the banquet hall. I haven't been inside of that building since the engagement party.

"Is this where you wanted to go?" Min-ji questioned.

"Yes." I gave a deep sigh. "I just wanted to go for a walk today. I also wanted to see the pond. Does the palace have a garden?"

"Yes it does but...it is rather barren."

"Huh? What do you mean?" I looked down at her in question

"The emperor has not planted any flowers in the garden yet. At the moment, there is only grass."

"Ugh, such a waste." I groaned. "How do you have a garden without flowers?"

"You can ask the emperor." she gestured with a smile.

I looked up to see Emperor Kang walking toward us. I've got to admit, he does look nice today. Dark brown trousers with a black robe and his signature red top robe. Normally, his hair is in a ponytail but today it seemed to be in a neat braid down his back. Only, the braid started at his shoulders. There were a few loose strands that perfectly framed his face.