Thief of Twilight

Part One: Chapter 23

"Lady Abedayo? Lady Abedayo? Lady Abedayo?"

"H-Huh?" I sat before an array of colored fabric. I forgot Seong-ja and Seong-gi were visiting the palace today.

"Lady Abedayo, are you alright? You seem to be distracted." Seong-ja frowned.

Seong-gi seemed to be worried but didn't know what to say.

"I'm alright." I said. "Uh..." I looked down at the indigo fabric swatch. "I'll take this one."

"...Alright..." Seong-ja took the swatch and set it to the side. "Now pick two more."

"Uh..." I wasn't quite sure which other colors to pick. I've never really had a choice when it came to what I wore. "Here." I pointed to two more swatches; olive green and burgundy.

"Are you sure?"

"Mhm."

"Then I will make a set of robes with these three colors in mind." Seong-ja took the other two swatches and set them with the first one that I picked out. "Now if you change your mind, you can let me know."

"No, I like those colors." I sighed. Why do I feel so out of it today?

Seong-gi pursed his lips before looking at his sister. "Do you know where Tae-sung is?"

"Tae-sung?" Seong-ja growled. "How would I know where he is?"

"He's been spending most of his days in the imperial library." I said. "I don't know exactly what he's doing in there but that's where he is around this time."

Seong-gi slowly stood up. "I will pay him a visit."

Seong-ja watched as her brother stepped out of my bedroom. "Lady Abedayo." her gaze shifted to me. "Are you sure everything is alright?"

I lowered my eyes. "I'm just...overthinking..."

"Please tell me what's wrong. I want to help you. Has Yohan been mean to you?"

"No." I shook my head. "He is far too nice to me to do such a thing. But I often find myself wondering if his words and actions are genuine."

"Do you believe that he is not being truthful?"

"I just don't want to misunderstand anything. I think I just...don't know how to accept his affection."

"I have known the emperor for a long time. I'm sure you are already aware, but you are the only one to have lasted this long. I can tell he cares for you deeply."

"How so?" I asked. "I mean I know he is nice to me. But I don't know what else to look for."

"I have never known the emperor to want to be near any of his previous fiances."

"In what way?"

"He wants you to be with him at all times. Not in a possessive way but I can tell he enjoys your company."

"Isn't that normal for people when you become comfortable with one another?"

"With the emperor it is different. I don't know how to explain it but he definitely likes you. Can't you see it through his actions?" she laughed. I thought back to when he brought me a grand selection of desserts. The art studio. How he has become much gentler with me.

"I guess..."

"Don't think too much. I'm sure if you ask the emperor he'll just tell you what you want to know." she turned to the trunk behind her and began fishing through one of the compartments.

"Yeah...I guess..." I guess it's a bit silly to be asking such questions.

"Here." she pulled out a pair of panties that seemed to be as thin as paper.