𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐈𝐀 ╾╾ THE REMARRIED EMPRESS

V

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     "OOF!" Ji-yoon rubbed her nose, seeing she had bumped into someone. "Sorry-" Unfortunately, the lady had whirled around so fast her pink parasol smacked into her face. "AH!" She shrieked, holding her face and looking down. She could hear gasps.

"Oh my! I'm so sorry!" Ji-yoon looked up, and was face-to-face with Verona. "Ah, it's you, Rashta! I've been worrying about your wellbeing for some time." Verona giggled. "Ever since your blunder with the empress."

Valerie scowled, elbowing Verona harshly. The bluenette held her ribs in pain, falling on her knees and yelling "Why do you hate me?!".

Valerie shook her head, sighing. "What Verona means is that we were worried."

Ji-yoon blinked. 'They were... worried about me?' She thought, as if it were impossible. "But why? We barely know each other..." The blancette looked down. Verona stood up.

"That's exactly why we were worried." Verona flipped her huge blue curls. "We didn't know if you were the sensitive type or strong. Not to mention, with all the rumors swirling around, you probably need someone like me- er, us."

Valerie nodded. "Besides, we're going to become your ladies-in-waiting, so we might as well become friends, right?"

Ji-yoon's eyes became watery. 'I'm actually crying over having a friend? Am I that touchstarved?' She ignored her thoughts, just standing in awe.

Valerie and Verona gasped. "Wait. Why are you crying?!"

"I'm just really happy. I haven't really had any friends at the palace." Ji-yoon's face flushed, and she quickly hugged both of the ladies.

As the ladies listened to Verona's gossip, they opened the door to Ji-yoon's room to receive a sparkling wrapped gift. "Oh? What's that?" Verona asked curiously, inspecting the gift like an airport security guard.

Ji-yoon gasped as she stared at the gift. "Did the empress send this?" She asked rhetorically. The excitement then turned to disappointment once she remembered that Sovieshu was the one who sent the gift in Navier's name.

"Maybe she's trying to make up with you?" Valerie guessed. Verona seemed to be trying to guess what's inside. "Perhaps it's a dress and a mannequin? Maybe he sent jewelry too!" She fantasized.

"That would be nice but... I don't think she did."

"Oh?"

"Me and the empress aren't exactly besties," She laughed nervously. " ,not to mention we aren't related. And... everyone still thinks I'm a slave. So I doubt she would send me a gift."

"It better not be Lady Cordelia spreading those rumors, or I will-"

Valerie put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure that won't be needed. People say you spend the whole day reading books in the library, and slaves can't read due to not getting an education."

Ji-yoon nodded. "Thank you." 'I really, really want to open that gift.' She thought, and walked over to the gift, carefully opening it.

It was a beautiful blue dress, adorned with lace and bows.

'Are dresses the only gifts?' Her eye twitched.

Verona cooed. "Oh, so beautiful! Perfect for a walk in the park! It will look great on you!" She marveled. "Look, it seems his Majesty got you a chair!"

"It looks like a throne... seems like her Majesty and his Majesty have taken a liking to you!" Valerie exclaimed.

Ji-yoon smiled. "That's how it would seem..." She sighed. 'But I won't bring it up tomorrow because I know that she didn't send it.'

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