𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐈𝐀 ╾╾ THE REMARRIED EMPRESS

X

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  JI-YOON did happen to regret what she did to the viscount. Despite Lottesheu being f̶o̶r̶c̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ kind enough to admit he did mistake her face, many nobles still spread rumors about her being a rabid slave who escaped and was trying to cause an uprising.

The same lovely nobles that talked to her beforehand, became snakes that kept spreading their venom everywhere, inflicting willing participants and forever poisoning their tongues with cruel words.

She sighed, walking around. Valerie had told her that she doesn't need to worry about fake news, and Verona told her that she could rely on them. That did little to stop the sinking feeling in her stomach that everything would go downhill.

However, upon seeing Prince Heinrey, her face lit up. "Ah, Prince Heinrey! Are you having a good time staying at the palace?" She inquired, smiling brightly.

"I suppose." He said, seeming distracted by something. She mentally sighed of relief that he wasn't being cold to her.

"Well, uh, that's good! I'm happy you aren't believing those stupid rumors about me being a slave." She laughed nervously.

He paused. "I don't care for rumors. I've dealt with some nasty ones my whole life."

She nodded. "Well, good day!" She turned around, humming.

Prince Heinrey and McKenna stared at her like she was crazy.

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Ji-yoon continued walking, taking in the fresh air. 'The author designed the palace gardens beautifully.' She thought.

"Oof!" She squeaked as she bumped into someone. She could feel her heart drop when she looked up. "Duke Ergi...?"

"Ah, so you've heard of me?" He smirked, his aura radiating confidence. "Likewise. You're Rashta, the emperor's concubine, correct?"

Ji-yoon narrowed her eyes at him, her long eyelashes carefully veiling the precious pearls that were her eyes. "Ah... yes. Good day." She stated, swiftly turning.

He grabbed her shoulder. "Wait! Why are you leaving so soon?"

'He only befriends Rashta to manipulate her, right?' She thought. "W-well, there's not much to talk about."

"Ah." He goes beside her, smiling at her. "I was hoping you'd be my guide around the palace."

Ji-yoon shifted uncomfortably. "Um, okay. This is the palace gardens..." She made up names for a bunch of places, racking her brain to remember names, until a noble speaking snapped her out of her daze.

"Duke Ergi Claude! Good afternoon!" He hollered.

Though he sounded cheerful, Ji-yoon easily recognized the ill intent to humiliate her that laced his lips, his face donning an innocent mask.

The Duke waved back.

"Duke Ergi, are you aware you're walking with a runaway slave right now?"

Ji-yoon gasped, worriedly looking at the duke. "I-i'm not-"

"How amusing, right? A mere slave thinking she could-"

Before he could finish talking, Duke Ergi had rushed up to the man and punched him in the face. "Who do you think you are, talking to me about pathetic rumors like this? Get up and leave my sight." He said coldly.

The man shuddered, scrambling away like a frightened lizard. Ji-yoon stared at Duke Ergi, who smiled back at her. She looked away, flustered. "Thank you for what you just did."

"It's fine." Duke Ergi paused. "So, aren't you going to cordially invite me to your quarters for tea?"

Ji-yoon stared at him, confused.

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Ji-yoon sat down, as Valerie placed down a cup of steaming saffron tea along with some light treats and delicacies such as cakes, biscuits, wafers and the like. She gave her look that said 'be careful'.

The blancette gripped the handle, staring at her reflection in the golden water. "Thank you again, Duke Ergi."

"There's no need to thank me. I simply taught a scoundrel some manners." He sipped his tea.

'He seems nice... but I'm sure he's just trying to manipulate Rashta. I can't let my guard down.' She convinced herself. "Well, I'm very grateful."

She stared longingly at the treats on the table, attempting to reach for one.

"Does this kind of thing happen to you often?" He inquired.

Ji-yoon restrained herself from taking one. 'Even as Rashta, I can't escape the cruel gossip that surrounds me.' She sighed, laughing nervously. "I'm the emperor's mistress, right? There's really nothing I can-"

"Damn them all to hell." He shouted, standing up. "They've got some nerve to say you're a slave to your face. And even if that were true, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I should have given them more of a beating."

"Ah, we just met and you're already ready to become my guard?" She laughed nervously.

He sighed. "I actually came here to meet a friend. But I'm glad I ran into you first." He put his head in his right hand, resting it. "I doubt you would have been able to deal with that scoundrel properly if I hadn't been there."

"Though I'm sure my friend is throwing a fit right now because I'm late. He has quite the temper, you see."

Ji-yoon sipped her tea. "I understand. We'd be lucky if a noble didn't see us, or even more rumors would spread..."

"In any case, it would be best if people stopped spreading these lies, but it's unlikely that fools lie that will suddenly stop talking nonsense." He pointed out. "I suggest you deal with the problem as soon as possible."

She nodded. "That's good advice." She picked up a wafer. "Though, the man who caused the rumor has already said it wan't true. It's just that noone believes him." Ji-yoon finally took a bite.

"Well, then make someone else the target."

Ji-yoon paused from reaching a shortcake.

"That will be faster than trying to respond to the rumors."

She put her fork into the cake. "I'm sorry?"

"You're currently everyone's target. So if you can get people talking about someone else, everyone will attack them instead." He explained.

The blancette shifted uncomfortably as she ate her cake. "That seems rude though..."

"Do you not find it rude when people spread gossip about you?" He tilted his head, getting up from his seat and preparing to leave. "You are a noble. You have to worry about yourself."

She sighed.