𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐈𝐀 ╾╾ THE REMARRIED EMPRESS

XIII

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Rashta walked down the hall, feeling good about herself. "Oh! Good afternoon, your majesty." She greeted Navier.

"Good afternoon." Navier replied, still having a cold look on her face.

"Um, your majesty, I talked with Sovieshu yesterday." She informed her. "It was weird, he told me that you and Duke Ergi were having a really friendly conversation, as if you two were flirting or something."

Navier shook her head. "He was a little upset when he saw me talking with Duke Ergi, and interesting enough he concluded that I had a soft spot for foreign men." She recalled.

"Foreign men, huh? Like Prince Heinrey?" Ji-yoon blurted out. The empress suddenly looked embarassed. "Sorry, that was rude."

"No, no, it's okay. The emperor hasn't cared to hide his disdain for my relationship with Prince Heinrey." The empress pinched the bridge of her nose.

Ji-yoon hummed. 'It's almost as if the emperor turned Rashta into a mistress to get more attention from Navier.' She theorized. "I like being your friend, empress. I just wish it was under different circumstances."

"You mean, if you weren't Sovieshu's mistress?" Navier asked.

Ji-yoon nodded. "Though I must sound really out of touch." She laughed nervously. "Since, all I have to do is act cute around Sovieshu and keep on the noble's good graces."

"You do have it easier than me." Navier noted. "I must get back to my work. See you soon, Rashta."

Ji-yoon waved to the empress as she gathered her dress and walked out of her room. "So, you've finally befriended the empress, huh?" Odessa suddenly appeared, sipping a cup of tea.

"O-odessa! You surprised me..." Ji-yoon said, composing herself. Odessa smirked. "Sorry. I just can't believe you went from a girl who cried when we offered to befriend you, to this confident lady who can casually hang out with the empress!" She pointed out.

Ji-yoon smiled. 'I have to admit, I have improved my self-esteem alot since I came here.' She thought. 

"I actually didn't notice. I've just been focusing on myself more, these days." 'Hopefully, I can turn things around for Rashta.'

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Ji-yoon was walking around the palace, noticing Prince Heinrey and Duke Ergi talking together. Heinrey looked frusturated with the laidback duke, who walked away.

She noticed that Ergi's eyes lingered longer than they should've at her.

"Prince Heinrey!" Ji-yoon exclaimed, surprising the prince. "Rashta? What are you doing here?" The prince replied. He didn't hate her, but they definitely were not close.

"I-i want to give you some advice." She inhaled. "You... you should take Empress Navier out for dinner."

Prince Heinrey looked flustered, clearing his throat. "What? Why would I take her out for dinner?" Ji-yoon paused for a moment. "Well, I've seen how you look at her. You and the empress are becoming close friends. And, even though me and her should be rivals, I'm her friend and Sovieshu... doesn't seem to fit her anymore."

Prince Heinrey seemed more amused than annoyed, which Ji-yoon assumed he would be. "I... can't say you're wrong. Me and the empress have even caught the attention of the emperor, who still believes those stupid rumors about me."

Ji-yoon smiled. "I guess we both have problems with stupid rumors then?"

"I guess so. I'll ask her to dinner then. Thank you, Rashta." Prince Heinrey walked away. Ji-yoon internally squealed, happy she was finally getting on good terms with the prince.