Empress Handbook

Chapter Nineteen | Fox and Tanuki

Taehyung visits every night, and Yeoreum rejects his advances every night. But no matter how flimsy Yeoreum's excuses are, Taehyung will leave after doing a benign gesture—a soft peck, a playful head rub, a brief hug. Nothing close to the red line.

Yeoreum looks at the calendar app on her phone and heaves a long sigh. It is the sixth night she has rejected Taehyung. Yeoreum knows she should accept him. She has tried to compel herself that she is merely orchestrating a hard-to-get scheme. However, the relief she feels whenever Taehyung leaves tells her otherwise.

"Her Majesty is already asleep," Nara says.

Despite Taehyung being a doorway away, anxiety still manages to rattle Yeoreum's mind. What is Taehyung going to do? Is he going to keep his gentlemanly act? Or will he show his true self and bust her blatant lie? After a short moment of silence, Taehyung's voice drifts inside.

"Is that so? I will come tomorrow night then."

Then, Taehyung's departing footsteps begin to pull away from Yeoreum, evoking a wash of relief to tranquil her bustling mind.

Taehyung has said the same words repeatedly, but his patience is still solemn. He is truly a good actor, Yeoreum muses as she flicks on her bedside lamp.

Yeoreum doesn't care that the light can alert Taehyung if his footsteps only were forged to test her. On the contrary, Yeoreum wants Taehyung to bust her lie and force himself on her. At least this way, she will be on the right path to resenting him.

A series of soft knocks from the bathroom window captures Yeoreum's attention. One rap and two taps. It's Yoongi. Yeoreum rushes to the bathroom and leaps into the bathtub to prop the casement window open. Different from Yeoreum's excitement, Yoongi's expression is stern.

"When are you going to let him in?"

Yeoreum widens her eyes. "Do you want me to let him in?"

"Yeoreum, I told you this would be a difficult path. If you are not ready, it's fine. It's not too late yet. I can send you to New—"

"No, I am not going to New Zealand," Yeoreum utters. She flits her gaze to the moonstone bracelet around her wrist that reflects the vivid red hue of her wedding ring. "I chose this path. I made the decision."

"Yeoreum, you don't need to—"

"I am going to be an adult soon, Yoongi. I need to experience the consequences of my actions," Yeoreum interjects.

Yoongi purses his lips. Perhaps, he wants her to go to New Zealand now. He doesn't want her to be entangled in the Imperial House's dirty laundry anymore. It's too complicated. He wants her to stay in a place where her safety can be soundly guaranteed, a place where she can pursue her beloved medicine degree and wait for his triumphant return. He lets a long sigh.

"Yeoreum, I thank you for your dedication and maturity, but please don't push yourself too hard. Your physical conditions haven't fully recovered yet."

"It's okay. I will take care of myself."

Yoongi lowers his eyes. "Are you...upset at me?"

"No, of course not," Yeoreum says. She points her toes to reach for his head. Her gentle pat casts a coy, red colour over Yoongi's cheeks. "How can I be mad at you? We haven't fought as a couple yet, and I hope this will continue to be the case. Right, have you heard anything about Gyowool? He has disappeared for three months now. I am getting worried."

"No, we haven't found his footsteps yet, but...." Yoongi sighs. "We did find some odd information."

"Odd information?"