Emir's Jealousy, Baekseol's Clinginess, and Seria's Slap
Emir felt utterly miserable. At first, everything had been perfect. She had prepared endlessly for this date alone with Morris—calling in a designer for a new outfit, applying recommended cosmetics, even spritzing her hair with fresh shampoo for a captivating scent.
Why are these women tagging along?
Emir glared at Baekseol and Seria, who had obliviously crashed their outing. Baekseol was giggling and fawning over Morris, clinging to him shamelessly.
"Milord Morris, the empire's parks truly offer such spectacles, sire."
Seria trailed a step behind, her face impassive.
She's the most dangerous one. She might seem quiet, but perhaps... that's her way of signaling she's already won.
Jealousy surged. This should have been my place. It felt stolen. Even if they insisted it was an official affair, repeated a hundred times... having them trail us like this...
Her chest ached. That pain naturally twisted into jealousy and rage. And then there was that thorn in her side, Baekseol—the rumored northern princess offered to the minister.
First time seeing her. The first impression was awful. Her excessive clinging to Morris was grating.
"Lady Baekseol, aren't you a bit too close to Milord Morris? He seems uncomfortable—please stop."
Baekseol shot her a sidelong glance at Emir's words.
"Oh, do imperials dislike closeness? My apologies. Us northerners huddle close out of habit—it's cold up there."
"Now that you know, keep your distance. Milord Morris is uncomfortable."
"Oh my, isn't it you who's uncomfortable, Lady Emir?"
"What did you say?"
Baekseol's retort made Emir's eyes narrow in fury.
"Well, I've heard imperial ladies hate seeing their fiancés close to other women, sire. Oh, wait—were we fiancés? Everyone knows you two broke it off."
Baekseol covered her mouth feigning innocence. Emir ground her teeth at the brazen act. Wherever this wench had rolled in from, she had no manners. Insolent bitch! That remark plummeted Baekseol's first-impression score to rock bottom.
"Enough."
I had to intervene before it escalated to blows. "Both of you, stop. Fighting on a pleasant picnic outing? Fists might fly next."
How did it come to this?
Sigh. I'd planned to bring only Emir and Seria—using Seria to create some distance with Emir. But Baekseol tagged along on the way out. I thought an extra check on Emir wouldn't hurt, but permitting it was a mistake.
Didn't expect her to cling this much. She was probably trying to score points her way, but it was overkill.
"Baekseol, never mention the broken engagement again. It's poor etiquette among imperial nobles."
"My apologies, sire."
"Emir, don't overreact either."
"......Yes."
Thank goodness Seria stayed quiet. If she'd jumped in, I'd be dead sandwiched between three women.
"Whew."
It was still manageable. Emir bit her lip, unable to focus.
"You alright?"
She nodded at my question. "Yes... the weather's nice. And Lady Baekseol's words aren't wrong. We did break our engagement."
Emir glanced away, pretending nonchalance. But her eyes didn't lie—deep sorrow shimmered in those sparkling pupils. It must have hurt her that much.
I wasn't there then, so who knows. But seeing tears well up even now... It was a tough topic to broach.
"Look, there's the fountain."
Emir's favorite. Even before the breakup, she'd loved sitting by it.
"Let's head to the fountain."
Whatever she read into it, Emir looked at me in surprise. "You... remembered?"
"Remembered what?"
"N-nothing."
Emir's cheeks flushed. Baekseol, meanwhile, puffed hers.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
We sat in the gazebo by the fountain and unpacked Seria's bento.
"Ah, I brought some too."
Emir pulled out hers. Seria's was sandwiches. Emir's looked similar. Perfect for a picnic... but a lot of sandwiches.
Emir's eyes sparkled. Baekseol grabbed one of Seria's, offering to feed me. Seria? The prideful one wouldn't beg me to eat her food in this situation. Still, I took Seria's sandwich.
"Ah?"
Emir's short exclamation. Ignoring it halfway, I bit into Seria's.
"Delicious."
Quite good, actually. Hard to believe this was the girl who barely knew kitchen basics a month ago.
I ignored Emir's jealous glare at me and Seria. "Try a bite of mine too, sire."
She held hers out, barely containing her anger. It looked like she'd kill me if I refused—though she couldn't, really. The intensity said otherwise.
"Alright, one bite."
I nibbled Emir's. My mind reeled. Nearly blacked out. Was this a weapon disguised as food? Maybe Emir was an assassin from an enemy nation out to kill me. Certainty hit: she'd made it herself. Otherwise...
It couldn't taste this bad.
She clearly couldn't distinguish salt from sugar. And the cabbage had a weird chocolate aftertaste—the worst part. Do noble ladies in this world never cook? Why are they all like this?
"How is it?"
Her expectant face... How to answer? The truth? Or...
"Deli...cious."
I went with a kind lie. The truth might clash with Morris's original feelings.
"Really?"
Emir's face bloomed into a huge grin. Yeah, that worked. Stomach churning or not.
"I see. Hehehe."
She cupped her cheeks, grinning foolishly, then shot Seria a victorious smile. Eyes screaming I win.
Seeing that, my boiling gut couldn't take it. I stood.
"Need to step away briefly. You ladies stay here."
"Yes, hehe."
Emir's food was deadlier than poison. Gotta be careful next time.
With Morris gone briefly, Emir glared at Baekseol and Seria.
"What is this?!"
"What do you mean, sire?"
"Why are you two ruining my walk with Milord Morris?!"
"Oh, is that why you're sulking?"
Baekseol's eyes curved like crescent moons.
"You're just a northern hostage. Why—"
"Oh dear, such harsh words, sire. This maiden and Milord Morris share a bond far beyond mere hostage and captor."
"Yes...? What?"
"Oh, you haven't heard? The rumors of remarriage must be false then."
"What does that—"
"This maiden has shared his bed, sire."
"Eek?!"
Emir's face paled to dirt. N-not just once? A barbarian from the north sharing Morris's bed? She'd smugly thought her ex-fiancée status gave her the edge, oblivious...
Idiot.
"Fiancée is ancient history now, no? Engagement broken, no ties left. So why make such a fuss and cling to him?"
"What?! You barbarian—"
"That's all you've got?"
Baekseol's mockery left Emir dizzy. She'd never quarreled in her life—Solarion's status made rivals unnecessary. But this woman... Every barb struck her weaknesses. Breath caught, no retort came.
"Eek!"
Emir could only clench her fists.
"Haa."
Seria intervened. "Lady Baekseol, enough. Lady Emir, calm down."
Emir stared blankly at Seria's serene interposition. So calm, unlike her.
Who is she? Is this really Siegfried's daughter?
"Eyes are watching. Rumors of Solarion's lady yelling in the park wouldn't be good."
Seria's composed voice stunned Baekseol too. She's not like this. Baekseol recalled Seria begging Morris recently. Changed since then? Too much. Or maybe...
Thinks she's still nobility.
Baekseol's guess was spot-on. Seria was fed up with their catfight. What's so great about that man? Finding pleasure in tormenting women—that petty sadist.
Seria recalled the night she lost her virginity. Annoying. Her begging him. Him looking down as if natural. Her father sending her here, the emperor too. Even her adapted maid role annoyed her. That sunken tone sounded calm to others.
"Enough. People are watching."
Emir venomously eyed Seria's lecturing. She's the same. Looking down like she's won. Because she slept with him.
"You too... don't talk like that."
They're making a fool of me. Resentment boiled. She'd thought progress with Morris, joy... But these women were miles ahead. Love or not, she didn't know. But one thing: their bodies appealed to him at least. If Morris fancied her, he wouldn't bring them. They'd stroll alone happily.
Deep defeat trembled her body. Rage filled her at losing to them.
"A wretch like you isn't even human anymore."
Words she'd never say slipped out.
"Status-executed, nameless, titleless nothing. All you've got is your face and figure. Your family abandoned you—proof you're worthless!"
She unleashed unseen fury. Emir watched Seria. Her face twisted unfamiliarly: disgust, humiliation, shame... and sorrow.
Emir was shocked. But before processing—
Seria's hand rose. She swung full force at Emir's cheek.
Emir squeezed her eyes shut.
"Enough."
Morris grabbed Seria's wrist. "Things heated up while I was away."
He eyed the three coldly. "Mo-Milord Morris."
"Lady Solarion, today's walk ends here. My maid nearly committed an outrage."
"N-no. I—"
"Lady."
Morris faced Emir. "Whatever you said, a maid assaulting nobility is grave."
"Y-yes."
"Seria, anything to say?"
No reply.
"Silence means admission. Escort Lady Baekseol home. You'll be severely punished."
"My apologies."
Seria bowed deeply. "M-must I go too, sire?"
I nodded at Baekseol. "Together."
She glanced, then withdrew. Confirming them gone, I turned to Emir.
Plan worked, but...
Couldn't leave her teary and shocked. "Haa."
Whip too harsh today. A little carrot's fine.
"About Lady Baekseol."
"Don't worry. I won't get hurt over that."
Pitiful, forcing composure despite wounds.
"Not comforting. Correcting a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?"
"You think I've bedded Baekseol."
"W-wait. You heard everything?!"
"High realm sharpens senses. Three women's voices? Easy."
"Aah... You should have said sooner!"
Emir flushed crimson. "Assumed you knew. Anyway, back to Baekseol."
I paused, then spoke. "Not bedded as you think."
"Pardon?"
"Lady Baekseol's still a virgin. That night was literally sharing the bedside."
Some teasing, but to drop her defenses. Safe.
"Really?"
Emir brightened. "I don't lie about women."
Just omit sometimes. "I see. So she lied. Hehe."
Emir giggled contentedly. "Don't dwell."
"Of course. You loved my bento today."
She seemed revived. "I'll escort to your guards."
"Thank you."
I walked her there. Now, back home...
Time for punishment.
I steeled myself.