Chapter 21

'What in the world did he do in just one day?'

As soon as the emperor and his entourage disappeared, the subordinate widened his eyes and stared at Tasir. He was about to say, "Did you see that? The most well-behaved puppy just came wagging its tail and walked hand in hand with the emperor," but he couldn't get the words out. Tasir was narrowing his eyes, looking at the spot where the emperor and the concubine Gestah had disappeared with an interested gaze.

"Deputy Commander?"

Tasir's expression was one that only appeared when his curiosity was thoroughly piqued.

"Deputy Commander?"

The subordinate called out to Tasir again, feeling uneasy. When that man had that look on his face, something was bound to happen... and it was never pleasant. Absolutely not.

"Indeed."

"Huh?"

"You're right, Hyeran. We need to find a way to catch the Emperor's eye."

Tasir's lips curled up in a sly smile.

"I thought he was the most well-behaved cat. Does that mean the master's taste is exactly like that cat?"

The subordinate, feeling uneasy about Tasir's expression, asked with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

"How do you plan to do that?"

"First, we need to dress up nicely, as you said."

"Yes, yes. And then?"

"We need to investigate the Emperor's past."

"Huh?"

The subordinate's mouth dropped open.

"Wait, why are you suddenly turning into a stalker? Why is the next step to investigate his past after dressing up?"

"We need to figure out the Emperor's preferences first."

"Oh. Preferences."

"Also, the Emperor might not have had a first love, but he might have. If he did, it would mean he's been heartbroken. If we find out who his first love was, we can get a general idea of his style. Then we can take what we need and leave what we don't, right?"

"You're really calculating. That's the best. You always have to think strategically in the harem."

"Right?"

Tasir, with a sly smile, turned in the opposite direction from where the Emperor had gone.

"Let's go back. We need to plan in detail."

* * *

It was the second night after the concubines entered the harem. Prince Klein stood in front of a full-length mirror, looking at himself confidently.

"Of course, he'll come to me tonight."

"Will he...?"

"Isn't it obvious? He went to that snake on the first night for political reasons, but tonight, he'll come to me. He loves me."

It was a baseless confidence, but the attendant was taken in by it. Klein's personality was a nightmare, but his appearance was unmatched in beauty. When such a handsome man spoke so confidently, there must be a reason, right? The attendant nodded in agreement. However, as time passed, the Emperor did not come. Klein's confident expression began to show signs of anxiety.

"Check where His Majesty is. Quickly."

Klein, unable to wait any longer, urged the attendant, tapping his back.

"Yes, I'm going. I'm going."

The attendant hurried out into the corridor, standing there for a moment, unsure of what to do. How do I find out where His Majesty is? After some thought, the attendant decided to search personally. It was the only way. After scouting around the other concubines' rooms, the attendant realized that the Emperor had not visited anyone on the second night. The guards usually waited outside the room of the concubine the Emperor visited, but there were none tonight.

"His Majesty didn't come to the harem at all tonight, Prince."

When the attendant returned and informed Klein, Klein's mouth dropped open in shock, looking like a cat that had smelled something strange. Seeing the prince's dazed expression, the attendant felt embarrassed and quickly stepped aside.

* * *

Rathil, who had surprised Klein by not visiting anyone, spent the entire night working in his room. He had discovered an urgent matter that needed to be handled by the next day and decided to finish it quickly. Rathil stayed at his desk until five in the morning, only resting his eyes when the sun came up. However, he had to wake up after three hours because he had a set time to get up. Despite the lack of sleep, his head, shoulders, and body felt heavy, but Rathil got up and washed up. He put on his usual white uniform and tied his hair back. Before eating, he had a fleeting thought to sleep for just 30 more minutes, but he resisted the temptation with great self-control. When he opened the door, he found an unexpected person leaning against the wall. Lanaum. Lanaum Artaxi.

"Lanaum?"

Lanaum's visit was not as surprising as when he saw Prince Klein reading a book in a chair in front of the door, but it was still unexpected and shocking. He's not the type to barge in like Klein. Why did he come so early in the morning? Rathil approached him, confused.

"Why are you here?"

However, Lanaum, after a brief bow, spoke coldly and stiffly.

"I have something to say."

Despite his early morning wait, his tone was not what one would expect. Rathil, knowing Lanaum's character, ignored it and asked casually.

"Have you had breakfast?"

"No, I haven't."

"Let's eat together while we talk. I'm going to the dining room now."

Rathil gestured down the corridor, and one of the attendants ran ahead to the dining room to prepare an additional serving. By the time Rathil and Lanaum arrived, the table would be set for two. Lanaum, who had spoken urgently, did not refuse when Rathil invited him to eat together. He also said he had something to say. However, he remained silent until they reached the dining room. When they sat down, as expected, two servings were already prepared. There was a salad made from sweet potatoes, a soft soup, and crispy bread. Rathil, after sitting down, took a bite of the salad and gestured for Lanaum to speak.

"I received the gift you sent."

'Ah, the chamberlain said he would send a gift to commemorate the first night.'

It seems it was already sent. Rathil, not knowing what the gift was, asked with a smile.

"Do you like it?"

However, the response was devoid of any warmth.

"Why did you send it?"

Rathil raised an eyebrow, fork in hand.

"Why did I send it?"

"The chamberlain said it was to celebrate the first night."

"That's right."

Lanaum's expression hardened. He stared at Rathil intensely for a moment before speaking.

"Your Majesty, you know that on that night, you did not take me."

"So, you think it's unfair to receive the gift?"

"Yes. I will return it."

A block of pride, indeed. Rathil inwardly sighed. Most people would just let it go, but seeing that he came to return it, he was impressed that the Duke of Artaxi managed to get his son into the harem. However, impressive is impressive. Rathil immediately rejected Lanaum's refusal.

"There's no need to return it."

"I..."

"Regardless of how the first night went, you are my man. I just sent a gift to my man. If you don't want to receive it as a commemoration of the first night, think of it as a memento of holding hands. That works, right?"

Lanaum's expression clearly said no, but Rathil, instead of backing down, said firmly.

"It's yours. Even if you keep it in your room without using it, it's still yours."

With that firm statement, Lanaum asked in an even colder voice.

"Before giving the gift, did you have any intention of giving me to you?"

Rathil answered just as firmly.

"Not yet."

"Then I will give it to you. Can you at least accept it for now?"

"Scary, that's not good either."

"Scary?"

"Looking at your expression, it seems like you want to punch me."

"..."

"Just kidding."

As Lanaum's expression twisted, Rathil laughed, raised his fork, and lightly tapped Lanaum's plate.

"Let's take it slow. We've only seen each other properly five times, you know?"

"...I know."

"So, you'll be my man for life. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"!"

"Let's take it slow."

* * *

"I heard the rumors, but his pride is really something. If he built a castle with that pride, it would be impregnable."

After Lanaum left, Rathil clicked his tongue and muttered, noticing that Seunet's lips were slightly curled up. His jaw was tight, as if trying to suppress a smile, but it seemed he couldn't quite control it.

"Seunet, is something good happening?"

During this time? Rathil, puzzled, asked, and Seunet answered in a restrained voice.

"Yes."

After taking a deep breath, he looked at Rathil with a light smile, not the strained one from before. This made Rathil even more suspicious, so he pressed further.

"What's the good news? Good things double when shared. Let's hear it."

"I can't. I won't tell you."

"Ah, that's unfair."

"It's a story I cherish, so I can't easily share it. I'm sorry."

"Still unfair."

"This level of unfairness is acceptable."

Rathil wanted to press further, but it would be too intrusive into Seunet's private life. Although he was still curious about what Seunet's good news was, he decided to move on to a more professional question.

"Alright. How about the letter investigation? How's it going?"

Seunet's expression became more serious as he answered.

"It's not progressing as quickly as I expected, working alone."

"Right."

Rathil nodded in agreement. It made sense. It was a confidential matter, and he was handling it alone. Investigations generally progress faster with more people involved. It was surprising that Seunet, who was already busy, was handling it alone and secretly.

"Is there anything I can help with?"

Thinking about it, Rathil felt both grateful and guilty, so he asked. Seunet answered lightly.

"A smile would be nice."

"From who?"

"From me."

"Stop joking. Is there really nothing I can help with? Don't feel burdened. It's good for me if you finish the investigation quickly."

"..."

Seunet, after a moment of thought, seemed to agree with Rathil's words and made a request.

"Then, the 321 letters you received 'officially' while in Melos. I can't check them, so could you write down who they were from and their purpose, excluding any confidential or overly personal content? I want to compare it with the list I received from the administrator."

* * *

Although they were letters received over half a year, the volume was enormous because it was a busy period. Rathil, while organizing the 321 letters, put down his pen at 11 PM. He had stayed up all night working the previous day, and he was extremely tired. His mind kept wandering. Putting down his pen, Rathil aimlessly rummaged through the drawer and stopped when he found a portrait among the documents.

'This...'

Rathil took out the portrait and looked at it. It was Klein's portrait that came with his application to become a concubine. The only concubine he accepted because he liked his face. The portrait still captivated Rathil. A decadent beauty. It was surprising that with such a face, there weren't rumors about him being the most handsome mercenary king.

Rathil stared at Klein's portrait for a while and then put it back in the drawer. Come to think of it, he had never spoken to this man. He saw him at the swearing-in ceremony, but it was chaotic, and he didn't get a close look.

'I've been curious. I can't work any more today, so should I go see him? ...Yeah, I'll go. He's my concubine, after all.'

As soon as he made up his mind, Rathil quickly put on a light cloak and left his bedroom. As he did, a waiting attendant approached.

"Is there something you need, Your Majesty?"

"Send someone to tell Klein I'm coming to see him."