Chapter 4 – [Part 2]
[“Enin, she’s the one I’ve always wanted.”]
That’s what Kainer said as Saye lost consciousness. Her appearance was indescribably calm and tranquil, so Enin liked Saye just for that.
[“She is a child that wears her heart on her sleeve, so her thoughts are always clear for all to see.”]
The Sultan smiled as he said that. It was the first time Enin had ever seen Kainer’s genuine smile after being so used to the insincere political smile he always had. She was relieved by the unrestrained emotions he showed that time. As Kainer said, Saye was a person who was easy to understand—when she was troubled, cautious, or deep in thought, her face would reveal everything as it is.
As Saye began to walk forward again, Saye’s eyes scanned all directions.
“What is that place?”
“That is Al Qamar Palace, the palace of Valide Sultana.”
Built of pure white marble, the palace shone like a jewel glinting in the sunlight. Facing the Sultan’s palace was the residence of Valide Sultana, the only woman in the harem who could own a private palace.
“It’s empty at the moment.”
Nevertheless, Enin had no doubts that the woman in front of her would soon become the lady of that palace.
“Would you like to go in?” Enin asked, thinking it wouldn’t be a bad idea to visit the palace of Valide Sultana in advance.
Originally, it was a place where no one except the Sultana could enter, but Saye was special. There was nowhere in the entire Imperial Palace that she couldn’t go.
“No.”
The palace was so beautiful that it sparkled, and the urge to see it up close crept up on Saye. But she knew that she’d only be a blemish in that place. She turned away from the Sultana’s palace, where she would never be able to get close to.
She wandered aimlessly around the Imperial Palace. Enin gave a thorough explanation each time they reached a new place, and it was always followed by the question, “Would you like to go in?” But Saye would only shake her head.
From the beginning, the purpose of this outing was simply to walk around freely and without any hindrances. Of course, she wanted to enter these numerous rooms and palaces, but she gave up her greed. Kainer told her she could go anywhere, but because of Saye’s nature, she wouldn’t dare to open those doors. She feared that she would be in trouble, considering her precarious position.
Tak.
While looking down at the floor, she suddenly heard two soldiers crossing their spears and blocking her way.
“Do you know who Her Majesty is!”
Enin exclaimed in displeasure.
“Ah… What is this place?”
“This is the place where the Sultan conducts government affairs with the nobles and ministers.”
Women were not allowed to enter. Not only Saye but even the maids could not enter. It was a place where only the Sultan’s servants, ministers, and nobles entered to conduct the country’s affairs.
“Let’s go back.”
“Are you sure, Your Highness? Should I tell them to prepare lunch?”
“I’m fine.”
Saye originally could not eat on time. To have her every meal taken care of like this was burdensome for her now. Enin knew that Saye had a tendency to skip most meals while Kainer wasn’t beside her, but Enin asked again anxiously.
“If His Majesty finds out, our heads would all fly off.”
“If Miss Enin doesn’t tell him, will he know?”
Enin also knew why she couldn’t eat more. If Saye forced herself to eat, she’d feel sluggish and sick.
“It’s not ‘Miss’ Enin. Please feel free to call me Enin.”
“You’re His Majesty’s nanny.”
Enin’s stomach was in knots. Realizing again that Saye couldn’t act freely, Enin’s gaze towards her was filled with pity. The older woman was already worried about how Saye would survive in a place full of scheming scoundrels when she had such a soft temperament. That was why she knew the role that the Sultan, her own master, had given her after attaching Enin to this woman’s side.
“Saye!”
It was when Saye was about to turn away. As she tried to ignore the familiar voice, burly arms curled around her waist and lifted her up.
“Kyaa!”
She screamed as, suddenly, her eye level went up more than three spans. Soft black hair wrapped around her own nape.
“Your Majesty?”
“Are you here to see me?”
Kainer’s hair wasn’t the only thing she felt on the back of her neck. Every time he spoke, she could feel his moist lips.
“I didn’t realize where I was going and I just…”
Silently, Enin let out a sigh from behind them. Saye could have said she was just fulfilling her duty to entertain His Majesty’s heart, so she came to see him like this. There was so much to teach the little concubine.
“You should come in with me.”
Kainer, who was still standing behind her, moved his hand from her waist to her chest. Her face turned crimson as the tip of his finger found her soft, smooth mound.
Saye looked around with anxious eyes. Everyone already had their heads bowed the moment Kainer appeared. Realizing that no one saw him groping her, Saye bit her lip and sighed in relief. Though she still wanted to take that hand away.
“Hey, do you have to bite so much ‘til it bleeds?” Kainer asked as he put her down and faced her.
“But, Your Majesty…”
“Then it can’t be helped because you’re embarrassed. Let’s go in.”
What ensued then was a small tug-of-war between them. Kainer gently grabbed her hand and tried to enter the office with her, but Saye pulled back and endured with all her might.
“What’s wrong?”
“This is a place I’m not allowed to go into,” she said firmly.
Saye looked at the nervous servant and nobleman in front of her, both of whom couldn’t find the right words to say to Kainer. The corners of Kainer’s lips rose at Saye’s resolute voice, who had always acted like he was drunk with water.
“Is that so?”
With the rebellious Saye folded into his arms, Kainer proceeded to enter his office without hesitation.
“Your Highness!”
“There’s one thing you don’t know, Saye. Not all women are banned.”
“What?”
“The Valide Sultana has the same power as the Sultan.”
She was reminded of the empty palace of the Valide Sultana that she had passed by on the way here. Saye wasn’t so naive that she couldn’t understand what Kainer insinuated. However, she couldn’t speak her thoughts aloud.
As he entered the office with the servants’ silent footsteps in tow, the door closed and Saye was laid onto Kainer’s desk.
He swept away piles of parchment to the floor without care, seated himself, and leaned towards her.
“How are your feet?”
She nodded when she realized that he was asking about the wound caused by the sharp stone.
“The wound isn’t deep, so it’s not uncomfortable for me to move around.”
“I see.”
The corners of his eyes tugged into a splendid arc. For the first time, she noticed that he, who had always been expressionless when they met at the library before, was a person who smiled better than she thought. As she stared blankly at Kainer’s face, he combed his fingers through Saye’s hair and pulled it away.
“Ah…”
“Your expressions are so easy to read, but there are times when I don’t even know what you’re thinking.”
“I-it was nothing, Your Majesty.”
“Really? Then tell me what you just thought.”
“It’s just that you smile so well, Your Majesty.”
Unexpectedly, Kainer’s expression hardened. Wondering if she said something wrong, Saye quietly raised her eyes to observe his reaction.
“Only in front of you.”
“Why are you so kind to me?”
“Isn’t it that you were the one who was kind to me first?”
His fingers caressed Saye’s cheekbones. Then he lowered his hand, stroking her exposed nape first, then his caress headed down to her breast, still covered by her clothes.
“Your Majesty?”
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