Chapter 34
Calming Cho Shiye down was no easy feat, but for Kim Hae-yoon, it was as simple as flashing a smile. Soon after, as Cho Shiye had settled down, they decided to take a seat and have a pleasant talk.
"I apologize for my rash actions earlier, Miss Cha." Cho Shiye spoke remorseful, smiling at Cha Seo-yoon, who merely brushed it off with a wave on her and a smile.
"It's nothing, Your Highness." Cha Seo-yoon replied with a smile. "I'm used to people, especially my fans, reacting this way towards me." She laughed lightly, which made the atmosphere lift in a joyous manner.
"Still, I apologize for losing my composure, and if possible, I would like to apologize by inviting you to the palace for an afternoon tea." Cho Shiye replied curtly.
The words that Cho Shiye had spoken out of politeness made Cha Seo-yoon's chest squirm. Her mouth couldn't stop twitching as she wanted to smirk, kept it composure, sipping the bottle of water that was sitting in front of her.
"I- I see!" Cha Seo-yoon choked up. "If it wasn't a bother then—!" Once again feeling the death glare, Cha Seo-yoon tensed up and smiled nervously. "I must decline." She continued, avoiding meeting Kim Hae-yoon's gaze.
"What? No, I insist!" Cho Shiye replied, not wanting to pass on the opportunity to be acquainted with her idol.
'Ah! Your highness!' Cha Seo-yoon cried out. 'Why couldn't you notice the lion sitting behind you! She'll eat me up if I agree! Oh dear heavens above, save me!'
"I don't want to intrude and bother you, Your Highness." Cha Seo-yoon replied and looked at Cho Shiye in a desperate plea.
As if the words were sent across, Cho Shiye sighed and pondered. "I see… I don't want to put a great burden on Miss Cha, so how about I invite you out for lunch at a restaurant of your choice?" Cho Shiye asked after a thoughtful consideration.
'AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!' Cha Seo-yoon's lips twitched, and, giving it her best, she tried to maintain her composure.
"I would love to, your highness." She replied with a cool tone and a kind smile. Seeing this, Cho Shiye smiled back as the two continued conversing about the songs that Cha Seo-yoon had published.
*****
As the hour passed, the two rode in their car in silence. Kim Hae-yoon can feel the tension between them as she smiled awkwardly and faced Cho Shiye with an apology.
"I'm sorry, Shiye." Kim Hae-yoon whispered with an apologetic smile as Cho Shiye looked at her with a frown.
"For why?" Cho Shiye asked coldly as Kim Hae-yoon jolted as she looked at the icy glare of Shiye and gulped.
"I-.. uhh… I-" Kim Hae-yoon couldn't formulate a word to explain it, she's way too embarrassed to say it— that she's jealous.
Seeing her hesitance, Cho Shiye clicked her tongue and folded her arms.
"I don't want you being too overprotective of me, Hae-yoon." Cho Shiye spoke in a clear tone. Kim Hae-yoon tried to reason with her but Cho Shiye cut her off with another stern warning. "Remember, we're only married on paper. This marriage was an arrangement forced on me, don't ever forget that." Kim Hae-yoon didn't say another word as she closed her mouth.
What Cho Shiye said was right and she's overstepping the line with her jealousy. She didn't have any rights to act or feel this way.
Kim Hae-yoon smiled and nodded. "You're right, I'm sorry, Shiye." She apologized sincerely which took Cho Shiye aback and made her feel uncomfortable. There's this unknown feeling in her chest that left a bad taste in her mouth after Kim Hae-yoon apologized to her but she left it be and decided to browse through the Internet.
The two didn't say a word that night as they returned to their quarters with Cho Shiye feeling uneasy and Kim Hae-yoon having a newfound resolve. She'll do her best to make Cho Shiye see this marriage in a new light.
*****
And so, a week has passed since that incident and life has kept on going for the two of them. With Cho Shiye spending her days bored and alone, she would often invite Kang In-eun to hang out inside the palace or attend social events where she, as the empress's consort, was invited.
Kim Hae-yoon was no different either, she spent her days working in the morning, eating lunch with Cho Shiye when she had the time, perfecting her violin skill, and helping in preparing the birthday banquet.
Overall, she's been very tired.
A notification sound woke her up from her trance as she looked at her optical brain to see what it was. It was a meeting reminder sent by Park Cheol-suk.
Kim Hae-yoon scratched her head, she didn't remember having a meeting with someone today and she already promised that she'll eat lunch with Cho Shiye today. "How should I cancel this…" But before she could even contact Park Cheol-suk, he had already entered the room.
"Your Majesty, we would be late for the meeting." He spoke curtly as Kim Hae-yoon sighed.
"Can we cancel it?" Kim Hae-yoon asked in exasperation as she noticed that Park Cheol-suk seemed to smile but shook his head.
"My apologies but, the guests have already arrived and we can't afford to offend such high ranking and distinguished guests, your Majesty." He answered truthfully, after all, they're the pillars of the empire who helped control the populace and balance the economy. Even if she's the empress, she can't afford to just call them and make them wait for no reason.
"Haah…. Alright." Kim Hae-yoon stood up and fixed her hair and clothes, she didn't remember setting a meet up between the high ranking nobles of the empire but she must've forgotten it for how busy she's been these days.
As she walked down the door, she sent a message to Cho Shiye apologizing to her and explaining the reason she couldn't come. Seeing the text, Cho Shiye replied with an ok and then went to eat by herself.
Kim Hae-yoon smiled and turned her optical brain off and entered the hall with a cold smile but was shocked to see that the patriarch and young patriarch of each family came along with their… omega children?
'Strange.' Kim Hae-yoon thought, 'Why are they bringing their unwed children here?' Kim Hae-yoon's eyes froze as realization hit her like a ton of bricks. 'Oh god.'
They have come to offer their children and siblings as a concubine to the throne.