Toxin

Thanks to the Grand Chamberlain’s earlier pull, my clothes were now completely disheveled, revealing my pale shoulders and prominent nipples. My long hair clung to my damp skin, sticking to my shoulders and arms. I struggled to pull my clothes back up, but I needed to give him time to see. Gripping the materials that had fallen to the floor, I stubbornly stood up. It felt like poison had twisted my stomach, and everything around me was spinning. No… I can’t… not yet… My legs wobbled, and before I could take a few steps, I lost my strength. My head landed between firm thighs.

“No! No! That bastard!! Guards! What are you doing, not dragging this wretch out?!”

“Hah… hah… forgive… me… forgive…”

Feigning an effort to stand, I pressed my damp cheek against his extended thigh. As my lips exhaled humid breaths repeatedly, they sank deeper into the core of his body. In an instant, his thigh tensed up. At the same time, his hand gripped my hair harshly, pulling me away roughly. Transparent sweat drops blurred my vision, turning everything white. I couldn’t see his expression. Just as I attempted to stand, supporting myself on shaky hands, it happened.

“Ugh…!”

My empty stomach twisted violently, making me feel as if I was teetering between life and death. I was truly at my limit now. Unable to hold on any longer, I collapsed helplessly. But I didn’t feel the impact of hitting the ground. Veronjubille was muttering irritably, while the Grand Chamberlain was shouting angrily, bouncing in rage. I could hear someone running in, the sound like an earthquake. Suddenly, a cold hand cradled my cheek. All my senses dulled, and my ears buzzed. My eyelids slowly began to close, and my vision grew faint. Before my mind completely sank into darkness, I felt something under my cheek—his, now fully hardened.

When I was about six years old, I was beaten countless times by kids my age, simply because I was a Mongrel. After being roughed up, I often wandered around near home, trying to hide my injuries from my mother. I’d doze off, only to be found by her after sunset. At times like those, she’d whip me even more harshly. The next day, my mother would track down every kid who had beaten me and return the blows in kind. Without fail, their parents would show up, grabbing my mother’s hair and causing a scene. They’d call me a rootless Mongrel and my mother a cursed woman who had devoured her husband. They hurled unspeakable insults at us.

My mother, grinding her teeth, longed for revenge. I was terrified, afraid that someone might actually die, and I began to hate myself for being caught with my injuries. In the end, the constant fighting only left my mother exhausted. She once bitterly laughed, saying she felt like she had fallen to their level. She told me that revenge only brought more painful scars. Though I was always afraid, her words, waving a white flag, were a relief to me. But I eventually realized: this place, where you can’t repay that pain, is rock bottom. Just breathing here is suffering.

***

My mind wouldn’t clear, and all I could do was blink repeatedly. Eventually, a blurry figure cautiously entered my foggy vision. As the outline became clearer, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing—it was my mother. I sprang up. The dizziness rushed in all at once, and my vision blurred.

“You shouldn’t get up so suddenly…! Are, are you alright?”

Hearing an unexpected man’s voice, I turned my head to check. Sitting with a worried face was Naro. He kept asking, “Are you alright? Are you okay?” I slowly looked around. This was my residence. I had passed out at the Black Martial Emperor’s quarters, but what happened after that? I grimaced as I recalled what I had done in desperation earlier. No, I couldn’t even tell if that was real or just a dream now. Only the sensation of that hardness lingered as a vivid memory. I clenched and unclenched my pale fingers.

“But… how did I end up here…?”

“That’s what I want to ask! You… you passed out while painting His Majesty’s portrait, didn’t you?! Wait! That’s not the point—was it true? That you were really painting His Majesty’s portrait?!”

“Yes.”

Naro’s jaw dropped in shock.

“Why! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?! I thought you were just some apprentice helping with folding screens or doors!”

“Did you, now.”

“Yeah! I did…! How could you stay so calm, doing something like that?! Do you even realize what it means to paint His Majesty’s portrait?!”

When I didn’t react, Naro thumped his chest in frustration.

“Listen carefully! Only the greatest artist of the time can paint a king’s portrait! No, even then, it’s still a rare honor…!”

“Is painting a portrait really that significant?”

“Of course it is! First, the kingdom scours the land for the best artists and brings them all together. But that’s just the start! They go through an incredibly rigorous process, selecting and filtering the artists, and finally, the officials meticulously choose one. And even after all that, it only happens if His Majesty personally approves! In short, you’re doing something that will go down in history…! Is that why you fainted? Sometimes people pass out from joy, you know!”

Naro’s words were completely unexpected. Of course, it hadn’t been easy to get to this point, but I had no idea that such a complicated process was involved.

“To be honest, I’ve never heard of an Imae painter like you, so I just assumed you were from some unknown art studio! Ah, not that name… Anyway! Who knew you were such a hidden master…! And you’re so young too! I’m really sorry for not recognizing your talent! From now on, please teach me well!”

“No, I’m not that…”

“Don’t be modest, it’s annoying! Or is it that you don’t want to deal with ordinary painters like me?”

“That’s really not the case. I’m simply painting as a way of pledging my loyalty to the Baedal Kingdom.”

“Is that so? Well, His Majesty is still young, so he’ll likely have plenty of portraits made in the future… But if you’ve been sent to represent the Imae Tribe, doesn’t that mean you’re the best painter among them?!”

Naro’s large eyes sparkled with overwhelming enthusiasm. I was at a loss. Far from being the best, I was just someone who sold paintings in a village to scrape by. But since my lack of skill would soon be revealed, I didn’t offer any further explanation. Naro continued babbling, visibly excited, but then noticed my pale expression.

“Oh, what am I doing, talking like this with a patient… The guards brought you here earlier. You were sweating profusely. Even the royal physician came by, but he said you’ll be fine if you eat and rest well for a while.”

My heart sank.

“The guards brought me here?”

“That’s right! Ah, wait a moment!”

Naro nodded and suddenly jumped up, rushing outside. I leaned my body against the wall. If the guards had brought me here, it was only a matter of time before word reached the Black Martial Emperor. They must have already reported it to him. How did they know I was staying here…? And what about Raonhiljo…? As all these thoughts collided at once, my head started to throb.

“Here, eat this!”

Naro came bustling back inside, holding out a white bowl. Inside the bowl was raw meat, its freshness evident from the pooled blood. It was of high quality, just by looking at it. I accepted the bowl and glanced at Naro.

“How did you get this… did you obtain it yourself?”

“No, no! Before you woke up, a palace maid from the royal kitchen left it for you. It’s from a cow that was slaughtered yesterday, and it’s the most precious part. I heard the Imae Tribe eats raw meat? I always thought that was just a rumor, but it’s true? Oh, and there’s also a rumor that your tribe eats human flesh, but that’s not true, right?”

“No.”

Naro sighed in relief. There was only the clue that a palace maid had delivered the meat, but in that moment, one person flashed through my mind. There was only one person I knew who would show such kindness in unexpected situations. As I stared at the raw meat, stark against the white bowl, my stomach growled in hunger. Urged by Naro, I picked up a damp piece of the meat and immediately placed it in my mouth. The taste of blood and raw flesh spread through my mouth, and I truly understood what it meant to feel alive again. Seeing me devour the raw meat, Naro covered his mouth.

“If it’s unpleasant to watch, I can eat outside.”

“No, no! Where are you going in that state? Look, there’s also some liver here. The dripping blood makes it look… delicious!”

I no longer had the energy to worry about others watching me. As I began to eat the raw meat, Naro eventually gagged and ran outside. I could hear the sound of violent retching from the porch, followed by a sudden gasp.

“Wh-why are you here…?”

“I’m looking for someone, but go ahead and finish what you were doing.”

“N-no! I’m finished now. But who are you looking for…?”

“Would there be someone here with cute little horns and beautiful purple eyes?”

“…Excuse me?”

The deep, casual voice was unmistakable, as was Naro’s dumbfounded response. Looking through the open door, I saw Naro repeatedly bowing to a man standing in the yard. The one receiving Naro’s bows was Raonhiljo. Stunned by the unexpected visit, I sat frozen for a moment before rising to my feet. As Raonhiljo watched me stagger out, his expression suddenly hardened. Fixing his gaze on me, he spoke.

“The one I was looking for seems to be here, so you can go back inside now.”

“Ah, yes, yes!”

Naro looked back and forth between Raonhiljo and me before stepping aside to give us space.

“What brings you here?”

Raonhiljo didn’t answer but settled down on the veranda, patting the spot next to him as if telling me to sit. When I sat down, he looked at my face with a worried expression.

“You look like you’re about to collapse.”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine at all.”

He clasped his hands tightly, his veins showing as if he was trying to hold something back.

“The guards were here a little while ago. Are you really alright?”

Raonhiljo smiled slightly without saying a word. I couldn’t tell if he had given up because there was no plan, or if he had something in mind even though the Black Martial Emperor might already know. But seeing his carefree face put me at ease.

“Oh, and earlier…”

I was about to thank him, remembering the raw meat. But before I could say anything, Raonhiljo pulled out something wrapped in a cloth.

“I heard they brought in some good meat, so I got some. This should taste much better.”

“Better than

, at least,” he added. I looked down at the bundle. So this was meat too…

“But you already sent some earlier. That’s more than enough for now.”

“Sent something? What?”

“The meat you sent earlier…”

Raonhiljo raised an eyebrow slightly.

“As far as I know, this is the first time today I’ve given you any meat. Did someone beat me to it?”

His expression didn’t suggest he was lying. Besides, why would he go through the trouble of sending meat twice? Then who…? No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t figure out who would send me meat. Raonhiljo leaned forward slightly, taking in the scenery of the yard. His neat profile came into view. His sharp, well-ordered features were striking enough to keep young women up at night, yet somehow they also suited this quiet place. The cicadas chirped loudly, as if trying to chase away the heat. Raonhiljo gazed around the small garden, the blooming flowers, the dusty waterwheel, and the yard, quietly commenting.

“I like this place better than my own. Is that vegetable garden over there being neglected?”

“It seems so.”

“I see.”

Raonhiljo took one last look around before standing up. I stood up as well, following his lead.

“Are you leaving?”

“Should I not?”

His sudden question almost made me answer “yes” without thinking. Whenever I was with him, I often found myself swept up in his pace, making it hard to relax in a different way than with the Black Martial Emperor. When I stayed silent, Raonhiljo’s lips curled into a faint smile.

“Even if you asked me to stay, I have to leave. I just stopped by on my way to work. We start tomorrow, so should we redo the sketches from scratch?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll send someone for you on time, so wait for them.”

Before stepping through the gate, Raonhiljo glanced around the yard of the villa and murmured to himself.

“I really like this place. Maybe I should move here too…”

The scorching sunlight illuminated Raonhiljo’s back as he disappeared through the main gate. After seeing him off with my eyes, I carried the bundle inside. As soon as I returned to the room, Naro rushed over to me.

“Wha-what?! You know Lord Raonhiljo?!”

“When he came to collect taxes in the village, I briefly painted his portrait.”

“I knew it! You’re not just any ordinary person! So, are you close with him?”

“No, we’re not that close…”

“Don’t lie! If he’s arranged a place for you to stay and even comes here personally to bring you food, then that’s close enough by my standards! Friends, even! I beg you, I have a favor to ask! Please don’t say no, just hear me out!”

I wasn’t exactly close with Raonhiljo, as Naro suggested, and I didn’t want to be a burden any further. However, seeing the desperate look on Naro’s face, I felt like I should at least listen before deciding whether to refuse.

“What is it you need…?”

Naro grabbed my hand and swallowed nervously.

“Please, get me out of painting Mama Veronjubille’s portrait! I’m begging you! Just thinking about the constant nagging makes my skin crawl! She’s squeezing every last drop out of me! At this rate, you and I might meet again tomorrow at the breakfast table! Can’t you ask Lord Raonhiljo to do something about it?!”

It was an utterly impossible request. Veronjubille’s influence, bolstered by the Black Martial Emperor’s favor, was sky-high. Even Raonhiljo, as just a mid-tier official, couldn’t possibly intervene. If my situation became known… I looked at Naro, waiting for an answer, feeling troubled.

“But that’s… something Lord Raonhiljo wouldn’t be able to solve. I apologize, but…”

“Don’t say you’re sorry! Sure, it might be difficult for Lord Raonhiljo, but couldn’t he ask the Black Martial Emperor? They’re brothers, after all! It’s no big deal for them to do each other a favor, right…?”

“…!”

For a moment, the sound of cicadas outside seemed to deafen me. Did I hear that correctly? Just now… I gently pulled Naro, who was clutching at my sleeve, and asked again.

“Just now… what did you say about Lord Raonhiljo and… His Majesty?”

Naro looked at my suddenly frozen expression, confused.

“Brothers. Surely you knew they were brothers?”

Raonhiljo… and the Black Martial Emperor… are brothers. It felt like I had been pushed into a mud pit, too shocked and overwhelmed to even get up or wipe the dirt from my body.

“…I didn’t know.”

It was truly something I hadn’t even imagined. Naro scratched his head awkwardly, speaking more carefully now.

“I see… Well, Lord Raonhiljo is the eldest son of Lady Yehui. Lady Yehui was the former emperor’s consort, who has since passed. His Majesty, the Black Martial Emperor, is the eldest son of the Empress Dowager… Both were conceived in the same year, so the two of them are the same age.”

“…”

“After His Majesty ascended the throne, Lord Raonhiljo took on some governmental duties but also enjoys occasionally taking on lower administrative tasks for fun. He’s known for his character, so many people follow him. But you really didn’t know?”

How could I have ever associated the two of them by blood? I had simply thought of Raonhiljo as another low-ranking official. His casual mention of the Black Martial Emperor’s name, staying up late drinking together, defying the emperor’s will to let me stay here… I had sometimes suspected there might be more to him, but I had never imagined they were brothers. The fact that he was a prince of the Baedal Kingdom didn’t matter. The real issue was that he shared the same blood as the Black Martial Emperor. The bitter taste of realizing this lingered in my mouth like I’d swallowed muddy water.

***

As the hour drew closer, I hurried to prepare to continue the portrait painting. Today was the second day. Before leaving the room, I looked for something to cover my horns but found nothing suitable, so I wrapped my hair around them again, as I had done yesterday. Naro had already finished getting ready and was waiting to leave with me.

“Sigh… I can’t even stand properly in front of His Majesty. The one time I saw him from a distance during a procession, my legs were shaking… By the way, does His Majesty treat you well?”

“Yes.”

“I see… In some ways, he doesn’t seem as terrifying as the rumors suggest, but other stories make him sound so frightening you’d wet yourself…”

I responded with a courteous smile as I coiled the hair around my horns to finish up. This time, I wanted to cover my eyes, but it wasn’t working out. I’d have to cut my bangs to cover them properly. As I turned to look for scissors, Naro, who had been chattering nonstop, was suddenly staring at me, wide-eyed. His gaze felt burdensome, and my face stiffened automatically.

“Could you tell me where the scissors are?”

“Oh, scissors? Just a moment…”

Naro retrieved a pair of scissors from the chest of drawers and handed them to me. “Thank you,” I said, and as I was about to cut my hair, Naro jumped up in alarm.

“Wait! Why are you cutting your perfectly fine hair? You’re not planning to use it as a brush, are you…?”

Smiling faintly, I reassured him and tried to cut my hair again, but Naro shouted once more.

“Hold on! Are you really going to cut it? Do you know how beautiful your hair is?! When it reaches that length, it usually looks untidy, but yours shines like silk!”

“But I have to cover my eyes, so I have no choice.”

“If you cover your eyes, how will you paint?”

“His Majesty hates the Imae Tribe’s mark, so I promised I’d hide it.”

“That’s impossible! Do you even realize how beautiful your eyes are? I’ve heard that the Imae Tribe’s eyes are red, but I’ve never seen anyone with such deep purple eyes like yours! It’s like being in a dream, with the color changing depending on the light—it’s mesmerizing!”

“…”

Naro showered me with such extravagant compliments that one might mistake it for infatuation. His liveliness reminded me so much of my mother that I was startled again. And because of that, I wanted to hear more, even if it meant taking a risk. When I lowered the scissors, Naro’s face filled with satisfaction. But he soon left, looking pale, on his way to Veronjubille.

After parting ways with Naro, I crossed the courtyard and entered the grand hall. Passing through the rows of red pillars, I arrived at the front entrance, where the Grand Chamberlain was chatting with palace maids, their hair tied in neat braids. As I approached and greeted him with a bow, his plump cheeks twitched.

“Walking around the palace naked! Fainting in front of His Majesty! Every time I see you, you’re a mess! It’s a wonder your head is still attached to your body—your ancestors must have picked an incredible burial site! Tell me where it is, so I can visit too!”

After enduring the barrage of scolding, three guards surrounded me for the usual body search. Suddenly, the Grand Chamberlain’s expression brightened. He hurried over to the corner, his voice dripping with sweetness.

“Oh my~ Your Majesty…! You’ve returned from a stroll, I see. On such a hot day, I was worried you’d catch the heat, and I could barely sit still~!”

I turned to see the Black Martial Emperor approaching, walking leisurely alongside Veronjubille. Veronjubille looked up at him from time to time, batting her eyes seductively. Despite the stifling heat, they wore layers of clothing without sweating a drop, like they were from another world. Meanwhile, the ministers fanning them were drenched in sweat.

I wondered what thoughts ran through the minds of those who spent their lives desperately fanning, standing guard, or bowing to them. As the palace maids and I bent over in deep bows, none of us dared to look up at the splendid pair. The Black Martial Emperor passed by without acknowledging anyone, gliding into the room. Veronjubille stopped, casting a glance at me.

“Finish early today, will you? His Majesty will be burdened with state affairs again starting tomorrow, so he should rest well today.”

I glanced at the back of the Black Martial Emperor. When he showed no reaction, I bowed my head and said, “Yes.” Veronjubille smiled in satisfaction, about to enter, but suddenly paused.

“By the way, how old are you, and what’s your name? Even if I don’t ask, you should tell me.”

“I’m nineteen this year. And… I don’t have a name.”

“Are you refusing to tell me your name? Or do you actually not have one?”

“I have no name.”

“Why?”

At that moment, the Black Martial Emperor, hidden in shadows, stopped walking and slowly turned his head. I lowered my gaze to the floor and spoke calmly.

“I’ve never had one.”

“Why not?”

“I was born without one.”

“Are you trying to play games with me? You’d better tell the truth before I tear your mouth apart.”

Veronjubille stared at me with wide eyes, waiting for an answer. However, I had no intention of explaining my life story here and now. Despite her chilling warning, I met her gaze without flinching. My indifferent response made Veronjubille shrug, unimpressed.

“Should I believe that you’ve reached this age without a name…? We’ll be seeing each other often, so it’s inconvenient. Why don’t you just pick something, or should I name you right now? Hmm~ What would be good…?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

A cold voice escaped my lips, and Veronjubille’s eyes widened in surprise. An awkward tension filled the air. I could feel all eyes on me, but there was nothing I could do. I hadn’t spent my whole life waiting for a name, only to receive one as a joke. I’d rather have none at all. As the turmoil inside me abruptly dulled, I realized that my desire for a name hadn’t yet disappeared.

So, I still wanted one, didn’t I? To have a name… To have someone give me a name from the heart. In this completely unexpected moment, the suppressed longing surged back to life. The sharp look in my eyes gradually softened. Veronjubille waved her fan dismissively and scoffed.

“Right, I’ve heard you people have a superstition that your soul is bound to the person who names you. I certainly wouldn’t want a Mongrel like you as my husband. I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll let this slide. But be careful next time.”

“That’s right! How dare you, with His Majesty present, Mama Veronjubille!”

Veronjubille smiled sweetly, and the Grand Chamberlain burst into hearty laughter alongside her. On this vast hall, they were the only ones laughing. When the Black Martial Emperor resumed walking, the palace maids waiting at the doors opened them wide. The Grand Chamberlain cleared his throat.

“What are you standing around for?”

“Yes, Grand Chamberlain.”

The guards approached me and resumed the body search that had been interrupted. It was a necessary procedure to prevent any hidden assassins. It was also the moment I dreaded the most. One of the guards emptied my belongings onto the floor, inspecting each item. Another ran his hands through my hair, then stuck his fingers into my mouth, thoroughly examining inside. The third guard checked under my arms, down my back, through my sleeves, and over my torso. The feel of strangers’ hands all over me still made my face stiffen. The guard probing my waist slipped his thick hand into my pants. He moved towards my inner thighs, heading toward my genitals, when—

A sudden grip on my arm yanked me roughly, pulling the guard’s hand out of my pants. The guard looked shocked, as did the Grand Chamberlain and Veronjubille, their eyes wide. I, too, looked up in surprise at the one who had intervened. The Black Martial Emperor, unfazed by the commotion around him, pushed me against the wall and gripped my jaw, forcing my mouth open.

“We perform thorough searches because of the occasional assassin. It’s common to hide weapons in hair or the mouth.”

As soon as his dry voice fell, his fingers invaded my open mouth. My nape tensed. His long fingers explored every corner, reaching under my tongue and probing even deeper without hesitation. Soon, the fingers that had been rummaging inside my mouth withdrew, leaving a string of saliva stretching downward. The Black Martial Emperor looked at me with evident distaste, then shoved his hand into my collar.

“Some people even cut into their backs or sides, hide weapons inside, and sew them up.”

His saliva-drenched hand slid over my skin, roughly pressing under my arms, over my chest, and along my back. As his indifferent touch moved across my body, passing even over my nipples, a deep sense of violation welled up.

“Some hide weapons in rather inventive places.”

“Ugh…!”

I let out a sound before I could stop myself. His hand slipped into my pants, and as I instinctively tried to close my legs, he forcefully spread them apart to search between my thighs. His unhesitating hand moved toward my genitals. He brushed against the soft flesh and slid his hand further in. I gripped the waistband of my pants tightly, barely holding myself back.

“They hide weapons in every hole in their body, sometimes even inside their organs. Their dedication is so impressive, it’s almost tempting to let them succeed at least once.”

The Black Martial Emperor’s hand was buried inside my pants, his movements hidden but unmistakably suggestive. The humiliation in his gaze pierced through me. For a moment, something dark passed through his black eyes, where the boundary between pupil and iris was indiscernible. I wanted to gouge out those eyes. I wanted to strike that face with all my strength. Was this payback for what happened yesterday? Is that it? His touch felt like worms crawling over my skin, gnawing at every inch. My hand, gripping his collar, trembled uncontrollably. His vile hand moved from my genitals to my groin, traveling along the smooth passage until it reached a deeply hidden spot.

“…Ngh…!”

In that instant, I lost control and pushed him away with all my might, thrashing my legs. But my resistance was crushed under his iron grip on my thighs. His solid fingers pressed and prodded around the hidden spot, as if searching for something buried there.

“It’s the first time His Majesty has personally conducted a search like this. You should consider yourself honored!”

Somewhere, a mocking chuckle echoed. Becoming a spectacle in an instant, my anger and disgust surged, making it hard to breathe. The sound of their laughter made my head spin.

“St-stop…!”

The Black Martial Emperor grabbed my hand and pinned it against the wall. Blood seeped from my bitten lips. My face, ears, and entire body burned with shame. The more I struggled, the more aggressive his touch became, and the louder the onlookers laughed. As I realized the futility of my resistance, I suddenly stopped all movement. The humiliation left me gasping for breath, my eyes stinging with unshed tears.

“Please… stop…”

My voice, drenched in desperation, sounded foreign to me. At the sound of my subdued tone, the Black Martial Emperor slowly turned his head. Our eyes met. Within the tears that threatened to fall, there was a glimpse of a murderous intent. For a moment, his dry, emotionless eyes flickered slightly. Time dragged on, and the gaze that had been fixed on me for what felt like an eternity suddenly broke away. His hand, which had been probing my lower body, also withdrew. Despite the ordeal, my clothes were miraculously in place, as if nothing had happened. The Black Martial Emperor slowly turned to the guards and spoke.

“Doesn’t seem like there’s anything unusual. Can we let him in now?”

The guard, who had been laughing heartily, quickly straightened up.

“Y-yes! Your Majesty!”

The Black Martial Emperor, his long imperial robes trailing behind him, entered the room. His sudden change in demeanor left everyone bewildered, and they cautiously observed him. I couldn’t even move a finger. Though my clothes remained neat, my mind was in disarray, as if a storm had ravaged it. Just as Veronjubille furrowed her brows and began to follow him inside, the Black Martial Emperor stopped her with a glance.

“I’ve entertained you all day. I deserve some time to myself.”

Though his voice was calm, his expression carried a hint of irritation. Veronjubille’s face momentarily stiffened, but she quickly brushed her hand seductively over his arm.

“But, Your Majesty Garon, you’ve been consumed with war and state affairs, and I’ve only just gotten you back. Why are you upset now? I’ll help you relax…”

“Annoying. Leave.”

“Then, at least let me stay by your side and massage your shoulders…”

“Leave.”

“I’ll just sit quietly by your side…”

“Leave.”

Even Veronjubille’s sweet voice couldn’t sway him, and she eventually bit her lower lip before turning sharply with a huff, the air whooshing around her. As she spun around, she bumped into one of the court ladies behind her. Smack! The sound echoed as Veronjubille slapped the court lady, sending her sprawling onto the floor.

“Aah!”

Veronjubille nonchalantly waved her red-feathered fan.

“How dare you just stand there like that? You’re irritating me…”

“I-I’m terribly sorry, Mama…!”

The court lady, her hair tied up in a ribbon, clutched her cheek and bowed repeatedly. The Black Martial Emperor watched them indifferently before calmly walking inside. I was still reeling from the aftermath of his grip, unable to shake off the lingering sensation. As I numbly looked at the court lady sobbing at my feet, I gathered my belongings. Just as I turned to leave for the outer hall, a hand suddenly grabbed my clothes and roughly yanked me backward. I fell to the floor, my art supplies scattering around me.