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nChapter 4 – Compare With Whom? (1)

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nThe Emperor witnessed Laura insulting the woman he was in love with. It was quite a scene.

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nLaura and other ladies-in-waiting quickly lifted their skirts to bow to him, but he gave them a hellish glare. I had already seen Sovieshu a few times earlier in the palace, and I stared at him quietly instead of greeting him again. Sovieshu looked at Laura then turned to Rashta.

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n“Goodness.”

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nSovieshu sighed. Rashta’s eyes were wet, probably out of surprise, and the wide look she gave him made her look like a poor frightened animal.

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n“Don’t cry.”

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nDespite his attempt to soothe her, tears began to drip down her face.

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n“I said don’t cry.”

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nDespite the unsympathetic tone in his voice, Rashta did not stop. She seemed unafraid of his infamous cold attitude. I kept staring at her. When Rashta continued to cry, to my surprise, Sovieshu pulled out a gold embroidered handkerchief and held it out to her. Her tears didn’t cease even when offered the handkerchief, and he sighed and wiped her face himself.

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n“You’re a handful.”

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nThere was a note of worry in his tone, and the corner of my heart throbbed again. No, it was natural…it was natural. I reminded myself of Countess Eliza’s words, and turned around and instructed my ladies-in-waiting to follow.

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n“Let’s go. My legs ache.”

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nI wouldn’t be able to stop Sovieshu from having a concubine, but I was free to avert my eyes from it. The ladies quickly followed after me.

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n“Wait. Stop.”

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nSovieshu called out to me before we had even taken a few steps. First Rashta, and now him? Sovieshu glared at Laura and pointed to her.

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n“Leave that lady-in-waiting behind, Empress.”

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n“What for?”

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n“Leave her.”

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n“She is my lady-in-waiting. You need to tell me first.”

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nLaura’s complexion turned pale. I also felt an ominous wind blowing through my thoughts.

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nSurely he wouldn’t punish Laura for what she said to Rashta, would he? While Laura’s behavior was not exactly exemplary, she was still a lady-in-waiting of the Empress. Rashta, on the other hand, was not yet a concubine, nor was she even lower nobility. She was even likely a runaway slave. For Sovieshu to punish Laura would publicly disgrace her in society.

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nAs well as myself, the Empress.

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nI stared at him, and he turned his gaze back to Laura.

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n“She is a lady-in-waiting of the Empress, but she is also my subject. How dare she speak like that.”

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n“Then I will scold her.”

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n“You think a scolding will fix someone who calls another person filthy? Surely not.”

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nSovieshu barked an order to a nearby guard, pointing his chin towards Laura.

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n“Lock her up for three days and give her only water and hard bread.”

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nLaura’s face whitened, and the other ladies let out a small scream of distress.

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n“That is too far, Your Majesty.”

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nI stepped forward, but Sovieshu directed his icy glare towards me.

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n“She called a woman in a wheelchair who can’t even properly walk filthy. Don’t you think that is too far?”

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n“!”

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n“Well, you only watched. You probably thought that was not too far.”

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n“My ladies-in-waiting only stopped her because she pulled my dress.”

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nThe look on Sovieshu’s face only turned darker.

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n“You were walking away from her.”

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n“Your Majesty.”

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n“And what is wrong with holding a dress? Is the Empress’ dress more noble than a human hand?”

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n“Then I will have your servant pull at the hem of your cloak. Even if your cloak is not as noble as a human hand, is that still acceptable?”

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nSovieshu raised his eyebrows and smirked.

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n“Your words are meaningless. Do you really think it is the same situation?”

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n“Is it different?”

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n“It is.”

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n“Then what is the difference?”

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n“Rashta is not a servant.”

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nI wanted to ask him if I should change my example, and what he would do if a concubine pulled on the hem of his clothes.

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n“Lock up the Empress’ lady-in-waiting for five days.”

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nBefore I could say anything else, Sovieshu increased Laura’s punishment. The more I opposed him, the more he severe he became.

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nI saw Rashta sitting behind Sovieshu with her eyes wide open, staring at him as if he was some sort of hero. The words I wanted to say threatened to leap from my mouth, but even the empress could not overturn the emperor’s orders. I could call a trial to challenge Laura’s punishment, but by the time the trial would be opened she would already be released.

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n“I accept the punishment, Your Majesty.”

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nAs I was agonizing about losing to Sovieshu, Laura quickly stepped forward. My face turned red with shame and anger.

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n“Go.”

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nRather than asking why the girl was near the main palace, Sovieshu complimented me for working hard all day.

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nSovieshu and I weren’t passionate lovers, but we were good friends. Now we were neither. I gritted my teeth and turned away. Now I understood why my mother advised me not to get involved with the concubines.

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