Chapter 6

Mirina was the deputy. If there was a situation where the empress is absent, it was natural he held the highest power among the concubines. However, if someone were to say he became evil because he was loved more than other concubines, it would not be true. It was thanks to his strong ability that he became top.

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Jeyun family's ability – which is the family of Mirina – was healing. Among them, Mirina was exceptionally strong enough to stand out. It's normal up to this point, but the problem was the dragon who blessed the family and gave them the gift. Dragons can change their appearance to humans, but the only part that won't change were their eyes. They have thin pupils like reptiles, and even if they are unusually hidden, their eyes can still be recognizable if they were excited, causing them to change.

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Mirina was hiding his eyes in order to be a human next to the emperor, and I just found out that secret. (So he's a dragon in disguise then…) Of course, if I were to pick one of the scariest male leads, it would definitely be Mirina. Those in the palace had to have strong power and physical strength, and above all, he is a very scheming person. There were rumors that he held a higher position than the emperor, and I knew that it was half true.

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Help me. It's my fault. I clenched my shaking hands. I then heard Mirina's anxious voice over my head.

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"Your Majesty, are you all right?"

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"Yes I am. Are you the only one who came in such a disorganized way?"

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"I'm sorry."

Mirina's lips, which are slightly visible, drew a line as if he were ashamed.

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"But Your Majesty, what happened…"

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"Oh. This child coughed after eating a fruit."

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Stop. Stop.

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At the words of the emperor, Mirina laughed. The sound was very pretty, but I feel like I could hear a snake seeping through his laughter.

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"Oh my, miss. You should be more careful."

"…Ha ha."

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I laughed a small laugh. I then came to my senses and realized now it's not the time for me to laugh. His position was higher than mine, therefore I had to greet him first.

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"I'm sorry. I should've said hello first…"

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"It's okay. You must have been surprised."

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His gentle words were creepier. While I was trying to refrain my shoulders from shaking, Mirina's cool hand touched my head. I then looked up, and Mirina laughed. Even though his eyes were covered, his smile deepened.

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"I hope we get along in the future."

I could feel him measuring the length of a kill. There's something you can know without saying it out loud. And soon, Mirina might even ask me if I preferred poison or beheading.

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"Yes. You're still a child. Take care of yourself."

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The emperor then intervened.

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I feel like in his mind he was thinking of whether to swallow me in one bite or two. The emperor did not notice. Even if she was a tyrant who stained the throne with blood, her mind is very ignorant. I laughed embarrassingly.

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"…yes, I look forward to your cooperation."

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***

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"There's no problem with the fruit."

I was fine, but all the fruits were still checked for poison. Mirina, who put down the fruit plate I was eating from, said with a smile on his face,

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"I think the one you ate was too bitter."

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"Was it?"

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The emperor's eyes were on me at Mirina's words. I nodded my head and answered softly.

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"…Yes"

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"Your Highness, aren't you still young? These are not suitable for children to eat. Kids like something a little sweeter."

Mirina laughed as he joked. It was alarming, but I can't deny that he is very beautiful. His skin had no blemishes, it's like looking at a perfect sculpture. Just now, he emphasized more than once that I was young.

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"Then will you eat something else?"

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The emperor asked me. I lowered my head feeling slightly embarrassed.

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"I'm sorry, but it's too late…"

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"Oh. I see. It's close to your bedtime."

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The emperor, who quickly agreed, waved her hand. The court ladies moved in perfect order to clear the table and replaced it with candles. My eyes were stiff, and I yawned with my mouth closed. Tears began to creep out as I yawned a couple of more times. I can't wait to go to bed, but I had to keep my eyes open because Mirina was still here.

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But I am really sleepy. Maybe it was because I was so nervous until a while ago, but my body feels warm.

When are you going to leave…

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While I was thinking that, I lifted my head slightly, and Mirina was looking down at me. My body went stiff for a moment, but I couldn't lower my head. The red eyes that were revealed earlier was creepy, but now with a blindfold over it, it felt a bit more normal to look at.

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His face flinched when I blinked my sleepy eyes. What was that for? This time, there was a perfectly cut smile.

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"You must be very tired."

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As soon as I heard those words, my vision cleared. My body shook for a moment while I swallowed a breath.

Wait what. It's very high. When adults hold up their children during the holidays, they liked it, but I wasn't happy. Rather, I was afraid that I would fall on my head at this height, but Mirina wouldn't drop me right now. Fortunately, my body quietly settled on the bed.

My heart was rejoicing at the feel of how soft and fluffy it is, and then I felt my shoes being peeled off. I don't know why he's doing this because my shoes aren't that big. I then put my toes up so they wouldn't fall, and I heard a low chuckle from him.

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"Relax. It's all right."

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I obliged, but my back felt cool. When I glanced straight ahead, I saw two people – the emperor and Mirina – and I froze for a moment.

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…Why is he on his knees and taking off my shoes? But I felt relaxed as he put them by the side of the bed and neatly on the floor. Are they both crazy?

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"…Thank you. But I can do it myself next time."

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I said in a small voice. Then the faces of both Mirina and the emperor hardened. I really don't get it.

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What…

***

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Mirina was striding through the corridor. The court maid, who eagerly called him from behind, continues to pursue him. As soon as he heard about a poisoning attempt that took place at the emperor's palace, he rushed there forgetting about his blindfold. And now he felt quite embarrassed.

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Surprisingly, the reason was because of the baby concubine, who was smaller than half his height. The story about the child from the Yeoran family was a buzz in the palace. It's also true that the emperor puts her in the place where seemed like a male prison.

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The palace was strictly controlled, so they would know if the concubine of the Yeoran family did something stupid. Everyone who entered had to be checked to see if they have hidden anything, and only limited people could go in.

Mirina didn't like how the emperor spent so much time on that, but that was all she cared about. Even then, Yehwa wouldn't abandon him, as he will always remain as her servant. So, he stayed calm when Yehwa was with Sanya.

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Who dares. How?

That was the only thought he had in his mind as he ran through the corridor. He didn't know who dared to do this, but –

Inside was a face of a bewildered concubine whose head hanged over with hands covering her mouth. Mirina looked at the condition of Yehwa at once. Surprisingly, she was fine from head to toe. He then became confused, and found out that there was one more person in the room who could be poisoned. Mirina turned his head, and became surprised as he met her large, purple eyes.