Chapter 17 - Jealousy

Fujimura Kasumi's head turns to the empress so fast that it unsettles the air around them. Empress Kouki doesn't notice, though, and continues to inspect the mysterious woman next to the First Prince.

Kasumi composes herself and says, "Someone who doesn't even tell you her identity isn't very trusting. How do we know what she is hiding, she could be conspiring against you!"

Kouki agrees with her thoughts but says, "My son knows who she is, he won't tell anyone though because he feels that she'll be taken advantage of at her age. She'll reveal her identity when she's at marriageable age."

Kasumi ponders some more before saying, "But she's powerful, our enemies could use her to their advantage if she is captured, or worse, convince her to take their side."

Kouki finally drags her gaze away from the lovely couple and looks at Kasumi, "Why are you telling me so many bad things, how about something positive?"

Kasumi lays her hand on Kouki's shoulder before saying, "I want to look out for you, I don't want you to be betrayed by the suspicious woman."

Kouki furrows her brows and looks back and forth between Kasumi and the prince. Kasumi is praying that Kouki will believe her and cut off the marriage. This was her life, and she won't let some random woman get in the middle of it!

Kouki nods her head, "I agree with you, but I think I should get to know her first before making assumptions."

Kasumi wants to say more, but stops herself. Kouki isn't completely stupid, so she might catch into the fact that Kasumi is trying to get rid of the woman, "I will go with whatever decision you make, my Empress."

Kouki raises a hand and flutters it at Kasumi, "Oh stop, you're making me blush."

Kasumi smiles as Kouki dotingly, and while Kouki turns around, Kasumi glares at the masked woman, wishing her a horrible life and death.

*****

Shivers go down Fujimura Miyu's spine and she glanced around to see the cause. She sees her sister sitting next to the empress glaring at her. Kasumi gets startled when she noticed that You returned her stare and, flustered, turns away and gives a smile to a worried empress. Miyu chuckles, 'So this was your backer? I guess the empress is a little ignorant, believing Kasumi's charades.'

She pats Ryota's hand which is still around her shoulder to gain his attention. He stops chatting with the general to look at her. She grins and whispers into his ear, "A little girl is jealous about us, do you see?"

She jabs her chin towards her sister and Ryota follows her gaze. He gives a mischievous grin and looks back at Miyu, "What do you think we should do, my little devil?"

Miyu raises her eyebrows, "YOUR little devil?"

Ryota chuckles, "We're engaged, aren't we? So, your body," he traces her skin, "your soul," he trails up her body, "and your heart most of all," he stops his hand in the middle of her chest. She leans in to his touch and gazes into his eyes. She presses her hands against his chest and leans even deeper into his embrace, "Is she jealous?"

Ryota glances a bit over and chuckles, which she feels rumble against her own, "Oh, she's mad all right."

"Perfect, I don't want her to have any ideas of taking you away from me."

Ryota turns serious and nears her ear, "Are you jealous?"

Miyu gets confused and tries to reach his eyes, "What, why?"

Ryota meets her eyes and whispers to her, "Did you hear what you said, you don't want her to take me away. That's jealousy right there."

Miyu slowly exits the embrace, not trying to make a scene, "Sure, think what you want, my prince."

Ryota let's her go, respecting her space, before announcing to everyone, "Thank you for your complements and consider, but me and my fiance want some time to ourselves. Please respect our decision."

Some of the soldiers wolf whistle but most applaud and clap. The emperor stays stone cold, not revealing any emotion. Ryota grabs Miyu's hand and guides her away from the field and into the palace.