A MAN'S COLD DEMEANOUR

"Twenty cents miss."

The Empress took the money in her pocket.

"What is Her Highness the Empress buying?" Lady Yun asked me.

"This cosmetic looks good. I want to buy it."

"This is Miss's order."

The seller gave the Empress ordered goods.

"Thank you."

Karol stands not far from the cosmetics seller. He glanced at the Empress and turned his head towards the opposite side when Lady Yun did not intentionally look at him. Lady Yun chuckled at Karol's clumsy attitude. The Empress noticed Lady Yun, who was laughing.

"Why are you laughing? Is there something?"

"I'm watching the little boy who just passed us."

The Empress then stepped back on her feet. Look around. There is a clothing store. A simple place, but many buyers visit.

"Come on, shall we visit the place."

"This character is very crowded."

"Justify. There must be a lot of discounts in that place."

Lady Yun did not understand what the Empress said. Is it a discount?

The Empress entered the shop. Lady Yun followed behind her.

"You may choose some dresses."

"But Her Majesty the Empress…"

"I don't want to have a shabby-looking lady-in-waiting."

Lady Yun nodded her head. The Empress helps to recover the clothes. Two hours passed. Karol was standing in front of the shop waiting for the Empress.

"Please bring this for me!"

The Empress gave me some shopping bags. The number of items is vast. It even made it difficult for Karol to carry it.

"Your Majesty the Empress let me carry my own groceries."

"Should not. It's a man's job to carry women's groceries."

"My stomach is already hungry. Now we will look for a restaurant. Karol, please put your groceries in the carriage."

"Yes, Her Highness the Empress."

Karol carried the goods towards the carriage. The Empress walked around looking for a restaurant around the place. It wasn't long before the Empress finally found a restaurant to her liking. A simple restaurant whose walls are made of bamboo. Big trees surround the place. The Empress goes inside. The room also looks clean. When we enter, we will be served by youth. I've had good luck for the past few days and am surrounded by handsome men. The Empress's face looks happy and filled with love. The beautiful scenery is not to be missed. Dayang Yun was also fascinated by the good looks of the men who served in the restaurant.

"What a beautiful sight."

"That's right, Her Majesty the Empress."

The Empress and Lady Yun sat watching the male servants who were busy serving the customers.

"How about we don't rush to determine the food menu that we will choose?"

"One plate of bread and a glass of milk."

Someone ordered food. The Empress and Lady Yun looked at the person. Karol sat down with a cold facial expression. The Empress felt that Karol was jealous. But the conjecture is on edge. A complicated and annoying man couldn't possibly fall in love with her.

"Why doesn't Her Majesty the Empress order food?"

I feel annoyed with Karol's attitude. His arrival had ruined the fun.

"Brown rice and beef rib soup."

"Okay miss."

The restaurant waiter took notes on Karol's and the empress' orders.

"Then the ladies who are beside the lady?" The maid asked the Empress.

"I ordered the same as the lady over there."

"Okay, please wait. Thank you for coming here."

The Empress let out a smouldering fire. Karol averted his eyes after knowing the Empress was looking at him with air like he was about to kill. Lady Yun felt a tense atmosphere. Why do the two of them always fight? After all, their relationship is husband and wife. The food has arrived. The waiter puts it on the table according to the customer's order.

"Wow, beef rib soup tastes really good."

Lady Yun said the taste assessment of the dish. The Empress and Karol then looked at their ordered food that was in front of him.

"This food is delicious. But…" The

Empress was silent for a moment but did not continue her words. Lady Yun was curious to know the following sentence. Karol enjoys the food. His facial expression was flat.

"But what is Her Majesty the Empress?" Lady Yun asked. The Empress then turned her gaze to where Karol was. Look at his concubine's face.

"This food is no better than the dish made by Marquess Liza."

Karol immediately coughed hearing it. He took out the food that was in his mouth. The Empress had no reason to attract men's attention. He was sincerely telling the truth. Karol patted his chest then immediately drank the water. The feeling now feels good after finishing the water in the glass. Karol then looked at the Empress's face. They then looked at each other. Lady Yun watched them. The two of them stared at each other for a long time. It wasn't long before the Empress lowered her head. Karol then turned his gaze towards the glass window. See the street view. It's noon. They all left the restaurant.

"We're going home now."

The Empress got into the horse carriage. Lady Yun also followed her. Karol headed for the coachman. The horse started walking. Silence returned. Since coming out of the restaurant, the Empress and Karol didn't speak. Only their faces turned red. Are they both nervous?

The Empress holds her dress tightly. She tried to be calm even though her heart was beating fast—the image of Karol staring at her face like a man looking at his lover's face. There is a lot of love. The Empress was happy and received Karol's tender care. During this time, she fell in love with Emmanuel at first sight. The feelings of the Lion king began to grow when he was in the Southern kingdom. The attention given by the Lion king has melted his heart. Now the Empress also felt a strange thing when together with Karol. What's wrong with me? Falling in love with three men at the same time. I can't play with fire even though they were all consorts of the Empress. But I can't hurt them. I had to decide to love one of them and abolish the concubine system. The Empress should also fix her good name. But what if I get greedy. I couldn't let go of Emmanuel, Lion king, and Karol. So how do they feel about me? I don't want one-sided love. Before I decide on one of them. I have to determine how they think about me. Huan Ran hopes to have a lover. She doesn't want to live alone like he used to. Being able to live here is a joy. 

After a long journey, finally, the Empress arrived at the Northern royal palace. During the return journey. The Empress and Karol behaved awkwardly. Sometimes at night, Karol gave her his fur jacket while the Empress was asleep. He then sat outside the tent to keep the Empress safe. Only lady Yun knew Karol's tender care for the Empress. The attitude of a cold and rude man was completely different. He never showed tenderness but was always attentive. His words and demeanour are contradictory.