21 Devious Team Up

General Kang's POV

When I returned to the estate I was once again tired from all the work with the emperor. I found myself wanting nothing more than to rest. That man wasn't letting me rest at all. What's more, he wanted to come over to the estate soon to visit as a 'friend'.He had more work-related things to discuss I no doubt. Sometimes I felt like he was taking advantage of our friendship.

The following day I invited my harem for dinner. I invited Ayan once again so far she had been maintaining this new change of character of hers. She still hadn't bothered any of the other wives nor myself.

And once again just like the previous dinner she didn't try to talk to me or engage in the conversation I was having with the other wives. I found myself constantly glancing at her. She seemed to be in her own space. What was she thinking about? I felt like I couldn't quite get a read on her.

At the previous dinner, Ayan was quiet the entire time and I allowed it because at the time I was just curiously observing her. However, I didn't expect her to continue being this way. I wasn't sure what exactly I wanted from her but she was being far too quiet now.

What's more, why was I so curious about her? Why was I getting drawn to her? Why was her silence bothering me?

The other wives and I were having a casual conversation about the best teas in the kingdom. Maris and Laika were telling me what they like.

So I had to ask Ayan what her opinion on the topic was. I knew she wasn't listening I just wanted to see what she would say.

After dinner, I was moving around the estate taking some time to think about the emperor and work. The other wives were disappointed I wasn't visiting anyone's home for the night, however, I had work to do. I was an imperial army, General, after all.

I soon entered the gardens hoping to get some air for a little bit before heading back to the main house. As I neared the island Gazebo I saw a figure standing by the rails overlooking the stream. Getting closer, I squinted my eyes to see who it was. The back of the person was what was facing me but I gathered it was one of my wives from the style of dress but I couldn't quite see the color. Then I saw the long jet-black hair and I instantly knew it was Ayan. I decided to up to the Gazebo to talk to her.

She finally had her chance to talk to me face to face. For months now I had intentionally avoided giving her any alone with me. However, this time I wanted to see how she would react.

Would she take the opportunity? Was this the moment when she would break? When her little change in character would quickly disappear? Would she ask me to take her out of that punishment house? Beg for her former title? I was curious to know.

However, I was shocked when as soon as she saw me, all she did was try to leave. I was flabbergasted. Was she avoiding me? I found myself getting frustrated.

As she made to leave the Gazebo, I grabbed her arm as she went past me. I was going to get to the bottom of this today. She turned round to face me. The surprised expression on her face caught me off guard. This new sweet, plain expression of hers was still strange to see. I was used to her previous devious-looking face that made her look like she was always plotting something.

"Why does it feel like you're avoiding me?" Was the first thing I asked. For some reason, it bothered me if she was.

She kept quiet and didn't answer me. That only pissed me off more. What, was she upset that I punished her? Is that why she was ignoring me and being so quiet?" Ayan you know what you did was wrong you can't throw tantr..."

"I'm not avoiding you because I'm upset!" She suddenly interrupted me. "I just don't want to cause you any more trouble. "

I looked into her big doe-like green eyes, she appeared innocent, like she truly meant what she was saying.

Did I find myself.... relieved? Why? Why I was glad that she wasn't avoiding me because she was mad at me?

Perhaps it's because when I looked at Ayan now, I saw the version of her that I thought she was when I first fell in love with her. I truly did love this woman before when my harem was formed 2 years ago. Her body was what had caught my interest, I had wrongly assumed that because she was beautiful on the outside that meant she was beautiful on the inside. After seeing her true colors I quickly found her ugly and wanted to stop being around. However, now it really did feel like I was looking at the version of Ayan I'd loved before. And truly she was a beautiful woman, but with a kind heart, her beauty increased tenfold.

Though I was convinced she had changed or was changing I couldn't remove her punishment just yet. What she did was wrong and so I still planned for her to at least face the minimum judgment of at least two months. However, I would give her the chance to redeem herself. I smirked as an idea formed in my mind.

"I'm curious to know what your food tastes like I said in a way that hinted I wanted her to invite me over.

" I don't think I'm a very good cook." She told me. I found it so cute she was being so humble.

I gave her a look that would force her into to accepting. I had never been in that house nor had I ever imagined going there, but I was curious to know how she was living there.

I felt satisfied as I let her go for the night. I was curious for what awaited Ayan and I in the future.

RINA'S POV

I was walking in the courtyard with Samira and each of our head maids, on our way to Maris' home for our weekly duty meetings. This time we were having the meeting at her house. We entered the gate to Maris' home and were led by one of her servants to the sitting room.

"You're late you two," Laika commented as we entered the sitting room.

"Sorry about that" Samira apologized. "What were you two talking about?" Samira asked as we sat down.

"Nothing just about Ayan and the Lord the other day at dinner," Maris explained

"You mean when he suddenly called out to her during dinner?" Samira further inquired.

"Yes, it was very strange. Usually, during dinner, if you're quiet the lord doesn't acknowledge you at all."

"Maybe he's just curious since Ayan has been so quiet recently," Maris argued.

"I thought I would be glad not to see her around anymore but it's almost as if she doesn't exist anymore. It's creepy. " Laika said

"Or maybe that's her new tactic now?" I angrily blurted out without thinking.

Everyone suddenly turned to look at me.

I was instantly triggered by the topic of discussion. Every time we had dinner with the general I tried so hard to get his attention but he never noticed me. Yet Ayan who was quiet and wasn't even saying anything got called by him. Anger coursed through my veins as I thought about it.

"That's a possibility," Laika surprisingly agreed with me. "Ayan has always been cunning.

"I was told by Ayan. Apparently she was even seen by some servants speaking with the General at the Gazebo the other night." Samira added us.

What!? My eyes widened in horror.

"They said the general wasn't yelling or anything at her. It appeared to be a normal conversation between them and he even held her arm."

"Tch, Ayan worming her way back into the General's heart." Laika commented as she rolled her eyes. "If the Lord favors her again that's fine but if she messes with us again I won't tolerate it."

I feel like I didn't get to see her suffer enough though.

It took a lot of effort to get General to make time for me. However, for Ayan who was punished and given the lowest ranking for me to overtake me.

"But anyway let us gein our meeting shall we?" Maris said as she changed the subject. Laika and Samira agreed.

"Goodness Rina, are you alright?" Samira asked me from where she sat beside me.

I hadn't realized how I appeared as I seethed with rage. "Yes, I'm fine I said. As I quickly calmed myself down. I looked around to see if anyone was staring. I noticed among the servants that at attention around the room one of them staring intently at me. It was Samira's servant. I recognized she was also the servant that used to serve Ayan as her head servant.

When I stared back at her she suddenly looked away. I wondered what her problem was as I turned my attention back to the meeting.

"My lady I would like to discuss something with you. "

"Aren't you supposed to be with Samira? " I questioned her.

"I already excused myself for the evening my lady."

"And what brings you here?"

"I believe you and I share a similar disdain and hatred for Lady Ayan." She started.

My eyes widened in surprise. "You dislike Ayan?" I asked. As I pieced it together. "You were her head maid correct?

"Yes, my lady."

I had heard all about the way she used to mistreat her servants. I imagine Teeka was still upset about whatever Ayan had done to her. "What do you want exactly?"

"I would like us to make a deal, one that will benefit us both in bringing down lady Ayan."