The Emperors' visit

What had just happened on that Gazebo? Why? Why was the General acting so strange? I thought about it as I walked back to my house.

He was going to come to this punishment house? In general, the husband of a harem would visit the homes of his wives but never the one in a punishment home. Was this going to be another one of his weird tests?

In the back of my head, I always knew that as Ayan was a wife in the harem she could possibly receive the General's affection.

I mean I had all of Ayan's memories and so I knew she had slept with him many times before. And now that I'd thought of it the images of what they'd done were now flooding my mind. I winced hard, brought my arms to the top of my head, and began to punch.

"Get out! Get out of my head!" I fought with myself.

However, considering everything she had done in the past and the punishment she'd received I never imagined he'd take interest in her again. Or perhaps, more accurately that he would take interest so soon.

I had thought I would be safe from any advances from him for a good while. Now I only had more things to worry about. If the General did try to spend the night with me or something I couldn't refuse him.

A new wave of panic coursed through me. General Kang was extremely handsome I wouldn't deny that but the idea that he would spend time with one woman today another woman tomorrow was just distasteful to me.

That being said, I had to accept that I wouldn't be able to avoid the General if such a time came. Meanwhile, I still had the poisons to deal with. I would check in on them almost every day to make sure they were still there. I trusted Kaylee and Yema, I didn't think they would ever look through my personal things. I just checked to be sure and to reassure myself. Besides in the dream, Ayan only got caught because she used the potions. So as long as I didn't attempt using them I should be fine. I know it was a bit wild to trust what I'd seen in a dream, however, I felt it couldn't just be a coincidence.

In the next following days, the General didn't have dinner with the harem, he was far too busy with work but he did call Laika to him once. It was also announced that the emperor would be visiting the estate soon to see the General as they were good friends. They probably also had work to do together. Soon the estate had servants constantly moving up and down in preparation for the emperor. The estate gardeners were fixing up the estate gardens even more, the main house was being neatened up. Whilst the estate was already fine before I suppose they were going the extra mile for the emperor.

I wasn't even going to see him so I wasn't concerned. This time Laika and Samira were his chosen wives to greet the emperor with him. I imagine Maris must be upset since she often chose along with Laika to escort the General around after Ayan was dumped.

On the day of the Emperor's visit, nearly all the servants were rushing around even more than the days prior. I guess they making the finishing touches.

I was tending to my garden when he arrived. I was waiting for Yema and Kaylee to come back as they had gone to the estate's servants building to have lunch. This was actually the best time to garden since Kaylee wasn't there to complain. I learned a lot from Enan about properly tending to plants. I was really getting good at this now. Taking out weeds, trimming the plants, and fertilizing them. It had become quite relaxing for me to garden, almost therapeutic.

"So this is where you live?" I then suddenly heard a voice say. It was coming from the gate of my house in front of me. Looking up from where I knelt in the garden, I saw a figure sitting on top of the wooden fence. It was a young boy with dark hair, tan skin, and green-hazel eyes. He stared at me with a smug grin on his face. I noticed he looked familiar, I'd met this boy before in the imperial city. My mouth gaped open.

"You..." I started realizing who he was. "You're that boy from that day."

Then a million questions popped into my mind. How? What was he doing here at the estate? What was he doing at my house? How did he get here? What happened to him after he ran away that day? Hadn't he been running away from the imperial guards?

He was casually sitting on the wall. He had a cleaner appearance this time. He wore simple a trousers and shirt, and his bruises were less noticeable.

"What are you doing here?" That was the first question I asked him.

He jumped off the wall into my garden and then using the pathway walked further into my territory.

"I saw the other wives have bigger nicer houses than this place."

Was he going to continue ignoring my questions?

"So that must mean that general man doesn't like you much." He laughed at me.

I snorted. What a little brat, I thought as watched him walk a little too close to some of my plants."Be careful not to step on my flowers." I warned him.

"Tch, these plants are important to you?" He mocked. "What, is this your punishment as the least favorite wife or something? Making you plant things?"

He was a lot more talkative this time around, more animated in fact. Last time he was angry, cold, and quiet. However, one thing remained the same he wasn't saying anything about himself.

"You seem to know a lot about unfavored wives," I commented. To which his face suddenly went dark and looked away. What was that about? I wondered. I only meant it as a joke. "You're right I am the least favored wife but I do the gardening for myself it's something I'm being made to do. I enjoy it." I answered him.

"I've never heard of a noble lady that likes to do hard labor. You're strange, Lady."He told me as he reached the steps of the veranda house entrance. He got onto the veranda and lay down on it.

"Making yourself comfortable I see," I commented. What was up with this child? He just suddenly shows up unannounced and barges into my house. "What do you want? How did you know I lived here?" I demanded.

"No, I'm just as surprised to see you here. I was just passing by and happened to see you. So I thought to say hello."

"To say hello?" I laughed. "And where did you come from?" I inquired.

Silence.

"What about your parents aren't they looking for you?"

Silence.

"You won't tell me anything about yourself?" I asked him but when he continued to lie down with his eyes closed. "Fine then, suit yourself," I told him. Seriously what was up with this kid?

Perhaps he was a child of one of the estate servants. I would ask when Kaylee and Yema returned or if someone came looking for him. I guess I would have to entertain him for a little bit.

"Teon is that you? I've been looking for you!" I heard a female voice call from outside the gate. I turned to see a stern-looking woman standing by the gate looking at the boy. She wore a uniform so I knew she was a servant. So his guardians were looking for him.

I got up from the ground to give her my attention. "Is he your son?" I asked her. Teon, so that was his name? I wondered. It sounded a little familiar.

She let out a loud ugly laugh like I had just told her the funniest joke. "Oh heavens no. Like anyone would want a child like him."

What did that mean? I wondered giving her a confused look.

The woman then looked me up and down as if judging my appearance as she then proceded to give me a look of dissaproval. I looked down at myself I was of course a mess from gardening and suddenly I felt self-conscious.

This woman was clearly a servant what right did she have to judge me like that?

"Now, Teon stop wasting time and come here. Before you cause any more trouble." Alright, I did not like this rude, judgemental woman.

Suddenly, I felt someone come up behind me. I looked to see the boy standing behind me as if hiding. He had a look of hostility towards the servant at the gate.

"Wait, why are you hiding behind me?" I whispered to him.

"Now, don't be difficult boy or you'll know what'll happen." The servant threatened him.

As a matter of fact, I knew why he was hiding. Who would want to go to someone like that? "Now there's no need to talk to him like that. You'll only scare him." I tried to reason with her.

"Miss do you have any idea who that boy is--" She started when a tall figure suddenly appeared before her.

"What is going on here, Selena?" The person asked their deep voice sending shivers down my spine.

The nasty servant lady suddenly turned round cowered before the figure. "Your majesty!" She said as bowed her head low. "I found him."

I felt even Teon behind me flinch.

'Your majesty?' I thought. The figure was a tall man with a muscular build. He tan skin and long dark brown hair, and hazel eyes. He was...beautiful. He wore fine robes that would instantly let you know he was of nobility. He had an overwhelming aura about him that indicated a man with power.

It took me a moment to recognize who he was. He was Emperor Arsen of Turk. A rather stern expression was on his face. He looked from me to Teon who was behind me. His eyebrows sprung up in surprise at the sight for a moment by what he was seeing. Then his expression changed back to seriousness.

"Crown Prince Teon. Come here now." He then ordered the boy.

Crown Prince? Teon was the Crown Prince? I felt my brain being overwhelmed by all of this. Too much was happening at one time.