Chapter 29
I quietly watched Huirem, eyes closed, listening to the sound of rain hitting the glass ceiling of the greenhouse.
As the rain began to calm down slightly, Huirem spoke again.
“Sorry, I got caught up in some unnecessary sentiment for a moment.”
“It’s alright. Everyone has days like that.”
“‘Everyone,’ huh… Indeed. I’m glad you’re the kind of person to think that way.”
I tilted my head at Huirem’s cryptic comment, but she only smiled silently.
Pulling my veil back over my face, I walked around the greenhouse with Huirem, chatting about various trivial things.
It occurred to me that it had been a long time since I had spoken with anyone other than Arin or Aziz.
Before I knew it, I was enjoying my time with her.
Our quiet stroll in the greenhouse ended, and we were about to leave when we ran into a group led by a glamorous blonde noblewoman.
“Oh my, greetings, Sultan. What a surprise to meet you here.”
The blonde woman, who exuded noble elegance at first glance, greeted Huirem with a graceful smile.
“It’s been a while, Roxelana. Out for a stroll?”
“Yes. With the rain and the gloomy mood, I thought I’d take a look around the greenhouse after a long time. Thanks to you, Sultan, for opening this beautiful place.”
Hearing the name Roxelana made me flinch slightly.
Shuleiman, who had once mistaken me for an assassin ally, had mentioned her name.
Whoever she was, she was undoubtedly dangerous.
“Beauty should be enjoyed together. Hoarding it alone is excessive greed and a waste.”
“Oh my, Sultan, you’re not referring to my love of art, are you? That’s merely a trivial hobby of mine.”
“Of course not. Surely not.”
Watching the two converse gently looked elegant and refined from the outside.
But between Roxelana and Huirem, there was a tense undercurrent.
I stood there awkwardly, feeling like a thorn cushion between them.
“By the way, who is this beside you? Since you haven’t lifted her veil even while with the Sultan, she must be someone special.”
Suddenly drawing attention, I swallowed hard in embarrassment.
It was a good thing I had my veil on; otherwise, my nervous face would have been exposed to everyone.
“Ah, she’s a child I’ve been fond of recently. I asked her to keep me company for a while.”
“I heard there’s a veiled woman with the second prince lately. So this is someone sent by the Sultan, I see.”
Roxelana looked me over with interest.
Feeling awkward, I bent slightly in greeting and pressed my lips together.
Aziz had taught me the proper way to greet noblewomen, but I didn’t want to bother.
After all, Roxelana herself had not properly shown the etiquette due to the Sultan.
Even I, unfamiliar with this kingdom, could sense that she was behaving quite rudely toward Huirem.
“You seem very interested in palace affairs, Roxelana. I didn’t expect your curiosity to reach even my son’s private life.”
“Oh, no. Not at all. I only heard a little because the lower staff have been so noisy lately. Please don’t misunderstand, Sultan.”
…Isn’t she mocking me?
I hid a wry smile beneath my veil.
But Huirem seemed even more irritated than I was.
She wore a much brighter smile than before, yet somehow looked thoroughly annoyed.
“By the way, how is Prince Theron’s condition?”
“Thanks to the Sultan kindly allowing him to remain in the capital, he is gradually recovering.”
“I see. He must be worried, needing to quickly recover and manage his territory.”
“With the Sultan’s peaceful reign, what is there to worry about? The kingdom has never experienced such peace before. We can only be grateful.”
I could hear Huirem grinding her teeth next to me.
As I thought how much she resembled Shuleiman in her habit, Roxelana gently took her leave from Huirem first.
“Oh my, I hope I haven’t disturbed your time. If permitted, I shall take my leave now.”
Roxelana and her entourage completely ignored the etiquette that required leaving after the Sultan and disappeared into the greenhouse.
Once calm returned, Huirem spoke softly.
“Sorry. A small pest wandered into the greenhouse for a moment.”
“A pest…?”
Surely she didn’t mean that blonde woman just now?
Before I could react, Huirem, wearing a self-deprecating smile, spoke coldly.
“Yes. That woman just now is Roxelana, the mother of the Fourth Prince, Theron. She is one of the people you must be cautious of.”
I inhaled sharply in surprise.
So she was Theron’s mother. Now that I think about it, they did look alike.
Her stunning blonde hair and natural elegance radiated through her posture.
Roxelana and Theron resembled each other not only in appearance but even in aura.
“But why should I be careful of her?”
“Theron is also Shuleiman’s rival. She will surely try to monitor you. To avoid that, you will need power and status as well. Therefore, I plan to make you the most noble person in this palace.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“I’ve heard you’re receiving various lessons from Aziz. Once you are adequately prepared, I intend to officially announce your human form as a divine incarnation. Then, no one will dare oppose you.”
“…Is that really the best approach?”
“Yes. Before meeting you today, I thought to lure you to the palace with position and wealth, but that won’t work on you.”
Well, about that…
Money is certainly one of my main goals, but gaining freedom would be simple—I could just use Ashtar’s power to escape.
However, legally acquiring a fortune large enough to live comfortably for life was not so easy.
Unsure how to respond in such a serious tone, I hesitated. Huirem chuckled softly.
“Don’t worry. I will keep the promise I made to you today. You can trust my wish to protect you. After all, if even a hair on your head is harmed, there are two who will raise hell for it.”
“Two…?”
One must be Shuleiman, but who is the other?
“My son and Aziz. Heh, perhaps Aziz will be even more troublesome, as he’s been waiting for you a long time.”
I furrowed my brows at her cryptic words.
Aziz, my teacher, had indeed become much more polite than before, but I didn’t feel particularly valued by him.
Sometimes, the way he stared at me so intently made me wonder if he even disliked me.
“Aziz said something similar… Why exactly has he been waiting for me?”
“You should ask him. It’s not for me to answer.”
Huirem turned to look outside at the still-falling rain with a meaningful expression.
“It’s time for me to return. Today was enjoyable, Ishtar. If the opportunity arises again, will you go on another walk with me?”
“Yes… of course.”
“Good. Thank you. Be careful on your way back.”
Huirem, smiling warmly, walked out of the greenhouse first.
I quietly watched her figure fade into the rain and mist.
A few days later.
After morning lessons with Aziz, I trudged back to my room, exhausted.
“Ishtar, why the long face? Afternoon class is canceled. Isn’t that good?”
Seeing Arin’s worried expression, I sighed heavily.
“Aziz gave us a ton of assignments. I feel like there won’t be enough time even if I study all afternoon.”
“Again? Today’s a holiday—you should get some rest. That’s too much.”
“Today’s a holiday?”
I had been so caught up in studying that I hadn’t kept track of the days.
While trying to figure out what day it was, Arin answered first.
“Friday is a public holiday in the kingdom. Most people take the day off to go out. Events or parties are also usually held then. Shuleiman’s inauguration was on a Friday too, wasn’t it?”
“Oh, right. I thought it was just a fun Friday.”
“Fun Friday…? What does that mean?”
Seeing Arin’s eyes light up, trying to understand everything I said, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Kids don’t need to know,” I said, making her puff out her cheeks adorably.
I patted her head as we entered the room.
Inside, I found an unexpected visitor and widened my eyes.
“Ah, you’re back? That was sooner than I expected.”
