The Concubine Does Not Love the Emperor - Chapter 37

Of course, it was a bit excessive to light lanterns near the pavilion where they shared their intimate moments, but it was undeniable that Suleiman’s figure became clearer with each passing day.

“Sigh. Was it the right thing to do?”

Margaret tossed and turned uncomfortably. Her nether regions still felt swollen and sore. Like a child receiving a toy knife for the first time, Suleiman indulged his desires until he collapsed from exhaustion. Of course, she played her part in indulging him.

It won’t take long, she recalled the trembling voice of the pitiful man.

Mother holds power. She’s colluding with the nobles and raising soldiers behind the scenes. If we don’t get rid of her, Mustafa can’t ascend to the throne.

Why do rebels engage in actions as sinful as those they oppose? Even Orléans secretly raised soldiers. Margaret was concerned about the immature man. He became Emperor by sheer luck, but he was deeply uneasy about not having her support in the palace.

From now on, I’ll pretend to fall for you. It’s not genuine. It’s just a ploy to deceive everyone.

When she asked how he planned to resolve the situation, the man discreetly revealed his plan.

We spread rumors that the Emperor, who used to favor blue, has now fallen for a woman. This time, from my side.

Falling for a woman? she asked.

More precisely, falling for you.

He said it shyly as if confessing his love.

Despite repeatedly claiming he wouldn’t have children, Suleiman had impregnated her numerous times. When she pointed out this contradiction, he laughed and said,

“It’s fine if it’s you. We just need one child. I’ll hand over the throne to Mustafa and go with you to the Kingdom of Berthe. Starting anew in a foreign land with you. Building a peaceful family with you and the child.”

It was mind-boggling. His inconsistent and reckless behavior confirmed that he was indeed the Suleiman she knew. She pressed her belly.

“A child? That’s out of the question.”

Margaret had always had irregular menstruation. Whether it was due to the medicine the slaves in the Boroman Empire were given shortly after being sold into slavery or simply the hardships she endured, her periods had stopped abruptly. With such a messed-up body, she couldn’t conceive a child. That fact provided her with some comfort. At least there would be no need to kill an innocent life or be held back by it.

“Let’s go to bed early tonight. Things will look better after a good night’s sleep.”

Margaret had underestimated the man. Shortly after having an early dinner, Hassan visited her again.

“His Majesty has chosen you for tonight.”

The Rem sisters clasped their hands together in disbelief and joy. But Margaret lost in thought, wondered if “from now on” meant from today. Hassan cast a sharp glance at her as if sensing her thoughts.

“Are you lucky, or is there some other special charm about you?”

Hassan’s dark eyes narrowed as if searching for flaws. Seeing this, Bahari, with her amiable smile, handed a purse of coins to Hassan as well.

“It’s a good thing for everyone when His Majesty visits the harem.”

“You speak well.”

In response to Bahari’s smooth words, Hassan opened the purse of coins and swiftly tucked it into his pocket. Margaret noticed that the purse Bahari gave Hassan was twice the size of the ones he had collected during the day. He ceased his scrutiny of Margaret and urged her to prepare quickly.

After Margaret finished dressing up, Hassan furrowed his brow.

“What about the necklace His Majesty granted? Did you forget?”

“It wasn’t intentional. I simply chose not to wear it.”

Margaret’s reply earned a smug chuckle from Hassan.

“Fine. Keep up that humble attitude. They say the more precious something is, the deeper you should hide it.”

“I’ll remember.”

She followed Hassan towards the chambers. However, she noticed a change: the secretary sitting at the desk where she had listed her name in the concubine’s book yesterday was different. It seemed all the attendants who had been there the previous night had been replaced.

“It’s your second time, so you should know the rules. Don’t be rude under any circumstances.”

Suddenly, Hassan, unlike yesterday, bombarded her with a lot of nagging before opening the door. Margaret took a deep breath and entered. She bowed deeply, keeping her head down as she approached the Emperor. A faint cough sounded above her head.

Margaret lifted her head slightly.

“You’re here?”

Suleiman greeted her warmly as their eyes met. The man standing behind him seemed much more relaxed than the previous night.

Though she had expected it, seeing him again felt strange. Suleiman lightly kissed the back of her hand as he rose from his seat. Clad in black velvet adorned with golden embroidery, he smiled gently and patted Margaret’s shoulder.

“The gift I sent… ”

The man’s words trailed off. Margaret followed his gaze and remembered the necklace, feeling around her neck until she found it. It was a lavish necklace adorned with dazzling diamonds and a large sapphire. She must have stored it somewhere in its box.

“It felt heavy.”

She gave a casual answer, unable to think of any excuses, and the man nodded. Suleiman led Margaret to the side of the room with a fireplace and seated her there. Rain was falling outside. The Emperor’s chamber was spacious, with high ceilings and colder air than Margaret’s quarters.

Margaret sat on the large cushion and rested her hands on her knees, fidgeting with her fingers. The man seated her there and then went to a desk some distance away. The sound of crackling firewood filled the room. Despite it being summer, it felt cozy near the fireplace.

It was a strange summer day where cold and warmth coexisted.

Knock, knock.

With the sound, Altar entered, placing a tray beside her before leaving. On the tray were coffee and some cinnamon cookies, now slightly stale. Additionally, there were fruit pudding and red jelly mixed with sugar and almonds. Apart from the cinnamon cookies, it was an array of snacks she hadn’t seen before, neatly arranged, but she hesitated to reach for any.

“There’s coffee.”

“It’s freshly made, so you can drink it without worry.”

Suleiman kept his gaze fixed on the bundle of papers he was holding as he responded. Seeing the new desk that wasn’t there yesterday, it seemed he had called Margaret to handle some work.

Leaving the coffee untouched, Margaret rested her chin on her hand. Her gaze naturally drifted towards the man. His upright posture somehow made her uncomfortable. Gone was the insolent and careless demeanor; she couldn’t recognize him.

Suddenly, Suleiman seemed to sense her gaze and slowly lifted his head. Unexpectedly, their eyes met over the papers. Margaret awkwardly smiled and turned her head away again.

Her eyes involuntarily fixed on the fireplace. The flames danced gracefully, consuming the logs incessantly. She remained motionless until the fire subsided. The man, who had been sitting at the desk reading documents and signing them incessantly, suddenly got up and walked slowly towards her. Even without looking, she knew. Margaret consciously tried not to turn her head, but all her senses were focused on Suleiman. The man who had come closer suddenly reached out his hand. At that moment, her whole body stiffened with tension. But he simply picked up the logs stacked beside the fireplace and threw them into the fire.

“Is looking at me so tempting for you?”

“My body still aches.”

It wasn’t a lie. Her body still throbbed from the night’s relentless intimacy.

“Should I take a look?”

“I’m fine.”

With a firm refusal, Suleiman chuckled. Warm. Suleiman muttered as he leaned against the wall beside the fireplace, his arm draped behind him as he sat at an angle. The warm crimson glow of the fire flickered across his face and body, giving him a languid and peaceful appearance.

“Is this okay for me to stay like this? Do I have anything else to do?”

At the impulsive question, Suleiman turned his gaze towards her. A sly laughter escaped his lips.

“Just like this.”

Margaret picked up a log and then set it back down on the floor. The flames were still flickering from the toss. She asked again.

“Just calling you like this, having you come, and then just staying quiet, is that all I need to do?”

Suleiman seemed lost in thought, tapping his foot.

“I promised to protect you, so if an assassin comes, I’ll protect you.”

“…”

Whether it was a joke or a serious statement, Margaret couldn’t tell. Seeing her bewildered expression, Suleiman chuckled faintly.

“If someone hits you, you can hit them back.”

At his playful remark tinged with laughter, Margaret finally laughed along. It seemed memories of dealing with troublemakers in front of him had left quite an impression on her.

“I can’t take Altar’s job away.”

“Is that so? Well then, just stay like this.”

Seemingly exhausted, Suleiman turned his arm into a makeshift pillow and lay back. His eyes, barely open, seemed like they might drift off to sleep at any moment. Margaret glanced at the fireplace again and then picked up another log and added it to the fire. As the flames flickered and grew, consuming the dry wood, she cautiously shifted to lie down beside him.

The firelight cast beautiful shadows on his forehead, nose, and lips. With each breath he took, the shadows gently swayed as if alive. As she gazed upon his face, which seemed to bring all the peace in the world, Margaret felt the weight of the tragedy she carried become infinitely lighter.

Amidst the crackling of the firewood, the soft sound of his breathing mingled. Laden with an unhappy past, he longed to break free from cruel chains. Gazing at his profile with gentle eyes, Margaret quietly closed her eyes, hoping that his wishes would come true, and drifted into silence.