19 Chapter 17 - Jealousy (1/2)
Fujimura Kasumi's head turns to the empress so fast that it unsettles the air around them. Empress Kouki doesn't notice, though, and continues to inspect the mysterious woman next to the First Prince.
Kasumi composes herself and says, ”Someone who doesn't even tell you her identity isn't very trusting. How do we know what she is hiding, she could be conspiring against you!”
Kouki agrees with her thoughts but says, ”My son knows who she is, he won't tell anyone though because he feels that she'll be taken advantage of at her age. She'll reveal her identity when she's at marriageable age.”
Kasumi ponders some more before saying, ”But she's powerful, our enemies could use her to their advantage if she is captured, or worse,convince her to take their side.”
Kouki finally drags her gaze away from the lovely couple and looks at Kasumi, ”Why are you telling me so many bad things, how about something positive?”
Kasumi lays her hand on Kouki's shoulder before saying, ”I want to look out for you, I don't want you to be betrayed by the suspicious woman.”
Kouki furrows her brows and looks back and forth between Kasumi and the prince. Kasumi is praying that Kouki will believe her and cut off the marriage. This was her life, and she won't let some random woman get in the middle of it!
Kouki nods her head, ”I agree with you, but I think I should get to know her first before making assumptions.”
Kasumi wants to say more, but stops herself. Kouki isn't completely stupid, so she might catch into the fact that Kasumi is trying to get rid of the woman, ”I will go with whatever decision you make, my Empress.”
Kouki raises a hand and flutters it at Kasumi, ”Oh stop, you're making me blush.”
Kasumi smiles as Kouki dotingly, and while Kouki turns around, Kasumi glares at the masked woman, wishing her a horrible life and death.
*****
Shivers go down Fujimura Miyu's spine and she glanced around to see the cause. She sees her sister sitting next to the empress glaring at her. Kasumi gets startled when she noticed that You returned her stare and, flustered, turns away and gives a smile to a worried empress. Miyu chuckles, 'So this was your backer? I guess the empress is a little ignorant, believing Kasumi's charades.'