I opened my eyes a little to see that he was right. It was still dark outside which meant that Ren would continue playing with my body… “Sit up here, Rin,” Ren said patiently as he slowly pulled me up into a sitting position. I sat facing him on the bed. We both looked at each other and suddenly, I felt my throat go dry with nervousness. I could see his muscular and manly body so clearly in the orange light. His body with perfectly sculptured muscles, hardened from years of training and fighting on the battlefield. His chest and shoulders so broad, his arms so strong, his six pack so beautiful… His body was very different from mine. “I’m going to teach you how to please a man. Are you ready, Rin?” Ren asked. For a moment, I felt like he was my master, and he was about to impart on me a very important lesson.

Ren left the room quietly, closing the door silently behind him so that he wouldn’t disturb Rin. He knew that Rin was deeply upset about his approach to reign. However, her words did not shake his resolve in the slightest. He had learned firsthand through many tough years of experience that war was indeed the only way to maintain peace when every party was power hungry and out for blood. Through perseverance, Ren had stood beside his father as they united the lands. No once did he regret the lives that he had taken. Everything was for the greater good. Everything he did was necessary. Ren was certain that the people of every village, town, city, or small nation that he took over had a better life than before. He personally made sure of that. Ensuring that his empire was strong and feared throughout the land was the surest way to deter other empires from attacking. Fear was the best way to deter war. Not that he expected Rin to understand.

“If you’re worried that Ren’s angry, don’t worry,” Shin said with a small laugh. I didn’t understand how he could act so carefree. “But I’m not sure how I should face him…” I admitted honestly. “Hmm…your town decided to send you as their offering to the capital so…you should have some of it, right?” Shin said, clearly he was teasing me. “Some of it?” I asked, not understanding. “Skills. You should have some skills to please a man, right?” Shin said with narrowed eyes. “Umm…I’ll…think about it…” I muttered before sighing loudly. I wished Shin was right and that I had some skills to please a man, some womanly skills like those that the other women displayed along with their self-introduction in the grand hall. The truth was, apart from my medical skills, I coul

I looked down at the simple porridge that I made for him. It was indeed a far cry from the dishes that we were usually served in the palace, but I made sure that it had all the healthy ingredients, even adding in spices and herbs that I knew were good for the body. I didn’t know what to cook for him and ended up deciding on the same porridge dish that I had cooked for him when he was wounded and a patient staying at my house. I cooked his meal for him every day back then and he seemed to enjoy his meal or, at least, he acted like he enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure if that would still be the case now that he was Ren the crown prince instead of Ren the trader, but it was the best idea that I had. “I’ll eat it if you feed me,” Ren said almost emotionlessly. His face though was serious. “I beg…your pardon?” I said, not believing my ears. “I said that I’ll eat it if you feed me,&rdq

“There are always other options available and situations that may sway the current emperor and the high court to choose the other options. For example, what if I’m unable to produce an heir? That would lead to complications following my own rule on who would succeed me and issues like that are complicated and never welcomed. In that case, it would be cleaner to select an emperor who already has a successor,” Ren began to explain. “I see…” I mumbled as I followed his line of thought. “In my specific case, the other option available is my younger brother, Kin,” Ren said, his face suddenly stern and serious.“Prince Kin?” I said, curiously. “Let’s just say that Kin and I have different values and beliefs. We were raised…very differently despite being brothers…” Ren said, his face darkening as if he was remembering some unpleasant memories.