"Jinny, what are you doing?" Nelly asked when she saw Jinny outside, helping to dry the bed covers.
"I'm helping," Jinny replied, lifting another sheet onto the line. "I decided that since I'm no longer pregnant, I should return to my duties."
"But you're no longer a palace servant. You're His Majesty's guest," Nelly reminded her gently.
Jinny smiled. "But doing nothing makes me feel restless. Besides, I don't want the other servants to think I'm taking advantage of His Majesty's kindness—just because of my brothers."
Nelly smiled warmly and patted her shoulder. "You're so kind. No wonder His Majesty favors you."
Jinny averted her gaze.
Does he still favor me...?
Ever since the day she confessed to him about the miscarriage, he hadn't shown himself to her. He was avoiding her.
She sighed quietly.
"Why the sad face?" Nelly asked, concerned.
Jinny forced a smile. "It's nothing."
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a carriage approaching the palace.
"THE PRINCESS OF ORAVELLE HAS ARRIVED!" an announcement echoed from the gates.
"Princess?" Jinny repeated, confused.
"Yes. The Princess of Oravelle. She'll be living here now," Nelly replied.
"She's going to live here?" Jinny asked again, as though trying to process the words.
The two women watched as the carriage came to a stop.
"You haven't heard the news? His Majesty and the princess are getting married—tomorrow," Nelly informed her.
It felt like a basin of cold water had been dumped over Jinny.
Matias is getting married...?
The carriage door opened, and a stunningly beautiful woman stepped out. She looked graceful and delicate. Her elegant dress shimmered in the sunlight, perfectly complementing her fair skin and innocent expression.
"She's gorgeous," Nelly whispered in awe.
Jinny's heart ached painfully.
Matias is getting married tomorrow—and he didn't even tell me.
But then again, why would he?
She had failed him. She had lost his child.
There was no reason for him to favor her anymore.
The palace servants bowed deeply as the princess entered the main hall.
Jinny clutched her chest. The pain was overwhelming.
She could never compare to someone like that princess.
Nelly urged her to rest before returning to her duties, but Jinny, still in shock, found her feet leading her to the Ruby Palace—where her brothers were staying.
In the garden, Ran lounged comfortably, watching the cute young servants who were attending to him.
"Do you have a lover?" he asked one of the female servants with a teasing smile.
The servant blushed at the question. "W-Why would you ask that, my Lord?"
Ran smirked. "Why not? You're adorable. With a face like that, I bet a lot of men admire you."
The servant giggled shyly as Ran continued to flirt. But his attention shifted the moment he spotted Jinny walking slowly, a dazed and sorrowful expression on her face.
"Jin!" he called out.
He gestured for the servants to leave, then rushed to her side.
"What's with that face?" he asked, frowning.
Without saying a word, Jinny suddenly burst into tears.
Ran's eyes widened. "H-Hey… Why are you crying?"
But she didn't answer. She just wept silently.
Ran had no choice but to pull her into a comforting embrace.
"There, there. Cry all you want," he said gently, running his hand through her hair.
Jinny sobbed against his chest.
Ran didn't know the reason behind her tears—but he smiled to himself.
She no longer hesitated to run to him for comfort.
He had finally gained her full trust.
.
.
After meeting the Princess of Oravelle, Matias returned to his chamber to rest. He had been avoiding Jinny ever since her return, keeping his distance without offering a word.
Still, he hadn't completely turned his back on her.
He had quietly ordered his knights to watch over her—to report her every move.
"How is Jinny?" he asked.
"The knights reported that she went to the Ruby Palace, Your Majesty," his secretary replied with a respectful bow.
"I see… Visiting her brothers will be good for her," Matias murmured, leaning back in his chair and finally closing his eyes.
"Please take your rest, Your Majesty. I'll take my leave now," the secretary said, bowing again before quietly exiting the chamber.
Matias didn't respond.
Fatigue weighed heavily on him. Lately, even the slightest movement left him drained.
Within minutes, he had drifted into sleep.
.
.
Jinny's brothers didn't react when she entered the Ruby Palace. They barely glanced her way and continued doing whatever had kept them occupied, deliberately ignoring her.
Ran gently took her hand and guided her upstairs.
Shuu, who was playing cards with the others, glanced at them from under his lashes. A smirk tugged at his lips—he already had an idea of what Ran was planning.
Ran brought Jinny to his room.
"Your room is so big," Jinny said softly, glancing around in quiet awe.
Ran locked the door behind them with a click. "Yeah. There are a lot of rooms here. If you're bored in the main palace, you can stay with us instead. This place belongs to our mother, after all."
"Really?" Jinny looked at him, eyes wide. "I still don't understand how you and the emperor are brothers… or how your parents fit into all this. Can you tell me more?"
Ran leaned against the door and smiled—but there was mischief in his eyes.
"I could tell you," he said slowly, biting his lower lip, "but…"
He stepped closer, eyes trailing down to her lips.
"…I'll only share the story once you satisfy me."
Jinny's face flushed. Her heart skipped a beat as memories of that night—the night they became intimate—rushed back into her mind.
"Ran… w-we shouldn't do this," she whispered.
"Why not? Didn't you enjoy it?" he murmured, leaning in close. His lips brushed her neck as he breathed her in.
His warm breath sent a pleasant tingle across her neck.
"Is your body really saying no?" he whispered against her skin. "Don't lie to yourself, Jin. I know you want this too."
He gently licked the side of her neck, making her knees tremble.
Jinny bit her lip. She couldn't understand why her body responded to him like this—how it burned with desire the moment he touched her.
Ran wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. She could feel the hard outline of his arousal pressing against her through his pants.
"You always smell so good…" he growled softly. "You drive me crazy."
He nibbled at her ear, and Jinny let out a shaky breath.
"R-Ran…" she closed her eyes, her thoughts swirling, overwhelmed by the sensations.
His fingers moved to the ties of her dress, slowly undoing them. As the fabric slipped from her shoulders, she instinctively covered herself, cheeks burning with shyness.
Ran smirked, his gaze sweeping over her naked body before locking with her eyes.
"Tell me…" he said in a deep, husky voice, "do you want me to stop? Or do you want me to continue?"
Jinny swallowed hard. Her mind told her to pull away—but her body betrayed her.
She wanted this.
She wanted him.
And she hated how addicted she was becoming to him.
Jinny nodded.
Ran grinned and gently guided her toward the bed, helping her sit. He knelt in front of her, his hands parting her legs with a confidence that made her breath hitch. His lips pressed against her thigh, warm and teasing.
Jinny moaned softly, her fingers tangling in his hair, eyes fluttering shut. Her body trembled as his kisses traveled higher, until he reached the most sensitive part of her.
"R-Ran… A-Ah…" she gasped.
The way he moved—his mouth, his tongue—it was unlike anything she had ever felt before. Different from Matias. Ran was experienced, confident. Every motion, every breath ignited something inside her. Something addictive.
He slid a finger inside her, moving it slowly at first, then finding a rhythm that made her hips respond instinctively. Her body moved with his, following his lead in a dance of need and rising pleasure.
Ran watched her, completely enjoying it.
She was breathtaking—her flushed face, trembling lips, the way she clutched the bed covers. She was so beautiful when lost in desire.
His movements quickened, and her breathing turned erratic. Then, with a cry of pleasure, she squirted—raw, intense, and uncontrollable.
Ran grinned in satisfaction, gently cleaning her with his tongue before rising to remove his clothes. Jinny's gaze dropped to his abs; she reached out and touched them. Then her eyes drifted lower—to his large, aroused member. Her cheeks flushed as their eyes met.
She reached for his member, her fingers wrapping around it. Ran groaned, the sound low and rough.
"Can you suck it?" he asked, his voice husky.
Jinny gulped, then nodded shyly. She leaned forward, trailing kisses along his length before taking him into her mouth. He was big—too big to take fully—but she tried her best, her hands and lips working together. Ran groaned again, threading his fingers through her hair, his eyes dark with desire.
"You're doing so well, Jin," he murmured.
When he could take no more, he pulled her gently back onto the bed, positioning himself between her legs. With a deep breath, he pushed inside her.
Jinny gasped, wrapping her arms around him tightly. He moved with increasing intensity—fast, deep, overwhelming. Each thrust sent waves of ecstasy through her, her nails digging into his back as their bodies collided again and again.
Their moans filled the room.
Jinny's thoughts blurred. She knew she should feel guilt—Ran was the son of her adopted mother. But she couldn't deny the truth.
She wanted this.
She wanted him.
Ran's pace quickened, and Jinny's moans grew louder with each thrust. Gripping the headboard tightly, he neared his climax. Jinny felt it too—she was close. With just a few more powerful thrusts, they both reached their release. He collapsed onto her chest, both of them breathless.
"That was amazing…" he whispered.
Jinny blushed and covered her face with her hands. Ran chuckled.
"You're shy now, after doing it a second time?" he teased, gently pulling her hands away to kiss her forehead.
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about," he said. "You're already mine now, Jin."
"B-But… what if your brothers find out? They'll be furious."
Ran scoffed. "Don't worry about them. They have no right to tell me what to do. If I decide you're mine, then you're mine. There's nothing they can do about it."
Jinny's heart raced. Is this what it feels like to be loved...?
He hugged her close, his warmth wrapping around her like a promise.
"You won't leave me… right? No matter what happens?"
Jinny nodded softly. "I won't."
Ran smirked. "I know you won't." Then he kissed her again—deep and slow.
She was completely his now.
Matias was about to get married, so Jinny only had him now.
Ran knew he was lucky—the arrogant emperor had cast her aside. And because of that, she had come to him… and accepted him.